Paynesville has three active clubs in the area: Koronis Eager Beavers, Tel-Stars, and Koronis Konquerers.
The Koronis Eager Beavers are celebrating their 10th anniversary on Oct. 12. Club officers are: president, Jennifer Wendlandt; vice president, Jennifer Roberg; secretary, Mesa Frenchick; treasurer, Liz Hubert; reporter, Amy Roberg; historian, Jennifer Wendlandt and Liz Hubert; records, Jennifer and Amy Roberg, and Tim Schrupp. Adult leaders are Dave and Pam Schrupp.
Activities the club takes part in include: 4-H softball, Community Pride project, which has included playground and landscaping at the Veteran’s Park, Paynesville Library, Community Center, and bird houses on Behr Hill. This year Jennifer and Stacy Roberg took part in the Washington D.C. Focus.
The club meets at the Nordland Lutheran Church on the first Monday of the month at 8 p.m. The club has 36 members.
The Koronis Konquerers were formed about 15 years ago. Club officers are: president, Rachel Gifford; vice president, Amanda Reeck; secretary, Wayne Eull; treasurer, Amy Schoenherr; reporter, Christy Eull; historian, Crystal Jimenez; key adult leaders are Janet Gifford, Lou Reeck and Pat Karels.
The club meets the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Paynesville Lutheran Church.
The Tel-Stars 4-H Club was started in 1961. One of the first members was George Mehr. He recalls the club selected its name because of the first landing on the moon had just taken place and everybody was looking to the stars.
The club has 16 members. Club officers are: president, Curt Schaefer; vice president, Sam Garding; secretary, Janell Kolb; treasurer, Pam Rausch; reporter, Cathy Schaefer; project leaders, Joan Olmscheid and Don Rausch; key leader, Elaine Garding, and activity leader is Annella Blonigan.
The club meets the first Saturday of the month at 8:30 p.m. at various homes of the members.
“With only 16 members, I feel our club is unique. We can still meet in the homes and have a family atmosphere,” Theresa Kolb said. “The club is a very close knit group.”
The club participates in the county fair, softball action, share-the-fun, Adopt a Highway-County Road 11; did a walk-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis, held a Senior Singles dinner in St. Martin for those over 60, in addition to holding education tours in the area.
The various club members said they enjoy 4-H because it gives them an opportunity to meet new people, take part in fun activities, experience new things, and to set and achieve goals.
According to the county extension officers, 4-H has changed a lot over the years. Membership across the state has shifted; many 4-H members live in town as well as the country. Statewide only 14 percent of the 4-H membership live on the farm and 70 percent live in towns with populations less than 10,000.