Congregate meal menus for January 2025
New Year events in the area
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Looking for a fun way to bring in the new year? Here are a few ideas that were passed along to us:
- Pioneers Pub, 618 McPherson St. in Casey, is offering a New Year’s Eve Prime Rib Dinner special from 5:30-9 p.m. Reservations are recommended, 641-746-3313.
- Tin Lizzie’s (next door to Pioneers Pub) offers live music from 9 p.m. to midnight, bringing in the new year with a performance titled, “The Faster Horses presents: A Fiddler & I Tour.”
- On New Year’s Day, many of Iowa’s state parks are offering “First Day Hikes.” Some are guided hikes, while others are self-guided. A list of more than 40 such hikes is available at iowadnr.gov.
- Another upcoming event in Casey is the Game Day for adults, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2-4 p.m. at the Casey Library, 604 McPherson St. Card games, board games, and refreshments will be offered.
Share your upcoming events with us at rich@gctimesnews.com.
Guthrie County Supervisors handle light agenda to wrap up 2024
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a brief meeting of roughly four minutes for the final meeting of 2024. Minutes from the Dec. 17 and Dec. 23 meetings were approved.
One agenda item was a notice of position change for Jeremy Bennett, who is changing from Chief Deputy Sheriff to Senior Deputy. Incoming Sheriff Matt Harmann will name his Chief Deputy Sheriff.
Beginning this week, the supervisors will have meetings twice weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is typical during budget season.
“We will have a full agenda come Thursday,” Chair JD Kuster said.
Supervisor Mike Dickson shared one update.
“Jake Anderson reached out about the lime on the county farm. He’s going to get back with a price on that,” Dickson said.
The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Thursday, Jan. 2 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#.
Sewing to help others
Julie Hathaway displays a row of homemade Christmas stockings.
Sandy Lane taught Julie Hathaway how to quilt, and now the daughter is just as involved as the mother.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times
Sandy Lane and her daughter, Julie Hathaway, live in Panora but are active in the Winterset Quilt Guild. The group gives out many quilts and sewn items to various charitable groups. Lane and Hathaway have expanded their giving to include residents and tenants at Lakeside Village, especially for those who qualify to receive a Quilt of Valor.
Lane explained that she has heard from some veterans who misunderstand the basics of the Quilts of Valor program. Contrary to what some have heard, the program is not for veterans who have passed away.
“The only qualification is that it is for anybody that has served in any form of the military, as long as they weren’t dishonorably discharged,” Lane said. “It’s to thank you for your service, while you’re still here.”
Lane said there is a national Quilts of Valor website registry. She makes sure anyone she has presented a Quilt of Valor to is recorded on the registry.
“I belong to the National Quilt of Valor Foundation,” Lane said. “We did seven quilts for veterans here at Lakeside Village.”
Lane recalled how she first became interested in quilting.
“I’m self-taught,” Lane said. “In about 2008, my sister was wanting to join the quilt guild at Winterset. I got the information, we went to a meeting, and I’ve been going ever since.”
Not only have Lane and Hathaway participated in the Winterset group, they hold leadership roles. As of Jan. 1, Lane will become the club president, while Hathaway serves as club secretary.
The two also make “baby quilts” that are donated to hospitals. Lane explained the purpose behind these.
“They use them to cover the isolettes (incubators), because the premature babies’ eyes are very sensitive to the light,” she said.
Lane recalled at one point, she wasn’t sure if her efforts were making a difference. Then she got a letter that changed everything.
“After about four years, I got my first thank you card addressed to me personally, and it just melted my heart and made me cry,” she said.
Lane taught Hathaway how to quilt, and now the daughter is just as involved as the mother. Lane and Hathaway started making Christmas stockings, since they are easier than full-sized quilts.
“That was one of the first things she taught me how to quilt,” Hathaway said. “She thought it would be easy for me to start with that. Eventually, I started making my own pattern. Now I can probably do three in one day, depending on the pattern.”
Hathaway now makes Christmas stockings of various sizes and sells them. She even makes miniature stockings that are designed to hold a gift card.
Meanwhile, Hathaway is working toward completing a full-sized quilt.
“My goal is to have one done by the end of next year,” Hathaway said.
