August 28, 2007                                                                      Vol. 23 No. 41

 

NEXT CLUB MEETING

The next meeting of the Optimist Club of Treynor is planned 7:30 a.m., September 1, 2007 at the Treynor Community Center.  GARY FUNKHOUSER has arranged for IA State Representative Greg Forristall to speak.  All members are encouraged to bring a guest. 

REPORT OF RECENT CLUB MEETINGS

At our club meeting on 8/25 there were 18 members and seven guests present.  Pres. GARY GUTTAU opened the meeting by leading the pledge.  DALE WILLENBORG led the devotion prayer.

Guests included Janet Greiner, Jeff Schoening, Roger Jensen, and Treynor High students, R. J. Jensen, David Day, and Isaac Schmidt.  Jensen, Day, and Schimdt accepted a check in the amount of $925.50 for the efforts of the Treynor High School Music Boosters at the Can Kennel last April.

The 50/50 was awarded to ARLYN NORRIS.  The attendance pot was awarded to JIM CLAUSEN.

Contributions to the Youth Fund were received from TIM GREINER to note the ‘empty nest’ at home with both children now in college.  The 46th wedding anniversary of GARY FUNKHOUSER was noted as he put a dollar in the Youth Fund. 

The first Treynor High home football game is the 31st and Pres. Guttau circulated a sign up sheet for volunteers to help with the gate and parking.

DALE WILLENBORG announced the next can and bottle sorting at the Can Kennel is Wednesday the 29th at 3:30 p.m.

LARRY KRAMER attended the Iowa District Optimist Convention at Waterloo, IA last weekend along with about 125 other Iowa Optimists.  Governor Craig Kelley reported the Iowa District was 11th of 60 districts in Optimist International regarding membership status.    A new club at Creston, IA has been formed, and there are five new club building efforts in process.  District Secretary/Treasurer Don Kain reported the District was in good financial shape.  A proposed change to the Iowa District Policies was approved to increase the awards to participants in the Iowa District Oratorical contest.  $500 scholarships will be given to all runner-up participants.  This policy change is to be voted on at the 1st Quarter District Conference, Oct 13, 2007 in Des Moines.  Governor Kelley presented KRAMER with the Optimist International President’s Builder of Excellance Medal for efforts toward building the Lamoni Optimist Club. 

Pres. GUTTAU announced a Board meeting will be held after the next Club meeting.

 

STEPHEN’S RIDGE DEVELOPMENT HAS BEGUN

Bob Benes, President of Aspen Builders, Inc., accompanied by his daughter, Kelsey, spoke to club members about the new residential development on the north side of Treynor called Stephen’s Ridge.  Benes described plans to build about 210 homes over about 10 years, an appreciable increase in the number of Treynor homes at present.  The first phase of the development has begun, Benes explained, with earth work for streets and utilities for 29 homes and 14 town houses.  He expects to have water and sewer lines and streets in before winter.  Benes indicated he already has a few contracts to build homes and might get some started this fall.  Aspen Builders operates from Lincoln, NE. and typically builds about fifteen homes per year.  Benes said the company has been framing their own homes since 1995 and currently has 3 crews of in-house framers. They have a network of subcontractors, most of whom have been working with Aspen Builders since the company was founded in 1992.  Benes stated he also has two employees working as warranty inspectors to insure quality control and customer satisfaction-a priority goal of his company. 

Benes said he was attracted to residential development in Treynor because it is a small town with growth potential and he likes to work in small communities.  Stephen’s Ridge has been a year in planning to fit the residential development on the site and meet the state and city codes, Benes explained.  He is glad to finally get started.  Anyone interested in contacting the company for more information about home building and the Stephen’s Ridge development plans can call 402-423-6811. 

 

August Can Kennel contributions for Girl Scouts

Aug. 29    Can and bottle sorting, 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 31    Home football game.

September Can Kennel contributions for Cub Scouts.

Sept.  1    Club meeting, program by Greg Forristall.

            Board meeting after the club meeting.

Sept. 14   Home coming football game.

Sept. 15   Club meeting.

Sept. 15-16  Treynor Days.

Sept. 28   Home football game.

 

Birthdays

9/9 ARLYN NORRIS,  9/10 MILLI HARVEY

9/16 JOHN KLEIN,  9/18 DOREEN MAYBERRY

9/19 BOB HIBBARD,  9/20 TERESA FAHRENKRUG

9/30 TIM GREINER

Anniversaries

9/26 BILL VORTHMANN

# recognized to date

 

 

P.S.  Two tramps sat with their backs against an oak tree.  Before them was a rippling stream.  Although the day was delightful, one of them was disconsolate.  “You know Jim,” he mused, “this business of tramping your way through life is not what it’s cracked up to be.  Think it over—nights on park benches or in a cold barn.  Traveling on freight trains and always dodging the police.  Being kicked from one town to another.  Wondering where your next meal is coming from.  Wandering, unwanted everywhere, sneered at by your fellow men,”  His voice trailed off as he sighed heavily.  His companion shifted his position slightly.  “Well,” observed the second tramp, “if that’s the way you feel about it, why don’t you go and find yourself a job?”  The first tramp set up with a jerk, opened his mouth in amazement.  “What?” he exclaimed, “And admit I’m a failure?”