More than 100 years ago,&nbsp; Fort Madison resident Charlie Korschgen noticed that none of the children were out playing and enjoying the Fourth of July holiday.

That might seem normal, given all the distractions children face these days. But this was before the PlayStation, before streaming, before TikTok and Instagram, before smartphones, DVDs, CDs, and even television —black and white or color.

It was on July&nbsp;4, 1913, that Korschgen decided to engage the neighborhood kids in a special celebration on the west end of town. He bought a dozen small flags, strapped his large snare drum around his neck, and proceeded to march around the neighborhood.

Like an American version of the Pied Piper, Korschgen soon had a line of fellow marchers.

That began a tradition that at one point featured upward of 1,000 children taking part during the 1940s, according to one article.

The parade moved downtown, and this past Friday, residents watched the 113th&nbsp;parade, with 118 participants, march from 15th&nbsp;Street and Avenue G to the end of downtown at the Moose Lodge in the 600 block of Avenue G.

The Moose lodge members serve ice cream treats at the end of the route, a tradition the group has maintained since 1946. Additionally, the volunteers who organize the parade announce the award winners for the various categories.

There are the bike riders, a few unicyclists, walkers, humorous entries, motorized entries, and there’s even one for those who march along with their pets.

I joined in when I first moved to Fort Madison as a member of the Jaycees. Once known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, they took over when Korschgen was getting too old to organize the event. When the Jaycees disbanded in 1999, former members and other volunteers took over.

I was soon getting bikes prepared for our four children.

What makes this a special memory for the people of Fort Madison is that, although it’s organized to a degree, it remains simple.

It doesn’t take a large chunk out of the family budget to decorate a bike or a wagon and put on some patriotic-looking glasses and face paint.

Although there’s no formal record of multiple generations participating over time, one family took advantage of the parade to showcase four generations.

Janice Feaney, 92, rode in the front of a float and was joined by two of her daughters, Mary Mendez of Miami, Fla., and Kathleen Moseley of Albuquerque, N.M. Moseley’s daughter, Ariana Uchizono, of Washington, D.C., was caring for her four-year-old daughter, Nova.

Feaney’s neighbor, Danny Mahoney, set up the reunion of sorts and drove the truck that pulled the float.

The family took second place in the motorized vehicle division.

Korschgen’s memory will never fade, and not just because the banner leading the parade bears his name.

Right behind the banner is someone carrying the large drum as Charlie did. But the carrier has nothing to strike it with. At some point, years ago, it was deemed unsafe to keep pounding on the aging instrument, so it remains a silent memory to the man who just wanted to give children something to do.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2024/11/1730683073075.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerMore than 100 years ago,&nbsp; Fort Madison resident Charlie Korschgen noticed that none of the children were out playing and enjoying the Fourth of July holiday.That might seem normal, given all the distractions children face these days. But this was before the PlayStation, before streaming, before TikTok and Instagram, before smartphones, DVDs, CDs, and even television —black and white or color.It was on July&nbsp;4, 1913, that Korschgen decided to engage the neighborhood kids in a special celebration on the west end of town. He bought a dozen small flags, strapped his large snare drum around his neck, and proceeded to march around the neighborhood.Like an American version of the Pied Piper, Korschgen soon had a line of fellow marchers.That began a tradition that at one point featured upward of 1,000 children taking part during the 1940s, according to one article.The parade moved downtown, and this past Friday, residents watched the 113th&nbsp;parade, with 118 participants, march from 15th&nbsp;Street and Avenue G to the end of downtown at the Moose Lodge in the 600 block of Avenue G.The Moose lodge members serve ice cream treats at the end of the route, a tradition the group has maintained since 1946. Additionally, the volunteers who organize the parade announce the award winners for the various categories.There are the bike riders, a few unicyclists, walkers, humorous entries, motorized entries, and there’s even one for those who march along with their pets.I joined in when I first moved to Fort Madison as a member of the Jaycees. Once known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, they took over when Korschgen was getting too old to organize the event. When the Jaycees disbanded in 1999, former members and other volunteers took over.I was soon getting bikes prepared for our four children.What makes this a special memory for the people of Fort Madison is that, although it’s organized to a degree, it remains simple.It doesn’t take a large chunk out of the family budget to decorate a bike or a wagon and put on some patriotic-looking glasses and face paint.Although there’s no formal record of multiple generations participating over time, one family took advantage of the parade to showcase four generations.Janice Feaney, 92, rode in the front of a float and was joined by two of her daughters, Mary Mendez of Miami, Fla., and Kathleen Moseley of Albuquerque, N.M. Moseley’s daughter, Ariana Uchizono, of Washington, D.C., was caring for her four-year-old daughter, Nova.Feaney’s neighbor, Danny Mahoney, set up the reunion of sorts and drove the truck that pulled the float.The family took second place in the motorized vehicle division.Korschgen’s memory will never fade, and not just because the banner leading the parade bears his name.Right behind the banner is someone carrying the large drum as Charlie did. But the carrier has nothing to strike it with. At some point, years ago, it was deemed unsafe to keep pounding on the aging instrument, so it remains a silent memory to the man who just wanted to give children something to do.

Column: Red, white, and youth

Keelan Savoie — a 12-year-old Aldo Leopold student — yearns for a career in marine biology.

But he’s also a remarkably talented writer. That’s how Savoie ended up winning the youth category of the statewide Waspie Writing Contest.

A cursory glance at the story he submitted reveals an extremely high level of grammar for a 12-year-old. While Savoie admitted that he gets high marks in English class, he said his writing has dramatically improved since he wrote his first story a few years ago.

He also reads a lot — the secret of any good writer. He even knows how to kill a writing project that veers off course.

“I made up this other story that had to do with like time machines and stuff, but it didn’t go that well,” he said.

“Point Nemo Extended” is a classic seafaring horror featuring a giant sea beast not believed to exist. Savoie ensured that his fantastical tale was grounded in reality. Point Nemo is a real location, commonly referred to as the most remote place on Earth.

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Point Nemo is 1,670 miles from the nearest landmass — a perfect spot for a horror story.

Savoie turned in a rougher version of his ocean horror story for a class contest and just barely missed out on winning. He needed something more and got a new narrative idea from the kid who did win first place.

“The kid who got first place used journal entries. So I thought it was a really good idea, and I decided to add some of that to my second version,” he said.

The story is told entirely through the main character’s journal entries, giving the tale a found-footage feel, similar to “The Blair Witch Project.”

By the time he put pencil to paper, most of the story — and its style — was already in Savoie’s head. It took him about two weeks to write during study periods at school.

“I mostly knew what I wanted to write,” he said.

To keep the tension high, Savoie starts “Point Nemo Extended” in “medias res” — the French term for a narrative technique that begins a story in the middle of the plot. The story begins:

“5 months later … ‘Hello, this is the Point Nemo research division log entry #34. After the apparent events from 5 months ago, coming from Point Nemo, we have been trying to figure out what could’ve happened.’ ”

Point Nemo is a brief little pot-boiler, coming in at about 1,700 words. Savoie’s next story, which he is currently writing, will be much longer. He has already written roughly 6,000 words.

“I never got to finish it before the school year ended, but I’m planning to work on it at the beginning of next year,” he said.

Savoie is going sci-fi with his next narrative jaunt — something akin to the popular book and subsequent film starring Matt Damon, “The Martian.”

The story doesn’t have a title yet, but the premise is simple.&nbsp;

A man wants to travel to outer space and visits a business that specializes in space travel. That’s when things start to go horribly wrong.

“He gets trapped in one of the shuttles, and he gets sent off without really any warning and no proper preparation,” he said.

Not one to repeat himself, Savoie said the story would not use the journal entry format of “Point Nemo Extended.”

“It’s going to be more traditional. You can read the character’s thoughts and stuff,” he said.

Despite his talent for it, Savoie doesn’t plan on making a career out of his writing. His heart is in marine biology.&nbsp;

However, he will continue to enter writing contests, using them as an outlet and amplifier for his other interests, such as astronomy.

“I just like writing about concepts that I like,” he said.

After completing his next story, Savoie plans to double the length of the one after it and aims to write approximately 15,000 words.

If you know Keelan, just don’t be surprised to see some familiar names in there.&nbsp;

Savoie said his biggest weakness is coming up with character names that don’t sound false. That’s why so many of his classmates appear in his adventures.

“I’m bad at making up names,” he said with a grin.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/7/1751818795314.jpeg" alt="2-55.jpg" />
 <figcaption>2-55.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithKeelan Savoie — a 12-year-old Aldo Leopold student — yearns for a career in marine biology.But he’s also a remarkably talented writer. That’s how Savoie ended up winning the youth category of the statewide Waspie Writing Contest.A cursory glance at the story he submitted reveals an extremely high level of grammar for a 12-year-old. While Savoie admitted that he gets high marks in English class, he said his writing has dramatically improved since he wrote his first story a few years ago.He also reads a lot — the secret of any good writer. He even knows how to kill a writing project that veers off course.“I made up this other story that had to do with like time machines and stuff, but it didn’t go that well,” he said.“Point Nemo Extended” is a classic seafaring horror featuring a giant sea beast not believed to exist. Savoie ensured that his fantastical tale was grounded in reality. Point Nemo is a real location, commonly referred to as the most remote place on Earth.Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Point Nemo is 1,670 miles from the nearest landmass — a perfect spot for a horror story.Savoie turned in a rougher version of his ocean horror story for a class contest and just barely missed out on winning. He needed something more and got a new narrative idea from the kid who did win first place.“The kid who got first place used journal entries. So I thought it was a really good idea, and I decided to add some of that to my second version,” he said.The story is told entirely through the main character’s journal entries, giving the tale a found-footage feel, similar to “The Blair Witch Project.”By the time he put pencil to paper, most of the story — and its style — was already in Savoie’s head. It took him about two weeks to write during study periods at school.“I mostly knew what I wanted to write,” he said.To keep the tension high, Savoie starts “Point Nemo Extended” in “medias res” — the French term for a narrative technique that begins a story in the middle of the plot. The story begins:“5 months later … ‘Hello, this is the Point Nemo research division log entry #34. After the apparent events from 5 months ago, coming from Point Nemo, we have been trying to figure out what could’ve happened.’ ”Point Nemo is a brief little pot-boiler, coming in at about 1,700 words. Savoie’s next story, which he is currently writing, will be much longer. He has already written roughly 6,000 words.“I never got to finish it before the school year ended, but I’m planning to work on it at the beginning of next year,” he said.Savoie is going sci-fi with his next narrative jaunt — something akin to the popular book and subsequent film starring Matt Damon, “The Martian.”The story doesn’t have a title yet, but the premise is simple.&nbsp;A man wants to travel to outer space and visits a business that specializes in space travel. That’s when things start to go horribly wrong.“He gets trapped in one of the shuttles, and he gets sent off without really any warning and no proper preparation,” he said.Not one to repeat himself, Savoie said the story would not use the journal entry format of “Point Nemo Extended.”“It’s going to be more traditional. You can read the character’s thoughts and stuff,” he said.Despite his talent for it, Savoie doesn’t plan on making a career out of his writing. His heart is in marine biology.&nbsp;However, he will continue to enter writing contests, using them as an outlet and amplifier for his other interests, such as astronomy.“I just like writing about concepts that I like,” he said.After completing his next story, Savoie plans to double the length of the one after it and aims to write approximately 15,000 words.If you know Keelan, just don’t be surprised to see some familiar names in there.&nbsp;Savoie said his biggest weakness is coming up with character names that don’t sound false. That’s why so many of his classmates appear in his adventures.“I’m bad at making up names,” he said with a grin.

52 FACES: Savoie’s sea monster

For the past 12 years, Teresa Kurth has provided a home for lost dogs who have nowhere else to go.

That’s when she started her nonprofit organization, A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue, in rural Wever. Kurth has lived in the Lee County area for the past 27 years.

“Our kids pretty much grew up here. My youngest daughter wanted to volunteer at the Des Moines County Humane Society, but she wasn’t old enough to do it by herself. So I had to volunteer with her,” she said.

What started as a favor for her child became something much more. Her daughter started losing interest. But not Kurth.

“It turned out I enjoyed it more than she did. They hired me there part-time, and I worked there for six years,” Kurth said.

Kurth has worked full-time as a pediatric nurse for more than two decades and worked at the shelter due to her love of animals.

After leaving the shelter, Kurth told her husband that she wanted to start a dog rescue – if they moved out to the country.

Her wish was answered 12 years ago in Wever. The property had previously been used for breeding English bulldogs.

