Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. on Highway 4. Reid Thomas Huntley, 21, of Panora was driving a 2019 Chevy Silverado K2500 pickup south on Highway 4 when he rear-ended Ted Douglas Reeve, 68, who was driving a 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab pickup southbound. Estimated damage to both vehicles is $3,000. No citations were issued.
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 26 at 8:10 p.m. on Highway 141. Blake Ryan Heckman, 17, of Panora was driving a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude between Victory Avenue and Herndon Road when he rearended the 2022 Ford F-150 SuperCrew driven by Steven Louis Anthofer, 50, of Carroll, heading west. Estimated damage for both vehicles is $1,501. Heckman was given two citations for leaving the scene of the accident and for following too closely.
Special to the Times Vedette
On April 24, a total of 10 players participated. Chet Vaughan got a 16; Clint Malbon got a 17; Dave Richter got one 16, one 17 and one 18.
On April 27, a total of 11 players participated. Dennis Betts got two 16s; Wayne Nickel got a 16 and a 21; Dave Kading and Robert Klever both got a 16; and Clint Malbon and Rhonda Titus each got a 24.
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.
Amy Brummer, Carrie Dideriksen and Robyn Van Zee hold the 2024 sponsor banner.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, April 2026
Brent Hall, Cathy Kuster and JD Kuster at the 2024 Red, White and Blue Cruise.
Preparations are underway for the fourth annual Red, White and Blue (RWB) Cruise in Guthrie and Adair counties. The event is held by the Omar B. Shearer American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124 of Guthrie Center. The cruise is set for Saturday, May 16, departing at 10 a.m.
Auxiliary members (and event organizers) Robyn Van Zee, Amy Brummer and Carrie Dideriksen are not veterans, but they come from families that include veterans. All three also enjoy riding ATVs for fun.
“I ride side-by-sides, but not like these two,” Brummer said. “Not as often or traveling out of state like they do. When they first brought this idea to our Auxiliary, it was kind of scary, but everything worked out.”
ATVs are decorated for the occasion.
Van Zee explained the timing of the local event.
“We want to have it before Memorial Day, in honor of Memorial Day,” she said. “We are the American Legion Auxiliary. Our main focus is to honor the veterans and active service members and serve our community.”
When the first cruise was held in 2023, the Auxiliary was unsure how much participation the event would attract, but they were overwhelmed when approximately 250 people participated. The past two years have seen more than 100 riders each year. With that level of participation, and with the generosity of local sponsors, the Auxiliary raises funds to support many worthy causes in the area.
Many of the causes funded through the ride are veteran-related, but others are scholarships and helping citizens in need.
One of the reasons for the success is that participation comes from well outside the local area.
Break time during the RWB Cruise.
The organizers have tweaked the event over the years based on what riders prefer. They added that the event’s success depends on the many local volunteers who make everything run smoothly.
“The first year it seemed like we all went to one stop together. Now we spread it out, for dust control, for one thing,” Dideriksen said. Safety is also enhanced by spreading out the riders.
Van Zee said most of the riders enjoy the freedom of choosing a path rather than being told to follow a certain route. After all, the point is to get out in the country to enjoy fresh air and socialize with friends and neighbors.
“And, in an attempt to not bombard the businesses with 150 people all at one time, we’ve made it so the riders can go wherever they want to go in whatever order they want,” Van Zee said.
The three organizers said warming weather seems to be part of the event’s success.
“This is the first big event after the winter months,” Dideriksen said. “We always kind of compete with graduations and things. It’s for anybody and all ages. Our group continues to enjoy doing it.”
The cruise welcomes riders on side-by-sides, quads and other vehicles to register and join in the fun. The ride begins at the Guthrie County fairgrounds in Guthrie Center. Six destinations are participating in the cruise, including Blue Goose Tavern (Adair), Rustic Tap (Fontanelle), Wreckers or Checkers (Fontanelle), Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar (Casey), Casey Creamery (Casey) and Short’s Place (Menlo).
Registration will be 8:30-9:45 a.m. prior to the ride. Cost is $25 per participant. There will be a poker run option, a 50/50 raffle and other raffles. Door prizes and poker hand prizes will be given at 5 p.m. when riders return to the fairgrounds.
