Guthrie County Times Vedette Jan. 21: Let’s forget about this call

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2025

Let’s forget about this call

Jim Croce asked for help from a telephone operator to place a call in his 1972 hit song “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels).” And in 1972, using a telephone operator for assistance was common. But what about today? When was the last time you spoke with an operator? Even the term operator seems antiquated now. Sounds more like a surgeon.

Do you remember when 1-800 numbers became mainstream? They apparently launched in 1967 with a goal to cut down on labor-intensive collect calls that often required live operators. By the 1980s, every company seemingly had a 1-800 number, and my childhood buddies and I enjoyed dialing as many of them as we could. We spent countless hours searching for and calling the 1-800 numbers on household products and telling the company representatives we were doing a science fair project and were wondering if they would send us free samples. We then provided our friend Dave’s name and address. His parents’ mailbox overflowed with samples and promotional materials every day, leaving his mother to wonder what in the world was going on. I can’t remember my own zip code today, but I can tell you Dave’s home mailing address.

The practical jokes intensified. Most every TV infomercial back then had a heavily promoted 1-800 number to call and order products and have them shipped COD (cash on delivery). No pre-payment or credit cards were required, and there was no ability (that we knew of) to track where the orders came from. So, the orders to Dave’s home started. Ginsu knives. Armourcote pots and pans. The Pocket Fisherman. Chia Pet. Mr. Microphone. But wait, there’s more. The Egg Scrambler. Time Life books. The Abdominizer. The Thighmaster. And a wide assortment of feminine hygiene products, gold coin collections and K-tel Records. We thought it was funny. Dave’s mother didn’t.

I now realize that ordering these types of products under another person’s name is illegal, immoral and some other things that start with an “i.” I am also not sure if a statute of limitations applies, so let me be clear: I was appalled that my friends Ian, Tommy and Mark would engage in such activity.

With that in mind, I close this column with the words of Jim Croce: “Oh, operator, let's forget about this call. There's no one there I really wanted to talk to. Thank you for your time. Oh, you've been so much more than kind. You can keep the dime.”

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

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

Supervisors approve substance abuse grant report

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Jan. 21, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a brief meeting of five minutes to handle a light agenda. The supervisors unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2025 County Substance Abuse Grant semi-annual report from New Opportunities.

As part of the consent agenda, the supervisors approved a payroll change notice (new hire) for part-time deputy Matthew Stringham at $25 per hour. The consent agenda also included the Jan. 17 payroll and Jan. 21 claims. It was approved by a 4-1 vote with Mike Dickson opposed.

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	Higher education leaders seek clarification on ‘return on investment’ for new Iowa House committee

	By Brooklyn Draisey \| Iowa Capital Dispatch As a new Iowa House higher education committee gets its start with the beginning of the legislative session, college and university leaders are signaling their willingness to work with lawmakers while seeking clarification about what “return on investment” the Statehouse is seeking. Higher education committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, said at the committee’s first meeting Tuesday that this is the first committee to oversee higher education in more than 50 years, with the last higher education committee meeting in 1971. [...] PICTURED: Iowa Board of Regents and private university officials have said they're ready to work with the new higher education committee this session. Photo by Brooklyn Draisey \| Iowa Capital Dispatch

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Cribbage results from Jan. 17 and Jan. 20

Special to the Times Vedette

On Friday, Jan. 17, a total of 10 players participated. Allen Pierce got a 16, Robert Klever got a 16, and Peggy Byrd got a 16 and a 17.

On Monday, Jan. 20, a total of 10 players participated. Cliff Wendel got two 16s, and Sandy Rumelhart came up with a 20.

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More than 100 calls this week including Panora Police responding to a report of a reckless driver; Guthrie County Deputy responding to a request for extra patrol in Bayard near the railroad; and Guthrie County Deputy conducting a traffic stop in Bagley and arresting one individual.

1-13-25

5:44 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Yale
8:48 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Panora
9:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers at Lake Panorama
10:32 a.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart
10:46 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Sheriff and Panora Police responded to a report of a suicidal male in rural Panora

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2025 AG Markets and Beyond

Feb. 14, 9:30-11 a.m.
Mike Witt, ISU Extension Field Agronomist
Join us for the annual AG coffee series at the Guthrie County Extension office. All events are free to attend, with no registration required.

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