So much more than books

Aug 27, 2024 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

With school back in session, remember that Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library has a multitude of resources to make this your best school year ever. One of the most powerful resources we offer is called Brainfuse. This online learning platform says its mission is to connect learners of all ages with experts who love to teach.

Brainfuse has several components.  HelpNow provides 24/7 on-demand tutoring across all K-12 subjects. Not only does HelpNow provide unscheduled, instant tutoring and homework help, it features an innovative writing lab, high-stakes assessment, and test preparation, ELL/ESL support, and foreign language assistance. The Brainfuse tutors are all four-year college graduates who have teaching or tutoring experience.

To access these resources, go to the library website https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us. Click on the HelpNow link under Brainfuse. Once there, you can access live tutoring, the writing lab, the skill surfer, the language lab or send questions. The live tutors interact in real time to assist students in figuring out answers without actually giving them the answers.

The writing lab, one of the most used in the U.S., will help students in all stages of writing from brainstorming to revising. Students can even submit finished papers and get feedback from writing tutors within 24 hours. Skill Surfer provides a large library of videos, lessons and tests to help students develop skills in various subjects. Language lab can tutor students in French and Spanish. The send question option allows learners to send a question to a tutor and get an answer back within 24 hours.

Other features that can be accessed are Summer Camp which helps students sharpen skills during breaks from school; LEAP Learning Platform, which is a diagnostic center providing study plans and live tutors; Flash Bulb, which allows students to create study aids like flashcards, games and tests; and eParachute, which allows learners to discover college majors and careers that match their skills and interests.

Brainfuse is a powerful learning tool that is available to all patrons through our website. In addition to student resources, this platform also has several features for adults as well. Adults who are looking for a job can use Brainfuse’s JobNow link. Using Job Resources, begin your job search. JobNow also offers a self-assessment to help find your dream job. The Resume Template and OptimalResume can be used to create a polished resume. After completing a resume, use the Resume Lab or Live Resume Coaching to receive personalized resume assistance from experts.  When you land an interview, you can prepare by working with a Live Interview Coach on JobNow.

VetNow is a support tool for Veterans. This allows veterans and their families to connect with expert veterans to learn more about VA benefits and community resources that you and your family are eligible for.

Besides HelpNow, JobNow, and VetNow, LearnNow is an educational link aimed at adult learners. Live tutors and a writing lab are available to help with career-enhancing academic skills. Brainfuse offers practice tests and test prep for many standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, US Citizenship, and ASVAB to name a few.

Not just for kids, Brainfuse resources can help learners of all ages. The cost is free to library patrons, so take advantage of this online resource for tutoring, writing, job hunting and VA benefit assistance.

Library Telescope Observing Week

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the MJB Library will be hosting a night viewing from 7:30-9 p.m. If the weather cooperates, we should be able to see the craters on the moon, the Galilean Moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s rings and much more. In the event of cloudy weather, Saturday, Sept. 14 will be the alternate date.

Iowa Author Talk

On Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m., Iowa author Linda McCann will be discussing her book entitled “Rosie the Riveters of Iowa” which shares the stories of more than 20 Iowa women who were Rosie the Riveters during World War II. Autographed copies of her book will also be available for purchase following the program.

Between the Covers

Between the Covers Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. to discuss Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel “Tom Lake.” This book explores youthful love, married love and the lives parents led before their children were born. Stop by MJB and check out a copy so you’re ready for book club.

Cookbook Club

Cookbook Club will be taking a hiatus in September.  Check in October for an exciting cookbook to sample.

Friends of the Library

Guthrie Center Friends of the Library will not be meeting in September, so their next meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 7 at 6:15 p.m. Everyone who would like to support the library is welcome to join.

Donald Todd, Jr. Presentation

Donald Todd, Jr. will share an encore presentation of his program entitled “A Tale of Two Soldiers” on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. Todd will tell the story of his father’s experience as a doctor and a soldier and how he and Dr. Herbert Neff started a medical practice that was an institution in Guthrie Center for many decades.

Library Closure

The MJB Library will not have Storytime on Friday, Aug. 30. The library will, however, be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 31 for the fair and on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Festival of Trees

Christmas will be here before you know it, and the MJB Library will host the Festival of Trees again. This year’s theme will be “Christmas Stories.” We encourage groups and individuals to sign up to decorate a tree for our festival using favorite Christmas books, family stories or the Christmas Bible story as the theme for their tree. Sign up on the library website or email or call the library by Nov. 20.

Please take note of the following information:

This year, we request that the trees be brought in and decorated starting Friday, Nov. 22 to Nov. 27, during library open hours. If you cannot come during this time, please call to schedule an appointment with the library staff. We kindly request that trees be picked up within the first week of January. You can complete the registration process on our website.

Guthrie County Supervisors ‘respectfully object’ to eminent domain in CO2 pipeline plan

Aug 27, 2024 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors reviewed a resolution regarding objection to the use of eminent domain in Guthrie County as part of the Summit Carbon Solutions proposed pipeline. Supervisor Brian Johnson shared that he was not comfortable with the tone of the wording, since he felt it could be read as disrespectful.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong shared her concern.

“I agree. Can we combine the two parts and say ‘respectfully object’… I feel like ‘object’ is a stronger term, but we can still be respectful,” Armstrong said.

The supervisors agreed to change the wording slightly, to add that the supervisors “respectfully object” instead of just “object.” 

After discussion, the supervisors unanimously approved the draft of the resolution.

