Special to the Times Vedette

The last Art on State class for the summer was held on Aug. 21. Youth artists made candle holders using mod podge and tissue paper.

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org.

Special to the Times Vedette

Art on State had a great  turnout on Aug. 25 for a fused glass class with 10 students in attendance. Participants cut glass in the colors they chose to make the jewelry. Artist Kathy Wallander will take the pieces and fire them in a kiln at 1,200 degrees. The pieces will return at the end  of the week. 

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

There is no clear agreement as to who coined the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but there is agreement about its accuracy, and that matches with the goal of local artist Chad Elliott as he works to create a mural in Guthrie Center.

When the Guthrie County Arts Council approached him about painting a mural to capture the essence of the county, Elliott realized the idea would be just as challenging as the actual painting.

“As an artist, I really wanted to simplify it into one iconic image, and that took a while,” Elliott said. “We wanted it to represent Guthrie County, not just Guthrie Center. But, also, we wanted it to have a historical basis but also look to the future of Guthrie County.”

The mural is being painted by Elliott on six separate panels, each of which is 4 feet by 8 feet.

“It’s a method that I learned when I was doing stage backdrops, using a grid method,” Elliott said. “I take a small canvas and paint the image I want, and then I dissect that into a grid and then do it on a larger scale.”

The image Elliott is painting shows a farmer plowing a field. Elliott said he chose that image because of the strong agricultural heritage of Guthrie Center, while the planting of seeds gives a glimpse toward the future.

The finished mural will be displayed on the side of the fire station in Guthrie Center, so it will be visible from far away by anyone traveling west on State Street in downtown Guthrie Center.

Elliott is a native of the county, and he told of his beginnings as an artist.

“I graduated from Guthrie Center, and decided right then that art was my path. I went to school, undergrad, for sculpture and painting,” Elliot said. “During that time, I was also into music, so I started down the path of touring and performing music. But I kept the art going the whole time, and I have my own art studio in Jefferson now.”

Elliott told of his family.

“We moved to Jefferson a year ago. I’ve got three kids, and one is an adult now. I have a daughter who is turning 13, and my son is turning 11. My wife, Alyssa, is the manager of my business.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 26 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers heard from the city’s building inspector, Jason Van Ausdall, regarding the issue of large shipping containers being kept in the city.

“I came to the P&Z (Planning & Zoning commission) a while back to talk about the ever-present discussion of shipping containers, which is what they are. They are built as such, they are used as such … and people acquire them, and they show up everywhere. Small-town America, metro areas, commercial areas, industrial areas, you name it,” Van Ausdall said. “Even though they show up, they’re still a shipping container. They are not, by definition, any kind of a building.”

Van Ausdall said he serves as building inspector for 30 other cities besides Panora, and he has seen this issue arise almost everywhere. He explained the difference between the issues cities face when allowing large shipping containers versus temporarily allowing small “moving pods.”

“Moving pods are in and out. They are priced accordingly, so if you had it sitting in your driveway, you’re paying for it dearly. If they’re there for a day, that’s excessive. So those are kind of a non-issue,” Van Ausdall said. “You’re not going to keep a pod in your driveway for three months. You would be broke if you did.”

Van Ausdall strongly encouraged the council to enact an ordinance to prohibit shipping containers from being brought into the city and to give notice that any shipping containers already in the city will have to be removed.

“I would advise a clear boilerplate letter, from and through the city attorney, that has some weight behind it, that has a timeline that is adequate (for removing shipping containers),” Van Ausdall said.

After discussion, although Brian Sheeder said his position hasn’t changed, the consensus of the council was to allow 90 days for removal once such property owners are notified. No formal action was taken, but City Administrator Lisa Grossman said she will revise the proposed ordinance per the council consensus so a first reading can occur at the next council meeting.

The council approved three appointments to the city’s library board. Alli Halsey and Deb Rockwell were reappointed, and Erin Bendickson was newly appointed. All three have terms that will run through June 30, 2028.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a Class B Retail Alcohol license for Dollar General.

The council approved having two new street lights installed at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 44 (the “Casey’s intersection”). If the new lights are satisfactory, more may be installed elsewhere.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council will be Monday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation is hosting a “Par-Tee Couples” golf tournament on Sept. 14, and everyone is welcome. The event will be held at the Guthrie Center Golf Club at 2382 Highway 44 with registration beginning at 3 p.m. and a shotgun start at 4 p.m.

Registration cost is $100 per two-person team, which covers golf, a cart and a light meal. Proceeds of the tourney will support scholarships for students from area schools (ACGC, CR-B, Panorama and WCV) choosing to continue their education in a healthcare-related field.

The 18-hole tourney format includes larger (8-inch) cups, and each player is limited to four clubs (a wood, an iron, a pitching wedge and a putter). To register, or for more details, visit www.guthriecountyhospital.com/foundation.