A June 3 trial date has been set for Eric Christopher Rios, 46, of Burlington, who is accused of fatally shooting Anthony DeCarlo Campbell, a popular local DJ and musician. However, officials caution that the trial date may be subject to change during the pretrial process.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 12. Rios, who faces a first-degree murder charge, submitted a written plea of not guilty on Jan. 27.

Campbell, 44, was a well-known figure in the Burlington community. He performed under the stage name DJ Ant Bomb. In October 2024, he was nominated for an Iowa Music Award, and tributes have since highlighted his talent, generosity, and dedication to giving back. Notably, Campbell organized annual back-to-school giveaways for underprivileged children, earning him admiration from local organizations and residents.

The shooting incident occurred on Dec. 25, 2024, at approximately 7:35 p.m. Burlington police responded to a call at 1801 Madison Avenue, where they discovered Campbell lying by the back door of the residence with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following an investigation, Burlington police arrested Rios, and he was charged with first-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/1/1738113471404.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon StaffA June 3 trial date has been set for Eric Christopher Rios, 46, of Burlington, who is accused of fatally shooting Anthony DeCarlo Campbell, a popular local DJ and musician. However, officials caution that the trial date may be subject to change during the pretrial process.A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 12. Rios, who faces a first-degree murder charge, submitted a written plea of not guilty on Jan. 27.Campbell, 44, was a well-known figure in the Burlington community. He performed under the stage name DJ Ant Bomb. In October 2024, he was nominated for an Iowa Music Award, and tributes have since highlighted his talent, generosity, and dedication to giving back. Notably, Campbell organized annual back-to-school giveaways for underprivileged children, earning him admiration from local organizations and residents.The shooting incident occurred on Dec. 25, 2024, at approximately 7:35 p.m. Burlington police responded to a call at 1801 Madison Avenue, where they discovered Campbell lying by the back door of the residence with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Following an investigation, Burlington police arrested Rios, and he was charged with first-degree murder.

Trial Date Set in Shooting Death of Anthony Campbell

Matt Landon and Emma Reynolds know music.

So do most musicians. But the couple, who just moved to Burlington in August of last year, understand it at a high academic level. They have the graduate degrees to prove it.

Now, they’re sharing that knowledge with local children and adults who want to get better at their instruments and want to understand how. Right now, they’re teaching out of their home, but they would love to open their own music school someday.

They’re already tutoring and playing local gigs in downtown Burlington and other venues.

“We want to build our studio as quickly and robustly as possible. Once we have a stronger client base, we’ll have the financial footing to rent a space that’s not our home,” Reynolds said.

Landon grew up in Burlington. After graduating from Burlington High School, he moved to Kalamazoo, Mich.

“I went to school for music. Guitar, specifically,” he said. “Then I took three years off bumming around and doing gigs. I did some cruise ship work and went all over the world. Alaska, South America, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean.”

“In some ways, I had a very negative experience in music school. I was just kind of stifled, creatively,” he said.

He tutored as a side gig, but he got a whole lot more out of the experience than a few extra bucks. He found a new passion.

&nbsp;“I realized that I really like teaching,” he said.

He ended up teaching at Western Michigan University, where he got his undergraduate degree, for five years. He still teaches there remotely while performing with Reynolds locally.

“Honestly, I play everything except death metal. But, yeah, I’d say I’m mostly focused in jazz, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, folk, a little bit of country,&nbsp; blues, rock, hip-hop,” he said.

Reynolds grew up in Mount Shasta, Calif., in the northern part of the state. Iowa residents sometimes assume she’s a big-city girl who moved to the small town of Burlington. But Mount Shasta has a population of just over 3,300 people.

Though she’s new to Burlington, she’s already fallen for the grand old city. For Landon, it’s a long overdue homecoming.

“When we moved here, we both realized that our stress and anxiety were pretty high when we lived in Michigan. We just weren’t happy there,” Reynolds said.&nbsp;

“It seemed like all the time, we kind of had our shoulders hunched. Even our dog seemed more relaxed.”

Reynolds attended California State University, Long Beach, to study vocal performance, spent more time at a junior college, and worked gigs around Los Angeles and the Orange County area.

She went on to teach music at a few K-12 schools — private and public — and then got her master’s degree in music instruction. She wanted to teach at a community college.

“My dad was an English professor at a community college for the majority of my life. So I just understood the value that community colleges have and wanted to be a part of it,” she said.

Reynolds and Landon want to teach music to everyone willing to learn. They don’t want that instruction held behind walls of high-end academic degrees.

Music is music, and it’s for everyone. That’s how they envision their school – instruction for all.

“We’re at the grassroots level of it right now,” Reynolds said. “We’re still teaching out of our house. But we’re hoping in the next year or so to get a space and branch out.”

