Donna Merck was presented the Optimist of the Year Award by club president Jim Crowther at the Kalona Optimist annual installation and Awards banquet on Thursday, Oct. 7.

Iowa District Governor Rich May Ankeny, was present to install officers and Zone 12 Lt. Governor Lynnae Hillyer, Burlington, installed new Optimist member  Carol Krook.

Officers for the 2021-22 Optimist year are Carl Poe, president; Ron Slechta, vice president; Sheryl Miller, secretary; and Bob Miller, treasurer. Board members are Deanna Poe; Donna Merck, Denny Phares, Ken Wehr, Wendy Smith and Roger Weber. Optimist International Foundation representative is Ron Slechta.

Secretary Sheryl Miller also presented the following pins for years of membership:

• 53 years - JD Boyd, Emil Schlabaugh and Ed Yoder.

• 34 years - Jerry Kauffman.

• 29 years - Meg Nagel.

• 21 years - Ron Slechta.

• 18 years - Anna Yoder.

• 17 years - Bob and Sheryl Miller.

• 13 years - Denny Phares.

• 11 years - Alvin and Julia Kramer, Carl and Deanna Poe.

• 10 years - Donna Merck and Ken Wehr.

• 8 years - Al Coblentz, *Kalona Auto Service & Parts, *Kalona Tire.

• 7 years - Tyler Coblentz.

• 6 years - Clair Miller, *Kalona Cooperative Technologies *Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home, *CBI Bank & Trust, *The News, Jim Crowther, Ryan Merck, Dale Scheibe, *Kalona Builders Supply.

• 4 years - Andrae Naraine, Roger Weber, *CS Auto Body, *Tuscan Moon, *Kalona Blacksmith & Welding.

• 2 years – Nicole Naraine, Ryan and Stepahnie Schlabaugh, *Brandon and Jenna  Wieland, Charlie and Mary Williams. *Allen Mitchel CPAs and Consultants, *Kalona Chocolates, *YMCA Rec Center, *Kalona Veterinary Clinic, P.C.

• 1 year - Laurie Crowther, Ann Leary, *Kalona Brewing Company., *Kalona Golf Club, *Sinclair Tractor, *Southeast Iowa Insurance, *Powell Funeral Homes.

(* Denotes Friends of Optimist)