Photo by Jeff Abell



The Port of Burlington building is shown inundated with floodwater after a section of HESCO barriers failed on June 1 2019, allowing a surging Mississippi River to stretch beyond its banks.

Beacon Flashback: Flooded Port of Burlington Building

Column by Jeff Abell



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Then, tragedy struck.



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



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



Thus concluded his final chemical experiment.



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



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



Others include:



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



During World War I, Naudain gave benefit concerts and raised money for war bonds. She died suddenly at the age of 41 from a heart condition.



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



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



• German-born paleontologist Charles Wachsmuth’s study of fossilized crinoids in Burlington Limestone offered a significant contribution to the field in the 19th Century.



• Inventor and entrepreneur John Winegard’s antenna company had a hand in the growth of broadcast television and a role in the nation’s space program. He died in 2002.



• Helen Elswyth Thane, a writer of romance novels and historical fiction, was born in Burlington in 1900. She began her career in the 1920s as a freelance writer for newspapers. During her lifetime, she had seven novels published.



• Former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edward Stone worked on the Voyager I and II deep space exploration missions. He was the recipient of the 1999 Carl Sagan Memorial Award and a middle school in Burlington bears his name.



And the list goes on.



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

Tales of the Famous and Not-So Famous

Review by Jeff Abell



In 1987, two modern retellings of the vampire legend went head-to-head at the movie box office.



"The Lost Boys" was a glossy thrill ride that embraced the music and styles of the decade. The other was a gritty, more down-to-earth horror movie that cared less about visual style and more about substance.



The latter is the horror movie cult classic "Near Dark," which had less box office bite than its rival "The Lost Boys." Despite that fact. I'd argue (and have for years) that "Near Dark" is the superior movie.



Directed by Kathyrn Bigelow, this cult classic elevates the tired traditional vampire tale into a bloody good time. Under Bigelow's direction, the story of star-crossed love is both edgy and melancholy. It highlights the isolation of rural life that spurs the need to make a meaningful, deep connection.



The vampires (a term not used in the movie) are town-hopping road warriors who thrive on our mobile society. They hide in the shadows, becoming just another face in the crowd before they strike, giving in to the blood lust that fuels them.



A small-town farmboy named Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) meets Mae (Jenny Wright) while out on the town for the evening. Mae has drifted into town and is instantly attracted to Caleb.



While losing track of time in his truck, Mae bites Caleb and runs off as the sun begins to rise. As the sun shines on him, Caleb feels his skin burning. He panics and starts walking through a cornfield toward his home, where he lives with his father and little sister.



Before he makes it home, he is grabbed and taken away in an RV. Inside he meets the nomadic tribe of vampires Mae calls family.



Severen (Bill Paxton) wants to kill Caleb, but the vampires soon realize Mae has bitten him. Jesse Hooker (Lance Henriksen), the head vampire, gives Caleb a week to learn the ropes. As the vampire road trip begins, his father frantically searches for him, setting up the primary metaphor of the story: vampirism is akin to drug addiction.



This movie has one of my all-time favorite scenes. Set in a honkey-tonk tavern, actor Bill Paxton shines as he and the other vampires revel in over-the-top violence spurred by a sense of humor and blood lust. This scene alone beats anything "The Lost Boys" could muster.



"Near Dark" is a near-perfect horror movie that deserves a watch for Halloween.&nbsp;

31 DAYS OF HORROR MOVIES: Near Dark (1987)

By Beacon Staff



Though there is no Safe Trick-or-Treat or Downtown Trick-or-Treat this Halloween, Beggar’s Night is still on in Burlington, fully endorsed by the city.



Trick-or-treat hours in Burlington will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. The cancelation of Safe Trick-or-Treat at Memorial Auditorium has no impact on door-to-door trick-or-treating, city officials said.



Several holiday events, including the Holiday Lighted Parade, were canceled due to the spread of the pandemic. Those events are not organized or controlled by the city.

House-To-House Trick-or-Treating Still A Go

By Beacon Staff



The Burlington City Council unanimously approved a contract to keep former city manager Jim Ferneau on an interim basis.



The contract was approved during a special city council meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 6). He will be paid $90 an hour, without benefits or insurance. His annual salary as city manager was $157,000, not including benefits.



Ferneau’s last day as city manager was Oct. 2, coming after his resignation. Ferneau will be starting a new FedEx business in northwest Iowa.



Ferneau nor the city can end the contract on a two-week notice, and the contract will automatically terminate if a new city manager is hired.