“So some of this stuff was already in place to make a rescue. I wasn’t licensed right away, but I was still rescuing where I could. And then I did get licensed.”

Kurth places about 80 dogs a year. She tries to focus on smaller dogs but has adopted out just about every kind of pooch imaginable so far. They have plenty of room to roam and live in a kennel area behind Kurth’s house.

“When I worked at the shelter, I saw how scared the small dogs were being surrounded by these big, loud dogs. So I wanted a place for small dogs to go, so they weren’t so scared,” she said. “Small dogs tend to get adopted quickly.”

A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue has fostered up to 22 dogs at once and has a whelping room for giving birth. Typically, Kirth houses about half that number.

“I don’t really have a limit as long as I can provide proper space for each dog,” Kurth said.

Kurth said that most of the dogs she takes in are surrendered by families who have lost a loved one with a pet. Those pets often have no place to go.

Kurth sympathizes with felines as much as she does canines, but with her setup, caring for cats isn’t an option.

“Cats are going to do whatever they want to do,” Kurth said.

Adopting a dog is a process for Kurth, and she never skips any steps. She wants to ensure that every pooch she lets go has a loving family ready to care for them, and that takes some interaction.

“I just can’t send them to a person’s house,” she said.

Kurth insists the new owners meet the dog first and consider the environment the dog will be encountering. Are there other dogs and cats in the home? How do they interact with other dogs? Are there small children? Do they know how to interact with dogs?

The longest Kurth has kept a dog was a year and two months, which is far longer than most of the pooches’ residency. Puppies tend to get adopted in a matter of weeks.

Kurth would love to take them all herself — but she already has four dogs of her own. No other dogs are allowed in.

“The dogs that enter my house never leave,” she said with a laugh.

Not every adoption works out, and that’s okay, too. She wishes they did, though.

“If a dog is not doing well in their new home, I take the dog back. I don’t get a lot of returns, but it happens on occasion,” she said.

Kurth utilizes other volunteer foster families who work with her and has created a network of rescuers with a single goal: to find the best home possible for the dog. Everyone who adopts has three days to decide if the new dog is a good fit for them.

“I do a home visit when there are other animals; I call their vet to make sure they keep their dogs current on vaccinations and that they’ve been fixed,” she said. “It’s actually very eye-opening, the number of people who tell you that you can call their vet, and their dog hasn’t been there for a year or two. If you’re not doing it with your current pet, you’re probably not going to do it with the new one.”

Kurth has no set hours, and appointments are by request.&nbsp;

To learn more or set up an appointment, visit A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue Facebook page.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/6/1751215500201.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithFor the past 12 years, Teresa Kurth has provided a home for lost dogs who have nowhere else to go.That’s when she started her nonprofit organization, A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue, in rural Wever. Kurth has lived in the Lee County area for the past 27 years.“Our kids pretty much grew up here. My youngest daughter wanted to volunteer at the Des Moines County Humane Society, but she wasn’t old enough to do it by herself. So I had to volunteer with her,” she said.What started as a favor for her child became something much more. Her daughter started losing interest. But not Kurth.“It turned out I enjoyed it more than she did. They hired me there part-time, and I worked there for six years,” Kurth said.Kurth has worked full-time as a pediatric nurse for more than two decades and worked at the shelter due to her love of animals.“It was a paid hobby,” she said.After leaving the shelter, Kurth told her husband that she wanted to start a dog rescue – if they moved out to the country.Her wish was answered 12 years ago in Wever. The property had previously been used for breeding English bulldogs.“So some of this stuff was already in place to make a rescue. I wasn’t licensed right away, but I was still rescuing where I could. And then I did get licensed.”Kurth places about 80 dogs a year. She tries to focus on smaller dogs but has adopted out just about every kind of pooch imaginable so far. They have plenty of room to roam and live in a kennel area behind Kurth’s house.“When I worked at the shelter, I saw how scared the small dogs were being surrounded by these big, loud dogs. So I wanted a place for small dogs to go, so they weren’t so scared,” she said. “Small dogs tend to get adopted quickly.”A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue has fostered up to 22 dogs at once and has a whelping room for giving birth. Typically, Kirth houses about half that number.“I don’t really have a limit as long as I can provide proper space for each dog,” Kurth said.Kurth said that most of the dogs she takes in are surrendered by families who have lost a loved one with a pet. Those pets often have no place to go.Kurth sympathizes with felines as much as she does canines, but with her setup, caring for cats isn’t an option.“Cats are going to do whatever they want to do,” Kurth said.Adopting a dog is a process for Kurth, and she never skips any steps. She wants to ensure that every pooch she lets go has a loving family ready to care for them, and that takes some interaction.“I just can’t send them to a person’s house,” she said.Kurth insists the new owners meet the dog first and consider the environment the dog will be encountering. Are there other dogs and cats in the home? How do they interact with other dogs? Are there small children? Do they know how to interact with dogs?The longest Kurth has kept a dog was a year and two months, which is far longer than most of the pooches’ residency. Puppies tend to get adopted in a matter of weeks.Kurth would love to take them all herself — but she already has four dogs of her own. No other dogs are allowed in.“The dogs that enter my house never leave,” she said with a laugh.Not every adoption works out, and that’s okay, too. She wishes they did, though.“If a dog is not doing well in their new home, I take the dog back. I don’t get a lot of returns, but it happens on occasion,” she said.Kurth utilizes other volunteer foster families who work with her and has created a network of rescuers with a single goal: to find the best home possible for the dog. Everyone who adopts has three days to decide if the new dog is a good fit for them.“I do a home visit when there are other animals; I call their vet to make sure they keep their dogs current on vaccinations and that they’ve been fixed,” she said. “It’s actually very eye-opening, the number of people who tell you that you can call their vet, and their dog hasn’t been there for a year or two. If you’re not doing it with your current pet, you’re probably not going to do it with the new one.”Kurth has no set hours, and appointments are by request.&nbsp;To learn more or set up an appointment, visit A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue Facebook page.

52 Faces: Kurth offers dogs a second leash on life

David Hazell is one of those few people in the world who can make a living through superb musical taste.

Hazell owns and operates The Washington, acting as a kind of blues guru for Burlington. The live music selection at The Washington is often eclectic, but the focus has always been on top-tier blues acts from across the country.

Hazell knows good music. And he doesn’t have any trouble finding it.

“I don’t consider myself a musician,” said Hazell, who plays a bit of trumpet in his free time.

But he is a networker, and over the decades, Hazell has earned respect in a thriving blues scene that crisscrosses the country. He’s amazed that so many talented musicians make it a priority to play in Burlington.

He still finds the experience a bit surreal.

“I’ve become friends with so many great musicians,” he said.

Born in Iowa City during the summer of 1971, Hazell spent part of his childhood in Solon before moving to an old country farmhouse in North English.

“It was old school. No running water. I think we probably heated the home with wood. I remember going out to the outhouse to use it,” he said.

Hazell and his family eventually moved to Washington, Iowa, which provided a pretty and picturesque childhood.

“I was outside all the time. Playing with bicycles, go-karts, and running around the country fields. And I was always working, hanging out at the YMCA, doing paper routes. It was a great childhood,” he said.

When he was home, the house was filled with music. Not the pop music of the 70s, though. Hazell grew up listening to the backbone of American blues.

“I was old enough when I was five or six to just go select a song and put it on the record player,” he said.

Hazell grew up listening to the likes of Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and John Coltrane. By the time he was 10 years old, his Walkman was filled with the stuff. When he was old enough to drive, Hazell attended every concert he could. Fairfield, which was nearby, proved to be a surprisingly strong concert town.

“I was immersed in Chicago blues from an early age,” Hazell said. “I just kept exploring. I remember discovering King Curtis a little bit later as a teenager and was blown away by his saxophone groove.”

The musical influence came from his father, Pat, who was a regular touring musician. Hazell didn’t just watch the musicians, though. He took note of the club atmosphere and how the proprietor was able to create a hazy realm of music appreciation that permeated the atmosphere through alcohol.

When Hazell moved to Burlington as an adult, he had an idea for a club in his head — an idea that quickly became The Blue Shop. The beloved Burlington club was a predecessor to The Washington, featuring many of the same high-class blues acts.

Hazell obtained a history degree while attending college in Omaha, Neb. He taught high school history for a short time but viewed the position as a backup to his absolute dream.

Hazell was more interested in architecture than teaching, which is part of the reason he moved to Burlington. He already had family in town and was fascinated by the classic architecture.

Hazell even featured Burlington in a college project for his history of American architecture class. He was so impressed with the town’s flow that he wanted to become part of it.

That’s how Hazell ended up renovating a classic home and living in it. By February 1994, Hazell had become a full-time resident of Burlington. He started The Blue Shop shortly after.

Hazell started The Washington in 2008, the same year he shut down The Blue Shop. 

He also owns several other buildings around Burlington, and The Washington — which has much more room than The Blue Shop — was a natural extension of his dream.

It’s more than a dream now. It’s Hazell’s baby — a baby that never grows up and requires constant attention. A continuing beacon of blues and live music entertainment for years to come — if Hazell has anything to say about it.

“I don’t have any grand plans. We’re just going to keep providing music to Burlington,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/6/1750692615789.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithDavid Hazell is one of those few people in the world who can make a living through superb musical taste.Hazell owns and operates The Washington, acting as a kind of blues guru for Burlington. The live music selection at The Washington is often eclectic, but the focus has always been on top-tier blues acts from across the country.Hazell knows good music. And he doesn’t have any trouble finding it.“I don’t consider myself a musician,” said Hazell, who plays a bit of trumpet in his free time.But he is a networker, and over the decades, Hazell has earned respect in a thriving blues scene that crisscrosses the country. He’s amazed that so many talented musicians make it a priority to play in Burlington.He still finds the experience a bit surreal.“I’ve become friends with so many great musicians,” he said.Born in Iowa City during the summer of 1971, Hazell spent part of his childhood in Solon before moving to an old country farmhouse in North English.“It was old school. No running water. I think we probably heated the home with wood. I remember going out to the outhouse to use it,” he said.Hazell and his family eventually moved to Washington, Iowa, which provided a pretty and picturesque childhood.“I was outside all the time. Playing with bicycles, go-karts, and running around the country fields. And I was always working, hanging out at the YMCA, doing paper routes. It was a great childhood,” he said.When he was home, the house was filled with music. Not the pop music of the 70s, though. Hazell grew up listening to the backbone of American blues.“I was old enough when I was five or six to just go select a song and put it on the record player,” he said.Hazell grew up listening to the likes of Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and John Coltrane. By the time he was 10 years old, his Walkman was filled with the stuff. When he was old enough to drive, Hazell attended every concert he could. Fairfield, which was nearby, proved to be a surprisingly strong concert town.“I was immersed in Chicago blues from an early age,” Hazell said. “I just kept exploring. I remember discovering King Curtis a little bit later as a teenager and was blown away by his saxophone groove.”The musical influence came from his father, Pat, who was a regular touring musician. Hazell didn’t just watch the musicians, though. He took note of the club atmosphere and how the proprietor was able to create a hazy realm of music appreciation that permeated the atmosphere through alcohol.When Hazell moved to Burlington as an adult, he had an idea for a club in his head — an idea that quickly became The Blue Shop. The beloved Burlington club was a predecessor to The Washington, featuring many of the same high-class blues acts.Hazell obtained a history degree while attending college in Omaha, Neb. He taught high school history for a short time but viewed the position as a backup to his absolute dream.Hazell was more interested in architecture than teaching, which is part of the reason he moved to Burlington. He already had family in town and was fascinated by the classic architecture.Hazell even featured Burlington in a college project for his history of American architecture class. He was so impressed with the town’s flow that he wanted to become part of it.That’s how Hazell ended up renovating a classic home and living in it. By February 1994, Hazell had become a full-time resident of Burlington. He started The Blue Shop shortly after.Hazell started The Washington in 2008, the same year he shut down The Blue Shop. He also owns several other buildings around Burlington, and The Washington — which has much more room than The Blue Shop — was a natural extension of his dream.It’s more than a dream now. It’s Hazell’s baby — a baby that never grows up and requires constant attention. A continuing beacon of blues and live music entertainment for years to come — if Hazell has anything to say about it.“I don’t have any grand plans. We’re just going to keep providing music to Burlington,” he said.

52 FACES: Burlington’s blues guru

As a long-time band instructor for the Burlington school system and conductor for the Burlington Municipal Band, Jim&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;has left an indelible mark in the musical world in southeast Iowa.

Whether through the school system, private lessons, or a brief tenure as an adjunct professor for a few years at Iowa Wesleyan University,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;taught the following band instructors: Burlington High School’s Derek Murphy, West Burlington Elementary’s Jennifer Hexom, Holy Trinity’s Emily Otte, Mount Pleasant junior high’s Adam Creager and Central Lee’s Tracy and Heather Madsen.

That’s not counting the number of past students who have participated in the Municipal Band’s summer concert series. For a long time, he was the only conductor, but that duty is now shared over the 10-concert season.

“I have to say that I have a real sense of satisfaction for having taught so many students over the years,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said. “Many are still my friends.”

Priebe&nbsp;started as an instructor at Oak Street and Horace Mann junior high schools.

In the 1970s, long-time Burlington High School instructor and Municipal Band conductor Maury Wright retired, and&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;took over in both positions.

But not long after that, “I realized my true calling was at the middle school level. I went back and finished my teaching career at James Madison Middle School.”

Even then, he wasn’t done. He taught part-time at Notre Dame’s elementary and middle school bands for three more years.

Priebe&nbsp;was president of the Burlington Municipal Band Foundation for 10 years, and Jen Arnold, also one of his former students, has been the current president for the past three years.

However,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;still serves on the Southeast Iowa Symphony band board, and he and his wife, Mary, have been playing for the symphony for 50 years.

Priebe&nbsp;still plays in different bands around the area, having started with a nightclub band in Quincy, Ill., while still in high school.

“Like almost all kids, the band director came around and said, ‘You can sign up and play an instrument,’”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said of when he was in fourth grade. He chose the trombone.

The first instrument his parents bought him “was terrible,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said, and in high school, he purchased a professional instrument.

Priebe&nbsp;wanted to play in Quincy’s park band, so he joined the musician’s union.

A local band member, seeing&nbsp;Priebe’s name on the union list, called him up to see if he would play in his band and he would get paid.

“I found out much later that the trombone player that had been playing in his band was in jail for drunk and disorderly,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.

The band played two nights a week at a nightclub. “It was a wonderful experience,” he said. “To me, it was a big-time deal.”

It also marked the beginning of a lifetime of playing in bands, such as back in the mid-1960s, when he and Mary drove from their home in Blandinsville, Ill., to play in a jazz band in Iowa City.

“He kept seeing the bridge and the nice city laid out and said, ‘Wouldn’t that be a nice place to live in,’” Mary said.

They moved here in 1965 and have played in the city band ever since.

When&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;graduated in 1960, rock and roll was in its infancy, and Bill Haley and the Comets were one of the groups&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;liked.

But, he said, “Because I was involved in playing the trombone, I was more focused on Big Band music.”

Jazz and classical music are two different styles, and,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said, back then, people tended to lean toward one or the other.

“I’ve been one of those people who straddle the divide,” he said.

“I love classical music, having played in an orchestra for so many years. It’s wonderful music. But I also love jazz, having done that for so many years,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.

“I probably would love rock and roll if I were younger and had been exposed to it.”

The closest most young people come to hearing classical music is through movie-themed composers such as John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

“The symphony does a Masterworks series” of the traditional composers,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

“The movie themes are in the pops concerts in the Symphonic Blast,” which will be performed on July 6 at the bandshell.

“A lot of people think of the Municipal band as maybe patriotic music on the Fourth of July,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said. “It really plays some ‘serious’ music.”

But, he said, “We try to have a balance. A typical concert might include pieces that kids would recognize, such as Disney music and SpongeBob SquarePants.

“Also, there are serious band pieces that composers write for the art of writing music. We’ll typically try to play something on that line,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.

“The hope is, for symphony musicians and classical musicians, that we pull in listeners for that music, and they may come to a classical concert, a masterworks concert, and find out, ‘Wow! That music is great too,’ ”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/6/1749996925567.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerAs a long-time band instructor for the Burlington school system and conductor for the Burlington Municipal Band, Jim&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;has left an indelible mark in the musical world in southeast Iowa.Whether through the school system, private lessons, or a brief tenure as an adjunct professor for a few years at Iowa Wesleyan University,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;taught the following band instructors: Burlington High School’s Derek Murphy, West Burlington Elementary’s Jennifer Hexom, Holy Trinity’s Emily Otte, Mount Pleasant junior high’s Adam Creager and Central Lee’s Tracy and Heather Madsen.That’s not counting the number of past students who have participated in the Municipal Band’s summer concert series. For a long time, he was the only conductor, but that duty is now shared over the 10-concert season.“I have to say that I have a real sense of satisfaction for having taught so many students over the years,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said. “Many are still my friends.”Priebe&nbsp;started as an instructor at Oak Street and Horace Mann junior high schools.In the 1970s, long-time Burlington High School instructor and Municipal Band conductor Maury Wright retired, and&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;took over in both positions.But not long after that, “I realized my true calling was at the middle school level. I went back and finished my teaching career at James Madison Middle School.”Even then, he wasn’t done. He taught part-time at Notre Dame’s elementary and middle school bands for three more years.Priebe&nbsp;was president of the Burlington Municipal Band Foundation for 10 years, and Jen Arnold, also one of his former students, has been the current president for the past three years.However,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;still serves on the Southeast Iowa Symphony band board, and he and his wife, Mary, have been playing for the symphony for 50 years.Priebe&nbsp;still plays in different bands around the area, having started with a nightclub band in Quincy, Ill., while still in high school.The Early Years“Like almost all kids, the band director came around and said, ‘You can sign up and play an instrument,’”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said of when he was in fourth grade. He chose the trombone.“I was good at it and kept going.”The first instrument his parents bought him “was terrible,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said, and in high school, he purchased a professional instrument.Priebe&nbsp;wanted to play in Quincy’s park band, so he joined the musician’s union.A local band member, seeing&nbsp;Priebe’s name on the union list, called him up to see if he would play in his band and he would get paid.“I found out much later that the trombone player that had been playing in his band was in jail for drunk and disorderly,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.The band played two nights a week at a nightclub. “It was a wonderful experience,” he said. “To me, it was a big-time deal.”It also marked the beginning of a lifetime of playing in bands, such as back in the mid-1960s, when he and Mary drove from their home in Blandinsville, Ill., to play in a jazz band in Iowa City.“He kept seeing the bridge and the nice city laid out and said, ‘Wouldn’t that be a nice place to live in,’” Mary said.They moved here in 1965 and have played in the city band ever since.Styles of MusicWhen&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;graduated in 1960, rock and roll was in its infancy, and Bill Haley and the Comets were one of the groups&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;liked.But, he said, “Because I was involved in playing the trombone, I was more focused on Big Band music.”Jazz and classical music are two different styles, and,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said, back then, people tended to lean toward one or the other.“I’ve been one of those people who straddle the divide,” he said.“I love classical music, having played in an orchestra for so many years. It’s wonderful music. But I also love jazz, having done that for so many years,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.“I probably would love rock and roll if I were younger and had been exposed to it.”The closest most young people come to hearing classical music is through movie-themed composers such as John Williams and Hans Zimmer.“The symphony does a Masterworks series” of the traditional composers,&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“The movie themes are in the pops concerts in the Symphonic Blast,” which will be performed on July 6 at the bandshell.“A lot of people think of the Municipal band as maybe patriotic music on the Fourth of July,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said. “It really plays some ‘serious’ music.”But, he said, “We try to have a balance. A typical concert might include pieces that kids would recognize, such as Disney music and SpongeBob SquarePants.“Also, there are serious band pieces that composers write for the art of writing music. We’ll typically try to play something on that line,”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.“The hope is, for symphony musicians and classical musicians, that we pull in listeners for that music, and they may come to a classical concert, a masterworks concert, and find out, ‘Wow! That music is great too,’ ”&nbsp;Priebe&nbsp;said.

