By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Panora

On Monday, May 25, a Memorial Day service will be held in Panora at Veterans Auditorium beginning at 10 a.m. Lynn Zajicek will serve as Master of Ceremonies. After the indoor ceremonies, there will be a flag-raising ceremony outside along with a color guard salute. Refreshments will be served in the Community Center following the services.

Guthrie Center

The Memorial Day service in Guthrie Center will begin at 10 a.m. on the courthouse lawn. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding an open house on June 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Bays Branch Wildlife Unit Headquarters, 3123 200th St., near Panora. This is an opportunity to ask questions on habitat management, recreational use and other topics of interest for the Bays Branch Wildlife Area.

It will also serve as an opportunity to provide comments on the upcoming water control structures renovation project that will occur on the wildlife area this fall/winter. This will be a come-and-go open house format with staff from various programs on hand to answer questions. 

If you have special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

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On May 20, a total of 13 players participated. Dick Ellis, Wayne Nickel, Chet Vaughan, Sandy Rumelhart and Bruce Bailey all had a 16.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and 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.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce invites the public a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the community Adirondack Chair Project on Monday, June 1 at 3 p.m. at the Panora Town Square.

This chamber leaders say this project is an example of what can happen when a community comes together with creativity, generosity and teamwork. From donated materials to student craftsmanship and artistic talent, this chair represents community pride, collaboration and the spirit of Panora.

The chamber extends a special thank you to Lake Lumber for providing materials; Panorama Community Schools shop teacher and students for their craftsmanship and construction; and Panorama Community Schools art teacher and students for bringing the project to life with creativity and design

The chamber leadership says they are excited to officially showcase the chair and celebrate the many people who helped make the project possible. They say the chair will serve as a fun and welcoming photo opportunity for both the community and visitors alike.

The chair’s temporary home will be at the town square through RAGBRAI and Panorama Days 2026 before moving to its permanent home along the bike trail.

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On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, seven Sunshine Club members met at the home of Linda Thompson for an 11 a.m. luncheon meeting. This was a unique meeting with it having an Italian-themed meal with everyone asked to bring a food item related to Italy. What a wonderful table setting with a lovely table cloth and napkins from Malta, beautiful dishes and delicious and different food.

We ate our appetizer, and then Sandy called the meeting to order with the roll call being, “If we would do this type of luncheon again, what country would you choose and why?” Many interesting answers were given.

The minutes were read, and the treasurer’s report was given.

Birthdays and anniversaries were mentioned.

Next month’s meeting will be held at Gina Lloyd’s home with an arts and crafts theme. Our meeting adjourned and we continued our meal with two delicious salads, the main entree, Italian knots and mini coconut cream pies and several different wines and water. Those who could stayed to play cards. It was a great experience to try this for the first time.

Photos by Mark Reno | Special to the Times Vedette

The annual commencement ceremony of the Adair-Casey Guthrie Center Community High School Class of 2026 was held Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. at the ACGC High School Gymnasium.

The class colors are black and yellow, and the class motto is: “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else” by Mr. Fred Rogers.

The class flower is lilies, and the class song is “Where’d All the Time Go” by Dr. Dog.

For the honor cords, the red, white and blue cord went to Chase Slaybaugh and Collin Stringham.

The royal blue and white DMACC Cord went to Savannah Akers, Jacie Baker, Elizabeth Drake, Karli Kautzky, Leaya Klemish and Camdyn Richter.

The royal blue and gold FFA honor cords went to Caydence Boals, Carter Dinkla, Tanner Downing, Shelby Gustin, Xander Harwood, Gracie Hodges, Lucy Knutter, Angel Martinez, Camdyn Richter, Carter Richter, Brexton Schneider, Jack Sheeder, Chase Slaybaugh, Ava Sneller and Irelyn Wirt .

National Honor Society Medals went to Savannah Akers, Caydence Boals, Charlie Christensen, Allie DeWitt, Tanner Downing, Karli Kautzky, Leaya Klemish, Lucy Knutter and Becca Littler.

The future plans for the graduates were listed as follows:

• Savannah Akers: Iowa Western Community College; Nursing
• Jacie Baker: SWICC; Nursing
• Finn Billheimer: DMACC; Electrical Trades
• Caydence Boals: Drake; Zoo/Conservation Science and Environmental Science
• Luke Brincks: Central; Kinesiology
• Charles Christensen: Iowa State University; Animal Ecology
• Joseph Crawford: Iowa State University; AG Studies
• Allie DeWitt: University of North Carolina Wilmington; Marine Biology
• Carter Dinkla: Morningside University; Aviation
• Alex Doherty: Undecided
• Blaize Dorsey: Undecided
• Tanner Downing: Iowa Lakes Community College; Electrical Technology
• Elizabeth Drake: University of Northern Iowa; Nursing
• Rohnin Grasty: Iowa State University; Engineering
• Shelby Gustin: Kirkwood Community College; Vet Tech
• Xander Harwood: Iowa Lakes Community College; Diesel Mechanics
• Gracie Hodges: DMACC; AG Business
• Natalie Inman: Workforce
• Karli Kautzky: University of Northern Iowa; Nursing
• Leaya Klemish: Iowa Western Community College; Nursing
• Lucy Knutter: Simpson College; Religious Studies
• Chelsea Kopaska: Kirkwood Community College; Vet Tech
• Becca Littler: Iowa State University; Marketing
• Angel Martinez: Workforce
• Kaylee Oberholtz: DMACC; Business
• Hayden Rasmussen: Undecided
• Camdyn Richter: Kirkwood Community College; Dental Hygiene
• Carter Richter: DMACC; Electrical Trades
• Brexton Schneider: Workforce
• Jack Sheeder: DMACC; Diesel Mechanics
• Thomas Skram: Iowa State University; Finance
• Chase Slaybaugh: Workforce
• Ava Sneller: Iowa State University; AG Business
• Kade Sorensen: Iowa State University; Kinesiology
• Nicholas Stevens: Workforce
• Collin Stringham: Iowa Western Community College; Plumbing Technologies
• Max Trujillo-Garcia: Iowa State University; Kinesiology
• Brennan Tunink: Marshalltown Community College; Lineman Technician
• Oliver Wetzel: DMACC; Auto Tech
• Irelyn Wirt: Iowa State University; Animal Science

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