Skip to main content

Panther Print — May 21, 2024

May 21, 2024 | School News

Trey Boettcher, Maddox Hammerstrom, Parker Cary, Coach Connor Osbahr, Brayden Galvan, Evan Powell, and Zander Hammerstrom. Photo by Kylee Boettcher

BOYS STATE GOLF

By Maddy Carstens, junior, staff writer

The Panorama varsity boys golf team has made quite an impact on Panorama. By putting the hours and work into the sport, boys golf has been doing well during their season. Last week, they competed in the determining factor of going to state, state qualifying. These boys had nothing to fear, though. The team won the state qualifying meet on their very own home course.

The boys varsity team consists of Evan Powell, Parker Cary, Maddox Hammerstrom, Trey Boettcher, Brayden Galvan and Zander Hammerstrom, along with their head coach, Connor Osbahr. They will be competing on Monday and Tuesday, May 20 and 21. The state meet is at Cold Water Golf Links in Ames. We wish them all the best as they compete. Congratulations to these boys.

_________________________________________________________________

TEACHER FEATURE: MS. DEB WOOLDRIDGE

By Addie Astley, sophomore, staff writer 

Ms. Deb Wooldridge is an English and language arts teacher at Panorama High School. Ms. Wooldridge grew up in Panora and West Des Moines, where she attended Panora/Linden schools. She has been teaching for 19 years total, and 18 of her years have been at Panorama High School. She coaches drama and speech, both individual and large groups, and has for 12 years, as well as the school play for the last 10 years. When Ms. Wooldridge came to Panorama Schools, she started as a TAG teacher. Then she started to coach speech, and then an English position opened up and she took it. She became the high school English and language arts teacher and has been for the past 10 years.

Ms. Wooldridge’s favorite part about being an English and language arts teacher is getting to work with wonderful students and seeing them grow and mature through the years. She also enjoys her stories and the literature she teaches and how she gets to share it with her students. We are lucky and thankful to have Ms. Wooldridge at Panorama High School.

_________________________________________________________________

 

2024 GRADUATES

By Maddy Carstens, junior, staff writer

The time has finally come and is now past. Panorama High School’s graduates have officially left the building. Their new lives are beginning. The final step has been taken. Whether it be college, trades or even working, Panorama High School seniors all have a bright future ahead of them.

On Sunday, May 12, Panorama High School’s seniors arrived at the school, caps and gowns in hand. Once all the family members and friends of each graduate entered the auditorium and took their seats, the graduates all filed in with  eagerness in their eyes. Once everyone had entered, the ceremony began. Valedictorians Mia Waddle, Zoey Hambleton and Maddox Nunn read speeches. Some contained memories, some with advice, and some with words of wisdom and hope. Superintendent Kasey Huebner also read his speech to the graduating class. The ceremony consisted of two videos; one had each graduate’s baby and senior picture. The other video consisted of pictures filled with memories from over the years. Finally, the graduates lined up, ready to take the next step in their lives. Each graduate’s name was called. They walked across the stage, received a handshake, flower and their diploma, then sat back down whilst awaiting the rest of their classmates. Once everyone had received their diplomas, all of the graduates stood up, turned around, and switched their tassels to the other side of their caps. Congratulations, class of 2024, your future awaits you.

_________________________________________________________________

CONTINUE LEARNING OVER THE SUMMER

By Marlee Herring, eighth grader, staff writer

Summer is quickly approaching, and it might be appealing to forget school for a while, but it is important to stay engaged in learning. According to the Wallace Foundation, students who engage in summer learning perform 20-25% better in math and 20-23% better in reading. It also supports obtaining higher scores on social and emotional assessments. It can be a great time to get caught up in subjects you may have struggled with during the school year. Summer learning can also help prepare for upcoming classes.

PrepScholar.com provides four tips for students who want to continue learning over the summer.

  1. Get familiar with online learning systems.
  2. Set up daily study time and try to focus on a certain subject each day.
  3. Use independent learning resources such as doing research, setting goals, and monitoring your progress.
  4. Study with friends, which can be a very fun and easy way to connect over the summer.

According to SchoolCues.com, four of the best summer school activities are:

  1. Reading programs
  2. Stem camps
  3. Art classes
  4. Music lessons

Start preparing now for how you will stay engaged in learning this summer.

_________________________________________________________________

CHERISH THE TIME YOU HAVE

By Lillie Greenlee, freshman, staff writer

Even though people say you should enjoy the time you have with people, and you don’t really think much of it, you should. You tend to think you have more time than you actually do. And after you are out of time, you feel regretful and like you wasted the time you could’ve been cherishing. For example, maybe there’s a grandparent who passes, and maybe you didn’t go see him or her as much as you could’ve. I know for me, personally, that would fill me with regret and sadness.

