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Senator Grassley speaks at Iowa Trenchless

Apr 10, 2026 | News

Senator Grassley addresses citizens’ questions in Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On April 9, Senator Chuck Grassley held a question-and-answer talk with employees of Iowa Trenchless and others in Panora. Approximately 40 people were on hand. Questions covered a range of subjects including infrastructure, water quality, health insurance, the Iran war situation, partisanship in politics, affordability and the outlook heading into the November 2026 midterm election.

‘Elevate Adair’ forms as new economic development committee

Apr 10, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Megan Richter is a co-chair of Elevate Adair.

A group has formed in Adair known as Elevate Adair, an economic development committee within RIADA (Residents Interested in Agriculture and Development in Adair).

Megan Richter, co-chair of Elevate Adair, shared background information about RIADA.

“We’ve traced the group back to at least 1972 that started out as Adair Development. In 1975, Adair Development entered the Iowa Community Betterment Program. In 1996 the name changed to RIADA and became a 501(c)3 organization,” Richter said. “This provided an opportunity to obtain grants for community projects; to get more people of the community involved with economic development; and assure all money of the corporation would be reinvested in the economic development of the community.”

Richter said that, in recent years, RIADA has focused heavily on housing development in the Crawford Addition. To complement those efforts, they established a sub-group — Elevate Adair — dedicated to advancing economic development alongside continued housing growth.

Besides Richter’s role as co-chair, the leadership of Elevate Adair includes Renee Jensen (co-chair), Shannon Haus and Ashley Riggen (Grants and Funding Lead), Renee Jensen and Megan Richter (Business Outreach and Communications Lead), Mike Casey and Jody Schafer (Property Lead), Renee Jensen and Megan Richter (Events and Marketing Lead), Joanne Byers, Brenda Dudley, Renee Jensen and Diane Littler (Ex-Officio Members).

Richter explained the mission of Elevate Adair.

“Our mission is to strengthen Adair’s economy by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, attracting new community investment, and increasing downtown activity — all while honoring our small-town loyalty and preserving the legacy that brings generations together.”

She said they provide funding and training opportunities to ensure Adair continues to thrive for years to come.

“This mission reflects both a deep respect for Adair’s history and a forward-looking vision for its continued success,” she said.

The group welcomes anyone interested in contributing time and talents to help “Elevate Adair.”

Richter also explained that Elevate Adair is looking to create an Adair County area 10-Squared giving group that will function much like similarly named “10-Squared” area groups. The group will pool giving to make significant gifts to select projects in the area. The group looks to have its initial giving meeting in August.

Yester Years

Apr 10, 2026 | Yester Years

10 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, April 14, 2016

GIDDY UP! Four-year-old Cian McAlister works on his speech with Cindy McCarty, a speech and language pathologist, while riding Bell, the horse, at Timber Creek Therapies. Speech and language therapy services at Timber Creek Therapies includes many tools found in the treatment room, hippotherapy on horseback and a cognitive treatment area designed to address functional skills needed for independence.

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20 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, April 12, 2006

ON THE PODIUM. Payden Willms, right, placed third at the Iowa AAU Folk Style Wrestling Tournament.

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30 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, April 10, 1996

“WE RIDE, SO THAT CRIPPLED CHILDREN CAN WALK.” Members of the Pony Express Riders of Iowa came trotting through Guthrie Center Friday afternoon in an effort to raise money for crippled children and handicapped adults.

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40 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, April 10, 1986

BOYS STATE PICKS. Representing Panora and Linden at Hawkeye Boys State in June will be Jeff Hafner, left, and Mark Knapp.

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50 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, April 14, 1976

EASTER’S HERE. Part of the Easter time ritual in many households with children is the coloring of Easter Eggs. Here, Deena and Danny Laughery, children of the Larry Laugherys, prepare a basketful of colored eggs for Easter weekend.

Panora Public Library events for April 

Apr 10, 2026 | Panora Public Library

Special to the Times Vedette

 

LIBRARY CLOSED APRIL 12-18 FOR RENOVATIONS

Stop in and pick out your books and supplies by April 11 so you have plenty to keep you busy during our renovation.

