Special to the Times Vedette

On May 13, a total of 12 players participated. Chet Vaughan and Rhonda Titus got a 16; Robert Klever got three 16s; Dick Ellis and Allen Pierce each got a 17; and Dave Richter got a 17 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.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC boys track and field team scored 64 points at the Meritt-Charger Invitational on Monday, May 11. Treynor won the meet with 126 points. ACGC did not win any gold medals at the meet but still took home plenty of silverware.

Silver medals went to Brexton Schneider in the 110-meter hurdles, Thomas Skram in the 200-meter dash and Collin Stringham in the long jump. Bronze medals were earned by Morgun Nolte in the 110-meter hurdles and Kade Sorensen in the 200-meter dash. Three Chargers placed fourth: Joe Crawford in the 200-meter dash, Bryce Benda in the 3,200-meter run and the 4×100-meter relay team of Crawford, Schneider, Skram and Talon Noland.

The next meet for ACGC is the 1A State Qualifying Meet at Audubon on Thursday, May 14. ACGC competes against Ar-We-Va, Audubon, Boyer Valley, CAM, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, IKM-Manning, Logan-Magnolia, Newell-Fona, Paton-Churdan, Storm Lake St. Mary’s and West Bend-Mallard. In 1A, the first-place team will qualify for state, plus the top place-winner in each event, plus the next 14 best performances statewide from the qualifying meets.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the May 12 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Josh Sebern asked the supervisors to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 DOT budget amendment.

“This is going to mirror the county amendment,” Sebern said. “Overall, we were able to lower some of the equipment operations.”

Sebern pointed out that the labor budgeted for snow removal is used more for tree cutting when a winter with few snowstorms occurs.

“When we don’t plow snow, our labor costs goes to cut trees, road clearing,” Sebern said. “It all depends on whether we’re plowing snow or cutting trees. They’re directly proportional.”

The supervisors approved the DOT budget amendment.

Sebern also shared Resolution 26-33 (Modification to Fiscal Year 2026 Five-Year Program). He said there were two projects that needed to be completed (and were completed) but had not previously been administratively included in the five-year plan. The supervisors approved the additions as proposed.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong provided an update on the P-28/Wagon Road project.

“P-28/Wagon Road is back open. We originally were hoping that about mid-May we would be able to start on the full project. It’s been delayed a little bit by our contractor, so we are going to move forward with the communication that it’s going to start in early June,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong stated that she is also learning about ways the county can implement Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“I like the technology. I think we’re going to have to learn how to use it, and we might as well use it to our benefit, as we can,” she said.

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#.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The annual Lake Panorama Fin and Feather Banquet and Fundraiser was held Saturday, May 9 at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort. The event included a live auction, silent auction and numerous banquet games. 

Fin and Feather was formed in 1984 by a group of LPA members who wanted to improve fishing at Lake Panorama. The dam was completed in 1970, and the lake filled from the flow of the Middle Raccoon River. At that time, the naturally occurring species of fish in the Middle Raccoon were largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and carp. Members wanted to expand fishing options to include walleye, which are widely considered the best fish to eat.

The group has continued ever since and experimented with various fish stocking strategies, which has led to stocking just shy of 311,000 fish in the lake. Walleye do not naturally reproduce in Lake Panorama, which is why annual stocking is undertaken. Fin and Feather will continue to look at ways to increase the fishery, such as completing an electrofishing audit to determine the health and numbers of different species of fish.

The formation of this independent group has provided a significant boost to fishing conditions at Lake Panorama. Members should note that Fin and Feather’s efforts extend not only to Lake Panorama but also to the section of the Middle Raccoon River that is below the LPA dam. This area represents some of the best river fishing that can be found in central Iowa. In addition, Fin and Feather is the only sponsor of the Panorama Days Kid’s Fishing Derby. In 2025, 114 kids participated and received trophies, cash prizes and general raffle prizes in excess of $2,500.

Barry Monaghan and Nancy Peters

Brian Johnson and Carter Nordman

Carol and Jim Wendl

Neil Erickson and Drew Erickson

JoAnn Johnson and Lori Hammer

Josh Eike and Kristen Crouthamel

Brian Oeffner and Patti Oeffner

Ben Hayes and Troy Stoelk

Barry Tofteland

Lane Rumelhart and Galen Redshaw

Karen Eby and Bill Eby

Fin and Feather Chairperson Scott Stanley

Lake Panorama Fin and Feather committee members: Front row Galen Redshaw, Rick Schumacher, Doug Hemphill, Adam Hackfort, Galen Johnson and Gary Evans. Back row: John Rutledge, Scott Stanley, Barry Tofteland, John Muenzenberger, Ben Hayes, Jacob Bendickson and Mark Buster.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Sunday, May 17, Whiterock Conservancy will host its first Slow Sunday Drive of 2026, starting at the Historic Garst Farmhouse, 1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids. The two- to three-hour ride will begin at 1 p.m. and travel the trails of Whiterock Conservancy.

Parking is available for trailers in the overflow lot of the Bur Oak Visitors Center, 1436 Highway 141 in Coon Rapids. Price per vehicle is $30, cash only. Participants must pay at registration and provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Arrive early so the event can start at 1 p.m. Watch the website and event page for any weather updates. If the trails are wet, the Slow Sunday Drive will be canceled or rescheduled.

Private ATVs are only allowed on Whiterock land during the Slow Sunday Drives; visitors may not bring their own ATVs on the land outside of this event.

Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.

The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN. Pictured left to right: Lori Harrah, acute and ER nurse manager; Matt Sandel, RN; and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer DAISY Award Nominees: Stephaney Brondum and Dale Peterson

Special to the Times Vedette

Nurses are honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a daisy pin and bouquet of daisies. The DAISY Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The Honoree is also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN.

PCTs are honored with The Sunshine Award for Remarkable PCTs. The Sunshine Award is exclusive to Guthrie County Hospital. Spawned from a desire of the nurses to recognize the PCT staff, the Sunshine Award has been established.

PCTs are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The Sunshine Award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a sunshine pin and bouquet of sunflowers. Sunshine Award honorees receive: a personalized certificate, a Sunshine Award pin, and a hand-made wooden sunshine plaque.

“The DAISY and Sunshine Award ceremony is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the extraordinary compassion, dedication and human connection our caregivers bring to every patient experience. These awards honor those who go above and beyond — offering not only clinical excellence but also kindness, empathy and comfort during life’s most vulnerable moments. We are proud to celebrate individuals who truly exemplify the heart of our mission and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve,” stated Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer.

The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT.

Nomination forms for 2027 are available at Guthrie County Hospital, GCH Clinics, GCH Healthy Living Center and at www.guthriecountyhospital.org.

History of the DAISY Award:

The nonprofit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill, and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Guthrie County Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” commented Bonnie Barnes, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.

Meaning of the Sunshine Award Plaque:

Each plaque is hand-made and intricately woven locally. The woven part of the plaque symbolizes the inextricable link between the PCT and RN staff. Each one is an integral member of the team. When woven together just right, the sunshine (PCTs) can perfectly support the DAISIES (RNs). Together, they create an environment in which our patients can flourish and thrive.

The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT. Pictured left to right: LaRoyce Kress, PCT and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer