Stacey Abell The Burlington Beacon

There’s something special about reading a book, isn’t there? Even with almost everything available at the touch of a finger, there’s no replacement for holding a creation of paper and ink in your hand and being transported to another world.

And thus, you have the spirit behind the Players Workshop Young Actors’ Production of “The Enchanted Bookshop,” under the direction of Carol Hinkle, assisted by Christine Claeys and Kaitlynn Brog, with Bill Ell serving as producer.&nbsp;

Spend an hour or so browsing the literary selections at A Likely Story, an establishment where beloved characters from children’s literature classics magically come to life each night. Combine the charming but struggling bookshop from “You’ve Got Mail” with the fantastical elements of “Night at the Museum” and you’ll be on the right track.

Koertlynne Korver, 13, appears in her first PW production as the enthusiastic but scatterbrained proprietor, Margie, who is accompanied by her mischievous feline companion, Bombalurina (Regina Critser, 8). Try as she might, Margie doesn’t seem to be able to compete against the allure of the ever-ubiquitous screens, and her shop is on the verge of closing.

Unbeknownst to her, the characters from her books are also aware of her dilemma and want to help. From Dorothy (Aurora Critser, 13) and Toto (Seth Hansen, 7) to Sherlock Holmes (Alexis Roessler, 14) and Robin Hood (Sean Hansen, 13), part of the fun is trying to guess who will appear onstage next.

The would-be heroes and heroines are hindered, however, by two rules given by the Book Fairy (Avery Irish, 10): never leave the building and never be seen by human eyes or be banished to the pages of their books forever!

When a mysterious customer (Allyson Hamilton, 10) stashes a stolen necklace among the shelves of books, hilarity and hijinks ensue as two bumbling smugglers (Brady Lenahan and Derrik Martin) attempt to retrieve the treasure. The characters are faced with a challenge: can they protect Margie from danger and save the bookstore without being seen?

With a script packed full of jokes, quips, puns, and gags, you’ll find your funny bone tickled and your spirits lifted after going on an adventure with this youthful cast of characters. And you might even find yourself inspired to crack open a book. Performances of “The Enchanted Bookshop” will be held at Players Workshop Theater, 1431 Grove St., on June 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and on June 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.playersworkshoptheater.com/" target="_blank">www.playersworkshoptheater.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1687358214100.jpeg" alt="Mason Schaley as Tom Sawyer, Sean Hansen as Robin Hood, Aurora Critser as Dorothy, Alexis Roessler as Sherlock Holmes, Judith Mansheim as Pollyanna, and Lily Newberry as Heidi look on as&nbsp;Fagin, played by Hayli Strange, attempts to pick the lock on a very special book. (Photo by Keith Turrill for The Beacon)" />
 <figcaption>Mason Schaley as Tom Sawyer, Sean Hansen as Robin Hood, Aurora Critser as Dorothy, Alexis Roessler as Sherlock Holmes, Judith Mansheim as Pollyanna, and Lily Newberry as Heidi look on as&nbsp;Fagin, played by Hayli Strange, attempts to pick the lock on a very special book. (Photo by Keith Turrill for The Beacon)</figcaption>
 </figure>Stacey Abell The Burlington BeaconThere’s something special about reading a book, isn’t there? Even with almost everything available at the touch of a finger, there’s no replacement for holding a creation of paper and ink in your hand and being transported to another world.And thus, you have the spirit behind the Players Workshop Young Actors’ Production of “The Enchanted Bookshop,” under the direction of Carol Hinkle, assisted by Christine Claeys and Kaitlynn Brog, with Bill Ell serving as producer.&nbsp;Spend an hour or so browsing the literary selections at A Likely Story, an establishment where beloved characters from children’s literature classics magically come to life each night. Combine the charming but struggling bookshop from “You’ve Got Mail” with the fantastical elements of “Night at the Museum” and you’ll be on the right track.Koertlynne Korver, 13, appears in her first PW production as the enthusiastic but scatterbrained proprietor, Margie, who is accompanied by her mischievous feline companion, Bombalurina (Regina Critser, 8). Try as she might, Margie doesn’t seem to be able to compete against the allure of the ever-ubiquitous screens, and her shop is on the verge of closing.Unbeknownst to her, the characters from her books are also aware of her dilemma and want to help. From Dorothy (Aurora Critser, 13) and Toto (Seth Hansen, 7) to Sherlock Holmes (Alexis Roessler, 14) and Robin Hood (Sean Hansen, 13), part of the fun is trying to guess who will appear onstage next.The would-be heroes and heroines are hindered, however, by two rules given by the Book Fairy (Avery Irish, 10): never leave the building and never be seen by human eyes or be banished to the pages of their books forever!When a mysterious customer (Allyson Hamilton, 10) stashes a stolen necklace among the shelves of books, hilarity and hijinks ensue as two bumbling smugglers (Brady Lenahan and Derrik Martin) attempt to retrieve the treasure. The characters are faced with a challenge: can they protect Margie from danger and save the bookstore without being seen?With a script packed full of jokes, quips, puns, and gags, you’ll find your funny bone tickled and your spirits lifted after going on an adventure with this youthful cast of characters. And you might even find yourself inspired to crack open a book. Performances of “The Enchanted Bookshop” will be held at Players Workshop Theater, 1431 Grove St., on June 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and on June 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.playersworkshoptheater.com/" target="_blank">www.playersworkshoptheater.com</a>.

"The Enchanted Bookshop" is a delight for all ages

At 56 years old, Rev. Marty Goetz — a Catholic fixture in Des Moines County for the past 11 years — is heading out on a new adventure.

After June 28, Goetz will be the new pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton. He was reassigned by the Catholic Diocese and is excited to meet his new parishioners.

But it will be difficult for Goetz to move his heart out of Burlington and West Burlington. He has been serving the area for the past 11 years, and it has become home.

“I’ve spent over a third of my priesthood here in Burlington,” Goetz said. “This is the longest assignment I’ve ever had.”

It will be a tough move. Goetz has been fighting breast cancer for two years, and it has metastasized through his body. At this point, the cancer has reached stage 4 and is in his bones. He will continue medical treatment at his new assignment, including cancer medications that cost $30,000 monthly, paid by insurance.

“I don’t know if I’m worth $30,000 a month,” the ever-jovial Goetz said with a laugh.

Goetz will be the first to tell you that his job is to lift others up, no matter his struggles. But that relationship with his parishioners and fellow priests is reciprocal — they lift Goetz up.&nbsp;

“I am not alone. They (the parishioners) do the same for me when I’m hurting. And I’m able to share joy and life with them. It’s pretty special,” he said.

For the past four years, Goetz has had to endure a litany of hardships. His father died in 2019. Then COVID-19 turned the world upside down. In 2021, he was diagnosed with cancer. A few months after that, his mother died.

“Through all of that, God is good. He’s good because I’ve seen so many people, people I didn’t even know, have reached out to me and lifted me up in prayer. And this year, some days are easier than others. But you know, God is good. And that’s what’s important,” Goetz said.

Aside from his jovial, slightly mischievous bent, Goetz has long been known as a practical priest. A man of God unafraid to face reality. That is why he takes comfort in Psalms in the Bible.

“I know all about decay in my bones,” he said.

Father Marty Goetz gives the benediction at the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremony

Goetz knew he wanted to be a priest from a young age.

