| | If in doubt, throw it out?
Have you noticed how most everything seems to have an expiration date these days? Some are certainly for good reason. Meat. Dairy. Bread. I don’t want to eat or drink those things when they have gone bad. Even so, I am not sure I need a date stamp to help me out. Nature has a way of letting know when meat is rotten, milk is sour or bread is moldy. I doubt if my grandmother ever felt a need for expiration dates on her food items.
Well, times have changed, and maybe our senses are not as good as generations prior. Maybe. If I do check the expiration date on the carton of milk, I still smell it before I decide whether to pour it on my cereal or down the drain. My olfactory seems to be working just fine. And if I am in doubt, I throw it out.
But, alas, the marketers of the world have discovered our apparent fears of consuming anything that might be considered “old.” We now have expiration dates for beer and soda and even bottled water. Yes, bottled water can expire.
I had this discussion with some co-workers the other day. I searched up and down a bottle of water for this so-called expiration date, and I proudly showed the bottle and pointed out that it wasn’t there. An observant co-worker then succinctly showed me the fine print that my expiring eyes couldn’t see. I chugged down that bottle of water out of pure vengeance.
OK, so maybe you agree with the need for expiration dates on bottled or canned drinks, but prepare yourself for these non-food items that we are to believe can also expire and should be replaced:
Toothbrush? Just in case you can’t tell when the bristles fall out in your mouth, the American Dental Association suggests you replace this every three to four months.
Bath towels? Home health experts say you should replace your towels at least once every two years or when they lose their fluffiness, start to smell or stop absorbing.
Pillows or mattress? Experts recommend replacing your pillows every two years or when they begin to lose shape. And plan to buy a new mattress in six to eight years, or if you notice it is sagging, or if it begins to squeak or make other noises. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to do this even sooner.
Sunscreen? Three years. Sunscreens are required by the FDA to remain at their original strengths for at least that long. Many sunscreens now have an expiration date on the bottle.
Slippers? Six months to a year, depending on how much you wear them. They apparently may be a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if you wear them outside at all and don’t wash them.
So, my motto of “If in doubt, throw it out” still seems to apply. Meanwhile, let me know of other products with expiration dates that I failed to mention.
Have a terrific Tuesday, 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 about mental health advocate services
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Sept. 9 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors heard from Brett Michael, Mental Health Advocate, who serves an area including Guthrie County and six other counties. Board Chair Maggie Armstrong shared why she felt it would be helpful for the supervisors to hear from Michael.
Michael explained how he is assigned to work with individuals who are deemed by the court to be in need of involuntary mental health services.
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| | Panora City Council discusses bond requirement for water/sewer work
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Sept. 8, the councilmembers had a discussion regarding the Title VI Physical Environment (Utilities Sanitary System, and the Water System) pertaining to the updates 2025 City Code of Ordinances. City Administrator Lisa Grossman and Public Works Director Ismael Galvan highlighted the most significant changes. One area of discussion was private citizens having water/sewer work done that involves the city’s right of way.
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| | Guthrie Center City Council gives 14 days for nuisance violation to come into compliance
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Sept. 9, Mayor Mike Herbert reported on the city’s determination regarding the Ludwig/Winkleblack nuisance violation status. He said the city consulted with the city attorney for guidance. Renea Winkleblack and Dennis Ludwig Jr. have previously stated that others in the city have similar items on properties on a trailer and/or under a tarp, and those properties are not being dealt with as violations of the city ordinance.
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 | | | Panorama marching band performs | | | | | | | | Photos by Betty Cooper | Special to the Times Vedette
The Panorama marching band played at the high school football game last Friday at home against South Hamilton. | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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| | ‘Sunday Afternoon with Groucho’ Sept. 28 at Warren Cultural Center
Special to the Times Vedette
Experience the Cumberland Rose Players take on Groucho Marx’s show “You Bet Your Life” at the Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, in Greenfield on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. Local celebrities, from mayors to business people dressed in 1940s and 1950s attire, will try to guess the secret word while being interviewed by our local Groucho. The secret words will be delivered by local youth so everyone in the room — except the contestants on stage — can see.
Free will donation gets you in the door.
