By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
An annual pancake fundraiser was held Saturday, Nov. 9 from 8-11 a.m. at The Port Restaurant. It was a “good will offering” with the proceeds going to local VFW Post 5510 and American Legion/Sons of American Legion Post 372. Organizers say the event had a good turnout, despite the rain and cold weather. Those pictured are the many volunteers who helped prepare and serve the meals.
Blake Heckman, Braden Bahrenfuss, Grace Tripple, Berkley Schwartz, Ruth Fett and Leah Kastner
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Tori’s Angels Blue Ribbon Gala was held Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. More than 325 were in attendance, and more than $200,000 was raised. More than 25 items were included in the live auction at the event, and an additional 61 items were included in a silent auction. This annual event is a fundraiser for the foundation, which helps kids with life-threatening medical challenges.
The Tori’s Angels foundation is a nonprofit corporation that pays for medical expenses not covered by insurance including travel expenses to treatment (airfare or mileage, hotels, meals), co-pays, deductibles, and prescription medicine that is approved by insurance for use in Iowa for the diagnosed, life-threatening condition. Each child is supported from the date of acceptance until his/her 19th birthday.
The idea of Tori’s Angels Foundation began in July 2010 with a community breakfast fundraiser, hosted by the Panora United Methodist Church, to assist with the medical expenses of then-5-year-old Tori Heckman of Panora, who has had multiple heart surgeries since birth. The fundraiser was so successful that the idea of a foundation to help other children with life-threatening medical conditions was born.
For more information, visit www.torisangels.org.
Tori Heckman and JoAnn Alumbaugh Tori Heckman Anette Lukacs and Matt Lukacs Joann Sandage, Randy Sandage and Larry Hummel Kelvin Hafner, Andrew Randol and Mike Underwood Joann Johnson and Lori Van Kirk Julie Dent-Zajicek, event auctioneer Dan Wilson and Patty Reeve Linda Wendl and Jolene Goodman Shayne McGaughey and Gail McGaughey
Front row: Cathy and Deb. Back row: Bernice, Kate, Patsy, Valerie, Becca and Chris.
Special to the Times Vedette
Art on State had a Christmas painting class for adults on Saturday. Participants created 5×7 cards to send out or frame. Mary Johnson was the instructor. A free class for the kids was also held on Saturday morning.
Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org or call 641-332-2267.
Deb and Chris Becca and Valerie Art on State had a free class on Saturday morning. The kids made the Christmas tree with paint and glitter. Carol Redshaw brought her family art into the store. The items could be personalized and used as presents for Christmas. Crosby
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Panorama School Board on Nov. 11, the board heard a report from Mr. Hameister regarding the recent trip FFA students took to the National Convention.
The board also formally approved a sharing agreement between Panorama School and ACGC to share the girls wrestling programs. It was noted that, currently, Panorama has five athletes on the team and ACGC has seven.
Superintendent Kasey Huebner presented a financial report for the school district, pointing out that roughly “80% of your expenses are people,” including wages, benefits and such. He added that overall, the district is doing well financially.
“We’re in really good shape,” Huebner said.
Board members voted to approve the purchase of a water power pump for the elementary school at a cost of $5,984.
The next regular meeting of the Panorama School Board is set for Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 12, lengthy consideration was held regarding the possibility of the county adopting an ordinance to address hazardous pipelines. Tim Whipple from the firm of Ahlers and Cooney addressed the supervisors regarding the possibility of creating a hazardous pipeline ordinance for Guthrie County.
“What authority do counties have?” Supervisor Brian Johnson asked.
Whipple cautioned that he cannot give the supervisors a clear answer as to whether or not such an ordinance would be enforceable and effective in addressing the concerns within the county. Local authority may be superseded by the State.
“We just don’t have an answer to that yet,” Whipple said.
Whipple said he believes some other counties are waiting to see what happens with Bremer’s County’s litigation regarding Phase 2 of the CO2 pipeline plan.
“Right now, it looks like Bremer County is going to be our best friend,” Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said.
The supervisors voted to begin the process of creating a draft of a proposed ordinance on this issue.
A special meeting of the supervisors will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to canvass the election results. The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Nov. 18. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Nov. 11 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, Arianne Steenblock addressed the council during the Public Forum portion of the meeting.
“I’m here tonight to request some minor improvements to the Panora Community Center. I’m renting the space in May for a graduation,” Steenblock said.
She noted that the north doors and the south double-door are in good condition but need to be repainted. She mentioned some ceiling tiles should be replaced, and she offered a suggestion for allowing items to be temporarily hung from walls. Steenblock showed examples of “Command Strip” type devices that would allow for decorating without causing holes in the walls. She offered to donate her time to do the painting and even to buy needed items, if allowed.
Because this request was not on the meeting’s agenda, the council did not take formal action. However, Mayor Curt Thornberry asked for the council’s consensus, and the members showed a willingness to look into the matter. It was also noted that replacement ceiling tiles are available.
City Administrator Lisa Grossman said the city’s annual audit is ongoing with most of the in-house work already completed.
Councilmember Roger Dorr asked where the city stands regarding EMS service, in the wake of the countywide measure that did not pass in the recent election.
Grossman said there will be a Public Safety committee meeting, and that group will be asked to make a recommendation to the city. She added that the county will most likely start over and try to get a countywide plan out to voters again when able.
The council discussed the need for Panora to make changes in the meantime to assure that Panora EMS can remain viable.
“You’re still looking at two years, two and a half, probably,” Mayor Thornberry said, regarding how soon a potential countywide plan could be fully implemented.
“We know we can’t wait that long, so we want to sit down and look at some numbers and have some good discussion about where we go,” Grossman said.
“Hopefully, we can get something to kind of bridge this period of time,” Thornberry said.
The next regular meeting of the Panora City Council will be Monday, Nov. 25 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#).