 

SPECIAL EVENT: Women of Natural History on Thursday, April 16

Join us at 6 p.m. at the Panora Community Center for a special adult program. Throughout history, women have made significant observations that have changed our understanding of the natural world. Naturalist and educator Kim White introduces us to these remarkable women.

From Queen Hatshepsut’s botanical collections (1478-1458 B.C.E.) to paleontologist Mary Anning (1799-1847), to biologist Rachel Carson (1907-1964), to Jane Goodall (present), and featuring Althea Sherman from Farmersburg, Iowa, who was instrumental in helping to establish the Goldfinch as the Iowa state bird. Many women who were proficient in a scientific or natural history discipline were informally educated or self-taught. They were rarely given the credit they deserved during their lifetime, and many have never been recognized Kim’s research and lifelong interest in the natural world has led her to develop this special program.

Registration required. Contact the library to reserve your seat. This program is funded by the Panora Library Foundation.

 

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK is April 19-25

What brings you joy? Whether it is cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, gathering with community or something else, you can find your joy at Panora Public Library. Whether you are a longtime patron, a new neighbor, or haven’t visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. We invite everyone to the celebration, National Library Week is April 19-25 is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination and support life-long learning.

           

Events April 8-25:

  • Wednesday, April 8 – Storytime for children 5 years and younger, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, April 9 – Card making class for adults, 2-3 p.m.
  • Friday, April 10 – Lego Club for children ages 6-11 years, 2-3 p.m. Build challenges or informal builds. Pre-registration required.
  • Monday, April 20 – Kids craft 3-4 p.m. for children ages 6-11 years. In honor of National Library Week, we will be crafting mini books (or zines). Library Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 21 – Evening Card Making Class, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 22 – Storytime for children 5 and younger 10:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, April 23 – Stuffie Sleepover! Bring your favorite stuffie to a special pajama story time for this fun-filled event 5:30-6:15 p.m. Afterwards, stuffies will have a fun-filled library sleepover. You can pick up your stuffie and see pictures of all the sleepover fun anytime the following day.
  • Friday, April 24 – Page Turners Book Club, 9:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, April 25 – Make a Poem Drop-in Activity, 9:30 a.m. to noon. April is National Poetry Month. Celebrate by making a poem at our Poetry Creation Station. Stop by anytime during open hours. Leave your poem, and we will add it to a poetry display.

 

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, May 2

A shredding truck will be at the library from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your old documents and paperwork that need to be disposed of securely. Pull up in driveway north of library near the book drop.

 

HOME DELIVERY SERVICE

Are you or someone you know unable to get to the library due to illness, disability or special circumstances? Let the Panora Public Library deliver books, movies, audiobooks or magazines to your home. Home delivery service brings library materials to homebound residents and senior living facilities within Panora city limits. Participants can request specific items, or a librarian can recommend titles based on the patron’s preferences. Call 641-755-2529 or email pnralib@netins.net to learn more.

 

Convenient hours:

  • Monday and Wednesday: noon to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday and Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to noon

Happy birthday to you!

Apr 10, 2026 | Birthdays

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Each Friday in the Times Vedette, we share birthdays and anniversaries for the following week of people with past or present ties to the area. To submit yours, or for corrections, email rich@gctimesnews.com.

Birthdays

  • April 10: Randy Burkhardt, Cory Grow, Lisa Jones, Amy Mleynek, Dick Zieser
  • April 11: Bill Labath, Sheila Deardorff, Landon Kirtley, Michelle Laughery, Alexa Peters, Dave Wagler
  • April 12: Lucy Tighe, Margie Cain, Sarah Carstens, Courtney Gymer, Cheryl Castile, Karen Kipp
  • April 13: Charleen McNeill, Ward Nelson, Willow Buttler
  • April 14: Allyson Walker, Makala Kafer, Jackie Richardson, Craig Wehmeyer, Jessica Wetzel
  • April 15: Tom Baker, Kelli Killmer, Gordie Van Gundy
  • April 16: Shelley Maloney, Joleen Kempf, Preston Van Gundy

Anniversaries

  • April 14: Lonnie and Polly Blass anniversary (70 years)