The Guthrie County Times Vedette May 7: Paper or plastic?

YOUR NOON-TIME NEWS | TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024

Paper or plastic?

At our home, a brown paper bag simply cannot be found. My wife prefers the plastic grocery bags, and since she does most of the shopping, that’s what we have. Admittedly, they come in handy with the family dog’s duties, but I cringe each time I see them blowing in tree branches or stuck in ditches. The better solutions are the reusable bags, but we don’t seem to remember to put them back in our vehicles after each use. Change isn’t easy. Thankfully, Margaret Knight didn't give up that readily.

Margaret is the inventor of the iconic flat-bottomed, brown-paper grocery bag. She envisioned this idea while working for the Colombia Bag Factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, where her job was to fold paper bags by hand. This was a slow and inefficient process that resulted in many irregularities in the bags. Margaret began to draw up plans for a machine that would automate the manufacturing of these paper bags so that the bottoms were flat. She filed for a patent for her invention but was surprised to learn that one had already been awarded to Charles Anon, a man who was familiar with her design. Margaret hired an attorney and sued, claiming this invention was her own. The court ultimately sided in Margaret’s favor, and she was awarded a patent for her machine in 1871. Although improvements have been made to her design over the years, Margaret’s bag is quite similar to the brown paper grocery bag still in use, albeit much less, today.

I thought of the brown paper bags when I heard a reference to elementary grade students who wrapped their textbooks in them and then customized the covers to their liking with crayons, markers or pens. I was one of those students, although I am not sure I could recall the exact cutting and taping process today. Margaret likely didn’t envision that use, but her invention clearly made grocery sacking, carrying and delivering much simpler. And if she were alive today, she would certainly cringe at the sight of the plastic bag waste, too.

Paper or plastic? If you are given the option, think of Margaret before you answer next time.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

Guthrie County Supervisors hear plans for expansion of mental health services

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on May 7. Health Services Director Jotham Arber provided an update on his department, telling of efforts to expand the county’s mental health services.

“Our goal is to add an office down in Stuart,” Arber said. “That’s a desert for mental health resources. So that’s going to mean needing to bring on another mental health provider and then some wrap-around social services.”

Arber also updated the supervisors regarding the county’s recycling and the transfer station. Supervisor Mike Dickson asked about the amount of material taken at the transfer station.

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Mother’s Day art created

Special to the Times Vedette

Two students, Shua and Alicia Westphal of Guthrie Center, participated in the free class on Saturday at Art on State, painting a scene and adding Perler beads for Mother's Day.

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org.

	Tips for hunting for wild mushrooms in Iowa

	From the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach In Iowa, mushroom hunting is quite common. However, knowing the peak time to hunt for a particular mushroom can be challenging. Chelsea Harbach, a plant disease diagnostician in the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, shares helpful guidelines when hunting for common mushrooms. [...]

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Sauser hired as ACGC High School principal

Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center School Board announced the appointment of Mr. Brian Sauser as the new 9-12 Principal for ACGC High School. Mr. Sauser currently serves as a Special Education Teacher and Head Football Coach at Ames High School. He brings with him more than 25 years of teaching and leadership experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Loras College, and a master's degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University. In his personal life, Sauser and his wife, Mandy, who works as a special education consultant for Heartland AEA, have a daughter, Emma (24), who is a CPA in Dallas, Texas; a son, Dodge (21), who attends Kennesaw State in Atlanta, Georgia, on a football scholarship; and another son, Dallas (19), who attends Iowa Central and plays football there. They also share their home with two dogs, English bulldog “Frankie” and French bulldog “Chico.”

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Law enforcement appreciation event May 15

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Chaplains Association is hosting an appreciation event for law enforcement officers on May 15 at 3 p.m. at the Freedom Rock, 405 State St., West Hwy. 44, Guthrie Center.

The Chaplains Association encourages residents to show up to support law enforcement officers and their families, who serve and protect the community under all circumstances. The ACGC school band will provide patriotic music in honor of the officers as well as messages from our Washington D.C.-based senators and congressman. Gov. Reynolds will also have a representative to speak on her behalf. The keynote message will be from Sgt. Alex Dinkla from the Iowa State Patrol. Bring your lawn chairs and show your support.

The event will be held at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall at 105 N. Fourth St. in Guthrie Center in case of rain.

Helicopters to conduct aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines

Special to the Times Vedette

ITC Midwest will be conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from approximately May 13-24, weather permitting.

Helicopter patrols provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest.

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Cribbage results from May 3 and May 6

Special to the Times Vedette

On May 3, a total of 12 players participated. Deb Kiefer drug in two 16s. Rhonda Titus got a 17, and Robert Klever pulled in a 16, 16 and a 17. Larry Gardiner got a 17 and a 20 for the grand prize.

On May 6, a total of 12 players participated. Dan Webb, Dennis Betts, Sandy Rumelhart, Joanne Zieser, all came up with a 16.

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	Richard W Friedrich

	1942-2024 Richard W Friedrich, 82, was born to Paul and Mildred Friedrich in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 3, 1942. He was later joined by his sister, Mary. As the son of a Lutheran pastor, Rich and his family moved from Colorado to northwest Iowa. He graduated from West Sioux High School and went on to study education at West Mar College in Le Mars. His teaching career brought him to Guthrie Center where he taught junior high history and pursued his master’s degree at Drake University. [...]

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	Joann Reil

	1939-2024 Joann Reil, daughter of Rob (RJ) and Ione (Muller) Carothers, was born Jan. 10, 1939, in Jefferson. Jo, as she was affectionately known, grew up on the family farm south of Bayard where she attended country school through the eighth grade and then graduated from Bayard Community School in 1957. As a kid, she was active in 4-H and showed her dad’s home-raised Angus cattle, played basketball and was in marching band. [...]

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Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Farmers are feeling anxious as the multiple rounds of rain produced soggy conditions that have not been fit for planting progress,” said Secretary Naig. “We need a stretch of sunshine and dry weather so that farmers can get back in the field."

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Windowsill herb garden

Special to the Times Vedette

May 13, 4 p.m., Stuart Public Library, 111 E. Front St. Join us for an all-ages program to create your very own herb garden. Learn how to harvest herbs and learn about the resource, Spend Smart Eat Smart from Iowa State University Extension. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per garden. Registration is required. To register, call 641-747-2276

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	Panorama falls to Des Moines Christian, 10-4

	By Cyote Williams \| Times Vedette The Panther boys soccer team (2-9) traveled to Des Moines Christian (6-7) on Monday, May 6, losing 10-4. The Panthers outscored Des Moines Christian in the second half 4-3, Individual statistics were not available as of press time. PICTURED: Cruz Crandall. Photo by Betty Cooper

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