But it wasn’t God that attracted him to the priesthood. It was a man of God — the late Rev. Martin Diamond — who inspired Goetz to earn the clerical collar. Goetz, who grew up in Keokuk, is named after Rev. Diamond, the pastor of St. Peter’s (now the Church of All Saints) in Keokuk when Goetz was a child.

“When I was little, I wanted to be just like him,” Goetz said. “I spent a lot of time at the church. I would do pretend Mass on my dining room table.”

Goetz is pastor of SS John and Paul in Burlington, SS Mary and Patrick in West Burlington, and St. Mary in Dodgeville, and led the consolidation between the two parishes six years ago.

He can quote scripture with the best of them and loves talking sports, turning the mechanics of golf and baseball into metaphors better describing God’s message. When Goetz doesn’t have his collar on, it’s impossible to know you’re talking to a priest.

Though Goetz dreamed of becoming a priest as a child, his priorities changed in high school.

“Other things grabbed my attention. Sports, girls, girls, girls, sports, girls,” he said with a laugh. “When people asked me what I wanted to do, I said I want to either be a fireman or a sportswriter.”

Goetz fulfilled the latter ambition by working for The Daily Gate City newspaper for two years, but something was missing from his life.

“There was this little nudge at the back of my mind that said priesthood, priesthood,’” Goetz said.

Goetz followed that nudge, and it changed the course of his life. A St. Ambrose University graduate (he also spent a year at Southeastern Community College in Keokuk), Goetz entered the Mundelein Seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, Ill., which gave him a chance to explore if he was a man who wanted to spread God’s word.

“You don’t go to seminary to be a priest. You go to see if God is calling you to the priesthood,” he said.

Goetz was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1992, at the Church of All Saints in Keokuk, and used the Rev. Diamond’s chalice during the ordination mass. Goetz still has that chalice and treasures it to this day.

“I still remember that day as if it were yesterday. It was a beautiful day,” he said.

Goetz became the Parochial Vicar for St. Patrick’s in Iowa City after that, then moved on to Davenport and Clinton before taking a two-year absence from the priesthood from March 1999 to April 2001. It was a hard time for Goetz, but an illuminating one.

Once again, Goetz found himself searching for God.

“I got lost. I did what I thought I did best, and I ran away,” he said. “I couldn’t believe Jesus could love somebody like me.”

Goetz sold running shoes and later insurance for GEICO, and was named salesman of the month in October 2000. But it wasn’t his calling.

“I finally got the courage to write a letter to Bishop (William) Franklin that said, ‘During the past few weeks, I’ve been discovering a call back to the priesthood,’” he said. “I remember being so nervous mailing that letter.”

Goetz heard back from Bishop Franklin the next day. He was welcomed back into the fold with open arms. The incident helped him understand others who left the church and found their way back to God.

“I ran away, but I had a home to come back to,” he said. “I was able to truly realize what was most important, and that was God in my life and family and friends who didn’t give up on me. It makes me a better priest today.”

The now-closed Keokuk Cardinal Stritch High School and Burlington Notre Dame Catholic Schools once were fierce rivals, and Goetz never imagined he one day would work for the “enemy.”&nbsp;

But when he arrived in Burlington 11 years ago after serving at churches in Keota, Sigourney, Keswick, Richmond, Riverside, and Wellman (he also was vocation director at the Diocese of Davenport for five years), he found only friends.

“It’s nice being close to home,” he said. “These last 11 years have been a blessing.”

Goetz discovered he wanted to work with schools during his many assignments, leading him to Notre Dame and Burlington’s Catholic community.&nbsp;

“People ask me if I had it to do all over again, would I? And the answer is yes. I hope and pray that when my time comes they will look at me, look at my priesthood, and say, ‘He was so happy being a priest. He couldn’t understand why everyone would not want to share that same joy,’ ” Goetz said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1687270126420.jpeg" alt="Father Marty Goetz is shown prior to the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 28. Goetz, who has pastored to local Catholics for more than a decade, will be the new pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton after June 28.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Father Marty Goetz is shown prior to the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 28. Goetz, who has pastored to local Catholics for more than a decade, will be the new pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton after June 28.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithAt 56 years old, Rev. Marty Goetz — a Catholic fixture in Des Moines County for the past 11 years — is heading out on a new adventure.After June 28, Goetz will be the new pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton. He was reassigned by the Catholic Diocese and is excited to meet his new parishioners.But it will be difficult for Goetz to move his heart out of Burlington and West Burlington. He has been serving the area for the past 11 years, and it has become home.“I’ve spent over a third of my priesthood here in Burlington,” Goetz said. “This is the longest assignment I’ve ever had.”It will be a tough move. Goetz has been fighting breast cancer for two years, and it has metastasized through his body. At this point, the cancer has reached stage 4 and is in his bones. He will continue medical treatment at his new assignment, including cancer medications that cost $30,000 monthly, paid by insurance.“I don’t know if I’m worth $30,000 a month,” the ever-jovial Goetz said with a laugh.Goetz will be the first to tell you that his job is to lift others up, no matter his struggles. But that relationship with his parishioners and fellow priests is reciprocal — they lift Goetz up.&nbsp;“I am not alone. They (the parishioners) do the same for me when I’m hurting. And I’m able to share joy and life with them. It’s pretty special,” he said.For the past four years, Goetz has had to endure a litany of hardships. His father died in 2019. Then COVID-19 turned the world upside down. In 2021, he was diagnosed with cancer. A few months after that, his mother died.“Through all of that, God is good. He’s good because I’ve seen so many people, people I didn’t even know, have reached out to me and lifted me up in prayer. And this year, some days are easier than others. But you know, God is good. And that’s what’s important,” Goetz said.Aside from his jovial, slightly mischievous bent, Goetz has long been known as a practical priest. A man of God unafraid to face reality. That is why he takes comfort in Psalms in the Bible.“I know all about decay in my bones,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1687270271295.jpeg" alt="Father Marty Goetz gives the benediction at the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Father Marty Goetz gives the benediction at the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Father Marty Goetz gives the benediction at the Notre Dame High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremonyPriest, fireman,&nbsp;or a sports writerGoetz knew he wanted to be a priest from a young age.But it wasn’t God that attracted him to the priesthood. It was a man of God — the late Rev. Martin Diamond — who inspired Goetz to earn the clerical collar. Goetz, who grew up in Keokuk, is named after Rev. Diamond, the pastor of St. Peter’s (now the Church of All Saints) in Keokuk when Goetz was a child.“When I was little, I wanted to be just like him,” Goetz said. “I spent a lot of time at the church. I would do pretend Mass on my dining room table.”Goetz is pastor of SS John and Paul in Burlington, SS Mary and Patrick in West Burlington, and St. Mary in Dodgeville, and led the consolidation between the two parishes six years ago.He can quote scripture with the best of them and loves talking sports, turning the mechanics of golf and baseball into metaphors better describing God’s message. When Goetz doesn’t have his collar on, it’s impossible to know you’re talking to a priest.Though Goetz dreamed of becoming a priest as a child, his priorities changed in high school.“Other things grabbed my attention. Sports, girls, girls, girls, sports, girls,” he said with a laugh. “When people asked me what I wanted to do, I said I want to either be a fireman or a sportswriter.”Goetz fulfilled the latter ambition by working for The Daily Gate City newspaper for two years, but something was missing from his life.“There was this little nudge at the back of my mind that said priesthood, priesthood,’” Goetz said.Finding God twiceGoetz followed that nudge, and it changed the course of his life. A St. Ambrose University graduate (he also spent a year at Southeastern Community College in Keokuk), Goetz entered the Mundelein Seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, Ill., which gave him a chance to explore if he was a man who wanted to spread God’s word.“You don’t go to seminary to be a priest. You go to see if God is calling you to the priesthood,” he said.Goetz was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1992, at the Church of All Saints in Keokuk, and used the Rev. Diamond’s chalice during the ordination mass. Goetz still has that chalice and treasures it to this day.“I still remember that day as if it were yesterday. It was a beautiful day,” he said.Goetz became the Parochial Vicar for St. Patrick’s in Iowa City after that, then moved on to Davenport and Clinton before taking a two-year absence from the priesthood from March 1999 to April 2001. It was a hard time for Goetz, but an illuminating one.Once again, Goetz found himself searching for God.“I got lost. I did what I thought I did best, and I ran away,” he said. “I couldn’t believe Jesus could love somebody like me.”Goetz sold running shoes and later insurance for GEICO, and was named salesman of the month in October 2000. But it wasn’t his calling.“I finally got the courage to write a letter to Bishop (William) Franklin that said, ‘During the past few weeks, I’ve been discovering a call back to the priesthood,’” he said. “I remember being so nervous mailing that letter.”Goetz heard back from Bishop Franklin the next day. He was welcomed back into the fold with open arms. The incident helped him understand others who left the church and found their way back to God.“I ran away, but I had a home to come back to,” he said. “I was able to truly realize what was most important, and that was God in my life and family and friends who didn’t give up on me. It makes me a better priest today.”Coming to BurlingtonThe now-closed Keokuk Cardinal Stritch High School and Burlington Notre Dame Catholic Schools once were fierce rivals, and Goetz never imagined he one day would work for the “enemy.”&nbsp;But when he arrived in Burlington 11 years ago after serving at churches in Keota, Sigourney, Keswick, Richmond, Riverside, and Wellman (he also was vocation director at the Diocese of Davenport for five years), he found only friends.“It’s nice being close to home,” he said. “These last 11 years have been a blessing.”Goetz discovered he wanted to work with schools during his many assignments, leading him to Notre Dame and Burlington’s Catholic community.&nbsp;“People ask me if I had it to do all over again, would I? And the answer is yes. I hope and pray that when my time comes they will look at me, look at my priesthood, and say, ‘He was so happy being a priest. He couldn’t understand why everyone would not want to share that same joy,’ ” Goetz said.

