| | Pocket change
The two words in the above headline are quickly becoming irrelevant.
Most all of us have questioned the need for the penny. In one of my first introductions to the value of money as a child, I learned the hard way that pop machines don’t take pennies. I wasn’t happy. The vending machine guy probably wasn’t either. Through the years, some reports have shown that the cost of producing a penny is more than 1 cent. So other than “find a penny, pick it up, all day long, you will have good luck,” why do we keep it as part of our monetary system? One answer is obvious. Unless we want tax increases in 5-cent increments, we better hold on to the penny.
The nickel is my favorite coin. As a regular reader of this column, you may remember this past musical reference from my childhood. The nickel is a hearty coin without those annoying ridges. It is easy to blindly locate inside your pocket. Good luck finding “nickel candy” today. Much like the penny, the nickel has become mostly useless.
The dime is the most interesting coin. Small, light and flimsy, it is the coin most susceptible to, literally, falling through the cracks. As a teenager in the 1980s, my friends and I discovered an interesting perceived value of a dime through a series of experiments. When we asked people for a dime, they would give it to us without question or expectation of repayment. When asking for a quarter or more, those expectations changed. The greater challenge with that experiment today would be finding someone who actually has a dime. Dime stores now being called dollar stores pretty much says it all.
Let’s jump to the quarter, and quite a jump this is. Why not a 15-cent coin or a 20-cent coin? We may never know. Meanwhile, here is some fun that my same dime-experimenting teenage friends did. Take a quarter and lay it on a piece of paper. Draw around the perimeter of it with a pencil multiple times, and then challenge a person to roll that quarter off his or her nose and see how close it can be dropped inside the circle. The participants will become obsessed with the challenge and not notice the lines of graphite they mark down their nose. It’s all about the ridges. Don’t try this with a nickel.
And you thought pocket change was useless?
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707 | |
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 | | | GCH presents DAISY and Sunshine awards | | | | | | | | By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Tuesday, May 6, Guthrie County Hospital held its annual DAISY and Sunshine awards, honoring nurses and patient care technicians (PCT). CEO Chris Stipe offered opening remarks and spoke of pioneering nurses Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale. Chief Nursing Officer Sandy Atkinson read aloud the nominations for each nominee.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | Volunteer to help with brush management at Whiterock Conservancy | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Team up with Whiterock Conservancy as they continue restoration efforts on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at Betts Shop, 1221 Fig Ave., Coon Rapids.
Volunteers will be clearing a remnant prairie of invasive brush to create a heathier, more diverse landscape. Do you have similar restoration projects you are working on or thinking about? Bring questions and learn about the work Whiterock has done and the many different management tools that have been used over the years.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | Peak camping season kicks off this month | | | | | | | | From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa state parks and forest staff are busy preparing for the summer camping season, turning on water, sprucing up campgrounds and freshening up bathroom, cabin, lodge and shelter facilities. With more than 759,000 campers and more than 13.5 million visitor days last year, state parks are anticipating another busy season.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | Leave wildlife babies where they belong — in the wild | | | | | | | | From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
It's as predictable as May flowers. From border to border, the Wildlife Baby Season has arrived in Iowa. From now until at least mid-June, DNR field offices across the state will be inundated with hundreds of phone calls and scores of deliveries regarding "orphaned wildlife."
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight takes place May 7 | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
The 26th Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight was held May 7 and was sponsored by Guthrie County American Legions/Sal Posts: Panora 372, Guthrie Center 124, Stuart 146 and Menlo 511. The flight is part of the Honor Flight Network, which transports approximately 22,500 veterans annually. More than 300,000 veterans have taken these one-day flights to Washington, D.C., since the first flight.
Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization comprised of independent hubs working together to celebrate America’s veterans.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Celebrate Guthrie Center tonight
Special to the Times Vedette
The annual Celebrate Guthrie Center event will be held tonight, Friday, May 9, at the Guthrie Activity Center at 209 State St. in Guthrie Center. Come celebrate what makes Guthrie Center a great place to call home. Attendees will eat a dinner catered by Cafe on the Hill and will hear about events and ongoings with many organizations in Guthrie Center. Social will start at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will start at 6 p.m.
Reservations must be made in advance. Cost is $25/person. Buy your ticket from Guthrie Center Panora Fiber, Guthrie County State Bank and Peoples Bank. | |
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| | Pool season is nearly here
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Guthrie Center Aquatic Center is tentatively set to open May 23. As of now, the weather forecast looks to cooperate with that plan, but any changes will be noted on the Guthrie Center Aquatic Complex’s Facebook page.
Admission pricing for the pool this year is: Daily pass ($5), Family season pass ($160), and Single season pass ($90).
