It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this can also be a good time to bring up cancer specific to men, as I can well attest.

I have prostate cancer. Again. For the third time.

Just as women can have a recurring case of breast cancer despite having had a mastectomy, men can have prostate cancer come back despite having the organ removed.

I was more motivated, though, to bring this up after seeing a cartoon posted on Facebook about the topic of cancer.&nbsp;

The gist of it was the conspiracy theory that medical researchers will never find a “cure for cancer” as their revenue stream would dry out.

This ignores the fact that there are many cancers and many causes, so it’s not as if there will be a magic pill and we can shut down all the research labs.

Much of the procedures and treatments that have helped me in my journey came from someone’s endeavors.

I’m 66, and back when I turned 40, I dutifully went to my doctor for a prostate exam as that’s the age men should start thinking about it.

Then I did not do my due diligence, forgetting everything until 2015, after my 57th&nbsp;birthday. One of the warning signs prompted me to have the exam and blood work to reveal my prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

My PSA number was 13, which meant nothing to me, but I was told it was high.

I was also told that it was a “good” cancer to have because “more men die with it than from it.”

A follow-up procedure revealed the cancer was “aggressive” and that I needed radiation or removal to get rid of it, the two “cures.”

The radiologist thought it was a toss-up, with pros and cons on either option.

However, I was also sent to Dr. Chad Tracy, a urologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He said that if his health was on the line, he would go for the removal. That was good enough for me.

Dr. Tracy told me that it was better that I had cancer at the time than 10-12 years ago, as more advancements had been made in treatment.

For one thing, Dr. Tracy would use robotic surgery. I searched his bio on the university website and discovered that he was head of the robotic surgery team and had already performed 400 such surgeries!

I was getting the captain of the All-America team.

I had my prostate removed in January 2016, but Dr. Tracy said that due to its aggressive nature, it could come back.

You have to follow up with quarterly blood work, and with it removed, the PSA should be under .03, undetectable.

But mine was higher in June, and by September, it was determined I had to have radiation, the other cure.

Chemotherapy doesn’t work for prostate cancer. Given what I know from friends who have had it, the toll it takes on your body, I’ll take that as a good thing.

As such, it was humorous when people at church would comment, “You look good,” even though nothing about my cancer should make me appear ill.

Radiation involves 35 treatments over seven weeks in which you are to report with a full bladder, lie flat under the radiation zapper, and be told, “Now hold it for 19 minutes.”

As an extra precaution, I was given hormone treatment by way of pills that would stem the advancement of the disease if the radiation didn’t work.

But you had to wait until the hormones were out of your system — a year-long wait — to see if the cancer was gone.

The numbers were where they should be after three years of quarterly checkups, and it looked like I was in the clear.

The PSA number was .12 in 2021, which meant it was back to low to make any treatment plan.

The PSA grew slowly. In January 2023, my number was .39, which wasn’t double the number from a year ago. That’s a good thing, said Dr. Tracy, as doubling within a year would be a bad thing.

In April, three months later, it had doubled to .88.

But medical research comes to the rescue again. There’s a PET Scan mixture specifically for detecting prostate cancer. It had to come from Chicago, but when I finally had the test done, UIHC had a batch from Davenport, expecting that Iowa City would soon be making its concoction.

The PET scan results came back, and they couldn’t find anything, which was a surprise but a good one.

Six months later, the PSA was .33, so the .88 was determined to be a glitch.

The number is still increasing: .66 this January and .99 in April. I go to Iowa City the following Monday to see if it’s high enough to bring out the PET scan again.

I consider myself very fortunate. Through all this, nothing about my life has changed.

I know many cancer patients who go through this length of time with treatments and recovery and relapse and treatments and hopefully more recovery. Some don’t make it.

But some have survived a type of cancer that others in the past did not, and for that, we can thank those in the medical field who continue to make progress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/11/1730683073075.jpeg" alt="faulkner-color- NEW mug.jpg" />
 <figcaption>faulkner-color- NEW mug.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerIt’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this can also be a good time to bring up cancer specific to men, as I can well attest.I have prostate cancer. Again. For the third time.Just as women can have a recurring case of breast cancer despite having had a mastectomy, men can have prostate cancer come back despite having the organ removed.I was more motivated, though, to bring this up after seeing a cartoon posted on Facebook about the topic of cancer.&nbsp;The gist of it was the conspiracy theory that medical researchers will never find a “cure for cancer” as their revenue stream would dry out.This ignores the fact that there are many cancers and many causes, so it’s not as if there will be a magic pill and we can shut down all the research labs.Much of the procedures and treatments that have helped me in my journey came from someone’s endeavors.My storyI’m 66, and back when I turned 40, I dutifully went to my doctor for a prostate exam as that’s the age men should start thinking about it.Then I did not do my due diligence, forgetting everything until 2015, after my 57th&nbsp;birthday. One of the warning signs prompted me to have the exam and blood work to reveal my prostate-specific antigen (PSA).My PSA number was 13, which meant nothing to me, but I was told it was high.I was also told that it was a “good” cancer to have because “more men die with it than from it.”A follow-up procedure revealed the cancer was “aggressive” and that I needed radiation or removal to get rid of it, the two “cures.”The radiologist thought it was a toss-up, with pros and cons on either option.However, I was also sent to Dr. Chad Tracy, a urologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He said that if his health was on the line, he would go for the removal. That was good enough for me.Dr. Tracy told me that it was better that I had cancer at the time than 10-12 years ago, as more advancements had been made in treatment.For one thing, Dr. Tracy would use robotic surgery. I searched his bio on the university website and discovered that he was head of the robotic surgery team and had already performed 400 such surgeries!I was getting the captain of the All-America team.I had my prostate removed in January 2016, but Dr. Tracy said that due to its aggressive nature, it could come back.It did.You have to follow up with quarterly blood work, and with it removed, the PSA should be under .03, undetectable.But mine was higher in June, and by September, it was determined I had to have radiation, the other cure.Chemotherapy doesn’t work for prostate cancer. Given what I know from friends who have had it, the toll it takes on your body, I’ll take that as a good thing.As such, it was humorous when people at church would comment, “You look good,” even though nothing about my cancer should make me appear ill.Radiation involves 35 treatments over seven weeks in which you are to report with a full bladder, lie flat under the radiation zapper, and be told, “Now hold it for 19 minutes.”As an extra precaution, I was given hormone treatment by way of pills that would stem the advancement of the disease if the radiation didn’t work.But you had to wait until the hormones were out of your system — a year-long wait — to see if the cancer was gone.It was.The numbers were where they should be after three years of quarterly checkups, and it looked like I was in the clear.Until I wasn’t.The PSA number was .12 in 2021, which meant it was back to low to make any treatment plan.The PSA grew slowly. In January 2023, my number was .39, which wasn’t double the number from a year ago. That’s a good thing, said Dr. Tracy, as doubling within a year would be a bad thing.In April, three months later, it had doubled to .88.But medical research comes to the rescue again. There’s a PET Scan mixture specifically for detecting prostate cancer. It had to come from Chicago, but when I finally had the test done, UIHC had a batch from Davenport, expecting that Iowa City would soon be making its concoction.The PET scan results came back, and they couldn’t find anything, which was a surprise but a good one.Six months later, the PSA was .33, so the .88 was determined to be a glitch.The number is still increasing: .66 this January and .99 in April. I go to Iowa City the following Monday to see if it’s high enough to bring out the PET scan again.I consider myself very fortunate. Through all this, nothing about my life has changed.I know many cancer patients who go through this length of time with treatments and recovery and relapse and treatments and hopefully more recovery. Some don’t make it.But some have survived a type of cancer that others in the past did not, and for that, we can thank those in the medical field who continue to make progress.

My Cancer Journey

Deep in the bowels of Burlington’s Art Center, Burlington High School art teacher Tony Onesto toils away in a studio invisible to the general public.

He’s not the only one. The Allied Creators Studios, which Onesto founded 11 years ago, has plenty of traffic. For a small fee, local artists are given 24/7 access to the art studio.

A few will achieve recognition with their art. Most are just happy to have a space where they can create. No matter their reasons, the art they create is displayed prominently every year at the Snake Alley Art Fair.

“We have a line cook who is studying to be an art teacher now. We have a former Target employee who just became an art teacher. We had a nail stylist who was a painter. For the longest time, we have had a city worker from Fort Madison,” Onesto said.