52 Faces: Symphony  of service

Joan Wail may be the fastest barber in Iowa.

Wail, who owns and operates His Place Barber at 160 S. Central Ave., is celebrating 43 years of haircutting this year.

When she started, the parking meter required a penny for 12 minutes of parking time. Wail’s efficiency with the clippers made it possible to come in, get a haircut, and get out before that 12 minutes was up.

That resulted in an unintended promotion around Joan’s speed, complete with promo T-shirts with a quick draw cowboy on the front.

To be honest, Wail found the attention to be a bit embarrassing. But it brought in customers.

“I never tried to be fast. But people kept commenting on it,” she said.

Wail is just as efficient and detailed as she was back then, resulting in a massive customer base over the past four decades. She recently shut the shop down due to health problems and returned to work a few months ago, fearing she wouldn’t have any customers left.

That anxiety turned out to be unjust. Before she closed the shop, Wail had 560 customers. So far, she has brought back around 450 of them.

“With the amount of customers I have, they work in my schedule. I’m so blessed,” she said.

God means everything to Joan and her husband, Jack Wail. They’ve been married for 42 years, and she credits Jack with bringing her back to God. They met in a church, but Joan wasn’t conducting herself in a godly way at the time.

“We met in a prayer group. I was struggling at that time with drugs, and he offered to befriend me. I was struggling with wanting to go out and get loaded, and I’d call him, and he’d pray with me, and I would calm down,” she said.

That friendship turned into a marriage, and Joan hasn’t touched drugs or alcohol since. They went on to have three children, and Jack is still her biggest supporter. But she credits her brother for giving her the idea of cutting hair for a living.

“My older brother was a barber, and when I graduated, he said I should get into this,” Wail said.

Stereotypes were changing even then. Once a male-dominated industry, the barbershop profession was increasingly open to women.

“Back then, some men weren’t comfortable with a woman cutting their hair,” Wail said.

Wail saw it as an opportunity and was hooked when she started cutting hair. An Illinois native, Wail moved to Keokuk with her husband before coming to Burlington. She cut hair at an often-forgotten barbershop inside the Hotel Burlington.

After the barbershop closed, Wail stumbled across a business opportunity — a chance to own and operate her own shop.

Wail wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. But her husband was, which was enough to make Wail ask God if she should start her own business.

His plan soon became apparent to her. It wasn’t her idea to open a barbershop. It was His.

That’s how the barbershop earned the moniker “His Place.”

“I felt like God was telling me that He wanted to give me this gift. I didn’t like the gift. I said, ‘No, thank you. That’s not my plan.’ But He won, so that’s why it’s called ‘His Place,’” Wail said.

Wail has come a long way since starting her business in downtown Burlington — spiritually and physically. She’s in the fourth building and has been there for the past 10 years.

“The buildings kind of go out from under me,” Wail said with a laugh. “The first one, the backside of it caved in.&nbsp; So then I went out to Mount Pleasant Street, near the Lincolnville. I was there nine years, and the landlord’s son wanted to put a business in there. So then I moved across the driveway over to this place where Lincolnville Square is. I was there for 15 years. And then the furnace went out,” she said.

Joan and her husband have been longtime volunteers at several organizations, focusing mainly on food pantries. Both are active in the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry.

It’s that volunteer work that caused Joan’s health problems. While she was cleaning out an old building, exposure to hidden mold created breathing problems and other health issues that lasted nearly a year.

But she knows it’s all part of God’s plan. Wail returned to her barber chair this past February after a nearly three-month hiatus and has never been happier to be there.

She has no plans to retire. Not anytime soon.

“I would miss my customers too much,” she said.

