By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

This Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the 47^th annual Panora Holiday Boutique craft and vendor show will be held at Veterans Auditorium in Panora. More than 50 crafters/vendors are expected. Lots of holiday décor, treats and gift ideas will be available to start off the holiday season.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors reviewed the consent items, including the minutes of the previous meeting, the Nov. 26 claims and the Nov. 22 payroll.

Two items from the consent agenda items were questioned. Supervisor Maggie Armstrong noted a concern regarding tasers purchased for the Sheriff’s Department.

“I remember a conversation that we had during budget time about the appropriate number, based on liability, of tasers that the Sheriff’s Department was going to purchase,” Armstrong said. “But it looks as though they’ve purchased an amount more than we discussed, and I have some concerns about that.”

Supervisor Mike Dickson voiced a concern regarding laptops purchased. He suggested pulling those two claims out. Both items were pulled out of the consent agenda for further consideration at a later time.

County Engineer Josh Sebern spoke with the supervisors regarding his request to promote Todd Plowman to maintenance superintendent. The supervisors unanimously voted to approve the promotion.

“Another thing I would add is we are advertising for a diesel technician,” Sebern said.

County Auditor Dani Fink discussed plans for the county’s budget appropriations for the second half of the fiscal year. She plans to bring the appropriation information to the next weekly meeting for the supervisors to consider for approval.

Armstrong updated the other supervisors about the status of the county’s possible coordination with Tim Whipple from the firm of Ahlers and Cooney, P.C., of Des Moines, regarding a possible hazardous pipeline ordinance. She said Whipple is working on a letter of agreement to partner with the county. Supervisor Brian Johnson repeated his concerns that if the county creates such an ordinance, the county may face litigation.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Lions and ACGC Leo Clubs provided updates on the club projects from the past year. 

The Guthrie Center Lions Club celebrated its 100th anniversary in June 2024, with most current members gathering for the milestone celebration.

Front row: Shawna Nelson, Steve Smith, Joe Hanner, Kristen Crouthamel, Diane Flanery, Kelly Bast, Bill Sheeder, Mark Benton, George Hemmen and Darwin Hughes. Back row: Rex Schoonover, Chris Stipe, Dennis Flanery, Dwayne Seeck, Dale Behrends, Larry Brandt, Josh Rasmussen, Ed Wright, Roger Underwood, Gary Rees, Mike Underwood, Barry Monaghan and Kris Langgaard. Not pictured: Members Jennifer Policky, Wes Policky, Eric Reinhart, Geroge Hunt, Melissa Loest, Shannon Neff-Muell, Cozy Nelsen, Ed Haver, Ben Smith and Craig Twigg.

As part of the 100-year celebration, the Lions Club raised funds for the kitchen facilities of the new Little Charger Early Learning Center (LCELC). A total of $38,500 was raised for the project. 

Pictured above in the check presentation photo are Lion Member Diane Flanery, LCELC Board Member Laura Robson, LCELC Executive Director Kimla Buttler, Lion President Kris Langgaard, Immediate Past Lion President Joe Hanner, Lion Members Josh Rasmussen and Dennis Flanery.  The Guthrie Center Lions Club expresses its gratitude to the community for their generous support, including an anonymous $10,000 donation to the fundraiser, as well as for the community’s ongoing support over the past 100 years.

The ACGC Leo Club also donated $1,500 to the project for a combined total donation of $40,000 between the two clubs. Pictured above are LCELC Board Member Laura Robson, LCELC Executive Director Kimla Buttler, LEO Vice President Shay Lemke, LEO President Grace Lavoy, and LEO Secretary Eli Madsen.

The Lions Club’s fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30^, annually. The current officers and directors were installed at the beginning of the fiscal year. 2024-2025 officers and directors are:

• President: Kris Langgaard
• 1st Vice President: Josh Rasmussen
• 2nd Vice President: Kelly Bast
• 3rd Vice President: Diane Flanery
• Secretary: Kristen Crouthamel
• Treasurer: Mike Underwood
• Co-Tail Twisters: Ed Wright, Roger Underwood
• Lion Tamer: Gary Rees
• Immediate Past President: Joe Hanner
• Directors: Steve Smith, Ed Wright, Barry Monaghan and Darwin Hughes

The most recent new member to be installed into the Guthrie Center Lions Club is Jacob Kent.  Pictured above is Sponsoring Member Mike Underwood, new member Jacob Kent, Lion President Kris Langgaard.  The Lions Club is currently seeking new members and would invite any interested community member to join them at a future meeting.  The next meeting is Monday, Dec. 9 at noon at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall. 

