Lake Panorama Times

02/12/2026

Check out the new February issue of Lake Panorama Times!
Read the full issue online athttp://lakepanoramatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lake-Panorama-Times-February-2026-web.pdf

02/12/2026

A GET-AWAY FROM YOUR GET-AWAY

Most Lake Panorama residents have heard of Springbrook State Park. Many of you have been there. And, some of you have no idea where it is even located. Until last year, I was in the latter group. Prior to owning our lake home, Jolene and I were avid campers. Like most who camp, we started with a tent and then progressed to a pop-up camper, a travel trailer and, eventually, a small RV. We spent many weekends in the campgrounds in Iowa and Nebraska, and we developed a fondness for Iowa’s state parks. ...

A GET-AWAY FROM YOUR GET-AWAY Feb 11, 2026 | Publisher's Column Most Lake Panorama residents have heard of Springbrook State Park. Many of you have been there. And, some of you have no idea where it is even located. Until last year, I was in the latter group. Prior to owning our lake home, Jolene an...

02/12/2026

SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

People sometimes travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to see wonders of engineering and/or natural beauty. One of the reasons people are willing to travel to see these sites may be “elsewhereism,” which is the human tendency to undervalue things near us and to overvalue things that require us to make an effort to visit. However, some natural wonders, such as Springbrook State Park, are just up the road from Lake Panorama. ...

SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS Feb 11, 2026 | Feature Park volunteer Linda Kastner celebrates Springbrook’s anniversary year.   By Rich Wicks | Lake Panorama Times The Education Center opened in 1970. People sometimes travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to see wonders of engin...

02/12/2026

LPA MEMBERS ASKED TO PLAN AHEAD FOR ROAD EMBARGO

Each spring, the seal-coated roads throughout the Lake Panorama community are in danger as warm temperatures and thawing conditions weaken the roadbed. This period of changing conditions is the time when heavy loads can cause significant damage. That is the reason the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) implements an annual spring road embargo. This embargo prohibits loaded vehicles that weigh more than 5 tons on most LPA roads during the spring thaw while the frost is coming out of the ground and the roadbed is soft. ... https://lakepanoramatimes.com/news/lpa-members-asked-to-plan-ahead-for-road-embargo-2/

02/12/2026

PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED, LPN GOLF SEASON PASSES AVAILABLE

A total of 91 individuals, couples and families purchased a 2026 golf pass at Lake Panorama National or Panorama West by Dec. 31 and were entered into a drawing for eight prizes. Curtis Twigg won a $500 LPN Pro Shop shopping spree with Ron Bristle winning a $250 LPN Pro Shop shopping spree. Three winners will collect six green fee guest passes for Lake Panorama National. They are Carole Sours, Doug and Deb Hemphill and Craig Harvey. There also were three winners of $100 gift cards to The Captain’s Pick. They are Dave and Melissa Fiala, Charles and Denise Brobst and David VanAhn. ... https://lakepanoramatimes.com/news/prize-winners-announced-lpn-golf-season-passes-available/

02/12/2026

FOUNDRY BUSINESS IN PERRY HAS BEEN FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1981

Progressive Foundry in Perry has had someone with the last name of VanKirk at its helm since 1981. Today, the second and third generations of VanKirks own and operate the business. The foundry has 193,000 square feet of building space across three blocks just north of Perry’s downtown area. ...

FOUNDRY BUSINESS IN PERRY HAS BEEN FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1981 Feb 11, 2026 | Business Pictured left to right, Darek VanKirk, Progressive Foundry president; Jackson VanKirk, vice president of sales; and Kirk VanKirk, president. The VanKirk name and family is well-known in Perry, and the same is true at....

02/12/2026

MARCH 10 DEADLINE TO FILE FOR LPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

The deadline to file nomination papers for the 2026 election for a seat on the Lake Panorama Association board of directors is March 10. The board consists of seven members. Board terms are three years, and members are allowed to serve not more than two consecutive three-year terms. Terms are staggered so the number of seats on the annual ballot varies each year. ... https://lakepanoramatimes.com/news/march-10-deadline-to-file-for-lpa-board-of-directors-election/

02/12/2026

BLUE JAYS STICK AROUND FOR IOWA WINTERS

Blue Jays can be seen year-round at Lake Panorama. This large songbird is present from Florida to southern Canada and as far west as Montana. They thrive in a variety of habitats but prefer wooded edges and oaks. Photographer Trish Hart and her husband, Scott, live in a home on Andrews Cove. Blue Jay numbers at their feeders increase in the winter. The Hart feeders offer a mixture of black oil sunflower seeds, fruit and nut wild birdseed, and peanuts. ...

BLUE JAYS STICK AROUND FOR IOWA WINTERS Feb 11, 2026 | Trish Hart's Nature Photos By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times Blue Jays can be seen year-round at Lake Panorama. This large songbird is present from Florida to southern Canada and as far west as Montana. They thrive in a variety of habitats...

02/12/2026

‘ICE’ TIMES WITH THE GUYS

A group of men from Saint Cecilia Catholic Church in Panora recently went on an ice-fishing trip to northern Minnesota. The five who participated were Jim Meyer, Lynn Weisz, Bob Kidney, Rick Langel and Paul Nagel. Nagel organized the trip and shared the story. ...

‘ICE’ TIMES WITH THE GUYS Feb 11, 2026 | Collections & Hobbies Lynn Weisz, Jim Meyer, Bob Kidney and Rick Langel show the day’s catch.   Men from Saint Cecilia summarize their Minnesota ice fishing trip as successful — yielding lots of fellowship and great fishing. By Rich Wicks | Lake Pano...

02/12/2026

LPA WATER SAFETY COMMITTEE STUDIES ISSUES

The Lake Panorama Association (LPA) Water Safety Committee held two meetings last fall. In addition to routine business, the committee was asked by the LPA board of directors to review two issues — boat density and wakeboat concerns specific to Lake Panorama. In this month’s Q&A, John Rutledge, LPA general manager, shares information and recommendations the water safety committee provided to the board and board actions taken as a result of the committee’s work. ...

LPA WATER SAFETY COMMITTEE STUDIES ISSUES Feb 11, 2026 | Q&A LPA Board takes action on wakeboats By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times John Rutledge The Lake Panorama Association (LPA) Water Safety Committee held two meetings last fall. In addition to routine business, the committee was asked by t...

02/12/2026

PAIR SIMPLICITY AND FLAVOR WITH SEAFOOD SPAGHETTI

Some recipes come from a well-worn family card, while others are born on a busy weeknight when you need dinner to feel special without being complicated. Shrimp spaghetti falls squarely into that second category for me. It’s the kind of meal that looks impressive on the plate but comes together quickly — perfect for those evenings when you want something comforting, a little indulgent and absolutely reliable. ...

PAIR SIMPLICITY AND FLAVOR WITH SEAFOOD SPAGHETTI Feb 11, 2026 | Recipes By Jolene Goodman | Lake Panorama Times Some recipes come from a well-worn family card, while others are born on a busy weeknight when you need dinner to feel special without being complicated. Shrimp spaghetti falls squarely i...

02/12/2026

LAKE PANORAMA GOLF COURSES OFFER ORGANIZED PLAY OPTIONS FOR 2026

The two golf courses owned by the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) are operated by the LPN, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the LPA. Golfers who enjoy league competition or special events geared to couples will find plenty of opportunities to play competitive golf in 2026. ... https://lakepanoramatimes.com/news/lake-panorama-golf-courses-offer-organized-play-options-for-2026/