The hours will slightly change this year with the pool open daily noon to 5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. There may be schedule changes due to home swim meets. Swim lessons will likely be offered, but details are not yet known.
Check the Facebook page for any updates, changes, cancellations, etc. | |
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| | A personal story about blood donation
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Friday, May 16, a LifeServe Blood Center mobile blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the activity room at The New Homestead, 2306 State St., in Guthrie Center. Prize drawings will be held, and post-donation snacks will be provided.
Brandy Clark, community relations director at The New Homestead, tells how blood donation impacted her family in 2016.
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| | Fin and Feather banquet and fundraiser set for Saturday
Special to the Times Vedette
The annual Lake Panorama Fin and Feather Banquet and Fundraiser will be held this Saturday, May 10, at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National. Social hour starts at 5 p.m. with dinner and auction beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per ticket.
Attendees can also join the “Big Skipper Club” for $150 and receive two dinner tickets, a family membership and entry into the Big Skipper raffle. All tickets will be waiting for attendees at the door. No tickets are sent out in advance. Walk-in guests are welcome, as tickets will be available on the night of the event.
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| | LPA annual meeting is Saturday
Special to the Times Vedette
The 56th annual meeting of the Lake Panorama Association is Saturday, May 10 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Lake Panorama National Resort clubhouse. Each year, the LPA annual meeting provides a formal statement of the association’s financial position, plus reports on activities during the past year and plans for the coming year. Reports will be given by David Finneseth, LPA board president; Dennis Flanery, LPA board treasurer; and John Rutledge, LPA general manager. | |
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| | Adding Iowa native plants to landscaping benefits native bees and butterflies
From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Gardening fever has broken out across the state with homeowners digging, planting, weeding and mulching to avoid missing out on spring rains. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging homeowners to include pollinator friendly native plants as part of the landscape.
Native Iowa plants are the most beneficial for pollinators and can be designed to look nice, Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity Program, said.
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| | Cribbage results from May 7
Special to the Times Vedette
On May 7, a total of 13 players participated. Kathy Mahoney, Dan Webb and Robert Klever each got a 16, Sandy Rumelhart got a 20 and Chet Vaughan had a 21.
The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center 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. | |
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| | Virginia H. Kinney | | | | | | | | 1931-2025
Virginia H. Kinney, 94, of Yale and Perry, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Virginia's visitation will take place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Panora. Interment will be in the Richland Cemetery in rural Bagley.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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| | Julia Ann Millhollin | | | | | | | | 1927-2025
Julia Ann Millhollin, 97, daughter of Earl and Dessie Vandevanter, was born Dec. 12, 1927, in rural Guthrie County. She passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at her home.
Julia graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1945. She married Clark Millhollin on Jan. 28, 1946, at the Christian Church parsonage in Guthrie Center, which was next door to where she lived.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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| | Tractor/semi-trailer sideswipes Explorer on 120th Street
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Taylor Wheatley reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 29 at 9:22 p.m. on 120th Street near Bagley. Landon Gerald Carstens, 19, of Bagley, was driving a 2018 Pete 389 tractor/semi-trailer eastbound on 120th Street getting ready to turn north onto Quail Road. A 2017 Ford Explorer Limited driven by Joel Daniel Cooper, 18, of Bagley, was sitting on the side of the road storm-spotting and began moving westbound on 129th Street as Carstens began to turn. Carstens did not make the turn wide enough and side-swiped the Explorer. Damage to the Pete is estimated at $100. Damage to the Explorer is estimated at $5,000. | |
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| | Garden Box Challenge Workshop
- Wednesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m.
- Panorama High School Greenhouse
- Cost is $20 per box. Call the Guthrie County Extension Office to register at 641-747-2276.
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| | Unfortunately, I told you so | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
In my introductory column, I wrote in the last paragraph that I was approaching it the only way I knew how — with 100% effort and a willingness to fail. I just didn’t think the failing part would come so soon.
I wrote roughly 80% of the column about how the ACGC and Panorama track teams had been dominating their respective school record books in recent weeks. And, while I was correct to some degree, I was wrong to an even greater degree. I misattributed some records to athletes, and, somehow, even missed a few.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Spring Sports Guide | | | | | | | | The 2025 Spring Sports Guide is available now!
The new Spring Sports Guide covers Panorama boys and girls track, Panorama boys and girls golf, Panorama boys and girls soccer, ACGC boys and girls track and ACGC boys and girls golf. Complete with team photos and schedules.
Read the full issue online now! | | | | | | | | Read the full isue | |
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 | | | Panther girls place 7th at WCAC meet | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama girls track and field team scored 59 points at the West Central Activities Conference meet on Tuesday, May 6. Van Meter won the meet with 173. Panorama had several medal winners but no champions. Gracie Recker won silver in the shot put, as did Kylie Rochholz in the 3,000-meter run. Emma Walker won bronze in discus, and the distance medley team did, too. Panorama competed at home, Thursday, May 8, with results still to come. Panorama’s next competition is the 2A State Qualifier in Clarinda on Thursday, May 15. Panorama will compete against 11 other teams.
