The 2024 Citizen of the Year, Matt Harmann, was honored Saturday after the parade during Panorama Days. He is pictured here with the 2023 Citizen of the Year, Kirby Klinge.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Panora Citizen of the Year award has a long history of recognizing community members who have given of themselves to better the Panora and Lake Panorama community. The Panora Chamber of Commerce asked for and collected nominations over the past weeks and, ultimately, named Matt Harmann as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.

Harmann received numerous nomination letters with comments such as, “Matt exemplifies the qualities of leadership and service that define this award.”

Harmann has served as the Fire Chief for the City of Panora Fire Department since 2006 and is an Advanced EMT with Panora EMS.

“The department’s confidence in Matt is a great recognition of his leadership skills,” a nominator stated.

Harmann is also a volunteer member of the Guthrie County Fair Board and gives both his time and financial support to countless school, 4H and youth sports causes throughout the year.

“If there is a fundraising effort for youth programs, you will almost always find Matt Harmann or Harmann Excavating listed as a key sponsor,” a nominator wrote. 

In addition, Harmann has served as a Guthrie County deputy since 2018. He is a 2018 graduate of the police academy and has served as one of the Guthrie County Sheriff Department’s two K9 officers.

Harmann is the owner of Harmann Excavating and enjoys farming and raising cattle in his spare time.

“It’s a great honor,” Harmann said. “I appreciate it.”

Tracy Jensen and Jade Irlmeier take pride in their yard.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Congratulations to the Adair Yard of the Month recipients Tracy Jensen and Jade Irlmeier, who reside at 104 Guthrie St. This is the last Yard of the Month for 2024. The Adair Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Month program will resume next spring, and they wish to thank all who nominated their family, friends and neighbors this year.

Special to the Times Vedette

The All School Reunion was held July 5-7 and provided an opportunity for former students to come back and share fellowship with classmates and others. The wide variety of events scheduled provided activities that appealed to most everyone, thanks to the work of many.

“We want to say thank you,” said Diane Maness, who served on the All School Reunion Team. “Those two simple words do not even begin to express our deepest gratitude to all who helped make the All School Reunion the success it turned out to be.”

“The committee heads who took on getting everything ready for their event so that everything went smoothly was an event in itself,” said Alicia Ciesielski, who also served on the All School Reunion Team. “We could not have done the All School Reunion without so much help.”

Both Maness and Ciesielski offered a special thanks to the following committee chairs:

• Danielle Lauzon (registration and 5K)
• Cathy Hinderaker (parade)
• Alison Cate (Media)
• Jim Wickland (cribbage)
• Rod Robson (golf)
• Krissy Swenson (business tours)
• Marie Sharon (bingo)
• Debbie Menning (Don Todd, Art on State artist spotlight, Wyatt Sheeder-Jiminez)
• Mike Underwood (Dad’s Belgian Waffles)
• Kelly Lemke (petting zoo)
• Trish Schreck (alumni swim meet)
• Kim Durst (dinner)

“Thank you also to Dale and Debbie Menning and their band for donating their special performance after dinner for everyone’s enjoyment,” Maness said.

Many people helped throughout the weekend including lending tents, volunteering at the beer tent and registration table, setting up, tearing down, moving picnic tables, donating items and providing food.

“We appreciate each and every one of you,” Maness said. “Please forgive us if we have forgotten to mention anyone. There were a lot, and our brains are still tired!”

“And lastly we want to thank everyone who attended any of our events,” Ciesielski said. “What great weather we were given to be able to celebrate with all of you.”

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Todd Thorn reported a vehicle collision with an animal occurring on July 30 at 4:45 p.m. on Quail Road/K Avenue just north of the intersection with 100^th.

Ethan Steven Carstens, 16, of Bagley was driving a 2015 Ram truck 2500 northbound and collided with a black bull in the roadway owned by Christopher Robert Laws. Estimated damage to the Ram truck is $8,500. Value of the bull is estimated at $2,000. The bull ended up in the west ditch.