It took a fair amount of persuading, but my Egyptian friends, Nasser and Heba, finally convinced me last fall to visit their beautiful, historic country.

I met them in Burlington in 2017, and we talked a lot about this trip. As an American, I had some trepidation about traveling to the Middle East. And it didn’t help matters when the U.S. State Department issued this travel advisory less than three weeks before my scheduled departure:

“Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Egypt. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and have targeted diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, western businesses, restaurants, resorts, and local government facilities. Terrorists have conducted attacks in urban areas, including in Cairo, despite the heavy security presence.”

Agreeing with Eleanor Roosevelt that courage is more exhilarating than fear and confident that traveling with native Egyptians would enhance my safety, I decided to go ahead with the trip. So, I packed my bags and caught a ride to the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport. Twenty-four hours later, I arrived at Cairo International Airport on Oct. 25., 2022.

After getting through Customs, I was relieved to find Heba and her husband, Nasser. Our half-hour trip to their apartment was my introduction to Cairo’s ridiculously hectic traffic. There are few painted lane markers, so cars converged, closely and dangerously, from every possible angle. I was freaked out, but of course, didn’t say anything.

Their apartment is on the seventh floor in a crowded neighborhood — with “crowded” being the operative word. Most of the buildings are nondescript sandstone and reminded me of the ones I saw during my trip to Russia in 1998.

Heba’s mom, sister, and nephew were at the apartment when we arrived. We enjoyed a great dinner: fancy, deep-dish mac and cheese, breaded and fried chicken breasts, and soup made with tiny pasta colloquially known as “bird tongues.”

The next day, Heba and I spent three hours at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. How amazing it was to witness firsthand the very origins of human civilization; some artifacts were 7,000 years or older. Comparatively, Americans will celebrate our country’s 247th anniversary this July 4.

Again, the traffic was utterly crazy. In particularly congested areas, cars weaved in and out of the “lanes” perilously close to each other. It seemed hugely dangerous by my small-town standards. Heba said it works because everyone anticipates what the other guy will do.

I did witness a horrible scene en route to the museum. A guy on a motorcycle, who was probably going 40-50 mph, flew by us on the right. Seconds later, he hit one of two young women standing in the street near the curb. Worse yet, he just kept on going! Sadly, that’s a mental image I’ll never be able to erase.

Both Heba and her sister, Hoda, are excellent cooks. From ful (pronounced “fool”), a fava bean stew, to my personal favorite, koshari, consisting of macaroni, lentils, rice, chickpeas, fried onions, and a spicy-hot tomato sauce, each dish was a culinary masterpiece. A variety of homemade breads, lots of wonderful cheese, and way too many sweet treats complimented our meals.

Each new day was a blend of Egyptian culture, great weather, and fascinating tourist attractions. Our itinerary included a two-hour dinner cruise on the Nile River; breakfast served on the rooftop of our hotel in Alexandria, which provided a great view of the Mediterranean Sea; the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza; riding a camel named Mickey Mouse; the Citadel of Cairo; Karnak and Luxor Temples; the 614-foot Cairo Tower, Egypt’s tallest structure (and a challenge for this acrophobe!); and two days of R &amp; R at my friends’ chalet on the Red Sea.

I learned a few basic Arabic words and phrases. The easiest one to memorize was “yeah,” which ironically is pronounced, “EYE-wuh.” I got used to it after a while. But, at first, it was so weird hearing it everywhere in public. “Whoa, how did they know I was from Iowa?”

On a personal note, it was great to feel so welcomed by Nasser and Heba’s family and friends. Even random people I met were friendly.&nbsp;

For example, during a tour of Alexandria atop a double-decker bus, I saw a seaside building that had “Casino” in its name and asked Heba if gambling is popular in Egypt. The woman sitting in front of us turned around and, in very good English, explained that in this instance, “Casino” meant “Café.” Quickly activating my Irish blarney, I enjoyed a lovely 10-minute chat with her before she got off the bus.&nbsp;

And it was heartwarming when Heba and I were approached by three boys, maybe 8 or 9 years old, who asked if they could take a photo with me. I felt like a celebrity.

