By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC volleyball team will scrimmage against other teams within the West Central Activities Conference in Ogden on Thursday, Aug. 20. Other teams at the scrimmage will be Earlham, Interstate 35, Madrid, Martensdale-St Marys, Ogden, Panorama, Pleasantville, Van Meter and West Central Valley.
Special to the Times Vedette
Connor Moylan, the grandson of Patrick and Deb Moylan of Panora, played on the Tri-Valley California All-Stars team and competed in the Babe Ruth 14U World Series, advancing to the championship before losing a close game, 9-8.
The Tri-Valley California All-Stars is made up of players from around the Danville, California, area). The team won the Pacific Southwest Region championship in Long Beach, California, a couple of weeks ago, competing against regional winners from the states of Arizona, Utah, Nevada.
Winning the region qualified the team for the World Series in Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside 10 other U.S. regional champions and nine international teams. They flew into San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 6 and drove to Eagle Pass for the 10-day tournament, returning home Aug. 16.
The team defeated Mexico, Aruba, the Caribbean team twice, and Reedsburg, Wisconsin. In the semi-finals on Friday night, they knocked off the No. 1 seed from Tallahassee, Florida, winning 8-6 in extra innings. This brought them to the championship game on Saturday against the host team, Eagle Pass. They battled to the final inning with a chance to tie or take the lead, but came up just one hit short, losing 9-8.
The conditions were intense with on-field temperatures more than 100 F and reaching around 125 F in the dugouts. Because they won their first four games straight (Aug. 8-11), they earned a bye on the Aug. 12 before playing again on Aug. 13, Aug. 14 and the championship on Aug. 15.
Shaun Moylan, Connor’s father and the son of Patrick and Deb Moylan, coaches the team. Shaun and Connor have now coached and played in back-to-back World Series (U13 and U14), following their trip two years ago to the U12 Cooperstown week-long tournament in New York.
The Tri Valley, California, baseball team
Connor Moylan and Shaun Moylan
Alex Wierzbinski, Connor Moylan, Shaun Moylan and CJ McMillan
“Hi, Shane. I really enjoy your writing style. I especially enjoyed your ‘Some Things Are Better Left Unexplained.’ I look forward to the print copy of the Lake Panorama Times as well. Well done! Wishing you continued success! And keep up the good work and God work!” – Bob Goldsmith
By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
For those of you who are going back to school or sending someone back to school, remember that the MJB Library is here to meet your needs.
For students, be sure to check out our online resources. The library website offers links to many online educational resources. Check out the digital resources menus on the website.
Kanopy is our newest addition to digital resources. Residents of Guthrie Center and rural Guthrie County can stream up to three videos a month for free. Kanopy features 30,000 movies, documentaries, PBS shows and educational videos.
Libby is also available to patrons at Guthrie Center and in rural Guthrie County and offers free access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and online magazines.
Mometrix eLibrary provides a wide range of study materials to help test-takers, including flashcards, practice tests and guides, covering subjects from foundational education to specialized trades and advanced academic fields. This online resource is available to all Iowa residents and authorized users and is funded by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.
Access the MJB Library Online Catalogue at this site as well. Use our online catalog to find items, place reserves, renew items, and so much more.
The online resource link also provides links to virtual tours, activities and sites, including PBS, AEA, Homeschool Iowa and the Iowa State Historical Society.
The library also has free Wi-Fi, computers to check out, and inexpensive printing services. For students who need quiet places to study, reserve the small meeting room during library hours. College students who need a test proctored can also reserve the small meeting room and request a proctor for exams.
For homeschool families, MJB Library offers a homeschool exchange. The library has many homeschool textbooks and workbooks available at no cost. We accept donations of homeschool books and materials.
Readers and supporters of the library are reminded that the Friends of the Library still have T-shirts available for $30. Profits go to support Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.
For patrons who have not used the Iowa Adventure Pass this year, 2026 is a great year to visit the Blank Park Zoo, as it’s the zoo’s 60th anniversary. In addition to celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, the zoo is showcasing new faces. Two female lions and a male lion have joined the lion pride at the zoo. By the end of the summer, the expanded lion enclosure is due to open as well. Walnut, a harbor seal, moved from the Los Angeles Zoo to Des Moines.
Victoria, a rare Addax Antelope, was born in late May of this year, while Hiro, the Japanese Macaque, was born July 6. Kida and Eddie, endangered cotton-top tamarins, just produced twins on Aug. 12. Two reticulated giraffes are expecting this summer. Skye’s calf was born at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, while Zola’s calf will be born in September 2026. Schedule the Iowa Adventure Pass so you can take your family to enjoy these new faces.
Each month, the MJB Library displays a quilt and a collection in our locked display case. If you have a quilt you would like to loan to the library to display for a month, or if you have a collection you’d like to share for a month in our display case, please call or email Karen at the library.
Story Hour kids worked on fine motor skills during craft time.
The Story Hour craft on Friday allowed children to be creative and to develop fine motor skills as they cut, color and glue to make pretty butterflies.
Story Hour every Friday at 10 a.m. is a great chance for preschoolers to hear stories and be creative.
Mason displays his STEM creation.
Parker and Mason are competing on the game table.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Springbrook State Park, 2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center, will be the site of a late summer/early fall foraging event. The public is welcome to join naturalist Anne Riordan on a hike to gather wild edibles in the park and then learn how to prepare them. The event begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Participation is limited to 15 registrants. Cost is $20 per person. To register, go to https://forms.gle/6gCV2Ajatzpy8Lis6
Everyone is invited to come enjoy a free meal at Faith Bible Church (2096 Highway 4, Panora) on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Serving will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The meal will include tater tot casserole, green beans, cottage cheese and cookies.
The Guthrie County Arts Council will hold a fundraiser event from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Art on State (320 State St., Guthrie Center). For a freewill donation, attendees can enjoy homemade treats, pie, dessert bread and water or coffee.
A full day of food, fun and shopping awaits on Saturday, Aug. 22 in downtown Guthrie Center. For $50 per person, attendees will enjoy meditation at Sapphire Skin, breakfast at the Café, shopping at local stores and the farmers market, lunch and drinks at Incredi-Bowl. The event runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only 50 spots are available. Proceeds will go back to participating businesses. To register, contact Kristina Swensen at gcchamberofcommerce@gmail.com.
The public is welcome to join the Casey Summer Send-off beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Casey Community Building. Food and drinks will be available from the Casey Service Club for a freewill donation. At 8:30 p.m., the movie “Up” will be shown. Free popcorn will be provided, and candy and soda will be available for purchase. Yard games face painting and crafts will be offered. Rolling Hills Bank will provide goodie bags.
The public is invited to support the Little Chargers Early Learning Center by enjoying a meal of burgers, chips and dessert on Monday, Aug. 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (or until sold out). The meal is available for a freewill donation. Little Chargers is at 207 Park Ave. in Guthrie Center.
On Friday, Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m., everyone is invited to the new office of Tori’s Angels. The office is at 110 East Main in Panora, and the location is shared with the office of BH Real Estate and Consulting. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Come and learn more about how Tori’s Angels supports Iowa families who have a child facing life-threatening conditions.
Individuals and groups are welcome to sign up to provide “high fives” and similar encouragement at one of the High Five Fridays, 7:30-8:05 a.m. at Guthrie Center Elementary School. Contact gcchamberofcommerce@gmail.com to check availability of any particular Fridays.
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.
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 the 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.
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.
Runners and walkers are encouraged to join the Guthrie County Fair 5K on Saturday, Sept 5 at the fairgrounds. The course is flat and fun. Registration will open that day at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K to begin at 8 a.m. Participants can register online now through Sept. 2. Cost is $30 (or 15 without a T-shirt). Proceeds will support the ACGC cross country teams. To register, go to https://synergywellness5k-2026.itemorder.com/shop/home
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.
Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.