Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on July 26 at 12 a.m. on 265^th Street. Tanner David Goehring, 26, of Guthrie Center, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 pickup eastbound on 265^th Street and claims he was looking at his cell phone when he drove off the road and struck the guard rail caution sign and the rail and the vehicle rolled over in the creek below.  The pickup is declared as totaled on the report. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on July 25 at 1:45 p.m. on 120^thStreet.  Emily Peggy Hinners, 25, of Aradia, was driving a 2018 Dodge JNY westbound on 120^th Street in the 1000^thblock west of Burl Lane and hit loose gravel. The vehicle entered the north ditch and overturned. Safety belts were utilized and airbags were deployed. The driver was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll via private vehicle. Coon Rapids EMS assisted on the scene.  Estimated damage to the Dodge is $7,000.

 

By Rich Wicks and Susan Thompson | Panora Times, July 2025

This year’s theme for Panorama Days is “Navigating our past, sailing into our future.” After more than 50 years, Panorama Days has developed a rich history and become a premier event in the area. The event is now held on the first full weekend (Friday through Sunday) in August, which, this year, is Aug. 1-3. 

Naturally, the celebration has evolved over the decades. The first event was originally scheduled to be held on Aug. 2, 1969, but was postponed until June 1970. That initial celebration included a breakfast, a parade, water fights between the Panora and Guthrie Center Fire Departments, a watermelon feed, Little League baseball and a teen dance.

A double-dose of Panorama Days happened in 1970 with another event held Sept. 12. That event included a skydiving demonstration, a greased pig contest, pony rides, and bingo. Since then, Panorama Days has been celebrated every year except 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Panora Chamber of Commerce Coordinator Erica Matthies provided details on this year’s schedule. Most of the weekend’s events will happen at or near Panora’s main square. One of the highlights is the downtown parade with many of the floats designed to match the year’s theme. 

THE PARADE AN OTHER TRADITIONAL EVENTS

“The parade is Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Registration for the parade will be at the elementary school at 9 a.m.,” Matthies said. “One new thing this year is we are doing some payouts for the float winners. Be on the lookout for more information, but each division will have a payout. We’re envisioning a lot of boat-type floats, probably.”

Matthies highlighted some of the many other parts of the Panorama Days weekend.

“A lot of the traditional events will be included again this year. Chalk the Block will be Friday at 4 p.m. for kids of all ages, and the kids’ cake walk will be Friday at 7 p.m.,” Matthies said. “At 7 p.m. on Friday, Twin Vines Winery is having Wine and Yoga, so before you come to the street dance, you can go there and get all ‘zenned-up.’ Main Street Dance Studio will be performing, and the Bill Riley Talent Show will follow that. We are having live music on Friday from 6-8 p.m., so when people are uptown, there will be live music played by Kile Jackson. Then the main act will be Oreo Meatwagon, and they start at 8:30 p.m. Around 8:15 p.m., we’ll have our Little Miss and Little Mister announcement, and we’re actually having our Homecoming King and Queen on hand to crown the Little Miss and Little Mister.” 

On Friday, Aug. 1, 2-4 p.m., a cribbage tournament will be held at the Panora Community Center. There is a $5 entry fee, and $100 in prize money to be won.

 

A NEW SOUND SYSTEM

Matthies explained that one major upgrade is the city’s new sound system, which will be used throughout Panorama Days.

“Also, on Friday evening around 8:15 p.m., we’ll do a little speaker recognition project to recognize those who have been a large part of the fundraising effort for the new speaker system, which will be up and running for Panorama Days.”

 

MORE SATURDAY ACTIVITIES

“On Saturday, we, of course, have the bass fishing tournament, pancake breakfast, and the 5K run/walk. Online registration for the 5K is appreciated, or you can register in person that morning, 7-7:45 a.m., with the run starting at 8 a.m.,” Matthies said. “At 11-ish, immediately following the parade, we’ll have the Citizen of the Year announcement and parade winners’ announcement. Parade winners will need to be present to get their prizes.”

At noon on Saturday, a bags tournament will be held on Main Street. The tournament will have an 80% payout.

Saturday offerings continue throughout the afternoon and evening.

“We have our family fun zone again, and we are adding live music on Saturday as well. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is Dale Menning and the Stardusters,” Matthies said. “The classic car show is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Another new feature is the bags tournament, with 90% of the fees paid out to the top three teams. Bags will begin at noon, with two-person teams. If all 32 team spots are filled, the winning team will get around $500, maybe even a little more than that. We’re having live music with Four Shades of Grey from 1:30-3:30 p.m.”

