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A RAGBRAI view from the air

Photos by Willis Sheeder | Special to the Times Vedette

Local photographer Willis Sheeder used his drone camera to capture these aerial images of RAGBRAI participants. Warm weather was a challenge, and an evening thunderstorm created even more difficulties for the cyclists and their crews. 

The ACGC High School and grounds, with the exception of the fields, were filled with tents and campers on Monday.

RAGBRAI tents were lined up in near perfect order at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds on July 20.

RVs and support vehicles were parked throughout the Guthrie County Fairgrounds for RAGBRAI participants on Monday.

State Street was taking shape on Monday afternoon in preparation of the evening activities for RAGBRI, including the concerts.

 

Guthrie County to seek private auditing options

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the July 21 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Auditor Dani Fink discussed the option of contracting with a private auditing firm (rather than the State) to fulfill the requirement for the county to have an annual financial audit.

Fink said she was contacted by a firm that is used by Ringgold and several other counties. She also said she will check into the audit requirements before making any contractual efforts but asked the supervisors’ directions on whether to put out an RFP (Request for Proposals) from private firms available to perform Guthrie County’s annual audit.

“As expensive as the State is getting now, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t look at this now,” Supervisor Mike Dickson said. He added his suggestion to make sure any private firm that may be selected would be prompt and responsive in communications.

Supervisor Brian Johnson voiced his support for Fink’s idea.

“If we look at an outside auditor, I’d rather write an RFP that could be put out there for anybody to respond to, including these folks,” Johnson said.

Fink noted that currently, the county is not under a contract for an audit, so this would be a convenient time to seek options. The next audit will be performed in 2027. She added that relatively few firms are offering to take on auditing for governmental bodies, but she will check into the requirements and begin the process of creating an RFP.

Supervisor Steve Smith noted that RAGBRAI’s visit to Guthrie County seems to have gone fairly smoothly so far.

No citizens addressed the supervisors during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

Outdoor mass at Lake Panorama’s Boulder Beach on Sunday draws crowd of 267

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Catholic parishes of St. Mary’s (Guthrie Center), St. Patrick’s (Bayard) and St. Cecilia’s (Panora) held an outdoor mass at Boulder Beach at Lake Panorama starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sundy. A lunch, hosted by the Panora Knight of Columbus, was held after the service. A crowd of 267 was counted. This was the fourth year of the outdoor mass celebration. 

A total of 267 people were counted at the outdoor mass at Boulder Beach at Lake Panorama on Sunday, July 19.

The choir performed songs during the service.

Father Ray Higgins led the mass.

Father Ray Higgins blesses the host while Deacon Dennis Patrick helps to prepare the communion service.

Father Ray Higgins serves communion to those in attendance at Boulder Beach on Sunday.

Cribbage results from July 17

Special to the Times Vedette

On July 17, a total of 15 players participated. Dan Webb, Sandy Rumelhart and Roy Carl each got a 16; Chet Vaughan got a 17; Lela Schwartz got a 16 and a 17; Rhonda Titus got a 16 and a 20; and Dave Richter got two 24s.

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.

Warren Cultural Center presents ‘Remnants: Piecing Together Memories from the Fair’

Special to the Times Vedette

The Warren Cultural Center presents Remnants: Piecing Together Memories from the Fair,” a solo exhibit of artwork created from vintage ceiling tiles salvaged from the Iowa State Fair.

In the exhibit, Greenfield resident Deb Houghtaling presents 60 pieces of wall art showing a variety of metalworking and basic woodworking techniques using the salvaged tin and mostly upcycled materials. The tin was purchased last fall at an Iowa State Fair Auction, and while it’s been confirmed that the tiles were salvaged from one of the buildings at the fairgrounds, it’s not clear which one (possibly the Women and Children’s Building which was torn down in the 1980s).

“As someone who has a lifetime of memories from the Iowa State Fair, it’s amazing to think that this tin was part of the fair’s history,” Houghtaling said. “I like the idea that the pieces I create with this metal all have special significance because of that.”

After taking one Chicago Park District metalsmithing class years ago, Houghtaling is a mostly self-taught artist. Her favorite technique is using materials that often would be considered trash and transforming them into wall art, décor or jewelry.

“Working with salvaged and upcycled materials is always a study in ‘figuring it out as you go,’ and this exhibit was no different,” said Houghtaling.

This exhibit is dedicated to her late dad, Bob Houghtaling, who exhibited at the State Fair starting in the 1950s, and her mom, Lois, who provided tireless behind-the-scenes work to make decades of fair visits and memories possible. A portion of the sales from this exhibit will be donated to the Blue Ribbon Foundation in her dad’s name to ensure new generations continue to have the opportunity to make memories at the Iowa State Fair.

The exhibit will run through Aug. 31 and all artwork is for sale through Ed & Eva’s. A reception is planned for Thursday, Aug. 6 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Warren Cultural Center gallery where Christmas items made from the State Fair tin will be introduced to the exhibit. The reception coincides with the Greenfield Farmer’s Market which has a Taste of the State Fair theme that week with fair food items and 4-H and FFA participants displaying their state fair qualifying projects.

 

About The Warren Cultural Center

The Warren Cultural Center opened its doors in Spring 2012 in the restored 1896 Warren Opera House Building on the town square in Greenfield. The Opera House, with its landmark turret, was restored to its original glory after decades of disuse, featuring a multi-purpose auditorium. The Cultural Center also includes Ed & Eva’s retail store, selling the wide-ranging works of Iowa artisans; lobby/gallery space, displaying rotating exhibits; historic meeting rooms and a balcony bedroom suite. Information about the Center and events there is available at www.warrenculturalcenter.com.

Royal Neighbors of America meets July 11

Special to the Times Vedette

The Royal Neighbors of America met on July 11 for their quarterly meeting. A summary of the Old Business was given along with New Business. The schedule for delivering the Meals on Wheels was finalized, and working the Panora Food Bank was noted. Blood Bank will be in town Aug. 13, and cookie bakers were secured. Motions were made and approved to again furnish school supplies to the three elementary schools and purchase backpacks for the New Opportunities. Next meeting will be Oct. 10.