Common stops along the ride are the Freedom Rocks on the route. Van Zee pointed out a very fortunate timing that occurred during a prior year’s ride, when riders were able to watch one of the Freedom Rocks being painted.
“We just happened to be going by while artist and Iowa State Representative Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen II was painting it for Memorial Day,” Van Zee said.
Camping is available at the fairgrounds for those interested. Questions about the event can be directed to Robyn Van Zee at 402-740-9804 or alapost124@gmail.com.
Special to the Times Vedette
On Thursday, April 16, nearly 250 people attended the third annual Tori’s Angels Foundation benefit “Taking Flight” at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. The foundation, which originated in Panora, provides financial assistance, hope and support to Iowa families that have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Patty Reeve, co-chair of the committee that put the event together, noted that it was a night to celebrate several significant milestones for the Foundation, including its 15th year of operations, the acceptance of the 200th child into the program, and the surpassing of $3 million in aid that has been provided to Iowa families.
Julie Dent-Zajicek, president of the foundation, introduced speakers Jen Jensen and Haylie Steffensmeier. They each spoke of their family’s journey to help their respective daughters, Liberty and Olivia, when they were diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. They also discussed the foundation’s assistance and what it has meant to their families.
“Tori’s Angels mission means so much to me and our family, and I will forever be grateful for the kindness during such a terrible time of our lives,” Jensen said. “They didn’t just come into our lives as support…they came in as comfort. As compassion. As people who saw us not just as a family going through something hard, but as a family that mattered. They showed up in the moments when the weight felt unbearable. They reminded us that we weren’t alone.”
Both moms encouraged those in attendance to continue supporting Tori’s Angels so that the foundation can continue to help other Iowa families.
If you know of a child with a life-threatening condition, or if you would like to volunteer or donate to Tori’s Angels, visit torisangels.org or call 515-641-2011.
Kim Phillips, Des Moines, Patty Reeve, Panora, and Joanie Coates, Ankeny, greet guests as they arrive.
Photos of the Tori’s Angels children line the walkways leading up to the entrance to Glen Oaks Country Club.
Lisa Long, Waukee, co-chair of the event committee, and Joanie Coates, Ankeny, committee member, prepare to check in guests at the benefit.
Randy and Joanne Sandage, Panora, pose at the Tori’s Angels banner.
Julie Dent-Zajicek, Panora, and JoAnn Alumbaugh, Monroe, president and vice president of the foundation.
Terry and Mary Jane Sprague, Guthrie Center, pose at the Tori’s Angels banner.
The crowd of nearly 250 people arrive for the benefit.
Tori Heckman, the foundation’s namesake child, with Brayden King.
Shayne and Gail McGaughy, Des Moines, and Jenni Barp, Johnston and Lexi Barp, West Des Moines, on the deck at Glen Oaks.
Olivia, Parker and Quinn Steffensmeier pick out cookies. Olivia is the 83rd Tori’s Angels child.
Ron Chambers, Bruce and Gloria Ahrendsen, all of Panora.
Wayne Anderson, Williams, an event sponsor, and Bill Ridgley, Panora, founder of Tori’s Angels.
Thomas Wilson, Pella, Bre Neel, Waukee, Joy and Mark Kellerman, West Des Moines, pose at the Tori’s Angels banner.
Noahlynn Loney’s family at the Apex Industrial table. Noahlynn is the 181st Tori’s Angels child.
Marlene and Wayne, Margie and Bill Scott (seated) and Tori Heckman and Brayden King (standing).
Andy and Nicki Mullan, Nate Bleadorn, Grace Reeve, Josephina Lopez, Lauren and Nick Kollhauf, and Scott Reeve, all of West Des Moines.
Haylie Steffensmeier, Julie Dent-Zajicek and Olivia Steffensmeier, West Des Moines.
Patty and Ted Reeve, Panora
Jen Jensen, Panora, speaks about her daughter, Liberty, and the role that Tori’s Angels played in helping her family.
Haylie and Olivia Steffensmeier, West Des Moines, speak about their family’s pursuit of treatment for Olivia, and how Tori’s Angels Foundation has helped them.
Lauren Bellis, Jeff Schauer, Nicole Saloum, Shane Jensen, Jennifer Jensen, Matt Mikkelsen and Sheryl Bennett.
