Matt Sprague’s most notable creation yet is on display at the Guthrie Center Fire Hall.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times

In the fall of 2024, Matt Sprague of Guthrie Center bought a laser-engraving machine, and he’s been putting it to good use ever since. Although he has enjoyed woodworking for many years, the laser engraving was a new challenge he decided to try.

“It’s just something I started dabbling with,” Sprague said. 

Sprague noted that the machine was not difficult to operate.

“It’s pretty user-friendly. You have to get whatever image you want to use and then convert the image,” Sprague said. “Then you set your parameters, depending how big you want it. Then you set your power levels, and then you let it go, and it does its own thing.” 

The pieces Sprague has created so far have taken between 30 minutes and 2½ hours for the machine to engrave, depending on the size and complexity of the design. He explained that the machine moves very precisely, so fine detail is possible.

“If you remember back in the day, the old printers, on the reel where it went across really slow, that’s exactly what this process is,” Sprague said. “But it’s just millimeters that it is moving that laser each time.” 

Sprague has come up with several ideas for how his creations can be of benefit to the community, even though it remains mostly a hobby.

“It’s just a toy to have fun with,” he said. “My idea was to sell things at the farmers market, but I haven’t gotten ready for that yet. I’m thinking of doing cutting boards and things like that.”

Sprague is also planning to create items to auction for fundraisers.

“I’m part of a peer support group for mental health awareness for First Responders. We have a conference and a gala, so I’ll probably make something to auction off there this fall.”

Sprague’s most notable creation yet is on display at the Guthrie Center Fire Hall. He joined the Guthrie Center Fire Department in the spring of 2024, and he realized his new hobby could be used in the fire hall. So, he laser-engraved several images into the counter in honor of firefighters. The engravings were then covered with varnish to protect them from damage. 

Sprague expects to keep learning what he can create as he experiments with ideas that occur to him, or as people ask him to make specific items.

“It’s something for me to do to keep me busy and out of trouble,” Sprague said.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Stringham reported a tractor accident occurring on the 1800 block of Chestnut Avenue on March 21 at 4:56 p.m. Daniel Lee Royer, 62, of Coon Rapids, was driving the John Deere tractor northbound when the tractor lost power and caused it to swerve across southbound lanes and down the embankment until coming to rest in a ditch. Royer was transported to Audubon County Fairgrounds to meet life flight and was flow to a Des Moines hospital. Estimated damage is $10,000.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Sheriff Matt Harmann reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on March 23 at 8:17 p.m. on Highway 44. Breanna Mae Loran Laugen, 29, of Harlan, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse LS west on Highway 44 and collided with a deer, causing an estimated $5,000 in damage. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on March 18 at 8 a.m. on Wagon Road. Randy Jesus Pineda Arellano, 38, of West Des Moines, was driving a 2012 Ford Escape northbound and collided with the deer, causing an estimated $12,000 in damage. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a single-vehicle collision occurring on March 17 at 5:40 p.m. on Highway 141 and Herndon Road. Ashley Lynn Gallagher, 36, of Schleswig, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox LT and went off the roadway to avoid rear-ending a vehicle in front of her that stopped suddenly. The vehicle collided with an embankment and sustained an estimated $6,000 in damage. 

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of eight players participated on March 21. Rhonda Titus got a 24 and a 22, Dick Ellis had a 16 and a 21, and Lela Schwartz also got a 24.

A total of 13 players participated on March 24. Dave Kading got a 16, Sum Mozingo got a 16 and a 17, Kay Phippen got an 18, Joanne Zieser got two 20s, Sandy Rumelhart got a 20 and Wayne Nickel got a 20.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center 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.