Jimmy Bruegger never used to have nightmares — not ones that he can remember, anyway.

That changed after he and his Irish Setter — Scarlett — were attacked last month by a pit bull that had escaped its owner near the Burlington riverfront.

Scarlett barely survived the attack, and Bruegger has spent more than $9,000 in vet bills to keep her alive. The pit bull bit Bruegger on the thumb during the attack, breaking the bone inside and lacerating the flesh around it.

“If it doesn’t heal right, they will have to go back and put a screw in there,” Bruegger said.

The attack happened around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 near the Port of Burlington, which is a regular walking spot for the two.

“When I pull up, I scope the area out for loose dogs just to make sure things are safe,” Bruegger said.

They barely had a chance to get started when the pit bull attacked.

“And all of a sudden, this dog came up behind us and grabbed her by the throat. I went down with her. And it commenced to trying to kill her,” Bruegger said.

Bruegger, as did the owner, tried to pull the dog off his dog. Scarlett, meanwhile, just hunkered down. The dog continued to attack, ripping at Scarlett’s neck and chest to the point where Bruegger could see Scarlett’s jugular.

“I had both arms around Scarlett, trying to keep the pitbull from dragging her away,” Bruegger said.&nbsp;

By then, the pitbull had ripped off sections of Scarlett’s ears. Bruegger was able to get the pit bull off her momentarily, but he went right back in for the kill. A good Samaritan, who was fishing nearby, rushed to help. After the attack, he cut off a piece of his blue jeans and used it as a tourniquet for Scarlett’s neck.&nbsp;

Eight police officers arrived, and by then, Bruegger was covered in blood. His only priority was to save his dog’s life.

That turned out to be a month-long process. The first emergency visit was to Allgood Animal Hospital. Bruegger got his broken thumb set the next day and took Scarlett to a vet in Iowa City the day after.

Scarlett’s wounds on her chest and neck were stitched together but had started re-opening just a couple of days later. By the time Bruegger was able to get her back in, the wound was large enough to stick his hand through it.

Bruegger was referred to the University of Missouri Veterinary Medicine, where he received the care Scarlett needed. He thought she was going to lose her ear, but the doctors were able to save it. He stayed down there for a week.

“The wounds aren’t all the way healed, but they’re progressing nicely, and I just kind of take care of her as well,” Bruegger said.

Scarlett is back to her old self, although she’s still sore and moves gingerly. Bruegger, who is retired from BNSF Railway, was thankful he had the time to spend with Scarlett while she clung to survival.

The pit bull was scheduled for destruction earlier this week, having shown a history of violent incidents. Bruegger is just trying to move on with his life, though the financial side of the healing has been a burden.

Bruegger has never had post-traumatic stress disorder before. But he’s working through it. It’s a small price to pay for the life of his best friend.

