FRIDAY, DEC. 13, 2024

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Jingle and Mingle” holiday social on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Twin Vines, 2821 Highway 44. Pictured here are Mark Benton, Becky Benton and Ricky Loftsgard.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Outdoor ice enthusiasts are ready to get out ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating or fat-tire bike riding.

The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.

[...]

Boil advisory lifted for city of Bayard

Special to the Times Vedette

A boil advisory that was issued for the City of Bayard on Dec. 10 due to a water main break, requiring the depressurization of the entire system, has been lifted. The water main break required the depressurization of the entire system. Repairs to the main have been completed, and the affected area has been disinfected and flushed. Water samples have tested negative for bacteria.

Panorama School Board approves safety upgrades

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panorama School Board on Dec. 9, the board approved several safety-related improvements.

Upgrades will be made to SCI doors and cameras using Safety Grant Funds. Superintendent Kasey Huebner explained.

“We will fob additional doors at the elementary and secondary schools. We will fob the southeast playground door at the elementary, the north door at the secondary, the kitchen door at the secondary, the district doors, and the food pantry door on the south side,” Huebner said. “A safety grant through the state will reimburse us for this expense.”

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Upcoming holiday events in Guthrie County

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Many holiday events are upcoming in the Guthrie County area. Here is a partial listing:

Friday, Dec. 13

Open houses at various Panora Chamber of Commerce member businesses:

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bryton Insurance (calendars, while supply lasts)
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guthrie County State Bank (cookies and coffee)
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunset Realty (cookies and drinks)
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Iowa Trust Savings Bank (cookies, candy and drinks)
• 1-4 p.m. Exit Realty (cookies, hot chocolate, and drawings for Chamber Bucks)
• 2-4 p.m. The Port (desserts, coffee, tea, and drawing for a free night’s stay)
• 2-7 p.m. Restore Wellness/Reshape Fitness (grazing board, punch, and door prize basket)
• 5-7 p.m. Panorama Day Care (cookies, hot cocoa, tours, drawing for daycare hours)

[...]

Area Christmas church services

By Rich Wicks and Cheryl Castile | Times Vedette

ADAIR:

• First Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m.
• United Methodist Church, 5 p.m.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4 p.m. Services at Schafer Barn on the Hill, 1459 White Pole Road

BAGLEY:

• Bagley United Methodist Church, 6:30 p.m.

[...]

Hunting, fishing licenses on sale Dec. 15

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowans can buy 2025 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15. Licenses purchased for 2024 expire on Jan. 10.

The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

[...]

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.

[...]

Holiday Fashion Show in Casey Dec. 15

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

A Holiday Fashion Show will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar in Casey. Attendees can enjoy wine from Twin Vines and appetizers while checking out the new fashions. There will be a special of “buy one, get second item half off” on the fashion items.

Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar is located at 614 McPherson St. in Casey. Phone number is 641-746-3316. www.tinlizziessportsbar.com.

Sunshine Club meets Dec. 10

Special to the Times Vedette

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, 12 Sunshine Club members met for their annual Christmas party held at the Owl’s Nest in Panora at 11 a.m. Trudy opened the meeting by having everyone recite the Lord’s Prayer. Roll call was a favorite Christmas tradition with many neat answers given. Minutes of the previous meeting were read, and the treasurer’s report was given. The new booklets were handed out by Gina Lloyd and she asked everyone to look over to be sure all information was correct. We are scheduled to help with bingo at the Stuart Care Center on April 14. Next month’s meeting will be with Janine Frettim at her home at 1 p.m. on Jan. 8. The meeting was adjourned, and a game was played using the two gifts everyone brought to be exchanged with another member. A fun time was had by all.

‘Thankmas’ gathering held Dec. 1 for Stringer families

Special to the Times Vedette

A “Thankmas” (Thanksgiving/Christmas) gathering was held Sunday, Dec. 1 for the Stringer families. Hosts were April, Chad, Reagan and Cael Andersen. Christian Church Fellowship Hall was the gathering place for the 35 Stringer family members. A pot luck meal was enjoyed along with Barb Hambleton's usual gag gifts and awesome readings. She began with a birthday cupcake and candle for Jack Stringer's birthday the next day.

[...]

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys basketball (1-4) lost its away matchup with Earlham (3-0) on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Cruz Crandall had the best performance for the Panthers, putting up five points and five rebounds. Panorama will host West Central Valley (1-3) tonight, Dec. 13. Both teams will be looking to use this game to get back on the horse, as they are both on three-game losing skids. Panorama has dominated the series historically with a 34-5 record against the Wildcats since 2006.

PICTURED: No. 13 Cruz Crandall is currently averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and two assists per game. Photo by Betty Cooper

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

A 19-7 first-quarter lead Earlham (2-1) proved to be too much to overcome for Panorama girls basketball (4-1) during its away game on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Panthers would outscore Earlham in the second and fourth quarters and tied the third but, ultimately, fell short of their comeback attempt. Morgan Crees led Panorama in scoring with her 16 points. She also had seven steals and six rebounds. Arilyan Steenblock was dominant on the glass with 17 rebounds along with her 10 points to give her a double-double. Panorama’s next game is against West Central Valley (2-3) tonight, Dec. 13. Panorama faced the Wildcats twice last season, winning 66-17 and 72-30.