Onesto’s goal is simple: Charge the minimum rental price to keep the doors open and let artists do their art — unless they need Onesto’s help. As a teacher, he’s always happy to oblige.

“Not everyone is dealt a great hand. They’re very artistic, but they don’t have an opportunity to create. Our motto is ‘helping creative people reach their dreams,’ ” Onesto said.

Onesto isn’t a Burlington native. He grew up in Chicago and spent some time in California as a youth.

“I’m a military brat, so I lived all over the country,” he said.

But he’s been living here for nearly a decade – 16 of those years as an art teacher. He has embraced the city as his new home and has no desire to leave.

“It’s easy when you’re younger to think the grass is greener on the other side, but it isn’t. I love the pace of Burlington,” he said.

Onesto only really thought of himself as an artist once he was in junior high in San Diego, Calif. Comic-con was in town, and Onesto grew up on the printed superhero adventures.

He left the comic-con with more than he ever could have imagined.

“I ended up taking a writing class from Stan Lee. Some of my first art teachers were actually professional comic book artists,” Onesto said.

That experience influenced Onesto’s art style for the rest of his life. He’s currently working on a graphic novel about Burlington and is also in the middle of writing a children’s book.

Onesto came to Iowa for college and met his future wife — a Burlington native — in Columbus Junction. He went to college on an art scholarship but discovered a love for teaching that would be more practical and fulfilling.

“I realized I was good in art, maybe not great. But I felt like I could be a great art teacher. And everything fell into place,” he said.

Onesto is a year shy of his 30th anniversary as an art teacher. He started in Fort Madison, moved to Aldo Leopold when a spot was available, and eventually became the high school art teacher.

“Everyone thinks you got to make money off of art. It’s not about making money,” he said.

Life often gets in the way of art. Over the years, Onesto has rented space to many local artists and has seen their struggles. Some create their work in the middle of the day, while others don’t feel creative until about 3 a.m.

“We had a person who left the studio and developed a drug addiction. They got into rehab and came back. This was a safe space for them,” Onesto said.

Onesto has obtained grants to spruce up the studio and stock it with necessary art supplies. Not every artist can afford to pay their way. If they have to miss a month because of a life situation, Onesto often picks up the tab.

He has also developed methods of long-term financing for struggling artists.

“Kids who can’t really afford anything, we find people who will sponsor them and pay their monthly rent. We’re more like a co-op here. We’re not looking to make a profit. We just want to make enough money to keep the doors open. That’s all that’s important,” Onesto said.

Allied Creators Studios has 11 slots for artists; roughly half are filled right now. Those interested can contact Onesto on the Allied Creators Studios Facebook page.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/10/1730043036985.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithDeep in the bowels of Burlington’s Art Center, Burlington High School art teacher Tony Onesto toils away in a studio invisible to the general public.He’s not the only one. The Allied Creators Studios, which Onesto founded 11 years ago, has plenty of traffic. For a small fee, local artists are given 24/7 access to the art studio.A few will achieve recognition with their art. Most are just happy to have a space where they can create. No matter their reasons, the art they create is displayed prominently every year at the Snake Alley Art Fair.“We have a line cook who is studying to be an art teacher now. We have a former Target employee who just became an art teacher. We had a nail stylist who was a painter. For the longest time, we have had a city worker from Fort Madison,” Onesto said.Onesto’s goal is simple: Charge the minimum rental price to keep the doors open and let artists do their art — unless they need Onesto’s help. As a teacher, he’s always happy to oblige.“Not everyone is dealt a great hand. They’re very artistic, but they don’t have an opportunity to create. Our motto is ‘helping creative people reach their dreams,’ ” Onesto said.Onesto isn’t a Burlington native. He grew up in Chicago and spent some time in California as a youth.“I’m a military brat, so I lived all over the country,” he said.But he’s been living here for nearly a decade – 16 of those years as an art teacher. He has embraced the city as his new home and has no desire to leave.“It’s easy when you’re younger to think the grass is greener on the other side, but it isn’t. I love the pace of Burlington,” he said.Onesto only really thought of himself as an artist once he was in junior high in San Diego, Calif. Comic-con was in town, and Onesto grew up on the printed superhero adventures.He left the comic-con with more than he ever could have imagined.“I ended up taking a writing class from Stan Lee. Some of my first art teachers were actually professional comic book artists,” Onesto said.That experience influenced Onesto’s art style for the rest of his life. He’s currently working on a graphic novel about Burlington and is also in the middle of writing a children’s book.Onesto came to Iowa for college and met his future wife — a Burlington native — in Columbus Junction. He went to college on an art scholarship but discovered a love for teaching that would be more practical and fulfilling.“I realized I was good in art, maybe not great. But I felt like I could be a great art teacher. And everything fell into place,” he said.Onesto is a year shy of his 30th anniversary as an art teacher. He started in Fort Madison, moved to Aldo Leopold when a spot was available, and eventually became the high school art teacher.“Everyone thinks you got to make money off of art. It’s not about making money,” he said.Life often gets in the way of art. Over the years, Onesto has rented space to many local artists and has seen their struggles. Some create their work in the middle of the day, while others don’t feel creative until about 3 a.m.“We had a person who left the studio and developed a drug addiction. They got into rehab and came back. This was a safe space for them,” Onesto said.Onesto has obtained grants to spruce up the studio and stock it with necessary art supplies. Not every artist can afford to pay their way. If they have to miss a month because of a life situation, Onesto often picks up the tab.He has also developed methods of long-term financing for struggling artists.“Kids who can’t really afford anything, we find people who will sponsor them and pay their monthly rent. We’re more like a co-op here. We’re not looking to make a profit. We just want to make enough money to keep the doors open. That’s all that’s important,” Onesto said.Allied Creators Studios has 11 slots for artists; roughly half are filled right now. Those interested can contact Onesto on the Allied Creators Studios Facebook page.

52 Faces: Onesto makes art possible  for everyone

Roger Nevling retired from the medical profession a few years ago. He expanded what had just been a hobby into a small business venture.

He bought the former Laws Jewelry store at 319 Jefferson St. and made it Laws Antiques and Jewelry.

In an era when so many things can be, and are, done online, Nevling’s appeal is to make it easier to sell to him than any of the online options.

“When you try to sell something on eBay, that’s work,” Nevling said. Instead, “they come to me, and they bring me this stuff, and they say, ‘How much would you give me for this?’ ”

For the consumer, Nevling sells a variety of antiques in addition to traditional silver, gold, and jewelry items.

“A lot of this stuff that’s in here, I didn’t buy it to sell it,” he said. “If it sells, great. But I bought it because it’s cool.

“It’s the cool factor. I don’t want to have an antique store that’s like going to a garage sale.”

He said he wants people to walk by the store and say, “What the heck?” and that will draw them in.

He showed an old brass whirligig, an object with at least one part that whirls or spins and that can be used as a toy or garden ornament.

“People bring me a variety of things here,” Nevling said. “I’m probably one of the only people, other than a pawn shop, that people can bring vintage jewelry and antiques down, and I’ll buy it.”

“I kinda started getting the bug back when I was in my 30s,” Nevling said of his interest in antiques.

“I don’t know why. Who knows why you like something?”

At the time, he was working as a medical laboratory technologist in Tulsa, Okla. He would take his family to garage, antique, tag, and estate sales.

“Some of the stuff just intrigued me,” Nevling said. “That’s when I bought my first piece of silver. “

“I didn’t sell. I was a collector,” he said.

However, Nevling said he wasn’t making much money, so in 1990, he got his physician associate degree at the University of Oklahoma.

After practicing medicine in Colorado for a couple of years, he was recruited to work in Burlington at the Medical Center when it was downtown.

He then worked with Health West Clinic at the Mercy Building in West Burlington and set up his own practice in a clinic in the North Hill building for 13 years. So, many of his customers know him from that part of his life.

As for his hobby, “over the years, my interest, especially in antique silver, continued to grow,” Nevling said. “I began to collect and purchase antique silver.”

He bought books about what he had so he could understand the history, and he has about 30 books now.

“All along, I was not only doing silver, but whenever I could, I dabbled in jewelry and tried to learn about jewelry too.”

Having remarried, he said his wife got a job in Oklahoma, so they left Burlington and later moved to Colorado. But because she had family here, they returned to Burlington.

About 3 ½ years ago, Nevling decided it was time to retire after COVID hit.

Around that time, the Laws Jewelry store went up for sale, having sat idle for about eight years, Nevling said. He had purchased watch batteries there in the past.