To find out more about tutoring options or for a schedule of upcoming performances by Matt and Emma, visit “Emma Reynolds Music” on Facebook.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/1/1737996030494.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithMatt Landon and Emma Reynolds know music.So do most musicians. But the couple, who just moved to Burlington in August of last year, understand it at a high academic level. They have the graduate degrees to prove it.Now, they’re sharing that knowledge with local children and adults who want to get better at their instruments and want to understand how. Right now, they’re teaching out of their home, but they would love to open their own music school someday.They’re already tutoring and playing local gigs in downtown Burlington and other venues.“We want to build our studio as quickly and robustly as possible. Once we have a stronger client base, we’ll have the financial footing to rent a space that’s not our home,” Reynolds said.Landon grew up in Burlington. After graduating from Burlington High School, he moved to Kalamazoo, Mich.“I went to school for music. Guitar, specifically,” he said. “Then I took three years off bumming around and doing gigs. I did some cruise ship work and went all over the world. Alaska, South America, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean.”Landon rediscovered his love for music.“In some ways, I had a very negative experience in music school. I was just kind of stifled, creatively,” he said.He tutored as a side gig, but he got a whole lot more out of the experience than a few extra bucks. He found a new passion.&nbsp;“I realized that I really like teaching,” he said.He ended up teaching at Western Michigan University, where he got his undergraduate degree, for five years. He still teaches there remotely while performing with Reynolds locally.“Honestly, I play everything except death metal. But, yeah, I’d say I’m mostly focused in jazz, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, folk, a little bit of country,&nbsp; blues, rock, hip-hop,” he said.Emma ReynoldsReynolds grew up in Mount Shasta, Calif., in the northern part of the state. Iowa residents sometimes assume she’s a big-city girl who moved to the small town of Burlington. But Mount Shasta has a population of just over 3,300 people.Though she’s new to Burlington, she’s already fallen for the grand old city. For Landon, it’s a long overdue homecoming.“When we moved here, we both realized that our stress and anxiety were pretty high when we lived in Michigan. We just weren’t happy there,” Reynolds said.&nbsp;“It seemed like all the time, we kind of had our shoulders hunched. Even our dog seemed more relaxed.”Reynolds attended California State University, Long Beach, to study vocal performance, spent more time at a junior college, and worked gigs around Los Angeles and the Orange County area.She went on to teach music at a few K-12 schools — private and public — and then got her master’s degree in music instruction. She wanted to teach at a community college.“My dad was an English professor at a community college for the majority of my life. So I just understood the value that community colleges have and wanted to be a part of it,” she said.Reynolds and Landon want to teach music to everyone willing to learn. They don’t want that instruction held behind walls of high-end academic degrees.Music is music, and it’s for everyone. That’s how they envision their school – instruction for all.“We’re at the grassroots level of it right now,” Reynolds said. “We’re still teaching out of our house. But we’re hoping in the next year or so to get a space and branch out.”To find out more about tutoring options or for a schedule of upcoming performances by Matt and Emma, visit “Emma Reynolds Music” on Facebook.<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/1/1737996060647.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

52 faces: In Harmony

A small indoor dog park and pup emporium opened with little fanfare or promotion last week but is already attracting a lot of attention.

Burlington resident Jennifer Arnold has been working on the opening for The P-A-R-K for dogs at 2807 Summer St. for the past year. The newly opened business features over 1,000 square feet of specialty-themed play areas designed for both small and large dogs.

A small store inside the building, dubbed the Pup Emporium, sells dog-related items sourced through small businesses.

It will be climate-controlled luxury for dogs and their owners all year round.

“It’s not a doggie daycare or boarding,” Arnold said. “You stay with your pet, and it’s a one-hour visit.”

A one-hour visit costs $10, and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are preferred; customers can buy a six-visit package for $50.

“So you’re basically getting one visit for free,” Arnold said.

Arnold came up with the idea after adopting a dog from the Des Moines County Humane Society animal shelter. She’s seen similar operations in bigger cities and is fully aware of how strong the pup-loving community is in Burlington.

“It’s a new concept for the area. It’s a themed space, so everything is decorated,” Arnold said.

It’s not just a big, open space, as some of her first customers originally envisioned. It’s a play space designed to entice a pooch’s playful side. The building used to consist of real estate offices, which made it easy to renovate and innovate.

“They can even go through the walls in some spots,” Arnold said.

Apart from running the dog park, Arnold works part-time and eased into the public space with a soft opening. Now that the word is getting out, she’s excited to see even more customers. She’s planning a future partnership with the Des Moines County Humane Society.

Arnold said those curious about seeing the dog park just have to stop out. There’s no charge for looking. The park is open Thursday through Sunday and will only allow six dogs at a time.

“We wanted to keep the number small to cut down on the chances of any fights (between the dogs) breaking out,” Arnold said.

Arnold said she has no interest in boarding dogs. But she enjoys meeting fellow dog owners and wants to provide another alternative for active canines.

“I love dogs. And people with dogs, they don’t just take them to one place. They take them to all the places. The outdoor park, the indoor park,” Arnold said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2025/1/1737480551562.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithA small indoor dog park and pup emporium opened with little fanfare or promotion last week but is already attracting a lot of attention.Burlington resident Jennifer Arnold has been working on the opening for The P-A-R-K for dogs at 2807 Summer St. for the past year. The newly opened business features over 1,000 square feet of specialty-themed play areas designed for both small and large dogs.A small store inside the building, dubbed the Pup Emporium, sells dog-related items sourced through small businesses.It will be climate-controlled luxury for dogs and their owners all year round.“It’s not a doggie daycare or boarding,” Arnold said. “You stay with your pet, and it’s a one-hour visit.”A one-hour visit costs $10, and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are preferred; customers can buy a six-visit package for $50.“So you’re basically getting one visit for free,” Arnold said.Arnold came up with the idea after adopting a dog from the Des Moines County Humane Society animal shelter. She’s seen similar operations in bigger cities and is fully aware of how strong the pup-loving community is in Burlington.“It’s a new concept for the area. It’s a themed space, so everything is decorated,” Arnold said.It’s not just a big, open space, as some of her first customers originally envisioned. It’s a play space designed to entice a pooch’s playful side. The building used to consist of real estate offices, which made it easy to renovate and innovate.“They can even go through the walls in some spots,” Arnold said.Apart from running the dog park, Arnold works part-time and eased into the public space with a soft opening. Now that the word is getting out, she’s excited to see even more customers. She’s planning a future partnership with the Des Moines County Humane Society.Arnold said those curious about seeing the dog park just have to stop out. There’s no charge for looking. The park is open Thursday through Sunday and will only allow six dogs at a time.“We wanted to keep the number small to cut down on the chances of any fights (between the dogs) breaking out,” Arnold said.Arnold said she has no interest in boarding dogs. But she enjoys meeting fellow dog owners and wants to provide another alternative for active canines.“I love dogs. And people with dogs, they don’t just take them to one place. They take them to all the places. The outdoor park, the indoor park,” Arnold said.

A pawsitively perfect place

There’s always plenty of drama in the world, so a few years ago, Denise Rice of Mediapolis got together a group of women forming the No Drama Gals before the COVID 19 pandemic.

“Some of us would quilt, some crocheted and knitted,” Rice said. “Some played cards.”

The reason for the name: “We just lay down the drama for the day,” Rice said. “Nobody’s allowed to be negative. Give it four hours. Please give it to yourself to be at rest for four hours.

