2025-2026 officer team, front row: Jr. Advisor, Rylee Robson; Treasurer, Nora Langgaard; Secretary, Stella Largent; Vice President, Lilah Heinz; and President, Lucy Knutter. Back row, Advisor, Skie Shull; Sentinel, Irelyn Wirt; Reporter, Gracie Hodges; and Reporter, Ava Sneller.

By Ava Sneller | ACGC FFA Reporter

On May 4 at 5:30 p.m., a total of 271 FFA members, parents, alumni and community supporters gathered at the Event Center at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds to celebrate the many accomplishments of the chapter members from the 2024 year. The evening commenced with a meal provided by Cafe on the Hill and opening ceremonies prepared by the 2024 Chapter Officer Team. The chapter then handed out a total of 67 community member appreciation certificates to begin the awards portion of the evening. Degree pins and certificates were among the first of member awards handed out where 11 eighth-graders received the Discovery Degree, 17 first-year members received their Greenhand Degree, and 19 members received their Chapter Degree.

Recognition continued throughout the evening with various Career and Leadership Development Events and contests recognized, which included the recent successes of the state level contests held mid-April. Members who served the chapter in various capacities throughout the year were recognized for their service by receiving the Outstanding Service Award, which is voted on by the members of the chapter. These members often work behind the scenes and do not always get recognition for their efforts. They are: Shay Lemke, Will Kading, Gavin Sloss, Blaise Tallman, Xander Harwood, Chase Slaybaugh, Caydence Boals, Camdyn Richter, Carter Richter, Garrett Lemke, Rylee Robson, Nora Langgaard, Mallory Schreck, Calleigh Wolfe, Stella Largent, Miranda Gruber, Blake Ganzer and Imersyn Wirt.

Scholarship Awards and Leadership Awards were also given out at this year’s banquet. The scholarship pin is given to those members who have the highest cumulative GPA for their grade level, celebrating the academic excellence of students. This year, senior member Emmarae Ellis, junior Caydence Boals, sophomores Nora Langgaard and Stella Largent, and freshman Stetson Ellis were recognized for this award. The Leadership Award is voted on by the members of the chapter, and the advisor and is given to one member from each class who has shown outstanding leadership and commitment to the chapter throughout the year. This year senior member Belle Fagan, junior Lucy Knutter, sophomore Lilah Heinz, and freshmen Stetson Ellis received this award.

Star Chapter Awards are also given to members at the banquet who fill out the application and have shown that they go above and beyond with their SAE projects. This year, the Star Greenhand recipient was Stetson Ellis. Star Entrepreneurship for his Beef Production – Cow/Calf Operation was senior member Gavin Sloss. The Star Placement award was given to two individuals for their work; the first was senior member Blaise Tallman and the second was junior member Xander Harwood for their outstanding SAE projects. The final Star Award that was handed out for the evening was the Star Farmer Award. This award was given to two senior members who both have cow/calf operations of their own and have shown the chapter support in every aspect of classroom learning, SAE and FFA activities. These two members were Will Kading and Belle Fagan.

Other awards given at the banquet included the Blue and Gold award, which is given to those who go above and beyond to help maintain the program, helping whenever they can to ensure a functioning program continues to thrive. This year’s recipients were Kelsey Dinkla and Stacy and Christina Harwood. The second award that is given to a community member that goes above and beyond to support the chapter is the Honorary Chapter Degree. This award is given to farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of board of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business people and others who are helping to advance agriculture education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. They may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention. This year’s recipient was Mr. Brian Sauser, the high school principal at ACGC Schools.

The last of the awards that were presented at the banquet were the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award, given to Belle Fagan, and three scholarships. The first scholarship was $250 from 4Seasons Fundraising, given to a member who has shown to be a tremendous help during the annual fundraiser. This year’s recipient was senior member Belle Fagan. The second scholarship was in memory of Alan Elgin. This is a $500 scholarship that was awarded in his memory to Will Kading and Gavin Sloss.

The ACGC FFA chapter continues to be proud of its members and their accomplishments throughout the year and could not do it without the support and help of the parents, businesses, school administrators and others who help make events run smoothly and efficiently.

2025 seniors: Bryce Betts, Blaise Tallman, Shay Lemke, Belle Fagan, William Kading, Ty Thomas, Gavin Sloss and Weston Hambleton. Not pictured: Emmarae Ellis, Hali Klingenberg, Hunter Mohr and Jon Martinez.

Photo by Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

Panorama students had a good laugh as they entered school on Monday morning with half of a Buick car set against an outside wall, making it appear as though it crashed into the building. These types of senior pranks have become a bit of a tradition at Panorama High School, although this one took more planning than most. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, May 10, hundreds of runners crossed through Panora as part of the Market to Market Relay Race. The event started at sunup in Jefferson, and the 75-mile course ended in Des Moines. Teams of six to eight runners competed to see who could cover the distance the fastest.

The 75-mile route was broken into 18 “stages” ranging from 2 to 6 miles each. Each team had one member run the first stage, then a different teammate ran the second stage, and so on. More than 200 teams had registered for the event. The relay ran on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, as well as some streets and gravel roads.

