4-H members have projects judged

Jul 16, 2024 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Static judging was held at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds on July 15. Kids showed up with their projects to be judged including photography, homemade cookies, creative arts, animal science projects and more. Many will be displayed at the Guthrie County Fair on Labor Day weekend, and some will go on to the Iowa State Fair.

Emerson Bendickson has her photography judged.

Members of the U.S. Sunbeams 4-H group of Guthrie County.

Members of the U.S. Sunbeams 4-H group of Guthrie County.

Rylee Robson’s monster cookies and photography are going on to the Iowa State Fair.

The juniors going to the Iowa State Fair.

The seniors who made it to the Iowa State Fair.

Guthrie County Barracudas Swim Team wins conference meet, goes undefeated in regular season

Jul 16, 2024 | Sports

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Barracuda swimmers rode the wave to another successful season. The Barracudas had 105 swimmers this past season ranging in age from 5 to 19.

“I am so proud of each and every swimmer on this team,” Head Coach Dana Stein stated. “The Barracudas went undefeated through the regular season and won the Iowa Western Swim Regular Season and Conference Championship Meet for the second year in a row and three out of the last four years.”

Stein said that this is a competitive conference, and the Guthrie County swimmers stepped up through hard work and dedication to the team and the process.

“It took the entire team to remain undefeated,” Stein said. “Noone was selfish, as they swam as a team and not as individuals. Many of our swimmers not only swim but also participate in other activities as well such as baseball, softball, dance, running club, basketball camp, wresting camps, weights, etc.”

Stein tells each athlete that swimming will help them stay in shape for other sports including football, cross country and volleyball during their offseason.

Two records were broken during the season:  13-14 Girls 50-yard Butterfly by Meranda Gruber and 9-10 Boys 25-yard butterfly by Grahm Clark.

Stein said this senior group is special to him because it was his first 8 and under group that he coached more than a decade ago.

“There have been so many memories with this group ,and they have been great leaders over the years,” he said.

This year’s seniors are Easton Stringham, Nate Chance, Natalie Kent and Macy Schreck.

Coach Stein said his assistant coaches are excellent and have helped develop the swimmers through each practice and each meet.

“Kristi Chance, Tricia Schreck and Natalie Kent with Mackenzie Campbell are a great team of coaches,” he said. “Each brings something unique to the table that works to help the individuals and team to reach their goals.

Through the years, many great athletes have swum across the Guthrie Center pool, and some of them showed off their talents during the July 6 Alumni Meet. A total of 26 swimmers showed off their abilities in front of a packed house of other former swimmers and coaches. Swimmers ranged from the class of 1973 to the class of 2024.

The swim team began in the early 1960s and has had a strong tradition that grows each year.

Regular season results: 

  1.  Guthrie County 382, Perry 247
  2. Guthrie County 428, Manning 174
  3. Guthrie County 486, Coon Rapids 122
  4. Guthrie County 368, Greene County 266
  5. Guthrie County 511, Lake City 76
  6. Guthrie County 361, Carroll 267
  7. Guthrie County 299, Denison 258
  8. Guthrie County 504, Glidden 82
  9. Guthrie County 351, Sac County 257​​​​​​

Conference championship finals standings: 

  1. Guthrie County, 721
  2. Carroll, 499
  3. Perry, 498
  4. Denison, 488
  5. Greene County, 462
  6. Sac City, 366
  7. Manning, 241
  8. Coon Rapids, 112
  9. Lake City, 64
  10. Glidden, 62

Conference Meet in Sac City, July 13.

All-Around All-Stars. Meranda Gruber, Luke Herron and Cordell Wolfe. These swimmers obtained 80% of the total points amongst all races in their age group.  There are a total of 225 points possible, and the All-Around Star swimmer obtained 180 points (or more).

Individual All-Stars:

Luke Herron:  25 Back, 25 Fly, 25 Free, 50 Free

Meranda Gruber:  50 Fly, 50 Free, 100 IM

Isabella Stein:  100 Free, 50 Free

Lyla Martinson:  25 Breast

Cordell Wolfe:  100 IM, 50 Free

Collin Stringham:  50 Breast

Sophia Stein:  25 Fly

Coaches Dana Stein, Natalie Kent, Kristi Chance and Tricia Schreck

Conference Meet in Sac City, July 13

End of Season Pool party and Potluck

Individual All-Stars

Meranda Gruber, Luke Herron and Cordell Wolfe

Mustard Challenge

Lake Panorama Ski Team prepping for annual show

Jul 16, 2024 | News

The Lake Panorama ski team began practicing for its annual performance in late May. Shown in this doubles group, left to right, are Matt Lukacs with Danica Isom, Dale Behrends with Kaitlin Kent, and Nate Woods with Natalie Donovan. The reason for all the smiles is because Woods dropped a ski and is slaloming with Donovan on his shoulders. This had never been done before it happened in a recent practice.