“Most of the gals back then had kids at home.” So, she said, it was a four-hour getaway from their husbands and children.

They meet the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Steamboat Community Center, and there are about 25 women currently in the group.

They had been meeting in the city hall in Mediapolis but moved to their new location this past fall.&nbsp;

Rice said director Alice Pieper has been a good supporter of the No Drama Gals.

“We read in the paper they were going to lose the Center,” Rice said, so each month, the women each put $2 into a donation box.

Rice is a former Girl Scout leader, so she is the person in charge, but she is not the president. There are no officers, bylaws, or dues.

“It’s so comfortable,” Rice said, as it’s not like a formal meeting.

They bring food each month because “Nobody hardly does potlucks anymore,” Rice said.&nbsp;

“Everybody has their favorite dishes. Some of the ladies live alone, and it’s their only chance to be with other people.”

Rice said the women are from Mediapolis, Burlington, Winfield, and Morning Sun, and one woman comes from two hours away.

“When we started out, everybody was about the same age,” she said.&nbsp;

“Now we have a few ladies in their 80s that come. Some are in their 20s.”

Rice watches the younger women get involved in one activity, and then, “I’ll look over, and all the older women are playing dominoes.”

Sometimes, they have a program, such as making cinnamon rolls or a talk from a dietary allergies expert.

“All the food is geared to healthy foods,” Rice said.

Sometimes there’s a theme; December was Pajama Day.

The ladies wore pajamas, breakfast was served, and they sewed pajamas for foster children as part of Rice’s “Project Linus.”

Although it’s not formally a service club, they do reach out to those in need.

“This year, we have made Project Linus blankets, birthday boxes for City Hope, cancer capes for Iowa City,” Rice said. “We made walker pockets for two different nursing homes.”

By Chris&nbsp;FaulknerThere’s always plenty of drama in the world, so a few years ago, Denise Rice of Mediapolis got together a group of women forming the No Drama Gals before the COVID 19 pandemic.“Some of us would quilt, some crocheted and knitted,” Rice said. “Some played cards.”The reason for the name: “We just lay down the drama for the day,” Rice said. “Nobody’s allowed to be negative. Give it four hours. Please give it to yourself to be at rest for four hours.“Most of the gals back then had kids at home.” So, she said, it was a four-hour getaway from their husbands and children.They meet the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Steamboat Community Center, and there are about 25 women currently in the group.They had been meeting in the city hall in Mediapolis but moved to their new location this past fall.&nbsp;Rice said director Alice Pieper has been a good supporter of the No Drama Gals.“We read in the paper they were going to lose the Center,” Rice said, so each month, the women each put $2 into a donation box.Rice is a former Girl Scout leader, so she is the person in charge, but she is not the president. There are no officers, bylaws, or dues.“It’s so comfortable,” Rice said, as it’s not like a formal meeting.They bring food each month because “Nobody hardly does potlucks anymore,” Rice said.&nbsp;“Everybody has their favorite dishes. Some of the ladies live alone, and it’s their only chance to be with other people.”Rice said the women are from Mediapolis, Burlington, Winfield, and Morning Sun, and one woman comes from two hours away.“When we started out, everybody was about the same age,” she said.&nbsp;“Now we have a few ladies in their 80s that come. Some are in their 20s.”Rice watches the younger women get involved in one activity, and then, “I’ll look over, and all the older women are playing dominoes.”Sometimes, they have a program, such as making cinnamon rolls or a talk from a dietary allergies expert.“All the food is geared to healthy foods,” Rice said.Sometimes there’s a theme; December was Pajama Day.The ladies wore pajamas, breakfast was served, and they sewed pajamas for foster children as part of Rice’s “Project Linus.”Although it’s not formally a service club, they do reach out to those in need.“This year, we have made Project Linus blankets, birthday boxes for City Hope, cancer capes for Iowa City,” Rice said. “We made walker pockets for two different nursing homes.”

No drama, just connection

Matt Trexel has been the face of the Burlington Fire Department for more than a decade.

But the department has been the face of Matt Trexel’s life for far longer.

Trexel, 55, is officially retiring at the end of the year. A retirement celebration is set for Dec. 27.

He’s going to miss the place. More importantly, he’s going to miss the firefighters.

“I’ve hired over half the people who work here,” Trexel said. “They’re my friends. I love to go down to the kitchen and tell stories. We’ll talk about our families and our hobbies. My whole life has been the fire department. I have my blood family, but this is my other family.”

A Lone Tree native, Trexel moved to Burlington with his father when he was a junior in high school. His father moved to attend gun-smithing school at Southeastern Community College.

Though he didn’t grow up here, Trexel felt at home in Burlington and wanted to stay. He worked at Godfather’s Pizza during the summer and graduated from Burlington High School the following year.

Trexel went to school with his future wife, and they connected while working at Godfather’s Pizza. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps after high school in 1989.

“I decided to follow my dad’s footsteps since he was in the Marines,” Trexel said.

Trexel then started working as a correctional officer in Mount Pleasant. He had plans to become a police officer and work part-time as a security guard while taking criminal justice classes at SCC. He ended up working at the Burlington Fire Department.

Trexel did his best to choke back tears during his retirement speech Monday at the Burlington City Council meeting.

“I’ve loved this job. I found meaning in it,” he said.

It took Trexel four years to get hired. The employment scene was quite different in the 90s. Unlike now, police and fire agencies had far more applicants than they could use.

“I had no firefighting or EMS experience, and there were a ton of people. I don’t remember exactly how many, but there were a lot of people that applied, and that’s kind of why I think it took so long,” Trexel said.

Life in the fire department is quite a bit different now than it was then. The 24-hour shifts are still mandatory, but the firefighters’ sleep time is much looser now.

“Back then, it was very regimented. You went in at 5 o’clock and you made your bed in the dorm room. Then, at 9 o’clock, you could go to bed,” Trexel said.

Things are busier for the fire department now – partially because of Iowa’s aging population. Catching shut-eye is more a matter of convenience than ceremony now.&nbsp;

The fire department also serves more areas than it used to, such as Henderson County.

