Guthrie Center business offers custom-designed apparel and accessories. 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, April 2025

A well-known saying suggests, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Faith Hockenberry of Guthrie Center has put that concept into practice. She enjoys clothing, and she also likes making artistic designs. So, she merged those interests into a business called Faith’s Fashion Designs, where she creates custom-designed apparel and accessories.

“I’ve been doing this for four years,” Hockenberry said. “I got excited to start my own business, and I wanted to create clothing and designs. I’ve been in this store for 2.5 years.”

Hockenberry specializes in small quantity special orders for events such as family gatherings, weddings, business occasions or school events. She especially enjoys the creative process. She listens to what a customer wants and then works with software to make the idea become a reality.

Hockenberry’s designs include a variety of themes, including inspirational, daily affirmations, seasonal/holiday and school pride. 

The items Hockenberry sells include T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, coffee mugs, shopping bags and ACGC and Panorama items (such as stadium seat cushions).

Hockenberry is thankful for the assistance of two friends who help in her endeavor. Lill Delin serves as a mentor at the store, and Alicia Ciesielski is Hockenberry’s job coach, providing guidance as needed.

Ciesielski told of the usual process when an apparel order comes in.

“Faith designs it on the computer, and then she cuts it out, and then we iron it on,” Ciesielski said. “We can do just about anything people want.”

Ciesielski and Hockenberry said there is not any clear best-selling item, but Hockenberry said she sells quite a bit of ACGC Charger wear. She also told of recently completing an extensive apparel order for Special Olympics in Winterset.

Faith’s Fashion Designs store is located at 300 State St. in downtown Guthrie Center. Normal store hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The store accepts cash, check or Venmo but not credit or debit cards.

“I’ve got a Facebook page and website for the business,” Hockenberry said.

The store’s website is www.faithsfd.com.

Hockenberry believes in supporting the community, and she has found a way to do that with her business, while also creating a win-win situation for her customers. To celebrate her upcoming birthday, she is accepting donations of canned goods at her store. The donations will then be delivered to New Opportunities to help feed those in need. Those who bring in canned goods to Hockenberry’s store will receive a coupon for $5 off their next order.

Hockenberry enjoys the variety of tasks at her job, which range from doing the hands-on work of printing the apparel or filling orders to putting on her thinking cap and letting the ideas flow.

Hockenberry and Ciesielski shared a story of a recent order in which Hockenberry made 39 shirts to commemorate International Down Syndrome Day and shipped them to Oregon. 

“We’re doing T-shirts for a family reunion this summer,” Ciesielski said. “And we did some for the all-school reunion, with the old Guthrie Center Tigers image.”

Hockenberry invites everyone to stop in to see what she does. Although the store hours remain standard throughout the year, she stays even busier during the summer months.

“In the summer, I set up at the farmers market, too,” Hockenberry said. n

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On April 21, Judi Zimmerline led a craft session at the Casey library. Patrons were shown how to make unique bookmarks and greeting cards.

 

By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette

On Wednesday afternoon, April 16, members of the Panora Women’s Service Organization (WSO) hosted their annual senior tea for Panorama Community Schools senior girls. The girls were encouraged to invite as many women guests as they wanted, and the group of about 60 included mothers, grandmothers, aunts and family friends.

Mary Jane Sprague, WSO president, welcomed the girls and their guests to the Panora Church of the Brethren sanctuary at 2 p.m. She asked each senior to stand and introduce herself and her guests and tell something about her future plans.

WSO member Maureen Lubeck introduced the afternoon’s guest speakers. The three daughters of Brandon and Jaime Waddle spoke, with the oldest, Jaelyn, up first. Jaelyn graduated from Panorama in 2019.

“By the end of this, our hope is that no matter where you are headed in your journey, something from our stories will resonate with you and encourage you to walk in confidence wherever you go,” she said.

Jaelyn’s first day of classes at Iowa State University was Aug. 26, 2019. She read entries from her journal that day, plus a few others until her graduation May 3, 2024. The entries demonstrated her personal growth in those four years.

Jaelyn offered some nuggets of advice. For instance, “Don’t fear failure. Fear standing still. Growth is just one step on the other side of your comfort zone.” Or this, “Saying yes is just as important as saying no. Say yes to hanging out with people who are different from you. Say yes to taking a chance on yourself.”

In closing, Jaelyn challenged the Panorama girls who soon will be graduates. “The world needs your ideas, your voices, your courage. Go out there and build lives full of meaning, not just resumes full of achievements,” she said.

Next up was Ella, who graduated from Panorama in 2021. She started her college career at Iowa State University, spent a semester at the University of Hawaii, and now is at Drake University pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy.

“None of that was part of my original plan when I was in your shoes, but that’s the beauty of life,” she said. “Have a dream that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. Something that fuels your fire. Then work hard for it and keep going.”

At a freshman orientation, students were told to write down goals for their next four years. A girl next to Ella said she wanted to study abroad.

“I thought how could anyone leave their family for that long and be that far away,” she said. “But you grow, and just a year later, I found myself applying for the National Student Exchange program in Hawaii. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Dream that dream. Face that fear. Do that hard thing. And never, ever give up.”

The final speaker was Mia Waddle, who graduated from Panorama in 2024 and is wrapping up her first year at Iowa State University.

