ACGC dance team performs
Photos by Mark Reno | Special to the Times Vedette
The ACGC dance team performed during halftime of the Chargers’ boys basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Guthrie Center.
Ten Squared Men’s and Women’s groups donate $36,300 to New Opportunities
Steve Smith, Kristin Crouthamel, JoAnn Johnson, New Opportunities Director Rhonda Huggins, and Barry Monaghan
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
For the first time, the Ten Squared Men’s and the Ten Squared Women’s groups chose the same organization to donate to, providing combined total contributions of $36,300 to New Opportunities.
The Ten Squared Men met had its final meeting for 2025 on Nov. 18. The three presentations were New Opportunities, Guthrie County Sports, and Guthrie County FFA and 4-H Stable Barn. The group selected New Opportunities, which was presented by Steve Smith. The total gift from the men will be $21,000. This brings the total giving for the 10 Squared Men for 2025 to $59,900 and the total since the group began to $479,650. Any men interested in becoming a part of the group should send an email to b.monaghan@gcsbank.com and request to be added for 2026.
On the same evening, the Ten Squared Women also selected New Opportunities. The total gift from the women will be $15,300. No additional information on the Ten Squared Women’s Group was available as of press time. Any women interested in becoming a part of the group should send an email to 10squaredgc@gmail.com and request to be added for 2026.
The two gifts were combined, and a check was presented to New Opportunities Director Rhonda Huggins for $36,300.
New Opportunities is located at 400 State St. in Guthrie Center. The Family Development Center is the information, application and referral center for all of the income eligible programs offered by New Opportunities to serve families, individuals and elderly people of Guthrie County.
The Guthrie County Family Development Center serves income eligible residents in Guthrie County with back to School Supplies, Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Christmas Gifts for Children, as well as Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), utility crisis assistance, weatherization, food pantry, clothing, family development and self-sufficiency program, financial literacy counseling and more.
For more information on New Opportunities, call 641-747-3845, ext. 6020 or visit www.newopp.org/services/outreach/guthrie-county.
Haley Equipment holds food drive
Santa Claus checks out Haley Equipment’s large “sleds.”
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Haley Equipment is hosting a food drive now through Dec. 23 to support families in need.
“Recognizing a growing need in our region, our employees have long collected donations for local food pantries. This year, we wanted to do something extra for families, so we invited Santa Claus to visit with kids, make crafts, enjoy a treat and bring in a non-perishable food item to donate. Our hope is that this event and ongoing food drive encourages even more donations,” Marketing Director Jessica Rohe said. “At Haley Equipment, we’re committed to bringing joy to our communities and giving back. We’re grateful for the generosity of the wonderful people in our communities.”
Donations of food can be dropped off at either Haley Equipment location now through Dec. 23. Monetary donations for the food pantries are also accepted. Haley Equipment is located at 19504 Highway 30 West in Carroll and 1101 East High Street in Rockwell City.
Area food pantries are here to help
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
A number of food pantries are available throughout the county to help those in need. Some of the options include:
- New Opportunities, 400 State St. in Guthrie Center. Call 641-747-3845 to make an appointment.
- Presbyterian Church, 701 State St. in Guthrie Center. Contact Kay Thomas, 641-747-3696.
- Adair-Casey Food Pantry, 100 East Second St. in Casey. Open Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11 a.m.
- Guthrie County General Assistance office. Call 641-747-2546.
For Shirley Konz, art and nature merge
Panora artist paints on many surfaces.
Shirley Konz makes a wide variety of art.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, November 2025
Shirley Konz of Panora discovered long ago that she enjoyed painting, and she has never stopped.
“I started back in the 1970s and 1980s with oil painting, watching Bob Ross on TV. We had a family friend that encouraged me,” Konz said. “At that time, I had a greenhouse and a big garden, so I traded her some plants in exchange for letting me come over and paint with her.”
Obviously, most any hobby is bound to evolve over the decades. That is certainly true with Konz’s painting.
“Most people start with oils and then move on to other things. Blending colors is good with oils,” Konz said. “Now I do acrylic and watercolors. I no longer do oils much because of the chemicals involved in oil painting — the turpentines and solvents.”
Besides the change of paints, Konz has also painted on many surfaces.
“Through the years, I’ve painted on a lot of things. Back in those early years, we were painting on cream cans, coffee pots and all of the tin in the kitchen and saw blades,” she said. “I always said if it didn’t move, I could paint on it.”
For Konz, when two hobbies are combined, the result is even more satisfying.
“I’ve always had big gardens and greenhouses, so now I’m kind of combining that with my art,” Konz said. “I’m not doing as much painting as I once did, but I’m trying to combine that with my pressed flowers.”
For the past seven years, Konz has displayed some of her artistic creations for sale at Art on State in Guthrie Center. She also offers her creations at many local vendor markets, but she stresses that she is not in it for the money.
“I pretty much stay local,” Konz said. “It’s a hobby, not a business.”
One of Konz’s most recent angles is incorporating dried pressed flowers and leaves into her art. She said pressing flowers is simple but takes patience.
“The timing is important. You want any dew dried off of them, but you also want them fresh, before they would wilt,” she said. “I’ve always found that freshly opened flowers work best.”
Konz continues to paint on many items other than just canvas.
“I’ve been doing a lot of reclaimed wood. At one time, I painted on driftwood,” Konz said. “I have a lot of friends that bring me leaves and barn boards and things.”
Although Konz does some custom art, most of her creations are simply ideas that come to mind. But, she admits seeing others’ art helps inspire her, too.
“One thing just leads to another,” Konz said. “And, I’m inspired by the other vendors. Right now, I’m planning to focus more on the painted feathers, the painted leaves and the pressed flowers.”
Konz admits that non-canvas painting creates a challenge due to the unique surfaces.
“Feathers are probably the most difficult to paint on, because they move,” she said.
For Konz, creating art is only half of the fun. She truly enjoys interacting with customers at vendor events, as well as the chance to socialize with other artists. Because she stays mostly in the local area, she sees many familiar faces at the events she attends.
“We’re almost a family,” she said.
Anyone interested in Konz’s art can email her at shirleykonz@netins.net or look for her at many of the holiday and vendor events in and around Guthrie County.
Konz has advice for anyone who hasn’t yet found an artistic outlet. She pointed out that painting is an easy way to begin.
“Try it. Just jump in and do it. Acrylic is the easiest. You can do wonders with just the little bottles of acrylic paint,” she said. “You don’t have to invest a lot. My investment is the time.”
Shirley Konz shows her flower press.
Shirley Konz’s leaf art is popular at vendor fairs.
Feather art is a recent addition for Shirley Konz.
Shirley Konz makes many pressed flower art pieces.
A barn painting on a board from an old barn.
Cribbage results from Dec. 3
Special to the Times Vedette
On Dec. 3, a total of 11 players participated. Lela Schwartz and Dan Webb each got a 16; Rhonda Titus got an 18; Dick Ellis had three 16s; Frank Kearan, Sandy Rumelhart and Robert Klever each got a 20; and Dennis Betts had 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.