By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Nov. 17 meeting of the Adair-Casey School Board, Patrick Davis of Denovo reported on the findings of the district’s recently completed facility assessment. The assessment included all district buildings, bus barn, daycare and athletic facilities. He explained the findings of areas suggested for improvements as well as areas of “celebration” for the things Denovo noted as strengths.

The main suggested improvements were in the categories of security and accessibility. Davis shared some ways that entryways and locks could be changed to enhance security. He also told of ramps and bathrooms that are not considered ADA-compliant. But, Davis said the findings are only recommendations.

“None of this is stuff you have to do,” Davis said.

“Sounds like we can maybe take a couple weeks to digest what’s in front of us,” Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said.

The board chose to take no formal action at this time so board members could take time to thoroughly review the report.

Principal Ed Den Beste reported on strong participation numbers for the recent parent-teacher conferences.

Den Beste also spoke about a recent educational program on the dangers of human trafficking. He said although the material was “not easy to watch,” the feedback was that the message was well received by students and adults.

Rasmussen spoke of the ways in which cell phones can be misused by those involved in human trafficking.

“That cell phone is access for you and your kid to the world wide web. The scary part about that is it gives the world access to your kid,” Rasmussen said.

Board member Randy Carney asked that the proposed payment to Snyder and Associates be pulled out from the other bills payable in the Consent Items portion of the agenda. He voiced concerns about areas on the recently completed roofing project that still appear to need work. That payment was tabled. The remaining Consent Items were approved.

Den Beste reported good attendance at the recent veterans breakfast with 10 veterans and about 30 family members participating.

The board approved purchasing 90 hurdles from Danco for the track and field teams at $140 each.

Upcoming dates noted included the Nov. 19-21 IASB School Board Convention.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be an organizational and regular meeting of the Adair-Casey School Board on Monday, Dec. 15. The public is welcome.

Submitted by Barb Rees Bachman, secretary/treasurer, Monteith City Council

Editor’s note: Monteith is an unincorporated community in Guthrie County. Residents in or around the area gather monthly to share updates on projects and celebrate milestones. Following are the “minutes” from the affectionally named “Monteith City Council Meeting.” We are pleased to publish these as submitted.  

Mayor J.D. Kuster started the meeting by leading with Pledge of Allegiance.

Birthdays

• Jeff Derry

Anniversaries

• Mike Dideriksen and Carrie Dideriksen — 8 years

Upcoming events

• Sunday, Nov. 16. Decorate the Monteith Cemetery and Guthrie City Park 1:30 p.m. Meet at Bachmans.
• Friday, Nov. 28. Zoning commission, 1 p.m.
• Date and Time TBD. Park and Rec making Christmas Cards for three nursing homes.
• Tuesday, Dec. 16. Christmas Meeting and Dinner at Monteith Event Center 6 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 26. Zoning Commission, 1 p.m.

Old news report

Vanessa Branson reported that Park and Rec did 155 Thanksgiving cards for nursing homes. Also that Jim Smith is doing better. Please keep Jim and Dee in your prayers. Rich Bachman, Barry Branson and Jeff Derry picked out a rock for the Monteith City Park to replace the tree that was taken down. Rich and Barry later took the rock up to park. Rich and Barry then looked over the stored Christmas decorations and determined that we do not need to do any repairs or painting at this time.

Discussion of the following topics

Plaque for Rock. We determined we want to just put Monteith on the plaque and established date. Vanessa Branson is going to get a couple of quotes for the plaque.

Monteith sign on the east side is in need of repair. Jeff Derry and Natalie Derry are going to get a couple of quotes. Carrie Dideriksen is going to seek some area grants.

Christmas Meeting/Dinner Dec. 16. We decided to have a meal to be held at the Monteith Event Center. 6 p.m.

So far this is what some of our members are bringing.

• Vanessa Branson — ham balls
• Barb Rees Bachman — potatoes and rolls
• Carrie Dideriksen — dessert
• Natalie Derry — vegies
• Deanne Sewell Sheley — green bean casserole and strawberry pretzel dessert

After dinner, we will play games.