“I’m 24-7 taking care of my baby,” Bruegger said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1727535614152.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithJimmy Bruegger never used to have nightmares — not ones that he can remember, anyway.That changed after he and his Irish Setter — Scarlett — were attacked last month by a pit bull that had escaped its owner near the Burlington riverfront.Scarlett barely survived the attack, and Bruegger has spent more than $9,000 in vet bills to keep her alive. The pit bull bit Bruegger on the thumb during the attack, breaking the bone inside and lacerating the flesh around it.He still has a cast on his arm.“If it doesn’t heal right, they will have to go back and put a screw in there,” Bruegger said.The attack happened around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 near the Port of Burlington, which is a regular walking spot for the two.“When I pull up, I scope the area out for loose dogs just to make sure things are safe,” Bruegger said.They barely had a chance to get started when the pit bull attacked.“And all of a sudden, this dog came up behind us and grabbed her by the throat. I went down with her. And it commenced to trying to kill her,” Bruegger said.Bruegger, as did the owner, tried to pull the dog off his dog. Scarlett, meanwhile, just hunkered down. The dog continued to attack, ripping at Scarlett’s neck and chest to the point where Bruegger could see Scarlett’s jugular.“I had both arms around Scarlett, trying to keep the pitbull from dragging her away,” Bruegger said.&nbsp;By then, the pitbull had ripped off sections of Scarlett’s ears. Bruegger was able to get the pit bull off her momentarily, but he went right back in for the kill. A good Samaritan, who was fishing nearby, rushed to help. After the attack, he cut off a piece of his blue jeans and used it as a tourniquet for Scarlett’s neck.&nbsp;Eight police officers arrived, and by then, Bruegger was covered in blood. His only priority was to save his dog’s life.That turned out to be a month-long process. The first emergency visit was to Allgood Animal Hospital. Bruegger got his broken thumb set the next day and took Scarlett to a vet in Iowa City the day after.Scarlett’s wounds on her chest and neck were stitched together but had started re-opening just a couple of days later. By the time Bruegger was able to get her back in, the wound was large enough to stick his hand through it.Bruegger was referred to the University of Missouri Veterinary Medicine, where he received the care Scarlett needed. He thought she was going to lose her ear, but the doctors were able to save it. He stayed down there for a week.“The wounds aren’t all the way healed, but they’re progressing nicely, and I just kind of take care of her as well,” Bruegger said.Scarlett is back to her old self, although she’s still sore and moves gingerly. Bruegger, who is retired from BNSF Railway, was thankful he had the time to spend with Scarlett while she clung to survival.The pit bull was scheduled for destruction earlier this week, having shown a history of violent incidents. Bruegger is just trying to move on with his life, though the financial side of the healing has been a burden.Bruegger has never had post-traumatic stress disorder before. But he’s working through it. It’s a small price to pay for the life of his best friend.“I’m 24-7 taking care of my baby,” Bruegger said.

Saving his friend’s life

When Annette Worthy had surgery to get rid of the fibroid cysts in her uterus in 2009, the doctor wasn’t that worried. Removing the cysts would be no problem.

But there was one type of cyst that wasn’t like the others. The doctor didn’t immediately recognize it as cancer, but as Annette said, the doctor thought it looked “a little weird.”

Three days later, the doctor called back with a very different tone. Turns out the cyst was cancerous, though it wasn’t the kind associated with uterine cancer. That’s why the doctor didn’t recognize it at first.

“He said, ‘I didn’t think he would ever be having this conversation,’” Worthy said. “You have to get up to Iowa City right away.”

Annette survived the cancer thanks to a grueling treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation. She knew the situation was severe. But she didn’t realize how serious it was until her cancer went into remission, and she saw the doctor again five years later.

“I walked in the door, and he goes, ‘Wow, I thought I would never see you again,’” Annette said.

The cancer wasn’t gone. In 2015, Annette was diagnosed with breast cancer. Once again, she summoned her will, with the help of her family, to beat the deadly disease.

But she is still scanned for cancer every year. She knows the cancer will always be lurking. And she’s ready to fight again if necessary.

Her husband, Duane Worthy, said Annette has a lot to live for. They aren’t just parents and grandparents. They’re great-grandparents.

“She (Annette) said she wanted to be there for her grandchildren’s graduation,” Duane said.

The Des Moines County Relay for Life has been a fixture of the Burlington community for more than two decades. It’s a chance for cancer patients, survivors, and their caretakers to celebrate the lives of the fallen and provide each other strength for the ongoing cancer battle.

Duane and Annette took over planning the annual event several years ago.&nbsp;

They met 45 years ago and hit it off right away. Annette is a Danville native, and Duane is from Burlington. She used to work the third shift at a restaurant in Burlington, where they met.

“Working third shift is a different kind of animal,” Annette said, noting the number of rowdy drunks.

Worthy, who would go on to become the administrator of the Des Moines County Jail, was eating there with some work friends. Annette said the police often came by during their shifts and were unerringly polite.

“I went in there one night to have supper, and she was working. She was looking for a car, and I said, well, ‘Hey, you want to test drive mine?’” Duane said. “We’ve been together ever since. She never bought the car, but she got me.”

Duane was interested in law enforcement before graduating high school. Within a few years, he settled into the jail administrator role. Between his time as an assistant and head administrator, Duane looked over Des Moines County’s inmates for over 40 years.

“I had a great sheriff,” he said, referring to former Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone.

Meanwhile, Annette became a fixture in the Danville Community School District, working in the lunch room for over 30 years.

