By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Most families have an item that simply MUST be on the table during the holidays. The December issues of Guthrie Center Times and Panora Times will feature some of these favorite holiday recipes. If your family has such a recipe, submit it to rich@iowalivingmagazines.com.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Monday, Nov. 24, The New Homestead (2306 State St. in Guthrie Center) will hold a “Happy Trails” retirement party for longtime staff members Deb Coffman and Don Lake. The event will be 2-4 p.m., and the public is welcome.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Panora town square and gazebo to see the lighted decorations at the town square and to start spreading holiday cheer.
Reshape Fitness Studio’s sixth annual Turkey Trot 3-mile walk/run will be held Thanksgiving morning at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held at Twin Vines (2821 Highway 44)on an all-terrain course offering panoramic views of Guthrie County. Registration costs $40 through Nov. 22. After that, registration will cost $45. Pre-registered entrants will receive turkey swag. To pre-register, go to www.getmeregistered.com and search for “Panora.”
Guthrie Center’s lighted Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. Anyone interested in having an entry in the parade is asked to contact the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce. Parade lineup begins at 5:15 p.m. at the courthouse.
The 48th annual Panora Holiday Boutique will be Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Panora Community Center. More than 50 vendors and crafters are expected.
On Friday, Dec. 5, a silent auction fundraiser will be held at The New Homestead (2306 State St.). Bidding will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8:30-11 a.m., a freewill donation pancake breakfast will be held at the Panora Community Center (115 W. Main). The Camp Candycane craft event will be 9-10:30 a.m.
Celebrate winter in Redfield on Dec. 6 at West Central Valley Middle School. A craft fair, silent auction and cookie walk run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids shop for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Santa visits at 1 p.m. Then head over to Legion Hall and City Park for the lighting. The chili competition drop-off is at 3:30 p.m. with the judging beginning at 4 p.m. The tree and holiday display and lighting of the park occurs at 5 p.m. The chili feed runs from 5-7 p.m. for a free will donation. At 6:30 p.m., the silent auction ends. At 7 p.m., the lighted parade begins.
Submit your event information to rich@iowalivingmagazines.com.
Karen Onken, Candi Thompson, Joanne Huggins, Pam Godwin and Pat Meacham. Front row: Kristi Holtz, Jayanna Corbin, Nancy Smith and Ellen Campbell. Missing Sheri Geopferts and Jean Feller.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Quilts and other items donated by Stitch & Chatter.
Members of the sewing group were recognized including Mary Morgan, Nancy Smith, Deb Louk, Jean Feller, Pam Godwin, Pat Meacham, Candi Thompson, Joanne Huggins, Cheri Geopfert, Jayanna Corbin, Rowena Storesund, Karen Kirsbaum, Cindi Shook, Kristi Holtz, Karen Onken, Linda Menefee, Ilene Olson, Cheryl Wimmer and Marilyn Duke.
Member Ellen Campbell noted that the group gratefully received funds from the Women’s Service Organization (WSO), Women For Panora’s Future (WFPF), and Guthrie County Community Foundation.
Groups receiving items from Stitch & Chatter included “Three Cs,” New Opportunities, Hope Ministries, Country View Estates, HOPES (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success), Guthrie County Babies, Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department, and the Men’s Homeless Shelter on the south side of Des Moines.
Campbell shared an invitation for anyone to join Stitch & Chatter.
“If you think you would like to sew with us, just stop by on any Tuesday or Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can sew a straight line, you can sew a quilt. We will help you get started. It is fun to just get together for fellowship. Also, we accept fabric to help make these quilts,” Campbell said.
Kris Langgaard and Adam Franzeen are sworn in by Brandy Rudy.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Nov. 19 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center School Board, the board members discussed a bid for replacement of the front stairs outside the high school. Superintendent Josh Rasmussen reported on the expected scope of the project. The ground around and under the stairs has been partially washed away, so the extent and cause of that may complicate the project.
“I’ve been working with Steven at Denovo,” Rasmussen said. “There’s a lot of undermining that was going on there… When they scoped it, they ran into some stuff and couldn’t get all the way through.”
Rasmussen said Denovo therefore added some contingency into the bid.
“I think it’s around $125,000. If there’s something wrong, they’ll have to fix it,” Rasmussen said. He stated the project could be completed in December, but the weather forecast makes that unlikely due to cold temperatures expected.
The board discussed the option of waiting until spring and again seeking bids, in hopes of finding a less expensive option.
“I don’t want to rush the project just to get a mediocre result,” Matt Van Meter said.
“This might be as cheap as possible, right now,” Rasmussen said. “My opinion is, you get it done,” Rasmussen said.
The board voted to accept the bid with the understanding the project will be done as weather allows, which may be in the spring of 2026.
Outgoing board member Brian Sheeder was thanked for his service. Newly elected member Adam Franzeen and re-elected member Kris Langgaard were sworn in.
The board held its annual organizational meeting. Tate Stetzel was voted board president with Kris Langgaard vice-president.
Rasmussen talked about ACGC’s recent screening of the film “GridShock,” which describes the dangers of human trafficking. He said the film is “very tough to listen to,” but said the feedback from viewers has been that the message is important and strongly presented. Rasmussen said the film will be shown at Panorama Schools, so anyone interested in seeing it still can attend.
The board discussed the Guthrie Center Elementary playground. Van Meter and Stetzel agreed that although some repair is currently needed, the playground could likely continue to be used for years if some lumber is replaced. The board consensus was to make the repairs and fundraise for eventual replacement.
The board approved purchasing a Toro lawn mower from Panora NAPA for $9,341 after trade-in.
The board’s next regular meeting is set for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the high school. The public is welcome.
Superintendent Rasmussen thanks Brian Sheeder for his time on the board.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Oct. 25, nine ACGC vocalists traveled to Atlantic High School to audition for spots in the 2025 Iowa All State Music Festival.
ACGC Vocal Director Kelsey Dinkla shared her pride in the hard work the students did to prepare and perform.
“Allison Drake earned her very first soprano recall. Rohnin Grasty earned a recall and was selected as a bass alternate. This is his second year earning All State honors. Carter Dinkla survived another tenor recall and was selected for his second year as an All Stater. Natalie Dinkla, alto, was selected outright,” Dinkla said.
The All-State Music Festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 in Ames.
Caydence Boals, Tanner Downing, Stetson Ellis and Montana Douglas
Natalie Dinkla, Rohnin Grasty, Carter Dinkla and Allison Drake
Austin Barron
Carter Dinkla, Rohnin Grasty and Natalie Dinkla
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Nov. 18 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, Conservation Director Brad Halterman summarized the department’s 2024-2025 annual report.
“We had an average to above-average camping season,” Halterman said. “As far as fiscal, it was a good year.”
Halterman shared information on current and planned projects.
“One of the highlights, as far as the Raccoon Valley River Trail, within the last year we were able to secure a little over $2 million on that $4.8 million grant project,” Halterman said.
The board approved the report as presented.
The board then went into a closed session to discuss matters regarding the Law Enforcement Center.
The supervisors meet regularly on 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#