It was decided that instead of a gift exchange, we will Adopt a Family for Christmas. We will shop for them, and it was suggested that we get them a gift card to Hometown Foods for a very special Christmas dinner.  I’m sure we can pull it off and make some family a very merry and blessed Christmas.

We had a very successful meeting, and feel we got a lot accomplished. Oh, we did have fun, too, and had some great food as always. Highlight of the evening was all of us getting to witness the Northern Lights. Gorgeous! Many great photos were taken and shared.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 14, Robert Klever got two 16s; Roy Carl got a 16 and a 17; Dan Webb got a 16; Rhonda Titus got a 16 and a 20; Lela Schwartz got a 17; and Allen Pierce got two 16s.

On Nov. 17, a total of eight players participated. Dave Richter got a 16; Rhonda Titus had a 16, 21, 21 and 16; Dennis Betts got a 16; and Chet Vaughan had a 17 and a 20.

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.

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The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) invites cattle producers and industry supporters to attend the 2025 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention being held Dec. 16 at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona.

The Iowa Cattle Industry Convention offers an excellent opportunity for both those just starting out and those with years of experience to come together, network and learn.

Following a successful event last year, ICA is excited to continue that momentum and has added to the educational value of this year’s event. Beyond the keynote, participants will have more than nine sessions to choose from, allowing them to customize their learning experience to best fit their needs.

This year, ICA looks welcomes Kevin Good with CattleFax to provide the keynote, Industry Situation Update and Outlook, where he will bring his more than 30 years of experience with CattleFax to share insights on the ever-changing global marketplace of the beef cattle industry.

Additionally, Classrooms to Cattle, an opportunity for the next generation of the industry to get involved in the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, has been added. Juniors, seniors and college students interested in the cattle industry can attend a special educational track designed to help those getting their start in the industry. Students can attend complementary, thanks to support from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and Farm Credit Services. Space is limited.

Connection is key, and ICA has worked in a variety of networking opportunities. Guests will not want to miss out on our beef pairing experience, industry social and entertainment. The tradeshow is nearly sold out and will have more than 30 industry partners on-site to share their products and services. For entertainment, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Auction will return. There will be many items to choose from with all proceeds supporting youth and other programs offered by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Plan to stick around afterwards for live entertainment from Neil Hewitt.

ICA will host its annual meeting during the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention. Most of the policy development work was completed during the ICA Policy Summit this past September, which created time for additional educational opportunities at this year’s convention. However, during the annual meeting, voting and ratifying the policy recommendations from the Policy Summit will occur.

“I want to encourage all members and those considering membership with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to attend this year’s Iowa Cattle Industry Convention to get a firsthand look at the value of our association,” Bryan Whaley, ICA CEO, said. “We know this is a busy time of year, but your investment of time at the convention will be well spent. Not only does this event provide educational sessions that offer something for everyone, but the industry connections are key. We are excited about the enhanced learning opportunities at this year’s event and building on the success of last year.”

Registration and additional event details can be found at https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-convention.

Special to the Times Vedette

Tamber from Guthrie Center attended her first art class at Art on State last week. Classes are held on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org or call 641-332-2267.

Panora EMS Director John DeLevergne, Matt Harmann and Panora EMS President Ryan Recker.

Special to the Times Vedette

At the Panora EMS meeting on Thursday evening, Matt Harmann was honored with a wooden plaque to recognize his 25 years in the department. Harmann joined as a volunteer in 2000 and is now retiring from the department as an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT). Harmann has had held officers positions and was instrumental in the hiring of the first paid paramedic in 2005.

“He was one of the few that ran call after call, putting his business and life aside to make sure we could keep growing and moving forward to continue to hire paid employees,” Panora EMS President Ryan Recker said. “A wooden plaque isn’t at all near enough to thank him for his years of selfless dedication to Panora EMS and this community. You can still find Matt being our fire chief, and, of course, you know him now as Sheriff Harmann.”