In addition to the Little Charger Early Learning Center fundraiser and donation, so far this fiscal year, the Lions Club has also:

• Delivered meals on wheels and driven the Leos to deliver their shifts for meals on wheels
• Held bi-monthly blood drives
• Held their largest annual fundraiser — the Lions Grill food booth at the Guthrie County Fair over Labor Day weekend
• Collected 279 pairs of used eyeglasses, which get refurbished and go to third world countries
• Held annual Iowa KidSight eye screening at Guthrie Center Elementary School, screening 25 students
• Collected $1,813 in recycled cans. A portion of these funds go toward the Lions Club diabetes fund and sending local youth to diabetes camp Hertko Hollow
• Donated $250 to Lions Club International Fund for local Disaster Relief for tornado victims.
• Participated in Yard of the Month with the Guthrie Center Chamber, donating $50 per month to the winning homeowner.

You can turn in your aluminum recycling cans ($.05 – IA) at the Redemption Center in Guthrie Center in the outside bin for the Lions Club.  You can turn in used hearing aids and eyeglasses to any Lions Club member, or at Guthrie County Hospital.

In September, the Guthrie Center Lions Club donated $2,500 to ACGC Leo Club. The Leos help the Lions Club with projects such as the Guthrie County Fair Booth (Lions Grill) and other events and fundraisers. 

Pictured above, left to right, are Superintendent and LEO Advisor Josh Rasmussen, Lion members Dennis and Diane Flanery, LEO Vice President Shay Lemke, LEO President Grace Lavoy, LEO Secretary Eli Madsen, Lion President Kris Langgaard, and Immediate Past Lion President Joe Hanner.

The ACGC Leo Club held its annual Induction Ceremony in early November, welcoming new members for the 2024-2025 year. Leo Advisor Bob Bolton opened the event, followed by remarks from Lion President Kris Langgaard. Mr. Bolton swore in the officers: President Grace Lavoy, Vice President Shay Lemke, and Secretary Eli Madsen, who each delivered motivational speeches and updates on club activities. The new members, pictured above, were then inducted into the Leo Club.

Back row: Cayden Akers, Megan Underwood, Brynlee Seeck, Olivia Mahaffey, Cole Van Meter, Preston Kent and Carter Dinkla. Front row: Kahsyn Tearney, Kelsie Steensen, Kiera Boals, Natalie Dinkla, Ben Colling and Max Trujillo-Garcia New Leos missing from picture: Ilana Baumert, Saphire Hopes and Lillie Lauzon

This year, the Club has been actively involved in various community initiatives, including:

August: Serving food at the Lions Club booth during the Guthrie County Fair.

September: Delivering Meals on Wheels, donating $1,500 to the Little Charger Learning Center.

October: Delivering Meals on Wheels, assisting ACG MS Warriors fundraiser and Little Charger Early Learning Center Piano Dinner fundraiser, volunteering at community events like the Main Street Guthrie Center Fall Festival and Ham Ball dinner and Guthrie Center Chamber Business Trick-or-Treat safety patrol, Presbyterian Church’s  weekly WASP (Worship After School Program – which will continue through April),  and donated funds to causes like the Lions Club International (for Leader Dogs for the Blind – $100) and New Opportunities for their 52 Thanksgiving Baskets ($500). The Leos also changed the Library’s Storywalk displays at the walking trail.

November: Delivering Meals on Wheels, assembling Thanksgiving baskets, donating to the Ronald McDonald House ($200), and setting up holiday displays at Mitchell Park.

The Club looks forward to continuing its impactful work, including assisting with Santa’s Village in Guthrie Center on Nov. 30. The Lions Club proudly sponsors the Leo Club and commends its contributions to the community.

For more information about current projects or to inquire about becoming a member of the Lions Club, contact guthriecenterlionsclub@gmail.com.  For ACGC Leo Club inquiries, contact Bob Bolton at bbolton@acgcschools.org.