Editor’s note: Monteith is an unincorporated community in Guthrie County. Residents in or around the area gather monthly to share updates on projects and celebrate milestones.  Following are the “minutes” from the affectionally named “Monteith City Council Meeting.” We are pleased to publish these as submitted. 

Special to the Times Vedette

The Monteith City Council Meeting was held Nov. 12 with 15 in attendance. The meeting was called to order by JD Kuster with the Pledge of Allegiance. Birthdays were announced. Only one birthday in November with Jeff Derry. Vanessa and Barry Branson brought Jeff a cake, and we all sang Happy Birthday.

There were no November anniversaries.

Old Business

Park and Rec made 150 Thanksgiving cards for The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, as well as Panora Specialty Care, Panora and Lakeside Village in Panora. They also repainted Christmas decorations for Mitchell Park in Guthrie Center and Cemetery and City Park in Monteith. Thanks,  ladies, for your help with that. And thanks to Barry Branson, who also helped with decorations. Park and Rec plans to get together on Dec. 11 to do Christmas cards for the nursing homes.

Schedule for Upcoming Events

• Zoning Commission, Friday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m., Monteith Event Center.
• Decorate Guthrie Center Park and Monteith Park and Cemetery, Saturday Nov. 23, 11 a.m. starting at Guthrie Center Park.
• Park and Rec, Dec. 11, make Christmas cards.
• For nursing homes, Wednesday Dec. 11, time TBD
• Monteith City Council Christmas Meeting, Tuesday Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Bring snacks and exchange gifts at Monteith Event Center.

Jim Smith motioned for meeting to adjourn, and Jeff Derry seconded the motion. After the meeting, we enjoyed some great food and a game that JD Kuster brought, which was fun and we all learned something new about each other and had a great time with good friends.

Until next time, signing off, your secretary/treasurer Barb Bachman.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently open for application. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay a portion of the primary heating costs for the winter heating season. By doing so, homeowners and renters can reduce the risk of health and safety problems (such as illness, fire or eviction). The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing. LIHEAP currently has an income guideline of 200% POV or lower.

Applications are being accepted now through April 2025. For more information, including income guidelines, visit New Opportunities website (newopp.org) or call 641-747-3845.

By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette

The Panora Women’s Service Organization (WSO) annual holiday luncheon will be Friday, Dec. 6. This is the 51^st year for this fundraising event. The luncheon will be held at Faith Bible Church, which is north of Panora on Highway 4. 

Serving begins at noon. As guests arrive, they can purchase raffle tickets and sign up for door prizes. The décor this year will feature a gingerbread theme. The meal includes ham balls, dinner rolls and a large variety of salads made by WSO members.

Tickets are $20 and are available now from any WSO member, at the Panora Library, or by contacting Sue Merryman at 641-751-5956 or Barb Halupnik at 641-740-7773.

Proceeds from the WSO holiday luncheon help fund local projects and make it possible to provide a $500 scholarship to one Panorama High School graduating senior each year, which can be renewed annually for up to three years. In most years, WSO is providing $2,000 in scholarship money to four Panorama graduates.

Another major fundraising event for WSO is an annual home tour, which in 2025 will be Friday, June 6. This will be the 49^thWSO home tour. Tickets for this event will be limited, so those interested will want to contact their usual ticket seller in early May.

The holiday luncheon and home tour will secure this year’s scholarships, plus make it possible to donate to other local causes. Some of those include Tori’s Angels, Panora Library, Heritage Park, Guthrie County Historical Village, Guthrie County Food Pantry, and the Panora Garden Club Main Street petunia trees and flower pots. 

Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 20, a total of 12 players participated. Sanndy Rumelhart had two 21s and a 16. Rhonda Titus got a 16. Gary Evans got a 16 17 and 16. Allen Pierce had a 20. Wayne Nickel got a 16. Jane Barcus got a 16 and a 20. Dennis Betts got a 16 and a 17. Dick Ellis got two 16s and Jim Carico had a 24.

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 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19, County Auditor Dani Fink discussed the Fiscal Year 2023 State Audit report that was recently received. She and the supervisors discussed that some recommendations are “repeats” from previous audits, as well as recommendations related to segregation of duties, which Fink says is a challenge in small departments. Fink suggested the supervisors and departments “think outside of the box” to find ways to address recommendations.

The supervisors chose to put the matter onto their Nov. 26 meeting agenda for further discussion.

A member of the public asked about the next steps regarding EMS services. In the Nov. 5 election, a slight majority of voters voted in favor of the countywide plan, but the measure did not attain the 60% needed for approval.

Supervisor Steve Smith said he’s been asked that question often since the election.

“My reply to those folks has been, ‘Let’s get past a couple of things here, rethink and see what we need to realign,’ ” Smith said.

Supervisor Brian Johnson shared his opinion.

“My reply would be that I don’t want to wait too long. We got behind the eight ball last time. I want to make sure we’re out in front of it this time,” Johnson said.

“Almost 54% of the public showed on that vote that it’s a need, and that people want it,” Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.