| | A lousy hugger?
I am not a good hugger, but I am working on it.
I didn’t realize that I was a lousy hugger until my friend Terri told me, “You are a lousy hugger.” I was slightly insulted. Wouldn’t you be? So I asked her, “What makes a good hug?” She replied, “Well, you could start by skipping that little pat on the back — and use both hands when you give a hug.”
Some of you are likely thinking the same thing that I was when my friend told me this. A few generations of us have been taught to respect the space of others and to avoid anything that could be construed as an unwanted sexual advance — and for good reason.
Quite frankly, I didn’t grow up in a family that hugged, kissed or said, “I love you,” so I didn't know that those things were right or wrong. They just didn’t happen. When my parents divorced, that changed my father — and his view on hugs.
Dad told me that after the divorce, he had to decide if he was going to be angry the rest of his life or do everything he could to love his family. He opted for the latter, and part of that approach was a lot of heart-warming hugs for me every time I saw him.
I remember being on a visit home from college when my friend Mike and I had dinner with my father. When we were ready to leave, Dad walked over and gave me the customary hug. And then he quickly marched over to Mike and gave him a big hug, too. I was embarrassed, but I ignored it and proceeded out the door to my vehicle. When Mike got in the car, I noticed that he had a big smile on his face. He then looked at me and exclaimed, “Your dad is a peach!” He explained to me how his father never hugged him. I then realized how lucky I was and how impactful a well-meaning and caring hug can be.
With all this in mind, I try to hug my family members every time I see them. I am sure I embarrass my kids sometimes, but that’s OK. Someday, they may truly appreciate this. In the meantime, I am also being a bit selfish. Because, as novelist Diana Rowland said, “The good thing about hugs is that when you give one, you get one.”
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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 | | | Trick-or-Treat in Guthrie Center | | | | | | | | By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Due to the ACGC playoff football game on Friday night, trick-or-treating was held on Thursday in Guthrie Center. Downtown businesses and individuals welcomed monsters and ghouls of all shapes and sizes along the business district. Students in the ACGC Leo Club served as crossing guards to assure all the little creatures stayed safe.
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 | | | Five soloists advance to State Solo Dance Contest | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
The Panorama High School Dance Team enjoyed a successful day at the regional state solo qualifying contests held in Newton and Pella on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 23 and 24. The Panthers advance five dancers out of 10 selected in Class III for the state competition scheduled in the Casey’s Center in Des Moines Dec. 3-5.
Nine dancers represented PHS and all earned top division I ratings.
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PICTURED: Five members of the Panorama Dance Team qualified for the Class III State solo competition to be held Dec. 3-5 at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines. The Panthers produced nine soloists in the competition in Newton last Friday with all nine receiving Division I ratings. Competing at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team contest will be, from the left: Addison Wagner, freshman; Maci Bauer, junior; Nella Rivas, sophomore; Hadley Fitch, junior; Cali Knudsen, sophomore; and Kathy Enyart, executive director of the ISDTA. Panorama is one of only three schools in the state to qualify five soloists in its respective class size. This is the first time in Panorama school history that five soloists have qualified for state competition. | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | Rogers opens a new chapter at Casey Library | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Libraries are much more than just books, as Beth Rogers can attest. She is the new director at the Casey Library and has been in that role since Sept. 13.
For Rogers, it is both goods news and bad news that libraries offer many services and materials besides just books.
The good news is that library patrons are able to benefit in a wide variety of ways.
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PICTURED: Beth Rogers gets artsy with Sakura Lautej, Sheryl Nelson and Drakelyn Trotter. | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Crawford joins Bryton Insurance Agency, expanding services to include life insurance | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Bryton Insurance Agency, 128 W. Main St. in Panora, welcomes Hope Crawford as the newest member of its team. A Panora native, Crawford brings a strong foundation in client service, insurance knowledge and community values to her role as an independent insurance agent.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Panorama voters to decide fate of $19.6 million bond issue
Special to the Times Vedette
Voters in the Panorama Community School District will cast a yes or no vote on a $19.6 million school bond to help address needs in the District. A 60% approval of the voters in November is required for the bond issue to pass.
Superintendent Kasey Huebner explained this bond issue would support major improvements to both the elementary and secondary school buildings including:
- New, secured entryways at both school facilities, ensuring visitors must check in through the main office.
- An accessible playground surface for all children at the elementary.
- Repairs to roofs, HVAC systems and restrooms at both buildings.
- An expanded shop area to support career and technical education in the secondary facility.
- Renovations to the commons, kitchen and other student spaces at the secondary school.
