In appreciation, the upcoming walking path at Boulder Beach will bear her name.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Susan Thompson was honored by her fellow Friends of Lake Panorama board members on Friday Aug. 28 for her commitment of more than 12 years to the organization.

Galen and Pam Johnson hosted the appreciation event at their home at Lake Panorama. Friends of Lake Panorama President Jan Reinicke offered many thanks to Thompson and announced that the upcoming walking path at Boulder Beach would be named in her honor. 

Beginning in September 2014 through August 2026, Friends of Lake Panorama has raised and managed approximately $1.3 million for projects large and small. Nine Beach Ball fundraisers account for $271,000 of the total. Reinicke noted how Thompson was instrumental in each step along the way. 

The first two major projects Friends completed were a destination playground at Sunset Beach in 2016 and sports courts at Boulder Beach in 2018.

Projects that followed included improvements to playgrounds at all three beaches; sports courts at Sunset Beach; dog park; Panorama West Nature Trail enhancements; South Shore recreational area that includes trails, disc golf, benches, picnic shelter and a dock for lake access; more than 20 new benches at beaches and golf courses; trees planted at beaches and the lake’s west entrance; and several smaller projects.

The Lake Panorama National Golf Course capital fundraising campaign for course improvements began in 2024 and is expected to continue for multiple years. Projects will be completed as funding is available.  

The walking path at Boulder Beach recently met the $60,000 fundraising needed for construction, marking the final project of Thompson’s with Friends of Lake Panorama.

Lake Panorama Association General Manager John Rutledge has worked closely with Thompson through her 12 years on the Friends board, as well as her involvement with the LPA.

“I was hired in April 2007 and took the GM position in August of 2007. Susan was elected to the board in May 2007. In many ways, we began our LPA journey together,” Rutledge said. “Susan served a total of six consecutive years (two terms). She was secretary the first four years and president the final two. Her board service ended at the May 2013 annual meeting.”  

Rutledge explained that around the time Susan completed her board service, he was contacted by local attorney Bill Bump, who was helping some clients plan their estate. Those clients wanted to donate money to LPA.

“Bill suggested LPA form a 501(c)(3) so that estate gifts would not be subject to inheritance tax,” Rutledge said. “Bill did not disclose the client’s name or the amount, but I later learned this was the McLuen Estate, which was given to enhance the Panorama West Golf Course. After discussing Bill’s suggestion with the LPA attorney and board of directors, I set about the task of recruiting members to help form and launch Friends of Lake Panorama.”

Rutledge said his first call was to Susan Thompson.

“Neither Susan nor I had a road map to where Friends of Lake Panorama would go. We knew there was a lot of potential, but also a lot of hard work to build a 501(c)(3) from the ground up. Susan agreed to lead the effort to establish Friends of Lake Panorama, and she guided it to great heights. Susan would be the first to tell you the generosity of our membership has been the driving factor in Friends’ success. But as someone whose had a front row seat for the last 12 years, I can confirm Susan’s leadership was the driving force needed to bring Friends from concept to reality.”

Friends of Lake Panorama timeline:

• November 2013: Articles of Incorporation filed with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office
• December 2013: First board meeting held
• July 2014: IRS grants 501(c)3 nonprofit status
• September 2014: Fundraising begins for Sunset Beach Playground/Boulder Beach sports courts
• May 2016: First Beach Ball raises $23,000
• July 2016: Sunset Beach destination playground opens, $130,000 cost
• May 2017: Second Beach Ball raises $20,000
• August 2017: Friends receives $473,000 from Jim & Joyce McLuen estate; funds used as designated for Panorama West golf course improvements; work done 2018-2020
• June 2018: Boulder Beach sports courts open, $175,000 cost
• August 2020: Third Beach Ball raises $30,000
• October 2020: Goal of $70,000 reached for Shady and Boulder Beach playgrounds; Shady playground equipment installed
• April 2021: Boulder Beach playground equipment installed
• July 2021: Fourth Beach Ball raises $27,000
• June 2022: Dog park opens, trees and benches added that fall, $55,000 cost
• July 2022: Fifth Beach Ball raises $37,000; LPN Shade Sails installed, cost $22,000
• August 2022: Sunset Beach swings installed, cost $8,000
• October 2022: Panorama West Nature Trail enhancements, cost $5,000
• November 2022: Sunset Beach basketball/pickleball court completed, cost $48,000
• June 2023: Sixth Beach Ball raises $27,000
• November 2023: Disc golf course opens as part of South Shore Recreation Area
• March 2024: Trees planted at west entrance, Sunset and Boulder beaches, cost $7,500
• April 2024: Capital Campaign begins for Lake Panorama National golf course improvements
• May 2024: South Shore Recreation Area complete; disc golf course, parking lot, shelter, trails, benches, signage, cost $24,000
• June 2024: Seventh Beach Ball raises $34,000
• June 2025: Eighth Beach Ball raises $35,000
• July 2025: South Shore dock installed, cost $10,000
• June 2026: Ninth Beach Ball raises $38,000
• July 2026: LPN Capital Campaign reaches $145,000 total; funds to date used to renovate forward tee boxes and driving range teeing area
• August 2026: Boulder Beach walking path goal of $60,000 reached, construction planned for September

 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The weekend of Aug. 28 and 29 saw a multi-event celebration to mark the 100^th anniversary of Springbrook State Park, north of Guthrie Center.