During my 16-day visit, I never feared that being an American compromised my safety. However, there were a few times when my surroundings were a stark reminder that, as a white guy from the U.S., I was in the minority.

For example, my friends’ chalet is on the Sinai Peninsula, and getting there required taking a tunnel beneath the Suez Canal. Just on the other side, in the middle of an otherwise vast, empty desert, was a formidable — and clearly no-nonsense — military checkpoint.

“Have your passport ready,” Heba instructed, “but don’t present it unless I tell you that the guard is asking for it.” I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.

Heba pulled up to a large contraption that she said would perform a complete scan of the car in search of weapons, explosives, and contraband. After we passed that initial inspection, she drove the short distance to a gate and adjacent guard house. It was at this point that I started to feel vulnerable.

A stone-faced, uniformed guard with a rifle slung over his shoulder approached the car and began interrogating Heba. Of course, all of their conversations were in Arabic, so it was only after the fact that she told me what information he was seeking:

“What is your destination, and how long are you staying?”

Luckily, Heba’s brother, who co-owns a travel agency, had advised her to bring the paperwork that confirmed ownership of property on the peninsula. And she told the guard that we’d only be staying two nights.

Heba replied that her passengers were her mother, sister, and “our friend,” thus concealing my nationality.

The guard never did ask to see my ID, apparently convinced that this 66-year-old geezer sitting in the back seat didn’t pose a security risk. Instead, after asking Heba a few more questions, he methodically raised the gate, and we were on our way. Whew!