Throughout much of the morning, the parking lot at Hometown Foods was full of team vehicles, as the event’s teammates arrived and stocked up on food and drink. Local law enforcement, EMS and other citizens helped as the runners passed through Panora. For example, Chaille Crandall volunteered by calling out team bib numbers as runners neared the exchange zone so that the next runner could be ready to go. After Panora, the next exchange zone was in Linden.

Guthrie County Reserve Deputies Jason Steenhoek and Jason Hemann handled traffic control as runners crossed Highway 44 during the Market to Market Relay Race on Saturday. Panora EMS staff and an ambulance (background) were on hand in case of need.

Kristen Crouthamel helps runners safely cross a street in Panora.

The parking lot at Hometown Foods quickly filled with arriving teams.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Lake Panorama Association held its 56^th Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 1 at the LPN Conference Center with 48 voting members in attendance. President David Finneseth led the meeting, which included an introduction of board members, recognition of past directors, financial and audit reports, an update from LPA General Manager John Rutledge, and comments and questions from those in attendance. 

It was reported that the LPA now has 1,712 active members and 15 inactive members for a total of 1,727. 

An election was held for three seats on the seven-member board of directors. Dennis Flanery and Mark Jorgensen were reelected, and Steven Sidman was chosen as well. 

Dennis Flanery

Mark Jorgensen

Steven Sidman

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the meeting of the Panora City Council on May 12, City Administrator Lisa Grossman updated the councilmembers on plans to install a new basketball court at Michael Mills Park. She said the court will be added in July after baseball and softball seasons are done playing at the park. 

The council considered a request from Tim Rietz, owner of Off Course Golf Carts. At the previous council meeting, he requested the city to allow the test driving and programming of golf carts on the dead end stretch of Market Street, east of the Off Course store. The request was approved.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, Grossman explained a request from JoAnn Smith, who was not present. According to Grossman, Smith asked to be allowed to plant trees between the sidewalk and street on the east side of her property.

“Those ditches are used for drainage,” Grossman said.

Councilmember Blake Michelsen voiced a concern about visibility at intersections when such trees become larger. No formal action was taken.

A public hearing was held regarding a proposed budget amendment. No citizens voiced any opinion during the public hearing, and no councilmembers or city staff had received any prior comments, so the hearing was closed. The budget amendment was passed.

A public hearing was held regarding the possible vacation and conveyance of real estate to Eric and Jenna Morris. Other than Eric Morris, no citizens were on hand for the hearing, and no comments had been submitted. The hearing was closed, and the resolution was passed.

Grossman informed the council of a “Downtown Forum” to be held in Panora at the Panora Community Center on Wednesday, June 18, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Anybody can register. It’s free. It’s being put on by Iowa Economic Development,” Grossman said.

Grossman said the topics will include, “The Must-Do Things to Revitalize Your Downtown.”

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next regular meeting of the council will be Tuesday, May 27 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#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On May 12, the Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session. The topic generating the most discussion was the status of funding for the Little Charger Daycare Center. Bethany McCool, secretary/treasurer of the Little Chargers board explained.

“We are currently at the point where our construction loan has matured. Construction has ended, so we need to transfer that to a loan of some sort,” she said.

Guthrie County State Bank President Mike Underwood explained that the bank would like to provide such a loan but had reached that decision partially based on an understanding that the city would back it.

“I had a conversation with Kris (Arrasmith) prior to us doing a loan, with the understanding that once the project was completed, if there was a shortfall, then the city would do a loan to the daycare,” Underwood said. “So then when we emailed Kris to put that in motion, then we were told no, that wasn’t the understanding.”

“All of my notes said we would help them with like, a bridge loan,” Arrasmith said.

President of the Little Charger board Laura Robson explained that what the center now needs is an “end loan” rather than a “bridge loan.”

Underwood asked who had said the city could not provide the assistance as originally planned.

“The bond attorney and the auditor and also our financial advisor all said, ‘Not a great use of taxpayer dollars,’ ” Arrasmith said.

Mayor Mike Herbert asked if it is possible for the center to get a loan elsewhere. Underwood said it is not.

Councilmember Garold Thomas asked if it is acceptable for the city to have time to look further into what the city can legally and appropriately do to help with the center’s situation.

“If my choices are no tonight or delay it, I’ll take the delay,” Underwood said.

Other items

Discussion was held regarding the first reading of a proposed ordinance on parking of personal vehicles. Several council members voiced concerns with the wording, and the matter was tabled.

The council discussed a request from Jeff Ruhland for a zoning classification change to allow a small number of cattle on land near the REC. After discussion, the council asked that Arrasmith check with the city attorney for more information. No formal action was taken.

A public hearing was held regarding a budget amendment. No comments were received, and the amendment was approved.

Arrasmith informed the council regarding plans for citywide garage sales and citywide clean-up.

“Citywide garage sales will be Fathers’ Day weekend, June 13 and 14,” Arrasmith said. “Five dollars will get you on our map. Last year, we had really good feedback. And then, we are scheduling the citywide cleanup the following Wednesday (June 18).”

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council will be Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.