Special to the Times Vedette

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) invites cattle producers and industry supporters to attend the 2025 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention being held Dec. 16 at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona.

The Iowa Cattle Industry Convention offers an excellent opportunity for both those just starting out and those with years of experience to come together, network and learn.

Following a successful event last year, ICA is excited to continue that momentum and has added to the educational value of this year’s event. Beyond the keynote, participants will have more than nine sessions to choose from, allowing them to customize their learning experience to best fit their needs.

This year, ICA looks welcomes Kevin Good with CattleFax to provide the keynote, Industry Situation Update and Outlook, where he will bring his more than 30 years of experience with CattleFax to share insights on the ever-changing global marketplace of the beef cattle industry.

Additionally, Classrooms to Cattle, an opportunity for the next generation of the industry to get involved in the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, has been added. Juniors, seniors and college students interested in the cattle industry can attend a special educational track designed to help those getting their start in the industry. Students can attend complementary, thanks to support from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and Farm Credit Services. Space is limited.

Connection is key, and ICA has worked in a variety of networking opportunities. Guests will not want to miss out on our beef pairing experience, industry social and entertainment. The tradeshow is nearly sold out and will have more than 30 industry partners on-site to share their products and services. For entertainment, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Auction will return. There will be many items to choose from with all proceeds supporting youth and other programs offered by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Plan to stick around afterwards for live entertainment from Neil Hewitt.

ICA will host its annual meeting during the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention. Most of the policy development work was completed during the ICA Policy Summit this past September, which created time for additional educational opportunities at this year’s convention. However, during the annual meeting, voting and ratifying the policy recommendations from the Policy Summit will occur.

“I want to encourage all members and those considering membership with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to attend this year’s Iowa Cattle Industry Convention to get a firsthand look at the value of our association,” Bryan Whaley, ICA CEO, said. “We know this is a busy time of year, but your investment of time at the convention will be well spent. Not only does this event provide educational sessions that offer something for everyone, but the industry connections are key. We are excited about the enhanced learning opportunities at this year’s event and building on the success of last year.”

Registration and additional event details can be found at https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-convention.

Special to the Times Vedette

Tamber from Guthrie Center attended her first art class at Art on State last week. Classes are held on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org or call 641-332-2267.

Panora EMS Director John DeLevergne, Matt Harmann and Panora EMS President Ryan Recker.

Special to the Times Vedette

At the Panora EMS meeting on Thursday evening, Matt Harmann was honored with a wooden plaque to recognize his 25 years in the department. Harmann joined as a volunteer in 2000 and is now retiring from the department as an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT). Harmann has had held officers positions and was instrumental in the hiring of the first paid paramedic in 2005.

“He was one of the few that ran call after call, putting his business and life aside to make sure we could keep growing and moving forward to continue to hire paid employees,” Panora EMS President Ryan Recker said. “A wooden plaque isn’t at all near enough to thank him for his years of selfless dedication to Panora EMS and this community. You can still find Matt being our fire chief, and, of course, you know him now as Sheriff Harmann.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Thursday, Nov. 13, holiday season decorations were put in place at the Panora town square. The gazebo decorations are now lit at night, and the rest of the square will soon follow.

Representatives of 32 organizations that received GCCF funding.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

GCCF board members pictured include (front row): Stacey Simmons, Tammy Deal, JoAnn Johnson, Susan Belding, Joni Dvorak and Mary Ebert. (Back row): Jeremy Muell, Diane Flanery, Ryan Albers, Andrew Arganbright, Carla Hilgenberg, Kirby Klinge and Ruth Blomquist.

On Thursday evening, Nov. 13, representatives of 32 area entities came together at the Panora Community Center to describe the projects being done with funding from the Guthrie County Community Foundation (GCCF).

Groups represented included Little Charger Early Learning Center, Main Street Guthrie Center, Casey Public Library, Guthrie County Arts Council, Bayard Church of Christ, City of Panora, Yale Fire, Stuart Fire, Friends of Guthrie Center Library, Boys & Girls Club, Little Smiles & Company, Menlo Fire & Rescue, Coon Rapids Ambulance, Thomas Rest Haven, Coon Rapids Police, Guthrie County Hospital Foundation, Stitch & Chatter, YJB TTT, Panora EMS, West Central Youth Club, Panora Garden Club, Guthrie County Conservation, Stuart Public Library, Guthrie County Fair Foundation, Jamaica Fire, Guthrie Center Fire, Tri Center Association mealsite, Friends of Bayard Library, Guthrie County Historical Village, Tori’s Angels, Panorama Soccer Club and Guthrie County First Responders.

The mission of the Guthrie County Community Foundation is to foster giving, strengthen service providers and improve the local conditions and quality of life. The foundation promotes philanthropy, endowment building, community-building, capacity-building, grant making, organizational collaborations and public leadership for the benefit of Guthrie County and is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Guthrie County by investing in area nonprofits through its grant programs. The foundation also provides individuals, families and area businesses with a way to give back.

Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving Guthrie County. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Guthrie County. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community.

Advisory board members include Ryan Albers, Diane Flanery, Andrew Arganbright, Carla Hilgenberg, Susan Belding, JoAnn Johnson, Tamara Deal, Kirby Klinge, Joni Dvorak, Ruth Blomquist, Mary Ebert, Jeremy Muell, Tom Rutledge and Stacey Simmons.

Applications are now available for groups wishing to request funds from the GCCF. They are due Jan. 31, 2026. Contact gccfoundation@gmail.com with any questions or visit www.GuthrieCountyCommunityFoundation.org.