By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Many local churches are holding special services for Christmas and New Year’s. Below is a partial listing. Additional services or updates can be sent to rich@gctimesnews.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 E. Second St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^th, Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. at Bagley United Methodist Church, 401 Main St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 East Second St., Casey.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 2106 Highway 4, Panora.
• Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m. at Panora Christian Church, 102 E. Church St., Panora.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 State St. in Guthrie Center.
• Come and Go Communion “self-serve” and meditation time, 6-11 p.m., First Christian Church,105 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic, 603 Main St., Guthrie Center at 4 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic, 214 Prairie St., Bayard at 5:30 p.m.; and at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora at 7:15 p.m.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Christmas mass will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

Solemnity of Mary Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Solemnity of Mary at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Many local churches are holding special services for Christmas and New Year’s. Below is a partial listing. Additional services or updates can be sent to rich@gctimesnews.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 E. Second St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^th, Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. at Bagley United Methodist Church, 401 Main St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 East Second St., Casey.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m., at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 2106 Highway 4, Panora.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 State St. in Guthrie Center.
• Come and Go Communion “self-serve” and meditation time, 6-11 p.m., First Christian Church,105 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic, 603 Main St., Guthrie Center at 4 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic, 214 Prairie St., Bayard at 5:30 p.m.; and at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora at 7:15 p.m.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Christmas mass will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

Solemnity of Mary Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Solemnity of Mary at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Extended shopping hours

To allow holiday shoppers the chance at those last-minute purchases, the following businesses are extending hours as shown:

• Strawberry Patch, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tractor Supply Company, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Paint your own mug Dec. 22

Art on State (320 State St. in Guthrie Center) will host a “Paint your own mug” event from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22. Cost is $10 per person. Adults and kids 11 or older are welcome. Hot chocolate will be available.

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Springbrook State Park

Join the staff of Springbrook State Park on a free, guided hike on New Year’s Day. Hikers will meet at 1 p.m. outside the park office, for a 2-mile hike led by park staff. 

Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks. The year 2026 will bring the 100-year anniversary of Springbrook State Park. Hikers will be invited to enjoy cookies and hot chocolate afterwards. 

Springbrook State Park is located at 2437 160^th Road, Guthrie Center. 

For details about First Day Hikes in Iowa Parks, visit www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes.

Midwest Partnership annual dinner Jan. 29

Reservations are now being accepted for Midwest Partnership’s annual dinner. The event will be on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Casey Community Center. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $32 per plate. Reservations can be made by emailing info@midwestpartnership.com

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Many local churches are holding special services for Advent, Christmas and New Year’s. Below is a partial listing. Additional services or updates can be sent to rich@gctimesnews.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Advent services at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^thSt., Guthrie Center.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 E 2^nd
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^th, Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. at Bagley United Methodist Church, 401 Main St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 East Second St., Casey.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m., at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 2106 Highway 4, Panora.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 State St. in Guthrie Center.
• Come and Go Communion “self-serve” and meditation time, 6-11 p.m., First Christian Church,105 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic, 603 Main St., Guthrie Center at 4 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic, 214 Prairie St., Bayard at 5:30 p.m.; and at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora at 7:15 p.m.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Christmas mass will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

Solemnity of Mary Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Solemnity of Mary at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Many local churches are holding special services for Advent, Christmas and New Year’s. Below is a partial listing. Additional services or updates can be sent to rich@gctimesnews.com.

Sunday, Dec. 14

• At 2 p.m., the public is invited to the Annual Sounds of Christmas event, featuring local church musicians, at Guthrie Center United Methodist Church, 405 Prairie St.
• There will be a Christmas program at First Baptist Church, 113 N. Fifth St., Guthrie Center, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Advent services at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^th St., Guthrie Center.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 E 2^nd
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 713 North 12^th, Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. at Bagley United Methodist Church, 401 Main St.
• Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at Casey United Methodist Church, 100 East Second St., Casey.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m., at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 2106 Highway 4, Panora.
• Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 State St. in Guthrie Center.
• Come and Go Communion “self-serve” and meditation time, 6-11 p.m., First Christian Church,105 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center.
• Christmas Eve mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic, 603 Main St., Guthrie Center at 4 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic, 214 Prairie St., Bayard at 5:30 p.m.; and at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora at 7:15 p.m.

