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More than just books

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Tmes Vedette

This week is National Friends of Libraries Week. We here at MJB Library wish to thank all of the members of our Friends of the Guthrie Center Library for their tireless support of the Mary J. Barnett Library. Our volunteers invest time to plan and work fundraisers, attend meetings and think of ways to enhance our library. We appreciate all who are members of our organization, and all of you who are not, we invite you to join. The next meeting will be at 6:15 p.m. on Jan. 5. 

We have some exciting events coming up. The annual Boo Bash will be on Thursday, Oct. 30. Trick-or-Treaters are invited to stop by the library in their costumes to enjoy some family-friendly activities and get a treat. We will have places where you can take photos of your littles in their costumes. Boo Bash will run from 5-7:15 p.m.

On Mondays, Cribbage will meet from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor meeting room. Bridge meets on Wednesday mornings, same place and same time. Both of these groups welcome all new players, regardless of skill level. 

The Creation Corner will be busy with a new craft at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22. This activity is a coffee filter owl, suitable for all ages. Pre-registration is preferred. Other upcoming children’s programs include our Friday preschool story hour, which begins at 10 a.m. each Friday. The subject for the next story hour will be monsters.

The evening book club, Reads Well with Others, will be meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. to discuss “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell.” In addition to discussing this exceptional novel, club members will be choosing books for the upcoming year, as well as doing a craft project. Consequently, the group will meet in the Taylor Meeting Room this month.

For people who would like to learn a new craft or find a unique way to make home-crafted gifts, the library is offering an adult class that might be of interest. Join us at the Taylor Meeting Room on Saturday, Nov. 1, for an exciting and fun adult library program presented by Art on the Fly. Learn how to make a warm and cozy lap blanket approximately 40 inches by 50 inches. It’s so simple, and the blanket makes a great gift for yourself or someone special. The cost for the class is $80, which covers the cost of supplies, which are all included. Class time is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The registration deadline is Sunday, Oct. 26. Class size is limited. Pre-registration and prepayment are required. You can pre-register for the Art on the Fly class by visiting the library’s website calendar. Just go to the November community calendar, click on the Art on the Fly event for more details, and then click on the tickets section to complete your registration. Call the library if you need help registering for this fun event.

Festival of Trees at MJB Library

The Festival of Trees is just around the corner, and this year’s theme is “Silver and Gold.” Trees may begin to be set up on Thursday, Nov. 20. Please note that the library will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. It is preferred that trees be picked up by Jan. 10. If you have any questions or need assistance in scheduling a time to set up your tree, feel free to call the library.

The Friends of the GC Library will host a Festival of Trees Showcase featuring a bake sale, music, and kids’ crafts on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. If you would like to donate baked goods or pies for this fundraiser, please call us at the library.  

Firefighter Chuck Cleveland and First Assistant Chief Brady Langgaard took time out of their day to bring the firetruck to the library and speak with our youngest patrons about firetrucks and the equipment firefighters use during our weekly story hour.

Guthrie Center Fireman Brady Langgaard demonstrates how firefighters use safety equipment while fighting fires.

God made the fly…

“Shane, as I read your column on flies (Friday, Oct. 17, 2025) with nearly two dozen of them on the inside of the screen in my home office, this old saying kept running through my mind: “God made the fly — and forgot to tell us why.” – Becky Simpson

Iowa weekly weather summary

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s weekly weather summary released today. Information from the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, which is released weekly by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service from April through November, was not available due to the federal government shutdown. 

“With only light rain in parts of the state last week, the warm temperatures provided another wide window for farmers to continue steady harvest progress. Looking at the past five years of reported averages, Iowa farmers have harvested about 85% of soybeans and 60% of corn by this point in the season. Based on what I am hearing from farmers around the state, we are on pace this year and maybe even a little ahead of schedule,” Secretary Naig said. “While northern Iowa may see the first widespread freeze of the season this week, warmer temperatures with more chances of rain remain in the forecast through the end of October.” 