52 Faces: A practical priest — a beloved father

As a 16-year-old junior firefighter for West Burlington, Mark Crooks was fighting fires while most teenagers were getting their drivers licenses.

After a 35-year career in fire protection, including the past 18 years as Burlington fire marshal, Crooks is finally hanging up his gear for good.

“I just think I’m ready,” Crooks said.

Crooks has spent his entire adult life taking calls, missing countless nights of sleep over the past four decades. His final day is June 30. After that, all Crooks will need to worry about is keeping enough gas in the RV while he and his wife travel the country.

“I’m 56 years old now, and there are some things I would like to do,” he said.

Born in Burlington and raised in West Burlington, Crooks and his wife have lived in West Burlington for the past 24 years. They have three boys who went through the West Burlington School District, as did Mark.

His son, Andy, is a paramedic at the Burlington Fire Department. His middle son, Nathan, is an officer for the Burlington Police Department.

Blending his professional family with his blood family has been an unexpected delight for Crooks.

“This whole community has been really good to us,” he said.

Crooks loved watching crime and emergency shows as a tyke.

But his family had a business selling propane, and Crooks helped out. When he turned 18, he volunteered at the West Burlington Fire Department. But he also worked for his parents, delivering propane cylinders.

He joined the Burlington Fire Department full-time in 1988.

“I thought, ‘what the heck, I’m going to take a shot at it.’ So I went through the whole testing process. I was the second one hired out of three and I’ve been here ever since,” Crooks said.

Crooks signed up to fight fires, and the road to investigating them ran the gamut of the department. Crooks became an EMT, then a paramedic. He met his wife in one of the medical classes.

“When we got married, she went back to school and became a registered nurse, and she’s been working at the hospital (Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center) since then,” he said.

Crooks was a firefighter/paramedic for about 12 years. He was promoted to shift captain in January 2000. He kept that role for about five years, then took the job as Burlington Fire Marshal. The previous fire marshal was closing in on retirement, which allowed Crooks to learn the job before taking it.

He learned more about the job by becoming a part-time fire inspector for West Burlington in 2003. His father had passed away by then, and his mom had sold the propane business.

“I sat down, and I worked with the building official out there, and he taught me about fire code and how to do inspections,” he said.

Crooks was allowed to work 14 hours a week for West Burlington, which left him little downtime after fulfilling his full-time duties in Burlington.

“It really provided me a good opportunity to learn the codes and do inspections, and work hand-in-hand with a building official,” Crooks said.&nbsp;

“For about five years, I was doing both communities.”

When Crooks was hired full-time as the Burlington fire marshal, West Burlington combined the inspector job with a newly-created fire chief position.

Due to the nature of his work, Crooks does not have to be at a fire scene until the blaze is extinguished. But he is usually there before then, especially during his shift. He said about 70 percent of the fire calls he has taken over the years are accidental or out of the fire victim’s hands. The rest are deemed suspicious.

If there is enough evidence, that suspicion can lead to an arrest, as it did with the First United Methodist Church fire in 2007. Crooks is proud of the working relationship he has fostered with Burlington police and surrounding law enforcement agencies over the years.

He said that cooperation led to the arrest of a man who set fire to several South Hill homes in 2008. The next year, Crooks investigated a fatal fire that turned out to be a murder.&nbsp;

Dennis Richards was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree arson for strangling his ex-wife Cyd Richards to death, setting her home in Burlington on fire in January 2009.

There had been a variety of evidence introduced at the trial, such as gas cans and DNA from blood found on Dennis Richards’ clothing.

“I’ve worked with some awesome detectives over the years and very dedicated individuals. It’s been a lot of fun to co-mingle with the two different departments. And because of that, I know many of the police officers down there (Burlington Police Department) on a first-name basis,” Crooks said.

When the Tama building caught fire in 2018, Crooks was hiking with Boy Scouts in Colorado. Two of his sons are Eagle Scouts, and Crooks rediscovered his passion for scouting about a decade ago.&nbsp;

He kept up with the fire despite spotty cell phone reception. He landed right in the middle of the investigation when he returned.

The exact cause of the fire has not been released.

“We can’t release a cause unless we are 100 percent sure,” Crooks said.

Being a fire marshal entails a lot more than fire investigations. Building inspections are a big part of it, and Crooks was on the ground floor of the FunCity complex, ensuring it was up to code.&nbsp;

He works with the Burlington School Administration on school inspections and knows most business owners in town.

There is never an ideal time to leave public service. Something always goes unfinished. And plans for the future must be handed to someone else.

The fire department is busier now than it ever has been, Crooks said.

“Back in the late 80s and early 90s, we were averaging about three-and-a-half calls per day,” Crooks said. “Now we’re closer to 17 calls a day.”

The number of fires has not increased. However, people call the police and fire more than they used to. The nature of fire response has changed as well. Despite the number of calls, the number of fires averages about 30 to 50 structure fires a year.

“Back then (in the late 1980s), we staffed one ambulance with two people, and they handled all the calls throughout the city. Now we staff three ambulances, and there are many times where all three ambulances are out at the same time,” Crooks said. “Last month, in April, we had 515 calls department-wide. That’s a combination of fire and EMS.”

The demands on the fire department continue to grow. The influx of apartments in Burlington results in more work for the city and fire inspectors, and the department is interested in obtaining a third fire station to cut down call times.

“It seems like just the sheer number of transports that we have to the hospital is increasing. I mean, it just seems like it’s off the charts. And it just seems to keep creeping up more and more and more every year,” Crooks said.

Crooks started driving a West Burlington school bus in 2010, and it has been something he continues to enjoy.&nbsp;

“They were hurting for school bus drivers, and my three kids were in school there. So I was driving activity buses to different sporting events or music concerts or whatever,” he said.

Crooks has continued to drive a school bus after his sons graduated from West Burlington. It has become a hobby.

“I love going to the sporting events anyway. So a lot of the time I’ll sit down and I’ll keep the scorebook. And so there are no better seats in the house than sitting at the scorer’s table,” Crooks said.

That gives Crooks extra pocket money to indulge in his other passions — scouting and camping. He has been a Boy Scout for over 40 years and has a new RV waiting for him.

He will miss the job and, more so, the people. But there is a younger generation of Crooks brothers looking out for the city now.

“All three of my sons worked for the city at one time. Daniel mowed grass in the park one summer when he was on college break. I never dreamed that even one of my kids would ever come to work in emergency services. And here two of them are doing just that,” Crooks said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686869527383.jpeg" alt="Burlington Fire Department Fire Marshal Mark Crooks on Tuesday, June 6, at the downtown Burlington Fire Station. Crooks will retire from the Burlington Fire Department at the end of June.&nbsp; Photos by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Burlington Fire Department Fire Marshal Mark Crooks on Tuesday, June 6, at the downtown Burlington Fire Station. Crooks will retire from the Burlington Fire Department at the end of June.&nbsp; Photos by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithAs a 16-year-old junior firefighter for West Burlington, Mark Crooks was fighting fires while most teenagers were getting their drivers licenses.After a 35-year career in fire protection, including the past 18 years as Burlington fire marshal, Crooks is finally hanging up his gear for good.“I just think I’m ready,” Crooks said.Crooks has spent his entire adult life taking calls, missing countless nights of sleep over the past four decades. His final day is June 30. After that, all Crooks will need to worry about is keeping enough gas in the RV while he and his wife travel the country.“I’m 56 years old now, and there are some things I would like to do,” he said.Born in Burlington and raised in West Burlington, Crooks and his wife have lived in West Burlington for the past 24 years. They have three boys who went through the West Burlington School District, as did Mark.His son, Andy, is a paramedic at the Burlington Fire Department. His middle son, Nathan, is an officer for the Burlington Police Department.Blending his professional family with his blood family has been an unexpected delight for Crooks.“This whole community has been really good to us,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686869679083.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A job, then a careerCrooks loved watching crime and emergency shows as a tyke.But his family had a business selling propane, and Crooks helped out. When he turned 18, he volunteered at the West Burlington Fire Department. But he also worked for his parents, delivering propane cylinders.He joined the Burlington Fire Department full-time in 1988.“I thought, ‘what the heck, I’m going to take a shot at it.’ So I went through the whole testing process. I was the second one hired out of three and I’ve been here ever since,” Crooks said.Crooks signed up to fight fires, and the road to investigating them ran the gamut of the department. Crooks became an EMT, then a paramedic. He met his wife in one of the medical classes.“When we got married, she went back to school and became a registered nurse, and she’s been working at the hospital (Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center) since then,” he said.Crooks was a firefighter/paramedic for about 12 years. He was promoted to shift captain in January 2000. He kept that role for about five years, then took the job as Burlington Fire Marshal. The previous fire marshal was closing in on retirement, which allowed Crooks to learn the job before taking it.He learned more about the job by becoming a part-time fire inspector for West Burlington in 2003. His father had passed away by then, and his mom had sold the propane business.“I sat down, and I worked with the building official out there, and he taught me about fire code and how to do inspections,” he said.Crooks was allowed to work 14 hours a week for West Burlington, which left him little downtime after fulfilling his full-time duties in Burlington.“It really provided me a good opportunity to learn the codes and do inspections, and work hand-in-hand with a building official,” Crooks said.&nbsp;“For about five years, I was doing both communities.”When Crooks was hired full-time as the Burlington fire marshal, West Burlington combined the inspector job with a newly-created fire chief position.Life as a fire marshalDue to the nature of his work, Crooks does not have to be at a fire scene until the blaze is extinguished. But he is usually there before then, especially during his shift. He said about 70 percent of the fire calls he has taken over the years are accidental or out of the fire victim’s hands. The rest are deemed suspicious.If there is enough evidence, that suspicion can lead to an arrest, as it did with the First United Methodist Church fire in 2007. Crooks is proud of the working relationship he has fostered with Burlington police and surrounding law enforcement agencies over the years.He said that cooperation led to the arrest of a man who set fire to several South Hill homes in 2008. The next year, Crooks investigated a fatal fire that turned out to be a murder.&nbsp;Dennis Richards was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree arson for strangling his ex-wife Cyd Richards to death, setting her home in Burlington on fire in January 2009.There had been a variety of evidence introduced at the trial, such as gas cans and DNA from blood found on Dennis Richards’ clothing.“I’ve worked with some awesome detectives over the years and very dedicated individuals. It’s been a lot of fun to co-mingle with the two different departments. And because of that, I know many of the police officers down there (Burlington Police Department) on a first-name basis,” Crooks said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686869736588.jpeg" alt="In this file photo, Burlington Fire Marshal Mark Crooks sifts through the rubble of a home during an investigation." />
 <figcaption>In this file photo, Burlington Fire Marshal Mark Crooks sifts through the rubble of a home during an investigation.</figcaption>
 </figure>When the Tama building caught fire in 2018, Crooks was hiking with Boy Scouts in Colorado. Two of his sons are Eagle Scouts, and Crooks rediscovered his passion for scouting about a decade ago.&nbsp;He kept up with the fire despite spotty cell phone reception. He landed right in the middle of the investigation when he returned.The exact cause of the fire has not been released.“We can’t release a cause unless we are 100 percent sure,” Crooks said.Being a fire marshal entails a lot more than fire investigations. Building inspections are a big part of it, and Crooks was on the ground floor of the FunCity complex, ensuring it was up to code.&nbsp;He works with the Burlington School Administration on school inspections and knows most business owners in town.“It’s quite interesting,” he said.A busy futureThere is never an ideal time to leave public service. Something always goes unfinished. And plans for the future must be handed to someone else.The fire department is busier now than it ever has been, Crooks said.“Back in the late 80s and early 90s, we were averaging about three-and-a-half calls per day,” Crooks said. “Now we’re closer to 17 calls a day.”The number of fires has not increased. However, people call the police and fire more than they used to. The nature of fire response has changed as well. Despite the number of calls, the number of fires averages about 30 to 50 structure fires a year.“Back then (in the late 1980s), we staffed one ambulance with two people, and they handled all the calls throughout the city. Now we staff three ambulances, and there are many times where all three ambulances are out at the same time,” Crooks said. “Last month, in April, we had 515 calls department-wide. That’s a combination of fire and EMS.”The demands on the fire department continue to grow. The influx of apartments in Burlington results in more work for the city and fire inspectors, and the department is interested in obtaining a third fire station to cut down call times.“It seems like just the sheer number of transports that we have to the hospital is increasing. I mean, it just seems like it’s off the charts. And it just seems to keep creeping up more and more and more every year,” Crooks said.Life outside the flamesCrooks started driving a West Burlington school bus in 2010, and it has been something he continues to enjoy.&nbsp;“They were hurting for school bus drivers, and my three kids were in school there. So I was driving activity buses to different sporting events or music concerts or whatever,” he said.Crooks has continued to drive a school bus after his sons graduated from West Burlington. It has become a hobby.“I love going to the sporting events anyway. So a lot of the time I’ll sit down and I’ll keep the scorebook. And so there are no better seats in the house than sitting at the scorer’s table,” Crooks said.That gives Crooks extra pocket money to indulge in his other passions — scouting and camping. He has been a Boy Scout for over 40 years and has a new RV waiting for him.He will miss the job and, more so, the people. But there is a younger generation of Crooks brothers looking out for the city now.“All three of my sons worked for the city at one time. Daniel mowed grass in the park one summer when he was on college break. I never dreamed that even one of my kids would ever come to work in emergency services. And here two of them are doing just that,” Crooks said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686869796607.jpeg" alt="Fire Marshall Mark Crooks looks on as members of the Burlington fire department respond to a report of smoke coming from an apartment in Burlington.&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Fire Marshall Mark Crooks looks on as members of the Burlington fire department respond to a report of smoke coming from an apartment in Burlington.&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

