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Panora Library remodel; new carpet and a late Easter surprise

Apr 20, 2026 | Panora Public Library

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Library was closed April 12-18 for remodeling while new carpet and flooring was installed. During the closure, Carolyn England stopped by to begin decorating for National Library week April 19-25, when she came across a late Easter surprise inside the library doors.

A baby rabbit managed to sneak through the library’s front entrance, where it waited by the window to be let out. After finding the bunny, England alerted the librarian, Molly, who helped scare it out the front door.

England says, “I just hope he didn’t bring his cousins and they’re still hiding!”

Stop by the Panora Library during National Library Week and join in activities fun for all ages. A calendar of activities can be found at their website https://www.panoralibrary.com/calendar.html or the Panora Library Facebook page.

Sharon J. Jessen 

Apr 20, 2026 | Obituaries

1963-2026 

Sharon J. Jessen, 62, was born on April 22, 1963, in Illinois to John and Jeannette Haila. She passed away on April 18, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Sharon lived in California as a child. She loved playing outside with friends in the cul-de-sac her family’s home was part of. In 1972 her family moved to West Des Moines, where she entered fourth grade. She continued her education, graduating from Valley High School in 1981. She subsequently attended Iowa State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. Following graduation, Sharon worked at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and then at American Federal Savings and Loan in Des Moines where she learned how to operate a computer.

Sharon met Steven D. Jessen of Guthrie Center at a Merry Mixers square dance, and on March 11, 1989, she married him at the Valley United Methodist Church in West Des Moines. The newlywed couple made their residence in Guthrie Center where Steve was employed as a farmer and an assembler of farm machinery. Sharon found employment at the newspaper office as an ad creator and feature writer interviewing retired people and telling their stories for the paper.

Sharon left the newspaper office when she became unable to work due to a chronic illness called Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). She was later diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. She worked from home as a freelance graphic artist creating business cards and invitations for family and friends on her home computer. She also worked as a personal historian putting together life story books.

Sharon was active before her lungs became compromised, causing her to require supplemental oxygen. She engaged in activities such as singing, walking along the country roads and in the fields with her beloved dog Goldie, playing tennis, gardening, and helping her husband with the cattle and on the farm. She also enjoyed working on her computer, creating movies from photographs and music videos for songs she had written. Her hobbies included designing and creating handmade greeting cards, reading about subjects that interested her — especially spirituality and metaphysics — and playing word games and online poker, which she was particularly successful at.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband; her two brothers, Eric and his wife Lynn of Longmont, Colorado, and John and his wife Mary of Ames, and their two sons. She was preceded in death by her parents. Sharon was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her.

So much more than just books

Apr 20, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

National Library Week is this week. Monday, April 20 is Right to Read Day, a day to take action to protect, defend and celebrate the right to read. Tuesday, April 21 is National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Wednesday, April 22 is National Library Outreach Day, a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Thursday, April 23 is Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates in support of libraries.

Find Your Joy at the Library is this year’s theme. MJB Library provides many opportunities for patrons of all backgrounds and ages to find their joy.

Sometimes readers get in a rut and read the same authors all the time. To help patrons find new authors to enjoy, MJB is offering a service called book bundles. Patrons simply need to visit the library website and click the book bundle on the banner at the top of the page. A series of questions about reading preferences will pop up for the patron to complete. Using that information, librarians will select three to five books for the patron to check; book bundles are ready within three business days. Give it a try. You might discover some interesting new authors.

Parents and caretakers are reminded that kids from birth to kindergarten are encouraged to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Completely free and with no obligation, children who are signed up receive a book mailed to them each month from birth until they begin kindergarten. The first book is one of Dolly’s favorite children’s books, “The Little Engine that Could.” Parton started the Imagination Library as a tribute to her father, whom Parton describes as a very intelligent man who was limited by his inability to read. Parton wants children to know the magic of books regardless of their financial situation.

To sign up for the Imagination Library, go to the website imaginationlibrary.com or stop by the library to use the QR code on the Imagination Library fliers. A child who is signed up at birth will receive 60 volumes for his or her personal library. Books are developmentally appropriate and are intended to foster the joy of reading and help with reading readiness.

Our preschool patrons are also encouraged to sign up for 1,000 Books before Kindergarten. This free program rewards kids for every 100 books they read with adults on their literacy journey. Research indicates that children who have read 1,000 books prior to beginning kindergarten will have the vocabulary and literacy skills to be ready to learn to read.

The library also offers a weekly story hour for preschoolers and their caregivers each Friday at 10 a.m. Each story hour focuses on a theme for the stories and the craft project.

Creation Corner, on Wednesday, April 29, at 2 p.m., is also for youth of all ages. Wednesday, May 13, at 2 p.m., is LEGO Mania day for youth of all ages.

The Summer Reading Program will bring joy to young library patrons. Registration is open on the MJB Library page now. Check our library website for dates and times of summer reading program events.

Evening Book Club meets at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28. The April book, “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” by Kathleen Rooney, is still available for check out for anyone who wishes to read it and join the book club.

Of course, in addition to all the library programs available, a huge room full of books is pure joy for many patrons. Looking for a book that will help you find your joy and fill your soul? Try “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi.

Rich Wicks shows off some of the prizes that were in the bag that he won from the drawing of Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive. Friends are still accepting new members if anyone is interested in supporting the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.

These kids were up for the challenge at LEGO Mania Day on April 15.

As part of the MJB Library’s outreach, someone from the library does story time with the Guthrie Center’s two elementary preschool classes. This month, library director Jerri Hawkins shared books that highlight finding your joy at the library. Additionally, she took puppets to share with the young patrons. Hawkins follows up by sending activity sheets for the children to complete later in the day.

Cribbage results from April 17 and April 20

Apr 20, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette 

On April 17, a total of 10 players participated. Dave Richter got three 16s; Robert Klever got a 16; and Chet Vaughan and Allen Pierce both got a 17.

On April 20, a total of eight players participated. Chet Vaughan and Robert Klever each got a 16; and Sandy Rumelhart got a 16 and an 18.

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.

Royal Neighbors donate $1,000, prep for July RAGBRAI stop

Apr 20, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Chapter No. 7072 of The Royal Neighbors of America in Guthrie Center met for their quarterly meeting on April 11. There were 11 members present, including guest Steve Smith, who presented information concerning RAGBRAI riders that will be staying overnight in Guthrie Center July 20.  Reports of delivering Meals on Wheels, making cookies for the blood bank and helping with the Panora Food Bank were given. Also reported was the donation of $500 to The Little Charger Early Learning Center and $500 to the Guthrie Center RAGBRAI Committee to be used at their discretion. A total of 48 cloth shopping bags were made and delivered to The New Opportunities in Guthrie Center. The chapter’s next meeting will be July 11.