Burlington residents passed a levy increase during a special election Tuesday night, Sept. 10, to fund a performing arts center at Aldo Leopold Intermediate School.

Adding an auditorium at the high school was projected to cost three times as much as improving and expanding the existing facility at Aldo. Exactly 974 votes were counted, and 538 voted for the levy. Roughly 45 percent of voters, consisting of 436 people, voted against it.

The question on the ballot sought permission for the district to levy up to an additional 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation for a period of six years. 

Currently, BCSD’s VPPEL is 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Voter approval would allow the district to increase that levy to no more than $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The expansion is estimated to cost about $8 million, and the estimated increase in PPEL funds would generate approximately $900,000 per year.

Burlington superintendent Robert Scott thanked voters in a public Facebook message shortly after the election results were announced.“We are so thankful to voters for getting out and supporting this measure and for the opportunity to bring such a high-level performing arts center to our area. We look forward to the opportunities this will create for our students and our community,” Scott said.&nbsp; 

“Our next steps will be to bring together stakeholders — students, parents, staff, and community members — to begin discussing plans and specifications for this exciting project.

Beacon StaffBurlington residents passed a levy increase during a special election Tuesday night, Sept. 10, to fund a performing arts center at Aldo Leopold Intermediate School.Adding an auditorium at the high school was projected to cost three times as much as improving and expanding the existing facility at Aldo. Exactly 974 votes were counted, and 538 voted for the levy. Roughly 45 percent of voters, consisting of 436 people, voted against it.The question on the ballot sought permission for the district to levy up to an additional 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation for a period of six years. Currently, BCSD’s VPPEL is 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. Voter approval would allow the district to increase that levy to no more than $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The expansion is estimated to cost about $8 million, and the estimated increase in PPEL funds would generate approximately $900,000 per year.Burlington superintendent Robert Scott thanked voters in a public Facebook message shortly after the election results were announced.“We are so thankful to voters for getting out and supporting this measure and for the opportunity to bring such a high-level performing arts center to our area. We look forward to the opportunities this will create for our students and our community,” Scott said.&nbsp; “Our next steps will be to bring together stakeholders — students, parents, staff, and community members — to begin discussing plans and specifications for this exciting project.

Voters Pass School Levy Increase for Performing Arts Center

Notre Dame swept Van Buren County 25-9, 25-17, 25-22 in volleyball Thursday night at Father Minett Gym.

Madelyn Knapp made 13 kills, and Addi Brockway 11 to lead the winners. Chloe Wenzel added six kills, McKenna Kipp five, Addison Reid four, and Emma Elmore three.

Knapp made 13 digs, Mallory Lillie and Brockway 12 each, and Bella Drew 10.

Elmore served 13 of 14 with an ace, Brockway was 12 of 12 with an ace, Reid was 12 of 13 with two aces, Lillie was 11 of 12 with three aces, and Lexi Korschgen served an ace on her only attempt.

The team plays at Central Lee next Tuesday.

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 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsNotre Dame swept Van Buren County 25-9, 25-17, 25-22 in volleyball Thursday night at Father Minett Gym.Madelyn Knapp made 13 kills, and Addi Brockway 11 to lead the winners. Chloe Wenzel added six kills, McKenna Kipp five, Addison Reid four, and Emma Elmore three.Emma Elmore made 36 assists.Knapp made 13 digs, Mallory Lillie and Brockway 12 each, and Bella Drew 10.Wenzel made four blocks and Reid two.Elmore served 13 of 14 with an ace, Brockway was 12 of 12 with an ace, Reid was 12 of 13 with two aces, Lillie was 11 of 12 with three aces, and Lexi Korschgen served an ace on her only attempt.The team plays at Central Lee next Tuesday.<figure>
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NDHS Volleyball vs. Van Buren 

Indian Hills spoiled Southeastern Community College’s soccer home openers, sweeping the Blackhawks at the Burlington Regional RecPlex Monday afternoon.

Indian Hills won the women’s match 5-1 and the men’s game 6-0. Indian Hills is an NJCAA Division I school; SCC is Division II.

In the women’s match, Kevynn Siefken scored SCC’s lone goal on the rebound of a Myah Rehman shot in the 50th minute. Rehman was awarded an assist. It was the first goal scored this season by SCC, now 0-4.

Siefken and Rehman were freshmen and teammates at Burlington High School last spring.

“We’ve been struggling with injuries the past couple of weeks,” Siefken said, “but we’re slowly getting those girls back, and we know we deserve it. We worked hard, that’s for sure.”

On her goal, she said, “It was good. It was well deserved. That first half was hard-fought, and that second half, we wanted it, and we got it.” 

          In the men’s game, SCC managed just five shots, three on goal. The defense held Indian Hills scoreless for the first 33 minutes. SCC fell to 1-4. 

It was the first time former SCC coach Zac Newton coached against the Blackhawks. He coached SCC to its spring 2021 national championship. Newton is currently in his first year as head coach at Indian Hills. 

“It’s a weird experience,” Newton said of his return to West Burlington, “and then to have the sort of result we had was tough because this place always has a special place in my heart. It’s very, very weird, but it does bring back a lot of good memories.”

The Indian Hills men improved to 5-0; the women are 3-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725582340335.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsIndian Hills spoiled Southeastern Community College’s soccer home openers, sweeping the Blackhawks at the Burlington Regional RecPlex Monday afternoon.Indian Hills won the women’s match 5-1 and the men’s game 6-0. Indian Hills is an NJCAA Division I school; SCC is Division II.In the women’s match, Kevynn Siefken scored SCC’s lone goal on the rebound of a Myah Rehman shot in the 50th minute. Rehman was awarded an assist. It was the first goal scored this season by SCC, now 0-4.Siefken and Rehman were freshmen and teammates at Burlington High School last spring.“We’ve been struggling with injuries the past couple of weeks,” Siefken said, “but we’re slowly getting those girls back, and we know we deserve it. We worked hard, that’s for sure.”On her goal, she said, “It was good. It was well deserved. That first half was hard-fought, and that second half, we wanted it, and we got it.” In the men’s game, SCC managed just five shots, three on goal. The defense held Indian Hills scoreless for the first 33 minutes. SCC fell to 1-4. It was the first time former SCC coach Zac Newton coached against the Blackhawks. He coached SCC to its spring 2021 national championship. Newton is currently in his first year as head coach at Indian Hills. “It’s a weird experience,” Newton said of his return to West Burlington, “and then to have the sort of result we had was tough because this place always has a special place in my heart. It’s very, very weird, but it does bring back a lot of good memories.”The Indian Hills men improved to 5-0; the women are 3-1.

Warriors sweep SCC soccer teams

The Southeastern Community College volleyball team scrimmaged against three other teams on Saturday, and the optimism in the Blackhawk camp is sky-high. 

“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals,” said McKenna Marlow, a sophomore from West Burlington.“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals.,” said Taryn Stephens, a freshman who played for Burlington’s Notre Dame High School last season. 

“That just seems like so much fun. We all want to go so bad. We’ve been working for it.”Read Joe Geren's story in this Friday's print edition of The Beacon.