Annette found a community there, as she had done while working out with fellow cancer patients through the YMCA’s Live Strong program.

Now, she and Duane find community in the cancer survivors and patients who volunteer their time to fight the disease. They are gearing up for the 2024 Relay for Life, which was Sunday (Sept. 22) at Community Field.&nbsp;

“We always try to make sure that they (the cancer survivors) get something out of it. I mean, that’s what it’s about. It’s the survivors, the caregivers, and the support group. If you don’t have a good support group, it really makes it difficult sometimes,” Worthy said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1727200764535.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithWhen Annette Worthy had surgery to get rid of the fibroid cysts in her uterus in 2009, the doctor wasn’t that worried. Removing the cysts would be no problem.But there was one type of cyst that wasn’t like the others. The doctor didn’t immediately recognize it as cancer, but as Annette said, the doctor thought it looked “a little weird.”“He wanted to test it,” Worthy said.Three days later, the doctor called back with a very different tone. Turns out the cyst was cancerous, though it wasn’t the kind associated with uterine cancer. That’s why the doctor didn’t recognize it at first.“He said, ‘I didn’t think he would ever be having this conversation,’” Worthy said. “You have to get up to Iowa City right away.”Annette survived the cancer thanks to a grueling treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation. She knew the situation was severe. But she didn’t realize how serious it was until her cancer went into remission, and she saw the doctor again five years later.“I walked in the door, and he goes, ‘Wow, I thought I would never see you again,’” Annette said.The cancer wasn’t gone. In 2015, Annette was diagnosed with breast cancer. Once again, she summoned her will, with the help of her family, to beat the deadly disease.But she is still scanned for cancer every year. She knows the cancer will always be lurking. And she’s ready to fight again if necessary.Her husband, Duane Worthy, said Annette has a lot to live for. They aren’t just parents and grandparents. They’re great-grandparents.“She (Annette) said she wanted to be there for her grandchildren’s graduation,” Duane said.Relay for LifeThe Des Moines County Relay for Life has been a fixture of the Burlington community for more than two decades. It’s a chance for cancer patients, survivors, and their caretakers to celebrate the lives of the fallen and provide each other strength for the ongoing cancer battle.Duane and Annette took over planning the annual event several years ago.&nbsp;They met 45 years ago and hit it off right away. Annette is a Danville native, and Duane is from Burlington. She used to work the third shift at a restaurant in Burlington, where they met.“Working third shift is a different kind of animal,” Annette said, noting the number of rowdy drunks.Worthy, who would go on to become the administrator of the Des Moines County Jail, was eating there with some work friends. Annette said the police often came by during their shifts and were unerringly polite.“I went in there one night to have supper, and she was working. She was looking for a car, and I said, well, ‘Hey, you want to test drive mine?’” Duane said. “We’ve been together ever since. She never bought the car, but she got me.”Duane was interested in law enforcement before graduating high school. Within a few years, he settled into the jail administrator role. Between his time as an assistant and head administrator, Duane looked over Des Moines County’s inmates for over 40 years.“I had a great sheriff,” he said, referring to former Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone.Meanwhile, Annette became a fixture in the Danville Community School District, working in the lunch room for over 30 years.Annette found a community there, as she had done while working out with fellow cancer patients through the YMCA’s Live Strong program.Now, she and Duane find community in the cancer survivors and patients who volunteer their time to fight the disease. They are gearing up for the 2024 Relay for Life, which was Sunday (Sept. 22) at Community Field.&nbsp;“We always try to make sure that they (the cancer survivors) get something out of it. I mean, that’s what it’s about. It’s the survivors, the caregivers, and the support group. If you don’t have a good support group, it really makes it difficult sometimes,” Worthy said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1727200803352.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

52 Faces: Doing battle with cancer

When the butterfly pollinator garden in Middletown was planted nearly 20 years ago, it was designed to be an asset to the community.

This was no ordinary butterfly garden. It was big enough to be mistaken for a small town park. Master Gardener volunteers spent two years planting varieties that attract butterflies.

“The town of Middletown formed a committee to decide what to do with all the land. And Vera Anderson, she was a master gardener. She came up with the idea of a butterfly garden,” said Master Gardener volunteer Frances Jackson.