“Just one year ago, I was sitting right where you are,” Mia said. “I was counting down the days to graduation, already dreaming about how I’d reinvent myself the moment I set foot on campus. I was going to magically become this cooler, more confident, more together version of myself in college. But none of that happened, as least not right away.”

Mia talked about the self-doubt she felt during her first days on campus. “It hits you in a quiet dorm room, wondering why everything feels so different from what you imagined,” she said. “It hits when you’re walking to class alone, eating lunch alone, or standing in a crowded room thinking, ‘Why does this feel so hard for me when everyone else looks like they’re thriving?’ The truth is, they’re not. They’re just hiding it better.”

In closing, Mia said the most important thing she wanted her audience to remember is not to follow someone else’s script, but rather learn to trust their own. “You’re growing, and growth is rarely comfortable, but it’s worth it,” she said. “Take a deep breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going.”

Following comments by the Waddle sisters, photos of the seniors were taken as the WSO women made final preparations in the Fellowship Hall for finger sandwiches, cookies, candy, tea, coffee and lemonade. Once seated, WSO members served drinks and the guests helped themselves to the food displayed on their tables.

 

The three daughters of Brandon and Jaime Waddle were guest speakers at the WSO annual senior tea. Pictured from left, Jaime Waddle and daughters Jaelyn, Mia and Ella. [/caption]

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

Local pastoral couple Steven and Emily Goodenough assisted in the Guthrie Center donations warehouse last year following the May 21 tornado that tore through Greenfield. Other workers included Jacque Wetzel under the leadership of Iowa-Missouri Conference Seventh Day Adventist Disaster Relief coordinators Brian and Amanda Schwering.

This year, the Goodenoughs chose to take their talents on the road. Steven and Emily drove to Statesville, North Carolina, to volunteer during the month of March. That donations warehouse opened shortly after Hurricane Helene inflicted damage to five states including severe damage to Asheville, North Carolina, where the water system was hit.

On their second weekend in North Carolina, the couple visited a distribution site at Upward Seventh Day Adventist Church in Flat Rock. During a period of two hours on a Sunday, about 75 households were served by the volunteer group run from the church basement. Translators were present for Spanish-only speakers. Denise Barnwell, leader of the site, expressed excitement at seeing needs being met and logistical problems being solved in unexpected ways.

While the work was taxing, Emily reports satisfaction at being blessed physically and mentally while helping donations reach those in need. Steven said he was gratified to support the hurricane recovery effort and to meet people from all over the country.

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Sunday, April 27, the Bagley Firefighters Association is holding a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire station at 201 Main St. The meal includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice. Freewill donations are requested.

 

By Lilah Heinz, Chapter Reporter | Special to the Times Vedette

The 97th Annual Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference was held April 13-15 in Ames. The ACGC Chapter had 38 members attend and participate in multiple events, competitions, award ceremonies and workshops throughout the conference.

This year, the chapter saw 13 members participate in different contest areas. Garrett Lemke, Carter Richter and Jack Sheeder participated in poultry evaluation and received a bronze rating while Irelyn Wirt, Miranda Gruber, Gracie Hodges and Ava Sneller participated in the Farm Business Management contest and received a silver rating. Nora Langgaard took the Chapter Knowledge Quiz and received a gold rating, respectively.

Two greenhand members took the Greenhand Knowledge Quiz. Stetson Ellis received a gold rating and Hudson Gilland received a silver rating.

The chapter also had the opportunity to bring two middle school members to participate in the Discovery Quiz where Aaron Langgaard received a gold rating with a top 10 finish and Carrie Downing received a bronze rating.

The Chapter Exhibit contest that was entered by Belle Fagan, Shay Lemke and Camdyn Richter received a gold rating as well.

The final contest that competed over the weekend was Marketing Plan with members Lucy Knutter, Lilah Heinz and Rylee Robson where they placed third overall in the contest with a gold rating, which is the highest in chapter history.

While members were competing in contests, the chapter also saw 14 members receive awards for their efforts and on behalf of the chapter over the weekend. Brexton Schneider was recognized for his state runner up Beef Production Placement proficiency application. Lilah Heinz was the SW District Rising Star finalist. Belle Fagan accepted the bronze rating for the National Chapter Award, and Camdyn Richter received the ambassador award on behalf of the chapter. Bryce Betts, Emmarae Ellis, Gracie Hodges, William Kading, Lucy Knutter, Chase Slaybaugh, Blaise Tallman, Tyler Thomas, Irelyn Wirt and Casey Young received their Iowa FFA Degrees.

Aside from the contests and awards, members had the opportunity to participate in other activities as well while at the state conference. Xander Harwood, Chase Slaybaugh and Calleigh Wolfe participated in Courtesy Corps escorting members in contests to their rooms and helping set up throughout the conference. Laurin Davis participated in the State FFA Band and Emmarae Ellis, Allison Drake and Montana Douglas participated in the State FFA Chorus.

A total of eight Discovery members participated in the Middle School Leadership workshop. This group included Carrie Downing, Aaron Langgaard, Andrew Baumert, Creighton Suhr, Tessa Slaybaugh, Alli Wiers, Taryn Carroll and Logan Stringer. During this workshop, these members learned about teamwork and what it means to communicate, as well as qualities of leadership.