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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724023610717.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaThe Southeastern Community College volleyball team scrimmaged against three other teams on Saturday, and the optimism in the Blackhawk camp is sky-high. “I expect us to take it all the way to nationals,” said McKenna Marlow, a sophomore from West Burlington.“I expect us to take it all the way to nationals.,” said Taryn Stephens, a freshman who played for Burlington’s Notre Dame High School last season. “That just seems like so much fun. We all want to go so bad. We’ve been working for it.”Read Joe Geren's story in this Friday's print edition of The Beacon.<figure>
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Spike in Optimism

By Joe Geren Beacon Sports When you’re already a national champion, perhaps only one goal remains. Perfection. That’s the goal for Odessa Cornick in the upcoming indoor archery season. Odessa, 16, of Burlington, and her sister Alina, 12, are three-time national champions. Their most recent titles occurred in July at the Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Eastern Outdoor National on the University of the Cumberlands campus in Williamsburg, Ky. Odessa won the female young adult (age 15-18) championship, and Alina captured the female Eagle division for ages 10-12. In June, Alina won an indoor national title in Rend Lake, Ill. “They shoot their first couple rounds, and that’s how they get into the shoot-off,” their dad, Zach Cornick, explained. After the shoot-off, “there’s a bracket-type system where they shoot against each other. It’s two full days.” In young adult competitions, “the top three finishers get academic scholarships,” Zach said. “There are probably 15 scholarships around the country. They’re adding up.” Last March, Odessa won the national title in the Eastern Indoor S3DA in Owensboro, Ky., and won several scholarships, including some to the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky Christian, Southeast Illinois, and Lindenwood. With the win in Williamsburg, some of the scholarships were duplicated. Odessa, who soon begins her junior year at Burlington High School, has not decided which scholarship she’ll use. “I haven’t started looking too much yet,” she said. Zach and his wife Denissa founded the Flint River Archery Club in late 2020. Last Sunday, the Cornick sisters were among four Flint River Archery Club members who won state titles in the Iowa State ASA championship in Iowa City. Odessa won the young adult female pins division, and Alina captured the Eagle girls’ pins. Isaiah Mendenhall won the Eagle boys open division and Brody Foley won young adult male pins. Other club members competing in the state meet were Timothy Burns Jr. (2nd, Eagle boys open), Addison Ewinger (2nd, Eagle girls open), Raelle Miller (2nd, Eagle girls pins), and Abigail Foley (3rd, Eagle girls pins). Miller also finished 10th in the Eastern Outdoor National in Kentucky last month. According to a Flint River Archery Club Facebook post, Miller’s sights were going low left the first day of the competition. Coaches fixed the problem, and Miller shot a personal best the second day. “In a couple weeks, the ASA Outdoor National is in South Dakota,” Zach Cornick said. “We’ll be going to that.” Both Cornick girls have played other sports, but archery is their preference. “I did golf for a little bit, but mostly archery is what I do,” Odessa said. She played on the BHS girls’ golf team. “I started (archery) when I was four years old.” “I played volleyball and soccer, but not right now,” Alina said. In archery, “I like outdoor targets better. It’s cells (in 3D animal-shaped targets). Basically, it’s upper and lower cells.” Odessa has goals. “I want to win some more things, obviously,” she said, “get some more scholarships collected. Indoor season is next, so right now, my goal is to shoot an absolutely perfect score, a 150 with 30 Xs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1723517598554.jpeg" alt="Photo by Joe Geren Odessa Cornick, left, and her sister Alina won national championships in archery recently. Alina won two in the Eagle (age 10-12) Division and Odessa captured a national outdoor championship in the Young Adult (15-18) Division. " />
 <figcaption>Photo by Joe Geren Odessa Cornick, left, and her sister Alina won national championships in archery recently. Alina won two in the Eagle (age 10-12) Division and Odessa captured a national outdoor championship in the Young Adult (15-18) Division. </figcaption>
 </figure>By Joe Geren Beacon Sports When you’re already a national champion, perhaps only one goal remains. Perfection. That’s the goal for Odessa Cornick in the upcoming indoor archery season. Odessa, 16, of Burlington, and her sister Alina, 12, are three-time national champions. Their most recent titles occurred in July at the Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Eastern Outdoor National on the University of the Cumberlands campus in Williamsburg, Ky. Odessa won the female young adult (age 15-18) championship, and Alina captured the female Eagle division for ages 10-12. In June, Alina won an indoor national title in Rend Lake, Ill. “They shoot their first couple rounds, and that’s how they get into the shoot-off,” their dad, Zach Cornick, explained. After the shoot-off, “there’s a bracket-type system where they shoot against each other. It’s two full days.” In young adult competitions, “the top three finishers get academic scholarships,” Zach said. “There are probably 15 scholarships around the country. They’re adding up.” Last March, Odessa won the national title in the Eastern Indoor S3DA in Owensboro, Ky., and won several scholarships, including some to the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky Christian, Southeast Illinois, and Lindenwood. With the win in Williamsburg, some of the scholarships were duplicated. Odessa, who soon begins her junior year at Burlington High School, has not decided which scholarship she’ll use. “I haven’t started looking too much yet,” she said. Zach and his wife Denissa founded the Flint River Archery Club in late 2020. Last Sunday, the Cornick sisters were among four Flint River Archery Club members who won state titles in the Iowa State ASA championship in Iowa City. Odessa won the young adult female pins division, and Alina captured the Eagle girls’ pins. Isaiah Mendenhall won the Eagle boys open division and Brody Foley won young adult male pins. Other club members competing in the state meet were Timothy Burns Jr. (2nd, Eagle boys open), Addison Ewinger (2nd, Eagle girls open), Raelle Miller (2nd, Eagle girls pins), and Abigail Foley (3rd, Eagle girls pins). Miller also finished 10th in the Eastern Outdoor National in Kentucky last month. According to a Flint River Archery Club Facebook post, Miller’s sights were going low left the first day of the competition. Coaches fixed the problem, and Miller shot a personal best the second day. “In a couple weeks, the ASA Outdoor National is in South Dakota,” Zach Cornick said. “We’ll be going to that.” Both Cornick girls have played other sports, but archery is their preference. “I did golf for a little bit, but mostly archery is what I do,” Odessa said. She played on the BHS girls’ golf team. “I started (archery) when I was four years old.” “I played volleyball and soccer, but not right now,” Alina said. In archery, “I like outdoor targets better. It’s cells (in 3D animal-shaped targets). Basically, it’s upper and lower cells.” Odessa has goals. “I want to win some more things, obviously,” she said, “get some more scholarships collected. Indoor season is next, so right now, my goal is to shoot an absolutely perfect score, a 150 with 30 Xs.”

Cornick sisters claim national titles

Bryce Brown’s two-run double to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Burlington Bees to a 7-6 win over Clinton in a Prospect League baseball game at Community Field Saturday night. It was the third win in the last four games for the Bees, who are now 11-7 in the season’s second half.

Clinton went up 2-0 in the first half-inning, but Burlington tied it in the second and led 3-2 after three innings. The score was knotted at 3-3 and 4-4, then the LumberKings scored twice in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bees came to within a run of Clinton at 5-6 on Cedric Dunnwald’s RBI double.

Both teams had 12 hits. Brown and Landon Akers had three hits each for the Bees. Jeremy Figueroa tripled for the Bees and Logan Reidelberger doubled. Catcher Noah Gordon went 3-for-5 to lead Clinton.