Attendance was strong throughout the celebration. Attendees enjoyed a full moon hike and owl calling on Friday night. Saturday events included kayaking, a music jam, crafting, meet and greet with animals, a free community picnic and more.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor in November’s election, held a town hall meeting on Aug. 31 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center. A crowd estimated at 100 came to ask questions and/or hear Sand’s position on issues.

Guthrie County Supervisor Brian Johnson, who identified himself as a registered Republican, was offered the microphone to ask the first question. Throughout the event, Sand addressed a variety of issues, including challenges to rural health care, water quality concerns, data centers, school vouchers and the “brain drain” of young adults tending to leave rural Iowa.

Sand shared his belief that Iowans tend to see the best outcomes when state government is not in the hands of just one political party. He said he welcomes the opportunity to work with those in state government who have different opinions than his own.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Panora Farmers Market withstood a short thunderstorm on Saturday morning, but the sun eventually broke through and allowed for another successful market. 

Panora beekeeper turns a retirement hobby into a labor of love — and hundreds of pounds of honey.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, August 2026

After retiring in 2021 from her career at Wells Fargo, Karla Van Winkle of rural Panora decided to try her hand at beekeeping. And after mentioning her interest in the hobby, Van Winkle was surprised to receive a gift from a friend that included a basic “starter kit” for a beekeeper.

Since she had no prior experience, Van Winkle knew she needed more than a starter kit, so she wisely sought the advice of experienced beekeepers. Van Winkle met with Craig and Cathy Hinderaker, beekeepers with decades of experience, at their home in rural Guthrie Center.

“So, for the first full year after I retired, I worked with them,” she said. “They mentored me, and it’s turned into a wonderful friendship. The next year, they gave me a couple of hives to get started, so this is my fifth year.”

During that time, Van Winkle has found that, as she had been forewarned, beekeeping is an expensive hobby and a lot of work. But she does not regret her involvement.

“The joke is that if you want to end up with a million dollars as a beekeeper, start with two million,” she said.

Van Winkle explained how beekeepers begin the process of collecting honey. The first step is to create a separate place in the hive for surplus honey that the queen bee cannot access.

“You start with one box. Then when the queen lays enough eggs and the bees have brought in enough honey and nectar that the first box is basically full, then you add a second box on top of that, and the same thing goes on there,” Van Winkle said. “Then you start adding what’s called ‘honey supers.’ You put down a metal frame with holes big enough for the worker bees to get through but the queen is too big to get through. When that super gets full, then you add another super on top. Anything the bees put in a honey super is yours to harvest.”

The term “busy as a bee” is very apt, as Van Winkle explained. The bees make honey to fulfill the dietary needs of the hive, and if pollen and conditions are right, they will actually make more than they need. Meanwhile, the queen bee is laying 1,500 to 2,000 eggs daily. So, a beekeeper needs to check the hive frequently to make sure the bees have enough room to keep growing the hive.

“If the bees run out of room, then they will swarm and the queen will leave and most of the bees will follow her, and then you’ve lost your hive,” Van Winkle said.

Van Winkle has learned many unwritten rules about dealing with bees, such as the fact that it is easier to work with a hive later in the morning when most of the worker bees are out foraging for pollen.

“Each hive will have its own personality. Some are more aggressive, but others will be more docile. They take on the personality of the queen,” she said. “I personally like to name my hives and sometimes the queens. One hive now has six honey supers on it. I affectionately call that hive the ‘East Siders’ because they’re so hard-working.”

Van Winkle also explained that a longstanding tradition among beekeepers is talking to the bees.

“Bees have always been considered part of the family. So if something happens, then you are supposed to tell the bees,” she said. “The folklore was that if you did not tell the bees the news, the entire hive could get sick and die, or they may leave, or just stop producing honey. So, I have to admit, I talk to my bees about some of that stuff.”

Within a hive, bees communicate by scent, using chemicals called pheromones. Van Winkle shared a helpful hint she learned regarding this.

“Their attack pheromone apparently smells like a banana, so you never want to eat a banana right before you go out to your hives,” she said.

Raw honey such as Van Winkle’s is known to have a variety of antibacterial properties and other potential health benefits. Some users claim that allergies can be diminished by eating local raw honey.

Van Winkle explained that despite all the precautions, a beekeeper will get stung repeatedly. But she has learned to take it all in stride.

“There’s a lot of hard work, but there’s also a lot of fun and laughter that goes into it,” she said.

Those interested in trying Raccoon River Ridge honey can buy it at the Panora Farmers Market or email Van Winkle at kvw@netins.net.

Although Van Winkle harvests hundreds of pounds of honey each year, she noted that there is very little profit in an operation of that size.

“Right now I have four hives. Each super that you have on a hive can yield about 30 pounds of honey. Last year I had a total harvest of about 330 pounds, and this year I’m expecting about 240 pounds,” she said. “It’s really just a fun hobby for me.”