“If it’s 2 in the afternoon and we have a slow period, you can go in there and take a nap. You were way more likely to get some sleep back then,” Trexel said.

Trexel is closing down a 27-year career at the department and spent the first eight years as a general firefighter/paramedic. From there, he was promoted to captain and then battalion chief.

“I did a lot of training the first eight years, going to EMT school, going to paramedic school. Getting all the firefighter training,” he said.

Becoming captain put Trexel in a training role, and captains get to go out on most of the fire calls. As fire chief, Trexel makes his way to nearly every fire call he can.

He likes to joke that of all the big fires he fought, he missed the biggest one — the night First United Methodist Church burned to the ground.

“That was the one fire I was out of town for,” he said. “I was in an officer class in Des Moines.”

Other standout fires include the Horace Mann Middle School Fire, the Tama Building fire, and a lumberyard fire.

“I remember pulling up there (the lumberyard), and it was a huge inferno. It melted some of the gauges on our trucks. It was my first time where it was an all-nighter, you know, we’re out there all night. We’re back the next day, you know, mopping up things,” Trexel said. “You just don’t forget those kind of calls.”

Trexel became fire chief in December of 2012 while juggling a personal life that consists of a happy marriage with four children – including an adopted daughter from Ethiopia. He even has a grandson now.

“My kids are all grown adults now,” Trexel said.

Trexel also wants to spend more time with his grandson before he becomes full-grown. Being a fire chief is a 24/7 position. Downtime is precious and often unavailable.

Despite that, Trexel was able to accomplish the most significant task of the year before retiring – pushing through a bond referendum for a third fire station. The voting public overwhelmingly agreed with the need for a new station, though Trexel will no longer be with the fire department by the time it’s built.

He’s okay with that. He’s lived one life for the fire department. Now, he’s going to live another life for his family. And he may just fit some hunting in there.

“I am more a watcher than a hunter these days,” he said with a laugh. “I just like to sit in the stand.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2024/12/1735253275331.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithMatt Trexel has been the face of the Burlington Fire Department for more than a decade.But the department has been the face of Matt Trexel’s life for far longer.Trexel, 55, is officially retiring at the end of the year. A retirement celebration is set for Dec. 27.He’s going to miss the place. More importantly, he’s going to miss the firefighters.“I’ve hired over half the people who work here,” Trexel said. “They’re my friends. I love to go down to the kitchen and tell stories. We’ll talk about our families and our hobbies. My whole life has been the fire department. I have my blood family, but this is my other family.”A Lone Tree native, Trexel moved to Burlington with his father when he was a junior in high school. His father moved to attend gun-smithing school at Southeastern Community College.Though he didn’t grow up here, Trexel felt at home in Burlington and wanted to stay. He worked at Godfather’s Pizza during the summer and graduated from Burlington High School the following year.Trexel went to school with his future wife, and they connected while working at Godfather’s Pizza. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps after high school in 1989.“I decided to follow my dad’s footsteps since he was in the Marines,” Trexel said.Trexel then started working as a correctional officer in Mount Pleasant. He had plans to become a police officer and work part-time as a security guard while taking criminal justice classes at SCC. He ended up working at the Burlington Fire Department.Trexel did his best to choke back tears during his retirement speech Monday at the Burlington City Council meeting.“I’ve loved this job. I found meaning in it,” he said.It took Trexel four years to get hired. The employment scene was quite different in the 90s. Unlike now, police and fire agencies had far more applicants than they could use.“I had no firefighting or EMS experience, and there were a ton of people. I don’t remember exactly how many, but there were a lot of people that applied, and that’s kind of why I think it took so long,” Trexel said.Life in the fire department is quite a bit different now than it was then. The 24-hour shifts are still mandatory, but the firefighters’ sleep time is much looser now.“Back then, it was very regimented. You went in at 5 o’clock and you made your bed in the dorm room. Then, at 9 o’clock, you could go to bed,” Trexel said.Things are busier for the fire department now – partially because of Iowa’s aging population. Catching shut-eye is more a matter of convenience than ceremony now.&nbsp;The fire department also serves more areas than it used to, such as Henderson County.“If it’s 2 in the afternoon and we have a slow period, you can go in there and take a nap. You were way more likely to get some sleep back then,” Trexel said.Trexel is closing down a 27-year career at the department and spent the first eight years as a general firefighter/paramedic. From there, he was promoted to captain and then battalion chief.“I did a lot of training the first eight years, going to EMT school, going to paramedic school. Getting all the firefighter training,” he said.Becoming captain put Trexel in a training role, and captains get to go out on most of the fire calls. As fire chief, Trexel makes his way to nearly every fire call he can.He likes to joke that of all the big fires he fought, he missed the biggest one — the night First United Methodist Church burned to the ground.“That was the one fire I was out of town for,” he said. “I was in an officer class in Des Moines.”Other standout fires include the Horace Mann Middle School Fire, the Tama Building fire, and a lumberyard fire.“I remember pulling up there (the lumberyard), and it was a huge inferno. It melted some of the gauges on our trucks. It was my first time where it was an all-nighter, you know, we’re out there all night. We’re back the next day, you know, mopping up things,” Trexel said. “You just don’t forget those kind of calls.”Trexel became fire chief in December of 2012 while juggling a personal life that consists of a happy marriage with four children – including an adopted daughter from Ethiopia. He even has a grandson now.“My kids are all grown adults now,” Trexel said.Trexel also wants to spend more time with his grandson before he becomes full-grown. Being a fire chief is a 24/7 position. Downtime is precious and often unavailable.Despite that, Trexel was able to accomplish the most significant task of the year before retiring – pushing through a bond referendum for a third fire station. The voting public overwhelmingly agreed with the need for a new station, though Trexel will no longer be with the fire department by the time it’s built.He’s okay with that. He’s lived one life for the fire department. Now, he’s going to live another life for his family. And he may just fit some hunting in there.“I am more a watcher than a hunter these days,” he said with a laugh. “I just like to sit in the stand.”

