The votes have been tallied. Check out the full results.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie County Times Vedette
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.”
That quote is generally attributed to Saint Jerome, an early Christian priest and theologian, born in Croatia, who lived approximately 347-419 AD. Although Saint Jerome never had the chance to experience Guthrie County, his perspective matches well with our annual poll to determine the Guthrie County people, places, events and businesses that are voted as best by our readers.
In 2024, we launched our first “Best of Guthrie County” poll, and we were pleased to see a total of 471 votes in the 82 categories listed. The 2025 poll surpassed the initial poll, with 642 votes cast. That represents an increase of more than 36% in votes received, which indicates our readers are becoming more engaged in the poll.
In 2024, and again in 2025, many categories saw a difference of only a very few votes separating the winners from the runners up, so every vote matters. We thank all of you who voted.
There are again 82 categories, but from one year to the next, a few categories are added and/or dropped as we refine the poll to match what resonates with our readers. We welcome any feedback on categories to add, exclude or change.
Some categories garnered many votes, while others had relatively few. Categories such as “Camping Spot,” “Barge Service,” “Dance Studio,” and “Dog Boarding Facility” apply to a subset of the population, so votes may be lighter in those categories. But, once again, every vote matters.
A concept to keep in mind is that our poll is “a snapshot in time.” In other words, circumstances may change after votes are cast. An individual may move away, or a business may close as The Port did. But our results show the opinions of the voters during the time the poll was open.
Also, the poll does not hold strictly to the borders of Guthrie County. Communities such as Linden, Stuart and Adair are included, even though all or most of the municipality may actually reside outside Guthrie County.
The results listed show the winners and the runners up. The runners up are listed alphabetically and do not represent placement of second or third.
Our results show some repeats from one year to the next, which is to be expected. Some of these repeat honorees include Lake Panorama Barge Services, Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts, Lake Panorama National golf course, and Tribe Boutique LLC.
In some categories, however, new names have shown up in our vote tallies. Some of the first-timers include The Captain’s Pick, The Color Nook, Max Monthei, and Keaton Rhoades Lawn Care.
In conducting such a poll, it is natural to ask, “What makes something the best?” That is a complicated matter. For example, if asked to name the best burger you ever ate, your response would likely be based on a wide range of factors. How was the burger cooked? What ingredients were added? Where did you eat it? Who were you with? The votes in our “Best of Guthrie County 2025” poll are similarly subjective, so the results are to be seen as opinions, not facts. But, clearly, those listed below have been doing something right, and we applaud them for it.
Best Guthrie County Camping Spot
Springbrook State Park
Runners Up: Guthrie County Fair Campgrounds; Nations Bridge Park
Best Guthrie County Dinner Spot
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Pioneers Pub & Grub; Prime Time
Best Guthrie County Attorney or Law Firm
Bruner, Bruner, Reinhart & Morton LLP
Runners Up: Bump & Twillmann LLP; Varley Law Office
Best Guthrie County Auto Parts Store
NAPA Auto Parts – Panora
Runners Up: NAPA Auto Parts – Guthrie Automotive; NAPA Auto Parts – Stuart
Best Guthrie County Auto Service Center
Panorama Tire
Runners Up: Leonard Automotive LLC; M&L Service
Best Guthrie County Bank
Guthrie County State Bank
Runners Up: Farmers State Bank of Yale; Iowa Trust
Best Guthrie County Bar
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Owl’s Nest; Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar
Best Guthrie County Barge Service
Lake Panorama Barge Services
Runners Up: Deluxe Docks & Lifts; Van Houten Barge Service
Best Guthrie County Bartender or Server
Max Monthei
Runners Up: Amanda Carl; Maddi Lynch
Best Guthrie County Boutique