His Place is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/5/1748448951989.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithJoan Wail may be the fastest barber in Iowa.She’s also the most humble.Wail, who owns and operates His Place Barber at 160 S. Central Ave., is celebrating 43 years of haircutting this year.When she started, the parking meter required a penny for 12 minutes of parking time. Wail’s efficiency with the clippers made it possible to come in, get a haircut, and get out before that 12 minutes was up.That resulted in an unintended promotion around Joan’s speed, complete with promo T-shirts with a quick draw cowboy on the front.To be honest, Wail found the attention to be a bit embarrassing. But it brought in customers.“I never tried to be fast. But people kept commenting on it,” she said.Wail is just as efficient and detailed as she was back then, resulting in a massive customer base over the past four decades. She recently shut the shop down due to health problems and returned to work a few months ago, fearing she wouldn’t have any customers left.That anxiety turned out to be unjust. Before she closed the shop, Wail had 560 customers. So far, she has brought back around 450 of them.“With the amount of customers I have, they work in my schedule. I’m so blessed,” she said.God means everything to Joan and her husband, Jack Wail. They’ve been married for 42 years, and she credits Jack with bringing her back to God. They met in a church, but Joan wasn’t conducting herself in a godly way at the time.“We met in a prayer group. I was struggling at that time with drugs, and he offered to befriend me. I was struggling with wanting to go out and get loaded, and I’d call him, and he’d pray with me, and I would calm down,” she said.That friendship turned into a marriage, and Joan hasn’t touched drugs or alcohol since. They went on to have three children, and Jack is still her biggest supporter. But she credits her brother for giving her the idea of cutting hair for a living.“My older brother was a barber, and when I graduated, he said I should get into this,” Wail said.Stereotypes were changing even then. Once a male-dominated industry, the barbershop profession was increasingly open to women.“Back then, some men weren’t comfortable with a woman cutting their hair,” Wail said.Wail saw it as an opportunity and was hooked when she started cutting hair. An Illinois native, Wail moved to Keokuk with her husband before coming to Burlington. She cut hair at an often-forgotten barbershop inside the Hotel Burlington.After the barbershop closed, Wail stumbled across a business opportunity — a chance to own and operate her own shop.Wail wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. But her husband was, which was enough to make Wail ask God if she should start her own business.His plan soon became apparent to her. It wasn’t her idea to open a barbershop. It was His.That’s how the barbershop earned the moniker “His Place.”“I felt like God was telling me that He wanted to give me this gift. I didn’t like the gift. I said, ‘No, thank you. That’s not my plan.’ But He won, so that’s why it’s called ‘His Place,’” Wail said.Wail has come a long way since starting her business in downtown Burlington — spiritually and physically. She’s in the fourth building and has been there for the past 10 years.“The buildings kind of go out from under me,” Wail said with a laugh. “The first one, the backside of it caved in.&nbsp; So then I went out to Mount Pleasant Street, near the Lincolnville. I was there nine years, and the landlord’s son wanted to put a business in there. So then I moved across the driveway over to this place where Lincolnville Square is. I was there for 15 years. And then the furnace went out,” she said.Joan and her husband have been longtime volunteers at several organizations, focusing mainly on food pantries. Both are active in the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry.It’s that volunteer work that caused Joan’s health problems. While she was cleaning out an old building, exposure to hidden mold created breathing problems and other health issues that lasted nearly a year.But she knows it’s all part of God’s plan. Wail returned to her barber chair this past February after a nearly three-month hiatus and has never been happier to be there.She has no plans to retire. Not anytime soon.“I would miss my customers too much,” she said.His Place is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

BEACON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The fastest clippers in Iowa

At 20 years old, Derrick Ryce Jr. is his own boss, operating a business he’s been dreaming about since he was old enough to cut hair.

“I got into cutting real early,” he said. “First, I practiced on myself, then I practiced on family members.”

Ryce, the middle child of five boys, gave his first haircut at 11. Nine years later, he’s learned how to pay taxes and supply his business needs on a budget. The hard part is over.

Now, he cuts hair all day. And he loves it. He remembers when he cut his own hair for the first time at the age of 8. It was no random scissors snip. His father stood with him in front of the mirror and showed him how.

“It’s been my favorite thing to do for years now,” he said, noting that mirror training helped him use his non-dominant hand.

About six months ago, Ryce opened up his own barbershop — Jr. Kutz — inside one of the suites at Sade Suites in Burlington. His clientele consists mainly of men and young boys, although his chair is open to anyone.

Ryce’s skills aren’t limited by race or gender. He’s always been a natural. Those natural skills blossomed when he attended the American Hair Academy in Mount Pleasant.

What couldn’t be taught is the ability to engage in small talk — a trade secret for barbers since man first noticed he had a shaggy cranium. Those conversations, mostly mundane and occasionally significant, create a client base that can sustain a barber for a lifetime.

Despite his homeschool upbringing, Ryce never had trouble chatting up strangers. Though his hands never stop moving, Ryce takes his time when he cuts. He sets aside half an hour for a simple haircut, continually measuring and snipping as his mouth motors on.

At 20 years old, Ryce is versed enough in the world to keep a conversation going forever. As a part-time lay therapist and a full-time hair technician, Ryce is just a lot of fun to talk to.

“I’m a third-generation barber,” Ryce said.

Ryce usually sees upwards of a dozen clients daily, many of whom have signed a painted chalkboard on the wall. That only happens after a customer has proven they can keep appointments without breaking them too often – a kind of barber client hall of fame.

Of course, some clients – especially the younger ones – come to Ryce with unrealistic expectations. He said some youths have brought in pictures of anime characters with ridiculously spiky hair. He warns the client that it’s not going to look like the cartoon.

But he can still come pretty darn close. Keeping up with new hairstyles is more than a job requirement. It’s a hobby.

“There’s always new techniques, new systems, new hairstyles, which kind of force you into learning different stuff. Every so many years, it seems like there’s a new style that comes around or comes back. So, it’s something to really stay on your toes about,” he said.

Much like trimming a hedge or carving a sculpture, cutting hair is a semi-permanent art that leaves little room for error. For the uninitiated, grabbing a pair of scissors can be as intimidating as learning calculus.

But Ryce doesn’t feel fear when he cuts hair. He doesn’t worry about cutting too much. Repetition is key, he said, and his hands have developed a muscle memory from hundreds of haircuts.

“There are barbers I watched on YouTube growing up. I used to watch my uncle cut. There’s so many different hair shapes, different hair textures,” he said.

Not every hair texture can support a movie star haircut, and Ryce is honest with his customers going into a cut.

But he doesn’t view it as his job to suggest haircut style unless someone wants advice. The challenge and fun come from taking on every hair assignment possible. Every cut makes him better.

