By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the meeting of the Panora city council on June 23, City Administrator Lisa Grossman said Panora’s recent “downtown forum” was well attended and went smoothly.

“I thought it was really good, and we got some perspectives from other towns around,” Councilmember Roger Dorr added.

Dorr said he heard many positive comments about Panora, and the only constructive criticism he heard was that Panora’s crosswalks could be repainted for better visibility. Grossman said the city plans to repaint the crosswalks with large white rectangles to help with the visibility.

The council approved Resolution 25-26 to allow alcoholic canned beverages in designated areas for Panorama Days.

“Pretty much the same as last year,” Dorr said.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, Joann Smith addressed the council, asking if she could put two trees into the parkway at her property. She listed the requirements according to the city’s ordinance and explained that what she is requesting would follow all of the city’s specifications.

“I believe I meet all of those qualifications. I know you guys like trees,” Smith said.

Smith also said there are few trees remaining on the street where she lives. Mayor Curt Thornberry explained that the council only takes formal action on agenda items, so her request would not be formally considered at this time, but he thanked her for explaining her request.

The council considered Resolution 25-25 to approve a pay change for Masin Shearer due to completion of his six-month probationary period. The resolution would increase his hourly pay from $24 to $26. Doug Long reported there have been no concerns with Shearer’s work performance, and the resolution was passed.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

Seated: Ellen Campbell and Nancy Smith. Back row: Karen Onken, Cindy Shook, Ilene Olson, Deb Louk, Cheri Geopfert, Candi Thompson, Rowena Storesund, Karen Kirshbaum and Kristi Holtz. Absent: Jayana Corbin, Pam Godwin, Jean Feller and Joanne Huggin.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The local Stitch and Chatter quilting group continues to work at creating beautiful quilts and related items to donate to various causes in the area. The group recently adopted a logo, which was created by Amber Godwin Carstens. T & K Designs printed the logo onto T-shirts for the members to wear.

Members of Stitch and Chatter meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Panora First Christian Church basement (102 E. Church St.), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The group welcomes anyone to come just to visit or to join them.

The group donates quilts to the local 3Cs (Children’s Clothes Closet) group every November but also gives to other worthy causes, including Fresenius Kidney Care Clinic (for dialysis patients).

Cheri Geopfert works on a quilt.

Nancy Smith and Deb Louk are quilting by hand.

Karen Onken creates a beautiful quilt.

Karen Kirshbaum and Rowena Storesund

By Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce held the following ribbon cutting ceremonies on Friday, June 20 from 1-3 p.m.

• Lovell Photography
• Controlled Environments
• The Bayard News Gazette
• Panorama Gardens
• Leonard Automotive

Controlled Environments

Panorama Gardens

Michelle Lovell Photography

Leonard Automotive

Bayard News Gazette

Mila Russell, Molly McCann and Skylar Clark soak in the suds at the foam party.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The weather was hot, sunny and breezy during Adair’s Chuckwagon Days over the weekend, but that made for more splashing fun for the kids. Kids also enjoyed the carnival games, fire truck rides and balloon artist. Adults cooled off by browsing the vendors and live music at the community center, or by enjoying a wine slushy or ice-cold beer while playing bingo.

Mila Russell pauses after going through the inflatable water slide at Chuckwagon Days.

Braelynn Dennis holds perfectly still for face painting.

Special to the Times Vedette

The spring funding check for Ten Squared Plus men was presented June 20 to members of the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation. The men selected the Meals on Wheels programs for Guthrie Center and Panora that had recently lost federal funding for the project.  Accepting the check for $19,200 was Dennis Flannery, executive director of the foundation, Mary Jane Carouthers, president of the foundation board, and Chris Stipe, CEO of Guthrie County Hospital. Presenting on behalf of Ten Squared Men was Barry Monaghan, director. This check brings the total donations in Guthrie County to $438,450. The summer meeting for Ten Squared Men will be in August. Anyone can become a member. Send an email to b.monaghan@gcsbank.com, and you will be added to the roster.  The group meets three times a year, so the total donation obligation for the year is $300. It is a great way to have an impact on Guthrie County.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette 

The Panora Garden Club held its annual Lake Panorama Boat Tour on Wednesday, June 18 shortly after rainstorms hit the area. As the clouds departed, the weather cooperated for a beautiful evening tour on the lake.  A total of 13 pontoons provided transportation for the 130 registered participants. 

History of the club

The Panora Garden Club began as The Political Equality Club on May 5, 1893. The goal was to raise awareness and gain voting rights for women. In 1898, the women donated their own books and solicited additional books to establish a library for Panora. Voting rights were achieved Oct. 21, 1919, so the club reorganized and became The Panora Women’s Club.

In September 1925, The Panora Garden Club was formed as a department of The Panora Women’s Club. The group reported each month as part of the regular minutes. The Garden Club continued as a department of The Panora Women’s Club but eventually gained equal status. The Women’s Club disbanded in 1998, and the Garden Club took root and bloomed.

Current projects

Current projects of the Panora Garden Club include planting and maintaining the bright blue pots highlighting the business areas; the new Pink Petunia Trees flanking the gazebo steps; the planters at Michael Mills Memorial Park; and the Raccoon Valley Bike Trail. The revitalization of Heritage Park on the North Edge of town along the bike trail is also underway.

Watering these areas became easier using a new cart with water tank that was purchased with donations and grants.

Current Garden Club Members

• Kristi Adriano
• Laurie Behrends
• Karla Bristle
• Paulette Chambers
• Nancy Clawson
• Tamara Deal
• Bette Donahey
• Carol Evens
• Carolyn England
• Sherri Faga
• Patsy Goss
• Mary Kay Hamilton
• Lori Hammer
• Paula Hansen
• Janice Hoobin
• Leisa Jobe
• JoAnn Johnson
• Pam Johnson
• Pat Kading
• Gayle Levis
• Jackie Marckres
• Becky Moore
• Jody Muench
• Mary Kay O’Grady
• Connie Ridgley
• Marcia Roenfeld
• Ruth Rowedder
• Linda Schmitt
• JoAnn Smith
• Adrianne St. Clair
• Julie Tibbles
• Sue Tronchetti
• Paula Wachholtz
• Shanell Wagler
• Laura Warren
• Jean Weisz
• Susan Wendl
• Rhoda Williams

Paula and Lyle Hansen

Dan Wilhelmi leads one of the groups on the Panora Garden Club boat tour.

One of the 13 pontoons that toured the lake on June 20 as part of the Panora Garden Club boat tour. A total of 130 people registered for the tour.

The Audubon group: Gary Keller, Linda Keller, Dan Lowe, Vicki Lowe, Roxanne Hansen, Marcia Huey and Gaylin Huey

Jeanne Henrichsen, Chris Madison and Linda Wendl

Jane Shepherd and Bette Donahey