NEXT CLUB MEETING

  The next meeting of the Optimist Club of Treynor is planned at 7:20 a.m. Saturday morning February 10, 2007 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Treynor Schools Superintendent KEVIN ELWOOD and Treynor High School Principal JOEL BOHLKEN will speak about the plans for high school expansion and the related bond issue up for vote this month.  All members are encouraged to bring a guest. 

REPORT OF RECENT CLUB MEETING

  At the Club meeting on 2/10 there were 17 members and one guest present.  President GARY GUTTAU opened the meeting with the pledge.  RICHARD VORTHMANN offered the devotional prayer.

  The 50/50 was awarded to KEVIN UNDERWOOD.  The attendance pot was awarded to MARSHA UNDERWOOD, but it was not collected.

  Birthday greetings were sung to RICHARD VORTHMANN for his 86^th year as he added a dollar to the Youth fund. 

  JOHN KLEIN reported the he submitted a report on the new Can Kennel facility to Iowa Department of Transportation, Keep Iowa Beautiful program, which granted our Club $3535 toward the project.  JEFF JORGENSEN indicated than when the weather improves he plans to arrange a dedication of the new facility.  Because of winter conditions the next can and bottle sorting with the Octagon Club is scheduled Wednesday the 21st after school. 

  ARLYN NORRIS circulated a sign-up sheet to lead meeting opening prayers.

  JUDY GUTTAU thanked everyone that signed up to arrange for program speakers.  The months are all covered for this year.

  Thanks to LARRY KRAMER and GARY FUNKHOUSER for helping the Octagon Club at their TWA paper airplane fund raising activity at a recent high school basketball game.  They took in about $250 and matched it for the Caitlin Query Family Benefit.

  DICK BABER recommended the local newspapers be given a letter of thanks for their reporting of Club news and led a round of thanks to LARRY KRAMER for writing the club newsletter.

  JOHN KLEIN circulated a draft of plans for tree planting activities for Arbor Day this year.  The open space along Main Street owned by and next to TS Bank is the focus of the plan. 

  LARRY KRAMER presented an update of the North-South Basketball Challenge schedule.  Fourteen ten-minute games are planned with participants from 1^st grade to adults.  The last games will include a 6-on-6 ladies game and a game among Treynor school staff.  Additional workers are needed for the 50/50 raffle sales, and to monitor the contributions tables. 

  Pres. GUTTAU called a meeting of the Treynor Days planning committee before the Board meeting.

  After the regular meeting, nine Board members met to discuss Club business.  Treasurer JEFF JORGENSEN presented a financial report.  Club net assets are $6100 plus an endowment balance of $1870.  Expenses of $20 for high school Quiz Bowl awards and $60 for Oratorical judges were approved.  An application was approved for the Wrestling Club to use the Can Kennel.  JOHN KLEIN volunteered to be the coordinator for the Can Kennel activities.  Expenses of $200 were approved for start up and annual maintenance of a Club web site.  DALE WILLENBORG volunteered to be the webmaster.  Kelly McGowen was dropped from the member roster due to moving from the community.

  REMINDER: Club meeting on the 17^th at St. Paul’s Church.

WHERE THERE IS HELP THERE IS HOPE

  Ty Schenzel grew up in Fremont, NE, but he has the heart and vision to minister to inter-city kids.  Pastor Schenzel has been working to improve the hope and lives of youth in north Omaha for nearly fifteen years.  He established the Hope Center for Kids about ten years ago, which now has a membership of about 400.  Schenzel stated the mission of the center is to bring hope to urban youth b! y leading them to personal faith in Jesus Christ and to the fulfillment of their destiny.  The Hope Center creates a safe place in North Omaha where children can grow spiritually, socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually.  This is done through the center facilities, community volunteers, community donations, and much commitment from many.

  Schenzel noted that we must get involved in the ministry to inter-city kids in some way to prevent personal tragedies, to help them recognize their potential, and to break the family cycle of institutional dependence.  If we don’t help them directly, we end up paying anyway through more prisons and social programs.  Schenzel invited everyone to call up and arrange a tour of the Hope Center for Kids (402-341-HOPE).

CALENDAR

February Can Kennel contributions for Octagon Club.

Feb. 17    Club meeting at St. Paul’s Church, program by Kevin Elwood and Joel Bohlken.

Feb. 17    Iowa District Optimist Conference, Des Moines, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Feb. 21    Can and bottle sorting, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 24    Club meeting, program by Tim Larsen.

Feb. 28    Can and bottle sorting, 6 p.m.

Birthdays

2/1 DICK BABER#,  2/5 LARRY KRAMER#, 

2/12 RICHARD VORTHMANN#,

2/13 GARY FUNKHOUSER

Anniversaries

2/6 JON JACOBSEN,  2/23 RICHARD VORTHMANN

# recognized to date