Special to the Times Vedette

Brokers International, LLC has become a patron sponsor for the Tori’s Angels Foundation Spring Cocktail Party and Fundraiser. The event will be held at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines on April 24.

Brokers International, LLC and Tori’s Angels share a long history. Brokers was based in Panora for many years before moving to Urbandale, while Tori’s Angels was founded in Panora in 2011. Brokers is proud to support an organization that serves families across the state of Iowa.

The Tori’s Angels Foundation’s mission is to help families who have a child with a life-threatening illness or condition. Among other services, the 501c3 nonprofit organization provides financial support by paying the medical expenses that insurance does not cover as well as travel costs associated with obtaining medical treatment.

This assistance allows families to seek the best available care for their child anywhere in the country and removes some of the financial burden so they focus completely on their family. To date, Tori’s Angels has assisted more than 180 families over the past 15 years.

Through their philanthropic arm, Brokers International Impact, the organization chose Tori’s Angels Foundation and the families they support as recipient of the $25,000 sponsorship for the annual Tori’s Angels Foundation event.

About Brokers International LLC: Brokers International dates back to 1955, when the founder, Roger McCarty, initially entered the insurance industry. In 1983, Roger created the first insurance marketing organization (IMO), Brokers International, solidifying his legacy as an industry pioneer and shaping the modern insurance industry for decades to come. Today, Brokers International is one of the largest and most experienced insurance marketing organizations in the country, while Roger’s legacy lives on in Panora and the surrounding communities of west central Iowa.

In June of 2021, Brokers International officially became a member of the Integrity family. That partnership expanded their reach as they continue to provide marketing programs, training and operational support to agencies and financial professionals across the insurance industry.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, April 19, the Easter Bunny was busy hiding eggs in Guthrie Center and Panora, as well as other locations throughout the county. Kids of all ages showed up to find the eggs and other treats.

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on April 22. The supervisors opted to go into a closed session regarding the Polanco v. Guthrie County Settlement Agreement.

After returning to an open meeting, County Engineer Josh Sebern spoke regarding the county’s proposed Noxious Weed Control Policy. The supervisors voted to approve the Noxious Weed Control Policy and Resolution 25-25 (Noxious Weed Control Resolution).

Sebern next discussed the county’s five-year construction plan, including four bridges that may be upgraded in the next year. He also explained the various funding options available, including federal funds and grants.

“We are looking at three federal bridges for Fiscal Year 2026. Those are Bear Grove 199. We are anticipating an April 2026 letting date. Jackson 7, that is the structure south of Dale City. We’re anticipating a letting date of September of this year. And Orange 389, west of the dinosaur bridge. It’s a timber structure; we’re looking at replacement with box culvert using federal dollars. That’s anticipating a March 2026 letting date,” Sebern said. “So there’s a good chance we could have three federal-aid structures going next year.”

“We are also looking at a locally funded bridge at the north end of Bay’s Branch,” Sebern said. “It does not meet federal requirements for traffic volume.”

Sebern also described other road/bridge projects tentatively planned within the next five years.

The supervisors discussed the possibility of offering three tiers of coverage for county employee health insurance (employee only, employee plus 1, and family). Supervisors Mike Dickson and Maggie Armstrong suggested not making that change now, since it would likely increase costs that are already budgeted. The supervisors voted to not implement the change, and to survey county employees about their expected usage.

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

Guthrie Center business offers custom-designed apparel and accessories. 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, April 2025

A well-known saying suggests, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Faith Hockenberry of Guthrie Center has put that concept into practice. She enjoys clothing, and she also likes making artistic designs. So, she merged those interests into a business called Faith’s Fashion Designs, where she creates custom-designed apparel and accessories.

“I’ve been doing this for four years,” Hockenberry said. “I got excited to start my own business, and I wanted to create clothing and designs. I’ve been in this store for 2.5 years.”

Hockenberry specializes in small quantity special orders for events such as family gatherings, weddings, business occasions or school events. She especially enjoys the creative process. She listens to what a customer wants and then works with software to make the idea become a reality.

Hockenberry’s designs include a variety of themes, including inspirational, daily affirmations, seasonal/holiday and school pride. 

The items Hockenberry sells include T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, coffee mugs, shopping bags and ACGC and Panorama items (such as stadium seat cushions).

Hockenberry is thankful for the assistance of two friends who help in her endeavor. Lill Delin serves as a mentor at the store, and Alicia Ciesielski is Hockenberry’s job coach, providing guidance as needed.

Ciesielski told of the usual process when an apparel order comes in.

“Faith designs it on the computer, and then she cuts it out, and then we iron it on,” Ciesielski said. “We can do just about anything people want.”

Ciesielski and Hockenberry said there is not any clear best-selling item, but Hockenberry said she sells quite a bit of ACGC Charger wear. She also told of recently completing an extensive apparel order for Special Olympics in Winterset.

Faith’s Fashion Designs store is located at 300 State St. in downtown Guthrie Center. Normal store hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The store accepts cash, check or Venmo but not credit or debit cards.

