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Here comes Peter Cottontail

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, April 4, the Easter Bunny will be hiding eggs in many local communities.

Guthrie Center

Guthrie Center Elementary (900 North Fourth St., Guthrie Center) will have visits with the Easter Bunny from 10-10:50 a.m. with the egg hunt to begin at 11 a.m. Each age group will hunt in a specific area to keep the hunt fair. Sponsored by Rose Acre Farms.

Yale

The community of Yale will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4 on Main Street.

Panora

Veterans Auditorium and the Panora Square are the site for Panora’s egg hunt, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 4.

Adair

The Adair Chamber of Commerce, Grant Sky Eagles 4H Club and Summit Super Stars 4H Club are holding an Easter egg hunt for kids up to 10 years old. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4 at Adair City Park, 401 Fourth St. in Adair.

Have an easter egg hunt to add for Friday’s edition? Contact Rich at rich@gctimesnew.com. 

The Renew Room is a place to relax and renew

Brie Beardsley is pleased to serve customers in the area.

Brienna Beardsley’s massage therapy business is located at 411 East Main St. in Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, March 2026

The Renew Room in Panora is a relatively new business that some may not have noticed yet. Its address is 411 East Main St., but it is actually located in the rear of the Active Health Solutions building.

Owner Brienna Beardsley shared how the business came to be.

“I was a CNA for 13 years, and I ended up being a hospice CNA. I had always been interested in massage therapy. When I worked at the hospice house, they had a massage therapist who came in to work with patients, and I was very inspired by that,” she said.

Beardsley and her family moved back to Panora, making it the right time to open her own business.

Clients can access The Renew Room via the rear parking lot and back door.

“My husband, Josh, coached college basketball for 10 years, so we moved around a lot. Then he took the job here in Panora as the boys’ basketball coach, and I went back to school for massage. We live here in Panora. Josh is born and raised here. After multiple years away from family, it’s nice to be where we can raise our girls close to family. I’m from Gowrie. Our end goal was always to be back in a smaller town,” she said.

Beardsley completed a 600-hour course to become a licensed massage therapist.

“I took my boards in July, graduated in August, and I started here Sept. 2,” she said.

After operating her business for more than six months, Beardsley has settled on regular hours. Mondays, she works at Sapphire Skin Co., 322 State St., Guthrie Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rest of the week, she works at the Panora location: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon.

Beardsley offers massage in 30-, 60-, 90- or 120-minute sessions, with or without hot stones, as well as lymphatic drainage. She recently became certified in myofascial lymphatic drainage massage.

“It’s working within the tissues to help move the lymph fluid within our bodies,” she said. “It’s really good for detoxification, inflammation, and anyone with lymphedema.”

Beardsley said one of her main philosophies is that one size does not fit all.

“When you come in, we sit down and discuss your goals. I want to know what kind of pressure you like, any problem areas, or areas you do not want me to touch. This is your time, and I want you to get the most out of it. I can do deep tissue massage, which is more aggressive. I also offer pre-natal and post-natal massage. I’m certified to care for pregnant women before and after birth. I also do hot stone massage, which can improve blood flow for healing and relaxation,” she said.

One of the main benefits of massage, Beardsley said, is simply the chance to unplug and relax.

“I try to provide a peaceful, relaxing environment, with lighting, aromatherapy and sound. Some clients may fall asleep, and I continue the session as agreed, whether they are awake or asleep,” she said.

Beardsley said new clients may need time to adjust before experiencing full benefits.

“I start with compression over the blanket, which helps release your nervous system so you can receive the touch therapeutically,” she said.

For returning clients, she recommends regular sessions.

“For maintenance, every four to six weeks is suggested. Like a car, our bodies need a tune-up. We’re hard on our bodies and need a chance to reset, relax muscles and relieve tension,” she said.

Anyone interested in scheduling a session can contact Beardsley by phone, Facebook (The Renew Room LLC) or Instagram.

Beardsley said she is happy to live in Panora and provide a beneficial service to the community.

“I’m very passionate about it. Massage and bodywork are great for mind, body and soul, and I want to offer that service to the community,” she said.

 

 

Cribbage results from March 27 and March 30

Special to the Times Vedette

On March 27, a total of six players participated. Dave Richter and Lela Schwartz each got a 16; Sandy Rumelhart and Bill Sheeder divided a 20.

On March 30, Roy Carl got two 16s; Sandy Rumelhart got a 20; Bill Sheeder got a 16 and a 20; and Robert Klever got a 20. 

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.

49th Annual IHSSA All-State Individual Events Festival to televise on MC22

Special to the Times Vedette

Mediacom Communications subscribers can watch coverage from the 49th Annual Iowa High School Speech Association(IHSSA) All-State Individual Events Festival on Mediacom’s local programming channel, MC22, beginning April 10 at 7 p.m.

The IHSSA consists of more than 490 member schools and 40,000 students. Each year, the IHSSA hosts 27 District Contests, 9 State Contests, and two All-State Festivals. The IHSSA Competition includes high schools from four Iowa districts and offers three categories: debate, large group, and individual events. The MC22 production team based in Cedar Rapids will cover the All-State Individual Events performed at the University of Northern Iowa on Monday, March 30.