52 Faces: A life of service 

Innovaire Primary Health opened its doors in downtown Burlington seven weeks ago — the only private primary care practice not associated with Great River Health.

Since then, DNP (doctor nurse practitioner) Angela Hedges has welcomed dozens of new patients into the clinic.

She has only one rule for first-time appointments.

&nbsp;“That first appointment’s an hour. I’m the one that checks you in. You won’t even see my nurses. I think it’s important to get the upfront work on top of just knowing their background,” she said.

Hedges has been a nurse — and more recently a DNP— for over 20 years and quickly learned the golden rule when treating patients.

The better you know them, the more accurate and helpful the treatment can be. Hedges learned that from one of her mentors — Dr. JoEllen Hoth, who practiced medicine in Burlington for over 50 years. She ended her career in the same building Hedges now occupies.

In 1978, Dr. Hoth and urologists Roderick Kellogg, MD, and Herbert Tjaden, MD, partnered to buy the former Christian Science church at 515 N. Third St.

Dr. Hoth’s clinic occupied the first floor, and Hedges became a massive fan of her incredibly detailed patient reports. She loved reading them as a nurse and strives to bring that same attention to detail to her office.

“She knew everything about every patient that she has ever had,” Hedges said. “She knew their aunts, their cousins, their sisters,” she said. “So I feel very blessed to be in the same space as her.”

Hedges isn’t afraid of hard work or setbacks. She was a nurse at Great River Health for years and spent some time as a traveling nurse during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Hedges worked at a limited hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a month during her travel nurse stint. She will never forget the refrigerated trucks full of dead bodies that were waiting for a place to take them.

“Times Square was just empty. All the ER nurses at the hospital were out with COVID,” she said, noting she didn’t catch COVID until she returned to Iowa.

Setting up a private practice – from remodeling the interior of the building to setting up a payment system — is likely the most challenging thing Hedges has done. She purchased the building three years ago and has been setting up the practice for the past three years.

She said it wouldn’t have been possible without her office manager, Misty Harris. Misty has a head for the financial side of the practice, from insurance to billing.

“I always say she is the reason I opened as soon as I did,” Hedges said.

Innovaire Primary Health opened just as Great River Health announced that it was changing its billing system, which led to higher costs for some patients. Harris said that has positively impacted her business, but so far, most of her patients have signed up for reasons outside of finances.

“I have had some patients that came in because they want to know exactly what they’re paying up front. But I have a lot that just wanted to come because they wanted something a little different. A different look to health care. I think that’s been the majority of the patients I’ve gotten,” she said.

That different look Hedges mentioned revolves around improving a patient’s overall wellness so they won’t have to visit the doctor as often.

“The goal is to get them well. That’s the goal here, is to not have them sick all the time,” Hedges said.

Hedges offers more open options for treatment and prevention, combining Eastern and Western medicine. Her expertise is in Western medicine, which gives her the adaptability to cater to care for a wide range of patients.

In Hedges’ opinion, poor eating habits are the most significant detriment to patient health. But she said those can be hard to break in the Midwest, where options for healthy food are more limited than in heavily populated areas.

She said many food problems — from obesity to food allergies — could be solved if fewer additives were incorporated into American food.

“I’m thinking outside the box a little bit. A lot of times, that’s just sitting down and listening to patients and really hearing them,” Hedges said.

Hedges was born and raised in West Burlington and graduated from West Burlington High School. She was drawn to nursing at a young age and interned at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center before becoming a nurse.

“I took a management job on the floor and then ended up moving to critical care,&nbsp; which is kind of my background, and was managing the critical care unit,” she said.

Hedges thought about becoming a DNP early in her career but wasn’t quite ready yet. However, she returned to school while working as a nurse and went into a doctorate program.

“I knew three years of my life had to be dedicated full-time to it,” she said. “I had clinicals everywhere. I did a few out at the hospital here but was up in Marion, too. I came and went from the hospital off and on for 20 years. It was my home.”

Despite her long working hours, Hedges did find time to start a family. She married a farmer north of Mediapolis, and they had three children. They now range in age from 25 to 16.

Right now, Hedges’s only competition comes from Great River Health and the practices associated with the organization. She wants as many patients as possible but pointed out that healthcare is a very personal decision.

It might not suit her bottom line, but Hedges wants people to visit a doctor they feel comfortable with — wherever that might be. She would also like more private practices like hers to spring up to give locals more options.

“It’s great for health care and for people in general,” she said.

Being a small, private practice, Innovaire does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. The reimbursement rates for the practice are simply too low and untenable for a small business.

She said those covered under the Affordable Care Act or other insurance companies should be fine. Misty is always at the front of the clinic to answer any financial questions.

Right now, Hedges is the only doctor at the clinic. However, that will change when a male doctor joins the clinic to focus on men’s health next year. Hedges focuses on women’s health but notes that neither doctor is restricted to treating a specific gender.

Down the line, Hedges would like to expand services by adding a mental health clinician.

Those are big plans, but Hedges has already proven she can handle big projects. The hard part is done.