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Unseasonable warmth persisted across the state, with the warmest conditions occurring over Iowa’s southern half, where temperatures were up to 14 degrees above normal. The statewide average temperature was 61.4 degrees, 10.4 degrees above normal. Most stations reported measurable rain, with above-normal precipitation observed across portions of eastern Iowa.

Light rain showers associated with a cold front crossed Iowa through the afternoon and evening of Sunday (12th), accompanied by blustery southeasterly winds and highs ranging from the upper 80s in the west to the mid-70s in the east. Numerous stations observed measurable totals, though most received less than 0.10 inch; Sully (Jasper County) collected 0.11 inch. Winds shifted to a northwesterly direction behind the front as clouds cleared from west to east, with Monday (13th) morning temperatures in the upper 30s in the northwest. Ahead of the front, temperatures were in the low to mid-60s under clear skies. Gusty winds persisted through the day as temperatures varied from the upper 70s in the southeast to the mid-60s in the northwest. Clouds returned to the state overnight as an upper-level disturbance transited the Upper Midwest. Showers developed across much of western Iowa, spreading into northern Iowa after sunrise on Tuesday (14th). Rainfall continued through the daylight hours, with highs in the low to mid-50s across the northern two-thirds of the state; readings were 10 to 15 degrees warmer over southern Iowa, where partly sunny conditions prevailed. Additional showers moved into west-central Iowa after midnight, advancing into central and eastern Iowa several hours later. Event rainfall totals were highest in northwest and central Iowa, with amounts exceeding 0.50 inch; three stations in Le Mars (Plymouth County) reported totals from 1.00 to 1.03 inches, and Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) measured 0.88 inch. Scattered showers continued through Wednesday (15th) over much of northern Iowa, accompanied by easterly winds and daytime highs in the 50s.

Isolated thundershowers developed in the early hours of Thursday (16th) before pushing into eastern Iowa by daybreak. Northeastern stations recorded the greatest rainfall, ranging from 0.50 inch in Dubuque (Dubuque County) to 0.93 inch in Elkader (Clayton County). Stations across most of the remaining areas of the state reported amounts ranging from 0.10 to 0.30 inch. Blustery southerly winds strengthened through the afternoon, raising temperatures into the 70s under sunny skies. Light rain was reported in northwestern Iowa before sunrise on Friday (17th) as a weak cold front moved southeast across the state. A narrow line of thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon in west-central Iowa before intensifying into the evening hours. Additional and more widespread thunderstorms formed over southeastern Iowa after sunset and persisted into Saturday (18th) morning, with most stations receiving at least 0.30 inch. Burlington Municipal Airport (Des Moines County) measured 1.13 inches, and Drakesville (Davis County) reported 1.35 inches. A secondary cold front crossed the state during the remainder of the day, bringing light rain to many stations. The boundary exited the state by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday (19th) under clear skies, gusty northwesterly winds, and lows ranging from the upper 30s in the northwest to the upper 40s in the southeast. Three stations along the state line reported the highest totals, with 1.00 inch in Camanche (Clinton County) and 1.24 inches in Keokuk (Lee County).

Weekly rain totals ranged from a trace in Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County) and Red Oak (Montgomery County) to 1.58 inches in Burlington. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.55 inch, compared with a normal of 0.65 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 87 degrees on the 12th, 21 degrees above normal. Sibley (Osceola County) recorded the week’s low temperature of 34 degrees on the 19th, one degree below normal.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — Oct. 13-19, 2025

10-13-25

  • 1:42 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 4:33 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to Guthrie County Hospital for a transport 
  • 5:42 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 8:01 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient form Guthrie County Hospital back to The New Homestead
  • 9:59 a.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 12 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow-up 
  • 3:14 p.m. Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire, and Stuart Rescue responded to a report of a semi on fire on I-80 near Menlo
  • 3:35 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies, Panora Police, Fire and Ambulance responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident in rural Panora
  • 4:42 p.m. Panora Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a theft in Panora
  • 5:20 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 10:56 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy put down injured deer that was hit by vehicle east of Stuart

