“My name is Bette Reese. I have lived in Panora since 1994. I have been a graphic designer and commercial embroiderer here all that time. More than 20 years ago, I was commissioned by the Panora Chamber to design welcome signs for our city. Ken Turner was in charge, and I gave my design to a sign company in Des Moines who put it together. I used my 386 computer and Corel Draw! to create it. There was another gentleman who contributed the sailboat design, which I turned into a vector file for the sign. I wish I could remember his name. I was so glad to see that all three signs were still in great shape for their age. I was sad to hear my longstanding signs were being replaced, but time moves on and tastes change.” – Bette Reese

Thank you, Bette, for the beautiful design that lasted for decades. Your work has been appreciated by many. – Shane

“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

“My great-grandfather was Albert David Lemmon, who owned a drugstore in Guthrie Center for nearly 50 years, from the 1880s until the early 1920s, I believe. The Lemmons were a prominent family who had a beautiful home built in town, apparently nice enough that a postcard was made of the residence, which I just happened to find on eBay, of all places. I’m planning to visit Guthrie Center in July on my way to RAGBRAI and, of course, during the ride itself. Is there anyone in town who might help me locate the former AD Lemmon house? I’d love to see where my grandmother Lois grew up. I’ve been able to read some details of their lives in the digitized archives of Guthrie Center newspapers from the 1920s. Fascinating, at least to me.” – Michael Harvey, mrmrharvey@yahoo.com

I appreciate you reaching out, and I am hoping one or more of our readers can help you. – Shane

“I bought one of the Chaloupka properties last year during the sale of the estate. There were many items left in the attic from the owners before the Chaloupka family. I finally got through all of it, and there are MANY documents from the trucking business operated by Chet Emery from the 1930s and 1940s. There is a lot of neat documents, including DOT roadway contracts, employment labor documents, business and bank ledgers, checks, receipts, insurance documents, Guthrie County roads map, product manuals, parts ordering catalogs, chattel mortgages, Christian Herald Magazines, car sales certificate, WWII selective service arrival instructions, a war bond, oil fuel and meal ration tickets. If you would be interested in a story or some of these documents, please let me know.” – Amy Monroe, amybeth0792@gmail.com.

Thanks, Amy. I am hoping some of our readers may be able to connect with you on these. – Shane

“Hey there. In the last edition of the Lake Panorama Times (May 2026), you had a photo of an old unknown boat. That was the boat of my grandfather, Bob Milligan, and that was my dad, John Milligan, fixing the engine.” – Chris Milligan