News

BACooN ride sizzles in Guthrie County

Bacon makes everything better. The second annual “BACooN Ride” — a 72-mile cruise on bicycles around the interior loop of the Raccoon River Valley Trail — certainly sizzled in Guthrie County on June 20. The salty, fatty, flavorful food was everywhere as riders traveled from Waukee to Adel, Redfield...

Deb Moylan (left) and Mardi Russell have been running Abigail Annie's, a home decor, gift and antique shop and interiors business, for 15 years in Panora. The store is holding an open house June 18 and 19.

Abigail Annie’s celebrates 15 years with open house

Resting on a plaid armchair, a battered sign lists “Man Cave” rules.They include: “Women by invitation only. Best way to be invited: Bring alcamahol; show up naked.”It’s one of the more quirky items available for sale at Abigail Annie’s Interiors, a home decor, gift and antique shop and interiors...

Sharing a booth with Barbara Vaske (right), Christina Catron adds beads to pendants she sells during the fourth annual Art in the VIllage, held June 13 at the Guthrie County Historical Village.

4th annual ‘Art in the Village’ a success

Scattered among old train cars and buildings, Iowa artists sold their wares. Musicians performed for an audience lolling on the grass, their mics, amps and cords strung across makeshift stages in front of an old post office and law office.The Guthrie County Arts Council’s fourth annual Art in the...

Doris Bennett and grandson Travis Geopfert, pose for a picture at the Drake Relays in 1999. Geopfert is a two-time Drake Relays champion in the decathalon.

Family shares love of Drake Relays

Doris Bennett knows a little bit about the Drake Relays.Bennett, 77, who has local ties to some big-time track and field enthusiasts from Panora, hasn’t missed the world-class track meet held every April in Des Moines in 48 years.This spunky, sport-loving grandma and her late husband, Pete, turned...

Joe Hanner, Guthrie County Conservation Board Director, points to a map located at Leon Mill Park in Panora that shows the Middle-South Raccoon River Water Trail. One trailhead starts down the Middle Raccoon River at the Lenon Mill Park and stretches 36.5 miles. The other begins on the South Raccoon River at Nations Bridge Park nine miles south of Panora and runs for 34.2 miles. Hanner promotes outdoor activities in the county.

Guthrie County full of outdoor activity

Joe Hanner is from Guthrie County, so its only fitting the director of the Guthrie County Conservation Board (GCCB) would promote outdoor activities in the county. “There’s a lot to offer in Guthrie County regarding outdoor recreation and natural resources,” said Hanner, who grew up at Stuart...

Kim Lubeck, owner of Panora Oil Co. and Car-Go Market in Panora, is restoring a 1939 Chevrolet he acquired in 1962 and drove to high school. Since then it’s primarily been in storage. He plans to install a GMC fuel-injected motor and will drive the vehicle.

Lubeck is full service

Kim Lubeck is a throwback to the days when a gas station provided fuel and service for a vehicle.Nowadays gas is primarily sold by a convenience store chain and auto repair is an individual business.Lubeck is unique. He provides gas, a repair and maintenance service plus running a convenience store...

After 37 years of selling property in Guthrie County, Pat Moylan retired at the end of 2014. Originally founded under the name Squires & Moylan Realty with partner Larry Squires, Moylan grew Lake Panorama Realty to be the market leader for Lake Panorama residential property along with residential, commercial and agricultural property in Panora and Guthrie Center. This home at Lake Panorama is one Moylan's firm has sold seven times.

Realtor Pat Moylan Retires

Patrick Moylan didn’t just drive past a “for sale” sign and wonder what lurked behind the door.With interested clients in tow, the major real-estate agent spent most of his life exploring properties.He could look at houses all day long with those whose dreams were populated by open floor plans,...

Stacy Goodenberger (left), general manager; Drew Labath (center), new head chef; and Paul Wendl (right), local cook and former restaurant owner; have worked together on a renovation and plan to bring guests back to The Port on Lake Panorama in full force. Doors open March 27.

Now Serving Comfortable and Casual

The Port Restaurant, with its breathtaking views on Lake Panorama, will reopen this month after closing for renovations in January. Both the restaurant and bar have received complete makeovers, tuning up both the decor and food offerings.The new design is intended to create a more comfortable look...

Gavin Pote, a bubbly 11-year-old and a fifth-grader at Panorama, poses on his living floor with his March of Dimes T-shirts. Pote, who was born premature and spent his first 111 days of life in the hospital, walks every year in support of March of Dimes, an organization that helped save his life.

Panora family eyes 10th year of giving back to March of Dimes

Gavin Pote of Panora is proof that miracles happen. Gavin, 11, was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing a mere 15 ounces and stretching just 11 1/2 inches. At his birth, doctors told his parents, Steve and Crystal Pote, that Gavin would be small. “They said, ‘I’m not sure if we can get him...

Jim Arganbright signed his name on a board underneath the steps at the gym in the old Panora High School in 1947. Beverly added her signature two years later and five years before the couple married. Jim says his wife must have known back then something he didn’t. The board hangs in their rural Panora home today.

Panora couple blessed with 60 years of marriage

After 60 years of marriage, Jim and Beverly Arganbright are clearly as happy together as they were the day they met.Their shared sense of humor and love of family can be credited, but mostly, they just get along well together.The pair, who were both raised on farms in Panora, first met at the high...