Finding and hiring a new city manager is a four- to six-month process, involving a search firm to suss out candidates. For the first month or so, Ferneau will likely be working his usual 40-hours-a-week, but then those hours will taper down as he phases himself out.



Nick MacGregor, assistant city manager for public works, will take over Ferneau’s position on an interim basis in the coming months. 



“I just don’t want to put union contract negotiations and budget on him, too,” Ferneau said. “You’re not going to have anyone here to replace me until after the budget season is over, realistically.”



Ferneau is also assisting the city with hiring a new police chief to replace Dennis Kramer, who retired from the department on Oct. 1. Final interviews for that job will likely start in the first week of December, Ferneau said. A search firm is assisting the city in the process.



“This (contract) is long enough to get through the things I would like to get through, if that’s what you please,” Ferneau said at the Sept. 28 meeting.



Burlington Mayor Jon Billups, a former business owner himself, noted how busy Ferneau will be in starting his new operation. For Ferneau, it will be like working two full-time jobs.“I think it’s commendable you’re willing to do that,” Billups said.

Ferneau Contracted To Get Burlington Through City Manager Search

By Beacon Staff



A body was found in the same general neighborhood as a house fire Saturday night, but Burlington police said the two incidents aren’t related. Police have yet to identify the person, pending proper notification of the family.



The house fire, which was called in (with smoke visible) at 10:18 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 10) at 1428 Cleveland Ave, did not result in any known injuries, according to police. There was no estimate yet on damages.

Saturday Night House Fire, Deceased Person Are Unrelated, Police Say

By William Smith



When Steve Schleif opened Steve’s Place 33 years ago, it wasn’t called a gay bar.



“It was a lot more closeted back then. It was called a friendly bar,” said Chaz Myhre, who purchased the bar with his partner Steve Stoll in July of last year. 



Things have changed since then.



The Washington Street bar, which opened three weeks ago, proudly touts its LGBTQ representation. Myhre and Stoll seek to provide a safe space that is fun, friendly, and welcoming. 



The inside of The Oh Zone features a new dance floor, stage, dressing area, and outdoor patio. It looks like a Chicago club that just rolled off the assembly line — a year’s worth of renovation for Stoll and Myhre.“We took this place down to the studs,” Myhre said.



While Steve’s Place was known mostly for its drag queen shows, The Oh Zone will feature a broader lineup of entertainment. Myhre said it’s a nightclub for everyone."



Due to the restrictions placed on bars by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Stoll and Myhre didn’t have a big grand opening. They kept it small, and they kept it safe. But with the Quad City area currently lacking a robust gay bar scene, the new owners still met a lot of patrons who traveled more than an hour to be there. 



Many of Steve’s Place regulars couldn’t make it due to COVID-19 concerns but still sent messages of support.



As longtime patrons of Steve’s Place themselves, that support meant a lot to Stoll and Myhre. Opening a new bar or dining establishment during a pandemic is extremely difficult, but the duo refuses to back down. Myhre already owns the Regal on the Hill event center, and Stoll has his own construction company. The pair know how to keep a business running. 



But the Oh Zone looks to become more than another business. The hope is that it becomes a beacon of inclusivity for southeast Iowa.“Everyone should have a safe place,” Myhre said.



Photo by William Smith



Steve Stoll and Chaz Myhre, owners of The Oh Zone, pose for a photo outside their recently opened Burlington nightclub.

Nightclub Offers A Fun And Inclusive Experience

Local Man Wins $100,000 at Notre Dame Fundraiser



By Beacon Staff



The winners of the Notre Dame Pot O' Blue and Gold raffle have been drawn, and local resident David Bouge is now $100,000 richer.



Bouge won the grand prize at the Notre Dame fundraiser Saturday night, which was broadcast live on Facebook. Nearly 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Notre Dame. Over the years, the annual event has raised about $3 million for the school.



Notre Dame is a private school, and the raffle is one of its primary fundraisers.



Jason Wagoner, who drew the second-place prize, won $10,000. Mac Law won the third-place prize of $5,000, while Aaron Fisher snagged the $2,500 fourth-place prize. Nita Carlson won't $1,500 for fifth place.



A total of 75 people or groups of people will get some kind of cash prize, at least doubling the $100 ticket price. Twenty of them won $500, while the remaining 50 winners will receive $200.A total of 3,450 tickets were sold.



A complete list of winners can be viewed at the Burlington Notre Dame Facebook page.

