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Babcock in quarterfinals of ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’

Apr 28, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

ACGC Instrumental Music Director Kyra Babcock has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the “America’s Favorite Teacher” competition. This round of voting is currently open until May 7 at 9 p.m.

If she wins, Babcock has committed to donating the $25,000 prize to the school’s instrumental music program. Also if Babcock wins, ACGC would hold an assembly with Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”), and the ACGC Library would receive $1,000.

“Having the ability to help students channel emotions through making music is an absolute joy,” Babcock said. “Music expresses so much when words cannot.”

Anyone can vote for free once daily. Voters can submit additional votes by monetary donations, as well. Anyone interested can go to the program website, https://americasfavteacher.org and to Babcock’s program website, https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/kyra-babcock.

Guthrie Center City Council hears update on Lacey building, concerns about food trucks

Apr 28, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 27 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Becky Peterson spoke on behalf of Main Street Guthrie Center.

“The Main Street Challenge grant was the $50,000 that Main Street Guthrie Center was awarded for economic development with the Lacey building,” she said. “They have a new roof on it, and then the flooring has been put in, and it’s looking really nice. They’re hoping to have that ready by RAGBRAI.”

On behalf of Café on the Hill, Bill Messinger spoke, encouraging the city to consider changes regarding traveling food vendors.

“Restaurant business is really slow right now, and we’re seeing a lot more food trucks and things coming into town,” he said. “How do we promote our local businesses? Can we make it a little bit less appealing for the food trucks so they’re not here all week long?”

The council will add the matter to the agenda of the next regular meeting.

The council approved the purchase of replacement pool heaters for $20,000. The council also approved a tax exemption for Jordan and Kelsey Dinkla, 900 Tiger Lane.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith reported that repairs were completed on the corner of the fire hall building. She also noted that the citywide garage sales will be June 19 and 20 with citywide cleanup set for June 24.

As part of the consent agenda items, the council approved a liquor license for Sparky’s One Stop.  Building/fence permits were approved for 101 South 12th Place (G. Dean; shed), 602 North 12th St. (T. Masters; garage), 702 North First St. (Railsback; shed), and 1507 State St. (Guthrie County Quality Meats; building addition).

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for May 11 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Upcoming events in the area

Apr 28, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Historical Village opens for the season May 1

The Guthrie County Historical Village (206 West South St., Panora) will open for the season (through Oct. 15) this Friday. Cost of admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 6-17 years of age. Children younger than 6 are admitted for free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 1-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. The GCHV also serves as the site of the 2026 Panora farmers market on every other Saturday morning, beginning June 6.

Pasta dinner and more May 1 in Panora

A pasta dinner will be offered 4-8 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at the Panora Community Center. The freewill donation event will raise funds to help send the Stark’s Performance Horses team to the Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bingo will be played 5-7 p.m., and there will also be a bake sale.

Shred your documents free this Saturday

On Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to noon, paper and documents can be brought to the Panora Library for free shredding.

Mothers’ Day Tea at Art on State May 9

On Saturday, May 9, Art on State (320 State St., Guthrie Center) will host its annual Mothers’ Day Tea, beginning at 2 p.m. For $20 per person, attendees will enjoy refreshments, storytelling and music. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 641-332-2267.

Fin and Feather Banquet May 9

Lake Panorama Fin and Feather banquet will be Saturday, May 9 at the Lake Panorama National Clubhouse with social hour beginning at 5 p.m. A dinner plus silent and live auctions will follow at 6 p.m. All ages are welcome. Funds raised are used to stock fish in Lake Panorama. The group also helps improve fish habitat and sponsors an annual fishing derby for children during Panorama Days. Dinner tickets are $50 each, or $25 for children 12 and younger. Another option is to join the Big Skipper Club for $150. This covers two dinner tickets, Big Skipper raffle ticket and an annual family membership. The cost of an annual family membership is $50. Supporters can mail a check or register online with a credit card or PayPal at the group’s website.

Law Enforcement Appreciation event May 13

Guthrie Center Chaplains will host an appreciation event honoring all local law enforcement staff (including police, sheriff, deputies and state troopers) at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at the Freedom Rock on the western edge of Guthrie Center (across Highway 44 from the fairgrounds). Everyone is welcome to attend.

