April 29, 2008 Vol. 24 No. 23 NEXT CLUB MEETING The next meeting of the Optimist Club of Treynor is planned May 3, 2008, 7:30 a.m. at the Treynor Community Center. JOSH GUTTAU has arranged for a speaker about Alegent Health-Mercy Hospital programs. Club members are encouraged to bring a guest and the public is invited REPORT OF RECENT CLUB MEETING The Optimist club met April 26 with 20 members and one guest present. President DALE WILLENBORG opened the meeting by leading the pledge. GARY GUTTAU offered the devotional prayer. The 50/50 was awarded to CHAD GUTTAU. The attendance pot was awarded to KEITH DENTON. Many contributions to the Youth Fund were offered by members--Pres. WILLENBORG for his daughter’s academic achievements at ISU and for all cub member participation in recent projects; KIRK VORTHMANN for the completion of the family moves; GARY GUTTAU for publicity by JOHN KLEIN of club activities; LARRY KRAMER for Carol Klein and her assistance with Baby Sitting Clinic and Arbor Day club activities; and JOHN KLEIN for DICK BABER and his association with Trees Forever who sponsored our club Arbor Day project in part. ARLYN NORRIS circulated a sign-up sheet for devotional prayers at upcoming club meetings. GARY GUTTAU reported that 63 youth participated in the Bike Safety Day. Special thanks to Sheriff Deputy Dwayne Richie for lecturing to students about bike safety and the rules for riding on streets and highways. Deputy Richie provided bike helmets to all participants. Thanks to Elwyn Rollins and 13 club members plus two Junior Optimists, Crissey Fisher and Brittany Donahue for conducting the bike inspections and riding skills course. A new bike was given away by a drawing to kindergartener Karley Burbride Pres. WILLENBORG announced the Scholarship Committee was meeting Wednesday the 30th, 7 p.m. at the high school. JOHN KLEIN thanked all who helped with the Arbor Day project which was finally completed on a sunny Earth Day last Tuesday. Eight trees were planted by students with adult supervision in three locations in Treynor. GARY FUNKHOUSER announced plans for the Annual Youth Appreciation Celebration on May 4, 3 p.m. at Zion church. Selected youth from grades 7 to 12 will be recognized along with student achievements in essay and oratorical contests, quiz bowl, and all state speech and academics. The Educator-of-the-Year will also be announced. A few club member volunteers are needed to assist guests. P.E.O. Chapter OZ will assist with refreshments. Pres. WILLENBORG noted that there is a Board meeting after the next club meeting. Also, the Club needs volunteers for Sgt. at Arms, Board member, photographer, and newsletter. GUYANA-LAND OF MANY WATERS Charles Bichel, Lutheran Pastor and retired Navy Chaplain, became acquainted with students from Guyana, South America at a seminary school and accepted their invitation to visit their country. Bichel explained that Guyana is about the size of Minnesota and about 8% of the land area is water, although in a tropical region. Guyana is unique as the only English speaking country in South America. It was settled by the Dutch, but taken over by the English and called British Guiana. Guyana became independent from England in 1966 and became a republic in 1970. Bichel explained Guyana is located on the Atlantic Ocean north of Brazil and east of Venezuela and the climate is generally hot and humid. Sugar has long been the main export and basis of commerce for Guyana, although the value of the extensive biodiversity in the expansive rain forests is becoming more apparent. Over 80% of the country is covered by forests with over a thousand species of trees. Mineral mining and logging has depleted the natural resources of some areas of the country. Bichel noted the population is very ethnically mixed, and Christian, Islam, and Hindu religions are so prominent that the government has holidays for each. There has been a recovery of economic conditions in recent years, although there is a lack of expertise and shortage of capital for development and business growth. Last year the government replaced the old taxing system with a value added tax for more efficient collection of revenue. There is great potential for eco-tourism in Guyana, Bichel explained, but the accommodations are not yet to the standard compared to other locations. CALENDAR April Can Kennel contributions for Music Boosters 4/30 Can and bottle sorting, 3:45 p.m. May Can Kennel contributions for Boy Scouts High Adventure trip. May 3 Cub meeting, program by Dr. Joe Hoagbin/, Kristen Ostenso, Alegent Health-Mercy Hospital. Board meeting after club meeting. May 3 Kramer Farewell, The Rose, 6 p.m. May 4 Youth Appreciation Celebration, Zion Church, 3 p.m. May 10 Club meeting, program by Darryl Busby, ISU Beef Extension. May 14 Can and bottle sorting. May 17 Club meeting, program by Chad Graeve, Hitchcock Nature Center. May 24 Club meeting, program by Pete Tulipana, Heartland Family Services. May 28 Can and bottle sorting. May 31 Club meeting, program by Steve Owens, Treynor Schools anti-bullying program. Birthdays 5/11 KEITH DENTON, 5/20 KELLY SUTHERLAND 5/22 LINNEA WHITE Anniversaries 5/27 BOB ABBOT, 5/29 BILL MATTHEW # recognized to date P.S. The little boy gazed intently at the wanted posters on the wall of the post office. Finally, he turned to his mother and said, “I don’t see why they don’t keep these guys when they take their pictures.” Larry Kramer