Local Man Wins $100,000 at Notre Dame Fundraiser

By Beacon Staff



Robert Morrison is angry — a rage that has only increased since he lost his job in December 2018 at the now-defunct Siemen’s plant in Burlington.



The plant ended operations a few days before Christmas and has stood vacant ever since, partially obscured by weeds as tall as the company sign.“They took a factory that had been in Burlington since 1870 and flushed it down the drain,” said Morrison of Burlington.



Morrison was a guest speaker at a brief campaign stop Wednesday evening (Oct. 7) for outgoing U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack.



Loebsack, who is retiring from the U.S. Congress at the end of the year, was not campaigning for himself. Instead, he stumped for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield, congressional candidate Rita Hart, and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.“We need products made in America,” Loebsack said.



Morrison, a 31-year-veteran machinist for Siemens, has been a prominent critic of the plant closure and made sure every presidential candidate who came through Burlington heard his story. The closure marked the end of Siemens' 148-year run as a major employer offering quality wages (average $25 an hour) and benefits in the community. It acquired Dresser-Rand before the closure.



"This difficult decision was made as part of a necessary global plan to enable Siemens to meet the competitive pressures in the energy market by reducing costs while best serving our customers," said company spokesperson Andrew Gumbiner at the time of the closure.



In November of 2018, Bloomberg reported Siemens planned to cut 6,900 jobs worldwide, with most of the layoffs coming from its power and gas division. Many of those jobs were outsourced to other countries.



“We need to pursue a pro-American worker tax and trade strategy. Something the president said he was going to do, but hasn’t done,” Loebsack said, speaking from the gazebo near Bluff Harbor Marina. 



“Bring back critical supply chains to America. We can do the whole supply chain in America if we have a president like Biden.” 



Photo by William Smith



U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack discusses bringing manufacturing jobs back to America on Wednesday while stumping for the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris presidential ticket in Burlington

Loebsack Stumps For Keeping Siemens-Like Manufacturing Jobs In Iowa

By Beacon Staff



In recognition of Construction Week 2020, Carl A. Nelson &amp; Company conducted its fourth annual High School Skills Challenge on Oct. 8. The challenge allows local high school construction trades students to bring classroom lessons into real-world practice.



Participating were Burlington High School, Mediapolis High School, and two teams from Fort Madison High School. The event typically includes five schools with teams rotating through a series of skill stations but was scaled back due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.



The first-place team from Fort Madison High School, led by instructor Clint Kobelt, included Owen Kruse, Kane Williams, and Trey Edwards. It was the third win in four years, and the second in a row, by an FMHS team.



Students spread out on the Carl A. Nelson &amp; Company grounds to construct steel angle platforms with wood stairs. Skills being demonstrated included welding, carpentry, figuring stairs, and cutting stringers.



The annual program also brought high school students into direct contact with local professionals in the construction industry to learn about career opportunities in fields such as the construction trades.



The prize for first place was a $400 Lowe’s gift card to support the school’s construction trades program, while each team member received a new 35-foot tape measure. 



Photo submitted



The winners of Carl A. Nelson &amp; Company’s fourth annual High School Skills Challenge, from left with their teacher, Clint Kobelt, were Fort Madison High School’s Owen Kruse, Kane Williams, and Trey Edwards.

Fort Madison Wins 2020 High School Skills Challenge

Column by Stacey Abell



It’s been one of those weeks. To be honest, it’s actually been more like two or three weeks. For me, back to school season means late hours and long days at the office. Fueled by caffeine and sugar, I have not had much time to cook for myself and still less time to get into the kitchen to test and refine recipes.



Every year, I know this season is approaching and yet I find myself unprepared, especially when it comes to having quick, healthy meal options on hand. After a couple weeks of questionable food choices, I am looking forward to taking the time to make some truly nourishing dishes this weekend. Right now, I’m craving the flavorful salade nicoise that I had prepared earlier this summer.



Salad nicoise hails from Nice, the largest city along the French Riviera. This salad falls under the category of “composed salads” or salade composee, if you’re feeling continental. A composed salad consists of fruits and vegetables prepared and artfully arranged on a plate or platter rather than tossed in a bowl. If you’ve ever had a Cobb salad with its neatly arranged columns of meats, cheese, and diced eggs, then you’ve had a composed salad.



Cookbook author and television personality Ina Garten often prepares composed salads on her program, “Barefoot Contessa.” In regards to the presentation aspect of this dish, she has a particular turn of phrase that I find humorous.



She advises her viewers to be purposeful and not haphazard with the placement of the salad components, else your salad will resemble “a dog’s breakfast.” I’m not sure what a dog’s breakfast looks like, but it probably isn’t something you want at your dinner table.



