Special to the Times Vedette 

Carolyn Koberg and Gayle Levis are members of the Panora Garden Club and were seen making their rounds recently, watering the potted plants around town. Photo by Tamara Deal

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Friends of Lake Panorama, a public nonprofit charity supporting recreational amenities at Lake Panorama, held its annual Beach Ball event at the Lake Panorama National Resort event center on Friday, June 21 with more than 180 in attendance. The event is a fundraiser for the organization, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary. Activities included a social hour, silent auction, live auction, 50/50 raffle and half-card-draw and dinner. 

Live auction items included a 1939 Chevy Adventure with Maureen Lubeck; Rainbow Over LPN photo on metal by Michael Kleinwolterink; Fire in the Sky photo on metal by Michael Kleinwolterink; a Cyclone football package from Jamie Pollard; another Cyclone football package by Guthrie County State Bank; a Cyclone football helmet from an anonymous donor; a custom pendant necklace from the Younberg family and Ames Silversmithing; a set of four tires from Scott Politte and Stivers Ford Lincoln; a six-course gourmet dinner by Bill and Karen Fitzgerald; a Traeger grill from Kane and Dee Powell of Lake Panorama Realty; a traditional Iowa barbecue meal for 50 from Chris and Brenda Duree and Mike and Kelly Faga; and two Paradisepad inflatables from Austin and Mike Hayden of Paradisepad. 

For more information on Friends of Lake Panorama, visit friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Friends of Lake Panorama board members Jan Reinicke, Jim Tibbles, Jody Muench, Bill Winkleblack, Susan Thompson (director) and Galen Johnson. Two board members not able to attend were John Muenzenberger and Jackie Wellik.

Karen Eby and Bill Eby

Bill Winkleblack and Galen Johnson

Laurie and Dale Behrends

Mare Langel and April Imming

Jeanette Winkleback, Sherri Miller and Patti Oeffner

Maggie Armstrong and Erin Gerlich

Mike Schwabe, Matt Schultes and John McDermott

Rodie Gibson, Tom Gibson and Pam Johnson

Sherri Miller, Scott Miller and Maureen Lubeck

Ron Reynolds and Dan York

Chris Duree, Roger Snyder and Brenda Duree

Moe Russell and Ron Masek

Scott Kemble, Tyler Schick and Hayley Schick

Tiffany Stipe, Chris Stipe, Dennis Flanery and Diane Flanery

Scott Miller, Jim Tibbles, Ron Bristle and Rick Langel

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

People usually aren’t interested in old news, but one of the buildings at the Guthrie County Historical Village (GCHV) in Panora is an exception. The Bayard Lumberyard building was built in 1882 and served as the local lumberyard’s office building for many years. Sometime before 1920, Frank Pulver became the owner of Bayard Lumber and used the building until his death in 1940. When the building was moved to the GCHV grounds in 2002, the decision was made to use it to display the GCHV’s historic printing and newspaper items.

Among the items displayed are a hand printing press from 1885, along with various artifacts from how newspapers were made more than a century ago. Numerous examples of newspaper pages from those years are also shown.

In today’s technological world, it’s a challenge to imagine the work that went into printing a newspaper. In this case, old news is still interesting. The public is encouraged to check out this and the other buildings at the GCHV, which is located at 206 W. South St. in Panora. For more information, visit www.thegchv.com.

The Village News building at Guthrie County Historical Village in Panora.

An antique printing press.

Typesetting, the old fashioned way.

A vintage page from the Guthrie Vedette.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the June 24 city council meeting, the Panora councilmembers held the first reading of Ordinance 353 Chapter 75.05, regarding allowing UTVs to operate on city streets. Councilmember Brian Dorsett shared that some citizens have spoken to him in favor of the change, but they mistakenly thought it would also allow golf carts on city streets.

“I’ve been approached by several people who are so glad we’re going to open it up for golf carts,” Dorsett said.

Dorsett suggested the City post something clarifying what is and isn’t in the ordinance.

“Some people are getting the wrong impression,” he said.

The council unanimously approved the ordinance and waived the second and third readings. City Administrator Lisa Grossman said the ordinance will go into effect in roughly two weeks, based on when it is published for public notice.

Other city council news

Kelly Ellis spoke regarding the Panora farmers market, which is held every other Saturday, June through October.

“Some of the dates, we have upwards of 20 vendors signed up, so it’s really coming back in a positive way,” Ellis said. “I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from vendors and market vendors and businesses on the square.”

She pointed out only one concern, related to weather.

“Rain is something we’re going to have to contend with,” Ellis said. “I’m here tonight to ask the council to help provide an indoor option.”

Ellis asked if Veterans Auditorium could be used for the farmers market only when needed due to rain or stormy weather. Mayor Curt Thornberry asked about oversight of Veterans Auditorium. Grossman said the Veterans Board is in control of that, but the city oversees the Community Center.

After discussion, the council suggested first checking to see if Veterans Auditorium could be used in these situations. If not, the council will discuss the issue at the next meeting to determine if the Community Center could be an option.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a liquor license for Panora Liquor LLC. The council also approved cigarette/tobacco/nicotine/vapor licenses for Casey’s General Store, Hometown Foods and Panora Liquor LLC.

The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on June 24, City Clerk Kris Arrasmith updated the councilmembers on steps being taken to discourage turkey vultures from roosting within the city. She explained that roughly two weeks ago, she accompanied DNR officer Jeremy King when he shot turkey vultures as allowed by the permit the city received.

“We watched a very large group of about 75 buzzards coming in for the night. We mitigated two,” Arrasmith said. “We’re waiting to see if that was enough to scare them off.”

Arrasmith explained that the city has the carcasses in a freezer, and if more deterrent is needed, the carcasses can be hung in effigy, which has been proven effective in getting turkey vultures to leave an area. The city’s permit also would allow up to three more birds to be harvested, if needed. Arrasmith reported that Jeremy King said the local turkey vulture population appears to be higher than he’s seen in many years.

Other city council news

Arrasmith reported that the city’s recent citywide garage sales and citywide cleanup went well.

“Citywide garage sales, we had an excellent turnout for that,” Arrasmith said. “We had 21 people that signed up.”

Regarding the cleanup, the city set a participation record.

“As far back as we can remember, this is the best participation that we’ve ever seen,” Arrasmith said. “I think we had 85 or 87 sign up. Usually, we’re around 50.”

Arrasmith reported no significant problems with the garage sales or cleanup.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a tobacco license for Hometown Foods and a building permit (garage) for 702 State St. (Vaughn).

The next regular meeting of the city council will be Monday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.