This event is presented by the Cumberland Rose Players, The Sidey Collection and Greenfield Chamber Main Street. | |
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| | Repairs on Lake Panorama dam to begin in October
Special to the Times Vedette
The Lake Panorama Association (LPA) will lower Lake Panorama by approximately 5 feet in October to perform scheduled maintenance on the dam. This follows a routine inspection conducted in December 2024 that revealed wear on hydraulic cylinders that have been in service for 20 years.
LPA management says repairs will include cylinder replacement and other minor improvements to hydraulic lines and the spillway. The Weitz Company, which handled the previous replacement of the dam cylinders, was awarded the contract with engineering support from Shive-Hattery.
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| | Bob Dylan Tribute at Warren Cultural Center Friday, Oct. 3
Special to the Times Vedette
“Chrome Horse: The Bob Dylan Tribute” is a chronological trip through the career of Bob Dylan. It will be performed at the Warren Cultural Center, 154 Public Square, Greenfield, with sincerity, vintage style and engaging in-character presentation. No cheat sheets, no iPads. This is a time-capsule recreation. Mark your calendars for Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. for this second show of WCC’s 2025-26 “Locals and Legends” series.
Texas-based veteran musician Drew Gabbert has set the table and is serving up an authentic Dylan experience with a repertoire that spans six decades of material.
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| | Cribbage results from Sept. 5 and Sept. 8
Special to the Times Vedette
On Sept. 5, a total of 10 players participated. Roy Carl got four 16s; Bill Sheeder, Robert Klever and Lela Schwartz each got a 16; Sandy Rumelhart got a 20; and Rhonda Titus got two 16s and a 20.
On Sept. 8, a total of 14 players participated. Sandy Rumelhart had a 16; Bill Sheeder had two 16s; and Joanne Zieser had a 20.
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 | | | Carol and Lyle Laughery to celebrate 60 years | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Lyle and Carol Laughery will celebrate their 60-year wedding anniversary on Sept. 11. | |
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| | Toyota enters ditch on Highway 141
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Sept 7 at 3:33 a.m. on Highway 141. Obozokhai Jeffrey Arukhe, 48, of Waukee, was driving a 2015 Toyota Camry westbound on Highway 141 and made an evasive turn to avoid striking a piece from another vehicle on the roadway. The driver overcorrected and drove into the ditch on the south side of the highway, striking a tree with the left front bumper. Estimated damage to the Toyota is $1,501. | |
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| | More than 110 calls this week including Guthrie County Deputy attempting to locate a wanted individual in Bayard; Guthrie County Deputy responding to a report of cattle on the road; and Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Ambulance responding to a vehicle fire on Highway 25.
9-1-25
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9:06 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to medical call in Guthrie Center
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9:28 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to medical call in Stuart
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9:28 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy’s responded to a single-vehicle accident, no injuries
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12:36 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to medical call in Bayard
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1:08 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on report of grass fire just south of the fairgrounds, no fire
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3 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on two vehicles alongside of Highway 25 in rural Guthrie Center
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 | | | Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report | | | | | | | | Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
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.
“We've heard some initial reports of farmers picking corn this past week in pockets of Iowa. Some early varieties of corn have started to turn quickly due to the dry August,” Secretary Naig said. “This past week’s cooler weather is expected to give way to some mid-September heat, with temperatures likely climbing back into the upper 80s and low 90s by this weekend.”
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full report | |
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 | | | Chargers’ ground game dominates Southwest Valley, 54-6 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC football team (2-0) continued its dominant start to the season with an away win against Southwest Valley (1-1) on Friday, Sept. 5. ACGC scored 42 points in the first half alone. With only one pass completed for 23 yards from Thomas Skram to Morgun Nolte, ACGC got the job done on the ground with 384 total rushing yards. Six Chargers had five carries or more in the game. Joe Crawford was the most productive with his five touches, rushing for 101 yards and three TDs. Brexton Schneider had five carries for 75 yards and two TDs. Andrew Baumert had five carries for 82 yards and one score. Lane Stringer and Angel Martinez also had rushing TDs.
The Chargers’ next game is at home against Nodaway Valley (1-1) on Friday, Sept. 12.
