The Optimist Club of Perry welcomed its newest member at the group’s May meeting Wednesday night in the Cellar of La Poste, the last meeting until September.
Optimist Club Past President Dr. Randy McCaulley presented a membership certificate, packet and pin to Perry’s newest Optimist, Misty Stout Von Behren, assistant director of the Perry Public Library.
About half the club’s 30 members were present to welcome Stout Von Behren, who invited her fellow Optimists to participate in the Walking School Bus program, which she has directed for three years.
Perry Elementary School students and adult volunteers compose the Walking School Bus, which meets every Friday at 7:30 a.m. by the victory bell in front of the Perry Performing Arts Center. From there the young and old walk to the elementary school, with all the walkers gaining the benefits of light exercise and the young people rewarded with small prizes.
In other business, the Perry Optimists planned their summer volunteer schedule, which includes the Flags over Perry project, the Optimist Can Corral at Blue Jay Market and the concessions duty at June games of the Iowa Cubs.
Optimist Club President Jenny Eklund also introduced the membership to her darling new puppy, Butch. Eklund lost her beloved poodle, Tootsie, almost one month ago in an accident, and her fellow Optimists shared her grief in loss and her joy in a new beginning with her little Butch.