There is some prep work involved with boiling and blanching the vegetables, but otherwise, this comes together fairly easily. To take your salad to the next level, the green beans can be “pickled” overnight in the refrigerator by submerging them in a simple brine with various herbs and spices.



If you have an almost empty jar of pickles, the process is even easier. Simply blanch the green beans for a minute or two in boiling water, rinse them in cold water, and plop them into your pickle jar with the leftover pickle juice.



In 24 hours, you will have tangy pickled green beans. With garden-fresh tomatoes still plentiful, a classic salad nicoise is the perfect dish for this time of year. Pair it with a crisp white wine, such as pinot grigio, and a loaf of crusty bread.



Salade Nicoise Serves 4 1 head of green or romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 1 pound small new potatoes, boiled until tender and quartered 4 eggs, hard-boiled and quartered 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped ½ cup black olives ½ pound fresh green beans, blanched or pickled 2 5-ounce cans of tuna in oil, drained Salt and pepper to taste Mustard vinaigrette (recipe below) On a large platter or individual plates, place the lettuce in an even layer. Arrange the remaining ingredients on top of the lettuce, keeping Ina Garten’s advice in mind. Drizzle with mustard vinaigrette and add salt and pepper to taste.



Mustard Vinaigrette ½ cup of vegetable oil ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon or whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Add all ingredients to a jar, seal the lid tightly and shake until thoroughly combined. Adjust seasonings to taste. You may use all vegetable oil if you prefer and substitute another type of vinegar or even lemon juice for the acidic component. Just make sure to keep the ratio of three parts oil to one part vinegar/lemon juice.



Photo by Stacey Abell

END-OF-THE-SUMMER SALAD NICOISE

By Beacon Staff



Despite the nation's deep economic recession and record-high unemployment rate, most of the 72 graduates of the local Bridges Out Of Poverty Program are working this Labor Day.



For those who have struggled with poverty, the Labor Day holiday is less about picnics and more about building a better life for their families. It's a day that celebrates the honesty of labor in a system that doesn't always work for those who need it the most.



The central focus of the Bridges Out of Poverty program is finding and keep keeping a job — or advancing to a better one. But it takes money and hours to run such an active non-profit program.



“Once they graduate the class, they are put into a support group with a mentor,” said Mona Ash, program coordinator for the adult learning program.



She added: “We need funds to continue doing our work."



With fundraisers and events affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Ash thought she could combine the silent sleekness of an online auction with the loud, creative expression of area artists.



That’s how the organization’s first online Chair-ity Auction was born. Hand-painted donated chairs will be up for bid starting Sept. 17, and nearly 30 chairs have been donated.



Many of the chairs have been set up in the window of The Loft on Jefferson Street, which houses the Bridges Out Of Poverty office.



“People have been walking by (The Loft) and looking at the chairs,” Ash said.



The online auction begins Sept. 17 and stretches through part of October, which means there is still time to donate artistically altered chairs. For more details, check out the Facebook page “Building Bridges A Southeast Iowa Initiative” or call Ash at (319) 754- 8421.



Photo by William Smith



.Mona Ash sits in one of the chairs inside The Loft on Burlington Street. The chairs, decorated by local artists, will be up for bid during an online auction starting Sept. 17.

Buy An Artsy Chair, Help Someone Climb Out Of Poverty

By Beacon Staff



Amy Moyner has taken over as leader of Downtown Partners, Inc. Moyner, a Burlington native, began her role as executive director on Aug. 24.



Moyner graduated from Burlington High School, Southeastern Community College, and the University of Iowa. She and her family have been living in the Chicago area for 10 years.



"What drove me to come back to Burlington was the welcoming community, the vibrant downtown that offers all the conveniences of a big city, and the pride I have for my fellow Burlingtonians," Moyner said. "I am so delighted to be back home."

Moyner To Head Downtown Partners

Burlington By The Book is your local, independent bookseller located in downtown Burlington, Iowa. The store offers a variety of popular bestsellers, children’s books, local and regional favorites, gifts, and much more! Special orders are available, as well as gift certificates.



Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Located at 301 Jefferson St. Phone: (319) 753-9981.

