Racing to put 300 puzzle pieces together is a daunting challenge.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Saturday, March 8 proved to be a puzzling evening in Guthrie Center, as 21 teams of four competed at the Guthrie Center Activity Center in the first-ever “Puzzles, Pies and Pints” event. Proceeds supported the Activity Center.

When the signal was given to begin, each team raced to put together a 300-piece puzzle while also eating a large pizza and downing 12 pints of beverage.

Pizza, beer and a puzzle make for a fun evening.

Back row: Pat Lutz, Leo Klotz, Ron Reynolds, Paul Wendl, Dave Carstens and Chuck Rockwell. Front row: Doug Hemphill, Dave Beidelman, Patrick Moylan and Lynn Zajicek.

By Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

American Legion Post 372 and VFW Post 5510 held Paul’s Fish Fry at The Port on Sunday, March 9, and it was another huge success with more than 300 fish dinners served.

Jeanette, Mark and David Parker stayed till the very end to enjoy the fish and family conversation.

MJ and Dave Brown along with Ted and Patty Reeve enjoy the event.

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of nine players participated on March 10. Sandy Rumelhart got a 20. Rhonda Titus and Allen Pierce each got a 16. Robert Klever got two 16s, Joanne Zieser brought in a 21.

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.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 11 meeting of the Panorama School Board, discussion of recent weather cancellations was held. The board approved making Friday, April 18 a student contact day. It will be a typical Friday schedule with a 1:45 p.m. dismissal. The final day of the school year is still set for May 23. 

The board also approved the 2025-2026 school year calendar with one possible change to come, depending on a decision of the Iowa Legislature.

“If legislation allows us to start earlier, we will amend the calendar and move the start day up,” Superintendent Kasey Huebner said.

The senior overnight trip to Kansas City was formally approved.

A public hearing will be held on March 24 at 5:30 p.m. regarding the proposed tax notice.

The next regular meeting of the board will be April 10 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 10 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Susanne Gerlach of Public Financial Management (PFM) addressed the councilmembers regarding the financial advisory services PFM can provide to the city. She explained that PFM serves Panora and many other cities throughout Iowa and the nation.

Gerlach said if they wish to partner with PFM, she suggests the city contract with PFM at a cost of $10,000 per year, plus an additional $5,000 the first year for collecting information to build models of the city’s situation and projects.

“So, if we have a big project coming up on the horizon, you can kind of hold our hand through that from beginning to end, to help us figure out where to get the financing,” City Clerk Kris Arrasmith said.

Gerlach listed some of the services available to the city through PFM.

“Services related to financial planning, budget and strategic advice and planning, policy development, and services related to debt issuance,” Gerlach said.

No action was taken regarding PFM at this meeting.

The council unanimously approved renewing the agreement between the city and Rose Acre Farms for discharge into the city’s sanitary sewer system. The five-year renewal included no changes from the current agreement.

Arrasmith told of a plan in the works for Guthrie Center to host “Munchies at Mitchell” events in the city park this summer on Sunday evenings. She said she is working on scheduling various food trucks to sell food at the events. More information will follow as decided.

Arrasmith also said the city intends to hold citywide garage sales again this year, since the 2024 event was popular. Details are not yet finalized.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the March 10 meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers voted to approve the utility rate changes recommended by Susanne Gerlach (Public Financial Management) during her presentation to the council at the Feb. 24 meeting. The increases will be 5% each on water and sewer rates.

The council also considered the situation brought up by citizen Josh Calmer during the Feb. 24 meeting. At that time, he described the charges he incurred due to a sewer line that was blocked when work was done by Accu-Jet. Mayor Curt Thornberry repeated his Feb. 24 statement that he agrees Calmer should not be liable for the charges.

“It turns out it was an issue with lining done by Accu-Jet, and it basically just went over his access, so he really had no control over that,” Thornberry said.The council voted unanimously to not hold Calmer liable for the bill, which was nearly $7,000. The city will address the issue with Accu-Jet. 

“We can go after Accu-Jet civilly, and we may do so,” City Administrator Lisa Grossman said.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, March 24 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#).