Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 19, a total of 13 players participated. Paul McCool and Dennis Betts each got a 16; Rhonda Titus and Robert Klever got two 16s; and Richard Ellis, Dave Richter and Lela Schwartz won with 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.

Willis Sheeder enjoys giving bicycles another life.  

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, November 2025

Willis Sheeder of Guthrie Center enjoys riding his bicycle, and that has led to him working on bikes as well. His business name is “HawkGuy The Bike Guy.”

“Originally, it was Sheeder Cycling Company, but I’m a Hawkeye fan since birth, so that’s where that name came from,” Sheeder said. “This is more me.”

Sheeder began working on bikes gradually. 

“When I started out, everything I did was on my own bike, so I just kind of learned as I went — with a lot of trial and error every step of the way,” Sheeder said. “I previously worked at a bike shop in Des Moines while I lived in Waukee from 2007 to 2014,” Sheeder said. 

Although he is operating his shop as a part-time job, Sheeder is mostly focused on customer satisfaction.

“What’s unique about my shop is I put my whole heart into it. I only fix the bikes as if I would be the one to ride them. I want the community to have a resource to fix bicycles for both youth and adults,” he said. “Plus, when I work on them, it’s never work. It’s pure joy.”

Sheeder estimates that he works on kids’ bikes and adults’ bikes in roughly equal shares, and he enjoys the wide variety of bike styles and accessories that he sees.

Sheeder is offering a $75 “tune-up” for bikes, but he said it is not a limited time offer. Generally, he can perform a tune-up and have the bike back to the customer within two days, unless additional issues are found. 

“The tune-up includes making sure your shifting and brakes work and everything is up to date. I will grease the ball bearings to keep things smoothly operating and a cleaning of the bike,” he said. “I don’t foresee that price changing. I try to be lower than the big-name bike shops. I don’t charge per hour; I charge per job. If anything additional arises, I stay in communication with the customer.”

Sheeder added that he can pick up and drop off bikes if the owner is not able to get to him. 

“And I will do service calls,” he said.

Besides tune-ups, common services Sheeder performs include wheel truing, wheel building, brake/shifting service, cable/chain/spoke replacement, and overall bicycle cleaning. 

In addition to bicycles, Sheeder can work on some similar items, such as e-bikes.

“For e-bikes, I can do everything but the electric part of them,” he said. 

Anyone interested in contacting Sheeder for bike repair can contact him by email (hawkguythebikeguy@yahoo.com) or text at 641-740-7643.

One of Sheeder’s favorite tasks is when a customer brings in a bike that has not been ridden in a long time and needs repair to be useable.

“I really like giving it another life. All I want is to see people ride a bike and operate it efficiently and have a big smile on their face,” Sheeder said. “Biking is true freedom.”

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

A freewill donation Veterans Pancake Breakfast was held Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8-11 a.m. at The Captain’s Pick, and more than 150 people were served. Proceeds from the fundraiser, which were nearly $4,000, are going to VFW Post 5510 and American Legion Post 372.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Most families have an item that simply MUST be on the table during the holidays. The December issues of Guthrie Center Times and Panora Times will feature some of these favorite holiday recipes. If your family has such a recipe, submit it to rich@iowalivingmagazines.com.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Nov. 5, the Stitch & Chatter group met for the giveaway of the quilts and various items they have created for charitable causes in the area. Items donated included quilts, dolls, stuffed animals, fabric balls, stocking caps and pillowcases.

Members of the sewing group were recognized including Mary Morgan, Nancy Smith, Deb Louk, Jean Feller, Pam Godwin, Pat Meacham, Candi Thompson, Joanne Huggins, Cheri Geopfert, Jayanna Corbin, Rowena Storesund, Karen Kirsbaum, Cindi Shook, Kristi Holtz, Karen Onken, Linda Menefee, Ilene Olson, Cheryl Wimmer and Marilyn Duke.

Member Ellen Campbell noted that the group gratefully received funds from the Women’s Service Organization (WSO), Women For Panora’s Future (WFPF), and Guthrie County Community Foundation.  

Groups receiving items from Stitch & Chatter included “Three Cs,” New Opportunities, Hope Ministries, Country View Estates, HOPES (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success), Guthrie County Babies, Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department, and the Men’s Homeless Shelter on the south side of Des Moines.

Campbell shared an invitation for anyone to join Stitch & Chatter.

“If you think you would like to sew with us, just stop by on any Tuesday or Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can sew a straight line, you can sew a quilt. We will help you get started. It is fun to just get together for fellowship. Also, we accept fabric to help make these quilts,” Campbell said.