Erik Kiewiet (2-1) pitched the final inning and picked up the win. He allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. Clinton’s Kieran Bailey (2-1) took the loss.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270737475.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon SportsBryce Brown’s two-run double to center field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Burlington Bees to a 7-6 win over Clinton in a Prospect League baseball game at Community Field Saturday night. It was the third win in the last four games for the Bees, who are now 11-7 in the season’s second half.Clinton went up 2-0 in the first half-inning, but Burlington tied it in the second and led 3-2 after three innings. The score was knotted at 3-3 and 4-4, then the LumberKings scored twice in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bees came to within a run of Clinton at 5-6 on Cedric Dunnwald’s RBI double.The LumberKings wouldn’t score again.Both teams had 12 hits. Brown and Landon Akers had three hits each for the Bees. Jeremy Figueroa tripled for the Bees and Logan Reidelberger doubled. Catcher Noah Gordon went 3-for-5 to lead Clinton.Erik Kiewiet (2-1) pitched the final inning and picked up the win. He allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. Clinton’s Kieran Bailey (2-1) took the loss.&nbsp;

Brown’s Double Lifts Bees

Tanner Gebhardt captured the 305 Winged Sprints class on Saturday, July 20, at 34 Raceway. 

Cole Helmerson of New London came in second and points leader Cody Wehrle finished third. John Barnard of Sherman, Ill., came in fourth, followed by a trio of Burlington drivers: Dugan Thye, Nathan Murders, and Nick Guernsey. Chase Young of Altoona was eighth, Travis Pence of Stronghurst, Ill., was ninth, and McCain Richards of Burlington 10th.

Wehrle leads the standings with 326 points, and Gebhardt is 14 back at 312. Guernsey is third at 278, Helmerson fourth at 264, and Thye is holding onto a top-five spot, ahead of Chase Richards, 259-252.

Because of rain late in the night, the features for Sport Compacts, Modifieds, and Stock Car didn't run. There will be double features this Saturday, which will be 34 for Kids Night, presented by the New Mix, 107.3. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paid admission. Pits open at 4 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m. All seven classes will run.

The Sprint Invaders event will run on Aug. 16, and the Pepsi Season Championship will run on Aug. 24.

John Oliver Jr. of West Burlington won the Sports Modified class, narrowing the gap to within one point, 299-298, of Sean Wyett of Danville. Wyett came in fifth. Oliver Jr. beat out Logan Cumby of Quincy, Ill., and Matt Thomas of Danville. Brian Schrage of Creston was fourth.

There's a tight race for third: Matt Tucker of Lomax, Ill., is third with 235, but Thomas is next at 234 and Kevin Goben of Sherrard, Ill., is fifth at 232.

Trenton Witt of Oskaloosa took the checkered flag in the Stock Car class. Chad Krogmeier of Burlington was second, Blake Woodruff of Knoxville, Ill., was third, Jerry Jansen of Plainville, Ill., fourth, and Doak Allen of West Burlington fifth.

Oliver Jr. holds a solid lead in the standings with 311 points. Krogmeier is a point ahead of Wapello driver Kirk Kinsley, 280-279. Corey Strothman of New London is fourth at 224, and David Brandies of Wilton is trying to hold off Derek Schwandt of Burlington, 155-153, for a top-five spot.

In the Modifieds class, Michael Claeys of Knoxville won the first heat, followed by Bill Roberts Jr. of Burlington. Dustin Smith of Long Grove came in third, followed by Blaised Lewis of Kewanee, Ill., and Zach Dockter of Norwich, North Dakota.

Austen Becerra of Carthage, Ill., won the second heat, and Jadin Fuller of Memphis, Mo., was second.

Roberts Jr. has an eight-point lead in the standings, 265-257, over Chris Zogg of New Liberty. Claeys is third at 241, and Becerra is a distant fourth at 191.

Brian Tipps of Wapello won the Mini Hauler class, with Sheldon Brockett second. Grady Jones of Monmouth, Ill., was third, followed by Darin Ronner of Gladstone, Ill., in fourth, and Lyle Timmerman of Wapello fifth.

Tipps leads Brockett in the standings, 198-189. Roger Brockett has 181 points, Ronner is fourth with 171 and Eric Detlefsen of Burlington is fifth, four points ahead of Jones for a top-five spot.

Larry Miller of Burlington won the first heat of the Sport Compact class, with Tim Schnathorst second. Noah Kayser won the second heat ahead of Darrian Hammitt of Burlington, T.J. 

Weyls of Burlington, and Barry Taft of Argyle.Kayser barely leads Dylan Bonk of Hannibal, Mo., in the points standings 226-225. Darin Smith of Columbus Junction has 219 for third, and Shane Vancil of Salem is just a point ahead of Miller for fourth, 200-199.

In a tight race for sixth, Weyls has 187 points, and Schnathorst is tied with Hammitt at 186 each.In the Dirt Late Models class, Ray Raker of Danville leads Jay Johnson of West Burlington, 218-211.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269489994.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerTanner Gebhardt captured the 305 Winged Sprints class on Saturday, July 20, at 34 Raceway. Cole Helmerson of New London came in second and points leader Cody Wehrle finished third. John Barnard of Sherman, Ill., came in fourth, followed by a trio of Burlington drivers: Dugan Thye, Nathan Murders, and Nick Guernsey. Chase Young of Altoona was eighth, Travis Pence of Stronghurst, Ill., was ninth, and McCain Richards of Burlington 10th.Wehrle leads the standings with 326 points, and Gebhardt is 14 back at 312. Guernsey is third at 278, Helmerson fourth at 264, and Thye is holding onto a top-five spot, ahead of Chase Richards, 259-252.Because of rain late in the night, the features for Sport Compacts, Modifieds, and Stock Car didn't run. There will be double features this Saturday, which will be 34 for Kids Night, presented by the New Mix, 107.3. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paid admission. Pits open at 4 p.m., and the gates open at 5 p.m. All seven classes will run.The Sprint Invaders event will run on Aug. 16, and the Pepsi Season Championship will run on Aug. 24.John Oliver Jr. of West Burlington won the Sports Modified class, narrowing the gap to within one point, 299-298, of Sean Wyett of Danville. Wyett came in fifth. Oliver Jr. beat out Logan Cumby of Quincy, Ill., and Matt Thomas of Danville. Brian Schrage of Creston was fourth.There's a tight race for third: Matt Tucker of Lomax, Ill., is third with 235, but Thomas is next at 234 and Kevin Goben of Sherrard, Ill., is fifth at 232.Trenton Witt of Oskaloosa took the checkered flag in the Stock Car class. Chad Krogmeier of Burlington was second, Blake Woodruff of Knoxville, Ill., was third, Jerry Jansen of Plainville, Ill., fourth, and Doak Allen of West Burlington fifth.Oliver Jr. holds a solid lead in the standings with 311 points. Krogmeier is a point ahead of Wapello driver Kirk Kinsley, 280-279. Corey Strothman of New London is fourth at 224, and David Brandies of Wilton is trying to hold off Derek Schwandt of Burlington, 155-153, for a top-five spot.In the Modifieds class, Michael Claeys of Knoxville won the first heat, followed by Bill Roberts Jr. of Burlington. Dustin Smith of Long Grove came in third, followed by Blaised Lewis of Kewanee, Ill., and Zach Dockter of Norwich, North Dakota.Austen Becerra of Carthage, Ill., won the second heat, and Jadin Fuller of Memphis, Mo., was second.Roberts Jr. has an eight-point lead in the standings, 265-257, over Chris Zogg of New Liberty. Claeys is third at 241, and Becerra is a distant fourth at 191.Brian Tipps of Wapello won the Mini Hauler class, with Sheldon Brockett second. Grady Jones of Monmouth, Ill., was third, followed by Darin Ronner of Gladstone, Ill., in fourth, and Lyle Timmerman of Wapello fifth.Tipps leads Brockett in the standings, 198-189. Roger Brockett has 181 points, Ronner is fourth with 171 and Eric Detlefsen of Burlington is fifth, four points ahead of Jones for a top-five spot.Larry Miller of Burlington won the first heat of the Sport Compact class, with Tim Schnathorst second. Noah Kayser won the second heat ahead of Darrian Hammitt of Burlington, T.J. Weyls of Burlington, and Barry Taft of Argyle.Kayser barely leads Dylan Bonk of Hannibal, Mo., in the points standings 226-225. Darin Smith of Columbus Junction has 219 for third, and Shane Vancil of Salem is just a point ahead of Miller for fourth, 200-199.In a tight race for sixth, Weyls has 187 points, and Schnathorst is tied with Hammitt at 186 each.In the Dirt Late Models class, Ray Raker of Danville leads Jay Johnson of West Burlington, 218-211.