Christmas Day, Dec. 25

Christmas mass will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31

Solemnity of Mary Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1

Solemnity of Mary at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 North First St., Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Panora Business Open House events Friday, Dec. 12

Many businesses in Panora will welcome everyone for holiday fun and treats on Friday, Dec. 12. Participating businesses include the following:

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Guthrie County State Bank will have cookies and coffee, along with a chance to win a turkey or ham.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dallas County Medical Clinic will offer holiday treats (while they last) and a prize drawing.
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bryton Insurance will offer 2026 calendars, measuring tapes, snack mix and cider (while supplies last).
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Panora Fiber will have snacks and drinks, along with a drawing for a 65-inch TV, a gaming system and other prizes.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Iowa Trust Bank will have cookies, candy and drinks.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Insight Wealth & CPA will have homemade treats and hot chocolate, plus drawings for Chamber bucks.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunset Realty will offer cookies and drinks.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Panorama Realty will have soup and snacks.
• 2-5 p.m., Off Course Golf Carts & E-Bikes will have drinks, snacks and drawings for giveaways.
• 3-6 p.m., Restore Wellness Studio and Reshape Fitness Studio will offer snacks, drinks and drawings for prizes totaling more than $700 in value from the businesses in the building.

Guthrie Center Holiday Open House events

A number of Guthrie Center businesses will offer special open house events, including:

• Art on State: Friday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., refreshments, a giveaway, and 20% off fall merchandise.
• Dowd Drug: Check Facebook for special deals the week of Dec. 8-13.
• Edward Jones: Friday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., popcorn and kringla.
• Guthrie County State Bank: Friday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., planner books, drinks, treats, and enter to win a turkey or ham.
• MJB Library: Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Festival of Trees, bake sale and kids’ craft.
• Pearls & Lace: 11-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., open house; check Facebook for details.
• Peoples Bank: Friday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Delicious treats, door prizes and more.
• Strawberry Patch: Friday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., cider, cookies, giveaway and 25% off regularly priced merchandise.

Christmas in Casey Dec. 13

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 9-11 a.m., the ACGC class of 2026 will be serving breakfast with Santa. Vendor fair will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. including gift wrapping and baked goods. Children’s mall will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Methodist Church. Also, look for cookie mixes and hot cocoa mixes provided by Grant Sky Eagles 4H Club and Kids’ Craft with Judi Z, and 19 vendors selling their products. 

Bake sale and more at Guthrie Center Library Dec. 13

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will hold a bake sale and kids’ craft event on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees will also be able to browse the Festival of Trees displays. The library is located at 400 Grand St.

Santa on “the island” Dec. 13

Come see Santa at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Jamaica Fire Station. Made possible by the Jamaica Lions Club.

A Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 13

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet visitors to Sapphire Skin Co. & Spa, 322 State St., Guthrie Center.

Panorama Wrestling Chili Cookoff Dec. 14 

Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m., a chili cookoff event will help raise funds for the Panorama wrestling teams. Cost to enter is $20, and $10 to eat. A cash prize will be awarded to the winning chili chef. More details will be announced on the Facebook page of Panorama Wrestling.

Sounds of Christmas in concert Dec. 14

The Guthrie Center Church Musicians concert will be Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center, 405 Prairie St. A freewill offering will be taken for the Guthrie Center Association of Churches.

Panora Fire Department Toy Drive

The Panora Fire Department is collecting toys for families in need this holiday season. Toys will be accepted through Dec. 15 at many local businesses including Hometown Foods, Panora Fiber, Crafty’s, Sunset Realty, B & B Marketplace, Little Panther Daycare, Local Liquor and Farmers State Bank in Yale. Gift cards may also be given. For questions, call Bryce Arganbright at 641-757-9073.

Submit your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.