52 Faces: Battling blazes for decades

&nbsp;Spend quality time with your loved ones, and pack bug spray as you prepare for a weekend filled with great music, poetry, art, and theater.

Start off the weekend on Friday night at Wake N Bake, where you can enjoy live music by the Rockin’ Rhinoz, featuring Paul Miller and Tom Nelson, esteemed inductees of the 2022 Iowa Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame.&nbsp;

Joining them on stage are the talented John Byrd and Kent Benedict, promising an unforgettable live music experience on Jefferson Street.

On Saturday, the Juneteenth festivities kick off at DeEdwin &amp; Gladys White Memorial Park from 12-4 p.m.&nbsp;

This inclusive community event celebrates freedom and offers a range of enjoyable activities for all ages. Engage in games, relish in homemade food, participate in a basketball tournament, and enjoy music, dancing, and a bake sale.&nbsp;

The event also showcases various community organizations, ensuring something for everyone.

In the evening, don’t miss the much-anticipated YOU MATTER Music, Art, and Poetry festival, presented by Cornerstone Wedding and Event Center.&nbsp; This festival, from 6 to 11 p.m., is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and advocating for positive change.

It brings together talented artists, musicians, poets, and performers who share a common passion for promoting mental health awareness.&nbsp;

Best of all, admission is free, providing an opportunity for performers to showcase their talents without any cost. For more information, visit their website at www.thecornerstoneia.com.

Make sure to mark your calendars for the 56th annual Snake Alley Art Fair on Saturday, June 18. Hosted by the Art Center of Burlington in the scenic Heritage Hill neighborhood from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this cherished Father’s Day tradition promises a diverse display of handcrafted artwork.&nbsp;

With over 75 talented artisans showcasing their work, you can explore a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, jewelry, metalwork, and woodwork.&nbsp;

Treat yourself to delicious food from local vendors and enjoy live music performed by local talents.&nbsp;

Don’t forget to visit the kids’ tent for engaging crafts and join the interactive paint-by-number activity honoring this year’s featured artist, Chris Mulder.&nbsp;

It’s an event that brings creativity, inspiration, and a strong sense of community. A special thank you goes out to this year’s generous sponsors: Standard of Beaverdale, InnovativeEye, Aim Credit Union, Greater Burlington CVB, Hot 97.3, The New Mix 107.3, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, and LJ Roth Restoration for making these events possible.

Wrap up your weekend with a delightful Sunday night concert conducted by David Adams, presented by the Burlington Municipal Band.&nbsp;

Grab your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the timeless tradition of summer band concerts in the Crapo Park bandshell. These concerts are free and open to the public until August, so take advantage of this opportunity.&nbsp;

For a complete lineup of this summer’s guest conductors, visit their website at www.muniband.org. But wait, there’s more.

The Burlington Lunchtime Chamber Series presents its final concert of Season 7, featuring a remarkable performance of Terry Riley’s influential minimalist composition, “In C.” Numerous BLCMS alumni will bring this captivating performance to life.&nbsp;

Remember to mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 21, starting at 12:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

Last but not least, plan ahead for the highly anticipated live local theater production of the year: “The Enchanted Bookshop” by the Young Actors Production.&nbsp;

Tickets are available online or at the Players Workshop box office an hour before each performance. Adult tickets are $10 and $5 student tickets.&nbsp; For more information, follow them on Facebook or visit playersworkshoptheater.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1685114175041.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Elizabeth Pappas&nbsp;Spend quality time with your loved ones, and pack bug spray as you prepare for a weekend filled with great music, poetry, art, and theater.Start off the weekend on Friday night at Wake N Bake, where you can enjoy live music by the Rockin’ Rhinoz, featuring Paul Miller and Tom Nelson, esteemed inductees of the 2022 Iowa Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame.&nbsp;Joining them on stage are the talented John Byrd and Kent Benedict, promising an unforgettable live music experience on Jefferson Street.On Saturday, the Juneteenth festivities kick off at DeEdwin &amp; Gladys White Memorial Park from 12-4 p.m.&nbsp;This inclusive community event celebrates freedom and offers a range of enjoyable activities for all ages. Engage in games, relish in homemade food, participate in a basketball tournament, and enjoy music, dancing, and a bake sale.&nbsp;The event also showcases various community organizations, ensuring something for everyone.In the evening, don’t miss the much-anticipated YOU MATTER Music, Art, and Poetry festival, presented by Cornerstone Wedding and Event Center.&nbsp; This festival, from 6 to 11 p.m., is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and advocating for positive change.It brings together talented artists, musicians, poets, and performers who share a common passion for promoting mental health awareness.&nbsp;Best of all, admission is free, providing an opportunity for performers to showcase their talents without any cost. For more information, visit their website at www.thecornerstoneia.com.Make sure to mark your calendars for the 56th annual Snake Alley Art Fair on Saturday, June 18. Hosted by the Art Center of Burlington in the scenic Heritage Hill neighborhood from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this cherished Father’s Day tradition promises a diverse display of handcrafted artwork.&nbsp;With over 75 talented artisans showcasing their work, you can explore a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, jewelry, metalwork, and woodwork.&nbsp;Treat yourself to delicious food from local vendors and enjoy live music performed by local talents.&nbsp;Don’t forget to visit the kids’ tent for engaging crafts and join the interactive paint-by-number activity honoring this year’s featured artist, Chris Mulder.&nbsp;It’s an event that brings creativity, inspiration, and a strong sense of community. A special thank you goes out to this year’s generous sponsors: Standard of Beaverdale, InnovativeEye, Aim Credit Union, Greater Burlington CVB, Hot 97.3, The New Mix 107.3, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, and LJ Roth Restoration for making these events possible.Wrap up your weekend with a delightful Sunday night concert conducted by David Adams, presented by the Burlington Municipal Band.&nbsp;Grab your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the timeless tradition of summer band concerts in the Crapo Park bandshell. These concerts are free and open to the public until August, so take advantage of this opportunity.&nbsp;For a complete lineup of this summer’s guest conductors, visit their website at www.muniband.org. But wait, there’s more.The Burlington Lunchtime Chamber Series presents its final concert of Season 7, featuring a remarkable performance of Terry Riley’s influential minimalist composition, “In C.” Numerous BLCMS alumni will bring this captivating performance to life.&nbsp;Remember to mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 21, starting at 12:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.Last but not least, plan ahead for the highly anticipated live local theater production of the year: “The Enchanted Bookshop” by the Young Actors Production.&nbsp;Tickets are available online or at the Players Workshop box office an hour before each performance. Adult tickets are $10 and $5 student tickets.&nbsp; For more information, follow them on Facebook or visit playersworkshoptheater.com.