Gebhardt wins in Winged Sprints Class

Photos 1-2: RAGBRAI riders pose for photos after dipping their tires into the Mississippi River, Saturday in Burlington. At 434 miles, this year's ride is the eighth shortest route, but with 18,737 feet of climb, it is the hilliest ride in the event's 51-year history.

Photos 3: RAGBRAI riders make their way through Burlington.

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 </figure>Photos 1-2: RAGBRAI riders pose for photos after dipping their tires into the Mississippi River, Saturday in Burlington. At 434 miles, this year's ride is the eighth shortest route, but with 18,737 feet of climb, it is the hilliest ride in the event's 51-year history.Photos 3: RAGBRAI riders make their way through Burlington.<figure>
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RAGBRAI Rolls Into Town

Intrasquad Game Photos by John LovrettaThe Burlington Bees hosted an intrasquad game on Sunday, July 21 at Community Field. The game was part of the Bees Community Basket Day, featuring Community Basket ticket drawings and a home run derby.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1721921437905.jpeg" alt="Burlington Bees Jace Figuereo (44) celebrates as he heads back to the dugout after scoring a run during an intrasquad game on Sunday, July 21, at Community Field." />
 <figcaption>Burlington Bees Jace Figuereo (44) celebrates as he heads back to the dugout after scoring a run during an intrasquad game on Sunday, July 21, at Community Field.</figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaIntrasquad Game Photos by John LovrettaThe Burlington Bees hosted an intrasquad game on Sunday, July 21 at Community Field. The game was part of the Bees Community Basket Day, featuring Community Basket ticket drawings and a home run derby.&nbsp; <figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1721921495583.jpeg" alt="Burlington Bees general manager Tad Lowary (2) at bat during an intrasquad game." />
 <figcaption>Burlington Bees general manager Tad Lowary (2) at bat during an intrasquad game.</figcaption>
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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1721921540438.jpeg" alt="Burlington Bees Emily Dear (9) at bat during the intrasquad game." />
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Bees Intrasquad Game

Brady Martin has had a variety of teammates as a four-year varsity player for West Burlington’s boys basketball team.

He’s enjoyed success in all four of those seasons from a team perspective and set high standards personally.

Martin finished his career earlier this month with a trip to Des Moines for the Class 2A state tournament. The Falcons lost to Treynor in the first round and finished with a near-flawless 22-1 mark.

Martin set the school record for points (1,142), assists (223), steals (188) and 3-pointers made (168). The 6-foot point guard also blocked 24 shots in his four-year stint as a Falcon.

Of all those stats, “I like 3-pointers probably the most,” Martin said.

“Every day I get in the gym in the off-season, and I work on my shot.” He said he would shoot 500 3-pointers a day.

Martin started six games his freshman season, and the Falcons lost to Camanche in the substate finals. Martin’s sophomore year saw a 12-12 mark, but West Burlington still made it to the district finals. Last year the team lost in the substate finals but set a school record for victories with 22, against two losses. This year’s team went unbeaten all the way to state before finally getting a loss.

Did the players feel extra pressure along the way?

“We always knew we had to push each other in practice,” Martin said. “We knew that someday we were going to get beat, we just didn’t know when.”

His ability to shine with different lineups stems from knowing, “It all comes down to how we can play as a team. Basketball isn’t a one-player sport. You’ve got to be able to play with all your teammates. It’s all about building relationships with all the kids on my team and being able to communicate with each other.”

Martin began his basketball career at the YMCA, but he joined the Hustlers travel team as a third-grader. He played with several Southeast Iowa players.

He played for his father, Tracy Martin, and Southeastern Community College men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Watkins, whose son Mason is a junior teammate of Martin’s.

“They help me work on my skills to help me become the player that I am today,” Martin said.

Ryan O’Hern coached him during his first three seasons.&nbsp;

“He taught me how to be a leader,” Martin said, “how to bring my teammates up and play at a higher level. He always pushed me to be better.”

O’Hern left after Martin’s junior year, but Cody VanFleet came in and led the team to state.

“The good thing about Cody was he just let us play and let us players figure out what we needed to get done,” Martin said.

Success was common this season, but there’s always a bad game or two. So for the mental part of Martin’s game, “In my head, I think ‘next play’ every time. You don’t want to hold your head down too long. There’s another day. There’s always going to be a tomorrow,” he said.

Martin had four fellow seniors on the team. They didn’t get to play as much, but Martin said they still were valuable to the team.

On Conner Bush: “Conner is a great leader. He’s very vocal. In practice, he always helps kids learn. He lifts everyone up.”

On Seena Nowroozie: “Seena is a big guy, a great dude who came off the bench. He knew his role, and he contributed by getting good rebounds for us.”

On Seth McGinity:&nbsp; “He’s another big guy for us. He helps us throughout the off-season. He put in that work. He got hurt in one of our pre-season practices, but he never quit, and he always had great energy on the bench.”

On Reed Mercer: “He didn’t get to play that much, but he always had great energy. After any bad practice or any bad game for a player, he would lift them up. He was a great teammate.”

Martin said he is a “very disciplined player on the court, and I’m pretty disciplined off the court too.”

So that helps him manage academics with athletics, and with a 3.8 grade point average, he’s nearly a straight-A student. His favorite class is woodworking.

Martin is off and running for track season, but he hopes to continue his basketball career somewhere.

