By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Memorial Day is just around the corner. Formerly called Decoration Day, it was a day to decorate graves and honor men and women who died in service of our country. 

While American Legion members still distribute red poppies and put flags at the graves of American veterans to honor their service to our country, many Americans consider it a day of remembrance for all loved ones who have passed. 

For others, Memorial Day signals the start of summer. Backyard BBQs, the end of the school year, and the first boat ride of the season are associated with Memorial Day. Regardless, if you spend the day at a cemetery ceremony to honor our soldiers or at the swimming pool, we at MJB Memorial Library want to remind you that you need to plan ahead for your reading needs as we will be closed on Monday, May 26 in remembrance of our service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

MJB Library would again like to thank local businesses Guthrie County Quality Meats for donating 15% of the proceeds from the sale of brats in May, Fox Countertops who will match their donation, and Local Liquor who is donating $4 from the sale of each case of Busch Light sold in May to be divided equally among the Guthrie County libraries. Support your local library by shopping local.

The end of May and the month of June is a great time to be a kid at the MJB Library. On Wednesday, May 28, the library is hosting Creation Corner at 3:30 p.m., so kids of all ages are invited to sign up to come make an awesome craft.

During the month of June, the library will be hosting special programs for our Summer Reading Program, Level Up at your Library. Parents can sign up their kids at the library website or by stopping by the library.  

The first week of June is especially exciting since the Iowa PBS Stem Trailer will be at our library. Each day for that week, kids will find exciting new STEM games and activities available to challenge their thinking and expand their creativity. Be sure to stop in and try out all the cool toys and games. 

On Tuesday, June 2, Summer Reading Kickoff will feature a Magic class beginning at noon. Kids of all ages are invited to attend.  Be sure to pre-register for LEGO Mania at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 and Guthrie STEM Lab on Monday, June 9 at 4 p.m.  

Fridays during June will also have some special surprises. Our regular preschool story hour will happen on June 6 and June 20, but on June 13, we will have a special guest. Dinosaur lovers of all ages will want to join our Prehistoric Pep Rally with Dinosaur Ranger Anthony, owner of Chomp, Stomp and Roar. Dino Ranger Anthony always has exciting programs with so much information to teach us about our Jurassic dinosaur friends. 

Other programs for kids this summer include a trick bubble show, a program with Anne Riordan with the DNR, and Creation Stations. The Guthrie County ISU Extension Office will have programs on Wednesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 25 at 2 p.m. Our Summer Reading Prize Party will be Friday June 27. 

Be sure to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, Level Up at the Library and pre-register for the many activities and workshops at our MJB Library website. If you need a calendar to remember all of the fun events, pick one up at the library or see our website community calendar. Preschool through middle school students are invited to join us for these great reading and learning opportunities. 

Don’t worry, though, the library isn’t just for kids. We still have all of our regular adult programs going on, too. Evening book club will meet on Tuesday, May 27 to discuss Clint Hill’s book “My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy.” Hill was the secret service agent who protected Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis while she was in the White House and for quite some time following her departure. His books chronicles the time he spent as her security detail after leaving the White House. We still have copies available to check out if you want to join us.

Friends of the Library have finalized plans for the Friends of the Library Fundraising Golf Outing on Saturday, June 14 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course. This four-person best ball tournament will get started with registration at 8 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The $60 per person registration fee includes a cart and lunch. Businesses wishing to sponsor a hole can contact the library or a member of Friends of the Library. Profits raised at this fundraiser will go to pay to upgrade and replace the broken water fountain in the library and to fund the Iowa Adventure Pass which allows our patrons free admission to Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Des Moines Children’s Museum.

Between the Covers afternoon book club which meets again on June 10 at 3 p.m. is reading “The First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston. This exciting thriller tells Evie Porter’s story. Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. Stop by the library to check out a copy so you’re ready for book club. 

Cribbage will continue to meet each Monday from 9-11 a.m., and Bridge Club will meet each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Both groups meet in the Taylor Meeting room and welcome newcomers of all skill levels.

Devan Seek presented a workshop about the basics of sourdough bread making in an MJB Library program on Monday, May 12. The group learned step-by-step how to make sourdough bread from starter to bread.

Aaryn and Guinevere work intently on building straw cars during the last STEM Lab.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

Get out and enjoy the offerings of the season this weekend as part of your Memorial Day weekend.