 

10-14-25

  • 5:05 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Sheriff assisted a pedestrian in Casey 
  • 8:08 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow-up in Guthrie Center 
  • 11:42 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up a prisoner from Polk County Jail 
  • 12:21 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Bayard 
  • 1:24 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Bayard 
  • 2:55 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint 
  • 3:10 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 5:00 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up an inmate from the Dallas County Jail on a warrant and transported that individual to the Guthrie County Jail
  • 6:07 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 7:30 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a request for assistance in Guthrie  Center
  • 8:38 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a noise complaint 
  • 8:46 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 9:43 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff, Deputies, Stuart Police and Ambulance responded to a family  situation at Lake Diamondhead 

 

10-15-25

  • 12:02 a.m. Stuart Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Stuart 
  • 8:59 a.m. Stuart Police performed a welfare check 
  • 10:33 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a report of harassment in Bayard
  • 3:45 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 4:16 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Casey 
  • 4:39 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Jamaica 
  • 5:34 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow-up in Menlo 
  • 5:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Stuart 
  • 8:40 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Fire and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call at  Lake Panorama 
  • 11:16 p.m. Menlo Fire and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a Co2 detector alarm

 

10-16-25

  • 12:51 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Adair County with a vehicle accident in Adair 
  • 6:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Guthrie Center
  • 7:01 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Menlo
  • 7:09 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Yale 
  • 8:35 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint in rural Stuart
  • 11:03 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 11:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint on Highway 44
  • 11:53 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow-up 
  • 2:36 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center
  • 4:20p.m. Guthrie County Deputy did a welfare check in Guthrie Center
  • 5:01p.m. Panora Police Department responded to a civil issue in Panora
  • 7:18p.m. Stuart Police Department, Adair County responded to report of a fight in Stuart
  • 8:01p.m. Stuart Police Department did a welfare check in Stuart
  • 8:06p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on vehicle parked along bridge with no one   around
  • 11:15p.m. Stuart Police Department responded to parking complaint in Stuart

 

10-17-25

  • 12:00 a.m. Stuart Police checked on debris on I-80
  • 8:49 a.m. Stuart Police performed a welfare check 
  • 9:26 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers at Lake Panorama 
  • 9:51 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Guthrie Center
  • 11:43 a.m. Guthrie County Deputies assisted with funeral traffic in Guthrie Center
  • 11:44 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 12:18 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 
  • 4:18 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Bayard 
  • 5:23 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 5:52 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up a prisoner in Coon Rapids on a Guthrie County warrant
  • 7:27 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Perry 
  • 11:41 p.m. Panora Police, Fire and Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a single-vehicle accident in Panora 
  • 11:52 p.m. Stuart Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a domestic situation in Stuart

 

10-18-25

  • 10:43 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 2:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a two-vehicle accident in Guthrie Center
  • 3:37 p.m. Stuart Police transported a transient to Adair 
  • 5:53 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a person trespassing in Casey 
  • 6:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow in Menlo 
  • 6:59 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Lake Security with a possible break in at Lake  Panorama 
  • 8:12 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Guthrie Center
  • 8:57 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 

 

10-19-25

  • 8:49 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in Jamaica 
  • 10:43 a.m. Stuart Police and Ambulance and Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 11:19 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora  
  • 12:29 p.m. Panora Police and Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 4:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported one male to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 6:31 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow up in Menlo
  • 6:58 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy 
  • 11:04 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy

Cribbage results from Oct. 17 and Oct. 20

Special to the Times Vedette

On Oct. 17, a total of 12 players participated. Dave Richter, Sandy Rumelhart got a 17 to share; Roy Carl, Kay Phippen and Robert Klever got 16s; and Rhonda Titus got two 16s.

On Oct. 20, a total of 13 players participated. Bill Sheeder got a 16; Dan Webb got a 16 and a 20; Rhonda Titus got three 16s; and Dennis Betts got a 17.

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.