“When we came in and looked at it, it was a horrible mess,” Nevling said.

“The roof had been leaking for years and years. The walls were coming in, and the drop ceilings were down, and the carpeting was a wreck.”

Through the wreckage, however, “I could see that a lot of my stuff, my silver, would display well in here. I’m retired, so, what the heck, what do I got to lose?”

So he bought the place, fixed it himself (except for the electrical work), and kept the previous owner’s name.

After displaying his silver and jewelry, he set out to fill the other shelves with antiques.

Nevling sums up a successful transaction as follows: “I’m making a few bucks, you (the buyer) got something you like, and they (the seller) got a couple of bucks rather than taking it down and selling it at a garage sale.

“I don’t have to make a fortune,” he said. “This isn’t my livelihood. There’s not a ton of pressure on me for how much I have to make.”

Young adults are interested in antiques, but only sometimes in the literal 100-year-old meaning of the word.

“What kids like” — and, by kids, Nevling means adults in their 20s and 30s — “is anything from mid-century modern, from the 60s and 70s,” he said.

He showed a painting of a child with extra-large eyes, the specialty of artist Margaret Keane in the 1960s.

“Some of these large ones sell for two, three hundred bucks,” Nevling said. “That’s their antiques.”

Tupperware containers and Pyrex serving dishes were staples in the middle of the last century, and today’s young adults likely saw them at their grandparents’ homes.

“I sold a set of those (Pyrex) bowls for $800,” Nevling said.

His most unusual item is a frame containing hair weaves. There are pictures of family members.

“When they passed,” Nevling said, “they would take their hair, and many times they would braid that hair and put it in a ring or put it in a locket.

“This (the framed weaves) just happens to be the piece de resistance.”

The oldest thing he has is from 1704, a silver spoon. “You can eat your soup from it,” Nevling said.

The Importance&nbsp;of Integrity

One of the pieces in Nevling’s store that’s not for sale is a plaque that quotes Proverbs 28:6: “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”