WSO Home Tour features lake locations

The Women’s Service Organization (WSO) 2026 fundraising home tour is Friday, June 5. Five Lake Panorama homes will be featured, with three on the west side of the lake and two on the east side. Tickets are $30 and include the tour and lunch at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort, 5071 Clover Ridge Road. Tickets will be available beginning May 1 and can be reserved by calling or texting Toni Wright at 641-757-0886 or Sue Merryman at 641-751-5956. There will be a maximum of 260 tickets available, which organizers expect to sell out quickly.

Plan ahead for citywide garage sales

Panora citywide garage sales are set for June 12-13. Guthrie Center’s citywide garage sales will be June 19-20, with citywide cleanup to follow on June 24

Heroes and Hot Dogs June 20 in Guthrie Center

The Guthrie Center Fire Department will host an event called “Heroes and Hot Dogs” from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Mitchell Park. There will be hot dogs and refreshments, bounce houses, demonstrations by members of the fire department, and the opportunity for youngsters to meet local firefighters. To help raise funds for the fire department, sponsorships for the event are still available. If interested, contact any member of the fire crew.

Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com. 

Fans of The Blue Oval

Apr 28, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

A number of Guthrie County residents and family members once again attended the Drake Relays, which took place April 22-25.  Kip Janvrin, a Panora native and an American former decathlete, is now on the track staff at Kansas State. He was inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame during this year’s Drake Relays.

Kansas State Track Head Coach Travis Geopfert, Gary Geopfert and Doris Bennett along with Mike Jay, who is the Drake Relays announcer, founder of The Track Guy, and announcer for NCAA track championship finals and the Olympics trials.

Kip Janvrin, Alison (Monaghan) Cate, who serves on the Drake Relays Executive, and Pat Moylan

Kip Janvrin, a Panora native and an American former decathlete, is now on the track staff at Kansas State. He was inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame during this year’s Drake Relays. He was also inducted in the Drake Relays Hall of Fame as an athlete in 1998.

More than 25 area residents attended the Drake Relays last week, as well as many athletes who stopped by to say hello.

So much more than just books

Apr 28, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Cass Fronapfel shares stories about Earth Day with our young patrons at Story Hour.

The MJB Library Staff wishes to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate National Library Week last week. We are so excited to have so many people stop in to use the library and to see what we offer. The kind words and gestures for our staff last week were so appreciated. Patrons and the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library made us feel so valued. Thank you for the flowers, sweets and snacks that you treated us to. Your generous support of our library is such a valued gift to us.

As the weather is heating up, so are the plans at the MJB Library. Youth Creation Corner will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. The next LEGO Mania Day will be on Wednesday, May 13, at 2 p.m. Preschool Story Hour will be each Friday at 10 a.m.

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will meet on May 4 at 6:15 p.m. They will be discussing RAGBRAI and the upcoming golf tournament on June 27.

To celebrate Earth Day, the story hour craft was rainbows made from Froot Loops and marshmallow clouds.

Card players, remember that each Monday from 9-11 a.m., Cribbage players meet. Bridge Class gathers every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. to play bridge. On the first and third Tuesdays of the month, Canasta Class meets at 1 p.m., so in May, canasta will be played on May 5 and May 19.

This year’s summer reading program (SRP), “Plant a Seed, Read!” is going to be filled with exciting activities. The SRP Kick Off will be a special start to this summer’s events. We will be gathering at the Riverside Park on School Street by the Storywalk. This come-and-go event will be running from 4-5:30 p.m. Participants will have activities including a scavenger hunt, games and ice cream making.

Registration is now open on the MJB Library website, so get signed up to participate in all the activities. The calendar of events is also listed on the website.

Some of the special programs include “Science Heroes Digging It” on Monday, June 8 at 1 p.m., and “Mesozoic Adventures Funny Farm “at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. DNR Naturalist Anne Riordan will have a program on Thursday, June 11, at 1 p.m.

Rich Wicks is the winner of the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library membership drive drawing. The group’s next meeting will be at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, May 4. They are still accepting memberships if you missed the membership drive and want to join.

The Guthrie County ISU Extension Office will present some SRP events during June, including Flower Talk (color changing flowers and seed balls) at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9; The Beeman (build a honeycomb and beeswax candle) on Wednesday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; and on Wednesday, June 24 at 2 p.m., Wax to Crayons (watch how crayons are made and crayon melt).

On Friday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m., we will have the end-of-summer reading party. We will do prize drawings and have a mega foam party to celebrate all the great work our summer readers have done.