Special to the Times Vedette

On Sunday, May 17, Whiterock Conservancy will host its first Slow Sunday Drive of 2026, starting at the Historic Garst Farmhouse, 1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids. The two- to three-hour ride will begin at 1 p.m. and travel the trails of Whiterock Conservancy.

Parking is available for trailers in the overflow lot of the Bur Oak Visitors Center, 1436 Highway 141 in Coon Rapids. Price per vehicle is $30, cash only. Participants must pay at registration and provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Arrive early so the event can start at 1 p.m. Watch the website and event page for any weather updates. If the trails are wet, the Slow Sunday Drive will be canceled or rescheduled.

Private ATVs are only allowed on Whiterock land during the Slow Sunday Drives; visitors may not bring their own ATVs on the land outside of this event.

Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.

The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN. Pictured left to right: Lori Harrah, acute and ER nurse manager; Matt Sandel, RN; and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer DAISY Award Nominees: Stephaney Brondum and Dale Peterson

Special to the Times Vedette

Nurses are honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a daisy pin and bouquet of daisies. The DAISY Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The Honoree is also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN.

PCTs are honored with The Sunshine Award for Remarkable PCTs. The Sunshine Award is exclusive to Guthrie County Hospital. Spawned from a desire of the nurses to recognize the PCT staff, the Sunshine Award has been established.

PCTs are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The Sunshine Award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a sunshine pin and bouquet of sunflowers. Sunshine Award honorees receive: a personalized certificate, a Sunshine Award pin, and a hand-made wooden sunshine plaque.

“The DAISY and Sunshine Award ceremony is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the extraordinary compassion, dedication and human connection our caregivers bring to every patient experience. These awards honor those who go above and beyond — offering not only clinical excellence but also kindness, empathy and comfort during life’s most vulnerable moments. We are proud to celebrate individuals who truly exemplify the heart of our mission and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve,” stated Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer.

The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT.

Nomination forms for 2027 are available at Guthrie County Hospital, GCH Clinics, GCH Healthy Living Center and at www.guthriecountyhospital.org.

History of the DAISY Award:

The nonprofit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill, and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Guthrie County Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” commented Bonnie Barnes, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.

Meaning of the Sunshine Award Plaque:

Each plaque is hand-made and intricately woven locally. The woven part of the plaque symbolizes the inextricable link between the PCT and RN staff. Each one is an integral member of the team. When woven together just right, the sunshine (PCTs) can perfectly support the DAISIES (RNs). Together, they create an environment in which our patients can flourish and thrive.

The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT. Pictured left to right: LaRoyce Kress, PCT and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the May 11 meeting of the Panora City Council, planning for RAGBRAI and Panorama Days was discussed. The council voted to approve Resolution 26-25, authorizing a request to the Iowa DOT for closure of Highway 44 at certain times on July 20 and 21 for RAGBRAI and at certain times July 31 through Aug. 2 for Panorama Days.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman provided a RAGBRAI planning update.

“We have been working really hard on RAGBRAI. We had a good town hall meeting and a lot of vendor interest. I think we’re up to 13 or 14 vendors for various things,” Grossman said. “We have a meeting next Tuesday with our RAGBRAI committee to finalize porta-potties, finalizing entertainment, and so things are moving forward. I did talk to the school, and (Superintendent) Kasey (Huebner) said he would be OK with us utilizing the parking lot for some parking, and then we’ll have to figure out some shuttles.”

Renewals of the alcohol and tobacco licenses for Local Liquor were approved.

The council set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26 regarding the city’s proposed budget amendment. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, that will also be the date of the next regular council meeting.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the May 11 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, the councilmembers discussed the option of selling a lot along Bluff Street near the cemetery. Streets Department Head Darrin Sloss said the city cemetery is not expected to fill up for decades, so the city does not need to keep the lot for possible cemetery expansion. The lot will be rezoned residential.

The council discussed a request to limit the frequency of food trucks in the city in an effort to help the city’s actual restaurants. City Administrator Kris Arrasmith said she spoke with the city attorney about this and was informed that it is generally not allowable to charge differing fees based on a vendor’s address. Arrasmith and Main Street Guthrie Center Director Becky Peterson discussed that the city can be proactive by trying to assure an appropriate blend of vendors, especially during city events. No action was taken on the issue.

Arrasmith said the swimming pool will be managed this year by Collin Stringham, and that an opening date is not yet determined.

“Pool kids are all hired,” Arrasmith said. She added that some of the preseason training for pool staff will happen offsite while the pool is being prepped for the year.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, May 26 will be the date of the next regular council meeting. The public is welcome.

Special to the Times Vedette

On May 8, a total of 13 players participated. Sandy Rumelhart, Lela Schwartz and Dan Webb each got a 16; Roy Carl got a 16 and a 20; Allen Pierce got a 21; and Robert Klever got a 16 and a 24.

On May 11, a total of 11 players participated. Chet Vaughan got three 16s; Bill Sheeder got two 16s; Kathy Feilmeier and Dennis Betts each got a 16; Rhonda Titus got a 17; Robert Klever got two 17s; Roy Carl got a 17 and a 24; and Dan Webb got a 24.

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.