Special to the Times Vedette
As of Saturday, June 29 at 8:20 a.m., the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) lifted the Boil Order that was implemented on Wednesday, June 26. The boil order meant water was not to be used for drinking or cooking without first being boiled. The required bacteria tests on LPA’s water distribution system came back negative, which confirmed the water was safe for normal usage again immediately.
Special to the Times Vedette
On June 28, a total of 10 players participated. Kay Phippen got a 16, Bill Sheeder got a 17 and Sandy Rumelhart got an unusual 23 that has never been scored before that we know of.
On July 1, a total of 16 players participated. In the first hand, Larry Gardiner got a 24, then later a 20. Joanne Zieser got two 16s, Sandy Rumelhart got a 16, Robert Klever got two 16s and a 20, and Rhonda Titus and Bill Sheeder each got a 20.
The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the assisted living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday. The all class reunion is also having a tournament on July 5, and everyone is welcome.
For more information, email 58chevy@netins.net.
Yale welcomes all to join in the city’s annual celebration.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times
If you didn’t know that Yale loves the Fourth of July, then you just haven’t been paying attention. Even the large “Yale” sign just west of town has a fireworks theme, a large American flag, and the motto “Not the biggest, but the best.”
In Guthrie County and the surrounding area, the Yale Fourth of July celebration is a longstanding tradition of fun and patriotism. The festivities include something for every age and energy level, from a parade and car show to softball, pickleball and bathtub races. And, of course, an impressive fireworks display as a finale to the festivities.
Yale’s mayor, Beverly “Buffy” Louk, shared her thoughts on what makes the city’s celebration unique.
“Yale’s Fourth of July is special as we are a very small community that has a community club that works very hard to make sure there is a variety of things to do for all ages. That is huge for a community of our size,” Louk said. “A huge shout out to the Yale Community Club for all their hard work to make this happen.”
Louk’s favorite memories of the event center around time with family and friends.
“Friends getting together for lunch, enjoying all the activities together, and fireworks to round out the day,” she said.
Mike Carey, one of the leaders of the Yale Community Club, shared some history and thoughts about Yale’s biggest annual event.
“We’ve got a longstanding tradition in Yale. I think our centennial was in 1982, so we’re creeping up on 142 years. Our Fourth of July has always been known for a great breakfast, and then we roll right into the parade,” Carey said. “We’ve got a car show that Joel Hester helps us out with, along with the Christian Motorcycle Association. The car show was very successful last year.”
Carey continued highlighting the fun events planned.
“We’ve got kids’ games and a pedal pull, pickleball tournament. We’ll have kids’ face painting in the fire station,” Carey said. “We’re going to have a great lunch served by the Community Club right after the parade.”
Carey gave details on the raffle tickets being sold throughout the celebration.
“We’ve got some grand prizes of $500 in cash, and then everything from folding lawn chairs, games, things like that,” Carey said.
He noted that additional raffle prizes are still being collected. Tickets can also be purchased at Farmers Bank in Yale, Mickey’s in Yale, and Tojo’s Bar & Grill in Jamaica.
“They’re a dollar apiece or six for $5,” Carey said. “It really helps us support our event.”
The most unusual event at the Yale celebration is the bathtub races.
“The Panorama junior class is involved, and there’s actually a bathtub on wheels with a steering wheel. The tub is filled with water and they put a driver in, and I think it’s three or four people that push. They weave in and out of the cones and circle back. It’s based on time and remaining amount of water in the tub,” Carey said. “So, if you splash too much water out, that could figure into your score.”
Carey also highlighted the vendor show set for the morning.
“We do have a vendor show that has 10 to 15 vendors. The gal that heads that up has Lucky Wife Wine Slushies,” Carey said.
Allyson Walker is in charge of the 5K run and 1-mile kids’ run this year. She pointed out that runners and walkers of all levels are welcomed. She also noted that strollers, or even dogs on a leash, would be welcomed, as long as collisions are avoided.
“We usually get about 50 people participating,” Walker said. “The youngest we’ve had in the kids’ 1-mile was a 6-year-old, and the oldest person we’ve had in the 5K was an 85-year-old.”
Walker offered additional information on the run/walk. Each participant will receive a “swag bag” of local freebies, and there will be medals for the top three finishers.
“It’s an out and back 5K course. There will be water and Gatorade at the halfway mark and at the finish,” Walker said. “We encourage people to sign up ahead of time to guarantee they’ll get their T-shirt size. People can sign up at our website, which is walkerwellnessyale.com.”
Note: Any weather-related changes will be posted on Yale’s Facebook page.
July 3
July 4
Carey said that, with the variety of events included in Yale’s celebration, many hands are needed.
“The biggest things we need are help and volunteers,” he said.
Anyone available to help is encouraged to call Carey at 641-757-7118. n
Safeside Post Office.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Can you identify these three items? They are from the Guthrie County Historical Village, 206 W. South Street in Panora. The first correct guess wins a family pass to the Historical Village. Email your guess to rich@gctimesnews.com
Who deserves credit for the celebrations that we Americans partake in each Fourth of July? The soldiers of the Revolutionary War? The delegates of the Continental Congress? Our first president, George Washington? Or how about Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and our nation’s third president?
They all deserve recognition for our independence from Britain’s Parliament and King George III, but the primary person to be recognized for the pomp of our Independence Day celebrations is John Adams, a leader of the American Revolution and a Founding Father who served as the second president, and the first vice president, of the United States. Adams regularly corresponded with his wife Abigail, and that is where the planning began. But first, a bit of history and some mildly confusing dates. Follow along.
On July 1, 1776, delegates of the Continental Congress were in Philadelphia to debate whether the 13 original colonies should declare their independence. That night, British ships sailed into New York Harbor, threatening the Continental troops. On July 2, delegates from 12 colonies voted in favor of independence. New York would follow suit on July 9. On July 3, Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America… I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival… It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
OK, so Adams was off on the date. Nobody’s perfect. Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, but most of the delegates didn’t sign it until Aug. 2. And, to be fair, many recognized the declaration’s first public readings on July 8, but the first truly organized celebration was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777.
To give further meaning to the July 4 date, Adams lived to experience exactly 50 years of American independence, dying on July 4, 1826, only five hours after Jefferson’s death on the same day.
Keep these facts in mind and be sure to share them with your friends and family when you view fireworks this year.
Have a fantastic Fourth of July, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115