Ashley Smith welcomes anyone to experience a massage.

Ashley Smith specializes in therapeutic massage.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, August 2025

Ashley Smith, owner and operator at Main Street Stop in Adair has the knowledge and experience to help with many aches and pains.

“I do massage therapy; I specialize in therapeutic massage, for people who may have pain, migraines, tingling back or arms, lower back pain,” Smith said. “I also do Swedish massage, which is more of a relaxing massage, and I also offer prenatal massage.”

Prior to opening her shop in Adair, Smith worked many years in other communities.

“Aug. 6 of 2012 is when I first opened my business in Waukee. I worked there in Waukee for a year and then eight years in Clive. I also opened in Atlantic, so I was driving between Atlantic and Clive for a while,” Smith said. “I bought this shop in 2020, and then in 2022 was when I was finally able to open up here. This was a Mexican restaurant before I bought it, so we had to take everything down to the studs. There was a lot to do here.”

Opening a massage therapy salon during the COVID pandemic was obviously a major setback, but Smith weathered that storm and is happy for much more favorable business conditions now.

Since opening in Adair, Smith has chosen to cut back on traveling.

“I went fulltime here in 2023 and closed my other locations,” she said.

That change has allowed Smith to focus on family and the Adair community. 

“I have three kids and my husband, Jared, has three kids,” Smith said. The kids include Javin (20), Addison (18), Valia (13), Ari (10), Lexie (10) and Neela (9).

Smith also serves as president of the Adair Chamber of Commerce and coaches youth softball. She said she is proud to be helping the Adair community thrive and grow.

Smith’s building houses two other businesses. 

“I have an aesthetician (skincare specialist) in the building, too. She’s able to do facials, microderm abrasion, waxing and other services,” Smith said. 

This summer, all downtown businesses in Adair have faced a challenge due to the major street renovation on Audubon Street. Because of this, most downtown businesses have welcomed customers through their back doors. At Smith’s Main Street Stop, that means customers come in past the tattoo artist’s shop (White Trash Tattoo) before arriving at Smith’s business. The street project is expected to be completed later this fall.

Smith welcomes anyone to come in and discuss what she can offer to help with various conditions. She encourages customers to view her massage services as a way to keep bigger issues from occurring. She drew a comparison to regular oil changes for a vehicle. She says it is something that, if done regularly, “helps keep everything running smoothly.” Smith said for any individual, the frequency of massage will be determined by many factors, but she noted that many clients enjoy returning every four to six weeks, on average. Smith also stresses that massage can be beneficial for anyone, young or old.

“I’ve worked with all ages. I’ve worked with babies, and I think, right now, my oldest client is 96,” Smith said.

Smith offers sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 120 minutes in length. 

“I always tell people who are new to it, ‘Try a half-hour. If you like that, we can do 45 minutes the next time,’” Smith said. She added that her philosophy is that the clients should speak up regarding what they prefer. 

Those interested in booking an appointment can do so via the shop’s Facebook page or by calling or texting Smith directly at 641-745-9095. Her usual hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but she also schedules some appointments on Saturdays as needed.

“It’s your massage, not mine,” Smith said. “There are many different modalities, deep tissue, reflexology and other things. I don’t charge extra for those. I try to treat my clients as if they’re my family members.” 

Conservation Board Member Kristen Crouthamel, Conservation Director Brad Halterman, and Park Ranger Brandon Caldwell show the trail signage.

A story sign brings fun and literacy to the trail.

Approximately 50 people of all ages gathered on Aug. 19 for Panora’s Story Walk to celebrate the new Story Walk signs installed along the trail. The signs are designed to encourages physical activity and to help young minds learn to read.

Attendees gather before the walk begins.

Camp participants and leaders pause for a group photo.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The eighth annual ACGC football youth camp recently finished. Nearly 100 young athletes were led by members of the current ACGC Chargers varsity team. Participants learned skills at various offensive and defensive stations.

Young athletes go through drills led by varsity Chargers.

