People like lists. Not the “honey-do” lists so much, but records, compilations and collections seem to be a hit. I guess we naturally want to know where we — or the people, places and events we like — rank with everything else.
I have been gathering this type of information and celebrating the results for quite some time. Our company also publishes CITYVIEW magazine, and you are likely familiar with the Best Of Des Moines readers’ poll. It was the first of its kind in the metro area and continues to be the primary source of central Iowans’ favorites. So, I thought, if it works for Des Moines, then why not Guthrie County?
With that in mind, I bring you our inaugural Best of Guthrie County readers’ poll. We invited residents in the area to vote by answering 82 questions with open-ended responses, and a total of 471 of you replied. We didn’t, like some polls do, rig the poll by “suggesting” choices of businesses that pay to be on the ballot. That is unethical in our eyes, and it doesn’t give a true snapshot of what the locals really like.
I had one person tell me this poll was nothing more than a popularity contest. That is exactly what it is. Because, when you are looking for a plumber or a pastor or a pizza, you want to know who others like the most.
With that in mind, please remember that the results listed in these pages are chosen by our readers, not by us. I explain this each time we do one of these polls, but, inevitably, I have someone who says, “I can’t believe YOU named (fill in the blank) as the best…” We didn’t.
Surely you will agree with many of the results, and you will likely disagree with some, too. Hopefully, you took the time to cast your vote. If not, be sure to do so next year. Look to the pages of this magazine for full details as the time draws nearer.
In the meantime, take a gander at the favorites of your friends and neighbors, as we published the top three vote-getters in each of the categories inside these pages. Be sure to congratulate all the people, places and events that were selected as the best and let them know how much you appreciate them being in Guthrie County.
Thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Lake Panorama Times
641-332-2707
shane@gctimesnews.com