By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Panora Library events

• Friday, Jan. 9, Lego Club will be offered at 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 15, the winter reading challenge begins.
• Thursday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m., the Find Your Family Genealogy Club will meet. All are welcome.
• Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17, a puzzle and board game swap will be held at the library.

For more information on any of these offerings, call the library at 641-755-2529.

Wild Game Feed and Raffle in Panora Jan. 10

First Christian Church (102 East Church St., Panora) will host a wild game feed and raffle event on Saturday, Jan. 10. The meal will be served 5-7 p.m., with the raffle to follow. Meal cost is $10, and raffle tickets are $10 each. Crossbows will be raffled off. For meal and/or raffle tickets, call Miles Boatman at 641-451-7862.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Clear skies and warmer weather brought out a nearly standing-room only crowd to the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center on Saturday for the Guthrie County REC annual meeting, where members received updates from the REC, enjoyed a free meal and won prizes.  

Property owners residing in Districts 4, 5 and 6 had directors up for reelection. Michael Moore, Don Schwartz and Steve Bireline were all incumbents running unopposed, and all were reelected. 

Annabelle Baggett shared a slide presentation and stories about the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., which was sponsored by the REC. 

An extension cord registration gift was provided to all members in attendance, as was a free membership meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store Catering. Numerous door prizes were also awarded including:

• Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
• Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper
• Ninja Sizzle Indoor Electric Grill
• Philips Electric Toothbrush
• EverStart Jump Starter with Compressor
• Shark Steam Mop
• Ninja 4 Qt Air Fryer
• 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
• LED Adjustable Work Lights with Stand
• Electric Throw Blanket
• 39-Piece Household Tool Set
• Smart Touchscreen WiFi Digital Calendar
• Miko Next Electric Towel Warmer
• Costway Electric Boot Dryer
• Mega Chef 3.5 Quart Casserole Slow Cooker
• Portable Power Station
• WiFi Digital Picture Frame
• Better Homes & Gardens Candle Warmer Lamp
• Four $25 American Express gift cards
• Two $50 American Express gift cards
• Grand Prize: Electric Cart Grill

According to reports supplied at the meeting, Guthrie County REC built 19.9 miles of overhead line in 2025; added 44 new services; finished installing underground line at the third Wambold addition in Stuart that will allow for 42 more residential lots; and replaced rotten poles.

Guthrie County REC also acquired a new wire trailer form Rice Trailer Co. for line work as earmarked in the 2025 capital budget. In addition, the REC acquired a new basket truck from Altec for line work as earmarked in the 2022 capital budget and a new digger truck from Altec for line work at earmarked in the 2023 capital budget. 

In terms of growth, the REC finished construction and energized the new Mockingbird substation near Hamlin and continued construction projects at the Perry Industrial Park. These projects add power and reliability to support business expansions in both areas of the service territory. New regulators were also installed at the Panora and Woodward substations. Regulators help keep the voltage within the desired range for members who are served by that feeder. In addition, the REC serviced line breakers, which are safety devices to help prevent equipment damage, fires and other hazards when an electrical fault occurs.

Guthrie County REC serves more than 4,600 members in Adair, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties.

REC office staff and linemen.

The 2025 Guthrie County REC board of directors: Front row: Steve Bireline, Julie Kiley, CEO Cozy Nelsen and Jim Mazour. Back row: Don Schwartz, Michael Moore, Ronny Bristle, Andrew Van Aernam and Jason Fett.

Kim Betts took home a smokeless indoor grill as a prize at the 2025 Guthrie County REC annual meeting on Jan. 3.

Lila Bilbrey won a towel warmer at the 2025 Guthrie County REC annual meeting on Saturday.

Daniel Wittrock was one of the prize winners at the REC annual meeting on Jan. 3.

Brenda Dinkla won a slow cooker at the 2025 Guthrie County REC annual meeting.

A large crowd was in attendance at the 2025 Guthrie County REC annual meeting.

Annabelle Baggett shares a slide presentation and stories about the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.

Board President Steve Bireline runs the annual meeting.

CEO Cozy Nelsen addresses the crowd.

