By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
An annual tradition at ACGC schools is the elementary school’s track and field day. Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Elementary schools each organized a fun day at the track celebrating the completion of another school year.
A photo finish in lanes 5 and 7.
Girls race to the finish.
A beautiful morning at the track for kids and parents.
Boys push hard in the 50-meter dash.
Special to the Times Vedette
In honor of Memorial Day and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Iowa artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II is once again repainting the original Freedom Rock near Menlo, Iowa. The massive 12-foot-tall boulder, estimated at 60 to 90 tons, serves as a yearly tribute to America’s veterans, military history, and those who sacrificed in service to our nation.
Now entering its 28th repainting, this year’s Freedom Rock reflects several major anniversaries and themes of remembrance, patriotism and heroism.
The road-facing front side of the rock serves as a tribute to America 250, featuring several U.S. Presidents who also served in the military, including George Washington crossing the Delaware, alongside Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.
The south side commemorates the 165th anniversary of the Medal of Honor, recognizing several recipients of the nation’s highest military award for valor. Sorensen is also using this year’s unveiling to help promote his expanding Medal of Honor Murals Project, a large-scale public art initiative honoring Medal of Honor recipients through monumental mural installations across the country.
The east side honors the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, remembering both the lives lost and the unity and resolve that followed one of the darkest days in American history.
The north side includes another Medal of Honor tribute, along with the iconic Huey helicopter that has become a recurring symbol on the original Freedom Rock. The Huey artwork contains the ashes of more than 175 Vietnam veterans mixed into the paint — a deeply personal and symbolic memorial honoring those who served during the Vietnam War.
Also featured on the north side are tributes to the four Iowa service members lost in the line of duty over the past year, ensuring their sacrifice and memory are permanently honored on the rock.
Sorensen is not commissioned for his work on the original Freedom Rock in Menlo and continues the project independently while operating Sorensen Studios alongside his wife, Maria.
In addition to completing the Iowa Freedom Rock Tour, Sorensen continues work on the 50 State
Freedom Rock Tour and other large-scale memorial and mural projects across the country.
“I always say I have three goals with The Freedom Rock Tour,” Sorensen said. “Honor our veterans, promote tourism, and provide for my family.”
Sorensen’s children continue to help with portions of the project each year, carrying on a family tradition that has become part of the story behind the original Freedom Rock.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by over Memorial Day weekend. On Memorial Day at 1 p.m., Sorensen will once again mix the ashes of veterans into the paint during a special remembrance moment at the rock.
A mix of merchandise will also be available to help offset costs associated with maintaining the original Freedom Rock project.
The original Freedom Rock is located at Exit 86 off Interstate 80 on Highway 25 near Menlo, Iowa. For additional information about the Freedom Rock® Tour, visit www.TheFreedomRock.com.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Times Vedette from now until July will include details on the planning and offerings for RAGBRAI’s time in Guthrie County. Today’s update focuses on the entertainment schedule in Guthrie Center on Monday, July 20.
Four bands are booked to entertain the thousands of locals and visitors that will be in Guthrie Center on Monday, July 20. The downtown area (State Street and side streets) will be the location of most of the vendors and entertainment.
Jesse & the Hillbilly Air Show is central Iowa’s classic country band. The band has played at many events all around the area. Band members include local musician Brick Imerman.
Weary Ramblers is a newly formed duo, featuring Kathryn Fox and Guthrie Center graduate Chad Elliott. Their multi-instrumental performances, tight harmonies and storytelling led them to become winners of the 2026 International Blues Challenge.
The Nadas is a Des Moines-area folk-Americana act that plays a distinctive sound described as “the 1970s meet the 1990s.” The group has been performing for more than three decades and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
GIMIKK is billed as Des Moines’ party band. As champions of the 2025 Prairie Meadows “Battle of the Bands,” they have the hardware to prove it. GIMIKK rocks with powerful performances of familiar hits including songs by .38 Special, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Guns N Roses, KISS, and many more.
More information on these entertainment acts and most anything RAGBRAI-related, visit www.guthriecenterragbrai.com.
GIMIKK
Jesse & the Hillbilly Air Show
The Nadas
Weary Ramblers
Special to the Times Vedette
On May 13, Panorama Secondary Principal Thad Stanley, a 1996 Panorama graduate, arrived at senior awards night in the same car he drove in high school. The early 1990s Ford Mustang, paired with a blue suit, turned into an impromptu senior-style photo shoot outside Panorama Secondary School. Photo by Betty Cooper.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On May 21, a soft opening was held at the Sweet Escape in Panora. The ice cream shop is located in the strip mall at 613 East Main St. A limited menu was offered during the soft opening, but many hungry customers came in to try a cone, sundae, dirty soda, bubbler or float.
More information on the business can be found on the Sweet Escape Ice Cream Shop page on Facebook.
By Morgan Sheeder | Times Vedette
Iowa governor candidate Adam Steen will visit the Owl’s Nest at 124 W. Main St. in Panora on May 31 at noon. The public is invited to this meet and greet event, which is part of Steen’s “Full Steen Ahead” tour.
With just over two weeks until the June 2 primary, the “Full Steen Ahead” tour will visit 30 cities in 13 days. Steen will visit locally owned restaurants, chat with locals, and answer questions about his campaign.
The tour began on May 20 in Cedar Rapids and will conclude on June 2 in Clive. Each stop of Steen’s tour includes a speech, a question-and-answer session, and a meet and greet.