The garden was beautiful, and Anderson was its primary caretaker for years. But her health worsened to the point that she could no longer care for it.

Last year, Jackson and some of her fellow Master Gardeners took on rehabilitating the butterfly garden as a new project. The city of Middletown is partnering with the organization and is anxious to see the overgrown garden project and the beauty it once had.

But it’s going to take a while. Jackson described the rehabilitation as a five-year project. She didn’t even know it existed until last year.

She said many other people aren’t aware of the garden’s existence either.

Jackson admits the state of the overgrowth was intimidating the first time she saw the garden. She’s done plenty of weeding in her gardening life. But never this much in a single project.

“We’ve really hit it hard this year,” she said.

Jackson and a dedicated group of Master Gardeners — usually around a dozen or less — work on the garden from 8:30 a.m. to about 10:30 or 11 a.m. every Monday morning. The rehabilitation requires the expertise of the Master Gardeners, but everyone is welcome to come help pull weeds during that time.&nbsp;

“We’ve put in well over 100 hours into the garden since March,” Jackson said.&nbsp;

Sidewalks wind through the garden, forming the shape of a giant butterfly. To speed up the weeding process, Jackson and her volunteers have placed a black tarp over invasive grass, hoping to kill it off to allow for planting. If that works, the tarp will be moved to another butterfly garden section.

“It’s just too big of an area to hand weed,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the garden is also a Monarch butterfly way station and was delighted to see cocoons on the milkweeds this Monday.

She stressed that the garden won’t just be a public resting place. They hope to use it as an educational experience.

“My hope, being a former Girl Scout leader, is that we can eventually get Girl Scouts out here, earning patches,” Jackson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1727108445947.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithWhen the butterfly pollinator garden in Middletown was planted nearly 20 years ago, it was designed to be an asset to the community.This was no ordinary butterfly garden. It was big enough to be mistaken for a small town park. Master Gardener volunteers spent two years planting varieties that attract butterflies.“The town of Middletown formed a committee to decide what to do with all the land. And Vera Anderson, she was a master gardener. She came up with the idea of a butterfly garden,” said Master Gardener volunteer Frances Jackson.The garden was beautiful, and Anderson was its primary caretaker for years. But her health worsened to the point that she could no longer care for it.Last year, Jackson and some of her fellow Master Gardeners took on rehabilitating the butterfly garden as a new project. The city of Middletown is partnering with the organization and is anxious to see the overgrown garden project and the beauty it once had.But it’s going to take a while. Jackson described the rehabilitation as a five-year project. She didn’t even know it existed until last year.She said many other people aren’t aware of the garden’s existence either.“It’s a hidden gem,” she said.Jackson admits the state of the overgrowth was intimidating the first time she saw the garden. She’s done plenty of weeding in her gardening life. But never this much in a single project.“We’ve really hit it hard this year,” she said.Jackson and a dedicated group of Master Gardeners — usually around a dozen or less — work on the garden from 8:30 a.m. to about 10:30 or 11 a.m. every Monday morning. The rehabilitation requires the expertise of the Master Gardeners, but everyone is welcome to come help pull weeds during that time.&nbsp;“We’ve put in well over 100 hours into the garden since March,” Jackson said.&nbsp;Sidewalks wind through the garden, forming the shape of a giant butterfly. To speed up the weeding process, Jackson and her volunteers have placed a black tarp over invasive grass, hoping to kill it off to allow for planting. If that works, the tarp will be moved to another butterfly garden section.“It’s just too big of an area to hand weed,” Jackson said.Jackson said the garden is also a Monarch butterfly way station and was delighted to see cocoons on the milkweeds this Monday.She stressed that the garden won’t just be a public resting place. They hope to use it as an educational experience.“My hope, being a former Girl Scout leader, is that we can eventually get Girl Scouts out here, earning patches,” Jackson said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1727108561424.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

Rehabbing a ‘hidden gem’

Sarah Kottenstette-Kirk, 29, left Burlington in 2013 as a high school graduate, unsure where the winding road of college would take her.

She was one of 26 graduates from her Notre Dame class — a large class for the private Catholic school. Even then, she knew she wanted to help people.

Kottenstette-Kirk returned to Burlington last month with a medical degree and a new job and just started taking patients at Family Medicine-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center — the definition of “hometown girl makes good.”

“When I was in high school, my mom had breast cancer. Seeing her go through all that treatment,&nbsp; I think that kind of led me into medicine,” she said.

Kottenstette-Kirk gained respect for the profession during that process and learned a valuable lesson first-hand — medical treatment can save lives. Her mom just celebrated 15 years of being cancer-free this month, a milestone made possible through science.

“I enjoy just the science behind it all,” Kottenstette-Kirk said. “I like learning what new medications there are and making sure we get the appropriate treatment for people. There’s already been such great advancements in screening practices for cancer and other things.”

As a primary care family doctor, Kottenstette-Kirk is her patients’ first line of defense. She determines their needs and ultimately dictates their treatment and quality of life.&nbsp;

It’s a big responsibility, one that Kottenstette-Kirk doesn’t shrink away from.

“I enjoy being that person,” she said.

Working in her hometown hospital is a little slice of heaven for Kottenstette-Kirk.&nbsp;

She previously did a month-long rotation at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center during medical school, and that experience convinced her to go into family medicine. She was attending medical school at the University of Iowa at the time.

Before starting in her dream job, Kottenstette-Kirk survived the hell of residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.&nbsp;

The 573-bed county hospital has one of the busiest emergency rooms in the world.

That’s why Kottenstette-Kirk picked it. The level-one trauma center was perfect for an ambitious upstart doctor thirsting for a trial-by-fire. The hospital was her first choice.

“Lots of adventures,” she said with a smile.

As a safety net hospital, the county medical center in Fort Worth is the primary source of care for refugees in the area.

“I worked with a large, undocumented, and un-sheltered population. Lots of non-English speakers,” she said.

The hospital keeps Spanish translators on hand due to the large Hispanic population and uses iPads with translation programs to communicate with other refugees. Some of the refugees have shelter, but many don’t.

“We had a lot of people from Afghanistan and a few from the Ukraine. But most of our refugees came from African countries. So we had some very diverse languages,” she said.

Kottenstette-Kirk loved the energy and chaos. It was a grueling schedule—especially when COVID-19 hit—but she got a lifetime’s worth of medical education in three years.

Before moving to Texas, she used her limited off-time to maintain a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, M.J. Kirk.&nbsp;

They made it work and got married in Texas shortly before moving to Burlington.&nbsp;

“We were just good friends in college. He wanted to go to dental school, and I wanted to go to med school. But I knew I wanted to go to the University of Iowa, so we did long distance. He stayed in Omaha for four years,” she said.

Kirk now practices dentistry at Randolph Dental, and the couple are proud parents of two beloved cats.

Ironically, they have much more time to see each other in married life than when they were dating.

“I have to figure out what my hobbies are now,” Kottenstette-Kirk said with a laugh.

Kirk didn’t grow up in the area but is getting used to living in a small town. Kottenstette-Kirk loves being back home, and Burlington has changed dramatically since she last lived her over 10 years ago.

“There is so much more downtown than there used to be,” she said.

Kottenstette-Kirk is building up her patient base and familiarizing herself with Iowa’s insurance laws, which vary quite a bit from Texas. More importantly, she’s taking care of those patients.&nbsp;

“I’m accepting new patients, and I’m excited to be here,” she said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1726767865857.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithSarah Kottenstette-Kirk, 29, left Burlington in 2013 as a high school graduate, unsure where the winding road of college would take her.She was one of 26 graduates from her Notre Dame class — a large class for the private Catholic school. Even then, she knew she wanted to help people.Kottenstette-Kirk returned to Burlington last month with a medical degree and a new job and just started taking patients at Family Medicine-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center — the definition of “hometown girl makes good.”“When I was in high school, my mom had breast cancer. Seeing her go through all that treatment,&nbsp; I think that kind of led me into medicine,” she said.Kottenstette-Kirk gained respect for the profession during that process and learned a valuable lesson first-hand — medical treatment can save lives. Her mom just celebrated 15 years of being cancer-free this month, a milestone made possible through science.“I enjoy just the science behind it all,” Kottenstette-Kirk said. “I like learning what new medications there are and making sure we get the appropriate treatment for people. There’s already been such great advancements in screening practices for cancer and other things.”As a primary care family doctor, Kottenstette-Kirk is her patients’ first line of defense. She determines their needs and ultimately dictates their treatment and quality of life.&nbsp;It’s a big responsibility, one that Kottenstette-Kirk doesn’t shrink away from.“I enjoy being that person,” she said.Working in her hometown hospital is a little slice of heaven for Kottenstette-Kirk.&nbsp;She previously did a month-long rotation at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center during medical school, and that experience convinced her to go into family medicine. She was attending medical school at the University of Iowa at the time.“I love it here,” she said.Before starting in her dream job, Kottenstette-Kirk survived the hell of residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.&nbsp;The 573-bed county hospital has one of the busiest emergency rooms in the world.That’s why Kottenstette-Kirk picked it. The level-one trauma center was perfect for an ambitious upstart doctor thirsting for a trial-by-fire. The hospital was her first choice.“Lots of adventures,” she said with a smile.As a safety net hospital, the county medical center in Fort Worth is the primary source of care for refugees in the area.“I worked with a large, undocumented, and un-sheltered population. Lots of non-English speakers,” she said.The hospital keeps Spanish translators on hand due to the large Hispanic population and uses iPads with translation programs to communicate with other refugees. Some of the refugees have shelter, but many don’t.“We had a lot of people from Afghanistan and a few from the Ukraine. But most of our refugees came from African countries. So we had some very diverse languages,” she said.Kottenstette-Kirk loved the energy and chaos. It was a grueling schedule—especially when COVID-19 hit—but she got a lifetime’s worth of medical education in three years.Before moving to Texas, she used her limited off-time to maintain a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, M.J. Kirk.&nbsp;They made it work and got married in Texas shortly before moving to Burlington.&nbsp;“We were just good friends in college. He wanted to go to dental school, and I wanted to go to med school. But I knew I wanted to go to the University of Iowa, so we did long distance. He stayed in Omaha for four years,” she said.Kirk now practices dentistry at Randolph Dental, and the couple are proud parents of two beloved cats.Ironically, they have much more time to see each other in married life than when they were dating.“I have to figure out what my hobbies are now,” Kottenstette-Kirk said with a laugh.Kirk didn’t grow up in the area but is getting used to living in a small town. Kottenstette-Kirk loves being back home, and Burlington has changed dramatically since she last lived her over 10 years ago.“There is so much more downtown than there used to be,” she said.Kottenstette-Kirk is building up her patient base and familiarizing herself with Iowa’s insurance laws, which vary quite a bit from Texas. More importantly, she’s taking care of those patients.&nbsp;“I’m accepting new patients, and I’m excited to be here,” she said.&nbsp;

52 FACES: Ready to heal her hometown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Voters Pass School Levy Increase for Performing Arts Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fueling Dreams

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725574667907.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/9/1725574734731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaBrendon Tolle, an arborist with Williams Tree Company of Paragon, Ind., contracted by the city of Burlington, removes one of several recently damaged trees in North Hill Park. Two crews from the Indiana company are in Burlington working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, removing storm-damaged trees.&nbsp;

Photos: Chainsaw Man

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

By Jeff Abell&nbsp;and Stacey Abell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— William Smith contributed to this story.&nbsp;

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

Saving Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smith said that isn’t just offering devotions.

“The Bible talks a lot about the world around us,” Smith said. “Look at the design elements and how that works with what you find in science.”

He quoted a French mathematical physicist, Paul Dirac, as saying, “God spoke the world into being using mathematics.”

“That’s a biblical worldview,” Smith said. “How does that affect math? We don’t have to be sneaky about it, subtle about it. Sometimes, the kids will come up with some connection that I would have thought of. That blesses us as teachers."

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

From Portland to Iowa Nice, new principal brings fresh vision to Great River Christian

Oil painter Annie Guldberg of Mount Pleasant loves creating pieces that showcase her artistic voice and getting to share them with the community.