From Friday through Sunday (May 23-25), music, games, racing and more will be offered at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds:

• Friday, 8 p.m., Kris Karr Music with free admission
• Saturday, 1 p.m., Bags Tournament (registration opens at noon)
• Saturday, 6 p.m., Flag Drop for Figure 8 Races
• Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Veteran Recognition
• Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Memorial Day Service
• Sunday, 6 p.m., Flag Drop for Figure 8 Races

The Panora Chamber of Commerce announced events set for Friday, May 23, including:

• 3-9 p.m. at Twin Vines: Live music from Brad Morgan starting at 5:30 p.m., and the “Off the Griddle” food truck will be on hand.
• Back to the 80s in downtown Panora. Local business and eateries will offer specials. Dress in 1980s fashion and have a fun time.
• Royce Johns Duo will play from 8-11 p.m. at The Port on Lake Panorama. The event is free and open to the public.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The public is invited to help line School Street to cheer on the ACGC boys and girls track and field athletes as they depart to compete at the State Meet in Des Moines. The athletes are expected to roll down School Street in Guthrie Center around noon on Thursday, May 22.

The Iowa High School Sports Network will provide coverage of the complete boys and girls state meets May 22-24 as the athletes compete at Drake Stadium. Viewers can stream the coverage live for free at IHSSN.com.

Members of the Knights of Columbus help out during their annual highway cleanup day in April.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On the morning of Saturday, May 24, members of the St. Cecelia Knights of Columbus will be at the intersection of Highway 44 and Highway 4 in Panora (Casey’s corner) accepting monetary donations to their annual Tootsie Roll Drive. Those who give to the cause receive Tootsie Rolls as a small “thanks” for their generosity.

According to Knights of Columbus Trustee (and former Grand Knight) Lynn Weisz, the event will run from about 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“Every year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, we stand on the corner of (Highways) 44 and 4. It’s called the CPID Drive (Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities),” Weisz said. “We collect money, and then 10% of it goes to the Special Olympics in Iowa, and the rest of it gets distributed by the Knights of Columbus. We donate that to a local facility for those with physical or intellectual disabilities. Last year, we gave to Timber Creek and Valley View Estates.”

Another annual event of the Knights was completed last month.

“In April of every year, we do a highway cleanup on Highway 44 two miles out to Yellow Avenue. It’s amazing how much garbage we find after one year,” Weisz said. “All kinds of beverage containers and whatever people toss out their windows.”

The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order with membership limited to practicing Catholic men. As of 2024, the Knights reported having more than 2.1 million members around the world. 

The cast and crew of “The Sound of Music.”

Emmarae Ellis played Maria.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Those who attended the recent performances of the ACGC High School musical “The Sound of Music” know the cast and crew did an outstanding job, and that was confirmed in the announcement of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards.

ACGC’s production received five awards. Emmarae Ellis (as Maria) and Ava Campbell (as Liesl) earned Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role. Rohnin Grasty (as Captain Von Trapp) earned Special Recognition in a Principal Role. The production was one of only 15 statewide to earn the Outstanding Overall Production Award. The production also was one of only 24 statewide to earn the Outstanding Ensemble Award. The director of the musical was Kelsey Dinkla, ACGC’s vocal director for grades 7-12.

Dinkla pointed out that ACGC is the smallest school to earn the Outstanding Overall Production Award, as well as the Outstanding Ensemble Award.

Ave Campbell played Liesl.

“I love that all cast, crew and pit members were recognized and celebrated for the work they did,” Dinkla said. “This show truly was a massive undertaking, and it took all of us working together to do it and do it well.”

Dinkla commented on the diverse crew that brought the production to life.

“There is something very special about knowing that we had kids as young as 10 and adults as old as, well, those who qualify for the senior discount, all working together to tell this beautiful story,” Dinkla said. “It shows that we have created such a beautiful sense of community and belonging when it comes to ACGC Theater.”

Those wishing for another taste of the production’s quality can experience it again on May 29 during the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center. Tickets are currently on sale, and the event will also be live-streamed that evening at 7 p.m. at IowaPBS.org.

Rohnin Grasty played Captain Von Trapp.

Dinkla summarized her pride in the production and the honors earned.

“I am blown away that a school our size can pull off such successful shows every spring. To earn statewide recognition is just incredible and is a true testament to our students’ talent and dedication,” Dinkla said. “Our students do everything and excel across so many different disciplines and activities and are better people because of it. The small-school experience is alive and well at ACGC.”