- An expansion of the middle school gymnasium at the secondary school — offering more space for classes, athletics and community use.
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| | Where to vote
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. One of the most common questions leading up to Election Day is, “Where do I vote?” The answer is easily found by going to the website of Iowa’s Secretary of State (www.sos.iowa.gov) and then clicking on “Elections”, then on “Find my Polling Place.” Then put in your zip code and address, and the website will tell you where you should vote.
Another common question is, “How can I see election results?” That answer also is available on the same website (www.sos.iowa.gov) by clicking on “Election Results.”
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| | GCH promotes diabetes awareness this November
Special to the Times Vedette
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) is joining organizations nationwide in raising awareness about the prevention, management and impact of diabetes.
Diabetes affects more than 38 million Americans, and many more are at risk of developing the disease. Early detection, lifestyle changes and proper management can make a significant difference in preventing serious complications.
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| | Cribbage results from Oct. 29
Special to the Times Vedette
On Oct. 29, a total of 15 players participated. Allen Pierce got a 17 and a 16; Lela Schwartz and Robert Klever each got a 16; Chet Vaughan got a 21; and Dan Webb got a 20 and a 21.
The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and 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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| | By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
This time of year, fall and harvest events abound — and holiday events are approaching, too. Below are some upcoming events in or near Guthrie County.
Canceled: Haunted House in Guthrie Center Oct. 31
The haunted house, hosted by Main Street Guthrie Center, has been canceled.
Soup Supper in Bagley Oct. 31
The Bagley Fire Association invites everyone to come enjoy a harvest meal from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The meal includes several types of soup, cornbread and desserts.
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| | Chargers in the postseason, and the sports equinox | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Chargers in the postseason
The ACGC Chargers have two teams remaining in the postseason for fall sports. The football team has a chance to make it into the quarterfinals tonight, Friday, Oct. 31, when they face the Mount Ayr Raiders in the Class A second round. Then, on Saturday, Nov. 1, the duo of Preston Kent and Cadence Petersen don the black and gold to represent ACGC at the 1A state cross country meet.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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 | | | ACGC takes on Mount Ayr in Class A Second Round tonight | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC football team (9-0) hosts Mount Ayr (6-3) in the Class A Second Round tonight, Friday, Oct. 31. Mount Ayr gave ACGC its toughest game of the season in a 28-20 win for the Chargers in mid-September. ACGC only had a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Neither team has lost since then. Mount Ayr had only allowed 18 points in the next four games after its loss to ACGC until its slugfest with St. Albert in the first round, when the Raiders won, 55-47.
PICTURED: ACGC's No. 13 Thomas Skram gets ready to pitch it to No. 8 Brexton Schneider, with No. 5 Ryder Cline and No. 4 Joe Crawford leading the way. Photo by Mark Reno | |
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 | | | Kent and Petersen to compete at state cross country meet on Saturday | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Preston Kent and Cadence Petersen qualified as individuals for the 1A State Championship cross country meet on Saturday, Nov. 1. The races will take place at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The girls race starts first at 2 p.m., and the boys follows at 2:45 p.m.
PICTURED: Preston Kent and Cadence Petersen. Photo by Kimberly Kent | |
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| | Perry wins both matchups at triangular
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Perry swim team (11-14), which coops with Panorama, earned two victories at its triangular meet on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The Jayettes defeated Carroll (12-27), 79-75, and Algona (10-27-1), 82-80. The next test for Perry is the postseason, when the Jayettes compete in the regional meet in Johnston on Thursday, Nov. 6. | |
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| | Guthrie County: Congregate Meals are served at Sneakers Café, Monday through Friday, in the Guthrie County Hospital, 710 N. 12th St., Guthrie Center. 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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 | | | 10 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Oct. 29, 2015
TOWER OF TERROR. Quinten Pote, 16 (rear), and Gavin Pote, 12, stand ready to scare at the Panora Fire Department's Tower of Terror Haunted House. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Halloween costume creations | | | | | | | |
Residents explain how they get to become anything they want to be on this imaginative holiday.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, October 2025
Halloween is a special time of year when most anyone can put on a costume or mask and temporarily take on a different persona. It can be liberating to become someone or something completely apart from our usual roles, even if only for a short time. Some opt for a frightening look. Some prefer costumes that are funny. Some like to dress as a favorite celebrity. Some costumes are difficult to categorize.
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PICTURED: Trysten Johnston trims the hedges as Edward Scissorhands. | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | The average American spends about 7 hours per day on screens (TV, computer, phone, etc.). How many hours do you spend?
- None
- 1-3
- 4-6
- 7-9
- 10 or more
Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com | |
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