By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Nov. 24, the council held a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Central Panora Urban Renewal Area.

“We had our consultation meeting, which nobody attended, and then we had our Planning and Zoning meeting, and the Planning and Zoning Commission was very agreeable to the project,” City Administrator Lisa Grossman said.

The council unanimously approved several resolutions related to the project, including setting a public hearing for Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Sidewalk sales

Discussion regarding recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding sidewalk sales in the Business Commercial and Historic Business Commercial districts.

“Their recommendation is to continue to allow sidewalk sales, but to limit the time,” Grossman said. She added the recommendation for an allowable time of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The council consensus was to ask Grossman to draft an ordinance change for the council to consider at an upcoming meeting.

More goose hunting

The council considered a request to allow Joey Dyer to hunt Canada geese within city limits on ag zoned land owned by Ethan Boyer.

“Are we going to have people coming every week wanting to have permission?” Brian Dorsett asked. “Do we put a limit on it?”

There was discussion about possibly just approving the land owner to “police the issue,” so the city wouldn’t need to make individual approvals for hunters, but Mayor Curt Thornberry voiced his opinion that the city should approve or deny each hunter’s request, since the firearms would be used within city limits. The council approved the request. The council may ask the landowner and/or Police Chief Reising to discuss the issue with the council.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 8 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#).

Don Lake and Deb Coffman at their “Happy Trails” event.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Monday, Nov. 24, a “Happy Trails” retirement event was held for Deb Coffman and Don Lake, who are retiring from their longtime positions in the Activities department at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Attendees enjoyed visiting and partaking of Old West-themed snacks.

Darwin Wetzel’s hobby turns out quality items.

Darwin Wetzel says his years of working with metal have served him well, giving him knowledge of the technical aspects of the steel he works with. 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, November 2025

Outdoorsman multipacks are a favorite item.

“I actually started about two years ago,” he said. “Basically, I went through about a year and three months of operation after operation after operation. I lost my leg, so I was sitting in a wheelchair going stir-crazy, trying to figure out what I was going to do instead of watching TV all the time.” 

Wetzel said he decided to start doing leather work and making sheaths for knives and axes. 

“I’ve been in the welding business and was a welding instructor for 21 years, so I’ve always been in the metal industry, and I always wanted to make custom knives,” he said. “So, as soon as I could stand in front of the belt grinder, I started making knives.”

Darwin Wetzel makes a wide variety of knives.

“I’ve been selling a little. Frontier Outfitting, just north of Adair, he’s been kind enough to let me put my products in his store,” Wetzel said. “And then we’ve gone to some gun shows, and I’ve sold quite a few multipacks.” 

The multipacks Wetzel creates are essentially oversized Swiss Army knives that include an axe, knives, a folding saw, possibly a handgun and other items, all held together safely in leather sheaths. The idea is that the user can wear the pack when going out into the woods or the mountains and have all the essential survival tools handy. These packs have proven to be quite popular.

“In the past two months, I’ve probably sold six of those multipacks,” Wetzel said.

Machetes, hatchets and axes made by Darwin Wetzel.

“I actually make some of them out of those big old buzzsaw blades from sawmills. It’s very good steel, high-carbon steel,” he said. “Some of the knives have some pitting that was in the saw blade, and sometimes I leave that in for character.”

Wetzel also occasionally uses unique materials in the knife handles or sheaths, such as elk antlers or arrowheads.

He said his years of working with metal have served him well, giving him knowledge of the technical aspects of the steel he works with. Wetzel remains committed to focusing on quality rather than quantity.

“I’m getting better,” he said. “The biggest thing is improving the quality of my knives, the appearance and the professionalism. I’m kind of limited to what I can heat-treat with just a standard forge. I’ve got a little two-burner forge sitting on the table.”

Darwin Wetzel’s forge and knives in the works.

“I want to make something that an individual will take out and use,” Wetzel said. “I do like nice-looking knives, but, basically, the knives I produce are something that I intend to be utilitarian.” 

Wetzel’s knives are generally in the $100 to $300 range, depending on the amount of work required. He doesn’t use a website for marketing, instead relying on local vendor shows and word of mouth. 

“I’ve gone to some gun shows and craft shows,” he said. “I’ve given a lot away to Pheasants Forever and some other organizations that want something for an auction. It gets me out there and gets some exposure.”

One old saw blade provides steel for many knives.

“I just do it for the fun. I love to do it,” Wetzel said. “This is a hobby, and I’m retired, so I didn’t want to turn this into a job. n

Special to the Times Vedette

The Bruce Riddle family, 100 West Third St. in Casey, is collecting donations for the Adair Casey Food Pantry during the holiday season from 3-9:30 p.m. Simply leave items in the sleigh, located in one of the most decorated yards in town. They empty it daily. 

Special to the Times Vedette

The winter holidays are right around the corner. We often think of warm, cozy gatherings with family and friends, sharing our favorite foods, beverages and seasonal treats.

But, did you know that another holiday tradition some people enjoy is gambling? It’s no longer limited to casinos. Gambling takes on many forms, and research shows that children as young as 10 have engaged in some type of gambling activity.

Here’s why this matters: gambling activates the brain’s reward system much like alcohol and other drugs do. Some people may be more prone to developing problems, and as gambling continues, it can overstimulate the brain’s reward system. Over time, this reduces the level of pleasure felt, leading individuals to gamble more in an attempt to recapture that initial excitement.

As the holidays approach, be aware of the warning signs of problem gambling, such as:

• Constant thinking about gambling or reliving a past gambling experience.
• Secretive behavior regarding gambling habits and defensiveness when confronted.
• Lying to family and others about the extent of gambling.
• Increasing bet amounts to achieve the desired excitement (high)
• Chasing losses with more gambling.
• Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling.
• Gambling to escape problems.
• Committing crimes to finance gambling.
• Jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, education, or career opportunities because of gambling.
• Relying on others to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.

If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing a problem with gambling, reach out to 1-800-BETS-OFF from Your Life Iowa for free, confidential support.  New Opportunities, Inc. is part of the Iowa Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Service System with services funded by the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS BG). For more information on problem gambling, visit the Your Life Iowa website at www.yourlifeiowa.org or contact New Opportunities Inc. Behavioral Health Department for Problem Gambling treatment at 712-792-9266.

Special to the Times Vedette

EXIT Country Realty announced that Joel Hester has joined its team of real estate sales professionals. EXIT Country Realty, located at 108 E. Main St. in Panora, is a member of EXIT Realty Upper Midwest’s network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region. Founded in Canada in 1996, EXIT Realty is a real estate franchisor with offices across North America.