 

WATER SKI SHOW

One of the longtime highlights of Panorama Days has been the water skiing show. The Lake Panorama Ski Team has been a part of Panorama Days for more than 40 years. This year’s show will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 with parking and viewing on Lake Panorama’s south shore.

The theme for the 2025 show is “Making Waves Since 1985.” The history of water skiing, which began in 1922 in Lake City, Minnesota, will be showcased with costumes, music and onshore skits that allow the water to calm down between acts.

Prior to the show, members of the ski team will be in the Panorama Days parade towing the Ski Team boat with kids “skiing” behind the boat and adults throwing candy.

The ski team has 42 members this year with 32 of those skiing. Others help with ropes, boat driving, music, photography and general organization. 

There are 12 kids skiing this year, ranging in age from 5 to 16. Of the 20 adult skiers, the youngest is 18 years old, and the oldest is in his 70s. 

For many, ski team is a family activity. The Reese and Lefkow families both have three generations involved. 

The Reese family includes Grandpa Mark, his son Eric, daughter Sara Mills, and Sara’s kids, Tate, Reese and Chloe. The Lefkow family includes Grandpa Bruce, Grandma Liz, daughter Laura Eslinger, and Laura’s daughters, Evelyn and Ella.

New members of all ages are welcome to join the ski team. The only requirement is membership in the Lake Panorama Association. 

Ski team practice starts at the end of May. Practices are held each Thursday night, weather permitting, from 6-8:30 p.m. In June, team members spend most practices trying different things. As the kids get older and bigger, they try different acts each year. 

In July, the team firms up the act. Practices are held both Tuesday and Thursday the last two weeks of July. Practices the last week of July are dress rehearsals with the skits and music.

This year’s ski show is expected to last about an hour and a half. Again this year, there will be canopies and free water on the south shore to help with the heat. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Buoys will be placed in the water to mark off the show area. Boats can anchor behind the buoys and tie up with friends to watch the show.

The show will include Matt Lukacs and his barefoot skiing, the “Willie” hitchhiker act with father and son duos Larry and Clint Isom and Eric and Leyton Temple, a 10-girl line, three-high pyramids, doubles acts where girls ride on guys’ shoulders, saucers with stools, kneeboarding and more.

Because of the ski team’s nonprofit status, donations are tax deductible. Donations help cover fuel, team insurance, equipment and equipment maintenance, costumes and props. 

A QR code printed on ski team posters and pamphlets will be available at the show and other locations to allow electronic donations. Donations also can be made by check, payable to Lake Panorama Ski Team, and mailed to P.O. Box 384, Panora, Iowa, 50216.  

CHICKEN DROP RETURNS

“A returning event from many years ago is the chicken drop. In cleaning out our storage unit, we found we have a large board with 100 squares on it. People can pay $10 for a square,” Matthies said. “Then a chicken will be brought in and fed and then it goes into the enclosure, and then you wait for the chicken to poop, and wherever it drops, if it’s on your square, you could win $500, if all of the squares have been sold.”

 

SUNDAY’S EVENTS

On Sunday morning, the kid’s fishing derby is happening at the Panorama Marina. Then there is free live entertainment with a praise band and food trucks at Boulder Beach, beginning at 11 a.m.,” Matthies said. “The Panorama Alumni golf tournament is that afternoon at the Panorama West golf course.”

Matthies pointed out that sponsorships are a major reason Panorama Days is able to happen, and she gave kudos to several sponsors already on board.

“The bass fishing tournament is done by Fin and Feather. Some businesses and individuals come together to sponsor the car show. Bingo is sponsored by Guthrie County State Bank. The junior class does one of the breakfasts. Cruise the Loop is sponsored by Panora Auto Parts. WFPF (Women For Panora’s Future) does the Cake Walk,” Matthies said. “We’re also still looking for sponsors. It is definitely a group effort.”

Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about sponsoring an event are encouraged to contact the Panora Chamber of Commerce.

Matthies shared information for visitors from out of town. 

“There’s designated handicapped parking spots near the Community Center,” Matthies said. “One of the other things to keep in mind, for anyone coming to the Community Center for the pancake breakfast, just be mindful that the 5K will be going on at the same time, so cars might need to go on the south side of Main Street and wrap around up past City Hall to get to the Community Center. The 5K route is kind of on the north side of town.”