“This is a wellness place, too, and we have a lot of fun things coming,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2024/12/1734319918647.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithInnovaire Primary Health opened its doors in downtown Burlington seven weeks ago — the only private primary care practice not associated with Great River Health.Since then, DNP (doctor nurse practitioner) Angela Hedges has welcomed dozens of new patients into the clinic.She has only one rule for first-time appointments.&nbsp;“That first appointment’s an hour. I’m the one that checks you in. You won’t even see my nurses. I think it’s important to get the upfront work on top of just knowing their background,” she said.Hedges has been a nurse — and more recently a DNP— for over 20 years and quickly learned the golden rule when treating patients.The better you know them, the more accurate and helpful the treatment can be. Hedges learned that from one of her mentors — Dr. JoEllen Hoth, who practiced medicine in Burlington for over 50 years. She ended her career in the same building Hedges now occupies.In 1978, Dr. Hoth and urologists Roderick Kellogg, MD, and Herbert Tjaden, MD, partnered to buy the former Christian Science church at 515 N. Third St.Dr. Hoth’s clinic occupied the first floor, and Hedges became a massive fan of her incredibly detailed patient reports. She loved reading them as a nurse and strives to bring that same attention to detail to her office.“She knew everything about every patient that she has ever had,” Hedges said. “She knew their aunts, their cousins, their sisters,” she said. “So I feel very blessed to be in the same space as her.”Private PracticeHedges isn’t afraid of hard work or setbacks. She was a nurse at Great River Health for years and spent some time as a traveling nurse during the COVID-19 epidemic.Hedges worked at a limited hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a month during her travel nurse stint. She will never forget the refrigerated trucks full of dead bodies that were waiting for a place to take them.“Times Square was just empty. All the ER nurses at the hospital were out with COVID,” she said, noting she didn’t catch COVID until she returned to Iowa.Setting up a private practice – from remodeling the interior of the building to setting up a payment system — is likely the most challenging thing Hedges has done. She purchased the building three years ago and has been setting up the practice for the past three years.She said it wouldn’t have been possible without her office manager, Misty Harris. Misty has a head for the financial side of the practice, from insurance to billing.“I always say she is the reason I opened as soon as I did,” Hedges said.Innovaire Primary Health opened just as Great River Health announced that it was changing its billing system, which led to higher costs for some patients. Harris said that has positively impacted her business, but so far, most of her patients have signed up for reasons outside of finances.“I have had some patients that came in because they want to know exactly what they’re paying up front. But I have a lot that just wanted to come because they wanted something a little different. A different look to health care. I think that’s been the majority of the patients I’ve gotten,” she said.A Focus on WellnessThat different look Hedges mentioned revolves around improving a patient’s overall wellness so they won’t have to visit the doctor as often.“The goal is to get them well. That’s the goal here, is to not have them sick all the time,” Hedges said.Hedges offers more open options for treatment and prevention, combining Eastern and Western medicine. Her expertise is in Western medicine, which gives her the adaptability to cater to care for a wide range of patients.In Hedges’ opinion, poor eating habits are the most significant detriment to patient health. But she said those can be hard to break in the Midwest, where options for healthy food are more limited than in heavily populated areas.She said many food problems — from obesity to food allergies — could be solved if fewer additives were incorporated into American food.“I’m thinking outside the box a little bit. A lot of times, that’s just sitting down and listening to patients and really hearing them,” Hedges said.A Homegrown DoctorHedges was born and raised in West Burlington and graduated from West Burlington High School. She was drawn to nursing at a young age and interned at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center before becoming a nurse.“I took a management job on the floor and then ended up moving to critical care,&nbsp; which is kind of my background, and was managing the critical care unit,” she said.Hedges thought about becoming a DNP early in her career but wasn’t quite ready yet. However, she returned to school while working as a nurse and went into a doctorate program.“I knew three years of my life had to be dedicated full-time to it,” she said. “I had clinicals everywhere. I did a few out at the hospital here but was up in Marion, too. I came and went from the hospital off and on for 20 years. It was my home.”Despite her long working hours, Hedges did find time to start a family. She married a farmer north of Mediapolis, and they had three children. They now range in age from 25 to 16.CompetitionRight now, Hedges’s only competition comes from Great River Health and the practices associated with the organization. She wants as many patients as possible but pointed out that healthcare is a very personal decision.It might not suit her bottom line, but Hedges wants people to visit a doctor they feel comfortable with — wherever that might be. She would also like more private practices like hers to spring up to give locals more options.“It’s great for health care and for people in general,” she said.Being a small, private practice, Innovaire does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. The reimbursement rates for the practice are simply too low and untenable for a small business.She said those covered under the Affordable Care Act or other insurance companies should be fine. Misty is always at the front of the clinic to answer any financial questions.Right now, Hedges is the only doctor at the clinic. However, that will change when a male doctor joins the clinic to focus on men’s health next year. Hedges focuses on women’s health but notes that neither doctor is restricted to treating a specific gender.Down the line, Hedges would like to expand services by adding a mental health clinician.Those are big plans, but Hedges has already proven she can handle big projects. The hard part is done.Now, the healing begins.“This is a wellness place, too, and we have a lot of fun things coming,” she said.

52 Faces: A fresh approach

Wherever he looks inside Mundt Piano and Organ, Bill Mundt Jr. sees his late father — Bill Mundt Sr.

He remembers the numerous hours he spent working alongside his father, traveling as far as Keosauqua to tune pianos alongside him.

Bill Jr. didn’t go to school to learn the art of tuning. He was already busy attending junior high. He learned on the job.

&nbsp;“My dad started waking me up at 14 on Saturdays and said, ‘You’re coming to work,’ ” he said.

The history of Mundt Piano and Organ stretches back to Bill’s great-grandfather, who came to the U.S. from Germany to tune pianos. That soon became a business.

“He started the piano service. For years, it was just a service business. And then my grandpa opened the retail when he was 61,” Bill said.

Bill was born in Burlington in 1954 and was not thrilled about going into the family business when he was a teenager.

“I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player. But I realized if you don’t make the local high school team, you’re probably not going to make a Major League team,” he said.

But then something strange happened as Bill worked on pianos. He started to like it. That led to piano lessons –&nbsp; though Bill would never consider himself a musician — more of a hobbyist.

“I played the piano a little bit; when the organ business was good, I liked that. I played quite a bit so I could demonstrate the pianos,” Bill said.

The store itself hopped around Burlington for decades, moving to a new location every few years. It finally settled at its current location on Jefferson Street.

Bill still remembers specific conversations with his father in the break room. He treasures the years he spent working side-by-side with Bill Sr. When Bill got older and bought his own house, his father spent every free moment helping him renovate it.

“In all those years, I think we only got into an argument a few times. Whatever it was, it was forgotten the next day,” Bill said.

Those days didn’t last forever. Bill took over after his father passed, working six days a week tuning pianos and running the store. The 1980s was a strong era for music sales of any kind, and Mundt sold everything you needed to make music. Clarinets, pianos, organs, guitars. He still does.

However, the piano market has shrunk considerably over the past few decades, and the organ market is nonexistent. Mundt said he was able to survive the downturn through diversifying. His biggest moneymaker comes through instrument rentals for local students.

