| | A swing and a miss
There are good ideas, and there are bad ideas. And sometimes a good idea becomes a bad idea, and vice versa.
Last year, we decided to launch a text notification and link to the Times Vedette. It was a simple message sent out via text each Tuesday and each Friday with a link that would take subscribers to the website with the latest version. I used it, and I loved it. And so did 24 other people… but that was it.
I thought we would have hundreds of people sign up for the texting option, rationalizing that the segment of people who don’t use email regularly but do check their text messages quite often would prefer it. We were not able to garner many, and that’s OK. I just couldn’t justify the cost of that service for only two dozen subscribers. Hence, a bad idea.
On a positive note, our email versions continue to grow. We now have 1,075 digital subscribers who have signed up to receive this Times Vedette email version. We also have 665 Lake Panorama Times digital subscribers, 525 Guthrie Center Times digital subscribers and 511 Panora Times digital subscribers. Add them all up, and the total number of digital version email subscribers is 2,776. Hence, a good idea.
Of course, our print versions continue to be our bread and butter with more than 7,260 copies being printed and distributed, generating nearly 9,000 readers. Hence, another good idea.
If you were one of the 24 text subscribers, we encourage you to convert to the email version. You can do so at https://gctimesnews.com/join-our-email-list/.
So, we swing and miss once in a while in our efforts to keep hitting home runs. That’s all part of the game, and we are honored to be able to play.
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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 | | | How fast can you spend $100? | | | | | | | | By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On the morning of March 21, the Guthrie County Farm Bureau held its annual Grocery Cart Races fundraiser event at Hometown Foods in Guthrie Center. Teams competed to race through the store and “shop” for groceries to total as close to $100 as possible without going over $100. Teams had a base of four minutes to shop but also earned extra time by correctly answering quiz questions immediately before the shopping began.
The annual event had a goal of raising $3,000 to support local food pantries. | | | | | | | | See more photos and videos | |
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| | AC and GC school boards discuss safety and equipment maintenance
Special to the Times Vedette
At the joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards on March 19, a public hearing on the proposed school calendar for school year 2025-2026 was held. No members of the general public attended.
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen explained that the date of the first school day for the upcoming year may still be changed, depending on what the Iowa legislature does.
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| | Lake Panorama road embargo ends March 24
Special to the Times Vedette
The five-ton vehicle weight limit on Lake Panorama roads that began on March 10 will end on March 24, as roadbeds have dried out enough to support heavy loads. The Lake Panorama Association (LPA) stated that the seal-coat expense for repair is more than $40,000 per mile. | |
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| | GCH Specialty Clinic expands services to include allergy, asthma and immunology care
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Hospital Specialty Clinic announced the expansion of its healthcare services to include allergy, asthma and immunology care in collaboration with Iowa Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. This partnership aims to enhance patient access to comprehensive evaluations and treatments for various allergic and immunologic conditions.
The new allergy, asthma and immunology care services are designed to assist patients of all ages who are dealing with a wide range of allergic conditions, respiratory issues and immune system disorders.
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| | Finnegan’s farewell party
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The public is invited to the Panora Public Library on Thursday, March 27 from 2-5 p.m. to help celebrate Kim Finnegan’s 30 years as director at the library. She will be retiring at the end of March. | |
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| | Panorama FFA excels at District
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Seven Panorama FFA students competed at the District Convention in Jefferson on March 1. Results are shown below.
- Ella Carico: Ag Broadcast Gold Rating
- Laine Christe: Arc Welding Silver Rating
- Zach Hayden: Chapter Website Bronze Rating
- Ag Impact (8th grade) Jacey Glade, Maci Hein, Maddy Olson, Kaylyn Walker: Bronze Rating
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| | Rock the Night in Adair on Saturday
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Saturday, March 22, the 2025 Adair Boys and Girls Club annual fundraiser “Rock the Night” event will be held at Adair Fire and Rescue, 505 Fifth St. VIP access begins at 4:30 p.m., and doors open at 5 p.m. A BC Angus brisket dinner (with sides by Café on the Hill) will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with a silent auction and live auction to follow. Cash games and a cash bar will also be available. | |
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| | Donkey basketball this Saturday
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The ACGC High School Gym will be the scene of an unusual sporting event at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22. Spectators and competitors are invited to the ACGC FFA fundraiser event of donkey basketball. Teams of eight (16 years or older) will compete. Tickets cost $9 in advance or $13 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased any time prior to 6 p.m. on March 22 from ACGC FFA members or by using the QR code shown on the ACGC FFA Facebook page. | |
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| | Storm Spotter Training is March 26
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management will host Storm Spotter Training on March 26, instructed by staff from the National Weather Service, Des Moines office. The training will be from 7-9 p.m. at the Casey Community Building, 502 Antique Country Drive. | |
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 | | | Take a slow Sunday drive at Whiterock Conservancy | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Whiterock Conservancy has released its Slow Sunday Drive schedule for 2025. Starting at the Historic Garst Farmhouse (1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids) at 1 p.m., this two- to three-hour ride along the scenic trails of Whiterock Conservancy is a can’t miss opportunity.
Dates are May 11, June 22, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Whiterock Conservancy seeks campground hosts
Special to the Times Vedette
Whiterock Conservancy is looking for volunteer campground hosts located near Coon Rapids for the 2025 recreational camping season. The campground hosts major responsibilities are to help register campers, provide scheduled cleaning for the restroom/shower facilities, sell firewood and provide general information to the public.