Tribe Boutique LLC
Runners Up: B&B Marketplace; Pearls & Lace
Best Guthrie County Bowling Alley
IncrediBowl
Runner Up: Stuart Bowl & Traditions Sports Bar
Best Guthrie County Car Wash
All Seasons Car Wash
Runners Up: Karl Chevrolet – Stuart; The Washing Machine
Best Guthrie County Caterer
Café on the Hill
Runners Up: Cabbage Rose Restaurant; The Captain’s Pick
Best Guthrie County Chamber of Commerce
Panora Chamber of Commerce
Runners Up: Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce; Stuart Chamber of Commerce
Best Guthrie County Chiropractor (person)
Dr. Josh Calmer
Runners Up: Dr. Bailey Schreiber; Dr. Brandon Schreiber
Best Guthrie County Church
Panora United Methodist Church
Runners Up: Faith Bible Church; Hope Lutheran Church, Panora
Best Guthrie County Coach
Cody Matthewson (ACGC)
Runners Up: Aly Dahlhauser (Panorama); Cameron Little (Panorama)
Best Guthrie County Coffee Shop
Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts
Runners Up: B&B Marketplace; The Cup on 2nd
Best Guthrie County Community Festival
Panorama Days
Runners Up: Guthrie County Fair; Annual Yale 4th of July Celebration
Best Guthrie County CPA (person)
Lisa Calvert
Runners Up: Janet Dickson; Sarah Langgaard
Best Guthrie County Customer Service (overall)
Lake Panorama Realty
Runners Up: Panora Fiber; The Captain’s Pick
Best Guthrie County Dance Studio
Main Street Dance Studios
Runner Up: Adair Dance Academy
Best Guthrie County Daycare
Little Panther Daycare & Preschool
Runners Up: Exploration & Learning Station, Stuart; Little Charger Early Learning Center
Best Guthrie County Dentist (person)
Dr. Larry Spray
Runners Up: Dr. Ames Cross; Dr. Dan Nelson
Best Guthrie County Doctor (person)
Dr. Josh Strehle
Runners Up: Dr. Eric Ash; Dr. Steven Bascom
Best Guthrie County Dog Boarding Facility
Mitzie Rue’s Canine Corral
Runner Up: Guthrie County Veterinary Services
Best Guthrie County Elected Official
Maggie Armstrong
Runners Up: Matt Harmann; Steve Smith
Best Guthrie County Electrician (business)
Powell Electric
Runners Up: Berger Electric; Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric
Best Guthrie County Employer
Guthrie County Hospital and Clinics
Runners Up: Guthrie County; Panora Fiber
Best Guthrie County Esthetician (skin care professional)
Lexi Blakely, Sapphire Skin Co & Spa
Runners Up: Courtney Claussen (Revel Salon & Boutique); Laynie Reeves (Sapphire Skin Co & Spa)
Best Guthrie County Eye Doctor (person)
Dr. Cassie Martinson
Runner Up: Dr. Kyle Stadler
Best Guthrie County Financial Planner
Dave Grove (Edward Jones, Panora)
Runners Up: Brandt Gebel (Guthrie County State Bank); Melissa Loest (Edward Jones, Guthrie Center)
Best Guthrie County Florist
Panorama Gardens
Runners Up: B&B Marketplace; Stuart Flowers & Gifts
Best Guthrie County Golf Course
Lake Panorama National Golf Course
Runners Up: Guthrie Center Golf Course; Lake Panorama West Golf Course
Best Guthrie County Grocery Store
Hometown Foods (Guthrie Center)
Runners Up: Hometown Foods (Panora); Hometown Foods (Stuart)
Best Guthrie County Hair Salon
The Color Nook
Runners Up: HairJesser by Jessica Alsted; Main Street Hair Design
Best Guthrie County Happy Hour
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar; Twin Vines
Best Guthrie County Hardware Store
Lake Lumber
Runners Up: Haver Lumber Company; Tractor Supply Company
Best Guthrie County Health Club/Gym
Reshape Fitness Studio
Runners Up: Active Health Solutions; Guthrie County Hospital Fitness Center
Best Guthrie County Home Builder
Donovan Construction LLC
Runners Up: Dave Arganbright Home Construction; JRL Builders
Best Guthrie County Home Improvement Contractor
Donovan Construction LLC
Runners Up: Dave Arganbright Home Construction; Laughery Construction LLC
Best Guthrie County Home Painter
Kunkle Painting
Runners Up: Baker Painting; Riggen Painting
Best Guthrie County HVAC Company
Doug’s Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Runners Up: Controlled Environments; Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric
Best Guthrie County Insurance Agent (person)
Chris Arganbright
Runners Up: Danielle Yonker; Robert Carr
Best Guthrie County Landscaping Company
Leiferman Outdoor Services
Runners Up: Lakeside Landscapes; Wood Duck Landscapes
Best Guthrie County Lawn Care Business
Keaton Rhoades Lawn Care
Runners Up: JMJ Groundskeeping; Schwinger Lawn Service, Inc.