“I will decide that in April,” he said. “I’ll be majoring somewhere in the health field.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/3/1711466531623.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerBrady Martin has had a variety of teammates as a four-year varsity player for West Burlington’s boys basketball team.He’s enjoyed success in all four of those seasons from a team perspective and set high standards personally.Martin finished his career earlier this month with a trip to Des Moines for the Class 2A state tournament. The Falcons lost to Treynor in the first round and finished with a near-flawless 22-1 mark.Martin set the school record for points (1,142), assists (223), steals (188) and 3-pointers made (168). The 6-foot point guard also blocked 24 shots in his four-year stint as a Falcon.Of all those stats, “I like 3-pointers probably the most,” Martin said.“Every day I get in the gym in the off-season, and I work on my shot.” He said he would shoot 500 3-pointers a day.Martin started six games his freshman season, and the Falcons lost to Camanche in the substate finals. Martin’s sophomore year saw a 12-12 mark, but West Burlington still made it to the district finals. Last year the team lost in the substate finals but set a school record for victories with 22, against two losses. This year’s team went unbeaten all the way to state before finally getting a loss.Did the players feel extra pressure along the way?“We always knew we had to push each other in practice,” Martin said. “We knew that someday we were going to get beat, we just didn’t know when.”His ability to shine with different lineups stems from knowing, “It all comes down to how we can play as a team. Basketball isn’t a one-player sport. You’ve got to be able to play with all your teammates. It’s all about building relationships with all the kids on my team and being able to communicate with each other.”Martin began his basketball career at the YMCA, but he joined the Hustlers travel team as a third-grader. He played with several Southeast Iowa players.He played for his father, Tracy Martin, and Southeastern Community College men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Watkins, whose son Mason is a junior teammate of Martin’s.“They help me work on my skills to help me become the player that I am today,” Martin said.Ryan O’Hern coached him during his first three seasons.&nbsp;“He taught me how to be a leader,” Martin said, “how to bring my teammates up and play at a higher level. He always pushed me to be better.”O’Hern left after Martin’s junior year, but Cody VanFleet came in and led the team to state.“The good thing about Cody was he just let us play and let us players figure out what we needed to get done,” Martin said.Success was common this season, but there’s always a bad game or two. So for the mental part of Martin’s game, “In my head, I think ‘next play’ every time. You don’t want to hold your head down too long. There’s another day. There’s always going to be a tomorrow,” he said.Martin had four fellow seniors on the team. They didn’t get to play as much, but Martin said they still were valuable to the team.On Conner Bush: “Conner is a great leader. He’s very vocal. In practice, he always helps kids learn. He lifts everyone up.”On Seena Nowroozie: “Seena is a big guy, a great dude who came off the bench. He knew his role, and he contributed by getting good rebounds for us.”On Seth McGinity:&nbsp; “He’s another big guy for us. He helps us throughout the off-season. He put in that work. He got hurt in one of our pre-season practices, but he never quit, and he always had great energy on the bench.”On Reed Mercer: “He didn’t get to play that much, but he always had great energy. After any bad practice or any bad game for a player, he would lift them up. He was a great teammate.”Martin said he is a “very disciplined player on the court, and I’m pretty disciplined off the court too.”So that helps him manage academics with athletics, and with a 3.8 grade point average, he’s nearly a straight-A student. His favorite class is woodworking.Martin is off and running for track season, but he hopes to continue his basketball career somewhere.“I will decide that in April,” he said. “I’ll be majoring somewhere in the health field.”

Rising above the rim

Kenna Furnald of Danville had made up her mind that she had ended her volleyball career and would focus on education at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.

But Southeastern Community College volleyball coach Michelle Glass was persistent.

“The SCC coach was really after me, and it’s a sport I love, so I decided to continue with it and see where it takes me,” Furnald said after a recent basketball game at West Burlington.

Furnald is planning on a career in nursing, “and I heard how hard it is. I really wanted to focus on that, but I also didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play the sport I love at a higher level.”

Furnald’s mother went through the nursing program at SCC, so the Danville senior is aware that she’s still in a good place.

“I plan to use that to my advantage,” Furnald said. “If I like it there, I’m going to stay and continue my career there.”

Furnald played in all 28 matches for the Bears this past season and led the team with 201 kills.&nbsp;

She made 278 digs, second-best on the team. She served 87 percent, with 26 aces.

Furnald earned all-district honors for Class 1A Southeast.

Burlington’s Lauren Briggs will play golf for Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo.

As a junior for the Grayhounds, Briggs tied for ninth in Class 4A for the lowest nine-hole score at 36.&nbsp;

Her low score for 18 holes was 71, good for 10th best in Class 4A. Briggs’ average for 18 holes was 76.83.

The Bearcats’ eight-player roster for this season includes three seniors.

Saydee Plummer will play for the Iowa Western Reivers softball team. This past summer, Plummer went 12-5 as a pitcher and was No. 11 in the state in Class 4A in strikeouts with 173.

Josephine Blazic will play soccer for Lawrence Technology University. She scored 13 goals and had six assists for Burlington.

Thomas Fell will play golf for Southeastern Community College.&nbsp;

He was the No. 2 golfer for the Grayhounds and averaged 39 strokes for nine holes.

Myah Rehman will play soccer for the SCC women’s team.

Madison Taeger has signed with the University of Dubuque softball program.

Emily Mosley will play tennis for Central College’s women’s team in Pella.

Dylan Kipp of Notre Dame verbally committed to play football for Central College in Pella.

“I really like the school academically,” Kipp said, “and then had some good conversations with the coaches. I just thought it was the right place for me.”

Kipp caught 14 passes for a team-high 298 yards this past season for the West Burlington-Notre Dame Falcons. He had one TD catch for 71 yards. He also made 16 solo tackles and 16 assists.

Anna Engberg will play softball for St. Ambrose University next fall. Engberg, a senior at Notre Dame, has one more season left for the West Burlington-Notre Dame Falcons.

As a junior, Engberg hit. 439, second best on the team behind graduated senior Lauren Summers.

Engberg stole 19 bases, third best in the South Division.&nbsp;

She hit nine doubles, and three triples and drove in 17 runs.

Yazmin Sorensen of Notre Dame signed to play soccer for Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/2/1706836991649.jpeg" alt="Kenna Furnald&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kenna Furnald&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerKenna Furnald of Danville had made up her mind that she had ended her volleyball career and would focus on education at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.But Southeastern Community College volleyball coach Michelle Glass was persistent.“The SCC coach was really after me, and it’s a sport I love, so I decided to continue with it and see where it takes me,” Furnald said after a recent basketball game at West Burlington.Furnald is planning on a career in nursing, “and I heard how hard it is. I really wanted to focus on that, but I also didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play the sport I love at a higher level.”Furnald’s mother went through the nursing program at SCC, so the Danville senior is aware that she’s still in a good place.“I plan to use that to my advantage,” Furnald said. “If I like it there, I’m going to stay and continue my career there.”Furnald played in all 28 matches for the Bears this past season and led the team with 201 kills.&nbsp;She made 278 digs, second-best on the team. She served 87 percent, with 26 aces.Furnald earned all-district honors for Class 1A Southeast.BHS AthletesBurlington’s Lauren Briggs will play golf for Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo.As a junior for the Grayhounds, Briggs tied for ninth in Class 4A for the lowest nine-hole score at 36.&nbsp;Her nine-hole average was 38.63.Her low score for 18 holes was 71, good for 10th best in Class 4A. Briggs’ average for 18 holes was 76.83.The Bearcats’ eight-player roster for this season includes three seniors.Saydee Plummer will play for the Iowa Western Reivers softball team. This past summer, Plummer went 12-5 as a pitcher and was No. 11 in the state in Class 4A in strikeouts with 173.Josephine Blazic will play soccer for Lawrence Technology University. She scored 13 goals and had six assists for Burlington.Thomas Fell will play golf for Southeastern Community College.&nbsp;He was the No. 2 golfer for the Grayhounds and averaged 39 strokes for nine holes.Myah Rehman will play soccer for the SCC women’s team.Madison Taeger has signed with the University of Dubuque softball program.Emily Mosley will play tennis for Central College’s women’s team in Pella.Notre Dame AthletesDylan Kipp of Notre Dame verbally committed to play football for Central College in Pella.“I really like the school academically,” Kipp said, “and then had some good conversations with the coaches. I just thought it was the right place for me.”Kipp caught 14 passes for a team-high 298 yards this past season for the West Burlington-Notre Dame Falcons. He had one TD catch for 71 yards. He also made 16 solo tackles and 16 assists.Anna Engberg will play softball for St. Ambrose University next fall. Engberg, a senior at Notre Dame, has one more season left for the West Burlington-Notre Dame Falcons.As a junior, Engberg hit. 439, second best on the team behind graduated senior Lauren Summers.Engberg stole 19 bases, third best in the South Division.&nbsp;She hit nine doubles, and three triples and drove in 17 runs.Yazmin Sorensen of Notre Dame signed to play soccer for Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.