PICTURED: ACGC's No. 11 Kinnick Froehlich intercepts a pass against Panorama on Aug. 28. Photo by Mark Reno | |
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 | | | ACGC volleyball takes on Des Moines Christian tonight | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC girls volleyball team (3-2) travels to Des Moines Christian (3-7) tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 9. Des Moines Christian has dominated this matchup, winning the last 12 in a row. ACGC’s last win against the Lions came in 2009. However, the Chargers are now on a three-game win streak, while DMC has lost its last five games.
PICTURED: ACGC's No. 7 Stella Largent goes for the spike in the Chargers' 2-0 win against Exira-EHK on Sept. 4. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | See photos | |
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| | ACGC girls and boys cross country travel to ISU for Gilbert meet on Thursday
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The ACGC girls and boys cross country teams travel to Iowa State University on Thursday, Sept. 11 for the Gilbert Cross Country meet. Other teams competing will be ADM, Boone, Carlisle, Clear Creek Amana, Des Moines Christian, Earlham, Forest City, Gilbert, Madrid, Nevada, North Polk, Pella, Pella Christian, Sioux Center, Solon, South Hamilton, Van Meter, West Marshall and Winterset. | |
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 | | | Panorama beats South Hamilton through the air, 28-22 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama football team (1-1) earned its first win of the season at home against South Hamilton (0-2), 28-22. It was a back-and-forth affair. Panorama scored twice early to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Eventually, South Hamilton took the lead from Panorama, 22-21, in the third quarter. Star of the game for Panorama, Cruz Crandall, delivered his fourth TD pass of the game to retake the lead for Panorama for a final time, 28-22.
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PICTURED: Panorama's No. 21 Cruz Crandall threw four passing TDs in the Panthers' 28-22 win over South Hamilton. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | See the full story and photos | |
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 | | | Panther volleyball defeats Martensdale-St Marys, 3-2 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
It may have taken all five sets, but Panorama volleyball (2-3) was able to win its home game against Martensdale-St Marys (3-1) on Monday, Sept. 8. It was a back and forth match, with MSM winning the first set, 25-11. Panorama bounced back, winning sets two and three, 25-13, and 25-16. MSM fought back, winning set four, 25-16. Panorama took the decisive fifth set, 15-9, to secure the victory.
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PICTURED: Panorama's Jessica Randol keeps the ball alive in a game last season. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Panorama cross country teams travel to Greene County on Thursday
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys and girls cross country teams head to Greene County to compete in the Greene County Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 11. Other teams competing at the meet will be Denison-Schleswig, Greene County, Ogden, Panorama, Perry, Roland-Story, Southeast Valley and West Central Valley.
PICTURED: Rhaica Spencer and Laicey Lutz run together during the Madrid Cross Country Meet. Photo courtesy of Panorama Cross Country | |
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 | | | More than just books | | | | | | | | By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Through the month of September, Mary J. Barnett Library is celebrating neighbors and community in honor of National Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 28. National Good Neighbor Day was signed into law in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, yet it isn’t widely observed.
Since the MJB Library is a hub of our community, we like the idea of getting to know our neighbors better. Neighbors are vital to our library’s mission. The library exists to promote life-long learning and community services to our neighbors.
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PICTURED: In case you missed the amazing 4-H projects at the Guthrie County Fair, members of the Seely Bobcats have displayed their outstanding projects at the Mary J. Barnett Library display case for the month of September. Please stop by to take a look at the creative work of our younger neighbors. | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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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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 | | | 30 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Sept. 6, 1995
WHEEL IN MOTION. As usual, the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce is a parade entry. The float this year was new, but it took Grandpa Darwin Hughes holding grandson on the tractor to put the wheel in motion. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | This hobby makes scents | | | | | | | | Hannah Beveridge creates soaps and related products with fewer chemicals and artificial ingredients.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, August 2025
In most any shopping mall, the stores selling scented lotions and similar products are usually some of the busiest because the pleasant aromas tend to draw people in. That experience has led to a hobby for Hannah Beveridge of Guthrie Center.
Like many people, Beveridge enjoys the various scented products available from a wide range of manufacturers, but in June of 2024, after moving from Johnston to Guthrie Center, she decided to try making her own. After reading the labels of the mass-produced products, she felt there must be a way to create products with fewer chemicals and artificial ingredients.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | APARTMENT FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment in Guthrie Center. Appliances & laundry provided. Deposit and references required, $700/month. Call 515-490-6624. | |
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