The Steffensmeier family, West Des Moines: Olivia, Parker and Quinn Steffensmeier (front row). Tim and Suzanne Davis, Haylie and Kurt Steffensmeier and Dalten Davis (second row).
The Klein Family: Kevin and Barb Klein, Lisa and Aaron Anderson, parents of Evelyn, the 193rd Tori’s Angels child, Katelyn and Dustin Klein, Kelsey Klein and Cade Thiner.
Red Dot Branding + Marketing – Greg Culver, Megan Culver, Patrick Nicodemus, Laurie DePhillips, Jason Owen, Laura Bruggeman, Ben Bruggeman, Amy Johnson and Bryce Johnson.
Joan Fredrickson, Yale, and Cathy Klinge, Panora, show off their auction winnings.
Karwyn Gibson shows the PEMF equipment.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, April 2026
Karwyn Gibson shows how PEMF is used on an ankle.
“It is pulsed electromagnetic field, or PEMF, and then I also just added red light therapy, which has red, near infrared and blue light, so it’s a broad spectrum of light,” Karwyn said. “How I got started in it is that one of our two girls had a knee injury while dancing, and a friend of ours was using PEMF on livestock. We asked if she would be able to help our daughter, and she said absolutely. She started working on our daughter’s knee, and it really helped her recover and continue dancing pain-free.”
Patients are able to recline and relax during PEMF treatments.
“PEMF is a magnetic field. The Earth has a magnetic field,” Karwyn said. “This therapy for humans is just now coming into the Midwest, but it’s been on the coasts for quite a while. We bought this mat and a PEMF machine and were using it on ourselves. We decided it might be something we could use to help other people because it helps decrease inflammation in the body, which is something most people have. It brings oxygen into your cells, helps them replicate more quickly and removes damaged cells while bringing in new ones.”
Karwyn said PEMF and red light therapies can benefit a wide range of people.
“It helps with things like arthritis or recovery after surgery. It can help with bone health after an injury. A lot of professional athletes and teams use PEMF to help athletes recover more quickly,” she said. “Red light does similar things and can help with skin issues, anti-aging, recovery between workouts and boosting collagen. It increases circulation and energy. Both therapies work with the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. They stimulate it to produce more ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, which is the energy of the cell.”
The red light therapy can help with arthritis, recovery after surgery and sports medicine..
The therapies are generally safe for most people, although PEMF is not recommended for anyone with a pacemaker.
Karwyn shared her credentials in the therapies.
“I am certified through the Association of PEMF Professionals. I also complete continuing education credits and did my red light certification through them,” she said.
The Gibsons said the therapies are still not widely known.
“Most people don’t even know it exists. If you were in the livestock world, you would know because people use it very frequently,” Karwyn said. “Another big thing is that it’s not invasive. You’re not being injected with anything. It also works well with chiropractic care or physical therapy.”
Karwyn said the manufacturer of her PEMF equipment first used the technology on racehorses, then jockeys, and later expanded to treating a variety of conditions in humans.
Another point some may not realize is that with PEMF, there is no need for patients to disrobe.
“Before I was in this office, I actually treated people in the lobby before an office opened up,” Karwyn said.
The Gibsons added that the treatments are not painful. Users often report a relaxing or warm tingling sensation during PEMF sessions.
“With red light, you’re not going to get sunburn. There’s no UV light in it. It’s a totally different wavelength,” Karwyn said. “With PEMF, people sometimes worry it’s going to hurt. If it starts to feel uncomfortable, we’ll take it down a notch. There really isn’t anything to be afraid of. It encourages your body to heal itself.”
The recommended frequency of treatment depends on each situation, but Karwyn offered a general guideline.
“If somebody is doing it for general wellness, I would say once or twice a month,” she said. “But if it’s something chronic or an injury, it’s probably best to start two to three times a week and then taper off as things get better.”
Asked about a patient’s success, Karwyn shared a story of a man who had been seriously injured in a car accident and saw rapid improvement with PEMF treatments.
“He was dramatic. Every time he came, he was significantly better. He’s back working now,” she said.
The Gibsons welcome anyone interested to visit or call 641-276-9905. More information is available at www.wavewellnessiowa.com.