By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Nov. 25 Times Vedette incorrectly listed an upcoming presentation about the Summit Carbon Pipeline set for Dec. 12 in Panora. That event was held in 2024. There is no such event scheduled in December 2025. The Times Vedette regrets the error.
Special to the Times Vedette
On Nov. 26, Dennis Betts got two 18s; Rhonda Tiitus got a 16 and an 18; Joyce Keeran and Robert Klever each got a 16; Mark Humphry got an 18; Sandy Rumelhart got a 21; and Dick Ellis got a 22. But because of Thanksgiving, good-hearted Dick gave his half to Sandy.
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.
The Lakeshore team: Cierra Wright (assistant), Sue Bump (assistant), Dr. Larry Spray and Kassity Voss (hygienist). Sam Willson (front office) is not pictured.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, November 2025
Lakeshore Family Dentistry is located near the eastern edge of Panora.
A familiar building in Panora is Lakeshore Family Dentistry, the office of Dr. Larry Spray and his team. The practice has been located at 709 E. Main St. in Panora for 13 years.
“We have four exam rooms,” Dr. Spray said. “We started with two, 13 years ago, and now we’re up to four.”
For Dr. Spray, the Panora area was one he was always familiar with.
“I was born and raised in Dallas Center, so this is pretty close to home,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed being in Panora. I like the small-town feel.”
Lakeshore Family Dentistry, as the name suggests, is a general dental office, with no specific specialty.
“We do a little bit of everything. We do some implants but not any one thing that we focus on. We’re pretty generalized,” Dr. Spray said.
Dr. Spray shows one of the four exam rooms.
Asked what makes Lakeshore Family Dentistry unique in the area, Dr. Spray and Dental Assistant Sue Bump pointed out that the practice offers Invisalign products and strives to cater to the need of youth patients.
“In general, we like to have a relaxed atmosphere here. Dental phobia is real. I’m a pretty goofy guy, so with kids, we can normally get them calmed down,” Dr. Spray said. “I’m all about making positive experiences, so sometimes that means we don’t get everything done that we wanted in one visit.”
The office accepts most insurance programs, but Dr. Spray finds Medicaid regulations to be an ongoing challenge.
“We do see patients with Medicaid, but we are not accepting new patients with Medicaid,” Dr. Spray said. “Every six months, it seems like there is a new change to the regulations, and that makes it difficult to keep up with. I wish they could simplify it.”
Anyone interested in scheduling an appointment can call the office at 641-755-3030. Dr. Spray said the office hours are designed to meet the needs of his patients.
“We’re open Mondays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays we’re closed, Thursdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday is currently 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. but Fridays kind of vary because we have early-out,” Dr. Spray said. “We tend to be pretty busy at the extremes, early and late.”
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Nov. 25 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, a public hearing was set regarding the proposed Calmer Minor Subdivision (29-80-30 near Highway 4).
Chris Whitaker of Region XII explained.
“Mr. Calmer requested a minor subdivision of about four acres north off of Highway 4, near Panora,” Whitaker said. “The Planning and Zoning Commission did review this a week or so ago and did recommend approving this.”
The public hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. during the supervisors meeting on Dec. 9.
The supervisors accepted the resignation of Vicki Gubser from the Guthrie County Regional Airport Authority Board. Those interested in applying to fill the vacancy will be able to access the application form on the county’s website.
The supervisors voted to adopt Resolution 26-13 (Second Appropriation Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025-2026).
The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#
Special to the Times Vedette
On Nov. 21, a total of nine players participated. Roy Carl got a 16 and a 17; Rhonda Titus got two 17s; Lela Schwartz had a 20; and Robert Klever got a 21 to win the kitty.
On Nov. 24, Wayne Nickel got a 24; Rhonda Titus got a 17; and Sandy Rumelhart, Bill Sheeder and Robert Klever got 16s.
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.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Nov. 24, Fire Chief Cory Campbell addressed the council to request approval for a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for the city’s firefighters as a way to encourage them to remain on the crew.
Campbell said the fire department has seen a gradual decrease in the number of firefighters. He said the crew is down to 21 members, and he would like to maintain a crew of 30. Campbell explained that the state recently allocated funds to help cities that choose to establish a LOSAP for the firefighters.
“They put approximately $1.5 million into this program,” Campbell said. “It’s a length of service program. Essentially, it’s a 401K for firefighters.”
Campbell explained that firefighters would need to accumulate 100 points for various tasks (attending meetings, going on fire calls, etc.), and only those who tally 100 or more in a year would receive deposits into their accounts. He said if the city allocates funds for LOSAP, the state will provide a 3-1 match, meaning that if the city allocated $167 per firefighter per year, each firefighter’s account could receive another $500.
The council consensus was that it could be an effective way to foster firefighters staying on the crew longer.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Mayor Mike Herbert said.
City Administrator Kris Arrasmith will draft a resolution on the matter for the council to consider at an upcoming meeting.
The council chose to have a second council meeting in December, per the regular schedule. The meeting on Dec. 22 will include the swearing-in of newly elected councilmember Erica Finster, who will replace her father, outgoing member Chuck Cleveland, on the council.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.