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Yester Years

Jan 10, 2025 | Yester Years

10 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 15, 2015

25th ANNIVERSARY. Members of the Panorama girls basketball team in 1989-90 are (front row, from left) manager Renee Ellis, Leslie Stanley, Paula Stanley, Stacy Smithson, Roxanne Leo, Sharon Schafer, Dannette Krause, manager Lynnea Moylan, (back row) assistant coach Dan Druivenga, Kathy Kemble, Amy Hedblom, Misty Allen, Jeri Brooks, Wendy Koppen, Janine Slater, head coach Bud McCrea.

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20 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 512 2005

ANOTHER DEUCE. Following a steal, Guthrie’s Amanda Moses is fouled by Lindsay Anthofer of Glidden-Ralston. Moses had 15 points.

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30 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 11, 1995

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE DAY. Brothers Andy (top) and Ryan Richter race down a hill behind the Plowman Trenching building in Adair. Andy, a third grader, and Ryan, a seventh grader, spent part of the day sledding, as Adair-Casey canceled school Friday to fix a water problem.

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40 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 10, 1985

IT’S MINE. Guard Shannon Kindred is fouled by a Central Dallas player as she tries to protect a rebound.

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50 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 8, 1975

FIRST BABY. Jane (Mrs. Joel) Clark of Casey holds her spunky son, Travis, for his first public appearance. Travis, born Monday, was Guthrie County’s first baby of 1975 and will be awarded prizes from 19 Guthrie Center merchants.

It’s long johns season

Jan 10, 2025 | Publisher's Column

It’s cold again outside, and that means one thing — it’s time to break out the long johns. 

I recall being a child and staying with family friends on their farm for a few days. The woman of the household was a wonderful lady named Marge, and she told me we would be making long johns. The brain of this 5-year-old envisioned some sort of sweatshop with sewing machines humming away. I was pleasantly surprised to find out she and I would be in the kitchen making long donuts with a maple glaze of incredibly sugary frosting. Not too many years later, I learned to also appreciate thermal underwear and its waffle weave texture just as much. Long johns were — and continue to be — necessary clothing in the winter weather of Iowa.

Even in my suit-and-tie days out of college, I was known to wear long johns. While in a meeting at The Des Moines Register where we were all seated in chairs in a circle, I could see my coworker Shannon laughing at me from across the room. With my legs crossed at the knee, I leaned forward and tried mouthing, “What’s so funny?” She kept laughing. Shannon could see I was becoming irritated with her, and she finally blurted out, “Quit being such a jerk. I am just laughing at your long underwear that I can see from your suit pant leg.” Laugh all you want, Shannon. I was toasty warm. 

Maybe you wonder where the term “long johns” came from. Some say it began with soldiers in World War II who donned the thermal underwear, but the words appeared many years prior. According to a story in the Summit (Colorado) Daily, the invention of long johns is credited to John Smedley in the English town of Matlock in Derbyshire. Smedley manufactured the clothing on the premises of his Lea Mills in the late 18th century, the story says. The name “long johns” supposedly refers to American boxer John L. Sullivan, who reigned as the heavyweight champion from 1882-1892.

So now you know. The next time you slip into some long johns, you can think of John Smedley and John L. Sullivan. And the next time you eat a delicious maple-glazed long john donut, you can think of all the wonderful bakers like Marge. 

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Armstrong honored for term as economic development president

Jan 10, 2025 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Maggie Armstrong received an award from the Panora and Lake Panorama Economic Development at Wednesday’s meeting for serving as the 2024 president of the group. Julie Dent-Zajicek, who presented the award, is the 2025 president.

Grubbs named to Coe College Dean’s List

Jan 10, 2025 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the Dean’s List, including Quinn Grubbs, who is currently among this elite group.

Grubbs, of Casey, has been named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Coe in Cedar Rapids.

Past members of Coe’s Dean’s List have gone on to illustrious careers in both the private and public sectors.

The college recognized only 102 students for the Fall Term. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average for the term and rank in the top 10% of the student body.

“It’s an honor to recognize these students because they exemplify the best of Coe,” said Coe College President David Hayes ’93. “Congratulations to Quinn and all the other honorees. We’re proud of all of you.”

Guthrie County Supervisors approve pay changes

Jan 10, 2025 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors discussed three proposed payroll change notices during the regular meeting on Jan. 9.

A payroll change notice for Jenny Jessen (Social Worker, Public Health) was approved unanimously. Jessen’s pay will increase from $25.71 to $30 hourly.

A payroll change notice for Charles Abel was approved by 4-1 vote, with Mike Dickson opposed. Abel’s pay will increase from $90,676 to $93,175.45 yearly.

The supervisors had lengthy discussion about the proposed payroll change notice for Casey Jones. Jones’ position oversees the county’s collection efforts. The initial proposal was for a $5,000 raise. Supervisor Steve Smith said he prefers not to give raises mid-year in the county’s fiscal year. After discussion, the supervisors unanimously denied the $5,000 Payroll Change Notice. 

            Dickson made a motion for a $2,500 raise. Supervisor Maggie Armstrong voiced her concern.

            “I think if we had known that there was a promotion on the table ahead of time… that’s where I’m struggling,” she said. “I’m looking at this wholistically.”

            Armstrong said other departments have had staff pick up additional duties due to staffing vacancies and usually without a pay raise. The supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of the $2,500 raise, with Armstrong opposed.

Becky Benton (State Street Insurance) addressed the supervisors about insurance coverage, premiums and deductibles in the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) coverage, which provides property and casualty coverage to more than 800 public entities including 75 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Following her presentation, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve renewing the coverage.

Through March, the Board of Supervisors meets regularly Tuesdays and Thursdays 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#.