Music, games, and an art fair, oh my!

A good question for the next trivia night is, “Who started the first free public library?” The answer is Benjamin Franklin.

An even better question is, “Who started the first summer reading program?”

That would be Franklin again, as Burlington Public Library director Brittany Jacobs told the Burlington Rotary Club on Monday, June 5.

Jacobs and teen specialist Becky Ruberg promoted the summer reading program, “Find Your Voice,” which began Monday, June 5, and runs through July 29.

Jacobs said it was a hectic morning with school out and students anxious to take part in the annual program, which is not only for children.

“It’s for babies all the way through (older age groups),” Jacobs said, but children are the focus.

“With the summer reading program, we are trying to help bridge the gap between the school years and fight against what they call ‘summer slide,’ ” Jacobs said.

The summer break causes students to lose some of their skills.

“Research has shown that if you keep kids’ minds active, they have a much higher success rate of retaining that knowledge,” Jacobs said.

But the program has changed. In the past, participants had to read so many hours or so many books. Now if you read that day, it counts for that day.&nbsp;

“We’re trying to remove some of these barriers, particularly for kids who struggle with literacy already,” Jacobs said.

By taking away those barriers, “then you open the doors for that serendipitous positive experience with reading,” Jacobs said. “We’re just hoping the books they’re choosing are exciting enough to engage them.”

The library has also scaled back the prizes awarded.

Research has shown that incentivizing reading does not work, Jacobs said. Thus, children receive a gift, and there are raffles in between.

The Summer Reading Program is the largest part of the library’s budget, so scaling back the number of rewards helps with that.

For adults, each week they read five days, their names will go into a box related to a specific prize package of the reader’s choosing.

Ruberg spoke about a new wrinkle to her summer reading program. It’s modeled after “Wednesday,” the Netflix series about Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame.

“It’s a teen writing program,” Ruberg said. “We’re going to do a little short story writing and a journal which we’ll each decorate. Then we’re going to have some fun, enrichment activities alongside.”

Then, at the end of the summer reading program, Ruberg encouraged people of all ages to take a “vacation through time” to visit ancient Rome, which is part of the Vacation in Time series that guided participants through the Titanic this past spring.&nbsp;

That will be Friday, July 28, Saturday, July 29, and Monday, July 31.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686662632773.jpeg" alt="Isaac Sieren, 4, of Mediapolis smiles with delight while attending an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, Monday, June 5, in Crapo Park. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Isaac Sieren, 4, of Mediapolis smiles with delight while attending an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, Monday, June 5, in Crapo Park. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Chris FaulknerA good question for the next trivia night is, “Who started the first free public library?” The answer is Benjamin Franklin.An even better question is, “Who started the first summer reading program?”That would be Franklin again, as Burlington Public Library director Brittany Jacobs told the Burlington Rotary Club on Monday, June 5.Jacobs and teen specialist Becky Ruberg promoted the summer reading program, “Find Your Voice,” which began Monday, June 5, and runs through July 29.Jacobs said it was a hectic morning with school out and students anxious to take part in the annual program, which is not only for children.“It’s for babies all the way through (older age groups),” Jacobs said, but children are the focus.“With the summer reading program, we are trying to help bridge the gap between the school years and fight against what they call ‘summer slide,’ ” Jacobs said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686662752629.jpeg" alt="Children smile with delight while attending an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Children smile with delight while attending an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>The summer break causes students to lose some of their skills.“Research has shown that if you keep kids’ minds active, they have a much higher success rate of retaining that knowledge,” Jacobs said.But the program has changed. In the past, participants had to read so many hours or so many books. Now if you read that day, it counts for that day.&nbsp;“We’re trying to remove some of these barriers, particularly for kids who struggle with literacy already,” Jacobs said.By taking away those barriers, “then you open the doors for that serendipitous positive experience with reading,” Jacobs said. “We’re just hoping the books they’re choosing are exciting enough to engage them.”The library has also scaled back the prizes awarded.Research has shown that incentivizing reading does not work, Jacobs said. Thus, children receive a gift, and there are raffles in between.The Summer Reading Program is the largest part of the library’s budget, so scaling back the number of rewards helps with that.For adults, each week they read five days, their names will go into a box related to a specific prize package of the reader’s choosing.Ruberg spoke about a new wrinkle to her summer reading program. It’s modeled after “Wednesday,” the Netflix series about Wednesday Addams of the Addams Family fame.“It’s a teen writing program,” Ruberg said. “We’re going to do a little short story writing and a journal which we’ll each decorate. Then we’re going to have some fun, enrichment activities alongside.”Then, at the end of the summer reading program, Ruberg encouraged people of all ages to take a “vacation through time” to visit ancient Rome, which is part of the Vacation in Time series that guided participants through the Titanic this past spring.&nbsp;That will be Friday, July 28, Saturday, July 29, and Monday, July 31.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1686662828022.jpeg" alt="Children attended an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Children attended an Absolute Science Foam Party to kick off the Burlington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

Library Summer Reading Program Offers Laughter and Learning

If everyone in the world was empathetic as the first graders of Winfield-Mount Union, wars would have long ceased.

First-grade teacher Angie Jandrey and her staff have been doing their best to strengthen that growing empathy through the We Wish You Well program.&nbsp;

Every morning, the two first-grade classes come together, stand in a circle share a good wish for someone else. It could be their friends. Their parents. Maybe a teacher. The point is the students are thinking about someone else.

“The idea of We Wish You Well came from my daughter, who teaches kindergarten in Johnston,” Jandrey said. “Several years back, she was trained in Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscience Discipline. The We Wish You Well part was to help children know that our job as teachers is to keep them safe.”

The program has since evolved. Now the children are contributing to others’ lives through their own actions. By seeing the positive consequences, they’re starting to understand how profound that is.

Jandrey said that proactive empathy arose when the class discovered a teacher’s aide had cancer.

“That’s when we started wishing others well instead of just our class. We went around the circle and each child quickly mentioned one person they wanted to wish well,” Jandrey said.

The project mushroomed from there. Whether they knew it or not, the children were changing lives. Jandrey wanted them to know just how much of an impact they were having on others. So she asked some of the well-wish recipients to record thank you videos.