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| | Cribbage results from March 19
Special to the Times Vedette
A total of nine players participated on March 19. Dennis Betts got an 18 and a 16, Sandy Rumelhart got a 16, Allen Pirce got a 17, and Dick Ellis matched the 18.
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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| | Ronald L Stevens | | | | | | | | 1940-2025
Ronald L Stevens, better known as Ronnie to friends and family, 85, died peacefully March 13, 2025, at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home, Coon Rapids. He was born at home in Guthrie County on Feb. 24, 1940, the eldest son of Glenn E. Stevens and Lillian J. (Richey) Stevens.
Ronald graduated from Audubon High School, class of 1958. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Navy through December 1963.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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| | ‘Jack’ Jackie Lynn Stringer | | | | | | | | 1941-2025
“Jack” Jackie Lynn Stringer was born on Dec, 2, 1941, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his large, loving and loud family, on March 15, 2025. The birth and death of this dedicated father and farmer are not nearly as relevant as the days he lived between those two dates.
Jack was born to Ralph and Jody (Mary Josephine Hoyt) Stringer on his Great Grandpa Stringer’s home place.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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 | | | Walker, Panthers rack up accolades | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Panorama girls wrestler Emma Walker was named to the 2025 All-Freshman Second Team by IAWrestle. Walker finished the season with a 32-10 record, she had the most individual wins on the team and qualified for the state tournament at 170.
Seven wrestlers earned NWCA High School Scholar All-American Awards for their GPAs: Hali Klingenberg, Jeslyn Ortega, Dafne Hernandez, Ella Carico, Cadence Petersen, Natalie Waltz and Emma Walker.
PICTURED: Emma Walker was named to the 2025 All-Freshman Second Team by IAWrestle. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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| | Panthers track and field competes at BVU HS Elite Meet on Monday
Special to the Times Vedette
Panorama boys and girls track and field will compete on Monday, March 2024 at Buena Vista University for the BVU High School Elite Meet. This will be the first meet for the boys and the second meet for the girls. Both squads will compete against 25 other teams. | |
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 | | | Charger boys earn honors | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC boys basketball team racked up individual awards this offseason. In addition to their All Sub-State nods, Noah Kading, Payton Policky and Jathan South were named to the WCAC All-Conference First Team. Joe Crawford and Mason Wahl were Honorable Mentions. Then, on March 18, the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association named Kading to the IPSWA Second Team All-State and Payton Policky Third Team All-State for 1A.
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PICTURED: No. 14 Noah Kading, No. 54 Mason Wahl, No. 34 Payton Policky and No. 3 Jathan South all earned All-Conference Honors. No. 4 Joe Crawford is missing from this photo, but also earned an All-Conference nod. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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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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| | Boulder Cove Condos is currently taking proposals for a Landscape/Maintenance contractor. This is a full-time position taking care of landscaping, snow removal and general maintenance of the 46-unit subdivision. This position starting April 16 would require the contractor to provide all equipment needed to maintain grounds. For more information, please contact Duane Baedke at 515-570-6774. | |
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| | Teachers, Coaches, Paraeductor at Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Schools: Teaching Positions: MS Science, MS English Language Arts, HS Language Arts, Special Education, MS-HS Spanish, K-12 TAG, Elementary Paraeducator, Anticipated Industrial Technology Athletic Positions: HS Head Coach Softball, HS Assistant Softball, JH Boys and Girls Track, HS Boys Track, HS Head Coach Baseball, HS Assistant Baseball. Click HERE.
Athletic Coaches at Audubon Community Schools: JH Boys Track JH Boys Track Para HS Boys or Girls Golf HS Head Softball (shared with EEHK) HS Assistant Soltball(shared with EEHK). Click HERE.
Nursing Positions at Salem Lutheran Homes & Rehabilitation: Assistance Director of Nursing (RN) Full Time) Activities Assistant - Part-Time Wound Nurse (Days) Charge Nurses, Full Time & Part-Time) Days, Evenings & Nights CNA, Full Time & Part-Time) Days, Evenings & Nights Food &Nutrition Assistant, Part-Time (Days). Click HERE. | |
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 | | | 20 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, March 23, 2005
WEATHER WATCHERS. Meteorologist from Channel 13 Jerriann Ritter visited the fourth-grade classes of Mrs. Priestley and Mrs. Mohning. While she was here, Jerriann told the class about her education to become a meteorologist, what a meteorologist does, and brought a video of weather conditions that can be found in Iowa and around the United States. Students in the photo with Jerriann are: Mason Murphy, Ryan Black, Matthew Schachtner, Austin Blass, Mikayla Hockenberry, Beth Grow and Nic Halsey. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Vorrath follows her dream in Adair | | | | | | | | By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, March 2025
For many people, owning a business is part of the American dream. If that business also happens to center around a person’s hobby, it is even better. That’s what led Chanel Vorrath to open a tattoo shop in downtown Adair.
Vorrath says the TV show “Miami Ink” initially caught her attention years ago and inspired her interest in tattooing.
“I only started tattooing as of last March. I’ve always wanted to do it. In high school, I was obsessed with Kat Von D. She was an amazing artist,” Vorrath said. “I started on fake skin, but then I got bored with that. I ended up doing my whole leg, and then I started on my arm.”
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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