 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Lake Panorama ski team.

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Members of the Lake Panorama ski team are getting ready for their annual performance as part of the 2024 Panorama Days celebration. The show will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 with parking and viewing on Lake Panorama’s south shore.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Lake Panorama ski team. This is the team’s 39th show since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 show to be canceled. Team members decided to celebrate the 40th year milestone this year anyway.

This is the second year for the Lake Panorama ski team to have formal legal status. In 2023, a board of directors was formed, officers were elected, bylaws were established, and 501(c)3 nonprofit status was obtained. 

Matt Lukacs is well known for his barefoot skiing on Lake Panorama. Here he works on his form during a Lake Panorama ski team practice session.

Mark Woods is president, Terry Huerter is vice president, Heather Isom is secretary, David Dwyer is treasurer, and Amy Spear is activities director. 

The team currently has 45 members with about five of those who don’t ski but fill vital roles. There are 13 kids younger than the age of 18. The two youngest members of the team are both 5. The oldest team members are around 70 years old. 

This spring, ski team members were asked to complete a survey to provide feedback on the 2023 show and offer changes they’d like to see for this year. 

One thing that came out of the survey was members hope to shorten the show. The show length hasn’t been determined yet, since it is dependent on who wants to do what. Typical acts that are sure to be in the 2024 show are the high pyramid, kids skiing, doubles, saucers and barefoot skiing. 

Team members have been practicing on Thursday nights at the south shore from 6-9 p.m. In July, the team also is practicing on Tuesdays at the same time and place as they put the finishing touches on their Panorama Days performance. 

This trick is called the “Willie.” It involves Larry Isom skiing past the dock, where his son, Clint Isom, is waiting. As Larry passes, Clint jumps from the dock onto his dad’s back, and the pair continues on skis together.

In the past, a bucket for cash donations was passed through the crowd during intermission. This year the team plans to eliminate intermission, as this often leads to spectators in boats and on shore leaving. A bucket may be passed at the end of the show. A QR code will be printed on ski team posters and pamphlets to allow electronic donations. 

Donations help cover gas in the boats, team insurance, equipment and equipment maintenance, costumes and props. Because of the ski team’s nonprofit status, donations now are tax deductible. Donations can be made by check, payable to Lake Panorama Ski Team, and mailed to P.O. Box 384, Panora, Iowa, 50216.  

New members of all ages are welcome to join the ski team. The only requirement is membership in the Lake Panorama Association. 

Pyramids are a crowd favorite during the Lake Panorama ski team’s annual performance, which will be Aug. 3 at 2:30 p.m. during Panorama Days. Practicing a 7-4-1 pyramid are, bottom row, left to right, David Dwyer, Lynn Nelson, Matt Lukacs, Eric Reese, Jake Huseman, Dale Behrends and Nate Woods. Middle row, Emily Reynolds, Kathy York, Natalie Donovan and Kaitlin Kent. At the top is Tate Mills.

So much more than books

Jul 16, 2024 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

 Parents, have you reached the point in the summer where you’ve begun to count the days until school starts? Have the exciting family adventures you envisioned in May left you wondering if it’s too late to send your kids to summer camp until August?

Well, if that’s where you are, let the MJB Library help you out. Let us share ways to integrate reading into your family time. By doing so, you will improve your family time as well as prevent your kids from falling behind in reading.

Game night is always a fun family time — unless your kids insist on playing Candyland so often that you’re thinking of hiding the game from them. Fear not! The library has a large selection of board games for all ages and interests that can be checked out.

Meal time is such a good time for family conversation, but do you find yourself in a rut, cooking the same thing every week? We can help with that, too. We have an extensive collection of cookbooks. We even have cookbooks that are geared to children. Have your child read and make a recipe with you. It’s a great way for kids to work on reading while also learning fractions.

Bring your child to the library to get his or her very own library card. Then use the library card to pick out books for bedtime reading. Reading bedtime stories together is a special part of a bedtime routine. If your child is too young to read, we have an extensive collection of picture books that make great bedtime reading. For older children, have them help you choose a book or a series of books that you can read together before bed.