Her art is a culmination of all the places she’s lived, relying on various nature themes from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the rolling hills in Iowa. She uses lots of swirls and bright colors and pulls inspiration from artists like Grant Wood and Vincent Van Gogh.&nbsp;

Though oil paints are her favorite, she works in other mediums as well, including acrylics, watercolor, and graphite.

Throughout her career, she has participated in various exhibitions, sold her artwork to customers across the nation, and made murals for several locations in southeast Iowa.

One significant moment for her was her first solo show called “Dreamlands,” which took place at a gallery in Wisconsin. She was so excited for the opportunity that she sent postcards to her previous co-workers, college friends, and all her extended family inviting them to come.&nbsp;

“We filled up the whole gallery, and it was just like this huge party of people I loved and cared about,” said Guldberg.

The show was a big undertaking that featured multiple large-scale paintings. She even made a coloring book with line drawings of the pieces for attendees.

Much of her work is deeply personal, and this is particularly evident in her favorite piece, “Innermost.” The painting depicts an empty chair in the middle of a purple room with a light shining on it.

Guldberg&nbsp;described the meaning behind it: “I was creating a visual representation of my inner mind, the place in my mind where I go to think about art or life.” Although it was scary putting something so vulnerable into the world, she said she’s proud she did it. Many people connected to it, which made it even more personal for her.

As she’s grown as an artist, she’s also explored new ways to display her art, such as doing murals. Though many people had asked her to do them, it took a few other projects to push her into it.&nbsp;

First, she worked on some Peace Poles after Mount Pleasant resident Abigail Heaton asked her to make some. These are monuments placed all around the world with the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in various translations. Masahisa Goi started this initiative in Japan in 1955, but the project has grown into an international organization called May Peace Prevail on Earth International.&nbsp;

Later, Guldberg completed a 30-foot totem pole at the KILJ Radio Station in Mount Pleasant. It was so tall she had to use a boom lift to reach the top.

After these projects, she connected with the New London Community Childcare Center to paint a mural of cartoon farm animals and another one of a magical forest.&nbsp;

Now, she’s created murals all over, including at Ignite Dance Company and the Art Center of Burlington. She even partnered with Main Street Mount Pleasant to make a transportable mural that was displayed during RAGBRAI.

Guldberg always enjoyed art class, but it wasn’t until she discovered oil paints that she truly found her passion.

She loves oil paints’ thick texture and the words she can make with them.

