SPRING 2022 5 SOLUTIONS Ilene added, “This year started with some difficulty getting paper products and floral foam, but supplies seem to be back now. Floral availability remains pretty good, and thankfully, we grow a lot of our own bedding plants.” Community Connections In addition to its phone system, Panorama Gardens also gets internet service and IT support from Panora Telco. David and Ilene appreciate the fact that Panora Telco is a local provider. David said, “If you have a problem, you can call Panora Telco and someone will be there to help you in a reasonable amount of time. We rely on our phone service to stay in contact with our customers, other florists, and our wholesalers. We also rely heavily on our internet connection to keep in contact with customers and wholesalers, as well as to run our cash register and process credit cards. We send a lot of FTD orders to other cities and states, and occasionally overseas, via the internet, so we appreciate having reliable service. Panora Telco is also active in the community, and we see that as an additional bonus, especially since we both grew up here.” David and Ilene have long been active in the Panora community. They’re members of the Chamber, PRIDE, and First Christian Church, and they made Sunday night popcorn at Panora Specialty Care for years until the pandemic began. David has volunteered on the ambulance service for over 30 years and taught CPR classes. Ilene currently serves on a Panora city board and previously belonged to an adult community band. Coworkers Became Spouses We can’t finish this Business Spotlight on Panorama Gardens without answering one of the most frequently asked questions from customers, “Did Dave and Ilene date in high school?” Ilene replied, “The answer would be no. We were two years apart in high school and didn’t even have any classes together. David was working at Panorama Gardens part time when he was studying horticulture at DMACC, and I was a senior in high school and also working here. The rest of the story came later.” Let’s hear it for love blooming! COMMUNICTIONS SERVICES THAT GROW WITH YOU When Panorama Gardens added its current garden center and display greenhouse in fall 2000, Panora Telco installed additional phone lines and internet connections for use in these buildings. This is an example of how communications services must grow when businesses grow—whether from an expansion in physical space, adding employees, or an increase in sales. Panora Telco and Guthrie Center Communications offer services to help all types of businesses work efficiently and productively as their needs change. They include: • Fiber Internet Solutions • Managed Wi-Fi • IT Security Services • Email Hosting • Enterprise Network Services • Fiber Voice • Calling Features • Fiber TV All our services are backed by local customer care and tech support. If you need help or have a question, our team will respond promptly, which is just what you’d expect from a neighbor. To learn more, call Panora Telco at (641) 755-2424 or Guthrie Center Communications at (641) 332-2000. Panorama Gardens is a true family-run business. Ilene and I have employed many family members through the years, including parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, kids, and grandkids.” — DAVID OLSON, OWNER, PANORAMA GARDENS
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