On Thursday, May 25, one day before the final day of school — the first-graders sat quietly in Jandrey’s classroom and watched those videos. Several of those who recorded “thank you” videos were fighting or recovering from cancer, and a few had to hold back tears.

The class heard thank-yous from Diane Latham, a retired dental hygienist from Crest. Gary Fickel, a financial advisor in Iowa City. Micah Shull is a former Southeast Iowa referee from Mount Pleasant. Lydia Ertz Gatton – a Mediapolis native who teaches in Bettendorf. Cara Bunell, assistant homeschool director of Mount Pleasant schools.

Every “thank you” was heartfelt. The kids could tell.

“It was very touching to me to know that I was in your prayers. I’m doing very well, and I’m sure it’s because of all of you,” Latham said in her video.

After the videos ended and the lights lifted, the students seemed stunned. It’s one thing to wish a stranger well. It’s another to see them thank you for it.

“It made me realize how much it meant to them,” said first-grader Charlie Waterman.

Empathy isn’t just about giving. As the children learned, it’s also about the feeling you get from caring for another person. Even if that person is a complete stranger.

“It made me feel good inside,” first-grader Amelia Crawford said.

Most first-graders are hesitant to make such assertions. But Jandrey’s gentle hand has made the school a safe place. Inside that place, they have found courage.

“We are encouraging the students to communicate,” Jandrey said.&nbsp;

“It’s almost a lost art. Looking people in the eyes and speaking directly to them, whether it’s to say ‘I’m sorry’ or explain why you made the decision you did. That can solve a lot of misunderstanding.”

Jandrey’s heart fills at seeing how the program has impacted the children. The circle always starts with the kids holding hands and singing, “We wish you well, we wish you well, we wish you well throughout the day, we wish you well.”

They also recite a list of pledges — ones everyone should live by.

“I will try hard. I will care. I will share. I will listen. It will be nice. I will be safe,” they recite.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685989140771.jpeg" alt="The first-graders of Winfield-Mount Union pose for a class picture shortly after hearing thank-you messages from those they wished well. The We Wish You Well program focuses on building empathy for children. Photo/Submitted" />
 <figcaption>The first-graders of Winfield-Mount Union pose for a class picture shortly after hearing thank-you messages from those they wished well. The We Wish You Well program focuses on building empathy for children. Photo/Submitted</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithIf everyone in the world was empathetic as the first graders of Winfield-Mount Union, wars would have long ceased.First-grade teacher Angie Jandrey and her staff have been doing their best to strengthen that growing empathy through the We Wish You Well program.&nbsp;Every morning, the two first-grade classes come together, stand in a circle share a good wish for someone else. It could be their friends. Their parents. Maybe a teacher. The point is the students are thinking about someone else.“The idea of We Wish You Well came from my daughter, who teaches kindergarten in Johnston,” Jandrey said. “Several years back, she was trained in Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscience Discipline. The We Wish You Well part was to help children know that our job as teachers is to keep them safe.”The program has since evolved. Now the children are contributing to others’ lives through their own actions. By seeing the positive consequences, they’re starting to understand how profound that is.Jandrey said that proactive empathy arose when the class discovered a teacher’s aide had cancer.“That’s when we started wishing others well instead of just our class. We went around the circle and each child quickly mentioned one person they wanted to wish well,” Jandrey said.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685989450126.jpeg" alt="First-grade students watch a video of thank-you messages from those they wished well." />
 <figcaption>First-grade students watch a video of thank-you messages from those they wished well.</figcaption>
 </figure>The project mushroomed from there. Whether they knew it or not, the children were changing lives. Jandrey wanted them to know just how much of an impact they were having on others. So she asked some of the well-wish recipients to record thank you videos.On Thursday, May 25, one day before the final day of school — the first-graders sat quietly in Jandrey’s classroom and watched those videos. Several of those who recorded “thank you” videos were fighting or recovering from cancer, and a few had to hold back tears.The class heard thank-yous from Diane Latham, a retired dental hygienist from Crest. Gary Fickel, a financial advisor in Iowa City. Micah Shull is a former Southeast Iowa referee from Mount Pleasant. Lydia Ertz Gatton – a Mediapolis native who teaches in Bettendorf. Cara Bunell, assistant homeschool director of Mount Pleasant schools.Every “thank you” was heartfelt. The kids could tell.“It was very touching to me to know that I was in your prayers. I’m doing very well, and I’m sure it’s because of all of you,” Latham said in her video.After the videos ended and the lights lifted, the students seemed stunned. It’s one thing to wish a stranger well. It’s another to see them thank you for it.“It made me realize how much it meant to them,” said first-grader Charlie Waterman.Empathy isn’t just about giving. As the children learned, it’s also about the feeling you get from caring for another person. Even if that person is a complete stranger.“It made me feel good inside,” first-grader Amelia Crawford said.Most first-graders are hesitant to make such assertions. But Jandrey’s gentle hand has made the school a safe place. Inside that place, they have found courage.“We are encouraging the students to communicate,” Jandrey said.&nbsp;“It’s almost a lost art. Looking people in the eyes and speaking directly to them, whether it’s to say ‘I’m sorry’ or explain why you made the decision you did. That can solve a lot of misunderstanding.”Jandrey’s heart fills at seeing how the program has impacted the children. The circle always starts with the kids holding hands and singing, “We wish you well, we wish you well, we wish you well throughout the day, we wish you well.”They also recite a list of pledges — ones everyone should live by.“I will try hard. I will care. I will share. I will listen. It will be nice. I will be safe,” they recite.

By wishing well to others, students have touched lives

Above: Silas Rider, 6, who was fishing for the first time, smiles after casting his line into the water during the Optimist Club Fishing Derby Saturday, June 3, at Lake Starker in Crapo Park. A large number of Burlington Police officers were on hand fishing with kindergarten through sixth-grade anglers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Above: Children, many of them fishing for the first time, are shown at the Optimist Club Fishing Derby. The children were vying for prizes for the heaviest fish caught, the most fish caught and the smallest fish caught.

Above:&nbsp;Wrenlee Smith, 6, admires her catch before having the fish measured and weighed.

(Editor's note: Story and additional photos will be in the June 9 print edition of The Beacon.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685858524706.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaAbove: Silas Rider, 6, who was fishing for the first time, smiles after casting his line into the water during the Optimist Club Fishing Derby Saturday, June 3, at Lake Starker in Crapo Park. A large number of Burlington Police officers were on hand fishing with kindergarten through sixth-grade anglers.&nbsp;&nbsp; <figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685858632142.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Children, many of them fishing for the first time, are shown at the Optimist Club Fishing Derby. The children were vying for prizes for the heaviest fish caught, the most fish caught and the smallest fish caught.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685859015522.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Wrenlee Smith, 6, admires her catch before having the fish measured and weighed.(Editor's note: Story and additional photos will be in the June 9 print edition of The Beacon.)

Kids Cast Away Their Doubts and Had Fun at the Optimist Club Fishing Derby 

Above:&nbsp;Graduating senior Mikayla Ott motions to friends in the school band after collecting her diploma on Saturday, June 3 during Burlington High School's 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Bracewell Stadium. Salutatorian Katherine Taylor, Valedictorian Caroline Strawhacker, and 2023 Class Speaker Samuel Morehead all delivered remarks to their fellow graduates before diplomas were awarded to students. 

