By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

By all accounts, the Guthrie Center all-school reunion on July 5-6 was a rousing success. The weather cooperated, other than a brief downpour on Friday evening, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those who came home for fun and fellowship.

The 5K road race was a success, with many runners and walkers participating. Brody Grove took first place in the 5K race, edging out his brother, Gavyn. Both are sons of GCHS alum Daryl Grove (1997). Continuing the battle of siblings, top female finishers were Jayla and Jorja Hoover, daughters of Amy (Snyder) and Jerry Hoover from the Class of 1993. Jorja graduated in 2021, and Jayla is in the ACGC Class of 2025. Jayla finished third and Jorja in fourth.

The All School Reunion golf tournament was sold out at max capacity with 32 teams. Garrett Bates and Chris Shroyer took first place in the first flight. Tim Baker and Terry Laughery took second place in the first flight. Christopher Reil and Dave Embleton took first place in the second flight. Todd Hambleton and John Van Meter took second place in the second flight. Ian Steensen (2008) won a longest putt award. Kelly Fox (1985) took home a closest to the pin award. Mark Fletcher won the longest putt award on hole 8.

The swim meet saw 26 alumni give their all in the pool.

Alicia Ciesielski and Diane Maness were co-chairs for the overall event, but Ciesielski was quick to share the credit with all who helped in any way.

“We had a great committee. A lot of people helped us. We had a chairperson for every event that went on,” Ciesielski said. “So, it’s a lot of thanks to them.”

Ciesielski has already received lots of positive feedback from those who attended.

“They just had a wonderful time. Lots of activities, and they loved the parade, and seeing people. It seems like they had a great time,” she said.

Ciesielski added two notable highlights that stood out to her.

“Our grand marshal for the parade was Ted Hansen, who was the principal for years and years here. And we had four guys come from the class of 1949,” Ciesielski said. “That was very cool to have them there.”

Friends reunite at the all-school reunion.

Alumni ride in the parade.

Horsing around at the reunion.

Photos courtesy Alison Cate

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation hosted its 24th Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, July 9 at the Lake Panorama National Golf Course. A total of 40 foursomes participated in the event, which raised $27,000 for the hospital’s courtesy van service. 

The GCH Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and raises funds throughout the year to support the needs of Guthrie County Hospital and health programs.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a vehicle-deer accident occurring on July 6 at 1:19 p.m. on Highway 25.

Laura Marie Rief, 52, of Council Bluffs, was driving a 2016 Ford Focus SE northbound on Highway 25 in the 2900 block and struck a deer in the roadway.

Estimated damage to the Ford Focus is $4,000.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a two-vehicle collision occurring on July 6 at 1:56 p.m. on the 400 block of Prairie Street in Guthrie Center. 

Richard Eldon LeFleur, 68, of Norwalk, was driving a 2022 RAM 2500 Laramie pickup and stopped to back into a parking spot, failing to see a 2016 Harley FLTRXS motorcycle driven by Jason Michael Hemann, 30, of Guthrie Center behind him on the roadway and colliding with it. 

Estimated damage to the RAM truck is $250. Estimated damage to the Harley Davidson motorcycle is $3,000.