| | The internet in print
Encyclopedias have been around for about 2,000 years, but good luck trying to find a printed edition now. How could something that was so common for generations be essentially non-existent now? As paid-subscription newspaper publishers discovered, selling content for a fee can be difficult when you give most of it away on the internet for free.
For the younger readers of this newsletter, encyclopedias were like the internet in print — only more accurate. They were valued sources of information from the experts of the day. The printed and bound versions were found in libraries, schools and other educational institutions. They were also found in many homes.
The encyclopedia salesman was commonly seen walking door to door and selling the benefits of having a full set of these reference materials in your house. At its peak, industry leader Encyclopedia Britannica had about 2,300 employees in the United States and Canada. I remember seeing these well-trained salesmen in our neighborhood as a child. And, yes, I say “salesmen,” as I don’t recall ever seeing females in this profession at the time.
I asked our office staff if they had encyclopedias in their childhood homes. Those who are 40 or older smiled and nodded. Those 40 or younger looked puzzled. One said she thought they might have had CD-ROMS.
My mother bought an off-brand used set of encyclopedias for our family in the late 1970s. They were miniature-sized but were still quite helpful with classroom assignments and to settle an occasional argument of facts. Unlike information from the internet, this data was indisputable.
Prior to the internet, research projects required the use of encyclopedias. I worked at the library during my freshman year in college, and I was amazed how many encyclopedias had pages torn out of them and how many students would become frustrated because they needed that information. The librarians I knew were even-keeled, but this would get them steaming.
Encyclopedia Britannica quit publishing print editions in 1996. After 244 years, the company decided to go digital. The salesmen were laid off, and the multi-volume sets ended. At the time, the remaining 32-volume editions were retailing for $1,395. Today, an online subscription is $74.95 annually or $8.99 per month.
You can pay those fees, or, like most people do today, you can roll the dice on the internet for free.
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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| | Guthrie County Supervisors hear wage proposal for roads department
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
At the Feb. 27 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Josh Sebern explained his request for approval of wage increases for employees in the Secondary Roads Department. He asked for a base 7% increase to bring wages in line with the state average and the averages of neighboring counties.
“I don’t know if I’d go 7%,” Supervisor Mike Dickson said.
No formal action was taken at this time.
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| | Judge rules former sheriff Arganbright must repay unemployment benefits
By Clark Kauffman | Iowa Capital Dispatch
A former Guthrie County sheriff who collected unemployment benefits after losing his bid for reelection will now have to repay those benefits, a judge has ruled.
State records indicate James “Marty” Arganbright served as Guthrie County sheriff for 16 years before losing his bid for reelection in November 2024. Arganbright became unemployed when his successor, who is now suing Arganbright in federal court, took office in January of this year.
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 | | | Wakefield celebrates 95th birthday | | | | | | | | By Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette
Art on State/Guthrie County Arts Council held a birthday coffee and cake for Phyllis Wakefield on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. to help her celebrate her 95th birthday. | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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 | | | Eager paddlers encouraged to wait for warmer water temperatures | | | | | | | | From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
The weather is starting to feel like spring, but water temperatures are still dangerously cold.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers wait for consistent warm weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. It could be several weeks before water temperatures are ideal and safe as water and air temperatures continue to change.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | AC and GC school boards hear about parent-teacher conferences, open positions, upcoming events
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
At the joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards on Feb. 24, the principals reported strong attendance numbers from the recent parent-teacher conferences. Principal Ed Den Beste said attendance was about 89% for AC Elementary and ACGC junior high, while Principal Tandem Eischeid reported 98.7% attendance for GC Elementary.
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen stated the district has the following open positions: third grade teacher at AC, high school Science teacher at GC, food service at AC, and school bus drivers at GC.
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| | Guthrie County Hospital reviews quality improvement
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Feb. 27 monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s board of trustees, Danielle Lauzon and CEO Chris Stipe discussed the various measures the hospital uses to track quality improvement efforts.
Lauzon reported on the process for handling complaints and grievances. She also described the categories involved.
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| | Puzzle competition in Casey on Sunday
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
If you enjoy being puzzled, then the Casey Library has an event for you. This Sunday, March 2, from 2-4 p.m., the library is holding a puzzle competition. Teams of four will compete to see which team can finish first and win a prize.