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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724176009561.jpeg" alt="Photo credit: Rebecca Bender Photography" />
 <figcaption>Photo credit: Rebecca Bender Photography</figcaption>
 </figure>By Maggie FitzpatrickOil painter Annie Guldberg of Mount Pleasant loves creating pieces that showcase her artistic voice and getting to share them with the community.Her art is a culmination of all the places she’s lived, relying on various nature themes from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the rolling hills in Iowa. She uses lots of swirls and bright colors and pulls inspiration from artists like Grant Wood and Vincent Van Gogh.&nbsp;Though oil paints are her favorite, she works in other mediums as well, including acrylics, watercolor, and graphite.A Lifetime Making ArtThroughout her career, she has participated in various exhibitions, sold her artwork to customers across the nation, and made murals for several locations in southeast Iowa.One significant moment for her was her first solo show called “Dreamlands,” which took place at a gallery in Wisconsin. She was so excited for the opportunity that she sent postcards to her previous co-workers, college friends, and all her extended family inviting them to come.&nbsp;“We filled up the whole gallery, and it was just like this huge party of people I loved and cared about,” said Guldberg.The show was a big undertaking that featured multiple large-scale paintings. She even made a coloring book with line drawings of the pieces for attendees.Much of her work is deeply personal, and this is particularly evident in her favorite piece, “Innermost.” The painting depicts an empty chair in the middle of a purple room with a light shining on it.Guldberg&nbsp;described the meaning behind it: “I was creating a visual representation of my inner mind, the place in my mind where I go to think about art or life.” Although it was scary putting something so vulnerable into the world, she said she’s proud she did it. Many people connected to it, which made it even more personal for her.Becoming a MuralistAs she’s grown as an artist, she’s also explored new ways to display her art, such as doing murals. Though many people had asked her to do them, it took a few other projects to push her into it.&nbsp;First, she worked on some Peace Poles after Mount Pleasant resident Abigail Heaton asked her to make some. These are monuments placed all around the world with the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in various translations. Masahisa Goi started this initiative in Japan in 1955, but the project has grown into an international organization called May Peace Prevail on Earth International.&nbsp;Later, Guldberg completed a 30-foot totem pole at the KILJ Radio Station in Mount Pleasant. It was so tall she had to use a boom lift to reach the top.After these projects, she connected with the New London Community Childcare Center to paint a mural of cartoon farm animals and another one of a magical forest.&nbsp;Now, she’s created murals all over, including at Ignite Dance Company and the Art Center of Burlington. She even partnered with Main Street Mount Pleasant to make a transportable mural that was displayed during RAGBRAI.How It All StartedGuldberg always enjoyed art class, but it wasn’t until she discovered oil paints that she truly found her passion.She loves oil paints’ thick texture and the words she can make with them.“It’s the thickness of toothpaste, and if you squeeze it out, it’ll stay like that,” said&nbsp;Guldberg. “I also love the simplicity and uniqueness. A lot of people don’t want to mess with it.”During spring clean-up, Guldberg’s mom just happened to pick up some oil paints someone put out on the side of the road.“A box of dried-up oil paints started it all,” Guldberg joked.It wasn’t just the paints that led her to where she is now. Her high school art teacher, Mrs. Judy Peck, was instrumental in helping her develop her skills.&nbsp;Guldberg&nbsp;went into the art room even when she didn’t have class, and Peck taught her to oil paint.Though Guldberg lives in Mount Pleasant, she is originally from Colorado, where she lived until she was 12. After that, she moved to Mount Pleasant, where she attended Mount Pleasant Christian School.&nbsp;Moving away from her core friend group at such a young age was hard for her, but art provided a much-needed outlet.&nbsp;“It was a difficult transition for me, which probably led me to art as something I could do as an introvert hobby,” Guldberg reflected.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724176049594.jpeg" alt="Summer Sunset by Annie Guldberg" />
 <figcaption>Summer Sunset by Annie Guldberg</figcaption>
 </figure>College and Corporate YearsShe went on to earn an art degree at Wisconsin Lutheran College. However, her college years were not without difficulty. She was forced to learn mediums she wasn’t interested in and had to deal with the constant criticism of pieces she loved.Despite these struggles, she wouldn’t change a thing. She met her husband in her first year of college and discovered her love for graphic design.“Adversity isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes struggle and going through hard things is good,” said Guldberg.Before pursuing art full-time, Guldberg had several corporate jobs in Milwaukee. She did layout for a publishing company that made magazines about model railways and train watching. Later, she shifted to production at a different printing company that made Newsweek and Target advertisements.Eventually, she moved back to Iowa after her husband got a new job. She worked in various places part-time from printing to photography but got laid off during COVID.&nbsp;This event was just the push she needed to focus on her art.“My husband was like, ‘All the art events and sales have been building up, and I think it’s time for you to just dive in’,” said&nbsp;Guldberg.A Teacher’s SpiritIn addition to making her own art, she also teaches private lessons at her home studio. Ironically, she has never taught students oil painting because they usually want to learn watercolor or drawing.Guldberg said that teaching has not only benefited her students but also herself: “Learning how to explain things and help people through their own art has helped me understand myself as an artist and really refine my skills.”&nbsp;She loves watching her students grow because she knows how much work and passion it takes. In these lessons, she aims to create an environment where everyone can feel supported.One piece of advice she gives her students is to just keep making as much art as possible. She encourages them not to save their supplies because “they’re fulfilling the paint’s purpose by using it.”What’s NextAnnie&nbsp;Guldberg&nbsp;continues to work on her art in her home studio in Mount Pleasant and does commissions. When she isn’t painting or teaching, she loves spending time with her husband and two kids. More information about&nbsp;Guldberg&nbsp;can be found on her website,&nbsp;oilpainterannie.com, or on her Facebook page.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/8/1724176111619.jpeg" alt="Song of Summer by Annie Guldberg" />
 <figcaption>Song of Summer by Annie Guldberg</figcaption>
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