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Upcoming events in the area

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Adair County Fair through July 12 in Greenfield

The Adair County Fair is back with fun for everyone. Grandstand shows include a demolition derby on July 10 and figure 8 races on July 11. Grandstand admission is free with gate admission. Tickets are $15 for anyone 13 or older and free for those younger. Other attractions include many contests, livestock, inflatables, a car show and a tractor show. The fairgrounds location is 900 Northeast Elm St. in Greenfield. More details can be seen on the fair’s website, www.adaircountyfair.org.

Gun Show in Guthrie Center, July 10-12

The Guthrie County Fairgrounds will be the site of a gun show July 10 (4-8 p.m.), July 11 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and July 12 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Admission cost is $10 for one day or $14 for a weekend pass. Discounted admission will be given to veterans and active members of the military and first responders, with proper identification. Prize drawings will be held.

Masonic Breakfast July 11 in Guthrie Center

The Guthrie Center Masonic breakfast will be held 7-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 at 114 North Fourth St. For a freewill donation, attendees will enjoy eggs, ham, sausage, juice and coffee.

50115 Fest, July 11

On Saturday, July 11, downtown Guthrie Center is the location of the free annual 50115 Fest. This year’s theme, in a nod to RAGBRAI, is “Rollin’ into 50115.” The fest runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include the Guthrie Center farmers market 9-11 a.m., the fire department water fights, sidewalk sales and a car show. No registration is required for the car show. The sidewalk sales will run July 10-11.

Live music in Jamaica, July 17

On Friday, July 17, Luke Farland will perform 8-11 p.m. at Just One More in Jamacia.

Casey Fun Days, July 17-18

The annual Casey Fun Days begins on Friday, July 17, 3-6 p.m., with a “rock walk” featuring the music collection of Parker King, at the Casey Library. There will be a kids parade at 6 p.m. and bags tourney at 7 p.m. Live music by Jesse Wilson will be from 8-11 p.m. at the beer tent. Two baseball movies (“The Sandlot” and “A League of Their Own”) will be shown on the Community Center lawn, beginning at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 18, morning events include the fun run at 7 a.m., pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. and the big parade at 10:30 a.m. Other events include a car show, chicken bingo, cake walk and the Science Center of Iowa’s “Boom” activity. The fest wraps up with live music 8-11 p.m. by Ghost Riderz in the beer tent.

Panorama Booster Club golf tourney, Aug. 2

The annual Panorama 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.

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.

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.   

UMC Giving Closet now open every day 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Guthrie Center United Methodist Church (405 Prairie St.) now invites anyone in need of free gently used clothing to come to the Giving Closet. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Enter via the alley behind the church.

Carpers honored with Yard of the Month

Special to the Times Vedette

Ron and Kristi Carper at 1008 State St. in Guthrie Center are the winners of $100 in chamber bucks from the Guthrie Center Lions Club and the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce for the Yard of the Month contest for June. These two organizations have teamed up to award citizens who maintain and take pride in their yard with this monthly contest.

Smith shoots 1 under par for low score

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 33 golfers participated in the Tuesday night men’s league on July 7 at Lake Panorama West Golf Gourse. Ryan Smith shot one under par 26 for low score. He needed only 13 putts. Jeff Muench was closest to the pin. Galen Johnson made the longest putt. The scramble was won by the team of Ben Carr, Rich Schumacher and Jim Pivonka with a score of 2 under par.

Harmony Hour marks 75 years

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

In 1951, a group of women from rural Guthrie Center gathered to process chickens for their families’ tables. The result was meant to fill the families’ iceboxes, but there was also an unexpected outcome.

The women enjoyed the camaraderie of their gathering, so they formed a club that still exists today. Members gathered on June 9 at Cabbage Rose with a total of 28 members and guests to celebrate Harmony Hour’s 75 years of community, education and service.

When the group first formed, there were nine charter members. Over the years, the number has fluctuated but has been as high as 25. Currently, there are 15 members. Harmony Hour meets monthly, except for July, August and December.

At the June 9 event, Vicky Webb offered a presentation on the history and achievements of Harmony Hour. She shared how the group has evolved over the years and detailed some of the many causes in the area that Harmony Hour has supported.

Guests the night of the celebration included members’ spouses and former club members’ family members. Club history books, now housed at the Guthrie County Village Historical Museum, were on display for the anniversary celebration. A highlight of the evening was singing the club song, “Lock Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kitchen.” The song’s lyrics were composed by charter members of Harmony Hour, and the group continues to sing the song at meetings 75 years later.

Members of Harmony Hour include (front row): Thelma Durst, Vera Kenyon, Bev Menefee, Kim Durst, Sheri Wetzel and Lora Lee McCool. (Back row): Deb Coffman, MJ Carouthers, Vicki Webb, Kim Langgaard and Jenny Artist. Members not present: Ann Herron, Sarah Langgaard, Kristina Swensen and Peggy Dentlinger.

President Sheri Wetzel leads the meeting.

Members offer memories of Harmony Hour.

Vicki Webb shares a humorous tale.