Taking her volleyball career to the next level

Three business partners — two brothers — made a difficult but necessary choice early in their lives. They left behind everyone and everything they knew, emigrating from Nepal to the United States. They worked their way into ownership positions and operated several Burlington gas stations.

Now, Bohda Gautam, his brother Dipesh Gautam, and their partner Mohan Paurdel are starting a new gas station by resurrecting an old one. Later this year, they will reopen the Ayerco gas station at 1532 Osborn St.

When the station reopens, it will be a Conoco Phillips 66.

They are also starting work on a new convenience store adjacent to the old one, which they hope to have completed and opened by Jan. 1.&nbsp;

Bohda and his partners purchased the shuttered gas station last year. They hoped to reopen it immediately, but the timeline was extended by red tape and Iowa DNR requirements.

“This community right here needed a gas station,” Bohda said. “Because there is nothing around here when you drive by. You got to go all the way to the Circle K. Or you got to go to Roosevelt.”

Dipesh Gautam moved to America before his brother did, roughly 25 years ago. Bohda moved to America about 10 years later and moved his family north of Seattle, Wash., for a few years.

“I had come here to study, and there was an opportunity if I wanted to stay here. I filed for my green and permanent residence cards,” he said.

Nepal was experiencing a bit of political unrest at the time, Bohda said, solidifying his decision to follow his brother. The gas station business has changed since the Gautam brothers first entered it.

“Gas stations used to rely more on the gas to make money. Now, it’s the opposite. You hardly make any money in the gas,” Gautam said, saying most of the profit comes from the convenience store.

Bohda is a familiar face around Burlington, working seven days a week at his gas stations. He knows nearly every customer and what they’re going to buy.

After crisscrossing the country, Bohda found a new home in Burlington. A home away from his home in Nepal.

“We’ve been in Burlington for a long time. It’s our home. My kids go to school here,” he said.

Bohda’s family became so attached to the town – especially their school friends – that he never left. He just continued to invest more.

“Now, even when we want to move from one neighborhood to another neighborhood, they (the children) don’t want to move because they are that bonded with their friends,” Bohda said.

After obtaining a loan, Bohda and his two partners decided to build three pumps at the site and one big tank with three compartments. The area is currently under construction and is awaiting DNR approval before moving to the final phases of construction.

Like their other operations, Bohda says the new gas station will have a “mom and pop” feel — the kind of gas station where the clerk knows your favorite candy.

“We want to invest in the neighborhoods we enjoy. So we know each other,” Bohda said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725999862781.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithThree business partners — two brothers — made a difficult but necessary choice early in their lives. They left behind everyone and everything they knew, emigrating from Nepal to the United States. They worked their way into ownership positions and operated several Burlington gas stations.Now, Bohda Gautam, his brother Dipesh Gautam, and their partner Mohan Paurdel are starting a new gas station by resurrecting an old one. Later this year, they will reopen the Ayerco gas station at 1532 Osborn St.When the station reopens, it will be a Conoco Phillips 66.They are also starting work on a new convenience store adjacent to the old one, which they hope to have completed and opened by Jan. 1.&nbsp;Bohda and his partners purchased the shuttered gas station last year. They hoped to reopen it immediately, but the timeline was extended by red tape and Iowa DNR requirements.“This community right here needed a gas station,” Bohda said. “Because there is nothing around here when you drive by. You got to go all the way to the Circle K. Or you got to go to Roosevelt.”Dipesh Gautam moved to America before his brother did, roughly 25 years ago. Bohda moved to America about 10 years later and moved his family north of Seattle, Wash., for a few years.“I had come here to study, and there was an opportunity if I wanted to stay here. I filed for my green and permanent residence cards,” he said.Nepal was experiencing a bit of political unrest at the time, Bohda said, solidifying his decision to follow his brother. The gas station business has changed since the Gautam brothers first entered it.“Gas stations used to rely more on the gas to make money. Now, it’s the opposite. You hardly make any money in the gas,” Gautam said, saying most of the profit comes from the convenience store.Bohda is a familiar face around Burlington, working seven days a week at his gas stations. He knows nearly every customer and what they’re going to buy.After crisscrossing the country, Bohda found a new home in Burlington. A home away from his home in Nepal.“We’ve been in Burlington for a long time. It’s our home. My kids go to school here,” he said.Bohda’s family became so attached to the town – especially their school friends – that he never left. He just continued to invest more.“Now, even when we want to move from one neighborhood to another neighborhood, they (the children) don’t want to move because they are that bonded with their friends,” Bohda said.After obtaining a loan, Bohda and his two partners decided to build three pumps at the site and one big tank with three compartments. The area is currently under construction and is awaiting DNR approval before moving to the final phases of construction.Like their other operations, Bohda says the new gas station will have a “mom and pop” feel — the kind of gas station where the clerk knows your favorite candy.“We want to invest in the neighborhoods we enjoy. So we know each other,” Bohda said.

Fueling Dreams

Photos by John Lovretta People filled the streets of Fort Madison on Saturday for the Tri-State Grand Rodeo Parade. The annual parade featured area marching bands, floats, horses, and more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725816725420.jpeg" alt="Shoeloose the Clown, also known as Gregg Brockman, plays the drums during the Tri-State Rodeo Parade." />
 <figcaption>Shoeloose the Clown, also known as Gregg Brockman, plays the drums during the Tri-State Rodeo Parade.</figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John Lovretta People filled the streets of Fort Madison on Saturday for the Tri-State Grand Rodeo Parade. The annual parade featured area marching bands, floats, horses, and more.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725816673252.jpeg" alt="Area residents watch the Tri-State Rodeo Parade.&nbsp;" />
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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725816918615.jpeg" alt="Flannery Beals tosses candy while walking in the Frank Millard and Company float with her husband Colin Beals, a project manager with Frank Millard and Company, during the Tri-State Rodeo Parade." />
 <figcaption>Flannery Beals tosses candy while walking in the Frank Millard and Company float with her husband Colin Beals, a project manager with Frank Millard and Company, during the Tri-State Rodeo Parade.</figcaption>
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PHOTOS: Tri-State Rodeo Parade

Brendon Tolle, an arborist with Williams Tree Company of Paragon, Ind., contracted by the city of Burlington, removes one of several recently damaged trees in North Hill Park. Two crews from the Indiana company are in Burlington working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, removing storm-damaged trees.&nbsp;

<figure>
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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725574734731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaBrendon Tolle, an arborist with Williams Tree Company of Paragon, Ind., contracted by the city of Burlington, removes one of several recently damaged trees in North Hill Park. Two crews from the Indiana company are in Burlington working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, removing storm-damaged trees.&nbsp;

Photos: Chainsaw Man

Dilapidated church up for sale in a bid to revive its legacy.