REC board member Joni Rees recognizes Todd Tinken for his years of service.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Jan. 6. Chair Steve Smith shared the recommendation from Brian Johnson and himself that the supervisors make a decision on the basic makeup of an EMS committee. He explained that the recommendation includes nine entities, but each entity would be able to designate a specific person who would serve on the nine-member committee.

Smith listed the nine recommended entities as city of Bayard, city of Bagley, Union Township, Adair Fire and Rescue, city of Guthrie Center, Guthrie County Hospital, city of Panora, city of Stuart, and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office. Smith stressed that the cities listed could choose anyone (a council member, city administrator, first responder, etc.). Smith also said the recommendation is for a larger ad hoc committee, but that would be determined by the nine-member committee, if approved.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong voiced support for the recommendation. Supervisor Mike Dickson disagreed.

“I don’t like it,” Dickson said. “I don’t like the structure that you’re going with either. The rationale is you’re limiting it to nine. I’m thinking it needs to be larger. Why not give representation from each township?”

Smith said a larger committee creates challenges in assuring participation from all members, and that a larger ad hoc committee would allow for broader input. He also added that the final decisions would be made by the county supervisors.

“There are missing pieces, but we can add all of those to the ad hoc,” Smith said. He clarified that he believes the nine-member committee (if approved) should decide who is invited to any ad hoc committee.

The supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of the nine-member committee as proposed. Dickson voted against.

Becky Benton (State Street Insurance) presented information on insurance rates and coverage options for the county to consider. Guthrie County participates in coverage through ICAP (Iowa Communities Assurance Pool), which covers 75 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The supervisors reviewed and renewed the coverage.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person (at the courthouse) or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

Renowned singer Marian Anderson performing in DAR Constitution Hall in 1943. Students studying music can apply for a one-time $5,000 scholarship honoring her legacy through Jan. 31.

Special to the Times Vedette

Undergraduate and graduate students studying music can apply for the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship through Jan. 31. Sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the scholarship provides a one-time $5,000 award to one student annually who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in music.

Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was a groundbreaking African American contralto and an inspiration for civil rights.

“This scholarship pays tribute to Marian Anderson’s life, and the Daughters of the American Revolution seeks to honor her legacy through aspiring musicians. Her legacy lives on in others who aim for excellence in musical studies, are committed to their communities, and willing to stand up for what is right,” said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, DAR President General.

Applicants should be accepted or currently enrolled in an accredited university or college in the United States and have a concentration in music in their course of study. Music performance, composition, theory, or education are all areas that students may be specialized in to qualify for the scholarship. They should have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent GPA on the scale used by the institution.

Applications are available here: https://www.dar.org/outreach/education/scholarships

Applications require references sent through the application system, so students need to request their references ahead of the Jan. 31 application deadline.

In honor of Ms. Anderson’s commitment to the community throughout her life and her willingness to share her incredible talent with the world, applicants are asked to write a personal statement describing their humanitarian or volunteer contributions on behalf of their community and/or country.

To recognize the city Marian Anderson called home, preference is given to students from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area, even if they are not pursuing music studies in the Philadelphia area.

While this scholarship is not automatically renewed, recipients may reapply for consideration each year for up to four consecutive years.

The scholarship is supported by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Marian Anderson Legacy Fund. Learn more about the relationship between Marian Anderson and the DAR, and the organization’s on-going efforts to honor her memory at www.dar.org/MarianAnderson

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
One of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Jan. 2, a total of eight players participated. Kay Phippen got two 16s, Kathy Feilmeier got a 16; Roy Carl hit the jackpot with a 16, 17, 20, 16 and 17.

On Jan. 5, a total of seven players participated. Bill Sheeder and Dave Richter each got a 16: Wayne Nickel and Robert Klever each got a 20; and Dennis Betts got a 16, 16 and 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.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Bennett reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Jan. 3 at 8:25 p.m. on Highway 25. Angela Marie McMichael, 28, of Carroll, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup northbound on Highway 25 from 210^th Street. The vehicle dropped off the northbound shoulder, and McMichael overcorrected and lost control, crossing the highway and entering the southbound ditch and rolling over into the creek. An estimated $5,000 in damage occurred to the Chevrolet pickup. McMichael was transported by Panora EMS to Methodist Hospital.