Eagle Scout Corbin Deardorff addresses the Panora City Council on Monday.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 28 meeting of the Panora City Council, discussion was held about the city’s “brush facility,” where citizens may bring branches and similar brush. City Administrator Lisa Grossman explained the need to consider a change in policy.

“The brush facility has been an ongoing issue for us. Within the last year or two, we put in the $20 deposit fee, and that worked for a little bit,” Grossman said.

But the problem, according to Grossman, is that many times the key has not been returned.

“We’re constantly tracking down keys and hounding one person or another,” she said. “We’re just looking to try another option.”

Grossman explained the proposal to have the city’s water treatment operator, whose workstation is next to the brush facility, open the brush facility every morning and then lock it every afternoon. The proposed hours would be 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.

“It would include upgraded cameras…so we can see license plates and we can see what’s in the load, and we’d like to put in some updated signage,” Grossman said.

Grossman added the suggestion to increase the penalty for a municipal infraction to $750. After discussion, the council unanimously approved the proposed changes.

The council approved purchasing and installing a new basketball court at Michael Mills Park at a total cost of $27,000 to $29,000. A grant will cover about $20,000 of that.

Chris Hastings, Panora Library Board president, addressed the council about the need to replace the geothermal heating at the library. He said the unexpected breakdown of the equipment was not budgeted for but needs to be addressed. He said the cost is expected to be $50,000 or more. The existing equipment is 17 years old, so Hastings said it is not a premature breakdown. No formal action was taken, but the council and city staff will look into the matter.

Tim Rietz, owner of Off Course Golf Carts, asked the council to consider allowing test driving of golf carts on Market Street, as part of his business. The matter will be added to the agenda of the next council meeting for possible action.

Eagle Scout member Corbin Deardorff addressed the council with a request to allow the Eagle Scout troop to install a community fire pit/flag retirement facility on the city’s property across from Lenon Mill Park. The fire pit would be used by the scouts to appropriately dispose of flags. The fire pit would also be available for public use at any other times. The council approved the request.

Grossman summarized a request from Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO, asking Panora and Guthrie Center to consider financially supporting the meal delivery programs in each of those communities. No action was taken at this time.

The May 12 city council meeting will begin with two public hearings. One will relate to Resolution 25-18, (proposal to vacate or sell city property) and the other will be about the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget amendment. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

Jennifer Crow shows her personal collection of eyewear.

For Jennifer Crow of rural Panora, eyewear is the perfect blend of function and fashion.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, April 2025

Making a statement or expressing yourself through your appearance can be done in many ways. Some choose body art such as tattoos or piercings. Others opt for wardrobe accessories such as purses, ties and scarves. Hairstyles, hair color and jewelry are popular options as well. 

A favorite pair of eyewear for Jennifer Crow is from Budapest.

But for Jennifer Crow of rural Panora, eyewear is a perfect blend of function and fashion.

“I tell people I don’t collect shoes, and I don’t collect purses; I collect glasses,” Crow said. “I also have some old eyeglasses from my grandparents and things like that, too.”

The majority of Crow’s personal collection is prescription glasses she can wear any time the mood strikes her. From time to time, she donates her older glasses to charitable causes, but she has kept a few favorite styles around.

“Most of these are from the last five years, but there’s a couple that are older than that, just because I love them so much that I just keep putting new lenses in them,” Crow said. “To me, it’s like a piece of jewelry, so I treat it as such,” Crow said.

The eyeglasses that catch Crow’s eye are not the run of the mill.

“They’re handcrafted. Two pairs were made by an opera singer from Canada. Some are from Denmark. I like the glitzy, blingy stuff,” Crow said. “I try to find pieces that are unique. I like the ones that tell a story.”

Crow showed a favorite pair and explained its special story.

“We’re very conservative in the United States for eyewear. They do a lot more bold colors and bright fashion in Europe,” Crow said. “This one, as you can see, is actually made out of vinyl records. They’re made in Budapest, Hungary.”

Jennifer Crow says there are eyeglasses for every mood.

Crow’s passion is not only for her own eyeglasses but in helping others in a similar way.

“I’m actually an optician. I kind of fell into the industry when I was 19. Someone asked me to come work with them, so I did, and I enjoyed it, and I’ve stayed in the industry since, other than taking some time off when I had young kids,” Crow said. “Then, when my youngest daughter was born in 2014, I decided to have a mobile optical. I was tired of working for other people, but I loved glasses.”

Crow’s career has taught her much about eyewear.

“I’ve done every aspect of it,” Crow said. “From just selling frames and lenses to someone, but then I’ve also looked in on the labs, so I know what it’s like to make a prescription and put it in.”

Crow focuses on learning what her clients want, then offers options tailored to that goal.

“I like helping people feel good about it. I don’t want them to feel like a number. I like to educate people, because a lot of times they don’t know what they don’t know,” Crow said. “I’m an old-school optician, trained by some of the best in the country. I want my clients to always leave knowing more than when they came in.” 

Although low-cost eyeglasses and sunglasses are readily available, Crow offers something not available off the shelf.

“I don’t sell anything that you can go get online,” Crow said. “Most of the companies that I work with are very exclusive.”

Eye health and vision care are causes Crow believes in strongly.

“You get what you pay for,” she said. “You only have one set of eyes. Protect what you have. Get an eye exam.”

Do you know someone in Guthrie County whose vehicle, collection or hobby would make an interesting story? Email rich@gctimesnews.com.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 24 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s Board of Trustees, a public hearing was held regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 County Budget. Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson shared budgetary data. Following the hearing, the trustees formally approved the budget.

Danielle Lauzon shared quality improvement data. She highlighted numbers from the recently completed third quarter of the fiscal year.

“We didn’t have any falls in the third quarter, so that’s exciting,” Lauzon said.

Lauzon also reported on complaints received from patients. CEO Chris Stipe stressed that staff take appropriate action on all complaints, even if minor.

“All of these complaints get followed up on, by the manager, and, potentially, HR is involved,” Stipe said.

Human Resources Director Mary Anderson reported on HR data.

“Our retention rate has gone up a little bit. It’s at 82.6%; last month it was 81.9%. Our engagement survey is in full swing,” Anderson said.

Anderson also told of upcoming events.

“Hospital Week will be May 12-16, so we’re going to have some activities that week and have some fun,” she said.

Stipe shared an update on the hospital obtaining property for the expansion project.

“I did sign the sale agreement on the purchase of the house next door to the hospital, next to the helipad,” Stipe said. “It will be another 30 days or so before we have possession.”

Stipe also announced that the Ten Squared Men’s group voted to give more than $20,000 to the hospital to help fund the Meals on Wheels program. He voiced appreciation for the good the funds will do in the community. He added that the meals are delivered in both Guthrie Center and Panora.

Foundation Chair Dennis Flanery reported that the recent Handbags and Bingo fundraiser event was well attended and successful.

The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for May 22. The public is welcome.