Cost is $5 per person or $20 for a four-person team. To register, call the library at 641-746-2670 or email caseylib@netins.net Individuals who would like to be placed on a team can also register. Snacks will be provided, and spectators are welcome. | |
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| | Farm Toys show in Adair March 8
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The 35th annual Farm Toy & Truck Show will be held at the ACGC Junior High gym, 3384 Indigo Ave., Adair, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. There is a $3 admission charge, but children younger than 12 are free with an adult. Expect 80 tables of items, including farm toys and memorabilia, trucks, banks, cards and more. Lunch will be available, provided by the ACGC senior class. The event is sponsored by Adair Fire and Rescue. | |
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| | Cribbage results from Feb. 26
Special to the Times Vedette
Cribbage scores on Feb. 26 included Gary Evans and Robert Klever each with a 16, Dan Webb with a 17, Rhonda Titus with a 20 and Dick Ellis with a 16, 16 and a 24.
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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| | Delbert Lee Artist | | | | | | | | 1932-2025
Delbert Lee Artist passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2025, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, at the age of 92. Born on Aug. 16, 1932, in Adair. Delbert was the son of Homer and Violet Artist.
Delbert graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1950, marking the beginning of a life dedicated to hard work and service to his community. He was a man of the land, a farmer who understood the value of honest labor and the importance of nurturing the earth.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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 | | | Guthrie County Barracuda Swimmers qualify 26 for state meet | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Guthrie County Barracuda Swimmers, coached by Dana Stein, have had a successful winter season. Swimming in the Greater Iowa Swim League, 26 Guthrie County Barracuda Swimmers qualified for the state meet on March 8, at the Downtown Des Moines YMCA. Twelve swimmers also qualified for the Midwest Regional Championships in Minneapolis on March 29 and 30. Several swimmers can still qualify for the state meet. Head Coach Stein said these swimmers’ work ethic is incredible.
PICTURED: 26 Guthrie County Barracuda swimmers will swim at the state meet on March 8 at the downtown Des Moines YMCA. Photo by Kerry Jacobsen | | | | | | | | See the full results and photos | |
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 | | | No. 13 ACGC falls to No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in regional final, 64-30 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 13 ACGC girls basketball team (22-2) lost to No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (24-0) in the Class 2A Region 1 final on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Norwalk High School. The result sends EBF to the state tournament, where they are the No. 1 seed in the 2A playoffs. EBF, which was ranked first in 2A all season, was a tough regional draw for an ACGC team whose only other loss this season came against another state qualifier, Des Moines Christian, which is the No. 6 in the 3A state bracket.
PICTURED: No. 1 Stella Largent goes for the layup against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The ACGC girls basketball team set a school record for most wins in a season with 22. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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 | | | No. 5 ACGC wins districts over IKM-Manning, 83-56, faces Remsen St. Marys in substate final | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 5 ACGC boys basketball team (22-2) cruised past IKM-Manning (12-12) in Audubon on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the 1A-8 playoffs. We said that, if IKM-Manning wanted to pull off the upset, it would need big production out of senior Ben Ramsey, who was averaging 21.7 points per game heading into the contest. The Wolves got plenty out of Ramsey, 32 points’ worth, but not much from the rest of the squad. On the flip side, ACGC spread the wealth on offense as it has done successfully all season. Jathan South had a team-high 23 points, adding five assists and four steals. Joe Crawford had 20 points, shooting 5/10 from three-point land. Payton Policky added 14 points and secured his double-double with 10 rebounds. Noah Kading also scored 14 points and led the team in assists with six. Mason Wahl had a productive seven points and eight rebounds. The win sends ACGC into the substate final against Remsen St. Marys (20-4) on Saturday, March 1, at South Central Calhoun Middle School. The Hawks have won their games this season with outstanding defense, allowing just 37 points per game on average this season. Remsen St. Marys is led by Collin Homan, who is averaging 14 points and 6.8 rebounds. Sam Schmillen will be another player to watch, as he is averaging 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds.
PICTURED:No. 3 Jathan South shoots the step-back jumper against IKM-Manning on Tuesday, Feb. 25. ACGC boys basketball has made three straight district final appearances and two substate final appearances in the last three years. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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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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 | | | 40 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, March 7, 1985
FACES IN THE CROWD. Tim Hawley, left, and David Lowe are just your average Panora-Linden basketball fans. They're crazy about the No. 1-rated Hawks but go to more extreme to show their school spirit. Hawley points to the scoreboard as P-L broke out to a 16-point lead in the third quarter. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | ‘Challenge accepted!’ | | | | | | | | Colleen and Corey Conrad have revamped downtown buildings in Casey and created spaces for successful businesses.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, February 2025
“Somebody ought to do something about that” is a common phrase heard regarding situations and/or things that need to be repaired. As in many small towns, Casey had seen a gradual decline in the vibrancy of its business district, and that was worsened when a fire occurred in 2014 that destroyed the community center.
In 2016, Colleen and Corey Conrad stepped in. As a native of Casey, Colleen felt she and her husband should do something about the situation. So, they took it upon themselves to do what they could to bring businesses back to downtown Casey. She recently told us the story of how they came to undertake this large project.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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