When you’re riding in the car, instead of everyone wearing headphones or earbuds to listen to their own thing, consider listening to an audiobook as a family. It’s fun to know what your kids enjoy reading and to see their reactions as a story unfolds. This doesn’t have to be expensive. Download the Libby app using your library card, and choose an audiobook. Another option is to check out some of our Playaway books. These are self-contained audiobooks that do not require the internet. Simply plug the Play Away into the radio using your auxiliary cord and enjoy.

Consider creating a cozy reading space in your home where you and your kids can relax and read on those rainy days when you don’t want to go out. It could be a comfy chair, a window seat or even a fort made out of couch cushions and blankets. This is a good reason to keep library books on hand.

If you need to get out of the house, there is always the Adventure Pass. Paid for by the Friends of the Library, the Adventure Pass provides free access to three venues this year: The Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Children Museum, and the Science Center of Des Moines. Patrons older than 18 may check out a pass to each venue once every 365 days. This pass provides admission for two adults and two children (DSM Children Museum 4 children admission). Passes have to be reserved by going to the MJB Library Website or the library.

If all that fails, just come to the library with your child. We have a great cool area for preschoolers to play. We have new sensory furniture and toys that kids enjoy. Play a game of checkers on the giant checkerboard.

Explore our STEM table or our Lego table. Ask for STEM projects from our STEM cart to build together. Enjoy some relaxing time with coloring sheets, or get creative with the maker card craft supplies.

Play a game of bowling on the Wii. Listen to a Wonderbook with your toddler. Look at the quilt and the display case collections. Come to Friday morning Storytime or one of the many programs we offer. Or just find a quiet spot to sit and read with your kids.

Let the library help you make memories and adventures with your family. Take it from a mom whose kids are all grown up, those 18 summers when your kids are under your roof will fly, so don’t waste it.

Pre-K Story Hour

PreK Story Hour is in full swing again. Starting at 10 a.m. on Fridays, the storytime is geared toward preschool children, but anyone may attend. July 19 will focus on “Summer,” while the theme for July 26 will be fun food.

Adult Programs

Adults are reminded that all the regular programs are running through the summer.  

Cribbage will continue to meet each Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room.

Bridge will meet Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m.  

Card Making Club will meet from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, to create handmade greeting cards, under the direction of Judi Zimmerline. The Card Making Club provides all needed materials for a fee of $5.

Cookbook Club will be meeting on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. to share the recipes they have chosen from this year’s Taste of Home magazines.

Magic Show

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the MJB Library will be hosting a magic show at 3:30 p.m. Prepare to be amazed and entertained by this magic show for all ages.

New books

Are you finding yourself needing something to occupy the time you are waiting for baseball games to start or dance practice to end? Or do you just want to lounge at the pool and read? If so, stop in the MJB Library or check out our online catalog at the library website. We have so many new and interesting books.

We have some great new summer reads like “Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand, “The Next Mrs. Parish” by Liv Constantine, and “Look on the Bright Side” by Kristan Higgins. Tom Selleck’s new memoir entitled “You Never Know” is a delightful read about his acting career.

David Maine concentrates on his craft project at preschool Storytime, which takes place every Friday at 10 a.m.

Tayen Flanery, with her mom, Samantha, proudly shows off her finished bug jar.

Craft time is a favorite part of Storytime. Last week’s project was making bug jars.

This little patron is fascinated by the bug jar she created during Storytime.

Yale mayor provides statement on Yale water tower incident, boil advisory

Jul 16, 2024 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On June 27, the city of Yale’s water tower ran low on water, which led to a boil advisory for local residents. The following explanation was provided by Yale Mayor Bev Louk.

“The City of Yale water plant experienced electrical problems early in the morning of June 27, 2024, causing our water tower to run low,” Louk said. “Some residents experienced low or no water pressure.”

Louk stated that the electrical problem was fixed by 4 a.m.

“Working with the Iowa DNR, we issued a Boil Water Advisory for the City of Yale for June 28 and 29,” she said. “Signs were posted around town, and the Advisory was posted on the city’s website and Facebook page.”

Louk said following two rounds of testing, one on June 27 and one on June 28, lab results came back clear.

“So on June 29, the Boil Water Advisory was lifted. Maintaining the safety of our water supply and our citizens is always our top priority.”