“Oh, what a beautiful mornin’, oh, what a beautiful day. I’ve got a wonderful feeling, everything’s going my way.”

My friend Jim brightened my morning by singing that song during a vacation our families spent together a few years ago. I told him I loved his attitude. His son, Jack, gave an eye roll and told me his dad sings that song every morning. Why not? 

Some of you know “Oh, what a beautiful mornin’ ” is the opening song for the “Oklahoma!” musical and premiered on Broadway in 1943. It was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and sung in the original musical by Curly McLain. Personally, I prefer Jim’s version. Regardless, you are likely going to struggle to get this song out of your head for the remainder of the day, and that’s a good thing. 

One of my original goals in creating this newsletter was to bring a smile to the faces of our readers. Meanwhile, I receive orders from a handful of you telling me I need to tackle contentious subjects locally and from around the world. On a rare occasion I do, but, more often than not, I simply want to make you smile with something other than political banter, federal funding cuts, or Aaron Rodgers updates. There is enough anger and division in the world today, and you have hundreds of news sources to find that — with more on the way. We might all do better by listening to the words of author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “A positive attitude will have positive results because attitudes are contagious.”  

How about you? Do you have a song, phrase, prayer or meditation that starts your day off right? I hope that you do and that you will join my friend Jim and me and have a beautiful day. I have a wonderful feeling everything will go your way. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

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

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of eight players participated on Feb. 14. Sandy Rumelhart, Rhonda Titus and Robert Klever each got a 16. Richard Ellis had two 16s, and Bill Sheeder won the kitty with a 16 and an 18.

A total of 10 players participated on Feb. 17. Rhonda Titus and Dennis Betts each got a 16. Sandy Rumelhart got a 17. Joanne Zeiser had a 16 and a 20.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Earlier this week, a fire occurred at Leonard Automotive (501 E. Market St. in Panora). No injuries were sustained, but significant property damage occurred. Dawn Shepherd, who works as secretary at the business, provided an update on behalf of owner David Leonard.

“Monday evening, Tuesday morning, the police department knocked on the back door and told David that his building was on fire,” Shepherd said. “He ran to the front of the building, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and realized how bad it was.”

“Panora Fire Department responded, and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department, and Panora Police Department,” Shepherd said. “We lost a substantial amount in the shop.”

Leonard plans to continue working in a temporary location and to rebuild the business.

“We will be rebuilding, hopefully in the same location,” Shepherd said. “We are looking for an empty shop that we could rent for a couple months while the rebuilding takes place. Right now, we’re waiting to hear the cause of the fire.”

Shepherd said the community has been supportive.

“It’s just devastating, but a lot of our customers have been dropping off gift cards or pizza during our clean up. They’ve been really good,” Shepherd said.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

February is American Heart Month. It’s time to get back to a big, healthy life with simple steps to improve your heart health. Spending time near trees where you live, work and play can improve your overall well-being. A growing pool of research shows that trees reduce pollution, lower blood pressure and heart rate, lower stress and increase physical activity.

The Million Hearts® initiative and CDC Foundation encourage you to “Start Small. Live Big.” Live big by taking healthy steps to get outside and stay active. Walking or biking in nature is a great start to a more active lifestyle. A wealth of research has linked tree cover and green space to increase in activity and lower obesity rates.

Check out these helpful resources with small steps to live big and boost your heart health:

• Small Steps for a Healthy Heart
• Vibrant Cities Lab