Rob Sand, Democrat candidate for Iowa Governor, addresses a crowd at the Guthrie Center Library.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

A standing-room-only crowd estimated at 80 packed into the Guthrie Center Library on Aug. 19 to hear Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for Iowa Governor. Prior to the town hall, Sand sat with members of the local press to answer questions.

When asked about the reason for and timing of his candidacy, Sand spoke of his time as State Auditor and a recent change related to the Auditor’s access to records.

“They passed a law allowing state government to hide waste and abuse from the Auditor’s office. So, I’m not particularly inclined to continue being State Auditor when we can be told that we can’t dig in on an important issue,” Sand said. “But it also makes it that much more important that we have new leadership, because who on Earth, in their right mind, would vote for or sign a law like that? Every single government watchdog in America, as well as the auditing profession, said this law will increase waste, fraud and abuse of tax dollars. They made it the law anyway. Time to change.”

When asked how he would approach a strong Republican majority in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate if he becomes governor, Sand smiled.

“Joyfully. I have no problem working with people I disagree with,” Sand said. “I think actually, a structure that forces both parties to work together would get better results. I couldn’t do much without them, and they couldn’t do much without me, so we’d have to meet in the middle.”

Sand was asked how he would reach the large number of eligible voters who do not choose to vote.

“A lot of people who aren’t voters, aren’t voters because they think the system is broken. I agree with them,” Sand said. “I’m not really interested in right versus left. I’m focused on right versus wrong. And the idea is not to have Iowa be redder or bluer, but better and truer. That resonates with people, and I’ve had people come up and tell me, ‘I’ve never voted in my life, but I’m going to vote for you because of that message.’ ”

Asked about what he enjoys away from work, the Decorah native talked about his family (wife, Christine, and two sons) and his love of the outdoors.

“My favorite hobby is bow hunting. Every year, it recenters me, grounds me, gives me a great deal of enjoyment just being out in the woods by myself,” Sand said.

Special to the Times Vedette

Tori’s Angels Foundation will hold its annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. This year, the theme is “Angels Under the Big Top,” and the event is shaping up to be exciting and fun.

A live auction and silent auction will be held, and attendees will hear from several Tori’s Angels families including its namesake, Tori Heckman. Many people have followed Tori’s journey through the years, and event organizers say the fact that she has “graduated” from being a supported child in the organization illustrates her fighting spirit. Organizers also say she is a living testament to what can happen with superior medical care and community support.

“Our mission is to help Iowa families who have a child with a life-threatening illness or condition,” Julie Dent-Zajicek, president of Tori’s Angels Foundation, says. “Among other services, our 501c3 non-profit organization provides financial support by paying for medical expenses that insurance does not cover, including insurance co-pays, deductibles, travel costs to obtain medical treatment and more.” 

This assistance relieves some of the financial burden associated with having a child who needs help and allows families to seek the best available care for their child anywhere in the country.

Tori’s Angels Foundation began in 2011 and has helped 186 families since that time. It continues to add 25 to 30 children each year, which organizers say is both good and bad.

“It is sad that so many Iowa children have life-threatening illnesses, but it is gratifying to know that Tori’s Angels Foundation is ready and available to help them,” Dent-Zajicek says.

This growing need means fundraising is critical to the long-range success and solvency of the organization, and the fall gala is the organization’s biggest event of the year. Individual tickets are $125 each and tables of eight can be purchased for $1,000. Availability is limited. Call JoAnn Alumbaugh at 641-431-0257 or email her at joann.alumbaugh@gmail.comto reserve your spot today.

“We are so appreciative of the generous donations that individuals and businesses in our local communities have given us in the past,” Alumbaugh says. “We look forward to seeing many of you on Sept. 13, and we thank you for your continued support.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

A community drive-through meal will be held Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 4-7 p.m. at Riverside Park in Guthrie Center (on School Street, near the high school).  All proceeds will be split between the families of Haeleigh Busse and Alison Herron. The meal will include choice of hamburger or hot dog with chips and a cookie. A freewill donation of $10 per meal is suggested.