Above: Graduating senior Anthony Henry collects his diploma during Saturday's commencement ceremony at Bracewell Stadium.

Above:&nbsp;Graduating senior Bethannie Bernand collects her diploma.

Above:&nbsp;Graduating seniors sing "Go Get 'Em Grayhounds."

A pair of graduating seniors pose for a photo before the start of the commencement ceremony.

Above: Burlington High School's Class of 2023 walk single file into Bracewell Stadium.&nbsp;

(Editor's Note): Story and additional photos will be in the June 9 print edition.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685856747880.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photos by John LovrettaAbove:&nbsp;Graduating senior Mikayla Ott motions to friends in the school band after collecting her diploma on Saturday, June 3 during Burlington High School's 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Bracewell Stadium. Salutatorian Katherine Taylor, Valedictorian Caroline Strawhacker, and 2023 Class Speaker Samuel Morehead all delivered remarks to their fellow graduates before diplomas were awarded to students. <figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685856981584.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Graduating senior Anthony Henry collects his diploma during Saturday's commencement ceremony at Bracewell Stadium.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685857099842.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Graduating senior Bethannie Bernand collects her diploma.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685857163714.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Graduating seniors sing "Go Get 'Em Grayhounds."<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685857324796.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A pair of graduating seniors pose for a photo before the start of the commencement ceremony.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685857417245.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Burlington High School's Class of 2023 walk single file into Bracewell Stadium.&nbsp;(Editor's Note): Story and additional photos will be in the June 9 print edition.)

BHS Grads Celebrate the Past, Eye the Future

Burlington Police Officer Porfiro Gallegos Jr., 29, just met his new partner a few months ago.

He is talkative, green, and ready for action. A four-legged partner highly trained in the art of drug-sniffing and people-finding.

It is the buddy-cop relationship Gallegos has always dreamed of. He even got to pick the name “Paco” for his new partner. The namesake comes from his first childhood dog.

“He actually ran away and got hit by a car,” Gallegos said. “So, it was nice to bring some of my personality to Paco.”

A 19-month-old German Shepherd, Paco was born in the Czech Republic. That means all the commands Gallegos issues to Paco has to be in Czech. Paco’s German Shepherd counterpart at the police department, Rico, only responds to commands in Dutch, reflecting his upbringing.&nbsp;

“We’re very fortunate that our current handler officer Beckman can train canines for Working Dogs International. I’ve been working with him twice a week up until we go to certification,” Gallegos said.

Though he speaks English as naturally as any native speaker, Gallegos grew up in the Chicago area and learned English as a second language. His parents emigrated from Mexico, and he was born in America. His desire to become a policeman was seeded in his ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in first grade.

“I was paired with an officer from the local police department where I’m from. He kind of sparked my interest in the police thing. I just thought it was cool that an officer would come read to me,” Gallegos said. “He was bilingual himself.”

Gallegos has always been a big dog person. He has a boxer-terrier mix at home and had his eye on the K-9 unit from the moment he started with the Burlington Police Department.&nbsp;

He took every chance he could to pick the brain of previous K-9 officers.

“Communicating effectively with an animal that doesn’t speak our language has always been something that interested me,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”

Gallegos will be celebrating his fifth anniversary with the department in August.&nbsp;

He started as a patrol officer in December 2018 and became a detective in September 2021. But his job duties have stretched far beyond that.

“I’ve been a field training officer. I’m on bike patrol. I’m on boat patrol. I serve as a CIT instructor. I lead the stop arm violations at schools. I was a police explorer advisor,” Gallegos said.

In August, Gallegos returns to patrol, and Paco will be beside him. Paco is about to become a part of the Gallegos family and will live with them soon.

But he is also an $18,000 policing tool, and the officers know not to distract him too much from the mission. Paco likely will not meet Gallegos’ family for some time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/6/1685747219503.jpeg" alt="New K-9 officer Porfiro Gallegos Jr. training with his new partner, Paco. The two will take the streets at the end of August.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>New K-9 officer Porfiro Gallegos Jr. training with his new partner, Paco. The two will take the streets at the end of August.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithBurlington Police Officer Porfiro Gallegos Jr., 29, just met his new partner a few months ago.He is talkative, green, and ready for action. A four-legged partner highly trained in the art of drug-sniffing and people-finding.It is the buddy-cop relationship Gallegos has always dreamed of. He even got to pick the name “Paco” for his new partner. The namesake comes from his first childhood dog.“He actually ran away and got hit by a car,” Gallegos said. “So, it was nice to bring some of my personality to Paco.”A 19-month-old German Shepherd, Paco was born in the Czech Republic. That means all the commands Gallegos issues to Paco has to be in Czech. Paco’s German Shepherd counterpart at the police department, Rico, only responds to commands in Dutch, reflecting his upbringing.&nbsp;“We’re very fortunate that our current handler officer Beckman can train canines for Working Dogs International. I’ve been working with him twice a week up until we go to certification,” Gallegos said.Though he speaks English as naturally as any native speaker, Gallegos grew up in the Chicago area and learned English as a second language. His parents emigrated from Mexico, and he was born in America. His desire to become a policeman was seeded in his ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in first grade.“I was paired with an officer from the local police department where I’m from. He kind of sparked my interest in the police thing. I just thought it was cool that an officer would come read to me,” Gallegos said. “He was bilingual himself.”Gallegos has always been a big dog person. He has a boxer-terrier mix at home and had his eye on the K-9 unit from the moment he started with the Burlington Police Department.&nbsp;He took every chance he could to pick the brain of previous K-9 officers.“Communicating effectively with an animal that doesn’t speak our language has always been something that interested me,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”Gallegos will be celebrating his fifth anniversary with the department in August.&nbsp;He started as a patrol officer in December 2018 and became a detective in September 2021. But his job duties have stretched far beyond that.“I’ve been a field training officer. I’m on bike patrol. I’m on boat patrol. I serve as a CIT instructor. I lead the stop arm violations at schools. I was a police explorer advisor,” Gallegos said.In August, Gallegos returns to patrol, and Paco will be beside him. Paco is about to become a part of the Gallegos family and will live with them soon.But he is also an $18,000 policing tool, and the officers know not to distract him too much from the mission. Paco likely will not meet Gallegos’ family for some time.“I just finished his house,” Gallegos said. “He (Paco) will actually reside in my garage. We have an interior kennel and I’m building an exterior kennel. So in the winter, he’ll be in the interior kennel, and in the summer, he will be in the exterior kennel.”Gallegos introduced Paco to the Burlington community during a Facebook Live event Tuesday morning.&nbsp;Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney spoke of what Paco brings to the department.&nbsp;He said it has been a while since Burlington had two K-9s, and Paco can take over for Rico as the elder dog ages out of the job.Denney said the ideal retirement age for a police dog is typically around 6 years old.“We’ve been kind of pushing this off and pushing this off (acquiring a new K-9 officer) because we were just trying to raise enough funds to make this happen and make it sustainable over time,” Denney said. “Our goal is to make sure that we have working dogs over the years.”Becoming a K-9 officer brings extra responsibility, and that is what Gallegos was looking for. When he took the job at the Burlington Police Department, Gallegos was concerned there would not be enough action.He laughs about that now.“I told my wife when I got hired, ‘Oh, this will be small town Iowa.’ But I was pleasantly surprised by how busy we stay. And I enjoy that,” he said.

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