Guthrie County Times Vedette

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025

Hand-written letters, a phone number list and Wolf Man Jack

I recently read an article about things we once used that are now obsolete. I shared it with some friends, and we added several more. See how many of these you can recall.

When I attended my daughter’s graduation ceremony a few years ago, the speaker asked the graduates to write a hand-written letter to 10 people who made a positive difference in their lives. He jokingly explained how to address an envelope and place a stamp, but there was truth in his message. When was the last time you sent or received a postcard? Or a love letter?

More than a decade ago, I bought my mother a GPS device for her car so she could avoid getting lost. When she realized she needed to give up driving, she gave it back to me. I tried it out, and the 4-inch screen and the clunky application made me yearn for a printed map. Then I realized how many people never had the pleasure of unfolding and refolding a map.

The landline telephone was helpful, or at least the people on the other end of the line were. Remember dialing directory assistance for phone numbers? Or calling theaters for movie times? Or reaching out to an operator for the time? Who remembers long distance charges? I could make calls to out-of-town friends, but Mom said to keep it under a minute to minimize the fees.

Do you remember when you had to memorize phone numbers, or at least have them written down? Did you have a list taped inside your cupboard? Or did you dial *69 when you missed a call? When was the last time you heard a busy signal rather than being sent directly to voicemail? And when did you last use a public pay phone?

I remember being in awe the first time I used a fax machine. In time, I bought one for our home that was incredibly annoying to callers who were greeted with the screeching sound. We still have a fax machine at work, but I don't think anyone knows how to use it — including me.

Radio and TV have changed a lot, too. I recall being a kid in my bunk bed at night with my transistor radio tuned in to WOW 590 out of Omaha, listening to Wolf Man Jack. On the TV, the goal of kids my age was to stay up so late that the TV stations would sign off and the static would appear. Do you remember thinking how high-tech you were when you programmed the recording of TV shows on your VCR?

The list goes on. Which ones have I missed? Or what other items of today will soon be obsolete? Shoot me a note and let me know.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Guthrie County Supervisors hold budget hearing

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the April 15 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors first went into closed session to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent.

A Fiscal Year 2026 budget hearing was held at 9:30 a.m. County Auditor Dani Fink shared information on property valuation and data from prior years.

[...]

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Panora City Council designates June 13 as citywide cleanup date

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the March 24 meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers discussed setting a date and fees for the annual citywide cleanup. The council voted to set the fee at $29 with additional fees for certain specific items. The date will be Friday, June 13. More information on sign-up and fees will be forthcoming.

A public hearing was held regarding the city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. No citizens attended, and the council reported hearing no specific input from citizens, so the hearing was promptly closed, and the council then voted to approve the budget as proposed.

[...]

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Guthrie Center City Council hears compliance issue complaint

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the April 14 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, citizen Dennis Ludwig, 301 Main St., voiced his frustration over what he views as inequitable treatment regarding compliance issues.

“I’m just sick and tired of every time, I’m always the one getting hit on these things,” Ludwig said.

Ludwig went on to point out several other properties he believes are in violation of the city’s compliance ordinance, including some councilmembers, says he feels that he is being singled out.

[...]

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	Saint Mary’s fish fry is a success

	By Rich Wicks \| Times Vedette On Friday, April 11, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Guthrie Center held a Lenten fish fry. The garage behind the church was abuzz with activity as fish were fried to golden perfection.

	See more photos

	Panorama prom held Saturday

	Photos by Betty Cooper \| Special to the Times Vedette The 2025 Panorama Junior/Senior High School Prom was held Saturday, April 12 starting with the Grand March at the Panorama High School Auditorium. Dinner was held at 6 p.m. at the Panorama High School Atrium with the dance following at The Port. The After Prom activities were held at the high school.

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	Livestock producers concerned about livestock diseases, uncertain about level of threat and capacity to manage

	From Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Livestock diseases have received substantial attention and global media coverage in recent years. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has dominated the news as it has led to loss of millions of poultry, increased egg prices and viral spillovers to other livestock such as dairy cattle, and has recently been found to infect humans. However, there are many other diseases that impact Iowa’s livestock sector, the top U.S. producer of red meat and eggs, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, or PRRS, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus, or bovine RSV, that cause billions of dollars in annual losses to farmers and increased consumer prices. [...]

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	Easter egg hunts this weekend

	Three bicycles to be given away at Panora event. By Rich Wicks \| Times Vedette Rose Acre Farms will sponsor an Easter egg hunt at the Guthrie Center Elementary School grounds, 900 Fourth St. The event will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. The Casey Fire Department is hosting an Easter egg hunt (with the Easter Bunny) on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at Rutt Park (Casey City Park, 300 E. Second St.). [...]

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Holy Week services

Special to the Times Vedette

The remaining Holy Week service schedule at Panora churches will be as follows. Weeknight services will be from April 14-18 with a light meal served at 6:30 p.m. and services beginning at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15: Panora Christian Church
Wednesday, April 16: Panora United Methodist Church
Thursday, April 17: Panora Church of the Brethren and Hope Lutheran Church
Friday, April 18: Faith Bible Church (no meal)

Faith Bible Church free community meal is April 16

Special to the Times Vedette

The Faith Bible Church free community meal will be held on Wednesday, April 16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. All are welcome. The menu includes sliced ham, mac and cheese and smothered green beans.

Faith Bible Church is located at 2096 Highway 4 in Panora.

Cribbage results from April 11 and April 14

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 7 players participated on April 11. Bill Sheeder got a 16, Dan Webb got a 20, and Dave Richter got a 16 and a 20.

On April 14, Wayne Nickel, Allen Pierce, Joanne Zieser and Dan Webb each got a 16. Robert Klever got a 17, and Dennis Betts got a 24.

[...]

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	Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

	Special to the Times Vedette Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time. “Planters are beginning to roll across the state. The warmer temperatures and drier weather over the past week allowed for a good start to the planting season,” Secretary Naig said. “Outlooks for the rest of April are showing better chances for rain and a more active weather pattern. The threat of severe weather is elevated this time of year, so I encourage all Iowans to be weather aware and have a safety plan in place.” [...]

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More than 115 calls this week including Panora Police responding to a report of someone tearing a nozzle off of a gas pump; Yale, Jamaica and Bagley Fire Departments responding to a report of a tire fire in rural Jamaica; and Guthrie County Deputy responding to a report of a suspicious person in rural Bayard.

4-7-25

6:42 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in rural Guthrie Center
10:20 a.m. Panora Police responded to a report of someone tearing a nozzle off of a gas pump
10:25 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint at the library
11:08 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a violation of a court order
11:40 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy provided court room security
11:50 a.m. Stuart Police followed up on an animal complaint

[...]

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	Panthers place 5th at Ram Early Bird

	By Cyote Williams \| Times Vedette The Panorama girls track and field team competed at the Ram Early Bird on Friday, April 11. The Panthers placed fifth with 86 points. Ogden won the meet with 158. Athletes who medaled at the competition were: Maddy Lutz, bronze in the 800-meter run and gold in the 3,000-meter run; Kylie Rochholz, silver in the 1,500-meter run; Laicey Lutz, silver in the 3,000-meter run; Gracie Recker, silver in the shot put; the 800-meter sprint medley, 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relays all earned silver and the distance medley earned gold. The girls next meet is today, Tuesday, April 15 at Earlham. PICTURED: Maddy Lutz carries the baton for Panorama. Photo by Betty Cooper

	Read the full results