Maybe it’s not a grandparent passing but a sibling moving away and you didn’t spend enough time with him or her or you weren’t very kind. You will probably feel upset in the end. When you still have the time, you probably just don’t think about what comes after. However, it’s important that you cherish the time that you still have with people or even in a certain place. You will probably regret it if you don’t.

_________________________________________________________________

WRITING VS. TYPING

By Peyton Walker, sophomore, staff writer

Even though typing might take longer than handwriting, is it better or worse for your own brain? Studies looked at 36 university students for the answer. By writing, it might make it easier to remember what you’re writing and learning. They experimented in many different ways by having them do different tests with writing and thinking, while they had a cap of sensors on their head to monitor their brains. The monitors on the brains showed their cell activity and the brain communication.

Typing hardly activated the brain, as it was underwhelming for it. Pressing in the keyboards is not as challenging as writing down the numbers itself. Writing by hand has sensory and motor system skills that help. While writing shows the difference between the letter as typing, all letters are the same. Small parts of the brain are activated during typing but very little. These are just some facts about typing, writing and brain activity.

Information gathered from www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/writing-by-hand-may-increase-brain-connectivity-rcna135880

So Much More Than Books

May 21, 2024 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

In an effort to encourage our patrons to participate in sustainable development, to help with food insufficiency, and for those of you who want some pretty flowers, fresh herbs or veggies from your garden, MJB Library is working to establish a seed library. Patrons are encouraged to take home some seeds to plant. Ask us for details when you stop in. Our goal is for this to be an ongoing service we offer to patrons. We believe through donations of both saved seeds and commercial seed donations, we can maintain the seed library.

Summer Reading Program

Be sure to register your kids for MJB’s Summer Reading Program. Read, Renew, Repeat — this year’s theme — is intended to encourage participants to be more mindful of how we treat our environment. Our environment includes nature and our daily lives. Registration can be completed online at the library website. SRP is available for children from preschool through eighth grade.

Our kick-off event will be an exciting scavenger hunt on Monday, June 3, at 1 p.m. Storytime on June 7 will feature special guest Anne Riordan; this presentation is geared toward preschool participants.

From June 14-28, there will be no preschool story time as we will be doing activities for all ages for the Summer Reading Program. Check our schedule on the MJB website or stop in and pick up a calendar of events. Through June, there are programs and activities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  On Tuesday, June 11, we will be hosting a bike clinic and rodeo. On Tuesday, June 25, the Blank Park Zoo will be presenting Zoo to You at noon.

Friends Meeting

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will meet on Tuesday, June 4 at 6:15 p.m. They will be finalizing plans for the golf tournament fundraiser. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Between the Covers

Book lovers, please feel free to join our book club Between the Covers.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 11 at 3 p.m. Discussion will center around “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” a memoir of Maya Angelou’s early life. Stop in the library to check out a copy.

Golf Tournament

The second annual Friends of the Library Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, June 15 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course. The 4-person best ball tournament will begin at 9 a.m. The cost is $60 per person; registration includes lunch and a cart. Sign up on the library website, call or email the library, or call Rod Robson at 641-757-1409. Businesses can still sign up to sponsor the event as well.

The MJB Library Seed Library is ready for use. For no cost, patrons may stop in and select up to eight packages of seeds per month to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers. While you’re at the library, be sure to take a look at our extensive collection of books on gardening.

Guthrie County Extension Notes — Week of May 20, 2024

May 21, 2024 | Guthrie County Extension Notes

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Dog Practices

Begins May 28 at 7 p.m. 10 weeks long. Guthrie County Fairgrounds. Call the office at 641-747-2276 to get on the list. Cost is $30 for adults and kids are free.

Springbrook Camp

  • June 3, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Grades K-3. Cost is $10.
  • June 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Grades 4-12. Cost is $10.
  • June 5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Grades K-12. Cost is $10

Bring your own sack lunches and drinks. This camp is designed for children who want to know more about nature, be interactive with others, and be filled with learning from conservationist and naturalists.          

        

Mindful Teen

To be held at the Guthrie County Extension Office. May 30, 1-3 p.m. This program empowers youth and equips them with practical strategies to manage stress, difficult emotions, and to improve overall wellbeing. Enhances performance in school, sports, the arts and other daily activities. After first session, future dates will be determined. To register call our office at 641-747-2276.

The Guthrie County Extension Office is located at 212 State St., Guthrie Center, IA 50115. Email xguthrie@iastate.edu or call 641-747-2276.

Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report — May 21, 2024

May 21, 2024 | Crop Report

Special to the Times Vedette

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“In pockets around the state, some farmers were able to resume or even finish planting as fields dried out from warmer and windier conditions,” said Secretary Naig. “However, showers and thunderstorms prevented many from making much progress. An active weather pattern, along with stronger thunderstorms, is expected to continue this week and may bring more frustrating planting delays.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Scattered showers across Iowa allowed farmers 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 19, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers were planting corn and soybeans as well as cutting hay. Some replanting has occurred due to drowned out areas in fields.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Seventy-eight percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 8 days behind last year and 4 days behind the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 2 days behind of last year but equal to normal. Sixty-one percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, a week behind last year and 2 days behind the normal. Nearly one-quarter of the soybean crop has emerged, 3 days behind last year but equal to the average. Ninety-one percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 5 days ahead of normal. Seventeen percent of the oat crop has headed, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition remained 76 percent good to excellent.

Ten percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 72 percent good to excellent. Reports of cleaning out bins and hauling grain to town.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

While rainfall was widespread across the state through the reporting period, a less active storm track produced drier than average conditions over most of Iowa. Unseasonable warmth continued as well with positive departures of nearly six degrees in small pockets of east-central and northern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 64.7 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.

Spotty showers and a few thunderstorms popped up over northern Iowa later Sunday (12th) afternoon with daytime highs in the 80s and gusty southwesterly winds. A larger complex of showers associated with a low pressure center spinning over northern Missouri filled in overnight into Monday (13th) morning. Two areas of rainfall persisted in southwest and eastern Iowa before redevelopment occurred over southern Iowa into the afternoon hours. Much of northern Iowa was clear with Canadian wildfire smoke drifting in on northerly winds; temperatures were in the low 70s under sunshine and up to 15 degrees cooler south where clouds and rain persisted. Heavier, slow-moving thundershowers were also reported in central Iowa with two Indianola (Warren County) stations collecting 3.20 inches. Showers eventually dissipated as the disturbance propagated east, though overcast skies remained on the backside of the system. Tuesday (14th) morning lows varied from the mid 40s northwest to low 60s southeast with widespread event rain totals of at least 0.50 inch across Iowa’s southern one-third. Nearly 60 stations in south-central and southwestern Iowa measured an inch or more; New Market (Taylor County) observed 2.02 inches while 3.02 inches fell in Russell (Lucas County) with an overall statewide average of 0.46 inch. Winds shifted to the east during the day with mostly clear skies in western and northern Iowa; temperatures held in the mid to upper 60s in eastern Iowa where cloud cover remained.

Early Wednesday (15th) temperatures dropped into the upper 40s northeast while 50s were reported farther west with areas of fog. A southerly shifting wind and overall sunny skies lent to pleasant conditions as temperatures rose into the low to mid 70s. Clouds increased in western Iowa as showers and thunderstorms developed along a cold front into the evening. Rainfall was reported across Iowa’s northwestern half as a drier atmosphere helped dissipate showers in eastern Iowa. Totals reported at 7 a.m. on Thursday (16th) were generally under 0.20-0.30 inch though embedded pockets of heavier totals were also observed; a 0.78-inch measurement was taken at Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County) with 1.45 inches in Blencoe (Harrison County). Westerly winds held through the day with afternoon highs in the 70s under mostly sunny skies. Clearing skies remained overnight as winds became light, allowing for scattered pockets of fog to form. Friday (17th) was unseasonably warm with strong southerly winds boosting highs into the mid to upper 80s northwest with low to mid 80s farther east. Overnight temperatures, in the 60s, were 10-15 degrees above normal as spotty clouds transited across central Iowa. Saturday (18th) was the warmest day of the week with widespread mid to upper 80s along with a few 90-degree readings; the statewide average high was 85 degrees, 12 degrees above normal. Spotty thundershowers formed along a weak cold front that was pushing through eastern Iowa into the evening hours; winds swung around to the north behind the boundary. Sunday (19th) morning lows ranged from the low 50s north to low 60s south.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.02 inch in Monticello (Jones County) to 3.25 inches in Promise City (Wayne County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.65 inch; the normal is 1.10 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 90 degrees on the 18th, on average 17 degrees above average. Decorah (Winneshiek County) reported the week’s low temperature of 34 degrees on the 15th, 14 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the 60s as of Sunday.

Deer runs into truck on Highway 25

May 21, 2024 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Todd Thorn reported a truck/deer accident occurring on May 20 at 9:45 p.m. on Highway 25. Cynthia Kay Bettis, 69, of Webster City, was driving a 2022 Ford Maverick XL pickup southbound on Highway 25 and a deer ran into the side of the vehicle, causing an estimated $7,000 in damage. No citations or injuries were reported.