Special to the Times Vedette

On Friday, May 8, Concordia University, Nebraska recognized the university’s professional church work graduates at a Sending Service. The worship service is an opportunity to celebrate the university’s graduating church work students.

The Sending Service recognizes graduates from five professional church work fields: pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, director of Christian education, director of parish music and Lutheran teachers, as well as Classical Lutheran Educator and Christian teacher graduates.

Among those recognized was Leah Fett of Panora. She was recognized for the Christian Teacher Diploma, an addition to a four-year degree for graduates who wish to teach in Christian parochial schools 

At the service, more than 50 graduates walked across the stage during the worship service and was recognized. The future education plans, internship or church work call was announced at that time.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Jamaica Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries nationally to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The award comes with a $20,000 grant to help improve accessibility including repairing sidewalk with easy or auto-entry door, tuckpointing the brick facade, metal sheathing or alternative for non-facing walls, and new upper story front windows/trim. The city welcomes estimates, especially from local contractors. The work needs to be completed outdoors before snow flies in 2026 as the project deadline is April 2027. BID CLOSING DATE: JUNE 30, 2026. To schedule a visit, contact Mayor Dennis Meinecke at jamaicacity@windstream.net or JPL Board President Andrew Gettler at aawoodservices@gmail.com.

“We are grateful to be chosen for this opportunity,” Library Director Laurie Carnahan said. “Our city, population 198, has recently completed a heavy lift of a $1.5 million water project that has left its coffers drained and, as a result, left our historic 1912 brick building lacking maintenance that would ensure mobility accessibility and durability. This grant will be used to catch up and provide for potential accessibility improvements for many years to come.”

The historic brick building first housed the fire station, jail, city clerk and council chambers. It was shared by the Jamaica Women’s Club that started the library in the 1940s with a shelf or two. Over time, the community used what was available to expand its library. The facility expanded through the wall of the building next door, and then, in 1980, had an addition where an extensive Guthrie County Genealogy collection now sits.

The library invites informal online, phone and in-person conversations about mobility needs and how the ALA grant can meet those needs.  If you are interested in participating in the accessibility conversation, contact Laurie Carnahan at jampublib@netins.net or Facebook at Jamaica Public Library.

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

Note: Regular hours of operation for the Jamaica Public Library changed in April 2026. The current hours are Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 3-5:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 1:30-6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon.

Special to the Times Vedette 

On May 12, more than 30 students were inducted into Central College’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Alison Egger, Class of 2029 from Stuart, and Eli Kading, Class of 2026 from Casey, were among those inductees.

The National Society of Leadership and Service is the largest and only accredited leadership honor society in the United States. It allows students to develop interpersonal skills for competitive job markets, learn from leaders like former U.S. presidents, CEOs and celebrities, and gain access to exclusive networking events.

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Central offers a learning environment with educators committed to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.

Special to the Times Vedette

On May 13, a total of 12 players participated. Chet Vaughan and Rhonda Titus got a 16; Robert Klever got three 16s; Dick Ellis and Allen Pierce each got a 17; and Dave Richter got a 17 and a 21.

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.