Best Guthrie County Library
Panora Library
Runners Up: Casey Public Library; Mary J Barnett Memorial Library
Best Guthrie County Local Band or Musician
Dale Menning & the Stardusters
Runners Up: Jake Kemble; Kile Jackson
Best Guthrie County Massage Therapist (person)
Jade Irlmeier
Runners Up: Erica Matthies; Rylie Claussen
Best Guthrie County Mexican Restaurant
Los Altos, Panora
Runners Up: Los Altos (Stuart); Orchard Family Restaurant (Guthrie Center)
Best Guthrie County Nursery or Garden Center
Panorama Gardens
Runner Up: Tractor Supply Company
Best Guthrie County Parent/Child Date Spot
Casey Creamery
Runners Up: Guthrie Center Aquatic Complex; Pedal-In
Best Guthrie County Park
Springbrook State Park
Runners Up: Michael Mills Memorial Park (Panora); Mitchell Park (Guthrie Center)
Best Guthrie County Pastor (person)
Pastor Jeremy Poland
Runners Up: Father Ray Higgins; Pastor Jolene James
Best Guthrie County Pest Control Company
Cyclone Pest Management
Runner Up: Paul’s Pest Control
Best Guthrie County Pharmacy
Dowd Drug
Runners Up: Medicap (Panora); Wright Pharmacy
Best Guthrie County Photographer
Betty Cooper
Runners Up: Mark Reno; Serenity & Bliss Photography
Best Guthrie County First Date Spot
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Prime Time; The Port on Lake Panorama (now closed)
Best Guthrie County Place for a Field Trip
Springbrook State Park
Runners Up: Early Morning Harvest; Guthrie County Historical Village & Museum
Best Guthrie County Place for Guests to Stay
Lakeside Inn (now closed)
Runners Up: Lake Panorama National Resort; Midway Motel
Best Guthrie County Place for Pizza
The Lake Panorama Pizzeria
Runners Up: Casey’s General Store; The Stuart Scoop
Best Guthrie County Place to Buy Meat
Guthrie County Quality Meats
Runners Up: Dahl’s Custom Meat Locker; Downing’s Farm to Fork
Best Guthrie County Place to Hold an Event
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center; Twin Vines
Best Guthrie County Place to Purchase Gifts for Her
B&B Marketplace
Runners Up: Dowd Drug; Tribe Boutique LLC
Best Guthrie County Place to Take Kids or Grandkids
Mitchell Park Aquatic Complex
Runners Up: Guthrie County Historical Village & Museum; Springbrook State Park
Best Guthrie County Place to Take your Dog
Lake Panorama Dog Park
Runners Up: Casey City Park; Guthrie County Veterinary Services
Best Guthrie County Plumber (business)
Doug’s Plumbing & Heating Inc
Runners Up: J5 Plumbing; Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric
Best Guthrie County Real Estate Company
Lake Panorama Realty
Runners Up: Stuart Realty; Sunset Realty
Best Guthrie County Realtor (person)
Kane Powell
Runners Up: Laura Kemble; Vicki Crannell
Best Guthrie County Retail Store
B&B Marketplace
Runners Up: Old Soul Millennial; Tribe Boutique LLC
Best Guthrie County School
Panorama Community Schools
Runners Up: ACGC Community Schools; West Central Valley Community Schools
Best Guthrie County Senior Living Facility
The New Homestead
Runners Up: Lakeside Village; Community Care Center & The Willows
Best Guthrie County Teacher
Cameron Little (Panorama)
Runners Up: Aly Dahlhauser (Panorama); Bob Bolton (ACGC)
Best Guthrie County Vehicle Detailing Business
Detailers Eye
Runners Up: Collision Concepts Inc.; Karl Chevrolet – Stuart
Best Guthrie County Veterinarian (person)
William Frels
Runners Up: Abby Frels; Seth Worthington
Best Guthrie County Wine Selection
Twin Vines
Runners Up: Local Liquor; The Captain’s Pick
Best Guthrie County Ice Cream Place
M&L Ice Cream
Runners Up: Casey Creamery; Pedal-In
Best Guthrie County Lunch Spot
Prime Time
Runners Up: Café on the Hill; The Captain’s Pick
Best Guthrie County Place to Take Mom and Dad
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Pioneers Pub & Grub; Prime Time
Best Guthrie County Spot for Breakfast
Café on the Hill
Runners Up: Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts; The Sunny Spoon
Best Guthrie County Spot for Dessert
Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts
Runners Up: Casey Creamery; The Captain’s Pick
Best Guthrie County Coldest Beer
The Captain’s Pick
Runners Up: Local Liquor; Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar