The beginning of Natural Inspirations on Jefferson Street can be traced back to a single geode.

Owners Dave and Karmen Smith keep that geode on prominent display — not just for its history, but for its beauty. Dave and Karmen are a couple of rock hounds and understand the aesthetics they deal with.

The beauty of a geode before it’s cracked is the mystery of what’s inside. That goes double for the geodes found in Southeast Iowa, which have more unique crystal and mineral combinations than anywhere in the world.

These (geodes) are 350 million years old,&nbsp; so we always open one up and say, ‘You’re the first one to ever see inside,’” Dave Smith said.

From geodes to healing stones, Natural Inspirations covers the gamut of rock gifts. But the geode that started it all, discovered by Dave’s grandfather, is not for sale.

“He actually got the park to be Geode Park, and named it for his favorite thing in the area — geodes. In 1967, he got the geode to be the state rock,” Smith said.

Smith’s grandfather, E.N. Smith, formed a group in 1937 that raised money and purchased land to create Lake Geode, prompting the dedication of the surrounding area as state parkland in 1951.

“We have just such a long history with the geodes, it’s just spurred everything else that you see today,” Smith said.

Dave started traveling with his grandfather and parents to rock trade shows and became quite close to his grandfather. He was as smart as a college professor, Dave said, maybe smarter.

“He was quite a guy. He just had a real love for it. He passed that on to my dad, of course,” Dave said.

Natural Inspirations spans three generations, starting with E.N. Smith.&nbsp;

“He started during the Great Depression. Things were tough, but he discovered geodes around here. There was a way for him to make some money when other people weren’t,” Dave Smith said. “It started out as Geode Industries, and we had the manufacturing division for tumblers. And we were American Gem Supply as well.”

The shop was in New London for decades and moved to downtown Burlington at the turn of the century. For a while, the Smith family ran an insurance business while creating Geode Industries. The company manufactured a rock tumbler invented by Dave’s father in the late 1960s.

“In the early 70s, I worked with him on developing an electronic version, in the mid-70s, we sold that all over the world. He had 11 patents on it, had dealers in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and just really all over the place. So it blossomed,” Smith said.

Dave and Karmen got married in 1983, and it would be easy to assume she developed a passion for rocks because of him. But unbeknownst to Dave, Karmen used to shop at the rock stands his parents at Midwest Old Threshers every year. Later on, Dave’s father – Earl — would put Karmen through college courses related to rocks.

“I lived next to Old Threshers when I was a kid, and I used to go over there and buy tons of rocks,” Karmen said.

After getting married in 1983, Carmen took over the jewelry business and retail end of the shop. When the new highway bypassed New London, they moved the shop to Burlington for more visibility. Dave is a full-service jeweler, as well.&nbsp;

The manufacturing end of the business is no longer a part of Natural Inspirations, though.

“We sold the manufacturing business to some friends in California. So they own the patents and everything on the tumblers now,” Dave Smith said.

The shop is going strong. Anytime Dave and Karmen decide to take a vacation, they simply have to sell a few rocks from a vendor stand when they arrive. It usually pays for the travel.

“When we go, we’ll stop at places on the way and do some hunting in different locations. We’ll talk with local rock shops and just try to keep fresh with the industry,” Dave said.

Dave continues to look over Lake Geode in his grandfather and father’s stead. In 2016, Dave Smith headed up a new Lake Geode friends group that works on creating community involvement and helping re-energize the park.

That includes a concession stand, which Smith has been raising money for with special events at Geode for several years.

“We actually have a work weekend this weekend to do some construction on the inside of the concession stand,” Smith said. “Once we get that done, we’re going to move on to getting electrical put in it, which will be a big step for us.&nbsp; And then we can do interior finishing,” he said.&nbsp;

Smith is hoping to have the concession stand open by next summer. Next to geodes, his shop, and his family, it’s the thing Dave cares most about.

“It’s just been an interesting life and way to grow up, and I am very grateful,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1722739912223.jpeg" alt="David and Karmen Smith, owners of Natural Inspirations, in their downtown Burlington store at 213 Jefferson St. The family business is celebrating 90 years of business later this year. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>David and Karmen Smith, owners of Natural Inspirations, in their downtown Burlington store at 213 Jefferson St. The family business is celebrating 90 years of business later this year. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithThe beginning of Natural Inspirations on Jefferson Street can be traced back to a single geode.Owners Dave and Karmen Smith keep that geode on prominent display — not just for its history, but for its beauty. Dave and Karmen are a couple of rock hounds and understand the aesthetics they deal with.The beauty of a geode before it’s cracked is the mystery of what’s inside. That goes double for the geodes found in Southeast Iowa, which have more unique crystal and mineral combinations than anywhere in the world.These (geodes) are 350 million years old,&nbsp; so we always open one up and say, ‘You’re the first one to ever see inside,’” Dave Smith said.From geodes to healing stones, Natural Inspirations covers the gamut of rock gifts. But the geode that started it all, discovered by Dave’s grandfather, is not for sale.“He actually got the park to be Geode Park, and named it for his favorite thing in the area — geodes. In 1967, he got the geode to be the state rock,” Smith said.Smith’s grandfather, E.N. Smith, formed a group in 1937 that raised money and purchased land to create Lake Geode, prompting the dedication of the surrounding area as state parkland in 1951.“We have just such a long history with the geodes, it’s just spurred everything else that you see today,” Smith said.Dave started traveling with his grandfather and parents to rock trade shows and became quite close to his grandfather. He was as smart as a college professor, Dave said, maybe smarter.“He was quite a guy. He just had a real love for it. He passed that on to my dad, of course,” Dave said.Natural Inspirations spans three generations, starting with E.N. Smith.&nbsp;“He started during the Great Depression. Things were tough, but he discovered geodes around here. There was a way for him to make some money when other people weren’t,” Dave Smith said. “It started out as Geode Industries, and we had the manufacturing division for tumblers. And we were American Gem Supply as well.”The shop was in New London for decades and moved to downtown Burlington at the turn of the century. For a while, the Smith family ran an insurance business while creating Geode Industries. The company manufactured a rock tumbler invented by Dave’s father in the late 1960s.“In the early 70s, I worked with him on developing an electronic version, in the mid-70s, we sold that all over the world. He had 11 patents on it, had dealers in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and just really all over the place. So it blossomed,” Smith said.Dave and Karmen got married in 1983, and it would be easy to assume she developed a passion for rocks because of him. But unbeknownst to Dave, Karmen used to shop at the rock stands his parents at Midwest Old Threshers every year. Later on, Dave’s father – Earl — would put Karmen through college courses related to rocks.“I lived next to Old Threshers when I was a kid, and I used to go over there and buy tons of rocks,” Karmen said.After getting married in 1983, Carmen took over the jewelry business and retail end of the shop. When the new highway bypassed New London, they moved the shop to Burlington for more visibility. Dave is a full-service jeweler, as well.&nbsp;The manufacturing end of the business is no longer a part of Natural Inspirations, though.“We sold the manufacturing business to some friends in California. So they own the patents and everything on the tumblers now,” Dave Smith said.The shop is going strong. Anytime Dave and Karmen decide to take a vacation, they simply have to sell a few rocks from a vendor stand when they arrive. It usually pays for the travel.“When we go, we’ll stop at places on the way and do some hunting in different locations. We’ll talk with local rock shops and just try to keep fresh with the industry,” Dave said.Dave continues to look over Lake Geode in his grandfather and father’s stead. In 2016, Dave Smith headed up a new Lake Geode friends group that works on creating community involvement and helping re-energize the park.That includes a concession stand, which Smith has been raising money for with special events at Geode for several years.“We actually have a work weekend this weekend to do some construction on the inside of the concession stand,” Smith said. “Once we get that done, we’re going to move on to getting electrical put in it, which will be a big step for us.&nbsp; And then we can do interior finishing,” he said.&nbsp;Smith is hoping to have the concession stand open by next summer. Next to geodes, his shop, and his family, it’s the thing Dave cares most about.“It’s just been an interesting life and way to grow up, and I am very grateful,” he said.

Rock-solid love affair: Couple showcase geodes with pride and passion.

As eager residents wait for the opening of a planned Amazon facility in Burlington, company officials say the project remains on track. 

In March, Amazon announced it was locating a last-mile facility in Burlington. Last-mile facilities are the final stops in Amazon’s transportation network before packages are delivered to customers’ doorsteps.

A company spokesperson said planned renovations to the 715 West Burlington Ave. facility in the Flint Ridge Business Park are on schedule but the timetable for completion has not been finalized.&nbsp; The 38,600-foot building previously housed Dura Plastics.  

The company plans to post job listings soon. Hourly employees in customer fulfillment and transportation earn between $17 and $28 per hour.  At the facility, employees will sort packages according to delivery routes and finish the shipping cycle by delivering goods like books, household items, and toys. The location will feature advanced automation technologies, and the wages will surpass the regional average.

Jeremy Hess, Director of Economic Development for the Greater Burlington Partnership, said the new facility will significantly slash Amazon delivery times for residents.

&nbsp;Jason Vangalis, manager of economic development for Amazon. echoed that sentiment.&nbsp;

“This last-mile facility will allow us to better serve customers in southeast Iowa,”&nbsp; Vangalis said.

Burlington Mayor Jon Billups called the facility a win for the region.

“We are very thankful Amazon has chosen to invest in our city and region through capital investment and job creation," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1722525824939.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Jeff AbellAs eager residents wait for the opening of a planned Amazon facility in Burlington, company officials say the project remains on track. In March, Amazon announced it was locating a last-mile facility in Burlington. Last-mile facilities are the final stops in Amazon’s transportation network before packages are delivered to customers’ doorsteps.A company spokesperson said planned renovations to the 715 West Burlington Ave. facility in the Flint Ridge Business Park are on schedule but the timetable for completion has not been finalized.&nbsp; The 38,600-foot building previously housed Dura Plastics. The company plans to post job listings soon. Hourly employees in customer fulfillment and transportation earn between $17 and $28 per hour. At the facility, employees will sort packages according to delivery routes and finish the shipping cycle by delivering goods like books, household items, and toys. The location will feature advanced automation technologies, and the wages will surpass the regional average.Jeremy Hess, Director of Economic Development for the Greater Burlington Partnership, said the new facility will significantly slash Amazon delivery times for residents.&nbsp;Jason Vangalis, manager of economic development for Amazon. echoed that sentiment.&nbsp;“This last-mile facility will allow us to better serve customers in southeast Iowa,”&nbsp; Vangalis said.Burlington Mayor Jon Billups called the facility a win for the region.“We are very thankful Amazon has chosen to invest in our city and region through capital investment and job creation," he said.

Amazon Continues Laying Groundwork for Burlington Facility

Over the years, Burlington has produced more than its fair share of the famous and infamous. When scanning the list of notable people, several prominent names stand out, while others more obscure but equally important remain only a footnote.

In the annals of rock ‘n’ roll history, few people outside of Iowa know the name of O.W. Appleton. The music pioneer was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for inventing the earliest known solid-body electric guitar.

Appleton had a love of music from an early age. In his teens, he traveled the country as a musician before settling down in Burlington in 1936.

Soon after, he opened a music store and began tinkering with musical instruments to improve their sound, including his favorite instrument, the guitar.

With the hands of an artist and the mind of an engineer, Appleton spent his free hours working on a new design, a closely guarded secret he believed would take the guitar to a new level.

In 1941, he carved the body of the now-conventional guitar, attaching a stock neck. The new design soon became the guitar of choice for rock musicians.

Appleton was never fully credited for his creation due to a chain of events that resulted in guitar maker Leo Fender building on his design, and later marketing it, according to an Iowa music historian.

Then there’s the rise and fall of chemist Wallace Hume Carothers.

On an April evening in 1937, Philadelphia police were called to the hotel room of a man who was unresponsive to staff. Breaking down the door, officers observed a man lying lifeless on a bed.

Police observed no signs of a struggle but did discover an empty bottle and a squeezed lemon near the body. The man was 41-year-old Carothers, who is credited with inventing nylon.&nbsp;

Despite early reservations, the Burlington native began work on creating synthetic rubber or neoprene after being hired by DuPont Chemical.&nbsp;

In the summer of 1934, Carothers became severely depressed and suddenly disappeared. He was later found at a psychiatric clinic. Upon his release, Carothers began the work that led to his greatest discovery — the creation of the synthetic polymer known as nylon.

In January 1937, his sister died of pneumonia. The loss led Carothers to Philadelphia to see his psychiatrist.

Two months later, he checked into a hotel room, and using the cyanide capsule he carried attached to a watch chain, Carothers dissolved the poison in lemon juice to speed up its effect.

Thus concluded his final chemical experiment.

During the dark days of the Vietnam War, Jimmie Howard was a shining example of bravery. Howard, a Marine gunnery sergeant, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor for his leadership of a platoon before and after he was wounded severely by a Viet Cong grenade on June 1966.

Then there is space shuttle astronaut Jim Kelly with missions under his belt that include NASA’s return to space flight after being grounded due to the 2003 Columbia accident that claimed the life of its crew.

• Mary “May” Naudain, an actress and singer who gained fame on the stage during the vaudeville era, was born in 1881 in Burlington. She was raised in Omaha, Neb., before traveling to New York City to appear on stage, including Broadway where she was a sensation.&nbsp;

• William Frawley, famous for playing Fred Mertz in “I Love Lucy,” was born Feb. 26, 1887, in Burlington. In a 1955 interview with the Des Moines Register, Frawley fondly recalled growing up in the North Hill neighborhood, which he saw for the last time in the 1920s. Frawley grew up at the house at 1203 N. Sixth St.&nbsp;

In 1960, Frawley landed the role of “Bub O’Casey” on “My Three Sons,” which he starred in for six seasons before becoming too ill to work. His final on-camera performance was in 1965 on “The Lucy Show.”

• Former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edward Stone worked on the Voyager I and II deep space exploration missions. He was the recipient of the 1999 Carl Sagan Memorial Award.&nbsp;

Burlington residents, native or transplant, have contributed to the success of the country in science, entertainment, and innovation. Their lives tell the story of Burlington. But, more importantly, their story is the story of America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1722524913478.jpeg" alt="William Frawley" />
 <figcaption>William Frawley</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By Jeff AbellOver the years, Burlington has produced more than its fair share of the famous and infamous. When scanning the list of notable people, several prominent names stand out, while others more obscure but equally important remain only a footnote.In the annals of rock ‘n’ roll history, few people outside of Iowa know the name of O.W. Appleton. The music pioneer was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for inventing the earliest known solid-body electric guitar.Appleton had a love of music from an early age. In his teens, he traveled the country as a musician before settling down in Burlington in 1936.Soon after, he opened a music store and began tinkering with musical instruments to improve their sound, including his favorite instrument, the guitar.With the hands of an artist and the mind of an engineer, Appleton spent his free hours working on a new design, a closely guarded secret he believed would take the guitar to a new level.In 1941, he carved the body of the now-conventional guitar, attaching a stock neck. The new design soon became the guitar of choice for rock musicians.Appleton was never fully credited for his creation due to a chain of events that resulted in guitar maker Leo Fender building on his design, and later marketing it, according to an Iowa music historian.Then there’s the rise and fall of chemist Wallace Hume Carothers.On an April evening in 1937, Philadelphia police were called to the hotel room of a man who was unresponsive to staff. Breaking down the door, officers observed a man lying lifeless on a bed.Police observed no signs of a struggle but did discover an empty bottle and a squeezed lemon near the body. The man was 41-year-old Carothers, who is credited with inventing nylon.&nbsp;Despite early reservations, the Burlington native began work on creating synthetic rubber or neoprene after being hired by DuPont Chemical.&nbsp;In the summer of 1934, Carothers became severely depressed and suddenly disappeared. He was later found at a psychiatric clinic. Upon his release, Carothers began the work that led to his greatest discovery — the creation of the synthetic polymer known as nylon.Then, tragedy struck.In January 1937, his sister died of pneumonia. The loss led Carothers to Philadelphia to see his psychiatrist.Two months later, he checked into a hotel room, and using the cyanide capsule he carried attached to a watch chain, Carothers dissolved the poison in lemon juice to speed up its effect.Thus concluded his final chemical experiment.During the dark days of the Vietnam War, Jimmie Howard was a shining example of bravery. Howard, a Marine gunnery sergeant, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor for his leadership of a platoon before and after he was wounded severely by a Viet Cong grenade on June 1966.Then there is space shuttle astronaut Jim Kelly with missions under his belt that include NASA’s return to space flight after being grounded due to the 2003 Columbia accident that claimed the life of its crew.Others include:• Mary “May” Naudain, an actress and singer who gained fame on the stage during the vaudeville era, was born in 1881 in Burlington. She was raised in Omaha, Neb., before traveling to New York City to appear on stage, including Broadway where she was a sensation.&nbsp;• William Frawley, famous for playing Fred Mertz in “I Love Lucy,” was born Feb. 26, 1887, in Burlington. In a 1955 interview with the Des Moines Register, Frawley fondly recalled growing up in the North Hill neighborhood, which he saw for the last time in the 1920s. Frawley grew up at the house at 1203 N. Sixth St.&nbsp;In 1960, Frawley landed the role of “Bub O’Casey” on “My Three Sons,” which he starred in for six seasons before becoming too ill to work. His final on-camera performance was in 1965 on “The Lucy Show.”• Former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edward Stone worked on the Voyager I and II deep space exploration missions. He was the recipient of the 1999 Carl Sagan Memorial Award.&nbsp;And the list goes on.Burlington residents, native or transplant, have contributed to the success of the country in science, entertainment, and innovation. Their lives tell the story of Burlington. But, more importantly, their story is the story of America.

 Tales of the famous and not-so-famous

Every town has that person — a personality larger than life who shines bright in a gray world.

For Burlington in the 1940s through 1960s, that bright light was Myrtle French.

Her claim to fame did not come from an innovative invention or from starring on the stage but rather from the service she provided for more than three decades. The business became an institution in Burlington, and Myrtle became the Google of her day.

In 1942, the French Information Service opened its doors and, more importantly, its telephone line to city residents. It was a memorable day for Myrtle, who wrote about it in her autobiography, “Myrtle Knows the Answers.”

“That first shrill ring of my new telephone sent a chill up and down my spine, and I prayed to God to give me the correct answer,” she wrote.

The correct answer she had, and she kept having them. Daily, she answered questions ranging from the ordinary — what was playing at the movie theater — to the peculiar, including reportedly finding an elephant for legendary bandleader Jimmy Dorsey.

According to a local newspaper account, Dorsey’s request was spurred by a bet with a friend.  It didn’t take Myrtle long to secure the pachyderm through a connection in the circus. The animal was flown from Pennsylvania to California at Dorsey’s expense.

That success added to her resume as the city’s preeminent problem solver. On any given day, Myrtle might help find a babysitter for a frantic couple or secure a plane for a pilot.

In a 2009 interview, Bob McCannon of Burlington called her a “character” and said she was a rare, one-of-a-kind person. He added that she was the life of every party, flamboyant yet humble.

“You would go to an event, and there was Myrtle. Myrt was the kind of person you don’t see much anymore. She overcame her share of obstacles. She lost so much yet kept going.  If she didn’t have the answer right away, she would work like the dickens to find it,” he said.

The road to success was difficult to travel. Myrtle’s business was born out of misfortune and personal loss.

In her autobiography, Myrtle wrote she was on her way to the altar when she received the news that changed the course of her life.

On her wedding day, she learned the love of her life was killed in a plane crash. Not long after, her beloved aunt died.

“I had lost the two persons I loved most. I was lost. Suddenly, I no longer knew which way to turn. Life didn’t seem worth living ... “ she wrote.

Depressed and alone, she saw her life without purpose or a future. Then, fate stepped in, and a business plan began to form.

The idea to create an information service was prompted by the announcement of the construction of the Iowa Army and Ammunition Plant in Middletown before World War II.

Myrtle believed new hires at the plant in Middletown would be looking for housing in Burlington en masse, and she was right. In six months, she found lodging for 600 workers and became a local legend.

Manning up to four phones at a time and flanked by stacks of books, her slogan was “Myrtle has the answers.” Her fame was not limited to Burlington — she regularly received calls from California and even overseas.

In her downtown Burlington office, French would answer the onslaught of ringing phones with a smile on her face and the name of any given business on her lips. Business owners paid a monthly fee for French to promote them.

“She would barter for everything. She was one heck of a promoter. It was a relationship that seemed to work,” McCannon recalled.

The service flourished as more residents relied on her as an educator and as a friend. She relished her larger-than-life persona, including being crowned Hobo Queen at the national convention in Britt, Iowa.

“I certainly could never have been chosen a beauty queen, so I was very much satisfied with being chosen Hobo Queen of 1949,” she said of the crown she wore for about a decade.

In later years, Myrtle mounted a short-lived campaign for city mayor.

After losing her bid, she became a goodwill ambassador for the city she loved. She died in 1976 at the age of 69.

To friends, she was simply “Myrt.” And she considered everyone in Burlington a friend. She educated, entertained, and gave back to the city she loved. She lived her life without regret, and Burlington was better for it.

In a world full of questions, Myrtle indeed had the answers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722481479334.jpeg" alt="Myrtle French" />
 <figcaption>Myrtle French</figcaption>
 </figure>By Jeff AbellEvery town has that person — a personality larger than life who shines bright in a gray world.For Burlington in the 1940s through 1960s, that bright light was Myrtle French.Her claim to fame did not come from an innovative invention or from starring on the stage but rather from the service she provided for more than three decades. The business became an institution in Burlington, and Myrtle became the Google of her day.In 1942, the French Information Service opened its doors and, more importantly, its telephone line to city residents. It was a memorable day for Myrtle, who wrote about it in her autobiography, “Myrtle Knows the Answers.”“That first shrill ring of my new telephone sent a chill up and down my spine, and I prayed to God to give me the correct answer,” she wrote.The correct answer she had, and she kept having them. Daily, she answered questions ranging from the ordinary — what was playing at the movie theater — to the peculiar, including reportedly finding an elephant for legendary bandleader Jimmy Dorsey.According to a local newspaper account, Dorsey’s request was spurred by a bet with a friend. It didn’t take Myrtle long to secure the pachyderm through a connection in the circus. The animal was flown from Pennsylvania to California at Dorsey’s expense.That success added to her resume as the city’s preeminent problem solver. On any given day, Myrtle might help find a babysitter for a frantic couple or secure a plane for a pilot.In a 2009 interview, Bob McCannon of Burlington called her a “character” and said she was a rare, one-of-a-kind person. He added that she was the life of every party, flamboyant yet humble.“You would go to an event, and there was Myrtle. Myrt was the kind of person you don’t see much anymore. She overcame her share of obstacles. She lost so much yet kept going. If she didn’t have the answer right away, she would work like the dickens to find it,” he said.The road to success was difficult to travel. Myrtle’s business was born out of misfortune and personal loss.In her autobiography, Myrtle wrote she was on her way to the altar when she received the news that changed the course of her life.On her wedding day, she learned the love of her life was killed in a plane crash. Not long after, her beloved aunt died.“I had lost the two persons I loved most. I was lost. Suddenly, I no longer knew which way to turn. Life didn’t seem worth living ... “ she wrote.Depressed and alone, she saw her life without purpose or a future. Then, fate stepped in, and a business plan began to form.The idea to create an information service was prompted by the announcement of the construction of the Iowa Army and Ammunition Plant in Middletown before World War II.Myrtle believed new hires at the plant in Middletown would be looking for housing in Burlington en masse, and she was right. In six months, she found lodging for 600 workers and became a local legend.Her business mushroomed from there.Manning up to four phones at a time and flanked by stacks of books, her slogan was “Myrtle has the answers.” Her fame was not limited to Burlington — she regularly received calls from California and even overseas.In her downtown Burlington office, French would answer the onslaught of ringing phones with a smile on her face and the name of any given business on her lips. Business owners paid a monthly fee for French to promote them.“She would barter for everything. She was one heck of a promoter. It was a relationship that seemed to work,” McCannon recalled.The service flourished as more residents relied on her as an educator and as a friend. She relished her larger-than-life persona, including being crowned Hobo Queen at the national convention in Britt, Iowa.“I certainly could never have been chosen a beauty queen, so I was very much satisfied with being chosen Hobo Queen of 1949,” she said of the crown she wore for about a decade.In later years, Myrtle mounted a short-lived campaign for city mayor.After losing her bid, she became a goodwill ambassador for the city she loved. She died in 1976 at the age of 69.To friends, she was simply “Myrt.” And she considered everyone in Burlington a friend. She educated, entertained, and gave back to the city she loved. She lived her life without regret, and Burlington was better for it.In a world full of questions, Myrtle indeed had the answers.

Myrtle Knew It All

I struggled with reading as a child, regularly frustrated with my lack of retention. I credit two influences that ignited the fire of my life-long love affair with reading — comic books and my elementary school librarian. 

The first got me hooked on reading, while the latter helped foster that passion. When I was young, my mother would insist on cutting my hair, giving me the classic bowl cut. It was an embarrassing blend of mismatched lengths and uneven bangs. 

At some point, my father noticed my disdain for these haircuts and took me to his barbershop. Of course, a trip to my father’s barber meant I would likely receive a buzz cut, but that was preferable to the alternative. 

I was 6 years old, and this was my first time inside a barbershop. As my father directed me to a seat, I saw a stack of worn and well-read comic books on a table.

I picked one up, and within those pages was the perfect blend of art, action, and story. I was hooked and kept reading until I was pulled away by the barber’s recurring calls of “Next!”

Who knew a bad haircut would open the door to a new world? After leaving the barbershop, I asked my mother for some change to buy my first comic. It was “Amazing Spider-Man” (I wish I could remember the issue number), and it was glorious. Fast forward to the present day, and I now own a comic shop. A few months ago, a young boy came into the shop. Enthusiastically, he combed the shelves, handling the comics gingerly as if they were porcelain dishes.

Nervously, he brought them up to the counter, his parents flanking him on both sides. “These are my first comics,” he said proudly.

A few months later, his mother stopped by the shop. As she spoke, tears began streaming down her cheek. Confused, I asked her if she was OK. She said she felt silly for crying, but they were tears of joy.She recounted that her son had difficulty reading and often felt discouraged. However, her son read and reread the comics they purchased, and those comics spurred a trip to the Burlington library. And from there, he read his first book.

Her words brought me back full circle to my childhood. My thoughts returned to St. Andrew’s Grade School and its little library. I attended a Catholic school in my hometown, staffed by nuns — including the school’s librarian. She was a patient soul whose love of the written word was infectious. She took me under her wing and suggested a few books. From there, with her encouragement, I kept reading and continuously challenged myself with longer and more complex books. Reading led me to writing, which ultimately led to journalism. 

All because of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and a librarian with printer’s ink in her veins. Sister Giuseppi was not only a librarian and teacher but a real-life saint who started me on a journey of discovery. I can confidently say I would not have become a journalist without her kind heart. 

Albert Einstein said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”

Burlington has a great library staffed with caring people who work hard to instill a love of knowledge in their patrons. The same can be said of the librarians, staff, and volunteers at the New London, Danville, and Henderson County libraries and all of the libraries in the surrounding area. Thank a librarian today because they are real-life superheroes who help to fuel the imaginations of young and old alike.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722362153126.jpeg" alt="Photo: The result of one of my mother’s DIY haircuts." />
 <figcaption>Photo: The result of one of my mother’s DIY haircuts.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Jeff AbellI struggled with reading as a child, regularly frustrated with my lack of retention. I credit two influences that ignited the fire of my life-long love affair with reading — comic books and my elementary school librarian. The first got me hooked on reading, while the latter helped foster that passion. When I was young, my mother would insist on cutting my hair, giving me the classic bowl cut. It was an embarrassing blend of mismatched lengths and uneven bangs. At some point, my father noticed my disdain for these haircuts and took me to his barbershop. Of course, a trip to my father’s barber meant I would likely receive a buzz cut, but that was preferable to the alternative. I was 6 years old, and this was my first time inside a barbershop. As my father directed me to a seat, I saw a stack of worn and well-read comic books on a table.I picked one up, and within those pages was the perfect blend of art, action, and story. I was hooked and kept reading until I was pulled away by the barber’s recurring calls of “Next!”Who knew a bad haircut would open the door to a new world? After leaving the barbershop, I asked my mother for some change to buy my first comic. It was “Amazing Spider-Man” (I wish I could remember the issue number), and it was glorious. Fast forward to the present day, and I now own a comic shop. A few months ago, a young boy came into the shop. Enthusiastically, he combed the shelves, handling the comics gingerly as if they were porcelain dishes.Nervously, he brought them up to the counter, his parents flanking him on both sides. “These are my first comics,” he said proudly.A few months later, his mother stopped by the shop. As she spoke, tears began streaming down her cheek. Confused, I asked her if she was OK. She said she felt silly for crying, but they were tears of joy.She recounted that her son had difficulty reading and often felt discouraged. However, her son read and reread the comics they purchased, and those comics spurred a trip to the Burlington library. And from there, he read his first book.Her words brought me back full circle to my childhood. My thoughts returned to St. Andrew’s Grade School and its little library. I attended a Catholic school in my hometown, staffed by nuns — including the school’s librarian. She was a patient soul whose love of the written word was infectious. She took me under her wing and suggested a few books. From there, with her encouragement, I kept reading and continuously challenged myself with longer and more complex books. Reading led me to writing, which ultimately led to journalism. All because of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and a librarian with printer’s ink in her veins. Sister Giuseppi was not only a librarian and teacher but a real-life saint who started me on a journey of discovery. I can confidently say I would not have become a journalist without her kind heart. Albert Einstein said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”Burlington has a great library staffed with caring people who work hard to instill a love of knowledge in their patrons. The same can be said of the librarians, staff, and volunteers at the New London, Danville, and Henderson County libraries and all of the libraries in the surrounding area. Thank a librarian today because they are real-life superheroes who help to fuel the imaginations of young and old alike.

Spinning a web of reading

The Des Moines County Fair participants compete in many different events such as raising livestock or displaying a static project.

After nine years of doing 4-H, Jennifer Lohmann from Sperry has experienced this firsthand. The 18-year-old competed in various events this year including beef, sheep, hogs, and her favorite, goats.&nbsp;

“I just love my goats’ personalities. They’re very playful like to have lots of fun, and jump around,” said Lohmann.

Her favorite part of the process was seeing her animals grow and growing herself.

“I like being able to see how I have increased [the livestock’s] genetic potential and increased my experience throughout the years,” said Lohmann.

Hunter Hampton, an FFA member from Danville High School, also participated in the static and dairy exhibits. He described the process of prepping his cow, Ivory.

“In about March, all the older kids come with their cows to get ready, prep them, make sure they can walk right, hold their head up,” said Hampton.

“There’s also washing and keeping a log book on how much you feed them and what you do with them,” Hampton explained. “Really just making them look all pretty.”

Hampton described what got him involved in the fair. He has always had a love for agriculture but only started participating this year. As a long-time member of FFA, he also decided to be in 4-H.

At the dairy farm where Hampton works, all the cows’ names must start with the same letter as their mother. Ivory’s mother was named Irish, so Hampton chose her name accordingly.

Hampton is not the only one with a unique name for his animal. Fourteen-year-old Brody Fisher’s cow is called Trump after the former President.

All these competitors have worked extremely hard, and Jennifer Lohmann hopes it pays off for her. In the past, she showed her goats at the Iowa State Fair. She also participated in the Goat Skill-a-Thon, a team trivia competition about goats. She hopes to return to the state fair, which runs from Aug. 8-18.

She said her main goal is to keep improving and do her best. She tried a new breeding technique for her goats and would like to see them do well.

Hunter Hampton encouraged anyone interested to join 4-H or FFA regardless of their background.

“A big misconception is you have to be some farm kid or have to be in agriculture. That is 100 percent not true. It really doesn’t matter. We want people to join our organization.”

By Maggie FitzpatrickBurlington BeaconThe Des Moines County Fair participants compete in many different events such as raising livestock or displaying a static project.After nine years of doing 4-H, Jennifer Lohmann from Sperry has experienced this firsthand. The 18-year-old competed in various events this year including beef, sheep, hogs, and her favorite, goats.&nbsp;“I just love my goats’ personalities. They’re very playful like to have lots of fun, and jump around,” said Lohmann.Her favorite part of the process was seeing her animals grow and growing herself.“I like being able to see how I have increased [the livestock’s] genetic potential and increased my experience throughout the years,” said Lohmann.Hunter Hampton, an FFA member from Danville High School, also participated in the static and dairy exhibits. He described the process of prepping his cow, Ivory.“In about March, all the older kids come with their cows to get ready, prep them, make sure they can walk right, hold their head up,” said Hampton.He mentioned some other key components.“There’s also washing and keeping a log book on how much you feed them and what you do with them,” Hampton explained. “Really just making them look all pretty.”Hampton described what got him involved in the fair. He has always had a love for agriculture but only started participating this year. As a long-time member of FFA, he also decided to be in 4-H.At the dairy farm where Hampton works, all the cows’ names must start with the same letter as their mother. Ivory’s mother was named Irish, so Hampton chose her name accordingly.Hampton is not the only one with a unique name for his animal. Fourteen-year-old Brody Fisher’s cow is called Trump after the former President.All these competitors have worked extremely hard, and Jennifer Lohmann hopes it pays off for her. In the past, she showed her goats at the Iowa State Fair. She also participated in the Goat Skill-a-Thon, a team trivia competition about goats. She hopes to return to the state fair, which runs from Aug. 8-18.She said her main goal is to keep improving and do her best. She tried a new breeding technique for her goats and would like to see them do well.Hunter Hampton encouraged anyone interested to join 4-H or FFA regardless of their background.“A big misconception is you have to be some farm kid or have to be in agriculture. That is 100 percent not true. It really doesn’t matter. We want people to join our organization.”

Competitors keep moo-ving at the county fair

Allison Nalley was crowned Des Moines County Fair Queen Tuesday night, but she did far more than win the crown. She took home every prize that was up for grabs.

Nalley could barely contain her excitement Tuesday night.

“I’m in such a shock. I really don’t know what I expected,” she said. “I’m just a little bit different than a traditional fair queen.”

Nalley, 18, graduated from Mediapolis High School and Southeastern Community College with honors this past May. She still has more schooling in front of her. She plans to attend Cottey College in Missouri in the fall to study business management.

But before she gets to all that, Nalley wants to take one more stab at being a fair queen. She came close a few years ago but didn’t win the grand prize.

She wasn’t sure she could this time, either. But her friends convinced her otherwise.

“My friends all told me, ‘Allison, to run again. You will sweep the floor (with the competition).’ I said, I don’t know about that, but I’ll run again,” she said.

Nalley took her second run dead seriously, out-earning every other contestant through T-shirt sales. That was just one of the prizes she received.

Her greatest challenge was holding back tears that would smear her make-up. Her mother, Jill Nalley, immediately got up on stage and embraced her. Jill was crying the whole time. She was still crying 10 minutes later.

“She’s crying a lot,” Allison said with a laugh.

Nalley has been in 4-H since first grade and will be showing off her animals later this week — in addition to handing out ribbons as part of her fair queen duty.

The Des Moines County Fair is a big part of Nalley’s life. But her endless expense of energy and curious mind drive an interest that goes far beyond the fair. After finishing school, her ultimate goal is to obtain a career in fashion marketing.

