Guthrie County Times Vedette

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025

It comes down to propellers

Symmetry is wonderful. It is part of the whole balance thing. The ying for the yang. The right for each left. And a necessity for those of us who believe there is a place for everything and everything has its place.

I was reminded of the need for symmetry and balance the other day when I had a hangnail and trimmed it off with some clippers. Then I decided to trim all the nails on my left hand. My daughter told me we were late to go somewhere, so I put the clippers down and decided I would do the right hand later. I was off kilter all night, as I couldn’t get the unfinished nail thing off my mind.

My barber told me of a similar story when he was trimming those crazy eyebrow hairs on a customer. He said he trimmed one side and then got caught up in a conversation and forgot to do the other. The customer came back — with his head tilted.

Have you ever noticed how many things are truly symmetrical? Cut them in half, and you get the same thing on both sides. Our faces are symmetrical. So are our bodies. When cut the long way, a bicycle is even symmetrical. But a car isn’t. Huh?

Can someone explain why steering wheels are not in the middle of otherwise-symmetrical vehicles? I sort of understand why we in the U.S. do the opposite of those in the U.K., but why isn’t the steering wheel in the middle on all cars, everywhere?

Some say it is safest when the driver is placed closest to the middle of the road, which is on the left side in America. OK, I will buy that. But then why are the steering wheels for boats traditionally placed on the right side? Well, according to boatingbasicsonline.com, there are several “technical and conventional reasons, lookout theories, and even international disciplines that come together and keep the steering wheels of boats on starboard.”

In plain English, it comes down to propellers. According to the same website, “as propellors spin clockwise, the motion tends to put the left side down. The port side is then pushed by around 2 to 3 degrees physically. In turn, the right side of the boat will significantly rise out. The weight of the one behind the steering wheel may prevent this rise and keep the ship afloat.” Sure.

Meanwhile, some modern pleasure crafts and wooden speed boats do have steering wheels on the left. Sometimes, they can also be found in the center. That makes more sense to me, at least from a symmetrical point of view.

Now, would somebody please pass me the nail clippers?

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Batter up!

By Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

The Panorama Majors Yankees baseball team paused for a quick photo after a game in Adel on April 22. Pictured include: Wyatt Bubeck, Roman Hemann, Bradley Brittain, Graham Clark, Jax Uhlman, Lynn Kramer, Alex Pudenz, Lyle Jacobsen and Jaiden Wagner.

	Red, White and Blue Cruise upcoming

	By Rich Wicks \| Times Vedette On Saturday, May 17, Guthrie County will again be rolling with activity during the annual Red, White and Blue Cruise, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 124 (Guthrie Center). The event honors all veterans and active military personnel and welcomes side-by-sides, quads and other vehicles to join the fun. Riders will choose any route to visit some or all of the planned stops, which include Incredi-Bowl (Guthrie Center), Owl’s Nest (Panora), Short’s Place (Menlo), Casey Creamery and Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar (Casey) and Blue Goose Tavern (Adair). [...]

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	Plan regular cleanings for bird feeders, waterers and baths

	From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Spring weather arrived, and with it, the annual spring cleaning and garden prep rituals going on in backyards and acreages across Iowa. Iowans who set out bird feeders and waterers are encouraged to include regular feeder cleaning as part of their annual to do list, to avoid unintentionally spreading disease among birds that frequent these feeders. [...]

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	Celebrate Iowa’s big trees this Arbor Day

	From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa’s trees tell a story of resilience, history and ecological importance. These towering giants serve as living landmarks, connecting communities to Iowa’s rich forestry heritage while highlighting the vital role trees play in our environment. The Big Trees of Iowa program, coordinated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry section, celebrates the largest known specimens of each tree species in the state. Knowing of these impressive trees helps document growth potential, draws public attention to trees and encourages friendly competition. [...]

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	Law enforcement appreciation event May 14

	Special to the Times Vedette The Guthrie County Chaplains Association is hosting an appreciation event for local law enforcement on May 14 at 3 p.m. at the Freedom Rock, 405 State St. (West Highway 44) in Guthrie Center. Organizers encourage the public to show up to support law enforcement officers and their families. Messages will be shared by elected officials in Washington, D.C., who have expressed appreciation for the jobs our law enforcement officers are doing back home. [...]

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	New book by Joy Neal Kidney

	Special to the Times Vedette Local author Joy Neal Kidney has written a new book entitled “Meadowlark Songs: A Motherline Legacy,” covering seven generations, six with deep roots in Guthrie County, or with strong ties to it, from pioneers to the keeper of their stories. The book asks, what do we inherit from our grandmothers besides mtDNA? Heirlooms? Character? Shadows of the past? [...]

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Guthrie County Hospital receives $20,000 for meals program

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 24 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s Board of Trustees, a public hearing was held regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 County Budget. Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson shared budgetary data. Following the hearing, the trustees formally approved the budget.

Danielle Lauzon shared quality improvement data. She highlighted numbers from the recently completed third quarter of the fiscal year.

[...]

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Casey Clean Up Day is April 27

Special to the Times Vedette

Join the Casey Service Club at 3 p.m. on April 27 for Casey Clean Up Day. Meet at the Community Building and bring gloves, rakes and shovels. UTVs are helpful, too. Bottled water will be provided to volunteers.

Cribbage results from April 23

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 13 players participated on April 23. Wayne Nickel got a 16 and an 18, Sandy Rumelhart got a 16 and a 20, Lela Schwartz got a 16, and Chet Vaughan had 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.

	Welcome to Cyote’s Den

	By Cyote Williams \| Times Vedette If you have kept up on Guthrie County sports for the past year and some change, specifically Panorama and ACGC, you have likely seen my name. It’s equally as likely that you have mispronounced it. I take no offense to that, as teachers, employers, friends and even family members have called me coyote for as long as I can remember. [...]

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