We had a great event Tuesday night that most of you on this subscriber list of 1,587 did not attend. To be fair, most of you didn’t know about it, as it was an invitation-only program to recognize the winners of our 2025 Best of Guthrie County readers’ poll.
Who was invited? We welcomed the top three vote-getters in each of the 82 categories that were featured in the poll and encouraged them to bring coworkers, friends and family members to share in the celebration. And they did. Nearly 300 people attended this first-time event that we held at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. The event center was packed many of the top movers and shakers of the county who are working relentlessly to make this area a great place to work, live — and play, too.
The maximum-capacity crowded cheered each other in recognition of the great work that so many people have done throughout the county. Titles were awarded. Certificates were presented. A bit of playful bragging was even heard, along with a whole lot of hooting and hollering. It was what we hoped it would be.
To be clear, the winners of the Best of Guthrie County poll were not chosen by us. They were chosen by you, or at least the 642 of you who cast your votes in the poll. That’s important, as it ensures that nobody can buy their way into winning. All the winners earned the incredible honor of being voted in the top three.
This was our first event, but it was our second year hosting the poll, and numerous changes occurred from last year’s results. I expect there will be numerous changes in the results next year, too, and, overall, that’s a good thing. Sometimes our advertising customers win. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes our event sponsors win. Sometimes they don’t. That can create awkward situations for us, at times, but the votes are our readers, and they are what they are. I assure you of this: We will not do anything to compromise the validity of this poll or your trust.
So, what does it mean to be “the best”? Certainly, the answer is a matter of opinion. In fact, it is 100% opinion. Even so, being “the best,” by definition, means “excelling above all others in a particular area, offering the greatest advantage or satisfaction.” It often refers to “achieving the highest level of quality or performance compared to others.”
I can’t argue with that.
We are pleased to share the results with each of you now, too. They will publish as our cover stories in the September issues of Lake Panorama Times, Guthrie Center Times and Panora Times, and you can view them online right now from this link as well.
When you get a chance, I ask that you not only congratulate the winners of our 2025 Best of Guthrie County poll but also seek out their products or services and buy locally whenever you can. Then, you, too, will understand why they are the best.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707