Some governmental offices in Guthrie County have recently reopened to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will be closing for Memorial Day.

Guthrie Center, Panora, and Stuart city halls will all be closed Monday. The Guthrie County Courthouse, Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library in Guthrie Center, Panora Public Library, and Stuart Public Library will also be closed. Post offices and most banks will also be closed for the holiday. As many offices and businesses may still be closed to visitors due to COVID-19 concerns, the public is encouraged to call whichever establishment ahead of time to learn about their operating procedures. Annual Memorial Day services around Guthrie County have also made some changes this year.

The Bryan-Mercer Post #44 of the American Legion has scheduled an abbreviated Memorial Day service at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Willow Township Cemetery. The Legion color guard will perform a three volley salute, and then move to the Highland Township Cemetery near Bayard where the Greene County Town and Country Band will perform patriotic songs, ACGC choral teacher Kelsey Moran will sing a vocal solo, with a three volley salute and Taps performance. In case of inclement weather, the service will be cancelled. Volunteers are needed at 9 a.m. saturday and 4 p.m. Monday to erect and retire the Avenue of Flags.

The Omar B. Shearer, American Legion Post #124 will not hold their traditional service at the Freedom Rock in Guthrie Center due to COVID-19 concerns. Veterans ask the public to keep the memory of their fallen service members alive with a drive through Guthrie Center’s Union Cemetery and Monteith Cemetery, where Avenues of Flags will both be erected.

Instead of a public ceremony, the Panora American Legion and VFW posts are presenting a video recording of the Memorial Day program. The program will air at 7 p.m. Saturday May 30th and at 2 p.m. Sunday May 31st on Panora Fiber TV channel 900 and analog channel 12 (which includes the cities of Bagley, Jamaica, and Linden). It will also be posted on the Legion’s Facebook page and the City of Panora’s website.

The Richland Township Cemetery service and traditional potluck in Jamaica has been cancelled, and the Dexter American Legion Post #419 has also cancelled their luncheon this year.