By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Panorama Schools Board of Directors met on Nov. 10. The board voted unanimously to approve the proposed Panorama Emergency Guide, with one change to include the area code on all phone numbers listed in the guide.

The board and Guidance Counselor Chris Webner discussed high school graduation requirements and weighted grades. No formal action was taken. Further discussion will occur at upcoming meetings.

In the Good News portion of the meeting, the board learned about three students (Mady H, Norah G and Zoey K) who auditioned in Clarinda Nov. 1 for the Southwest Iowa Middle School Honor Bands. Kudos were given to Zoey on oboe and Norah on clarinet for being selected into the Seventh Grade Band. They will represent Panorama at the festival on Nov. 14 in Denison.

As part of the consent agenda, contract recommendations approved included Emily Wedemeyer (elementary paraeducator) and Danielle Beasley (secondary paraeducator).

The board approved 12 students and three chaperones to go on the dance team trip to the State Dance Team competition Dec. 3-5 in Des Moines, as well as the senior class trip to Chicago March 30 to April 1 in Chicago. Approximately 40 students and four chaperones will participate.

The board voted to accept the bid from Last Outpost for $2,200 for the 2008 Bluebird Vision School Bus, after signage is removed from the vehicle.

Upcoming dates noted included no school Nov. 26-28 (fall break) and the next board meeting Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Immediately following the Dec. 8 meeting, a work session will be held.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting, the board went into closed session for evaluation of the superintendent.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 12, a total of 12 players participated. Dave Kading got two 16s; Sandy Rumelhart got three 16s; Allen Pierce, Dennis Betts, Dan Webb and Lela Schwartz all got a 16; Wayne Nickel got a 20; and Robert Klever got a 20 and 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.

Barb Hansen, Dennis Hoover and Sharon Riley

Members of the Perry Iowa Piecemaker Quilts of Valor presented at the Guthrie Center American Legion Chili and Oyster Stew Dinner on Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Guthrie Center

Barb Hansen and Sharon Riley asked those in attendance to help them reach the veterans in the area by nominating them for the Quilt of Valor award.

A Quilt of Valor is awarded to veterans to honor them for serving in times of war or peace. Each recipient is registered in a national data base. Since 2003, 424,000 veterans have been registered. There are 760 groups throughout the United States making the awards. The Perry Piecemakers joined the Quilts of Valor Foundation in November 2022.

To donate to the Quilts of Valor project, send a check to the foundation office in Winterset. Checks should be made out to Quilts of Valor Foundation and sent to Quilts of Valor Foundation, P.O. Box 191 Winterset, IA 50273. Note Perry, Iowa Piecemakers Quilts of Valor, PIPQOV, #87243 on the check, and the funds will go directly to the guild.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Mike Downing was named the American Legion Post 124 Legionnaire of the Year at the American Legion Chili and Oyster Stew Dinner Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the American Legion Hall. 

Downing was not able to attend the event and personally accept the award, but he offered a letter to be read, noting that he has been a Legion member for 56 years. 

“My brother, Dean, bought my membership when I came back from overseas the second time in December of 1969 for a Christmas present,” he shared. 

Downing served in the Air Force for four years from January 1967 though January 1971. He was an air crew egress systems specialist and worked on ejection seats in B52 bombers and other aircraft. 

He noted how he did not stay in one place a long time.

“I started in Lackland, San Antonio, Texas, then to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois. Then to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. That was first year, then went temporary duty to U-Tapao, Thailand, for six months. Went back to Ellsworth, South Dakota, then got orders to go to Udorn, Thailand, for a year PCS (Permanent Change of Station), but first went to George AFB Victorville, California, for three months to cross train to F4 phantoms.”

He then went to Udorn, Thailand, and was put in DET 1 SOW (Special Operation Wing), a part of Air America working on old prop trainers, T28s.

“These were used by us, and we trained Laotians to fly. These were old planes, so we installed all seats and explosives so they would have ejection seats. In the meantime, I went down to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, to work on A1Es, another old prop airplane. These planes were used to bomb and attack on Ho Chi Minh Trail. They could go down low and slow and had power to pull up and drop bombs in side of hills and also fire into the hills. They were around 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower. Needless to say, many never made it back.

Downing said he went back to Udorn, Thailand, for the rest of his tour.

“I got to see a lot of places and met a lot of people,” he stated.

In year four, he went to Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, and worked on RF4C phantoms. He also had two temporary duties to Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. He was discharged Jan. 15, 1971, as a staff sergeant.

“I am proud of my service to this great country but was glad to be a civilian again,” Downing said. “I want to thank the Legion Post for the Honorary Life Member award that they gave me last year. I really appreciate it. Again, thank you for the honor to be chosen Legionnaire of the Year.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Veterans Day, Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center was decorated with a brilliant display of American flags to honor all who have served our country.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center American Legion Chili and Oyster Stew Dinner was held Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 5-7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 507 State St. in Guthrie Center. Veterans were able to eat for free, and other members of the public were invited for a free will offering.

Mel Sheley

Darby Hall

Rick Baier

Dwight Dinkla, Ron Masek and Gary Rees

Scott and Annie Gonzales