Matthies shared how another local event, though technically not a part of Panorama Days, will serve as an “appetizer” for the weekend.

“Thursday night (July 31), Twin Vines Winery is doing something to kick off the weekend. Josh Sinclair will be playing live music 6-9 p.m., and they’re having Rockets Raccoon Valley Catering,” Matthies said.

More details on Panorama Days will be posted as the event approaches, on the Panora Chamber of Commerce website (panorachamber.org) and Facebook page. Matthies noted that there are also links to registration forms for the parade, 5K and bags tournament. 

Matthies thanked all who help make Panorama Days a success and encourages everyone to participate.

“A lot of people help, and it’s worth it. It makes for a fun and busy weekend,” she said.

 

 

Allyson and Tim Walker opened the Yale gym in July of 2019.

 

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, July 2025

One of the major trends in gyms today is that users no longer have to find workout times that match the gym’s hours. Many gyms have “flexed” to meet everyone’s schedule. That is true at Walker Wellness in Yale. Allyson Walker explained how the gym came to exist.

“My husband, Tim, and I started this gym in July of 2019, so this is our sixth year. It’s a 24-hour gym. We offer cardio, strength training, and we have a virtual room with preloaded workouts,” Walker said. “We also offer tanning seven days a week, which is a big hit.”

Walker said she and Tim had heard from doubters when they first talked of opening a gym in Yale, but they were not discouraged.

“My husband said, ‘The worst that can happen is it will flop, but we’ll never know if we don’t try,’ ” Walker said. “Our membership ebbs and flows throughout the year. You’d think in the summer it might go down, but there are a lot of college kids that come back for the summer. At any given time, our membership list is around 75, give or take.”

Every member receives a key fob to access the gym whenever is most convenient. Because the gym is available 24-7, cameras are installed for security of the facility and for the safety of members. 

“You have to be 16 or older to work out here, and we have members from 16 to 94,” Walker said. “Everything is very user-friendly. We built it so that anyone of any dynamics can use it.”

According to Walker, the popularity of the tanning bed has been a pleasant surprise.

“Tanning is a big thing all year around, and especially around homecoming, prom, and spring break time. We were amazed at how much tanning there is,” she said.

Rather than the obvious physical benefits of going to a gym, Walker Wellness offers a chance for members to take a mental break as well.

‘It really started when I was a stay-at-home mom,” Walker said. “I just needed a break. My girlfriends and I would go running, and I realized there was a need for a place like this to go to. The gym’s a great place to go.”

When asked about a success story of a member who achieved a fitness goal, Walker had a ready answer.

“There’s one gal that comes in every day, who has trained for a half-marathon, and then she trained for a full marathon. She did both very successfully,” Walker said. “Yale is kind of dark because there aren’t a lot of streetlights, so she felt more comfortable running in here. So, kudos to her for putting in a lot of miles on the treadmill. We went and watched her run the IMT Marathon and cheered her on.”

Walker said one particular thing often surprises people upon first entering into Walker Wellness. 

“People are always surprised at how nice it is in here,” Walker said. “We have spent time and money. We pride ourselves on it being clean and safe. There are lots of fans and outlets. There is Wi-fi. There is a TV anywhere that you could want to watch one.”

Walker explained that most memberships are monthly.

“It’s a monthly fee of $35. That is our flat rate across all ages,” Walker said. “We do offer a couple’s rate that saves you a little bit of money, and then there are family plans.”

Walker said she does very little traditional advertising for the business but has found a unique way to achieve recognition in the community. At Yale’s annual Fourth of July celebration, Walker gives bottles of water during the parade.

“We hand out 800 to 900 bottles of water a year,” Walker said. “That’s what gets us known.”

Walker has no plans for major changes at Walker Wellness in the coming years. 

“We’re happy with what we’re doing here,” she said. 

Walker said new members often mention that they prefer not to be watched while working out, so Walker assures them that the video camera footage is only for business security and personal safety purposes. But she told of one exception to that general rule.

“We did have a member call me one time and say that she’d been trying to take her sweatshirt off while walking on the treadmill, and she fell and crashed into the wall,” Walker said. “She was totally fine, but we all watched the video multiple times. To this day, she still giggles about it.” n