Jul 31, 2026 | News
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The 10 Squared Plus Men of Guthrie County held its 30th meeting on Tuesday evening at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National with 45 members in attendance who selected the next recipient of funding.
Presentations were made by Frank Teale for the Guthrie County Historical Museum log cabin project, Tom Rutledge for the Guthrie County Community Foundation, and Bill Messinger on behalf of ACGC Schools for a virtual welding program.
The virtual welding program was chosen. The funding will allow students to experience welding in a virtual format before using the actual welding equipment. Once all members have contributed their shares, the donation to ACGC is expected to exceed $21,000.
Barry Monaghan, who founded the local 10 Squared Men group in 2016, shared how the funds will help ACGC.
“With our funding, they will purchase two welding simulators, and the school will buy one. And it’s buy three, get one free, so the school will end up with four of them,” he said.
Monaghan notes that with this donation, the grand total donated by Ten Squared Plus Men of Guthrie County will top $500,000. A total of 210 men are now members of the group.
For more information on Ten Squared Plus Men of Guthrie County, or to learn how to become a member, contact Monaghan at B.Monaghan@gcsbank.com.
Jul 31, 2026 | Sports
Special to the Times Vedette
On July 11, the Guthrie County Swim Team completed its season with swimmers coming together from Guthrie Center, Panora, Jamaica, Yale, Stuart, Bayard, Bagley and all of Guthrie County. The team captured a second-place finish at the Iowa Western Swim Conference Championship meet. This concluded an 8-1 regular season record. The team also placed second for the regular season in the conference.
“There were 50 swimmers that qualified for the conference meet, which is almost 50% of the roster,” Head Coach Dana Stein said. “Over 52% of our swims at the championship meet were top times, which shows how well and hard our swimmers prepared and swam.”
Stein said they had stellar seasons and performances from many swimmers in all age groups.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team,” Stein said. “This group of swimmers worked together as a team. I talk about tradition and how many swimmers in the Guthrie County area have built this tradition, and they continue to carry it on and represent their team and community extremely well.”
The team broke multiple records this past year:
- Boys 8 and under Medley Relay: Cooper Strehle, Brylon Redfern, Landon Martinson, Layton Kinman
- Boys 13/14 100 Freestyle: Cordell Wolfe
- Boys 11/12 50 Fly: Graham Clark
- Boys 8 and Under 100 Freestyle Relay: Landon Martinson, Layton Kinman, Brylon Redfern, Cooper Strehle
- Girls 8 and under 25 backstroke: Fran Brelsford
- Boys 8 and Under 25 Fly: Landon Martinson
- Boys 11/12 50 Breaststroke: Isaac Armbrecht
Out of 117 swimmers on the team, only two were seniors: Collin Stringham and Elizabeth Drake.
“It is great to see the seniors having so much success in all the years they swam,” Stein said.
The coaching staff consisted of Head Coach Dana Stein, Assistant Coaches Emily Gray, Kena Baier, Mackenzie Campbell, Kiera Boals, Allison Drake and Elizabeth Drake.
Coach Stein stated that these coaches put in a lot of time and effort to help these athletes develop the skills that led to their success.
“I can’t wait for next summer,” Stein said. “If anyone has any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
Stein also thanked the City of Guthrie Center for working with the team and supporting them this year.
“It is a great representation of how proud this community is of the kids and this team,” Stein said.
Jul 31, 2026 | Events
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Panorama Days returns July 31 through Aug. 2
The Panora Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to celebrate Panorama Days 2026 from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 2. This year’s celebration features several additions, including professional chip timing for the Panorama Days 5K Run/Walk, expanded Friday family activities and live entertainment, the inaugural Pickleball Tournament, and a new Praise Band and Tori’s Angels Free-Will Donation Lunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boulder Beach. Community favorites such as the parade, Family Fun Zone, bass fishing tournament, Kids Fishing Derby, classic car show, live music, food vendors, and many more activities return throughout the weekend. A complete Schedule of Events is available at www.panorachamber.org or on the Panora Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Gospel Sing event in Greenfield July 31 and Aug. 1
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, West Central Iowa Gospel Sing welcomes all to come sing or just listen from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, July 31 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event will be held at 102 S.W. Kent St. in Greenfield. Admission will be by freewill donation. Seating and food will be available.
Panorama Booster Club golf tourney Aug. 2
The annual Booster Club Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, Aug. 2. Registration will be at 12:30 p.m., and shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. The 18-hole event will take place at the Lake Panorama Par 3 Golf Course. Teams of four will compete. Registration cost is $45 per person or $180 for a team of four. The event includes games, prizes and snacks.
To register, or for information about sponsoring a hole, contact Booster Club President Chaille Crandall at crandallchaille@gmail.com.
Blood drive in Casey Aug. 3
Everyone is welcomed to donate blood at the mobile LifeServe Blood Center drive from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3. The drive will be held at the Casey Community Center. Appointments can be booked by visiting www.lifeservebloodcenter.org.
Cops and Kids Badge Bowl Aug. 8
Panorama High School’s football field will be the site of a first-time event in the area. It will be a flag football tournament in which youth will team up with deputies from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s department. The idea behind the event is not only to create a fundraiser for future outreach programs, but also to provide an opportunity for local youth to have a positive experience with law enforcement. Details for spectators will be published later.
Lego contest at Art on State
Art on State (320 State St., Guthrie Center) welcomes everyone to submit entries in the upcoming Lego creation contest. The free event is open to adults and kids, kindergarten or older. Creations can be original or from a kit. Submissions may be brought to Art on State on Aug. 7 or 8 and will be displayed Aug. 11-15 in the store. Prizes will be awarded.
Free grief support group in Panora this fall
Beginning Sept. 8 and running through Dec. 8, a free grief support group will meet at the Panora Public Library (102 North First St.) on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To register, go to www.griefshare.org or call Carla Kem at 641-332-3006.
BBQ Cook-off in Stuart Sept. 18-19
Fun and food will be enjoyed at the Best of the Block BBQ Cook-off in downtown Stuart on Sept. 18 and 19. The fest kicks off on Friday, Sept. 18 with a freewill donation chili feed at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 offers a Legion breakfast, games and kids’ events, caricatures, a vendor fair, BBQ awards, pie auction and raffle, BBQ meat fest and street dance with live music. The complete schedule can be viewed on the Facebook page of Stuart Best of the Block BBQ. The event will raise funds for the Cottage Pantry and the American Legion.
Blues and BBQ Aug. 29 at Boulder Beach
On Saturday, Aug. 29, from 4-7 p.m., great music and food will be on tap at Lake Panorama’s Boulder Beach. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to listen to live music by Brick’N Bob Duo. Tickets cost $40 each and can be purchased from any LPA or LPN member, or by emailing Shanell.wagler@gmail.com. Proceeds will support improvements at Lake Panorama National.
Guthrie County Fair Sept. 3-7
The 2026 Guthrie County Fair will be held Sept. 3-7 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center. The Guthrie County Fair has been an established venue since 1858. Located on the west edge of Guthrie Center, the fairground is centrally located in the county. The fair is held annually over Labor Day weekend, providing a long weekend of fun and family-oriented events. See details at www.guthriecountyfair.com.
Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.