Lane and Hathaway are always on the lookout for good deals or donations of quilting materials. Hathaway said she’s got a large supply of fabric and batting at their home, but the women go through it quickly.
“It kind of looks like a fabric store threw up in my dining room,” Hathaway said.
For anyone interested in learning to quilt, Lane and Hathaway’s suggestion is to team up.
“Sometimes, it’s more fun to sew with a group,” Hathaway said. “And even if you’re just getting into sewing, find a group, ask questions.”
The Mother-daughter duo have found they really enjoy the companionship of quilting together.
“One time, we were just sewing and sewing, until 4:30 in the morning,” Lane said.
“Sometimes, you just lose track of time,” Hathaway said. “We have our music going, and we have our teas, and we’re just going to town.”
Julie Hathaway and Sandy Lane show two of the Quilts of Valor given at Lakeside Village.
The top 10 movies of 2024
By Michael C. Woody | Special to the Times Vedette
“We Live in Time”
I am not sure why this didn’t get more attention, but this extremely well-made film mesmerized me with its aggressive storytelling and outstanding performances by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. It was largely ignored by critics and audiences. They missed out.
“Heretic”
Hugh Grant gives one of the creepiest performances I’ve seen in a long time as a hermit-like man who has two young female missionaries knock on his door. He invites them in. Everything is up for grabs at that point. Grant will receive serious Oscar conversations.
“IF”
A bad title can kill a great movie, and, in this case, one of the year’s most charming and wonderful movies. John Krasinski directs the tale of a young girl who begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends. This movie is unlike any I saw this year, and I fell in love with it.
“The Wild Robot”
It takes an exceptional film to land on my list this year, and to have an animated movie in my top five is truly rarified air. An odd title didn’t help this film at the box office, but this adventure film has more heart than 90% of the movies I saw in 2024. Music, animation and story-telling are at the top its game.
“Alien: Romulus”
We’ve seen sequel after sequel to the “Alien” franchise. A couple of them were good, but none were as good as this. It stands on its own as a sci-fi thriller and adds a brilliant piece to the “Alien” sci-fi film legacy. Unexpected but very much appreciated.
“Longlegs”
This is horrifying film starring Nicolas Cage. If I tell you any more than that, you will hate me. One of the most original and terrifying movies of the year. If you are watching it at home, turn off the lights.
“Saturday Night”
Take a look at the first airing of “Saturday Night Live” and learn how it almost didn’t happen. Just watching this film will raise your stress level to new heights. The no-name cast looks amazingly like the original cast.
“Gladiator 2”
How do you follow up the original film when your main character is dead? Give a nod to that character and bring in Denzel Washington and Pail Mescal to more than fill the void with top-notch acting and brilliant directing by Ridley Scott.
“Deadpool & Wolverine”
Who would have thought last spring that this movie would not only be good but would set the high bar for the rest of movies of the year with more than a billion dollars in revenue? It is violent and profane but still original and entertaining.
“Wicked”
Green begets green in this long-awaited sequel to the original “The Wizard of Oz” story and smash Broadway musical. I was less than thrilled with the Broadway play, but the film is so well cast and so well made it is difficult to not love. If you spent the month of November under a rock, this is just the first half of the complete film, which will end with the sequel next November.
Honorable Mentions
It sometimes takes a lot to be ”heard” in the midst of the busy film release calendar. These four strong movies didn’t get seen enough to make many end-of-the-year lists, but I will include them as worth watching.
“Bike Riders”
A great cast includes Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy in a film about a midwestern motorcycle gang and the dangers that befall them. Hardy is brilliant channeling Marlon Brando but not enough to make me forget “Venom 3.”
“Outrun/Blitz”
Sairose Ronan proves twice this year what a talented actress she can be. Portraying the horrors of substance abuse in “Outrun “and the horrors of war in “Blitz.” Well worth a visit on your favorite streaming service.
“Lee”
It is rare for a Kate Winslet film to not get the attention it deserves. This true story of a fashion photographer who ends up as a war correspondent is as brilliant as it is gritty. Of all people, Adam Samberg co-stars.
(“Birthday Girl,” “A Complete Unknown” and “Nosferatu” opened after this list was compiled.)