Front row: Tessa Slaybaugh, Blair Brown, Tatum Brittain, Carrie Downing, Taryn Carroll, Alli Wiers and Coy Gruber. Back row: Dayton Crawley, Aaron Langgaard, Gavin Steensen, Creighton Suhr, Joe Fagan, Reece Emgarten and Andrew Baumert.

Special to the Times Vedette

Each year, the Southwest district and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate Greenhand Fire Up Conferences for FFA members in the southwest district. On Oct. 15, Atlantic High School welcomed FFA chapters from all over the southwest district. This year, a total of 284 members from 33 chapters were in attendance, 14 of which were ACGC FFA members.

While at Atlantic High School on Oct. 15, district and state officers led four interactive workshops for first-year high school FFA members, also known as Greenhands, for the annual Greenhand Fire Up Conference. The workshops facilitated were leadership-focused with an emphasis on the experiences that occur in the lives of beginning high school students.

Iowa FFA President Chloe Zittergruen stated, “Greenhand Fire Up provides a chance for first-year high school members to get a sneak peek of the opportunities that FFA holds, and is a conference for members to meet and interact with state and district officers.” When asked about their experience, members Joe Fagan, Blair Brown and Tatum Brittain described the conference as an opportunity to meet new people, to have fun, and a good learning experience for new members.

The officers prepared and facilitated workshops of: authenticity, balancing priorities, communication, and FFA opportunities — in order to provide the first-year FFA members with skills they would use both within and outside of FFA. The goal was to engage FFA members in learning about the tools that would allow them to be successful in anything they are part of through high school and beyond. Greenhand Fire Up is made possible with support from the Iowa FFA Foundation.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Adair

The Adair Chamber of Commerce will hold a trunk-or-treat event 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Adair Community Center. Residential trick-or-treating is set for the same time.

Bagley

Bagley’s annual Halloween parade will be Friday, Oct. 31. Those wishing to be in the parade should line up in front of the fire station at 5 p.m. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m.

Also, the Bagley Fire Department’s annual soup supper will be Oct. 31, 4-7 p.m. at the Community Building.

Casey

Beggar’s Night Bash will be Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Casey Community Building 5-7 p.m. Hot dogs and bottled water will be served by the Casey Service Club, while they last. Business district and residential trick-or-treat is set for the same hours.

Guthrie Center 

Trick-or-treat in Guthrie Center will be Thursday, Oct. 30. Business district is set for 5-6 p.m.

The New Homestead (2306 State St.) “trunk-or-treat” will be 5:30-7 p.m. Residential trick-or-treat is set for 6-8 p.m. Also, for those who want something other than candy, Little Charger Early Learning Center (203 Park Ave.) will be giving out hot dogs, from 5:30-7 p.m., while they last.

Jamaica

The Jamaica Public Library invites everyone to the “Almost Scary Pizza Party,” 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the library. Jamaica will also host “Spooky City,” a kids’ haunted house at the Jamaica Community Center, 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Attendees are invited to bring a carved or decorated pumpkin to be judged in the contest with judging set for 7 p.m. Pumpkins will be provided at the Jamaica Library and Tojo’s Bar & Grill on Oct. 20. Following the pumpkin judging, the movie “Hocus Pocus” will be shown. Attendees are welcome to bring blanket, pillow and stuffed animal, as well as a bag for candy. Cider and snacks will be served.

Linden

The Linden Library will provide sandwiches 5-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct 31 during trick-or-treat.

Panora    

Trick-or-treat in Panora will be Friday, Oct. 31 as follows:  

• Town square and downtown businesses 5-6 p.m.
• The Lakeside Village, 6-8 p.m.
• Residential, 6-8 p.m.

Yale 

Trick-or-treating in Yale is set for Friday, Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m.

 Submit your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Immediately prior to the Panorama School Board meeting on Oct. 13, a public hearing was held regarding the Flexibility Fund Transfer. No written or oral objections were presented, and the public hearing promptly closed. During the board meeting, the board members approved the expenditure of funds in the Flexibility Account as proposed.

The board unanimously approved the 2024-2025 Special Education deficit as presented, equaling $610,656 in spending authority.

In the “Good News” portion of the meeting, a statement from Mark Dorhout was shared, telling of the 192 birdhouse gourds he has collected for a project he will offer to middle schoolers next year. Dorhout is seeking somewhere to store the gourds until then.

Deb Wooldridge stated, “We have 27 students out for the high school play, ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.’ The play will be Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.”

Aiden Shorey (Secondary Instrumental Music) and Emily Clouser (Secondary Vocal Music) provided a report on the secondary music program.

As part of the consent agenda, the board approved new coach contracts for Lindsey Schroeder (junior high track) and Paige Swearingen (basketball cheer). The board also approved the FFA trip to the FFA national convention, Oct. 28-31 in Indianapolis. Ten students and two chaperones will make the trip.

Upcoming dates noted included parent-teacher conferences 3-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and Oct. 23. On each of those dates, school will dismiss at 1:45 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the board is set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) national drug takeback event will be held in Guthrie Center on Friday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Guthrie County Hospital pharmacy. Items collected will be safely disposed to prevent accidental misuse or intentional abuse.

Items accepted will include prescription and over-the-counter medications, medicated creams, ointments and lotions, liquid medications and pet medications.

Items not accepted include illegal drugs, syringes, batteries, aerosol spray cans, medical devices, chemicals and hazardous materials.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Oct. 15, a total of 13 players participated. Bruce Bailey got a 20; Lela Schwartz got a 16; and Dick Ellis and Allen Pierce each got 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.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Oct. 15 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, Superintendent Josh Rasmussen shared plans for an emergency drill led by the Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency.

“Jeremy Cooper is planning a countywide, for all of Guthrie and Adair counties, drill with all emergency entities along with all Guthrie County schools and hospitals,” he said.

Rasmussen said the event will likely happen in June, and details will be announced as they are determined.

Interim High School Principal Cody Matthewson reported his perspective on homecoming week at ACGC.

“I felt like it was a great week. The parade was way more interactive,” he said. “We had seven or eight chaperones at the dance. We had to kick out about 40 or 50 kids at closing time. It’s really good to see kids hanging out, wanting to be part of it and stick around.”

Rasmussen and the boards discussed graduation requirements in light of the high school’s new 8-block schedule. He suggested requiring 61 credits for this year’s seniors, 59 for current juniors, 57 for current sophomores, and 55 for current freshmen.

The boards each approved the second reading of Policy 505.5 (Graduation Requirements), with 55 credits required for graduation. Board members noted that the number could still be changed prior to final approval.

Elementary Principal Tandem Eischeid reported on Guthrie Center Elementary.

“Last month, we talked about fire alarms. We’ve got those up and running. If there is a fire or someone pulls the alarm, we have to now contact dispatch, or someone will be coming. That’s a very good problem to have,” he said.          

Curriculum Director Karla Mahaffey provided a report regarding scores on the ISASP testing completed in the spring of 2025 at ACGC Schools. She noted good scores overall, and said the scores reflect the students’ proficiency and growth.

“We have some goals set,” Mahaffey said.

The Guthrie Center board tabled action on the high school outside stair replacement project so more information can be collected and reviewed.

Brandy Rudy was sworn in as board treasurer and board secretary. 

Upcoming dates noted include parent-teacher conferences on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30, no school on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, and the Nov. 19-21 IASB School Board Convention.

In November, the boards plan to meet separately. The Adair-Casey board will meet on Monday, Nov. 17, and the Guthrie Center board will meet on Wednesday, Nov 19. The public is welcome.