By Jeff Abell&nbsp;and Stacey Abell

It has stood across from the iconic Snake Alley as a testament to a church that was once vibrant with songs and praise.&nbsp;

The years have not been kind to the brick structure built in 1884.&nbsp; An exterior wall is crumbling, and the city of Burlington has deemed the structure unsafe.&nbsp;

Inside the church, pews keep their silent vigil surrounded by fallen debris from the ceiling. Light still streams through stained glass windows that still adorn the church.

The historic church at 601 Washington St. is for sale for the price of $14,900.

The estate of Stan Higdon, now deceased, put the church on the market a few weeks ago. Higdon purchased the vacant church in 2016 for $6,462, according to the Des Moines County GIS website. Higdon purchased the church from Jeremy and Tannie Grant.

Deb Fowler, broker/owner at Century 21, has shown the church to several interested buyers over the past few weeks. She even received an inquiry from a possible buyer in Washington, Iowa.

Fowler said the building could be adapted into just about anything — if the buyer has the resources to make that happen. She doesn’t know how long the building has been unoccupied, but flooding from the ceiling has rotted away huge swaths of the floor.

The edges of the exterior brick are crumbling — to the extent of a sizable hole that lets in sunlight. Certain areas of the church are unsafe to walk due to the risk of a collapsing floor.

“It’s gotten worse,” said Larry Caston, chief code and building inspector for the city of Burlington. “The structure is not great. We noticed it had gotten worse.”

Caston said Higdon purchased the building to rehab it. Sadly, he added, that never happened. The city of Burlington posted a notice on the building in June, before it went on sale, designating the church as an unsafe building.

Shortly after that, the city posted another notice on the church’s door, addressed to the owner. The notice said the church violates structural standards. The notice said the building has also become a public health hazard, likely due to the possibility of falling bricks.

The city of Burlington requested an engineering report on the structural stability of the church before the Stan Higdon Estate put it up for sale. The assessed value of the property is $40,000, according to the Des Moines County Assessor.

On Sunday mornings, the unmistakable peal of a church bell echoes throughout Dankwardt and Crapo Parks. According to Parkside First Baptist Church office administrator Helen Scott, the bell is rung around 10:10 a.m. every Sunday, calling the congregation to worship.&nbsp;

Nestled in the church courtyard at 300 Potter Dr. since 1973, the impressive cast iron artifact was purchased with a gift from the estate of Kitty and Ben (Gore) Sandridge, charter members and formerly enslaved people who came to Burlington from Kentucky. The bell initially made its home at the First Baptist Church at 409 N. Fourth St. from 1865 to 1886. Its longest place of residence, however, consisted of 84 years at the now-vacant structure at Sixth and Washington.

In a written account of the church’s history compiled by Sarah Brissey and Trish Ditsworth, the design of the Romanesque building at the bottom of Snake Alley is attributed to Charles Dunham, a prominent Burlington architect. The church took a year and a half to build at a cost of $24,871 and was dedicated Jan. 2, 1887.&nbsp;

Accommodating up to 550 people in pews of polished oak and cherry, the interior was decorated with hand-painted murals and adorned with stained glass given as memorials in honor of deceased relatives.&nbsp;

“The entire effect is beautiful in the extreme,” exclaimed an article published in The Hawkeye Gazette on Jan. 3, 1887.

The structure was remodeled in 1952 at a cost of $20,000; the bell tower was removed and new carpeting, light fixtures, and cushions were added.

But as time passed, the needs of the congregation changed, and ground was broken for the construction of a new church building on Nov. 17, 1968.

“There were several reasons for the move (to the Potter Drive location),” said Brissey. “The building was outdated and needed major updates. Also, because of limited parking around the church.”

Longtime parishioner Donna Richardson, 93, started attending the church in 1938 — when she was 8-years-old. She’s still a member of the congregation, but hasn’t been in the former church since 1969 — when the church moved to the park.

“It was a wonderful experience. I was baptized there. We had a wonderful Sunday school. The church was a place you could go and be with Christian friends,” she said.

City officials and former church members hope the structure can be returned to its former glory. Despite its structural condition, Fowler said the church is still beautiful.&nbsp;

“The glass is still good, and the pews are still good,” Fowler said.

Eric Tysland, community development and parks director for Burlington, said the city will work with whoever the new owners are to make sure it is structurally sound.

“The building remains placarded as abandoned/unsafe by the city.&nbsp; We are waiting on a plan of action for the building going forward with the current owner. This would potentially transfer to a new owner to address any safety items, but something will need to be completed to ensure the building remains stable and safe going forward,” Tysland said.