PICTURED: No. 30 Kelsey Laabs is averaging 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Photo by Betty Cooper

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys wrestling hosted Earlham, West Central Valley and Van Meter on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Panorama lost each of the duals: 49-27 to Earlham, 53-30 to Van Meter and 33-28 to West Central Valley. Panorama’s next competition is the Dan Christensen Invitational at Central Decatur High School, tonight, Dec. 13. Other teams competing will be Albia, Bedford, Centerville, Central Decatur, Davis County, Humboldt, Martensdale-St Marys, Mid-Buchanan, Mount Ayr, Ottumwa, Red Oak, Southeast Warren, Van Meter, Wayne and Winterset.

PICTURED: Will Knapp (150) defeated Earlham's Jackson Berkley during Panorama's home quadrangular on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Photo by Betty Cooper

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama girls wrestling traveled to Ames High School for a triangular meet against Ames and Gilbert on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Panorama lost both duals, 58-22 to Ames and 42-27 to Gilbert. The girls next competition will be the Saydel Girls Invitational at Saydel High School. Other teams at the tournament will be Albia, Ames, Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Ballard, Centerville, Clarinda, Colfax-Mingo, DMPS Girls Wrestling, Earlham, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Interstate 35, Johnston, Newton, Perry, Pleasantville, Saydel, Southeast Polk, Southeast Warren, Waukee Northwest and Winterset.

PICTURED: Sophmore Cadence Petersen competes at the Panorama Quads earlier this season. Photo by Mark Reno

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Panorama Dance Team brought home a load of awards from the state competition this fall. Coach Kristi Vance shared her thoughts and details on the team.

“As a coach, I couldn't be prouder of this team for their commitment and hard work, Vance said. “Their season started in June when the team went to their first-ever camp at Iowa State University. Knowing we had lost five seniors the year prior, we went into the season with a very young team. The freshmen brought talent and determination. They have put in countless hours and came on to the state floor a unified team. I look forward to their future as a team.”

[...]

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC boys basketball (3-0) hosted Van Meter (2-1) on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The 68-57 win is the first for ACGC over Van Meter since 2013 — and they did it with the help of great free throw shooting. The Chargers went 21/28 from the line while Van Meter shot 6/7. Joe Crawford led the charge on offense with a game-high 20 points. Noah Kading was closer behind with 18 points while contributing five rebounds and four assists. Jathan South scored 17 points while adding eight rebounds and four assists. Payton Policky joined them in double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds. ACGC will be back on the court at home tonight, Dec. 13, against Ogden (2-2). ACGC has won eight out of the last nine contests between the teams.

PICTURED: No. 1 Tommy Skram steps back against Woodward-Granger in a game earlier this season. Photo by Mark Reno

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC girls basketball (4-0) hosted Van Meter (1-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The win continues ACGC’s winning streak to start the season, but it wasn’t easy. ACGC trailed at the end of the first quarter, 13-8. A strong second quarter saw the Chargers head into halftime up, 19-15, with an even stronger second half leading to the 50-42 win. Camdyn Richter led the Chargers in scoring with 19 points, adding five rebounds and four steals. Shay Lemke scored 15 points, with the bulk coming from behind the three-point line, shooting 3/8. Lemke nearly had a double-double with eight assists and was effective on defense with five steals. ACGC will look to continue its hot start to the season against Ogden (1-4) at home, tonight, Dec. 13.

PICTURED: No. 21 Becca Littler is average eight points, four steals, four assists and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. Photo by Mark Reno

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC boys wrestling competed at Lenox High School on Thursday, Dec. 12. The Chargers lost duals against I-35, 54-30, and Lenox, 36-24, and won their dual against Coon Rapids-Bayard, 41-31. ACGC hits the mat again tomorrow, Dec. 14 at the Riverside tournament. ACGC will be competing against AHSTW, Alburnett, Audubon, Aurora, CAM, Clarinda, Creston, Earlham, Gretna East, Harlan Community, Logan-Magnolia, Pekin, Ridge View, Riverside, Savannah, Shenandoah, West Harrison, Woodbine and Woodbury Central.

[...]

PICTURED: Ryder Cline controls his opponent during a match earlier this season. Photo by Mark Reno

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.

Memories of Mr. Ray Clough’s bobsled

By Cheryl Castile | Times Vedette

You had to wait until you were in seventh grade to get to ride in the bobsled, and having two older sisters who had been passengers for a few years before I became of age, the wait seemed forever. The year was 1954 when Mr. Clough, at the first measurable snow, hitched his two horses to his bobsled and began picking up the high school and junior high students from the Panora Methodist Church.

I will never forget that first ride, as it was even more joyous and exciting than I ever imagined.

[...]

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Dec. 11, 2014

DECEMBER NIGHTS. Landon Goodenberger and Jazmyn Sellers play Mary and Joseph as the Panorama fourth and fifth graders presented “December Nights, December Lights” on Nov. 24.

Each December, Joyce Johnson and her daughters spend one long day making a variety of candy and other sweets.

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times, November 2024

Holidays and family traditions go hand in hand. Often the focus is on delicious food, including sweet treats created once each year.

Such is the case in the Kurt and Joyce Johnson family. Each December, for decades, Joyce and their three daughters have spent one long day making a variety of candy and other sweets.

[...]

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.

Which did you opt for this holiday season?

• Real Christmas tree
• Fake Christmas tree
• No Christmas tree

Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com

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