An official groundbreaking was held this week for the Lake Panorama Association tree-planting project. Shown planting a large sugar maple at the LPA west entrance are (L to R): John Rutledge – Lake Panorama Association, Caleb Tilstra – GCSB Investment Center, Brandon Monaghan – Guthrie County State Bank, Dave Wagler – Lake Panorama Realty, Ron Eike – Wood Duck Tree Farm, Gayle Shackelford – Guthrie County State Bank, Bus Martin, and Mike Underwood – Guthrie County State Bank.

Lake Panorama Association Tree-Planting Project Completed - An effort started with the donation of one tree by Bus and Novie Martin to beautify the west entrance of Lake Panorama steamrolled into a $7,120 beautification project. With the generosity of numerous individuals and a key donation of $5,000 by Guthrie County State Bank, Lake Panorama Realty and GCSB Investment Center fueling the effort, more than 100 maple and oak trees will be planted in multiple locations in the month of October. Ron Eike of Wood Duck Tree Farm not only donated 25 trees himself; he also offered reduced pricing on the trees to maximize the effort.

“When we heard about the Martins’ idea and the resulting individual donations, we knew that we wanted to help bring this project to fruition,” said Mike Underwood, president of Guthrie County State Bank. “We felt this showed appreciation to the community from all three companies – the bank, Lake Panorama Realty and GCSB Investment Center – and it will remind people for generations about how an idea like Bus and Novie’s can inspire our communities to work together to make important projects a reality.”

The Martins were surprised and pleased at the number of people who contributed to the project. Trees will be planted not only at the west/guard shack entrance of the Lake Panorama association, but also at Sunset Beach, the lake entrance near the Lake Panorama West Par 3 golf course and water plant, and along the driving range of Lake Panorama National.

“We thought this was something we could do to give back and help future generations enjoy our beautiful community, especially since so many trees were lost to disease and storms over the years” said Bus and Novie Martin. “What started with one tree grew into this wonderful project where 100 trees will be planted. We planted the seed!”

Those contributing to this project included:

• Mike and Sharon Hatten      $150
• Norma and Paul Ahlers      $170
• John and Marietta Fiarkoski     $300    
• Bus and Novie Martin      $300
• Dr. Michael and Diane Versackas     $300
• Dave and Mary Butterwick      $300
• Dean and Sherrie Cretsinger     $300
• Bob Bucher         $300
• GCSB, GCSB Investment Center & Lake Panorama Realty $5,000