Photos by Jolene Goodman | Times Vedette

Tori’s Angels Foundation hosted its annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 26 with a dinner and fundraiser at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center with a the theme of “Reach for the Stars!”

The proceeds from gala ticket sales, as well as the live and silent auctions, will go toward Tori’s Angels mission of supporting families with children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions.

To date, the foundation has accepted more than 213 children with life-threatening illnesses and currently supports more than 150 children across Iowa. 

Tori’s Angels Foundation has been raising funds to help the families of children with life-threatening medical conditions by paying medical expenses that are not covered by insurance. Once accepted into the program, the child is supported from the date of sponsorship until his or her 19th birthday. Covered expenses include travel to obtain medical treatment (airfare, mileage, hotel, meals), as well as prescriptions, medical devices and insurance co-pays and deductibles. The foundation depends on the generosity of a large community of “Angels” to help relieve the financial burden for these families. 

Anyone wishing to help Tori’s Angels children is invited to send monetary donations to Tori’s Angels at P.O. Box 186, Panora IA 50216. Online donation options are located on the foundation’s website, www.torisangels.org, and on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/torisangels. The organization also welcomes anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer.

For more information about Tori’s Angels, check the foundation’s website: www.toriangels.org. To request an application for support, contact the foundation through its website or call 641-755-2011.

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce that the theme for Banned Books Week 2026 is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” Banned Books Week will take place Oct. 4-10, 2026.

Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week began in response to a sudden surge in challenges to books in libraries, bookstores and schools. This annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information.  It brings the entire book community — librarians, booksellers and readers of all types — together in support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the dangers of censorship.

Book bans in the United States refer to the removal or restriction of books from school curricula, school libraries, public libraries or bookstores based on objections to their content. Book bans are not new; books were banned in other countries before America’s first public libraries were established. Generally, books were banned on moral, religious or political grounds. The books that were banned were believed to be too obscene or too controversial to be read by society.

In the past, most challenges were brought by parents’ concerns about their children’s reading lists; however, according to data from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, more than 90% of recent book challenges are driven by organized political pressure groups, government officials and institutional decision-makers who are targeting large lists of books.

Disagreements over certain content will always exist; however, it is the position of the ALA that individuals should only be making decisions regarding content for themselves and their children rather than for other readers and parents.

Services, materials and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of all library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of providing library services and should be determined on an individual basis.

Reading material available in the library is available to patrons for personal selection; they are not required books. Banning these materials would remove access for all members of the community.

Join us in celebrating being able to enjoy libraries that provide for the needs and interests of our diverse patrons, their unique perspectives and their individual needs. Stop in and check out something interesting to celebrate Banned Books Week.

MJB Library has some exciting upcoming programs. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Iowa author Tyler Sullivan will present “Iowa’s Scenic View by Foot” at 4 p.m. Sullivan has journeyed to 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties and toured hundreds of Iowa museums and landmarks. Join him to learn about his travels and experiences through Iowa.  Highly recommended for all ages.

LEGO Mania Day for our youth is at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, “Fractions and Stained Glass,” an ISU Extension program for youth of all ages, will be offered in the Taylor Meeting Room. 

Special to the Times Vedette

The 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County group held its 2026 third quarter meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at B&B Marketplace in Panora. The group welcomed one new member this quarter.

The group announced that a total of $15,200 has been awarded to the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation, specifically for the Meals On Wheels and Congregate Meal programs. This donation consists of member contributions and several employer matches. Member Sue Merryman nominated the Meals on Wheels program, and Diane Flanery gave the presentation.

Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) provides more than 10,000 meals per year in Guthrie Center and Panora through the Congregate Meals and Meals on Wheels programs. With reduced government funding, the hospital would lose more than $20,000 this year on the two meal programs. The hospital is constantly searching for additional funding sources to ensure they can continue providing this valuable service in our communities.

The Meals on Wheels Program is more than a meal. It is possibly the only warm nutritious meal some recipients receive each day. Many times, it is the only human connection they have daily and provides a wellness check that they are well and safe.

“Guthrie County Hospital especially wants to thank the Guthrie County Women’s 10 Squared Organization for their generous donation to the Meals on Wheels Program,” GCH Foundation Director Dennis Flanery said.