PICTURED: Panorama's Faith Recker and Maddy Lutz bound down the track at Panorama's home meet on Thursday, May 8. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | Read the full results | |
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 | | | Panorama places 10th at WCAC meet | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys track and field team scored 22.5 points at the West Central Activities Conference meet on Tuesday, May 6. ACGC won the meet with 137. Syler Shaffer won the lone medal for Panorama at the challenging meet, earning a bronze in the 400-meter hurdles. Noah Poldberg came close to joining him with a bronze-medal performance. He placed fourth in the 3,200-meter run. The Panthers next competition is the Merritt-Charger Invitational at ACGC on Monday, May 12. Panorama will compete against 13 other teams.
PICTURED: Panorama's Noah Poldberg gives it his all at Panorama's home meet on May 8. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | Read the full results | |
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| | Panorama places 3rd at WCAC meet: Cary medals, earns First Team All-Conference with Galvan
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys golf team shot a 318 at the West Central Activities Conference meet on Tuesday, May 6. The Panthers were just three strokes off Earlham and Des Moines Christian, which shot 315. Des Moines Christian won the tiebreaker. Panorama would have preferred to win the meet after four straight victories but can hang its hat on Parker Cary’s performance, as his 71 was the best round of the day. Brayden Galvan joined him in the top five, tying for the fourth-best individual round of the day at 77. Cary and Galvan’s performances earned them First Team All-Conference. The boys travel to Carroll for the Kuemper Invitational on Saturday, May 10. The Panthers will compete against 11 other teams. | |
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| | Panthers host Panorama Invite on Monday
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama girls golf squad host the Panorama Invite on Monday, May 13. Panorama welcomes Des Moines Christian, North Polk, ACGC and Woodward-Granger. | |
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 | | | Panthers dominate the week, defeat Clark Community, 9-0; AHSTW, 10-0 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
It has been a week full of goals for the Panorama girls soccer team (9-3-1). Against Clark Community (2-8), the team scored four goals in the first half and five goals in the second half to give the Panthers the away win on Monday, May 5. Morgan Crees scored five goals to lead Panorama. Ashley Crees contributed two goals. Jolynne Roeder and Shay Lemke each scored one. Elah Malloy had the team’s lone assist. Against AHSTW (0-10), Panorama again scored four goals in the first half and added six in the second half. Morgan Crees continued to find the back of the net with six goals. Karli Kautzky, Nerea Gimeno Perez, Lemke and Jessica Randol scored one apiece. Lemke and Randol provided one assist each. Panorama travels to Creston tomorrow, Saturday, May 10, for the Panther Invitational. Creston, Central Iowa United and Greene County will be at the tournament.
PICTURED: Panorama's No. 10 Morgan Crees takes a contested shot against Perry. Crees has scored 10 goals in her last two games. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | Panthers fall to AHSTW, 7-4 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys soccer team (2-9) lost to AHSTW (4-5) on Thursday, May 8. Panorama led at the break, 3-2, but surrendered five goals in the second half, which secured the win for the Vikings. Panorama will compete at the Panther Invite this weekend, Saturday, May 10, at Creston. The other teams at the tournament will be Creston, Clark Community and West Central Valley.
PICTURED: No. 5 Taytum Bates controls his dribble in a previous game. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | ACGC wins WCAC meet | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC boys track and field team won the West Central Activities meet on Tuesday, May 6. The Chargers scored 137 points, narrowly outscoring Des Moines Christian at 131. Winning gold were the 4x100-meter relay team by a mere .03 seconds, the 4x400-meter relay team, Eli Madsen in the 400-meter dash, Brexton Schneider in the 110-meter hurdles, Tate Fever in the 400-meter hurdles, the 4x110-meter shuttle hurdle relay team and Mike Fuller in discus and the shot put. The 800-sprint medley relay team, and Fever in the 110-meter hurdles, won silver. The 4x200-meter relay team won bronze. ACGC competed in Panora yesterday, May 8, with results still to come. The Chargers host their next meet, the Merritt-Charger Invitational, on Monday, May 12. ACGC will compete against 13 other teams.
PICTURED: ACGC's Lane Stringer takes off with the baton at the Charger Relays. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | Read the full results | |
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 | | | Campbell signs with Northwest Missouri State University | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
ACGC’s Ava Campbell will continue her academic and athletic career with the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Campbell will run on both the cross country and track and field teams.
