By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette

The Women’s Service Organization (WSO) annual fundraising home tour for 2026 is Friday, June 5. Five Lake Panorama homes will be featured, with three on the west side of the lake and two on the east side.

Tickets are $30 and include both the tour and lunch at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort, 5071 Clover Ridge Road. Tickets will be available beginning May 1 and can be reserved by calling or texting Toni Wright at 641-757-0886 or Sue Merryman at 641-751-5956. There will be a maximum of 260 tickets available, and organizers say they expect to sell out quickly.

WSO was formed in 1972 when women who worked together to help pass a school bond issue decided they could benefit the local community as a formal organization.

The first WSO home tour was in 1974, and is the organization’s major fundraiser. The first tour group leaves the Lake Panorama National clubhouse at 9 a.m., with three additional groups leaving on the half-hour through 10:30 a.m. Each group will tour the three homes on the west side of the lake before returning to LPN for lunch, followed by tours of the two homes on the east side.

Participants are asked to arrive at the LPN clubhouse 20 minutes ahead of their tour time, so they can join the vehicle lineup and receive instructions and description sheets. Several vendors will be at the clubhouse so tour guests can browse and shop during their lunch break.

WSO committees work in advance to gather information for a one-page description sheet, and determine the best order and route. The route isn’t always the most direct, but is designed for safety and to accommodate the parking of many vehicles at each home. 

Money raised by this tour funds a renewable scholarship awarded to a graduating Panorama student each year, making four scholarships paid annually. Additional WSO donations go to the Panora Library, Food Pantry, Panora Garden Club, Guthrie County Historical Village, Heritage Park, Tori’s Angels, Relay for Life, Panorama prom and yearbook. Other contributions are considered as projects become apparent. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center School Board announced the appointment of Rhys Pate as the new 9-12 principal at ACGC High School. Pate currently serves as a math teacher at Valley Southwoods in the West Des Moines Community School District and brings 18 years of teaching experience to the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education, as well as master’s and specialist degrees in education from Drake University. Pate says he is excited to use his educational and leadership experiences to lead ACGC High School.

His wife, Sarah, worked for 21 years at Valley as a special education associate and is currently taking time off to care for her family. Daughter Makencie works in marketing for 515 Decorative Concrete Supply and has developed a strong passion for utilizing her digital expertise. Daughter Kayla has worked in childcare since the age of 16 and is currently a nanny for a family with four children. Son Jase graduated last year and is now employed at Crunch Fitness, where he is working toward certification as a personal trainer, building on his passion for fitness developed during his time as a high school wrestler. Johannah (Jojo) is a seventh-grade student who is involved in school activities, including volleyball, basketball, wrestling, track and chorus.

Pate enjoys watching his children grow and pursue their passions. In his free time, he enjoys working out, golfing, collecting baseball cards, and, most importantly, spending time with his family.

Pate replaces Cody Matthewson, who resigned from his principal position earlier this year.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 24 regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors approved the annual urban renewal report and the fiscal year 2025 GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) report.

The supervisors discussed setting a public hearing for the fiscal year 2027 county budget. The date of April 21 at 9 a.m. was selected. Auditor Dani Fink asked to wait on officially publishing the notice of that hearing until she has a chance to talk with each department to be sure no changes are needed. The supervisors agreed to the request.

The supervisors meet regularly at 9 a.m. Tuesdays. The public is welcome to attend at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123 and use meeting code 547029216#.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Wednesday, March 25 at 10 a.m., Adair and Guthrie counties will participate in a statewide tornado drill. When the sirens sound, everyone is encouraged to practice how to respond in case of an actual tornado warning.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 23 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, the council members discussed vehicles that have been illegally parked on certain areas of Oak Street.

“I had two complaints about the no parking sign on Oak Street. When you turn off Fifth onto Oak, there is a no parking sign there,” Councilmember Carolyn Masters said. Council members noted that Oak Street is especially busy now with heavy equipment traveling to and from the hospital’s ongoing construction project.

Mayor Mike Herbert recommended calling the Sheriff’s department if illegal parking is seen, so the officers can respond to the situation.

In other news, a public hearing was held on the proposed property taxes. No citizens addressed the council, and no written comments had been received, so the hearing was promptly closed.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith reported that the city received a check from the insurer for the repair needed at the fire hall for damages caused when a vehicle ran into the corner of the building during a winter storm.

Arrasmith also noted the city will receive a $5,000 grant from the Guthrie County Community Foundation to help purchase playground equipment.

The council set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on April 13 regarding the city’s proposed budget.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for April 13 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Twenty-nine members of the ACGC FFA Chapter traveled to Denison High School March 7 to compete in the Southwest District FFA Leadership Contest. Students participated in leadership development events that test communication, leadership, record keeping and agricultural knowledge.

Several ACGC members earned top honors and will advance to the state level April 20 at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames.

ACGC had four individuals and teams advance to the state contest. Lucy Knutter placed first and received a gold rating in the Individual Ag Sales contest. Rylee Robson earned first place and a gold rating in the Job Interview contest. Meranda Gruber placed second with a gold rating in the Chapter Website contest, and Nora Langgaard placed second with a gold rating in the Treasurer’s Book competition. Other ACGC members also had strong performances at the district contest. Garrett Lemke received a gold rating in Oxy-Acetylene Welding, and Ava Sneller earned a gold rating for the Reporter’s Book.

Several participants received silver ratings: Chase Slaybaugh (Arc Welding), Nora Langgaard (Extemporaneous Speaking), Lilah Heinz (Public Speaking) and Creighton Suhr (Creed Speaking).

Teams also competed in several leadership events. The Chapter Program team of Stella Largent, Irelyn Wirt and Ava Sneller earned a silver rating. The Agricultural Issues and Perceptions team of Cash Suhr, Hudson Gilland, Ryan Martens, Blake Ganzer, Reece Emgarten and Aaron Langgaard received a silver rating. The Experience the Action team of Allison Drake, Calleigh Wolfe, Taryn Carroll, Tessa Slaybaugh and Alli Wiers earned a silver rating. In the Ag Impact event, Kenzie Kading, Jaxen Knobbe, Blaire Robson and Colt Wilson received a silver rating. Stella Largent also competed in the Secretary’s Book contest and received a bronze rating.

The district contest provided students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, strengthen public speaking abilities, and represent the ACGC FFA Chapter among other schools in the district. Congratulations to all who competed.