| | The Christmas music debate
Christmas Day may be over, but the Christmas season continues — and so do the holiday songs, at least for me.
Although I can’t play an instrument, and I flunked choir in eighth grade, I truly appreciate music. I still spin vinyl on my record player, play my cassettes and pop in a few CDs. And if I still had an 8-track player, I would not hesitate to use that, too. But even with all these great ways to listen to music from generations past, I must admit that I truly enjoy streaming music on my modern devices. The problem is that Alexa and I don’t always agree. She has her definition of classic Christmas music, and I have mine. When I ask Amazon’s cloud-based voice service to “play Christmas classics,” I expect to hear Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra. Alexa gives me Wham, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Kelly Clarkson.
Any Christmas music with a synthesizer is not classic. Period.
I am not sure why I am attracted to this golden era of Christmas music. It just feels, well, Christmassy. I certainly didn’t grow up in that timeframe, and my parents didn’t play Christmas music around the house. Meanwhile, Alexa is sending her misguided selections to more than 100 million devices from Amazon and third-party device manufacturers. She should be imprisoned, or at least fined.
As a society, we seem to be obsessed with lists today, and not the naughty or nice ones that the guy in the big red suit puts together. I am referencing the best and worst lists that are commonplace today and packed with personal opinions.
Opinions are like belly buttons, as we all have them. As such, in 2021, Rolling Stone magazine compiled the 20 Worst Christmas Songs of All Time. It includes New Kids on the Block with “Funky, Funky, Xmas,” Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe,” and ‘NSync singing “I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas.” Topping their Worst list is Jessica Simpson, featuring Ashlee Simpson, with “The Little Drummer Boy.” Rolling Stone nailed it. I purposely did not include the links. You don’t want to hear them.
It is not that I dislike contemporary musicians. Some artists of today can make it work. Michael Bublé is amazing. And then there is… did I mention Michael Bublé? I am joking. Harry Connick, Jr. is special, too. But the list pretty much stops there.
OK, I am showing my bias. Give me Elvis and “Blue Christmas.” Play “It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Perry Como. Drop the needle on the record of “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. They all make me smile and sing along.
“Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande? Alexa, “STOP!”
Enjoy the sounds of the season, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-755-2115
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 | | | Santa Send Off | | | | | | | | By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Christmas Eve, Santa was escorted throughout Guthrie Center by members of the Guthrie Center Fire Department. Kids of all ages came out for a peek at Santa before he made his worldwide trek to deliver presents. | | | | | | | | See the videos | |
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| | Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day
From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest.
More than 40 parks are hosting either a guided group hike or suggesting a self-guided hike. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.
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| | Marian Catherine McQuaid | | | | | | | | 1941-2024
Marian McQuaid died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2024, at Halcyon House, after a lengthy illness.
A Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, Iowa, with Fr. Bill Roush officiating. Interment will take place at the Calvary Cemetery in Benton County, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County or to St. James Catholic School for their lunch program.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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 | | | Nostalgia for the 1990s hits an all-time high in ‘Y2K’ | | | | | | | | It’s messy, uneven and often frustrating, but it’s also packed with laugh-out-loud moments and a nostalgic charm that’s difficult to resist.
By David Rowley | Special to the Times Vedette
Kyle Mooney and Evan Winter’s “Y2K” is a throwback to the dope show that was the late 1990s — packed with outrageous humor, absurd situations and a hefty dose of nostalgia. It’s a movie that knows its audience — those who lived through dial-up internet, pop-up-filled monitor screens, Sharpie-covered mix discs, and Millennium Bug hysteria. Forget Easter eggs; audiences are treated to a plateful of “member berries” that feel like a warm, chaotic hug.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full review | |
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 | | | High school sports competitions resume Jan. 3 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Student athletes are on break during the holiday season but will soon be back in action.
Panorama:
- Boys basketball: At home vs. Pleasantville (2-3), Friday, Jan. 3
- Girls basketball: At home vs. Pleasantville (5-2), Friday, Jan. 3
- Boys wrestling: Mustang Invitational at PCM High School, Jan. 11
- Girls wrestling: Panorama Wrestling Invite at home, Jan. 7
ACGC:
- Boys basketball: At home vs. Des Moines Christian (7-0), Tuesday, Jan. 7
- Girls basketball: At home vs. Des Moines Christian (6-3), Tuesday, Jan. 7
- Boys wrestling: Lion Den Duals at Lisbon Community School, Saturday, Jan. 4
PICTURED: ACGC's No. 2 Jonny Kading being guarded by Panorama's No. 44 Brayden Galvan during ACGC's 82-40 win on Friday, Dec. 20. Photo by Mark Reno | |
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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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 | | | 30 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Dec. 21, 1994
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. Kindergartners Jordan Waddell (left) and Reed Johnson dance to the beat of “Oh What A Miracle” during Guthrie Center Elementary’s Dance and Music Festival last Tuesday. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Bryton Insurance focuses on local service | | | | | | | | Company will officially take over accounts of property and casualty insurance customers from Hemphill & Associates on Jan. 1 due to retirement of Doug Hemphill.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, December 2024
Bryton Insurance in Panora has a well-known storefront in Panora. The office is run by owner Chris Arganbright and licensed agent Cindy Carstens.
“We are an independent property and casualty insurance agency. That means we represent several companies, and we do personalized and commercial lines of business. We don’t do any life or health,” Arganbright said.
She went on to explain how the local agency came to be.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | My first car | | | | | | | | Locals share beloved stories about their first vehicles.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, December 2024
Whether it was a brand new roadster or an old jalopy that was barely road-worthy, most of us can recall our first car. And these first cars often have the best stories. Here are a few from the area.
King found a car she can’t part with
The story of Rita King’s first car is really the story of her second car. She didn’t keep her first car very long, and the “old Ford” didn’t find a special place in her heart during its brief tenure.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | Cardinals are welcome sight year round | | | | | | | | By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times, December 2024
Northern Cardinals are associated with a great deal of folklore and spiritual beliefs. For some, a cardinal’s appearance is a reminder of a loved one who has passed away. As a popular phrase says, “When cardinals appear, angels are near.”
Cardinal males are bright red. The females are brown with red highlights here and there. Since cardinals don’t migrate, they are a common sight at Lake Panorama year-round.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | INDOOR BOAT AND RV STORAGE. Secured facility. Concrete floors. Staff on site. Arrange a day and time now to drop off and to pick up in the spring. Advance payment required. Limited space available. 104 Industrial Road in Guthrie Center. Visit https://storage.biggreenumbrellamedia.com for rates and details or call or text 515-473-8312. | |
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| | How do you toast New Year’s Eve?
- At home with family
- At a friend’s house
- At a bar or event
- Sleeping
Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com | |
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