“I want people to see that,” Nevling said, “and I want them to know I’m not cheating them. I try to pay people a fair price.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/10/1729608909351.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Chris&nbsp;FaulknerRoger Nevling retired from the medical profession a few years ago. He expanded what had just been a hobby into a small business venture.He bought the former Laws Jewelry store at 319 Jefferson St. and made it Laws Antiques and Jewelry.In an era when so many things can be, and are, done online, Nevling’s appeal is to make it easier to sell to him than any of the online options.“When you try to sell something on eBay, that’s work,” Nevling said. Instead, “they come to me, and they bring me this stuff, and they say, ‘How much would you give me for this?’ ”For the consumer, Nevling sells a variety of antiques in addition to traditional silver, gold, and jewelry items.“A lot of this stuff that’s in here, I didn’t buy it to sell it,” he said. “If it sells, great. But I bought it because it’s cool.“It’s the cool factor. I don’t want to have an antique store that’s like going to a garage sale.”He said he wants people to walk by the store and say, “What the heck?” and that will draw them in.He showed an old brass whirligig, an object with at least one part that whirls or spins and that can be used as a toy or garden ornament.“People bring me a variety of things here,” Nevling said. “I’m probably one of the only people, other than a pawn shop, that people can bring vintage jewelry and antiques down, and I’ll buy it.”He Gets the ‘Bug’“I kinda started getting the bug back when I was in my 30s,” Nevling said of his interest in antiques.“I don’t know why. Who knows why you like something?”At the time, he was working as a medical laboratory technologist in Tulsa, Okla. He would take his family to garage, antique, tag, and estate sales.“Some of the stuff just intrigued me,” Nevling said. “That’s when I bought my first piece of silver. “He still has that first piece.“I didn’t sell. I was a collector,” he said.However, Nevling said he wasn’t making much money, so in 1990, he got his physician associate degree at the University of Oklahoma.After practicing medicine in Colorado for a couple of years, he was recruited to work in Burlington at the Medical Center when it was downtown.He then worked with Health West Clinic at the Mercy Building in West Burlington and set up his own practice in a clinic in the North Hill building for 13 years. So, many of his customers know him from that part of his life.As for his hobby, “over the years, my interest, especially in antique silver, continued to grow,” Nevling said. “I began to collect and purchase antique silver.”He bought books about what he had so he could understand the history, and he has about 30 books now.“All along, I was not only doing silver, but whenever I could, I dabbled in jewelry and tried to learn about jewelry too.”Having remarried, he said his wife got a job in Oklahoma, so they left Burlington and later moved to Colorado. But because she had family here, they returned to Burlington.About 3 ½ years ago, Nevling decided it was time to retire after COVID hit.Around that time, the Laws Jewelry store went up for sale, having sat idle for about eight years, Nevling said. He had purchased watch batteries there in the past.“When we came in and looked at it, it was a horrible mess,” Nevling said.“The roof had been leaking for years and years. The walls were coming in, and the drop ceilings were down, and the carpeting was a wreck.”Through the wreckage, however, “I could see that a lot of my stuff, my silver, would display well in here. I’m retired, so, what the heck, what do I got to lose?”So he bought the place, fixed it himself (except for the electrical work), and kept the previous owner’s name.After displaying his silver and jewelry, he set out to fill the other shelves with antiques.Nevling sums up a successful transaction as follows: “I’m making a few bucks, you (the buyer) got something you like, and they (the seller) got a couple of bucks rather than taking it down and selling it at a garage sale.“I don’t have to make a fortune,” he said. “This isn’t my livelihood. There’s not a ton of pressure on me for how much I have to make.”Younger GenerationYoung adults are interested in antiques, but only sometimes in the literal 100-year-old meaning of the word.“What kids like” — and, by kids, Nevling means adults in their 20s and 30s — “is anything from mid-century modern, from the 60s and 70s,” he said.He showed a painting of a child with extra-large eyes, the specialty of artist Margaret Keane in the 1960s.“Some of these large ones sell for two, three hundred bucks,” Nevling said. “That’s their antiques.”Tupperware containers and Pyrex serving dishes were staples in the middle of the last century, and today’s young adults likely saw them at their grandparents’ homes.“I sold a set of those (Pyrex) bowls for $800,” Nevling said.His most unusual item is a frame containing hair weaves. There are pictures of family members.“When they passed,” Nevling said, “they would take their hair, and many times they would braid that hair and put it in a ring or put it in a locket.“This (the framed weaves) just happens to be the piece de resistance.”The oldest thing he has is from 1704, a silver spoon. “You can eat your soup from it,” Nevling said.The Importance&nbsp;of IntegrityOne of the pieces in Nevling’s store that’s not for sale is a plaque that quotes Proverbs 28:6: “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”“I want people to see that,” Nevling said, “and I want them to know I’m not cheating them. I try to pay people a fair price.”

52 Faces: ’It’s the  cool factor'

Lyle Peterson didn’t want to go to war in Vietnam.

The West Burlington native was living a peaceful life. He had a steady job at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, where he ironically helped produce some of the ammunition used in the Vietnam War.

“I really didn’t want to be in the service,” he said.

But when Uncle Sam came calling — about a year after Peterson graduated high school — he didn’t complain. He did his duty and went to war.

About four or five months after arriving in Vietnam, Peterson was on his way back out.&nbsp;

A piece of shrapnel vertically tore through his body, from shoulder to stomach. He came back home with the body of a man in his company — although he never knew his name.

Thanks to Great River Honor Flights -- one of several non-profit organizations dedicated to taking military veterans to Washington D.C. — Peterson will see that man’s name on the memorial wall when he visits.

“If I knew his name, I would look it up on the wall,” he said.

Over 24 hours, Peterson, his friend Joe, and several other veterans will visit memorials to the respective wars they fought in Washington, DC, at no cost to the veterans.

He’s just happy he isn’t one of the names on the wall. If the shrapnel that hit him was just a few inches over, he would be. Peterson believes a piece of shrapnel may have glanced off his head, but he doesn’t know for sure. He has no memory of the incident.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” he said.

Peterson wasn’t in the 82nd Army Airborne for long. He doesn’t even remember his company. But his injuries didn’t end his service—they just altered it. The Army was initially going to send him back to the front lines.

Doctors initially thought it was just a shoulder injury.

But after finding out that the shrapnel had ripped through much of his body, the Army made him an MP (Military Policeman) at a stockade. The shrapnel created a pocket of fluid pressing against his lungs, which had to be drained.

He later found out he was exposed to Agent Orange and is eternally grateful for the medical treatment he received at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.