There are at least a couple of hundred Mundt instruments in students’ hands right now. The instruments are tuned and serviced every time they return to the store, giving Mundt’s an advantage over retail stores with no service plan.

“We take care of all routine maintenance unless, your kid hit his sister over the head with the trombone,” Mundt said with a laugh. “We don’t cover that.”

Despite working nearly every day, Bill’s personal life was just as full as his business. He got married, got divorced, and got custody of his three children. Raising three children at the ages of eight, five, and four wasn’t easy, and Bill remarried a woman with three kids of her own.

“People used to call us The Brady Bunch,” he said, laughing again.

That marriage later ended, but Bill only had kind words about both his ex-wives.

“I don’t regret any of it,” he said.

Bill’s heart was scarred more profoundly by the loss of his son, who died of cancer. Just like his father, Bill worked alongside his son every day.

“It was a tumor up here,” Bill said, pointing to his head. “They couldn’t operate on it. It wasn’t even a tumor. It (the cancer) was just all spread out.”

These days, Bill is semi-retired and is having the time of his life. He joined some local pool leagues after his kids grew up and moved out. He also installed a gym on the bottom floor of the shop, which he treats like a second home.

“I can’t just sit around at the house and do nothing,” he said. “I’m still having fun.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2024/12/1733799463225.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithWherever he looks inside Mundt Piano and Organ, Bill Mundt Jr. sees his late father — Bill Mundt Sr.He remembers the numerous hours he spent working alongside his father, traveling as far as Keosauqua to tune pianos alongside him.Bill Jr. didn’t go to school to learn the art of tuning. He was already busy attending junior high. He learned on the job.&nbsp;“My dad started waking me up at 14 on Saturdays and said, ‘You’re coming to work,’ ” he said.The history of Mundt Piano and Organ stretches back to Bill’s great-grandfather, who came to the U.S. from Germany to tune pianos. That soon became a business.“He started the piano service. For years, it was just a service business. And then my grandpa opened the retail when he was 61,” Bill said.Bill was born in Burlington in 1954 and was not thrilled about going into the family business when he was a teenager.“I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player. But I realized if you don’t make the local high school team, you’re probably not going to make a Major League team,” he said.But then something strange happened as Bill worked on pianos. He started to like it. That led to piano lessons –&nbsp; though Bill would never consider himself a musician — more of a hobbyist.“I played the piano a little bit; when the organ business was good, I liked that. I played quite a bit so I could demonstrate the pianos,” Bill said.The store itself hopped around Burlington for decades, moving to a new location every few years. It finally settled at its current location on Jefferson Street.Bill still remembers specific conversations with his father in the break room. He treasures the years he spent working side-by-side with Bill Sr. When Bill got older and bought his own house, his father spent every free moment helping him renovate it.“In all those years, I think we only got into an argument a few times. Whatever it was, it was forgotten the next day,” Bill said.Those days didn’t last forever. Bill took over after his father passed, working six days a week tuning pianos and running the store. The 1980s was a strong era for music sales of any kind, and Mundt sold everything you needed to make music. Clarinets, pianos, organs, guitars. He still does.However, the piano market has shrunk considerably over the past few decades, and the organ market is nonexistent. Mundt said he was able to survive the downturn through diversifying. His biggest moneymaker comes through instrument rentals for local students.There are at least a couple of hundred Mundt instruments in students’ hands right now. The instruments are tuned and serviced every time they return to the store, giving Mundt’s an advantage over retail stores with no service plan.“We take care of all routine maintenance unless, your kid hit his sister over the head with the trombone,” Mundt said with a laugh. “We don’t cover that.”Despite working nearly every day, Bill’s personal life was just as full as his business. He got married, got divorced, and got custody of his three children. Raising three children at the ages of eight, five, and four wasn’t easy, and Bill remarried a woman with three kids of her own.“People used to call us The Brady Bunch,” he said, laughing again.That marriage later ended, but Bill only had kind words about both his ex-wives.“I don’t regret any of it,” he said.Bill’s heart was scarred more profoundly by the loss of his son, who died of cancer. Just like his father, Bill worked alongside his son every day.“It was a tumor up here,” Bill said, pointing to his head. “They couldn’t operate on it. It wasn’t even a tumor. It (the cancer) was just all spread out.”These days, Bill is semi-retired and is having the time of his life. He joined some local pool leagues after his kids grew up and moved out. He also installed a gym on the bottom floor of the shop, which he treats like a second home.“I can’t just sit around at the house and do nothing,” he said. “I’m still having fun.”

52 Faces: A legacy  in tune

Lawrence DuCharme was surrounded by hundreds of potatoes Tuesday morning inside the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry — and he couldn’t have been happier.

Each potato will find its way to the hands of a local person in need. But that’s just a side dish. For over a century, the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry has provided every kind of food a family could need.

DuCharme, who heads up the pantry, started volunteering for the organization about a year ago. He had retired from a long career at CNH (Case New Holland) and was looking for a way to give back.

He never imagined that a local organization like St. Vincent DePaul would have such an intricate network of volunteers. He was stunned – and impressed.

“I became very interested when I realized just how big of an operation it was and how many families it served. We’re serving people who maybe don’t have a good source of food. I felt like it was doing some good for the community,” he said.

The pantry, one of about a dozen in Burlington and the largest, exists entirely through a network of 70 volunteers. The pantry is open 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to local families who meet income requirements.

“We use the same income requirements the Food Bank of Iowa uses,” DuCharme said.

About 70 percent of the food in the pantry is purchased at cost through the Food Bank of Iowa, which supplies hundreds of other pantries across the state. The rest comes from donations or direct purchases by the pantry to fill any food gaps. Clients are allowed to get food once a month.

DuCharme puts in about 20 hours a week, and some of the other volunteers put in as much as 10 to 20 hours a week. That’s not counting all the special helpers, like the Boy Scouts.

The pantry used to operate out of the church basement but was moved upstairs to a parish building after the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for local families grows monthly and has become even more significant since the pandemic.

