Special to the Times Vedette

Experience the Cumberland Rose Players take on Groucho Marx’s show “You Bet Your Life” at the Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, in Greenfield on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. Local celebrities, from mayors to business people dressed in 1940s and 1950s attire, will try to guess the secret word while being interviewed by our local Groucho. The secret words will be delivered by local youth so everyone in the room — except the contestants on stage — can see.

Free will donation gets you in the door.

This event is presented by the Cumberland Rose Players, The Sidey Collection and Greenfield Chamber Main Street.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Lake Panorama Association (LPA) will lower Lake Panorama by approximately 5 feet in October to perform scheduled maintenance on the dam. This follows a routine inspection conducted in December 2024 that revealed wear on hydraulic cylinders that have been in service for 20 years.

LPA management says repairs will include cylinder replacement and other minor improvements to hydraulic lines and the spillway. The Weitz Company, which handled the previous replacement of the dam cylinders, was awarded the contract with engineering support from Shive-Hattery.

LPA Members who own boats, docks and boat lifts were encouraged by LPA to contact their service providers before Labor Day to schedule removal and winterization. While lake use is not prohibited during the drawdown, LPA strongly discourages boating due to exposed underwater hazards. Members who have not yet contacted their service providers are advised to do so immediately.

The lake drawdown will also impact downstream users of the Middle Raccoon River. Beginning Oct. 1, river flow into the Middle Raccoon River will exceed seasonally normal levels. This will continue until the lake has been lowered by 5 feet, which should take 10 to 14 days. Recreational users, especially kayakers and fisherman, are advised to exercise caution during this time. For questions about safe flow levels and river access points, LPA recommends contacting Guthrie County Conservation for guidance. Guthrie County Conservation manages public entry and exit locations along the river and is a resource on responsible use of the Middle Raccoon River.

Once the cylinder replacement project begins, flow in the Middle Raccoon River will be variable depending on the phase of the project and rainfall that occurs. LPA management says they will continue to discharge water to ensure the minimum required flow will be met, or exceeded, at all times and that they are committed to meeting all Iowa Department of Natural Resources guidelines for minimum outflow to ensure uninterrupted operations for the City of Panora’s potable water treatment facility and the protection of aquatic life that exists downstream.

LPA management says the timeline for refilling the lake will depend on rainfall received within Lake Panorama’s watershed, noting that they cannot forecast if the lake will freeze at normal pool level or at a lowered level. They stated confidence in projecting that the lake will return to full pool level prior to the 2026 boating season. If the lake freezes below normal pool level, LPA says that level will be maintained throughout the winter and until the ice has melted from the lake.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact the LPA Office via email at lpa@lakepanorama.org.

Special to the Times Vedette

“Chrome Horse: The Bob Dylan Tribute” is a chronological trip through the career of Bob Dylan. It will be performed at the Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, Greenfield, with sincerity, vintage style and engaging in-character presentation. No cheat sheets, no iPads. This is a time-capsule recreation. Mark your calendars for Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. for this second show of WCC’s 2025-26 “Locals and Legends” series.

Texas-based veteran musician Drew Gabbert has set the table and is serving up an authentic Dylan experience with a repertoire that spans six decades of material.

Gabbert offers up a mysterious ability to embody the many voices of Dylan with accuracy and reverence — as if singing through a hall of mirrors. Close your eyes and you’ll be thoughtfully carried through the young man in old man’s clothes, drifting past the country croon, and held firmly by the elder statesman. These eras with their ancient muses are captured by Gabbert fluently.

It must be said, by deliberately eschewing present day technology and electronics, the musical presentation remains intact and precise. Visually, the performance is striking; musically, the performance is unmatched.

Tickets are $25 for adults with free admission for students (high school and younger). Tickets are available at warrenculturalcenter.com or at the door.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Sept. 5, a total of 10 players participated. Roy Carl got four 16s; Bill Sheeder, Robert Klever and Lela Schwartz each got a 16; Sandy Rumelhart got a 20; and Rhonda Titus got two 16s and a 20.

On Sept. 8, a total of 14 players participated. Sandy Rumelhart had a 16; Bill Sheeder had two 16s; and Joanne Zieser had a 20. 

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and 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

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Sept. 8, the councilmembers had a discussion regarding the Title VI Physical Environment (Utilities Sanitary System, and the Water System) pertaining to the updates 2025 City Code of Ordinances. City Administrator Lisa Grossman and Public Works Director Ismael Galvan highlighted the most significant changes. One area of discussion was private citizens having water/sewer work done that involves the city’s right of way.

“The big one that I want to talk about, we don’t really have a specific permit. We have an application for work in the right of way,” Grossman said. “The fees are $150 to hook up to the water and the sewer each.”

Galvan said he feels those fees are in line with other municipalities in the area.

Grossman also said that the city could require an excavation permit and could require a bond from whoever is doing the actual work. That way, if problems arise that impact the city, they could have some options to cover the costs.

After discussion, Grossman said the ordinance could be worded to say the city “may require a bond.” She explained this would allow the city some discretion based on the work to be done and the individual or company that would do the work. The council consensus was for Grossman to pursue that wording and bring it to an upcoming council meeting for consideration.

Galvan reported that the city completed the repair on the 12-inch sewer pipe along Highway 44, and the blockage has been cleared. He said the city will now be able to “camera” the area to inspect for any issues.

Grossman reported on progress at Michael Mills Park. She said the basketball court is installed, and the painting of lines is yet to be done.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. 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#).