Teriyaki Madness is Burlington’s top choice for teriyaki! For a limited time, Teriyaki Madness is offering a Share-a-Bowl meal pack, which feeds up to six people, for $45! Everything you need to make your dream bowl at home, family-style. Open in Burlington at Mason Road and Roosevelt Avenue, next to All About Eyes, 1035 Lawrence Dr. Ste. 108. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Share-a-Bowl meal pack

By Beacon Staff



A light mist enveloped Friday morning's 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Burlington Fire Department’s Central Station. It seemed rather appropriate, given the somber occasion.



This year's ceremony was intended to be online only and streamed on the fire department's Facebook page due to concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). However, police, firefighters, and members of the general public still showed up to pay their respects.



They bowed their heads in respectful silence as Burlington Fire Lt. Todd VanScoy rang the large Central Station bell.



The ceremony began at 7:46 a.m. — the precise moment the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center began 19 years ago. Church and fire station bells across the country rang in unison, commemorating the lives lost during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.



The melancholic chimes from the Central Fire Station bell were replaced by a bagpipe rendering of “Amazing Grace” by retired Deputy Fire Chief Gene Wilkerson. Burlington Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Workman was the keynote speaker, while Burlington Fire Chief Matt Trexel provided the opening address. 



Photo by William Smith



 Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Six of the Iowa Army National Guard plays taps on the trumpet Friday morning during the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Burlington.

Remembering 9/11

By William Smith



Cedar Rapids has an apocalyptic feel right now, and its citizens are desperate for help.



For the city of more than 130,000 residents decimated last week when the derecho ripped through Iowa, relief has been arriving in the form of volunteers equipped with a help-your-neighbor mindset.



“Some haven’t seen anyone with chain saws yet and are literally begging, asking: ‘Can you help my neighbor, he’s disabled.’ They don’t know if they have damage yet because the trees are on the roof still,” said Valerie Wagner, bookkeeper for Harmony Bible Church in Danville and Burlington.



Sitting 100 miles away by car, Burlington is one of those far-flung, unlikely Iowa neighbors. Wagner has been receiving first-hand accounts of the damage in Cedar Rapids directly from church volunteers who began streaming into the city on Thursday (Aug. 13).



At least 46,000 Iowans (including large portions of Cedar Rapids) are still without power as of Monday.



“They say you can see the stars in Cedar Rapids. That’s never happened before," said Wagner, who is the point coordinator for the church’s relief efforts.



Worshipers have been departing for Cedar Rapids in waves, armed with chain saws, water bottles, and food to give away. The latest relief group left Danville’s Harmony Bible Church parking lot on Saturday morning (Aug. 15), and it won’t be the last.



“We had a lot of members of our church call and ask how they could help,” said John Deluca, executive pastor of ministries for Harmony Bible Church.



Doran and Ward Packaging in Burlington have collected fuel, ice, and much-needed grocery supplies for delivery to the Lil’ Drug Store in Cedar Rapids. The Des Moines County Humane Society loaded an SUV with pet food supplies and other amenities over the weekend bound for the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids.



“At this time, the Cedar Valley Humane Society remains without power,” said Kandi Hillyer, director of the Burlington Animal Shelter.



Making use of a wide range of Cedar Rapids contacts, including Veritas Church and New City Church, Harmony Bible has patched together a volunteer lifeline. Harmony Bible Church member Steve Deggendorf scouts ahead in the days before teams are sent out, providing exact locations for volunteers to help.



Tornado-like storm damage from the Aug. 10 inland hurricane (called a derecho) is the most obvious open wound. Tents dot the yards of homeowners who no longer have roofs. The school year has been delayed due to damage to more than a dozen schools.



Unlike a tornado, the damage from the derecho isn’t constrained to a narrow path. It’s city-wide, and stretches well beyond Cedar Rapids, through central Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds estimated about $4 billion in damage.



The Associated Press has reported 8,200 homes were destroyed or extensively damaged by the storm. On Monday (Aug. 17), President Donald Trump signed an emergency declaration for Iowa to supply federal money for assistance, and he visited the city on Tuesday.



The Burlington Beacon will further explore local aid for the storm-ravaged city later this week through the eyes of a Cedar Rapids woman who grew up in Burlington.



Photo by William Smith



Jeff Allen and Joanne Otto load coolers and water onto a caravan of trucks in Danville's Harmony Bible Church parking lot Saturday morning, shortly before driving the supplies to storm-ravaged Cedar Rapids.

Helping Hands: Church Volunteers, Locals Offer Relief For Storm-Ravaged Cedar Rapids

By Beacon Staff



The sidewalks on Burlington's riverfront got a lot more interesting on Monday.