“When I get to the end of the day, it’s like, man, I dealt with 20 people, 20 different personalities. But I love each and every one of them,” Ryce said.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/5/1746474499697.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithAt 20 years old, Derrick Ryce Jr. is his own boss, operating a business he’s been dreaming about since he was old enough to cut hair.“I got into cutting real early,” he said. “First, I practiced on myself, then I practiced on family members.”Ryce, the middle child of five boys, gave his first haircut at 11. Nine years later, he’s learned how to pay taxes and supply his business needs on a budget. The hard part is over.Now, he cuts hair all day. And he loves it. He remembers when he cut his own hair for the first time at the age of 8. It was no random scissors snip. His father stood with him in front of the mirror and showed him how.“It’s been my favorite thing to do for years now,” he said, noting that mirror training helped him use his non-dominant hand.About six months ago, Ryce opened up his own barbershop — Jr. Kutz — inside one of the suites at Sade Suites in Burlington. His clientele consists mainly of men and young boys, although his chair is open to anyone.Ryce’s skills aren’t limited by race or gender. He’s always been a natural. Those natural skills blossomed when he attended the American Hair Academy in Mount Pleasant.What couldn’t be taught is the ability to engage in small talk — a trade secret for barbers since man first noticed he had a shaggy cranium. Those conversations, mostly mundane and occasionally significant, create a client base that can sustain a barber for a lifetime.Despite his homeschool upbringing, Ryce never had trouble chatting up strangers. Though his hands never stop moving, Ryce takes his time when he cuts. He sets aside half an hour for a simple haircut, continually measuring and snipping as his mouth motors on.At 20 years old, Ryce is versed enough in the world to keep a conversation going forever. As a part-time lay therapist and a full-time hair technician, Ryce is just a lot of fun to talk to.It likely runs in the family.“I’m a third-generation barber,” Ryce said.Ryce usually sees upwards of a dozen clients daily, many of whom have signed a painted chalkboard on the wall. That only happens after a customer has proven they can keep appointments without breaking them too often – a kind of barber client hall of fame.Of course, some clients – especially the younger ones – come to Ryce with unrealistic expectations. He said some youths have brought in pictures of anime characters with ridiculously spiky hair. He warns the client that it’s not going to look like the cartoon.But he can still come pretty darn close. Keeping up with new hairstyles is more than a job requirement. It’s a hobby.“There’s always new techniques, new systems, new hairstyles, which kind of force you into learning different stuff. Every so many years, it seems like there’s a new style that comes around or comes back. So, it’s something to really stay on your toes about,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/5/1746474526705.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Much like trimming a hedge or carving a sculpture, cutting hair is a semi-permanent art that leaves little room for error. For the uninitiated, grabbing a pair of scissors can be as intimidating as learning calculus.But Ryce doesn’t feel fear when he cuts hair. He doesn’t worry about cutting too much. Repetition is key, he said, and his hands have developed a muscle memory from hundreds of haircuts.“There are barbers I watched on YouTube growing up. I used to watch my uncle cut. There’s so many different hair shapes, different hair textures,” he said.Not every hair texture can support a movie star haircut, and Ryce is honest with his customers going into a cut.But he doesn’t view it as his job to suggest haircut style unless someone wants advice. The challenge and fun come from taking on every hair assignment possible. Every cut makes him better.“When I get to the end of the day, it’s like, man, I dealt with 20 people, 20 different personalities. But I love each and every one of them,” Ryce said.Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

52 FACES: Shear success

The YMCA Xcel&nbsp;gymnastics&nbsp;competition team returned from the state meet with a couple of strong team finishes.

The bronze-level team earned a fifth- and a third-place trophy.

All 24 members of the Xcel team qualified for the state meet, and 12 of 14 eligible&nbsp;gymnasts&nbsp;qualified for the USAG Region 4 Xcel Regionals competition on April 25-27 in Madison, Wis. That ends the season, which started in November.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/4/1745783466349.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerThe YMCA Xcel&nbsp;gymnastics&nbsp;competition team returned from the state meet with a couple of strong team finishes.The bronze-level team earned a fifth- and a third-place trophy.All 24 members of the Xcel team qualified for the state meet, and 12 of 14 eligible&nbsp;gymnasts&nbsp;qualified for the USAG Region 4 Xcel Regionals competition on April 25-27 in Madison, Wis. That ends the season, which started in November.But&nbsp;gymnastics&nbsp;is a year-round program for the Y, and it’s been going on for at least 40 years, according to current Xcel coach Alaina Mathews.It even outgrew the Y facility 11 years ago; the YMCA&nbsp;Gymnastics&nbsp;and Cheer Center is at 2830 Mount Pleasant Street. It’s Door No. 8 in the series of warehouses.Mathews started the Xcel competition program in 2019 and became the head coach, with just four girls on the squad. The team has 31 ready to compete next year.A Lifelong PursuitMathews started&nbsp;gymnastics&nbsp;when she was six. She competed until she was 14, and three years later, she was working in the recreational portion of the program and giving private lessons. A year later, she was working with head coach Tasha Prickett.Prickett coached the Junior Olympic/Development team for the majority of the 30 years she was with the Y program.“I love the sport of&nbsp;gymnastics,” said Mathews, who also manages the facility.“Gymnastics&nbsp;can teach so many things: strength training, determination, dedication. It helps develop a great work ethic. It teaches them grit and, self-motivation and confidence.”There are multiple levels based on age and skill level. Nine were on the gold team, five on the silver team, and 10 on the bronze.The Y also has a pre-team of 22 girls.“Pre-team is an invited group of athletes from our other group of athletes that are looking for that next step to get them ready to compete,” Mathews said.“They show they have the work ethic and desire to go forward in&nbsp;gymnastics. They work on strength training, body shaping, and flexibility.”The youngest member of the pre-team is five, and an invitation is based on the child’s level of maturity and physical stamina.To participate in the competitive portion, a girl must be a Y member, but anyone can sign up for the recreational program or get private lessons.Next year’s roster is full, but there is space on the recreational side for those wanting to learn the sport and improve their skills.Matthews said they have boys in the recreational program, but there aren’t enough apparatuses for boys to try out for the Xcel team.“They can work on floor skills and strength skills,” Mathews said.One of the sites for a meet is in a club’s gym, but the other meets are in sports complexes or convention centers, with between 50 and 100 gymnasts&nbsp;competing.Mathews said that can be stressful for new competitors.“It’s really fun to be able to see them start their first (meet) and be absolutely terrified, and then by the end of their season, they’re comfortable in the competition setting,” Mathews said.&nbsp;“They’re less guarded. Their true ability steps out, and they start to shine out there.”So even though it is a competitive team looking to score high and win medals, Mathews said, “It’s more than just a sport for us. It teaches them so much about themselves. They learn to be confident and trust in themselves. They learn to push themselves outside their comfort zone and truly see what they are capable of.”The recreational sessions are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, some Thursdays, and Saturdays.To sign up for the program, email Mathews at&nbsp;alaina@burlingtony.org.<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/4/1745783498606.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/4/1745783517806.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/4/1745783556726.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

Local