For more information and/or ways to help support the programs, contact Flanery at 641-332-3879. 

10 Squared Women focuses on donating funds to local organizations that commit to putting those dollars to work right here in Guthrie County. The funds support a wide variety of projects that benefit communities and residents throughout the county. Including this quarter’s donation, the group has contributed a total of $475,700 since its inception in 2017.

The 10 Squared Women group meets quarterly on the fourth Tuesday in February, May, August and November. Members in attendance hear from three organizations drawn at random from a pool of member-nominated organizations and then vote that night on the winning cause. The final meeting of 2026 will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17 (held a week early due to Thanksgiving), and the location is still to be determined. Members will receive an email and calendar invitation with the location details, or they can check the posts on Facebook and Next Door.

The group currently has 142 members and approximately 20 organizations nominated. To learn how to get involved, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/10squaredwomengc or email 10squaredgc@gmail.com. Membership forms and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on their Facebook page or by contacting them through Facebook or email.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Sept. 28, Lance Scott addressed the council during the public forum portion of the meeting. He spoke about an issue he has dealt with involving sewage flowing into his home.

 “I’m sure you all know that there was an issue in our house on Sept. 15, a year and two months after our last ordeal when I came and presented my case to the council,” he said. “You said the issue would be fixed on Clay Street. Well, obviously, it’s not fixed yet. Yes, the work got done up the street…but still doesn’t address the issue in front of my house.”

As part of the meeting packet, a city memo from City Administrator Lisa Grossman summarized the determination by the city’s insurer that “there is insufficient evidence to establish negligence on the part of the City. The insurer reports that the City has appropriately maintained and monitored its sewer system, addressed potential hazards within a reasonable timeframe, and has a newer sewer system that is functioning properly.”

Scott stated there are two backflow-preventers between the main sewer line and his home, but he said, somehow, sewage entered his home anyway.

Grossman said the city’s sewer line in that area has been scoped with a camera recently, and no problems were observed. She gave Scott a list of contact information for agencies that may be able to help with the problem on his property, including possible financial assistance. Mayor Curt Thornberry voiced optimism that Scott can find resources to help with any costs he may incur in remedying the situation.

The council discussed the ambulance transport agreement between the city and the hospital. Currently, the city has a contract for an annual lump sum of $115,000 to provide transport. Grossman noted that the city has accrued costs around $100,000 for such transports through the first eight months of this year. The council discussed that most of the transportation involves trips to Des Moines, Omaha, Iowa City or other long drives.

The two main issues discussed were the long hours and workload this places on the ambulance crews and the cost of providing the service. The council discussed the possibility of giving 90 days formal notice of intent to end the current contract, but no formal action was taken at this time. The matter will be on the agenda for possible action at the Oct. 12 meeting of the council.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Oct.12 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#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session on Sept. 28. The main topic on the agenda was appointing a new mayor. Councilmember (and mayor pro tem) Garold Thomas led the meeting. He invited each of the two mayoral candidates, Roger Baird and JT Herron, to address the council regarding their interest in becoming mayor. Each talked about their longtime involvement in Guthrie Center. Baird noted that since he is fully retired, he has plenty of time to devote to mayoral duties.

The council voted to appoint Baird as the new mayor. He will be sworn in at the council’s Oct. 12 meeting.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith shared information about Compliance Officer Wes Clark’s work addressing various properties that appear to be in violation of the city’s ordinances, especially regarding lawns.

“They’re on his radar, but he wants to wait until after the rain stops, and then he’ll work on some citations,” she said.

Arrasmith also updated the council regarding repeated and ongoing complaints about the property at 907 Grant St. She noted that the city attorney is currently working to address the issues.

“Bruner is in communication with that gentleman,” she said.

The council approved the 2025-2026 Annual Urban Renewal Report.

Arrasmith noted that a ceremony will be held Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. for recipients of funding from the Guthrie County Community Foundation. The city was awarded funds for playground equipment at the city park.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

A Sunset Pontoon Cruise package donated by Jolene Goodman at the PEO Fashion Show on Aug. 12 was purchased by MJ Brown. She and six companions set sail on Sept. 27, taking full advantage of the beautiful early fall weather for a relaxing afternoon on the water while enjoying beverages and snacks.