As an informal Kindness Club project, Nancy Halls, Allison Richert, and Tiara Carter from the Burlington Public Library took chalk in hand to create a colorful obstacle course spanning a city block. The course encourages children to run, hop, spin, among other fun challenges.



Photo by Joy Mack

Chalk It Up To Fun

Pet Bath &amp; Beyond is open for all your pet grooming needs. The business with room to groom is located at 1109 Summer St. in Burlington. Call today for appointments at 319-752-5150. Business hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.



(This is a paid advertisement.)

Pet Bath & Beyond, for all your pet grooming needs

By Beacon Staff



A 61-year-old construction worker died Monday after being pinned by a concrete spreader.



According to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred in the 16000 block of US 61 during an ongoing paving project. The man from Nichols, Iowa, was extricated from the machine and taken to Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, where he died from his injuries.



The name of the man is being withheld by law enforcement pending notification of his family.

Construction Worker Killed In Accident

Transitions DMC Takes Step Toward Opening Shelter With Donation Sale



By Beacon Staff



A crowd of bargain hunters visited Transitions DMC in Burlington on Saturday. The reason: A yard sale featuring a variety of unique items sold for a good cause.



The Transitions DMC homeless shelter is closed due to ongoing renovations, and executive director Craig Fenton had to clear items out of the building to make room for the work. Unlike most yard sales, organizers asked only for donations.



Transitions DMC recently received funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Iowa Financing Authority. The funds are available as part of the federal response to homelessness that has worsened with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is effective until the end of 2021.



In March, days after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, Transitions DMC began placing area homeless people at the Quality Inn and Super 8 motels in Burlington. With the help of local donors, the organization was able to house 56 people for 735 nights over 10 weeks for a cost of $44,485.



The remaining $30,000 of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan money is being used to finish the renovation of the shelter building at 515 S. Main St. in Burlington.



“We have most of our needs met to open our doors to 12 regular nightly guests, except we need bunk bed frames for 24 college twin sized mattresses,” Fenton said in late July. “These beds will be rotated in use to control COVID-19 and other diseases like flu.”



There is no target date for reopening, but Transitions DMC does maintain a network of housing options that include local landlords, hotels, and private housing sources, as well as partnering agencies such as the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Community Action of Southeast Iowa and the Burlington Homeless Shelter.



Photo by William Smith



Locals browse items for sale at the sale Saturday hosted by Transitions DMC in Burlington.

Breath new life into your home improvement or restoration project with a piece of local history. The Preservation Station at 213 Valley Street in downtown Burlington offers unique décor, architectural salvage, donated materials, repurposed items, and building supplies.



Open every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.



(Paid Advertisement)

The Preservation Station Open Every Saturday

By Beacon Staff



RiverFest 2020 rocked Fort Madison and provided an escape for music lovers. As one of the few music festivals that has managed to survive the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizers put safeguards in place to create a safe environment. The four-day music fest at Riverview Park featured a variety of musical acts.



Photo by Anthony Dewitt



Legendary rockers Quiet Riot takes to the stage on Friday night.

Rocking Fort Madison

By Beacon Staff



Another Burlington restaurant has temporarily closed its doors due to coronavirus exposure.



La Tavola Italian Eatery owners Carlo and Cheryl Falcone reported Thursday night (Aug. 13) via Facebook that they had to abruptly close the restaurant Saturday, Aug. 8.



“We were notified of being directly exposed to the coronavirus,” reads the Facebook statement from the Falcones. “Rest assured we have taken all appropriate steps to sanitize and disinfect. This week has given everyone time to get tested and quarantine.”



Cheryl Falcone said anyone who has eaten at La Tavola in the past week shouldn’t have to worry about exposure, relaying the information she received from the Des Moines County Health Department. She did advise that those who have may want to consult their physician for a more informed answer.



The Falcones plans to reopen next week with new safety measures, including mandatory masks for employees and customers.

La Tavola Temporarily Closes Doors Due To Coronavirus Exposure; Will Require Masks Upon Reopening

By Beacon Staff



Martini’s Grille has temporarily closed its doors after one of its employees came into contact with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



Restaurant owner Peter Harman reported the closure Thursday afternoon (Aug. 13) on Facebook, noting that Martini’s will reopen after his team can deep clean the dining establishment. In a written statement, Harman said Martini’s will take all appropriate measures dictated by Great River Medical Center and Des Moines County Public Health.



Also, Harman is requiring all employees to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to work.



Harman said the temporary closure and subsequent safety measures are “a precaution to keep Burlington and surrounding communities, our employees and beloved customers safe.”



“See you soon,” Harman said.