“I was the lead in my school musical at Mediapolis. I was Sandy in ‘Grease.’ And I’ve done singing and speech competitions, was also an officer in the Mediapolis FFA chapter. My interests vary,” she said.

That’s an understatement. Aside from 4-H and FFA, Nalley was active in student council, the National Honor Society, soccer, cheerleading, speech, quiz bowl, choir, and drama. Her involvement in the fair includes static exhibits, and she’s one of those confident teen rustlers who can move around 2,000 pounds of live beef during the cattle show.

“I remember getting my picture with the governor, Terry Branstad, when I was 7 years old,” she said. “I got a picture with him and my bucket-bottle calf, Buttercup.”

Nalley has plenty of sound advice for the fair queens coming up behind her. But it all boils down to one point.

“It’s important to be yourself,” she said. “Just be yourself in every situation. I didn’t think I would get this far. You get so much further by being yourself.”

Brenna Thie came in third place and was crowned Miss Fair Spirit, and Jennifer Lohman came in second and was crowned Fair Princess.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722271546588.jpeg" alt="2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen Allison Nalley waits to hand out ribbons at the 4H/FFA Rabbit Show during the 2024 Des Moines County Fair. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen Allison Nalley waits to hand out ribbons at the 4H/FFA Rabbit Show during the 2024 Des Moines County Fair. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithIt was a clean sweep.Allison Nalley was crowned Des Moines County Fair Queen Tuesday night, but she did far more than win the crown. She took home every prize that was up for grabs.Nalley could barely contain her excitement Tuesday night.“I’m in such a shock. I really don’t know what I expected,” she said. “I’m just a little bit different than a traditional fair queen.”Nalley, 18, graduated from Mediapolis High School and Southeastern Community College with honors this past May. She still has more schooling in front of her. She plans to attend Cottey College in Missouri in the fall to study business management.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722271582092.jpeg" alt="Allison Nalley is crowned the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Allison Nalley is crowned the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>But before she gets to all that, Nalley wants to take one more stab at being a fair queen. She came close a few years ago but didn’t win the grand prize.She wasn’t sure she could this time, either. But her friends convinced her otherwise.“My friends all told me, ‘Allison, to run again. You will sweep the floor (with the competition).’ I said, I don’t know about that, but I’ll run again,” she said.Nalley took her second run dead seriously, out-earning every other contestant through T-shirt sales. That was just one of the prizes she received.Her greatest challenge was holding back tears that would smear her make-up. Her mother, Jill Nalley, immediately got up on stage and embraced her. Jill was crying the whole time. She was still crying 10 minutes later.“She’s crying a lot,” Allison said with a laugh.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722271607206.jpeg" alt="024 Des Moines County Fair Queen Allison Nalley hands ribbons to Mallory Riddle at the 4H/FFA Rabbit Show. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>024 Des Moines County Fair Queen Allison Nalley hands ribbons to Mallory Riddle at the 4H/FFA Rabbit Show. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Nalley has been in 4-H since first grade and will be showing off her animals later this week — in addition to handing out ribbons as part of her fair queen duty.The Des Moines County Fair is a big part of Nalley’s life. But her endless expense of energy and curious mind drive an interest that goes far beyond the fair. After finishing school, her ultimate goal is to obtain a career in fashion marketing.“I was the lead in my school musical at Mediapolis. I was Sandy in ‘Grease.’ And I’ve done singing and speech competitions, was also an officer in the Mediapolis FFA chapter. My interests vary,” she said.That’s an understatement. Aside from 4-H and FFA, Nalley was active in student council, the National Honor Society, soccer, cheerleading, speech, quiz bowl, choir, and drama. Her involvement in the fair includes static exhibits, and she’s one of those confident teen rustlers who can move around 2,000 pounds of live beef during the cattle show.“I remember getting my picture with the governor, Terry Branstad, when I was 7 years old,” she said. “I got a picture with him and my bucket-bottle calf, Buttercup.”Nalley has plenty of sound advice for the fair queens coming up behind her. But it all boils down to one point.“It’s important to be yourself,” she said. “Just be yourself in every situation. I didn’t think I would get this far. You get so much further by being yourself.”Brenna Thie came in third place and was crowned Miss Fair Spirit, and Jennifer Lohman came in second and was crowned Fair Princess.

52 FACES: Nalley Shines as Fair Queen

Dawn Johnson is a hard-working opportunist, but she was sick and tired of working for corporate America.

So she quit and started working for herself. Johnson, with her husband and mother Donna, started a food truck in Middletown on July 4 — Cowbell Concessions. Johnson had several jobs before opening, including cleaning.

“I was a painter’s helper and janitor, and was like, if we’re going to work this hard, we’re going to work for ourselves,” Donna said.

Located on the curve of old U.S. 34 that connects Middletown to Danville, Cowbell Concessions can be easy to miss if you don’t glance over your shoulder. But a prominent sign near the road has attracted attention, and customers.“We’re going to have some fun,” Dawn Johnson said.

Johnson didn’t open the food truck without a plan. She’s expecting an influx of new workers from the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant within a year. She’s also working with the IAAAP to sell food directly to the workers, on IAAAP grounds.“The only place we have here is Casey’s and so we thought, well, let’s give it a whirl,” Johnson said.

Dawn and her husband, Rodney, started preparing for the new business in October of last year, purchasing a 1975 Nomad camping trailer to act as the home of Cowbell Concessions.“It was in such bad shape, I can’t even believe we got it home. So we gutted it and we redid it all ourselves,” she said. “He did most of it, I should say.”Johnson and her family are natives of Dallas City, Ill., and have lived in Middletown for seven years. They transitioned to Burlington in between but wanted to live somewhere quieter.

It doesn’t get any quieter than Middletown. Johnson sees enterprising opportunities beyond Cowbell Concessions, but right now, she’s focused entirely on the new food truck.“I love it here,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Cowbell Concessions focuses on simple food that can be served quickly. That includes everything from biscuits and gravy in the morning to loose meat sandwiches and pulled pork later in the day.

The menus don’t focus on just the savory. There’s quite a selection of doughnuts as well, which Johnson initially thought might be the focus of the food truck.“We kind of got the idea we were going to try donuts because it’s like the doughnuts your mom made you when you were a kid. My mom made these doughnuts for me, and it’s been a hit,” Johnson said.

Johnson is stressing the economic side of Cowbell Concessions as well. The lunchtime special is called “The Cowbell,” consisting of one loose-meat sandwich, pulled pork, and tater tots for $10.

It’s family cooking for people who don’t have time for family cooking. So far, the idea is catching on.

“We have a big family, so we know how to cook economically,” she said.

The name of the food truck can be taken two ways. On its surface, it’s just a nice, Iowa-friendly, country title. And they certainly serve plenty of cows.

But Johnson named it after the infamous Saturday Night Live skit starring Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell, where Ferrell emphatically and repeatedly rings a cowbell during a rehearsal of the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”

Johnson thought it was one of the funniest things she’s ever seen.“She’s liked cowbells ever since,” her mother Donna said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270386585.jpeg" alt="Dawn Johnson, along with her husband, owns the Cowbell Concessions food trailer at 280 Main St. in Middletown. Cowbell Concessions is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Dawn Johnson, along with her husband, owns the Cowbell Concessions food trailer at 280 Main St. in Middletown. Cowbell Concessions is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithDawn Johnson is a hard-working opportunist, but she was sick and tired of working for corporate America.So she quit and started working for herself. Johnson, with her husband and mother Donna, started a food truck in Middletown on July 4 — Cowbell Concessions. Johnson had several jobs before opening, including cleaning.“I was a painter’s helper and janitor, and was like, if we’re going to work this hard, we’re going to work for ourselves,” Donna said.Located on the curve of old U.S. 34 that connects Middletown to Danville, Cowbell Concessions can be easy to miss if you don’t glance over your shoulder. But a prominent sign near the road has attracted attention, and customers.“We’re going to have some fun,” Dawn Johnson said.Johnson didn’t open the food truck without a plan. She’s expecting an influx of new workers from the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant within a year. She’s also working with the IAAAP to sell food directly to the workers, on IAAAP grounds.“The only place we have here is Casey’s and so we thought, well, let’s give it a whirl,” Johnson said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270514580.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dawn and her husband, Rodney, started preparing for the new business in October of last year, purchasing a 1975 Nomad camping trailer to act as the home of Cowbell Concessions.“It was in such bad shape, I can’t even believe we got it home. So we gutted it and we redid it all ourselves,” she said. “He did most of it, I should say.”Johnson and her family are natives of Dallas City, Ill., and have lived in Middletown for seven years. They transitioned to Burlington in between but wanted to live somewhere quieter.It doesn’t get any quieter than Middletown. Johnson sees enterprising opportunities beyond Cowbell Concessions, but right now, she’s focused entirely on the new food truck.“I love it here,” Johnson said.Johnson said Cowbell Concessions focuses on simple food that can be served quickly. That includes everything from biscuits and gravy in the morning to loose meat sandwiches and pulled pork later in the day.The menus don’t focus on just the savory. There’s quite a selection of doughnuts as well, which Johnson initially thought might be the focus of the food truck.“We kind of got the idea we were going to try donuts because it’s like the doughnuts your mom made you when you were a kid. My mom made these doughnuts for me, and it’s been a hit,” Johnson said.Johnson is stressing the economic side of Cowbell Concessions as well. The lunchtime special is called “The Cowbell,” consisting of one loose-meat sandwich, pulled pork, and tater tots for $10.It’s family cooking for people who don’t have time for family cooking. So far, the idea is catching on.“We have a big family, so we know how to cook economically,” she said.The name of the food truck can be taken two ways. On its surface, it’s just a nice, Iowa-friendly, country title. And they certainly serve plenty of cows.But Johnson named it after the infamous Saturday Night Live skit starring Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell, where Ferrell emphatically and repeatedly rings a cowbell during a rehearsal of the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”Johnson thought it was one of the funniest things she’s ever seen.“She’s liked cowbells ever since,” her mother Donna said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270535173.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

More Cowbell, more snacks

City of Burlington workers remove and clean temporary panels from the flood wall leading to the north and south boat rams on Tuesday along Burlington's riverfront. The river is expected to fall below flood stage early Sunday afternoon and continue falling to 14.4 feet on July 30. The flood stage is 15.0 feet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270021794.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270036762.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722270063851.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaCity of Burlington workers remove and clean temporary panels from the flood wall leading to the north and south boat rams on Tuesday along Burlington's riverfront. The river is expected to fall below flood stage early Sunday afternoon and continue falling to 14.4 feet on July 30. The flood stage is 15.0 feet.

Removing Flood Wall Panels

The 4H/FFA Beef Show at the 2024 Des Moines County Fair on Friday at the fairgrounds in West Burlington.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269748290.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269773107.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269819604.jpeg" alt="2-49.jpg" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269837628.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269851693.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaThe 4H/FFA Beef Show at the 2024 Des Moines County Fair on Friday at the fairgrounds in West Burlington.&nbsp;

2024 Des Moines County Fair: 4H/FFA Beef Show

Dominick Bluafuss, 17, a member of the Danville Corn Huskers 4-H Club, guides his rabbit Caramel through an agility course during the rabbit costume class and agility demonstration at the 2024 Des Moines County Fair on July 24 in Southeastern Community College's Agri Sports Arena in West Burlington. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269570317.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722269582925.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaDominick Bluafuss, 17, a member of the Danville Corn Huskers 4-H Club, guides his rabbit Caramel through an agility course during the rabbit costume class and agility demonstration at the 2024 Des Moines County Fair on July 24 in Southeastern Community College's Agri Sports Arena in West Burlington.

2024 Des Moines County Fair: Rabbit Costume Class and Agility

Burlington High School teacher Aron Kehoe never expected to have a job in conservation, but that all changed after teaching a class on biodiversity.

Kehoe, who started working as Des Moines County Conservation’s Community Outdoor Recreation Education Specialist (CORES) in May, got the position by accident.

He was teaching for Burlington High School’s summer program, which offers special interest courses that don’t fit into the regular curriculum.

“I helped teach a class called ‘Local Biodiversity and Human Impact.’ It went really well, and students who weren’t typically engaged were showing up for class, learning, and creating new friendships,” Kehoe said.&nbsp;

Des Moines County Conservation Executive Director Chris Lee worked with Kehoe and fellow teacher Heather Hayes to create this class.&nbsp;

After several years of teaching this summer course, Lee recruited Kehoe for the DMCC’s CORES position, which is funded by grants from the Kiwanis Club of Burlington and the Aldo Leopold Pheasants Forever chapter.

In his role, Kehoe plans free recreational and educational events for people of all ages and backgrounds, such as hikes, bike rides, and disc golf. These events connect participants to community groups and organizations that provide them with recreational activities.

“We want to get more people out into nature. We have many beautiful locations in Des Moines County in which people can explore,” said Kehoe.

Kehoe has coordinated with various community organizations. For example, he helped host an archery activity at Community Day in the Parks on Saturday, where the attendees shot bows. Tim Marshal and Zach and Denissa Cornick helped Kehoe plan this event.

He also partnered with Teresa Heitmeier for an outreach event with s’mores and a hike where he showed individuals with disabilities how to identify plants and animals. Kehoe said they had almost 40 people come, and he plans on doing another event like it in the fall.

Kehoe aims to educate participants and help them make memories. He has several upcoming events toward this aim.&nbsp;

First of all, he has planned a bike ride through the trails from 9 a.m. to noon on July 25, starting at Zion Schoolhouse. Then on Aug. 2, a world triathlon qualifier will teach participants running theory and drills at the How to Run in a Park event from 8-9:30 a.m. at Starr’s Cave Nature Center.

Additionally, DMCC hosts pop-up events to provide more opportunities for individuals to get involved.&nbsp;

Kehoe encourages attendees to RSVP by calling the Nature Center at 319-753-5808.

When planning these activities, Kehoe eliminates as many barriers as possible. Currently, everything he has scheduled is free.

“The best things in my youth were with my grandpa and often in nature, and I don’t think expense should count people out of experiences like that,” said Kehoe.

County residents can even get transportation to some of the events if they call the Nature Center ahead of time. Another goal of Kehoe’s is to reach new demographics. Many attendees are white and middle-class, so he aims to broaden that reach. He said the response from community members has been very positive.

“Everyone I’ve reached out to has either helped me or, if they can’t help me right now, said they will in the future,” said Kehoe.

Even though he has only had the position a short time, he said it makes him “so happy” and “hardly feels like work.”&nbsp;

He loves connecting with people from all different backgrounds and seeing them make memories. Although Kehoe was never particularly interested in conservation and nature growing up, he always loved spending time outdoors, especially for runs and bike rides.&nbsp;

He ran competitively in college while attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during his undergrad, so he was regularly outside. He received a bachelor’s degree in special education and went on to pursue his master’s degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University.

Kehoe has long had a passion for education, which is why he said teaching was the perfect occupation for him.

“I’ve always loved learning and teaching youth,” said Kehoe.&nbsp;

“The main goal has been to meet students where they are and help them become the best version of themselves. I learn just so much from them and they help me focus on areas in which I can grow, too,” said Kehoe in describing his approach to teaching.

He will continue working part-time as a teacher next school year and applies the same mindset he uses as a teacher to his position at Des Moines County Conservation.

“I want people to learn about nature, not fear it,” said Kehoe.

Going forward, Kehoe wants to keep “bringing joy and making people stewards of conservation.”&nbsp;

Kehoe’s office is at Starr’s Cave Nature Center, along with information about pollinators and a beaver exhibit. The Center is located on Starr’s Cave Parks and Preserve, an 184-acre park with several miles of hiking trails.

Kehoe encourages everyone to check out the Nature Center on Facebook and stop by to see it in person.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722224938590.jpeg" alt="Aron Kehoe, the community outdoor recreation education specialist with Des Moines County Conservation, gives Eleanor Danforth, 7, some pointers about archery on July 13 at Dankwardt Park. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Aron Kehoe, the community outdoor recreation education specialist with Des Moines County Conservation, gives Eleanor Danforth, 7, some pointers about archery on July 13 at Dankwardt Park. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Maggie FitzpatrickBurlington High School teacher Aron Kehoe never expected to have a job in conservation, but that all changed after teaching a class on biodiversity.Kehoe, who started working as Des Moines County Conservation’s Community Outdoor Recreation Education Specialist (CORES) in May, got the position by accident.He was teaching for Burlington High School’s summer program, which offers special interest courses that don’t fit into the regular curriculum.“I helped teach a class called ‘Local Biodiversity and Human Impact.’ It went really well, and students who weren’t typically engaged were showing up for class, learning, and creating new friendships,” Kehoe said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/7/1722224985828.jpeg" alt="Aron Kehoe, the community outdoor recreation education specialist with Des Moines County Conservation, poses for a photo at the Starr’s Cave Nature Center. Photo/Maggie Fitzpatrick" />
 <figcaption>Aron Kehoe, the community outdoor recreation education specialist with Des Moines County Conservation, poses for a photo at the Starr’s Cave Nature Center. Photo/Maggie Fitzpatrick</figcaption>
 </figure>Des Moines County Conservation Executive Director Chris Lee worked with Kehoe and fellow teacher Heather Hayes to create this class.&nbsp;After several years of teaching this summer course, Lee recruited Kehoe for the DMCC’s CORES position, which is funded by grants from the Kiwanis Club of Burlington and the Aldo Leopold Pheasants Forever chapter.In his role, Kehoe plans free recreational and educational events for people of all ages and backgrounds, such as hikes, bike rides, and disc golf. These events connect participants to community groups and organizations that provide them with recreational activities.“We want to get more people out into nature. We have many beautiful locations in Des Moines County in which people can explore,” said Kehoe.Kehoe has coordinated with various community organizations. For example, he helped host an archery activity at Community Day in the Parks on Saturday, where the attendees shot bows. Tim Marshal and Zach and Denissa Cornick helped Kehoe plan this event.He also partnered with Teresa Heitmeier for an outreach event with s’mores and a hike where he showed individuals with disabilities how to identify plants and animals. Kehoe said they had almost 40 people come, and he plans on doing another event like it in the fall.Kehoe aims to educate participants and help them make memories. He has several upcoming events toward this aim.&nbsp;First of all, he has planned a bike ride through the trails from 9 a.m. to noon on July 25, starting at Zion Schoolhouse. Then on Aug. 2, a world triathlon qualifier will teach participants running theory and drills at the How to Run in a Park event from 8-9:30 a.m. at Starr’s Cave Nature Center.Additionally, DMCC hosts pop-up events to provide more opportunities for individuals to get involved.&nbsp;Kehoe encourages attendees to RSVP by calling the Nature Center at 319-753-5808.When planning these activities, Kehoe eliminates as many barriers as possible. Currently, everything he has scheduled is free.“The best things in my youth were with my grandpa and often in nature, and I don’t think expense should count people out of experiences like that,” said Kehoe.County residents can even get transportation to some of the events if they call the Nature Center ahead of time. Another goal of Kehoe’s is to reach new demographics. Many attendees are white and middle-class, so he aims to broaden that reach. He said the response from community members has been very positive.“Everyone I’ve reached out to has either helped me or, if they can’t help me right now, said they will in the future,” said Kehoe.Even though he has only had the position a short time, he said it makes him “so happy” and “hardly feels like work.”&nbsp;He loves connecting with people from all different backgrounds and seeing them make memories. Although Kehoe was never particularly interested in conservation and nature growing up, he always loved spending time outdoors, especially for runs and bike rides.&nbsp;He ran competitively in college while attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during his undergrad, so he was regularly outside. He received a bachelor’s degree in special education and went on to pursue his master’s degree in secondary education from Southeast Missouri State University.Kehoe has long had a passion for education, which is why he said teaching was the perfect occupation for him.“I’ve always loved learning and teaching youth,” said Kehoe.&nbsp;“The main goal has been to meet students where they are and help them become the best version of themselves. I learn just so much from them and they help me focus on areas in which I can grow, too,” said Kehoe in describing his approach to teaching.He will continue working part-time as a teacher next school year and applies the same mindset he uses as a teacher to his position at Des Moines County Conservation.“I want people to learn about nature, not fear it,” said Kehoe.Going forward, Kehoe wants to keep “bringing joy and making people stewards of conservation.”&nbsp;Kehoe’s office is at Starr’s Cave Nature Center, along with information about pollinators and a beaver exhibit. The Center is located on Starr’s Cave Parks and Preserve, an 184-acre park with several miles of hiking trails.Kehoe encourages everyone to check out the Nature Center on Facebook and stop by to see it in person.

52 FACES: All the world is a classroom

Photos 1 and 2: Allison Nalley is crowned the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen by last year's queen Caroline Nealey during the Des Moines County Fair Queen Pagea on Tuesday at Southeastern Community College's Agri Sports Arena in West Burlington. 

Photo 3: Nalley, center, along with Brenna Thie, left, who was named the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Spirit Award winner,  and Jennifer Lohmann, right, who was named the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Princess.

Photos by John Lovretta<figure>
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 </figure>Photos 1 and 2: Allison Nalley is crowned the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Queen by last year's queen Caroline Nealey during the Des Moines County Fair Queen Pagea on Tuesday at Southeastern Community College's Agri Sports Arena in West Burlington. <figure>
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 </figure>Photo 3: Nalley, center, along with Brenna Thie, left, who was named the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Spirit Award winner, and Jennifer Lohmann, right, who was named the 2024 Des Moines County Fair Princess.