Photo courtesy of ACGC school district | |
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 | | | Chargers place 10th at WCAC meet; Campbell wins 800-meter run | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC girls track and field team scored 39 points at the West Central Activities meet on Tuesday, May 6. Van Meter won the meet with 173. Ava Campbell won gold in the 800-meter run, as did the distance medley relay team. Campbell also won silver in the 1,500-meter run. Cadence Petersen nearly medaled in two events, finishing fourth in the 400-meter hurdles and high jump. ACGC competed at Panorama yesterday, May 8, with results still to come. ACGC’s next meet is the Class 1A State Qualifying Meet in Madrid on Thursday, May 15. The Chargers will compete against 13 other teams.
PICTURED: ACGC's Emmarae Ellis rounds the corner at the Charger Relays. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | Read the full results | |
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 | | | ACGC places 6th at WCAC meet; Bireline-Huss and Young earn Second Team All-Conference | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC boys golf team shot a 354 at the West Central Activities Conference meet on Tuesday, May 6. Des Moines Christian won the meet shooting a 315, tied with Earlham. DMC would win the tiebreaker and event. Panorama, which finished just three strokes behind the two, had the medalist for this event with Parker Cary, who shot a 71. ACGC’s best individual round came from the clubs of Sayer Bireline-Huss, who shot an 80, 12th best at the event. Casey Young shot an 82, 16th best at the event. These scores earned the pair Second Team All-Conference nods. The Chargers next meet is the Crusader Invitational, hosted by Coon Rapids-Bayard. ACGC will compete against Coon Rapids-Bayard, Audubon, St. Edmond and Woodward-Granger.
PICTURED: ACGC's Casey Young tees off on a par 3. Photo by Lori McGivney | | | | | | | | Read the full results | |
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| | Chargers travel to Crestwood for golf meet today
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC girls golf team will compete against CAM, Des Moines Christian and West Central Valley in a quadrangular meet today, Friday, May 9 at Crestwood Hills golf course. | |
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 | | | South reflects on a successful four years as ACGC volleyball coach | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
We reported that Barb South was stepping down as ACGC’s head volleyball coach to focus on spending more time with her family and to concentrate on her counseling job. South, after helping with graduation and awards night, agreed to speak with us about her time as the ACGC volleyball coach.
“I have absolutely enjoyed my time here at ACGC as a volleyball coach, and we've been successful, which has been fun to be a part of that program,” South said.
[...]
PICTURED: Barb South, back row, second from the right, with her final ACGC volleyball squad. Photo by Cyote Williams | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Crawmer shoots low score of 28
Special to the Times Vedette
The Tuesday night league at Panorama West had 32 players on May 6. Trent Crawmer had a low score of 28 and was closest to the pin. Mike Moore made the longest putt. Jeff Muench needed only 14 putts. The scramble was won by Ben Carr, Jeff Muench and Bruce Bailey with a score of one less than par. | |
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| | Congregate Meals are served at Sneakers Café, Monday through Friday, in the Guthrie County Hospital. No meals are available on major holidays or during inclement weather. This service is available for seniors ages 60 and older. No reservation is needed. All menus follow Elderbridge-approved menus and provide at least one-third of the nutritional needs of individuals 60 and older. Menus are subject to change. For more information on these services, call 641-332-3818. | |
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| | Pharmacy Technician at Dowd Drug: Detail oriented, customer focused, eager to work in a friendly fast-paced environment. Click HERE.
Ag Service Technician for Vetter Equipment: Opening for an experienced mechanic for Ag equipment repair and service work.
Duties include major mechanical, electrical and hydraulic trouble shooting, fuel systems, tune ups and all other phases of ag implements and equipment. Click HERE.
Landscape Installer/Foreman for JMJ Groundskeeping: Oversee landscape installation projects, work independently, operate heavy machinery, have the knowledge to install a variety of landscape features, and be able to lift 65 pounds. Click HERE.
Cooks, Kitchen Staff, Bartenders, Servers, Events at The Captain's Pick: Full-time. Cooks Starting at $17 per hour. Click HERE.
See more job listings at https://gctimesnews.com/job-board. | |
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 | | | 10 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, May 14, 2015
ROLLING COILS. Panorama Art students Shayla West, Kenzi Fear and Katlyn Wasson assist Lynsi Pasutti with rolling coils from clay during Conference Art May 4. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Panora Auto Parts is much more than parts | | | | | | | | By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times, May 2025
In 1925, a group of independent auto parts sellers met in Detroit to form the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Their goal was to improve distribution of auto parts to serve the people and businesses who increasingly relied on cars and trucks for transportation.
Jeremy Muell, owner of Panora Auto Parts, started his career with NAPA when he was 16 years old and a student at Harlan High School. After his high school graduation in 1999, he studied automotive technology at Iowa Western Community College while maintaining a full-time job with NAPA.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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