The supervisors heard recommendations from the Assessor’s Office regarding applications for 2024 credits and exemptions. The supervisors approved those recommended, in four categories (Homestead Tax Credit applications, Homestead Tax Exemption 65-plus applications, Military Exemption applications, and Disabled Veterans Homestead Tax Credit applications).

Quinten Pote and Ryan Recker were appointed as Medical Examiner Investigators.

The supervisors discussed a possible “gator tour” of the Herndon Trail from Bagley to Herndon. The group came up with two suggested dates. The preferred date is Sept. 10, and the backup date is Sept. 17, with a suggested time of 1 p.m. on either day.

As part of the consent agenda, the supervisors approved a payroll change notice regarding the hiring of Christopher Simmons at the transfer station.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Sept. 3. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Redfern, II 

Aug 27, 2024 | Obituaries

1977-2024

Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Redfern, II was born in Guthrie Center on Feb. 15, 1977, to Thomas and Cindy (McCarty) Redfern. He was the youngest of three sons.

Growing up, T.J. enjoyed fishing, hunting and being just plain ornery. He graduated from Guthrie Center High School, where he participated in football, wrestling and swim team.

During his senior year, T.J. made his family proud and wrestled his way to the State tournament.

After graduation, T.J. worked in construction until he started trucking across the country, where he met several life-long friends. He did this until 2011 when he entered the insurance business.

By 2020, T.J. returned to his first passion — trucking. He took a leap of faith and bought his semi, becoming his own boss and a businessman.  

In 2009, T.J. met his wife Andrea during a roping tournament at the Dallas County Fair in Adel. The sparks flew, and they were married a few years later on Aug. 24, 2013. T.J.’s heart swelled when they welcomed their son, Kroy, into the world two years later. Two years after that, it swelled again when their younger son, Brylon, joined the family. 

T.J. had the same love for his nieces and nephews. As each one joined the family, he welcomed them with open arms — hanging out with them in the “cave,” teaching them to fish, taking them coyote hunting and horseback riding, competing in roping contests with them, cheering them on at sporting events, and teasing them endlessly with silly nicknames.

Many loved ones await T.J.’s arrival in heaven, including his father, Thomas Joseph Redfern, his grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

T.J. is survived by his wife, Andrea (Clark); sons, Kroy and Brylon; mother, Cindy; brother, Chad and his children, Delaney (Jeb), Dakota and Alexis; brother, Travis (Courtney) and his children, Mackenzie and Justin; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Sheryl Clark; brother-in-law, Travis (Christy) and his children Vada, Priya and Bodie; and brother-in-law, Dustin (Sarah), all of Guthrie Center. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and great friends also survive him.

T.J. joined his father, Tom, in heaven on Aug. 24, 2024, where they are likely fishing or playing cards. No matter what they are doing, they are laughing and happy. T.J. will be greatly missed by his family and friends who will remember his devotion to his loved ones, his fondness of music, and his great and unfailing sense of humor.

Donna Johnson

Aug 27, 2024 | Obituaries

1947-2024

Donna Jean Johnson, 77, daughter of Albert and Inez Nelson, was born May 19, 1947, in Lohrville. She passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines.

She married Francis “Frank” Johnson on Nov. 7, 1964, at the Morrisburg Church. They lived near Dexter and then moved to Redfield. In 1970, they purchased the farm south of Panora. She worked road construction as a flag person and made sandwiches for the road crew before purchasing the farm. She farmed with Frank and then went to work at Stetson Building Products with accounts payable in the 1980s and worked there for 25-plus years. When they moved to Panora, she helped out at the Panora Ben Franklin Store and then worked at Panora State Bank until she had to retire due to health reasons.

She was very active in the Guthrie County Pork Producers alongside Frank and was a Master Pork Producer in the State of Iowa in 1991.They traveled to other states to promote pork in big city grocery stores. They hosted more than a dozen foreign exchange students and traveled to Brazil to visit them as well. She also volunteered at the 3C’s in Panora.

She loved Frank so much that she went to be with him just one day before his passing nine years ago.

Donna is survived by her son, John (Margo) Johnson; daughter, Sheila (Andy) Allen; grandsons, Dalton (Dakota) Allen and Levi (Maddie) Johnson; granddaughters, Jaden Johnson, Bridgette (Luke) Skalla, and Beth (Jeremy) Gregory; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Marilyn Bettis of Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank; sisters, Sharon Daisy and Edna Anderson; and brother, Bill Nelson.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the Panora United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Morrisburg Cemetery, rural Stuart. Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

DNR investigates blue liquid near East Nishnabotna River 

Aug 27, 2024 | News

From The Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a bright blue liquid observed near the East Nishnabotna River in Oakland in Pottawattamie County. 

On Aug. 22, the DNR Field Office in Atlantic received reports of a blue liquid in an inlet area on the east bank of the East Nishnabotna River in Oakland. According to information provided anonymously to the DNR, the blue liquid was first observed around Aug. 11. 

By the time DNR officials were notified, the blue liquid was found in the recessed area near the river and not in the river. Soil staining in the area shows the blue liquid likely reached the East Nishnabotna River before the DNR was notified. 

A large storm sewer outlet was identified directly above the pooled water. Oakland city officials were notified and assisted DNR with placing booms and absorbent pads to avoid further release into the river. 

Water samples were collected and submitted to the State Hygienic Lab for analysis. No dead fish were observed. 

If anybody has any information on the incident, please contact the DNR Field Office in Atlantic at (712) 243-1934.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at 515-725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.