Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie Center native Jim Flanery was honored in May for his commitment and success coaching the Creighton University women’s basketball team. Flanery and longtime women’s volleyball coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth were added as members of the “Face on the Barroom Floor” by the Omaha Press Club.

Started in 1971, the Face on the Barroom Floor is one of the most prestigious awards given in Nebraska, as it recognizes newsmakers who have made a difference in the state and the nation. Past recipients include Warren Buffett, President Gerald Ford, Johnny Carson, Bob Gibson, Gale Sayers and Dick Cavett.

Jim is the son of Judy and the late James Flanery. Jim is a 1983 graduate of Guthrie Center High School, where he played basketball, baseball and golf. Flanery and his wife, Emily, have two children, Jackson and Brynn.

The two honorees have excelled in coaching women’s athletics at Creighton University. Flanery has guided the women’s basketball team since 2002, while Booth coached the women’s volleyball squad from 2003-2024.

Flanery is a 1987 graduate of Creighton. From 1985-1987, he was a walk-on member of the men’s basketball team coached by Tony Barone. He also was a member of the Creighton golf team.

“I stumbled into coaching,” said Flanery, who was originally a journalism major before shifting to philosophy. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I didn’t have a coaching agenda.”

After Flanery graduated from Creighton, he was asked to be a graduate assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. He held this post for three years before moving to Loras College in Dubuque in 1990 to become an assistant coach under Connie Yori, a legendary women’s basketball player at Creighton.

In 1992, Rasmussen stepped down as the women’s head coach to become associate athletics director. Yori was brought in as head coach and Flanery returned to Creighton as her top assistant. Over the next 10 years with Yori and Flanery at the helm, the Bluejays notched a 170-115 record and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2002, Yori left Creighton to become head coach at the University of Nebraska, and Flanery was elevated to the head coach post. In 24 years as head coach, Flanery has become Creighton’s all-time victory leader with a 469-290 record and a .618 winning percentage. He led the Bluejays to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including four consecutive berths from 2022-2025.

Information from the Iowa State Fair | Special to the Times Vedette

Six Iowa farm families will be recognized as recipients of the 2026 “Way We Live Award” at the Iowa State Fair. Nominations included descriptions of how living on the farm and choosing farming as an occupation has shaped the family’s life. These families exemplify values derived from hard work and a love of farming.

The Way We Live Award is presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield with media sponsors Iowa Farmer Today and the WHO Big Show, and in its 18th year, has recognized 101 outstanding Iowa farm families.

Wellmark supports the Way We Live Award to honor families whose dedication to farming strengthens Iowa communities and reflects values of hard work, resilience and care for others. These values mirror Wellmark’s commitment to building healthier communities across Iowa.

Among the award winners are Jeff and Shannon Hafner, of Panora, who will receive their award on Aug. 22 at 11:45 a.m., on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

In 1996, Jeff and Shannon Hafner bought back some of the original Hafner farm in Panora, and over time, transitioned the farm to be certified organic. Their brand, Early Morning Harvest, consists of aquaponics, stone milling and a small farm store. The organically certified farm raises corn, soybeans, hard red spring wheat, soft red winter wheat, hard red winter wheat, winter rye, buckwheat and forage for their cattle herd. Vegetables and herbs are grown in year-round aquaponic and seasonal greenhouses. Two organic certified stone mills process the grains into more than ten Early Morning Harvest brand products found in more than 400 grocery stores, restaurants and bakeries across the Midwest and online. The family offers free tours to anyone who visits their store, and hosts groups for a variety of ages, backgrounds and interests. They also promote sustainable farming and healthy food choices in their community. They value the lessons learned on the farm: to never give up, put people first, never stop learning, treat everyone the same and that everything is connected to the soil and the environment.

Each award-winning family receives a prize package of $250, complimentary admission tickets, free parking, various coupons, recognition on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, a highlight video, a photo display in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair and a one-night hotel stay at the Best Western Plus Altoona Inn.

Other Way We Live Award winners include:

• Mensen Holsteins, Guttenberg; and Moeckly Farms, Polk City
• Moeckly Farms, Polk City
• Bawnmore Farm, Chelsea
• Blueberry Bottom Farm/Zihlman Family Farms, Brighton
• Bob and Patty Henderson Family, Albia

For more information on past award winners or the current 2026 Way We Live Award-winning families, visit https://www.iowastatefair.org/participate/the-way-we-live-award.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the July 23 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s board of trustees, Chief Nursing Officer Mandy Schiefert reported on the hospital’s involvement while RAGBRAI was in Guthrie Center.

“We spent hours and hours preparing for it. I cannot say how proud I am of all the staff and everybody who made that very successful,” Schiefert said. “We did see 20 total RAGBRAI riders.”

CEO Chris Stipe added his appreciation to the staff.

“Everybody did an awesome job. There are so many people who volunteered and did so many things,” he said.

Clinical Safety and Quality Coordinator Danielle Lauzon reported on quality measures, including beginning a new program called “Quality Wednesdays,” Stipe explained.

“Danielle and other executives are meeting with managers, talking about their goals and what they’re working on, quality and safety, helping them enter their data so we can track it better,” Stipe said. “A lot of good stuff.”

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery shared information on the planning for the hospital’s 75^th anniversary celebration. He said the event will likely be held in late September.

Stipe reported on the progress of the hospital’s construction project.

“We’ve got steel. We’re starting to build instead of tear down,” he said.

Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson provided an update on the hospital’s budgetary numbers.

Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson reported the hospital currently has five position openings to fill.

The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

Special to the Times Vedette

On July 22, a total of 10 players participated. Bruce Bailey and Sandy Rumelhart each got a 20; Dick Ellis got a 23; Robert Klever got a 16; and Dave Richter 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.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette