By Shane Goodman | Lake Panorama Times

The Panora St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus Council No. 11242 held its annual fish dinner on March 13 from 5-7 p.m. in the basement of St. Cecilia Catholic Church at 220 N. First St. in Panora. Diners enjoyed hand-breaded fish, baked potato or tater tots, coleslaw, lemonade, tea, water and dessert. 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

The 2026 Lake Panorama Fin and Feather fundraising banquet will be Saturday, May 9, the same day as the LPA annual meeting. The event will be at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort with social hour beginning at 5 p.m. All ages are welcome. 

Funds raised at the banquet, plus annual memberships and direct donations, are used to stock fish in Lake Panorama. The group also helps improve fish habitat and sponsors an annual fishing derby for children during Panorama Days.

The cost for fish stocking for 2025 was more than $19,000. On Oct. 28, 2025, 2,000 3-to-5-inch walleye were added to the lake. There also were 3,000 yellow perch and 2,500 largemouth bass of the same size released that day. New this year were 20 muskie that were 12 to 15 inches long. Muskies are meant to be a sporting fish, which will help control the overabundance of panfish in the lake.

Dinner tickets to the May 9 banquet are $50 each with children 12 and younger $25. Another option is to join the Big Skipper Club at a cost of $150. This covers two dinner tickets, Big Skipper raffle ticket and an annual family membership. The cost of just an annual family membership is $50.

Supporters can either mail a check or register online with a credit card or PayPal account at the group’s website: http://panoramafinandfeather.com/banquet/  

If payment is made by check, make it payable to Fin & Feather and mail to Doug Hemphill, Farmers State Bank, P.O. Box 110, Yale, Iowa, 50277, along with a completed membership application, which is available on the website. 

Those unable to attend who want to become members or make a donation can do so on the Fin and Feather website or by mail.

Members who pay in advance for the banquet will have their tickets waiting for them when they arrive. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for walk-ins. 

 

Panora Farmers Market kicks off June 6.

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

Farmers markets in this country date back to 1730 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. That’s when city planners designated a 120-square-foot lot in the center of town as a public market place. The Lancaster Central Market remains in operation today.

The concept of farmers markets, where vendors sell fresh, local produce, meats, baked goods and more, spread across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates there are more than 8,000 farmers markets in the U.S.

Panora has hosted a farmers market for many years. Now plans are coming together for the 2026 season, which will include eight Saturday mornings at the Guthrie County Historical Village on the south edge of town.  

 

The People

Kelley Ellis is entering her third year as the volunteer coordinator and manager of the current version of the farmers market. She moved to Panora from Des Moines in 2014. 

“I spent more than 30 years in the printing and graphic arts field and always had an affinity for vintage goods,” Ellis says. “I purchased two buildings on the square. Both of the commercial spaces are currently occupied by Old Soul Millennial. I also owned the five apartments above both buildings.” 

Ellis opened a shop, Gypsy Heart Vintage, in one of the commercial spots, and Ketelsen Photography rented the other space. After renovating the apartments, she lived in the two-story loft that faces the Panora square.

“I would see the occasional canopy setup on Friday afternoons but never really understood what was happening,” she says. “I later found out it was the Square Friday Farmers Market.”

No formal records exist on exactly when and where farmers markets have been held in Panora. It is known the market has bounced back and forth between the town square and the Guthrie County Historical Village a couple of times. 

Kristine Jorgensen has been the Guthrie County Historical Village curator for 24 years. 

“I started at the museum in 2002 and shortly after that the Square Fridays Market uptown stopped,” she says. “So, we started a market at the Village in 2003. It was there for several years before it moved to the square again, sometime around 2010.”   

Barb Wollner was involved for many years with various versions of the Panora farmers market. She served on planning committees, coordinated signage and publicity, and was an occasional vendor. While some market days were strong, it seemed interest always waned as the season progressed. 

“I think the biggest problem was lack of customers due to being in a small town,” Wollner says. “People came and bought vegetables and baked goods every week. But once you’ve bought a vendor’s painting, earrings, birdhouse or whatever they create, you’re not going to buy another one the next week. Once vendors stopped selling, they stopped coming, until it was the same few vendors offering vegetables and baked goods.” 

Wollner says another unfortunate factor is the Panora square is elevated. 

“People driving by can’t see what’s there because of parked cars, plus they’re watching the traffic,” she says. “We kept going with what we had. I remember there was a market in 2020, because I had a large bottle of hand sanitizer at my booth, and again in 2021. There were no markets in 2022 and 2023.”

Kelley Ellis worked three years at Panorama Elementary before officially closing her shop and selling her town square property. She retired and purchased a home in Panora.

“I love living in Panora. I love farmers markets, and I wondered why there wasn’t one happening in Panora,” Ellis says. “When I started inquiring, someone suggested I should start one up again. With my current employment situation, coordinating a market seemed like a logical solution. I had the time. I had the desire. So, I decided to do it.”

This will be the third year for the revamped Panora Farmers Market with Ellis at the helm. 

“I do this as a volunteer and do not get paid,” Ellis says. “Our first year was on the town square. There was no charge to vendors, but expenses came up that I was paying for out-of-pocket. The second year, as well as this coming season, we are charging $10 per space, per market. All of the money raised goes back into the market for supplies, signage, musicians and more. The goal is to reinvest and continue to grow the market year after year.”

 

The Place

In 2025, Ellis was asked if she would like to move the Panora Farmers Market to the Guthrie County Historical Village (GCHV). 

“It was Barb Wollner and Kristine Jorgensen who invited me to move the market down to the Village, Kristine in her role as the museum curator, and Barb, who volunteers there and also was involved in the earlier Friday market that used to take place on the town square,” Ellis says. 

“The town square was nice, but it lacked some things, like restrooms,” Jorgensen says. “Since the market had been away from the Village for more than 10 years, I thought it might be a good place to have it and introduce a new generation of folks to the Village.”

Ellis says the move to GHCV last year was a success. 

“Increased vendor capacity, beautiful location, public restrooms, electrical spots and the added benefit of having the Village and Museum open for families to tour when attending the market,” she says. “It’s a perfect fit.” 

Ellis says Jorgensen and Wollner’s help and experience has been invaluable. 

“This is the first time I’ve done something like this,” she says. “I continue to meet with them mid-season to discuss and brainstorm regarding the market. In addition to their support, they have been vendors at the market all three years.”

So there is no overlap, Ellis coordinates dates for the Panora Farmers Market with organizers of the Guthrie Center market. There are eight market dates, two Saturdays each month June through September. The first market day is June 6 with the final day Sept. 26.

 

The vendors

“Our vendor numbers continue to climb year after year,” Ellis says. “We averaged 16 to 18 vendors last year and expect the same or more this season. We have some vendors who sign up for the entire season. Other vendors can only do certain dates. We post a vendor list on our Facebook page, preceding each week’s market, so shoppers can see who’s going to be there.” 

Ellis says it’s important to have a well-balanced market, with a variety of vendors. 

“We operate under the philosophy of ‘raise it, grow it, make it or bake it.’ I actively seek out producers, growers and bakers to make sure we have a nice balance among the vendors,” she says. “Spaces are $10 per market with a season discount offered after five consecutive markets for vendors who sign up for the season.” 

Ellis says the collaboration with the GCHV is a perfect fit. 

“I was shocked to find out how many locals had never been to the Village prior to the market,” she says. “There is no charge to visitors to the Village and Museum during market hours, but donations are welcome, encouraged and accepted. The Village is such a gem. The more exposure we can get them, the better for our community.”

Ellis says in retirement, she is enjoying being a grandma to five grandchildren, Panora Farmers market manager and part-time helper at Ada’s Acres. Two grandchildren live in Dallas Center, two live in Ankeny and one in Dexter. 

Some of her grandchildren have had a lemonade stand at a few of the past Panora Farmers Markets and may be joining the market list some in 2026. After all, they fit right into Ellis’ mantra for vendors — raise it, grow it, make it or bake it. 

The Flower Girls

One vendor booth at this year’s Panora Farmers Market will be The Flower Girls. Barb Wollner, who lives at Lake Panorama, and Kristine Jorgensen, who lives in Panora, teamed up two years ago to form The Flower Girls. 

Wollner had been selling plants at farmers markets in Panora off and on for several years. 

“We both like plants, and I have a lot to share,” Wollner says. “Kristine had some vintage items she wanted to sell. Her vintage pots with a little succulent are a good match. We make a good team.”

“Barb and I have been friends for many years,” Jorgensen says. “I worked for her for two summers at the Lake Panorama National golf course when I was in college. That is how I fell in love with plants and flowers and gardens.” 

Jorgensen has tended the gardens at the GCHV throughout her 24 years there and had helpers from time to time.  

“Barb retired a few years ago and took on the big project of the gazebo butterfly garden at the museum,” she says. “Now it is beautiful, and the butterflies love it. She spends a lot of time in the summer here, and it has been so much fun. We get to work in the gardens and talk about flowers and make plans for flowers and then make plans for the market.”

At the Panora Farmers Market, the pair sells all types of plants, both perennials and succulents. They also offer cut flower bouquets, vases, vintage planters and some other vintage items. Every market has something different.

Both Wollner and Jorgensen are fans of the Panora Farmers Market being held at the historical village.

“There is lots of flat grass with sidewalks for the vendors to set up along,” Wollner says. “It’s a unique setting compared to many markets set up on blocked-off streets. Plus, Kristine can participate. She would not be able to be at a booth somewhere else when the museum is open. It is a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning. 

“Like most farmers markets, there is always a variety of food, either to eat while you wander around, or baked goods, fruit and vegetables to take home,” Wollner continues. “There is live music every week with some chairs for people to sit and listen. And the museum is amazing. I see something different every time I wander through the buildings.”

Jorgensen says the museum is open and free during the market.

“The Panora Farmers Markets offers food and live music and the museum,” she says. “We encourage visitors and shoppers to come and stay all morning. In doing so, we hope they stay and shop and eat and get to enjoy everything we have to offer. It’s a beautiful setting and we have lots of space. We hope people really enjoy it.”

The Flower Girls plan to have their vendor tent at all eight markets this year. 

 

Beads-N-Beyond

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS By Rich Wicks | Lake Panorama Times  There is something special about locally grown fresh produce, homemade baked goods and art or craft items created by someone you know. That is part of the appeal of local farmers markets, which allow local vendors to sell directly to local buyers.  Below are the schedules of the various farmers markets in and near Guthrie County.    Panora The Panora farmers market will be held regularly every other Saturday at 9 a.m. The first will be June 6, and the final market of the season will be Sept. 26. There will be no farmers market in Panora on Aug. 1 due to Lake Panorama Days. The time and dates of the Panora market will be 9 a.m. to noon on June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, Aug. 15, Aug. 29, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26. The market is held at the Guthrie County Historical Village, 206 West South St., Panora. Vendors generally offer a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, honey, flowers, plants and handcrafted items.   Guthrie Center The Guthrie Center and Panora farmers markets schedule on an every-other-Saturday rotation so shoppers can browse the offerings at each market on alternating weeks. The Guthrie Center farmers market will be held June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 5 and Sept. 19. On each date, the event will run 9-11 a.m. on North Fourth St. in downtown Guthrie Center. For more information, email guthriefarmersmarket@gmail.com   Casey The Casey farmers market will operate on select dates this summer. The scheduled dates include June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Aug. 29, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26. More details will be announced as June approaches.   Adair The Adair farmers market will run 4-6 p.m. on Sundays, Aug. 23 through Oct. 11 at the city park, 308 Stuart St in Adair. For more information, email hello@adairfarmersmarket.com   Stuart The Stuart farmers market will be held on Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. from mid-May through mid-October at the city park. For more information, email elizabethr6@aol.com.

Carol and Galen Redshaw moved to Lake Panorama from Johnston in the spring of 2019.  

“I mentioned to Galen that maybe we should live by a lake and next thing I know, we’re looking around at Lake Panorama,” Carol says. “He didn’t waste time.”

Carol Redshaw will have her Beads-n-Beyond booth at this year’s Panora Farmers Market. 

“My mother and both grandmothers made crafts when I was growing up. I still have many of the beautiful items they made for me,” Redshaw says. “I was also involved in 4-H and made crafts to exhibit at the county fair. I started making more crafts after I got married and made a lot of Christmas gifts.”  

Twenty years ago, Redshaw went with some friends to the Mall of America, where they found a bead store.  

“A friend and I purchased beads and stayed up late that night learning how to make jewelry. That’s when my love for beading began,” she says. “For about 10 years, I did bead parties at people’s homes. I had thousands of beads in cases. Ladies would gather beads on bead boards and the creativity would begin. I had sample jewelry pieces so they could copy my jewelry piece with different colors and beads or create their own pattern and jewelry.”  

Redshaw said sometimes she thinks she has “crafting attention deficit disorder” because she is always coming up with something new to create, and always has multiple craft projects in process. 

“I enjoy being a crafter because it is fun being creative. It’s fun thinking of new ideas and creating new items, and it’s fulfilling to see the finished product,” she says. “Sometimes I see non-craft items and think how they can be turned into a craft. It’s just how my brain is wired.”

The wide of variety of craft items Redshaw creates will be evident at her Panora Farmers Market booth. 

“I really like it when people buy my items as gifts. It’s a thoughtful, special one-of-a-kind gift,” she says. “I’ll have some Panora and Lake Panorama T-shirts and hats, Panora and Lake Panorama stainless steel tumblers, decorated onesies, beaded jewelry, beaded serving and appetizer utensils, beaded plant stakes, car charms, shell art and I may come up with some new items. Because I have so much, I’ll bring different items to each market.”

Redshaw was a vendor at the 2024 market. She wasn’t able to participate in 2025 because of many plans and visitors through that summer. 

“Some of the items I’ll bring this year will be similar to 2024, but I have expanded the T-shirt designs, did not have tumblers at that time, and I did not have shell art,” she says. “I enjoy picking up shells on Florida beaches in the winter and finding ways to use those in crafts when we get home.” 

Redshaw plans to be at the Panora Farmers Market on its first day, June 6.

“Beyond that, I don’t know yet how often I’ll be at the market but at least once a month,” she says. “When I am at the market, I’ll have a sign indicating the next date I’m planning to be there.”

Redshaw says her years of crafting may be rubbing off on her husband, Galen. 

“Galen built himself a woodworking shop in our garage so he’s also creating and making some wood items. He even has a Pinterest account now,” she says. “So, I may have some wood crosses at the market.”

Redshaw’s creations also can be found at Art on State in Guthrie Center. “It gives me a local place to showcase and sell my items,” she says. “It’s also a good way to support other artists, the store, and the Guthrie County Arts Council.”

More information

Dates for the Panora Farmers Market are June 6, 20; July 4, 18; Aug. 15, 29; and Sept. 12, 26. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon. 

Those interested in becoming a vendor at the 2026 Panora Farmers Market can send an email request to panorasquaremarket@gmail.com. 

To learn more, visit the market’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/panorafarmersmarket