— William Smith contributed to this story.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724954773881.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta Deb Fowler, owner of Century 21 in Burlington, stands inside the former First Baptist Church, which she is selling for a client. The historic church built in 1884 is at 601 Washington St. Fowler said she has shown the church to several interested buyers over the past few weeks." />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta Deb Fowler, owner of Century 21 in Burlington, stands inside the former First Baptist Church, which she is selling for a client. The historic church built in 1884 is at 601 Washington St. Fowler said she has shown the church to several interested buyers over the past few weeks.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dilapidated church up for sale in a bid to revive its legacy.By Jeff Abell&nbsp;and Stacey AbellIt has stood across from the iconic Snake Alley as a testament to a church that was once vibrant with songs and praise.&nbsp;The years have not been kind to the brick structure built in 1884.&nbsp; An exterior wall is crumbling, and the city of Burlington has deemed the structure unsafe.&nbsp;Inside the church, pews keep their silent vigil surrounded by fallen debris from the ceiling. Light still streams through stained glass windows that still adorn the church.The historic church at 601 Washington St. is for sale for the price of $14,900.The estate of Stan Higdon, now deceased, put the church on the market a few weeks ago. Higdon purchased the vacant church in 2016 for $6,462, according to the Des Moines County GIS website. Higdon purchased the church from Jeremy and Tannie Grant.Deb Fowler, broker/owner at Century 21, has shown the church to several interested buyers over the past few weeks. She even received an inquiry from a possible buyer in Washington, Iowa.Fowler said the building could be adapted into just about anything — if the buyer has the resources to make that happen. She doesn’t know how long the building has been unoccupied, but flooding from the ceiling has rotted away huge swaths of the floor.The edges of the exterior brick are crumbling — to the extent of a sizable hole that lets in sunlight. Certain areas of the church are unsafe to walk due to the risk of a collapsing floor.“It’s gotten worse,” said Larry Caston, chief code and building inspector for the city of Burlington. “The structure is not great. We noticed it had gotten worse.”Caston said Higdon purchased the building to rehab it. Sadly, he added, that never happened. The city of Burlington posted a notice on the building in June, before it went on sale, designating the church as an unsafe building.Shortly after that, the city posted another notice on the church’s door, addressed to the owner. The notice said the church violates structural standards. The notice said the building has also become a public health hazard, likely due to the possibility of falling bricks.The city of Burlington requested an engineering report on the structural stability of the church before the Stan Higdon Estate put it up for sale. The assessed value of the property is $40,000, according to the Des Moines County Assessor.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724954865163.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Shared HistoryOn Sunday mornings, the unmistakable peal of a church bell echoes throughout Dankwardt and Crapo Parks. According to Parkside First Baptist Church office administrator Helen Scott, the bell is rung around 10:10 a.m. every Sunday, calling the congregation to worship.&nbsp;Nestled in the church courtyard at 300 Potter Dr. since 1973, the impressive cast iron artifact was purchased with a gift from the estate of Kitty and Ben (Gore) Sandridge, charter members and formerly enslaved people who came to Burlington from Kentucky. The bell initially made its home at the First Baptist Church at 409 N. Fourth St. from 1865 to 1886. Its longest place of residence, however, consisted of 84 years at the now-vacant structure at Sixth and Washington.In a written account of the church’s history compiled by Sarah Brissey and Trish Ditsworth, the design of the Romanesque building at the bottom of Snake Alley is attributed to Charles Dunham, a prominent Burlington architect. The church took a year and a half to build at a cost of $24,871 and was dedicated Jan. 2, 1887.&nbsp;Accommodating up to 550 people in pews of polished oak and cherry, the interior was decorated with hand-painted murals and adorned with stained glass given as memorials in honor of deceased relatives.&nbsp;“The entire effect is beautiful in the extreme,” exclaimed an article published in The Hawkeye Gazette on Jan. 3, 1887.The structure was remodeled in 1952 at a cost of $20,000; the bell tower was removed and new carpeting, light fixtures, and cushions were added.But as time passed, the needs of the congregation changed, and ground was broken for the construction of a new church building on Nov. 17, 1968.“There were several reasons for the move (to the Potter Drive location),” said Brissey. “The building was outdated and needed major updates. Also, because of limited parking around the church.”Longtime parishioner Donna Richardson, 93, started attending the church in 1938 — when she was 8-years-old. She’s still a member of the congregation, but hasn’t been in the former church since 1969 — when the church moved to the park.“It was a wonderful experience. I was baptized there. We had a wonderful Sunday school. The church was a place you could go and be with Christian friends,” she said.Saving GraceCity officials and former church members hope the structure can be returned to its former glory. Despite its structural condition, Fowler said the church is still beautiful.&nbsp;“The glass is still good, and the pews are still good,” Fowler said.Eric Tysland, community development and parks director for Burlington, said the city will work with whoever the new owners are to make sure it is structurally sound.“The building remains placarded as abandoned/unsafe by the city.&nbsp; We are waiting on a plan of action for the building going forward with the current owner. This would potentially transfer to a new owner to address any safety items, but something will need to be completed to ensure the building remains stable and safe going forward,” Tysland said.— William Smith contributed to this story.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724954921669.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

Saving Grace

Ryan Smith, the new principal at Great River Christian School, came here from Hillsboro, Ore., part of the major metropolitan area of Portland.

When he and his family of five arrived in Burlington, he learned about what many people call “Iowa nice.”

“Upon getting here,” Smith said, “my wife and I mentioned to people we were new here.” He was surprised at “the amount of people who said, ‘Oh, really? You should check this out.’ ”

Then people found out that Ryan and Judy Smith have three children: Nowel, 16, Rowan, 13, and Lewis, 10.

“ ‘You should check this out. This is great for families,’ ” Smith was told.

“There’s a lot more going on than I realized at first.”

Smith has taught for the last 21 years at Christian schools, most recently in Hillsboro, but he has a master’s degree in education and administration and a principal’s certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International.

It was through searching on the ACSI job board for administrative positions that he found the Great River Christian School job.

“Within three weeks, I had three different interviews,” Smith said, and he accepted the job offer.

Smith said it&nbsp;may be the standard thing to say, but he&nbsp;really means it: “One of the things I love about the school is our teachers. I’ve had to hire two new teachers, but the rest of our teachers are veterans here. They are some of the most wonderful teachers. They have a heart for students.”

The current enrollment is 46 students, from 3-year-olds in the early childhood class to high school, but Smith said sometimes people move into town late in the summer and enroll at the last minute.

Smith said he doesn’t want to change some of the traditions, such as the annual hog roast fundraiser on Nov. 1.

But he does want to do&nbsp;more to start “get our name out,” Smith said, “getting more involved in the community, us reaching out.”

The reason Smith has stayed committed to teaching and leading in Christian schools is because of the biblical worldview that forms his Christian faith.

“The biblical worldview I find when I read the Bible integrates everything,” Smith said. “Somewhere in the Bible, it references everything.”

Although the internet isn’t mentioned, he said, “but how we are to treat people,” which is easily seen on the world wide web.

“When I look around, the public school is not an easy way to do that,” Smith said. “Just outside Portland, it was impossible. I know Christians who work in the public schools, and God bless them.”

“But a Christian school lets us do that,” he said of teaching a biblical worldview.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724770243948.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerRyan Smith, the new principal at Great River Christian School, came here from Hillsboro, Ore., part of the major metropolitan area of Portland.When he and his family of five arrived in Burlington, he learned about what many people call “Iowa nice.”“Upon getting here,” Smith said, “my wife and I mentioned to people we were new here.” He was surprised at “the amount of people who said, ‘Oh, really? You should check this out.’ ”Then people found out that Ryan and Judy Smith have three children: Nowel, 16, Rowan, 13, and Lewis, 10.“ ‘You should check this out. This is great for families,’ ” Smith was told.“There’s a lot more going on than I realized at first.”Smith has taught for the last 21 years at Christian schools, most recently in Hillsboro, but he has a master’s degree in education and administration and a principal’s certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International.It was through searching on the ACSI job board for administrative positions that he found the Great River Christian School job.“Within three weeks, I had three different interviews,” Smith said, and he accepted the job offer.Smith said it&nbsp;may be the standard thing to say, but he&nbsp;really means it: “One of the things I love about the school is our teachers. I’ve had to hire two new teachers, but the rest of our teachers are veterans here. They are some of the most wonderful teachers. They have a heart for students.”The current enrollment is 46 students, from 3-year-olds in the early childhood class to high school, but Smith said sometimes people move into town late in the summer and enroll at the last minute.Smith said he doesn’t want to change some of the traditions, such as the annual hog roast fundraiser on Nov. 1.But he does want to do&nbsp;more to start “get our name out,” Smith said, “getting more involved in the community, us reaching out.”Biblical WorldviewThe reason Smith has stayed committed to teaching and leading in Christian schools is because of the biblical worldview that forms his Christian faith.“The biblical worldview I find when I read the Bible integrates everything,” Smith said. “Somewhere in the Bible, it references everything.”Although the internet isn’t mentioned, he said, “but how we are to treat people,” which is easily seen on the world wide web.“When I look around, the public school is not an easy way to do that,” Smith said. “Just outside Portland, it was impossible. I know Christians who work in the public schools, and God bless them.”“But a Christian school lets us do that,” he said of teaching a biblical worldview.Smith said that isn’t just offering devotions.“The Bible talks a lot about the world around us,” Smith said. “Look at the design elements and how that works with what you find in science.”He quoted a French mathematical physicist, Paul Dirac, as saying, “God spoke the world into being using mathematics.”“That’s a biblical worldview,” Smith said. “How does that affect math? We don’t have to be sneaky about it, subtle about it. Sometimes, the kids will come up with some connection that I would have thought of. That blesses us as teachers."

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