Special to the Times Vedette
Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) announced its Dean’s List, full-time students who achieved a 3.5-3.99 grade point average during the 2024 fall semester. Victor Gonzalez of Guthrie Center was named to the list.
Special to the Times Vedette
Alyson Bauch of Stuart was among the more than 1,000 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the president’s list for the 2024 fall semester. The president’s list was established in the fall of 1983 to recognize academic excellence.
University of Iowa undergraduates who achieve a grade point average (GPA; 4.0 is an A) of 4.0 in 12 semester hours or more of UI graded coursework and who have no “I” marks (incompletes) or “O” marks (no grade reported) on their records for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer session) are recognized by inclusion on the president’s list.
Courses graded with the pass/nonpass system are not included in grade-point average calculations or graded semester hour counts, potentially impacting eligibility for the president’s list.
I was changing a battery in a wall clock at the office this week, and I wanted to make sure I had the correct time. So I asked a handful of staff members, and they all responded at the same time… with the same time. You can thank cell phones for that incredible accuracy.
It got me wondering when I last asked someone what time it was. Most people don’t ask; they just look at their phones. Studies show 97% of Americans now have some sort of cell phone with 85% owning a smart phone. In contrast, only about one-third of Americans wear wrist watches today.
When I was in college, a large clock hung on the wall in the main dining room area. I would wait for people to be directly under it and then ask them if they knew what time it was. They would offer it… with a puzzled look on their faces as they walked away, looking up at the giant clock. I was clearly more amused than they were.
Asking for the time was once a commonplace request — even to complete strangers — and most on the question-receiving end were happy to share it. Some of us even used to call the operator to ask what time it was. Imagine asking an operator — or a complete stranger — for the time now.
I admit I am in the minority on the whole time-telling thing. I don’t always carry a cell phone with me, and my retro Timex doesn’t keep perfect time or automatically change with Daylight Saving Time. So, when necessary, I continue to ask people for the time. And they continue to oblige… with puzzled looks on their faces.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Panora Chamber of Commerce held its first chamber dinner and community gala event on Saturday, Feb. 1 at The Port.
“Our goal for our inaugural gala was 100 tickets sold,” Panora Chamber Coordinator Erica Matthies said. “We reached that goal and sold 101 tickets.”
Music for the event was provided by Paul Hart and Jackie Johnson, known as the Riverside Drive Acoustic Duo.
“We wanted this night to focus on connecting with community members and chamber members,” Matthies said. “We did not have any auction or other form of fundraising during the event, as we wanted to foster coming together and just enjoying a good time.”
Platinum sponsors for the event included Hair Jesser Salon, Sunset Realty, Guthrie County State Bank, Iowa Trust, OvaEasy and Panora Fiber.
Silver sponsors for the event included Big Green Umbrella, Panorama Benefits, The Lakeside Village, Bendickson Works, Twin Vines, Merical Creations, Mitzi Rue’s Canine Corral and Bryton Insurance.
Matthies said profits from the sponsorships and donations will be added to the speaker system fund to help fulfill that chamber goal.
Special to the Times Vedette
Community Impact Day is an annual initiative designed to bring businesses and residents together for a day of giving back, support and transformation. It will be held in Panora Wednesday, April 30 with a rain date of Wednesday, May 7.
“Community Impact Day is more than just a day of service. It’s our Chamber’s way of physically showing our commitment to making Panora a better place to live, work, play and stay,” Panora Chamber Coordinator Erica Matthies said.
The Panora Chamber of Commerce is teaming with Panorama Community Schools to complete projects. Residents and local Chamber businesses can submit project needs, which may include projects like elderly assistance with flowerbeds, business exterior painting, single-mom landscaping, parks and rec maintenance, etc.
A committee will review submissions to determine if they have the manpower, expertise and/or ability to complete the submitted projects. The project submission deadline is March 30. Submission form is available at this link: Community Impact Day, Submission Form.
“By coming together and investing our time and resources, we’re not only improving our community but also strengthening the bonds between businesses and residents,” Matthies said. “Let’s lead the charge and set the standard for what community engagement looks like. Together, we can make a lasting impact that will resonate for years to come.”