“Last year, we served over 7,700 families. That’s over 600 a month. Last year, we saw a continued growth of need, and this year, we’ve seen the same thing,” DuCharme said. “It looks like we’re going to have another record year.”

DuCharme moved to Burlington six years ago with his wife and three children. He was born and grew up in Wisconsin, and he worked for CNH there before taking a job at the Burlington plant in 2016.

DuCharme has the pantry running like a finely tuned automobile. A network of 70 volunteers ensures that the pantry never goes unattended. During shopping hours, about a dozen volunteers work to fill carts from tables stacked with food items. Taller stacks of food boxes sit behind the tables, allowing volunteers to re-stock the tables as they go.

“We have nine different bread teams. Their job is to every day go to the two Hy-Vee stores, pick up whatever day-old bread they’re donating. I’ve got a team of folks that come in just to help with food bank delivery. We get that twice a month, so I’ve got a team for that. I’ve got a couple of teams that pick up Walmart a couple times a week. I’ve got five different teams, one for each day of the week, for distribution. Then I’ve got a few extra individuals that help me with ordering and stocking and those types of things,” DuCharme said.

A walk-in freezer makes it possible to meet the protein demands of clients, and all clients get extra food in December — a benefit that replaces the Christmas food baskets the organization used to put together.

The joy of giving to others practically makes DuCharme giddy – but he isn’t the only one. Frank Paolo has also volunteered at the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry for over 20 years. He still hasn’t grown tired of it.

“I got into it because one of my buddies was working here,” he said.&nbsp;

“It actually makes you feel good because you’re getting to be a part of the community. And when you get as old as I am, you’ve got to find things to do.”

Though he’s been at the pantry much longer, Paolo has seen the same increase in need as DuCharme. He’s just seen it growing since he arrived two decades ago.

“Instead of getting better, it’s getting worse,” he said.

Paolo is surprised to see people he knows using the food pantry. People he thought would never have to. He hasn’t had to use the pantry himself and thanks God for his good fortune.

DuCharme has made a few tweaks to the organization in his year as president and has enjoyed welcoming new volunteers into the food pantry.

He hopes to welcome many more. Feeding the hungry is a job that never ends — it just gets passed on. DuCharme is delighted he picked up the baton.

“It’s been very fulfilling,” he said.

The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry on Division Street is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/burlington-beacon-media-bucket/public/2024/11/1732488955601.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithLawrence DuCharme was surrounded by hundreds of potatoes Tuesday morning inside the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry — and he couldn’t have been happier.Each potato will find its way to the hands of a local person in need. But that’s just a side dish. For over a century, the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry has provided every kind of food a family could need.DuCharme, who heads up the pantry, started volunteering for the organization about a year ago. He had retired from a long career at CNH (Case New Holland) and was looking for a way to give back.He never imagined that a local organization like St. Vincent DePaul would have such an intricate network of volunteers. He was stunned – and impressed.“I became very interested when I realized just how big of an operation it was and how many families it served. We’re serving people who maybe don’t have a good source of food. I felt like it was doing some good for the community,” he said.The pantry, one of about a dozen in Burlington and the largest, exists entirely through a network of 70 volunteers. The pantry is open 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to local families who meet income requirements.“We use the same income requirements the Food Bank of Iowa uses,” DuCharme said.About 70 percent of the food in the pantry is purchased at cost through the Food Bank of Iowa, which supplies hundreds of other pantries across the state. The rest comes from donations or direct purchases by the pantry to fill any food gaps. Clients are allowed to get food once a month.DuCharme puts in about 20 hours a week, and some of the other volunteers put in as much as 10 to 20 hours a week. That’s not counting all the special helpers, like the Boy Scouts.The pantry used to operate out of the church basement but was moved upstairs to a parish building after the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for local families grows monthly and has become even more significant since the pandemic.“Last year, we served over 7,700 families. That’s over 600 a month. Last year, we saw a continued growth of need, and this year, we’ve seen the same thing,” DuCharme said. “It looks like we’re going to have another record year.”DuCharme moved to Burlington six years ago with his wife and three children. He was born and grew up in Wisconsin, and he worked for CNH there before taking a job at the Burlington plant in 2016.DuCharme has the pantry running like a finely tuned automobile. A network of 70 volunteers ensures that the pantry never goes unattended. During shopping hours, about a dozen volunteers work to fill carts from tables stacked with food items. Taller stacks of food boxes sit behind the tables, allowing volunteers to re-stock the tables as they go.“We have nine different bread teams. Their job is to every day go to the two Hy-Vee stores, pick up whatever day-old bread they’re donating. I’ve got a team of folks that come in just to help with food bank delivery. We get that twice a month, so I’ve got a team for that. I’ve got a couple of teams that pick up Walmart a couple times a week. I’ve got five different teams, one for each day of the week, for distribution. Then I’ve got a few extra individuals that help me with ordering and stocking and those types of things,” DuCharme said.A walk-in freezer makes it possible to meet the protein demands of clients, and all clients get extra food in December — a benefit that replaces the Christmas food baskets the organization used to put together.The joy of giving to others practically makes DuCharme giddy – but he isn’t the only one. Frank Paolo has also volunteered at the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry for over 20 years. He still hasn’t grown tired of it.“I got into it because one of my buddies was working here,” he said.&nbsp;“It actually makes you feel good because you’re getting to be a part of the community. And when you get as old as I am, you’ve got to find things to do.”Though he’s been at the pantry much longer, Paolo has seen the same increase in need as DuCharme. He’s just seen it growing since he arrived two decades ago.“Instead of getting better, it’s getting worse,” he said.Paolo is surprised to see people he knows using the food pantry. People he thought would never have to. He hasn’t had to use the pantry himself and thanks God for his good fortune.“It just blows my mind,” he said.DuCharme has made a few tweaks to the organization in his year as president and has enjoyed welcoming new volunteers into the food pantry.He hopes to welcome many more. Feeding the hungry is a job that never ends — it just gets passed on. DuCharme is delighted he picked up the baton.“It’s been very fulfilling,” he said.The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry on Division Street is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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