“I’ve got a Facebook page and website for the business,” Hockenberry said.

The store’s website is www.faithsfd.com.

Hockenberry believes in supporting the community, and she has found a way to do that with her business, while also creating a win-win situation for her customers. To celebrate her upcoming birthday, she is accepting donations of canned goods at her store. The donations will then be delivered to New Opportunities to help feed those in need. Those who bring in canned goods to Hockenberry’s store will receive a coupon for $5 off their next order.

Hockenberry enjoys the variety of tasks at her job, which range from doing the hands-on work of printing the apparel or filling orders to putting on her thinking cap and letting the ideas flow.

Hockenberry and Ciesielski shared a story of a recent order in which Hockenberry made 39 shirts to commemorate International Down Syndrome Day and shipped them to Oregon. 

“We’re doing T-shirts for a family reunion this summer,” Ciesielski said. “And we did some for the all-school reunion, with the old Guthrie Center Tigers image.”

Hockenberry invites everyone to stop in to see what she does. Although the store hours remain standard throughout the year, she stays even busier during the summer months.

“In the summer, I set up at the farmers market, too,” Hockenberry said. n

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On April 21, Judi Zimmerline led a craft session at the Casey library. Patrons were shown how to make unique bookmarks and greeting cards.

 

By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette

On Wednesday afternoon, April 16, members of the Panora Women’s Service Organization (WSO) hosted their annual senior tea for Panorama Community Schools senior girls. The girls were encouraged to invite as many women guests as they wanted, and the group of about 60 included mothers, grandmothers, aunts and family friends.

Mary Jane Sprague, WSO president, welcomed the girls and their guests to the Panora Church of the Brethren sanctuary at 2 p.m. She asked each senior to stand and introduce herself and her guests and tell something about her future plans.

WSO member Maureen Lubeck introduced the afternoon’s guest speakers. The three daughters of Brandon and Jaime Waddle spoke, with the oldest, Jaelyn, up first. Jaelyn graduated from Panorama in 2019.

“By the end of this, our hope is that no matter where you are headed in your journey, something from our stories will resonate with you and encourage you to walk in confidence wherever you go,” she said.

Jaelyn’s first day of classes at Iowa State University was Aug. 26, 2019. She read entries from her journal that day, plus a few others until her graduation May 3, 2024. The entries demonstrated her personal growth in those four years.

Jaelyn offered some nuggets of advice. For instance, “Don’t fear failure. Fear standing still. Growth is just one step on the other side of your comfort zone.” Or this, “Saying yes is just as important as saying no. Say yes to hanging out with people who are different from you. Say yes to taking a chance on yourself.”

In closing, Jaelyn challenged the Panorama girls who soon will be graduates. “The world needs your ideas, your voices, your courage. Go out there and build lives full of meaning, not just resumes full of achievements,” she said.

Next up was Ella, who graduated from Panorama in 2021. She started her college career at Iowa State University, spent a semester at the University of Hawaii, and now is at Drake University pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy.

“None of that was part of my original plan when I was in your shoes, but that’s the beauty of life,” she said. “Have a dream that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. Something that fuels your fire. Then work hard for it and keep going.”

At a freshman orientation, students were told to write down goals for their next four years. A girl next to Ella said she wanted to study abroad.

“I thought how could anyone leave their family for that long and be that far away,” she said. “But you grow, and just a year later, I found myself applying for the National Student Exchange program in Hawaii. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Dream that dream. Face that fear. Do that hard thing. And never, ever give up.”

The final speaker was Mia Waddle, who graduated from Panorama in 2024 and is wrapping up her first year at Iowa State University.

“Just one year ago, I was sitting right where you are,” Mia said. “I was counting down the days to graduation, already dreaming about how I’d reinvent myself the moment I set foot on campus. I was going to magically become this cooler, more confident, more together version of myself in college. But none of that happened, as least not right away.”

Mia talked about the self-doubt she felt during her first days on campus. “It hits you in a quiet dorm room, wondering why everything feels so different from what you imagined,” she said. “It hits when you’re walking to class alone, eating lunch alone, or standing in a crowded room thinking, ‘Why does this feel so hard for me when everyone else looks like they’re thriving?’ The truth is, they’re not. They’re just hiding it better.”

In closing, Mia said the most important thing she wanted her audience to remember is not to follow someone else’s script, but rather learn to trust their own. “You’re growing, and growth is rarely comfortable, but it’s worth it,” she said. “Take a deep breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going.”

Following comments by the Waddle sisters, photos of the seniors were taken as the WSO women made final preparations in the Fellowship Hall for finger sandwiches, cookies, candy, tea, coffee and lemonade. Once seated, WSO members served drinks and the guests helped themselves to the food displayed on their tables.

 

The three daughters of Brandon and Jaime Waddle were guest speakers at the WSO annual senior tea. Pictured from left, Jaime Waddle and daughters Jaelyn, Mia and Ella. [/caption]