“I’ve spent many weeks in that hospital,” he said.

The shrapnel is still inside Peterson, where it will stay.

“Every time they give me an X-ray, they ask if I know that’s in there, and I say ‘Yep,’’’ he said. “It was close to an artery, and they didn’t want to take it out,” he said.

As bad as his luck was in the war, Peterson’s work ethic and a bit of good fortune landed him a dream job upon his return to the States.

“I got hired by GE (General Electric) and retired from GE,” he said.

Peterson retired at 55 and spent the years between starting a family, two daughters, one son, and one grandchild.

After retirement, Peterson became heavily involved with the DAV organization — Disabled American Veterans — which provides free transportation to doctor appointments at the VA hospital in Iowa City. He was a regular at local car shows with his 1949 Ford convertible and 1966 Mustang, but he now focuses mainly on the DAV.

Whether they wanted to go or not, Peterson believes the men and women who served their country deserve any help they can get.&nbsp;

As a fellow veteran, he’s happy to provide it. Two years of his life have turned into a lifetime of dedication to his fellow soldiers.

Peterson regularly visits Pizza Ranch, hosting mini-fundraisers to keep the DAV trips to Iowa City going.

“We need some publicity for that,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2024/10/1729007965003.jpeg" alt="Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithLyle Peterson didn’t want to go to war in Vietnam.The West Burlington native was living a peaceful life. He had a steady job at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, where he ironically helped produce some of the ammunition used in the Vietnam War.“I really didn’t want to be in the service,” he said.But when Uncle Sam came calling — about a year after Peterson graduated high school — he didn’t complain. He did his duty and went to war.About four or five months after arriving in Vietnam, Peterson was on his way back out.&nbsp;A piece of shrapnel vertically tore through his body, from shoulder to stomach. He came back home with the body of a man in his company — although he never knew his name.Thanks to Great River Honor Flights -- one of several non-profit organizations dedicated to taking military veterans to Washington D.C. — Peterson will see that man’s name on the memorial wall when he visits.But he won’t recognize it.“If I knew his name, I would look it up on the wall,” he said.Over 24 hours, Peterson, his friend Joe, and several other veterans will visit memorials to the respective wars they fought in Washington, DC, at no cost to the veterans.He’s just happy he isn’t one of the names on the wall. If the shrapnel that hit him was just a few inches over, he would be. Peterson believes a piece of shrapnel may have glanced off his head, but he doesn’t know for sure. He has no memory of the incident.“I’m one of the lucky ones,” he said.Peterson wasn’t in the 82nd Army Airborne for long. He doesn’t even remember his company. But his injuries didn’t end his service—they just altered it. The Army was initially going to send him back to the front lines.Doctors initially thought it was just a shoulder injury.But after finding out that the shrapnel had ripped through much of his body, the Army made him an MP (Military Policeman) at a stockade. The shrapnel created a pocket of fluid pressing against his lungs, which had to be drained.He later found out he was exposed to Agent Orange and is eternally grateful for the medical treatment he received at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.“I’ve spent many weeks in that hospital,” he said.The shrapnel is still inside Peterson, where it will stay.“Every time they give me an X-ray, they ask if I know that’s in there, and I say ‘Yep,’’’ he said. “It was close to an artery, and they didn’t want to take it out,” he said.As bad as his luck was in the war, Peterson’s work ethic and a bit of good fortune landed him a dream job upon his return to the States.“I got hired by GE (General Electric) and retired from GE,” he said.Peterson retired at 55 and spent the years between starting a family, two daughters, one son, and one grandchild.After retirement, Peterson became heavily involved with the DAV organization — Disabled American Veterans — which provides free transportation to doctor appointments at the VA hospital in Iowa City. He was a regular at local car shows with his 1949 Ford convertible and 1966 Mustang, but he now focuses mainly on the DAV.Whether they wanted to go or not, Peterson believes the men and women who served their country deserve any help they can get.&nbsp;As a fellow veteran, he’s happy to provide it. Two years of his life have turned into a lifetime of dedication to his fellow soldiers.Peterson regularly visits Pizza Ranch, hosting mini-fundraisers to keep the DAV trips to Iowa City going.“We need some publicity for that,” he said.

52 Faces: A reluctant warrior with  a heart of gold

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>

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