MC22 will televise the 49th Annual IHSSA All-State Individual Events program as a two-part series. Each program will be approximately two hours in duration, with the first to broadcast on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to check their local TV listings at: mc22.net/tv-listings/. Mediacom subscribers, including internet only, can watch MC22’s coverage of the All-State program online at: watchmc22.vhx.tv/browse.

2026 IHSSA All-State Festival on MC22:

  • Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 11 at noon
  • Sunday, April 12 at 6 p.m.

GCH reports on HR and training data 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 26 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson summarized the hiring and personnel status.

“We are doing very well in the recruitment area. We are down to four job openings,” Anderson said. “That’s the least number of job openings we’ve had since I started here, so that’s great.”

Chief Nursing Officer Mandy Schiefert reported on positive feedback from patients. Clinical Safety & Quality Coordinator Danielle Lauzon shared data on quality improvement measures.

Schiefert also reported on the hospital’s implementation of practices known as Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB).

“We are starting the last classes of MOAB,” Schiefert said. “So, hopefully, we’ll have all staff completed with that training by the end of the year.”

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery gave a reminder of upcoming fundraiser events, including the annual Handbags and Bingo event on April 10 and the golf tournament on July 14.

It was noted that hospitals may begin seeing some supply shortages as a result of the war in Iran. UnityPoint Health is recommending that hospitals strive to keep enough supplies to get through if shortages endure.

The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Thursday, April 23 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

Stephens put down roots with Thyme to Grow

Natalie Stephens holds a young plant.

 

Natalie Stephens of Guthrie Center has had a lifelong love of baking and gardening.

 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, March 2026

Natalie and Dave Stephens of Guthrie Center are relatively new to town, but the area has grown on them. 

“We moved here in 2018. Before that, we were in Yale,” Natalie said. “I actually came from Michigan. Dave came from Oklahoma. It’s been nice to be back in that small-town feel. I love it.”

A colorful bounty.

Stephens explained that after moving to Guthrie Center, she found herself needing a hobby.

“He worked 50 or 60 hours a week, and I was home taking care of the dog, the cats, the grandkids, always staying busy, and I was interested in the farmers market,” she said. “I knew that I would love to teach people how to grow their own food. I would love to answer questions. One of my sayings is ‘gardeners unite.’ So, I named my Facebook page for this ‘Thyme to Grow’ because it’s always time to grow.”

Stephens recalls that in 2018, the backyard was just that: a basic backyard. With a lifelong love of baking and gardening, Stephens knew what she needed to do.

“When we bought this place, it was just a grass backyard, maybe a small garden spot. So, we bought a rototiller and tilled up the rest of the grass,” she said.

Stephens began growing a garden and baking items to sell at the farmers markets in the area. Early last season, Stephens was offering more baked goods than plants.

Monster cookies are popular.

“Last year, I went to Panora markets and Guthrie, so every Saturday, we did them, and it was too much. I made some killer monster cookies, with eyeballs and bats. I was selling out of them every week. And I made pecan poppers. They are five-ingredient cookies, and those were selling out, too,” she said. “But I got burned-out on all the baking.”

Over the past eight seasons, more and more of the Stephens’ yard has gradually been turned into production of some sort, whether it be berries, tomatoes, herbs or flowers. Although that creates more work, there is a side benefit.

“We’re trying to eliminate as much grass mowing and weed whipping as possible,” she said.

With that in mind, Stephens is focusing more on the garden produce. Although she doesn’t follow all of the strict guidelines to label her items as organic, she knows her produce is close. 

“I don’t put any artificial sprays on my stuff. If I do spray, it’s dish soap and water, and maybe some essential oils, or diatomaceous earth. Nothing that you can’t ingest,” she said. “I’ve got perennial fruits; I’ve got asparagus back there. I have rose bushes. I have lots of stuff that pollinators love. Last year, I grew flower bouquets. I grew zinnias and sunflowers. I’ve got all these different things.”

Another benefit to the couple’s large garden is that it attracts many animals. 

“I’ve had butterflies and hummingbirds all over the place,” Stephens said.

Because Stephens has developed a green thumb, she often ends up with more fresh produce than she could use. But, that is easily solved, as she gives produce away to friends and neighbors and/or donates extra to New Opportunities. 

Besides being a vendor approximately once a month at either the Guthrie Center or Panora farmers markets, Stephens plans to have a small seasonal produce stand on the porch at the couple’s house at 803 Prairie St., allowing customers to shop on the honor system. She explained that the setup works especially well during mid- to late-summer when so much fresh produce is ripening every day.

This year, Stephens aims to participate in the Guthrie Center farmers market, but she does not plan to participate in others, at least not on a regular basis. Stephens explained that her baking and gardening is a hobby rather than a business. 

“It’s seeing people enjoy what you’ve created. That really makes a difference; I enjoy that. I’ve been a baker since I was 3 years old. My mom sold wedding cakes, and I was her helper. As soon as I could reach the table, I was making snickerdoodles,” Stephens said. “I don’t want to do just the baked goods, even though they sell really well. I want to do the produce and flowers and herbs and things like that. I like to grow yellow tomatoes because they’re easier on your stomach. And I like to grow lots of varieties of things that you can’t find at the store.”

For more information, Stephens can be reached at 641-757-2513 or emailed at buzzyrules3000@yahoo.com.