NEXT CLUB MEETING

  The next meeting of the Optimist Club of Treynor is planned at 7:20 a.m. Saturday morning April 28, 2007 in the Community Center.  JOHN KLEIN has arranged for Jared Greiner to tell about his trip to Washington, DC and for Dennis Butler to speak about the Council Bluffs Recycle Center.  All members are encouraged to bring a guest. 

REPORT OF RECENT CLUB MEETINGS

  At the Club meeting on 4/21 there were 19 members and four guests present.  President GARY GUTTAU opened the meeting with the pledge and LARRY KRAMER led the devotion.

  The 50/50 was awarded to MILLI HARVEY.  The attendance pot was awarded to LES HARVEY.

  TERESA FAHRENKRUG contributed a dollar to the Youth Fund in recognition of her anniversary this month. 

  The next can and bottle sorting at the Can Kennel with the Music Boosters is Wednesday the 25^th at 4 p.m. 

  Our club hosted the Zone 3 meeting on the 16^th with Optimists from Griswold and Underwood attending.  The governor of the Dakotas, Minnesota and Manitoba, Jim Dupree and his wife Linda were guests of Optimist International Vice President Dale Robertson and his wife Barbara from Underwood.  Robertson reported that a new club in Atlantic was being organized through efforts of Griswold and Underwood club efforts.  Lt. Governor Kristi Kennedy announced it was time for all clubs to determine the r! oster of officers for the next Optimist year.  Also, a candidate for Lt. Governor is needed.  Thanks to TERESA FAHRENKRUG for making arrangements and preparing a supper for Zone meeting attendees.

  DICK BABER and LARRY KRAMER reported on attendance at the Optimist International President’s Visit and Awards Banquet in Des Moines on the 14th.  Our club was one of two in the Iowa District to be recognized as an Honor and a Distinguished Club for 2005-2006 under the leadership of Past President Gary Funkhouser.

  JOHN KLEIN reported on Arbor Day with the Treynor Elementary 5^th graders.  Five trees were set in the green space north of TS-Bank by groups of enthusiastic students.  Richard Miller of Miller Nursery provided the trees and assisted with the planting.   The bank, the Pottawattamie County Chapter of Pheasants Forever and our Club provided funds for the trees.  Thanks to KLEIN for arranging the project and to Pres. GUTTAU, KEITH DENTON, CHAD GUTTU, BOB HIBBARD, LARRY KRAMER, RICHARD VORTHMANN, and GERALD FORRISTALL plus volunteers from the! Treynor School staff, Pheasants Forever, and Pott. County Master Gardeners for helping to direct the students. In addition to planting the new trees, fifth graders also assisted with mulching trees around the Elementary School planted during previous Arbor Days with mulch donated by the Council Bluffs Recycling Center.  KLEIN noted that one tree will be moved by Optimists after the Club meeting on the 28^th as it is too close to an underground utility line.

  DALE WILLENBORG announced the Club web site was available at www.treynoroptimist.org.  He has been busy developing the content and more is planned.  Give him your comments after reviewing it.

IOWA WEST FOUNDATION INFLUENCE IN COMMUNITIES

  In the past ten years with Iowa West Foundation (IWF) Associate Executive Director Jerry Mathiasen, has seen much growth and development.  Mathiasen explained that IWF was created in 1994 and has become the largest private foundation in Iowa with assets over $300 million.  The money from the sale of Bluffs Run Dog Track to the casino industry by the Iowa Racing Association was given to IWF to invest and to distribute the interest income to improve area living.  Mathiasen said that IWF also receives annual income directly fro! m casino fees paid to the gambling license holder, Iowa Racing Assoc.  Consequently, IWF awards about 7% of its assets annually to other charitable organizations, government entities, or schools through Area Education Agencies.  Mathiasen noted that the total granting was about $18 million in 2006 and the accumulative granting since the beginning of IWF is over $170 million.  While a lot of this money has gone to Council Bluffs and Pott. County entities, it has also been distributed to communities though out western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.  Mathiasen noted that IWF awards grants four times per year to about 30 of 100 applications received! each quarter.  The four f ocus areas of IWF are education, human and social needs, economic development, and community development and beautification.  Mathiasen noted the IWF is particularly interested in fostering collaboration to meet needs of communities and to improve lives and strengthen communities for future generations.

CALENDAR

April Can Kennel contributions for Music Boosters.

Apr. 25     Can and bottle sorting, 4 p.m.

Apr. 28     Club meeting, programs by Jared Greiner and Dennis Butler.

May Can Kennel contributions for Optimist Scholarships

May  5     Club meeting, program by Romney Presidential Campaign.

               Board meeting after the Club meeting.

May 6      Youth Appreciation Celebration, Zion Church, 3 p.m.

May 12    Club meeting, program by Matt Wilber.

 

   Birthdays

4/20  STEVE CHAMBERS,  4/25  ROCKY SAAR

4/28  GENE SERAN

   Anniversaries

4/4 CATHY & JOHN SCHMITT#,  4/7 JIM CLAUSEN#

4/12 TERESA FAHRENKRUG#

# recognized to date