Traveling to Egypt forced me to step outside my comfort zone. Ultimately, it provided what professional traveler Rick Steves calls the best possible souvenir: a broader perspective. Contrary to all the bigotry and prejudice circulating on social media, I discovered that not everyone in the Middle East hates Americans. People are people, and we’re more alike than we are different.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678146884427.jpeg" alt="Above: Dennis Fitzgibbon of Burlington is shown exploring one of the many tourist sites in Egypt. Photo submitted" />
 <figcaption>Above: Dennis Fitzgibbon of Burlington is shown exploring one of the many tourist sites in Egypt. Photo submitted</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dennis Fitzgibbon&nbsp;It took a fair amount of persuading, but my Egyptian friends, Nasser and Heba, finally convinced me last fall to visit their beautiful, historic country.I met them in Burlington in 2017, and we talked a lot about this trip. As an American, I had some trepidation about traveling to the Middle East. And it didn’t help matters when the U.S. State Department issued this travel advisory less than three weeks before my scheduled departure:“Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Egypt. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and have targeted diplomatic facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, western businesses, restaurants, resorts, and local government facilities. Terrorists have conducted attacks in urban areas, including in Cairo, despite the heavy security presence.”Yikes!Agreeing with Eleanor Roosevelt that courage is more exhilarating than fear and confident that traveling with native Egyptians would enhance my safety, I decided to go ahead with the trip. So, I packed my bags and caught a ride to the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport. Twenty-four hours later, I arrived at Cairo International Airport on Oct. 25., 2022.After getting through Customs, I was relieved to find Heba and her husband, Nasser. Our half-hour trip to their apartment was my introduction to Cairo’s ridiculously hectic traffic. There are few painted lane markers, so cars converged, closely and dangerously, from every possible angle. I was freaked out, but of course, didn’t say anything.Their apartment is on the seventh floor in a crowded neighborhood — with “crowded” being the operative word. Most of the buildings are nondescript sandstone and reminded me of the ones I saw during my trip to Russia in 1998.Heba’s mom, sister, and nephew were at the apartment when we arrived. We enjoyed a great dinner: fancy, deep-dish mac and cheese, breaded and fried chicken breasts, and soup made with tiny pasta colloquially known as “bird tongues.”The next day, Heba and I spent three hours at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. How amazing it was to witness firsthand the very origins of human civilization; some artifacts were 7,000 years or older. Comparatively, Americans will celebrate our country’s 247th anniversary this July 4.Again, the traffic was utterly crazy. In particularly congested areas, cars weaved in and out of the “lanes” perilously close to each other. It seemed hugely dangerous by my small-town standards. Heba said it works because everyone anticipates what the other guy will do.I did witness a horrible scene en route to the museum. A guy on a motorcycle, who was probably going 40-50 mph, flew by us on the right. Seconds later, he hit one of two young women standing in the street near the curb. Worse yet, he just kept on going! Sadly, that’s a mental image I’ll never be able to erase.Both Heba and her sister, Hoda, are excellent cooks. From ful (pronounced “fool”), a fava bean stew, to my personal favorite, koshari, consisting of macaroni, lentils, rice, chickpeas, fried onions, and a spicy-hot tomato sauce, each dish was a culinary masterpiece. A variety of homemade breads, lots of wonderful cheese, and way too many sweet treats complimented our meals.Each new day was a blend of Egyptian culture, great weather, and fascinating tourist attractions. Our itinerary included a two-hour dinner cruise on the Nile River; breakfast served on the rooftop of our hotel in Alexandria, which provided a great view of the Mediterranean Sea; the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza; riding a camel named Mickey Mouse; the Citadel of Cairo; Karnak and Luxor Temples; the 614-foot Cairo Tower, Egypt’s tallest structure (and a challenge for this acrophobe!); and two days of R &amp; R at my friends’ chalet on the Red Sea.I learned a few basic Arabic words and phrases. The easiest one to memorize was “yeah,” which ironically is pronounced, “EYE-wuh.” I got used to it after a while. But, at first, it was so weird hearing it everywhere in public. “Whoa, how did they know I was from Iowa?”On a personal note, it was great to feel so welcomed by Nasser and Heba’s family and friends. Even random people I met were friendly.&nbsp;For example, during a tour of Alexandria atop a double-decker bus, I saw a seaside building that had “Casino” in its name and asked Heba if gambling is popular in Egypt. The woman sitting in front of us turned around and, in very good English, explained that in this instance, “Casino” meant “Café.” Quickly activating my Irish blarney, I enjoyed a lovely 10-minute chat with her before she got off the bus.&nbsp;And it was heartwarming when Heba and I were approached by three boys, maybe 8 or 9 years old, who asked if they could take a photo with me. I felt like a celebrity.During my 16-day visit, I never feared that being an American compromised my safety. However, there were a few times when my surroundings were a stark reminder that, as a white guy from the U.S., I was in the minority.For example, my friends’ chalet is on the Sinai Peninsula, and getting there required taking a tunnel beneath the Suez Canal. Just on the other side, in the middle of an otherwise vast, empty desert, was a formidable — and clearly no-nonsense — military checkpoint.“Have your passport ready,” Heba instructed, “but don’t present it unless I tell you that the guard is asking for it.” I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.Heba pulled up to a large contraption that she said would perform a complete scan of the car in search of weapons, explosives, and contraband. After we passed that initial inspection, she drove the short distance to a gate and adjacent guard house. It was at this point that I started to feel vulnerable.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678147517605.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A stone-faced, uniformed guard with a rifle slung over his shoulder approached the car and began interrogating Heba. Of course, all of their conversations were in Arabic, so it was only after the fact that she told me what information he was seeking:“What is your destination, and how long are you staying?”Luckily, Heba’s brother, who co-owns a travel agency, had advised her to bring the paperwork that confirmed ownership of property on the peninsula. And she told the guard that we’d only be staying two nights.“Who are you traveling with?”Heba replied that her passengers were her mother, sister, and “our friend,” thus concealing my nationality.The guard never did ask to see my ID, apparently convinced that this 66-year-old geezer sitting in the back seat didn’t pose a security risk. Instead, after asking Heba a few more questions, he methodically raised the gate, and we were on our way. Whew!Traveling to Egypt forced me to step outside my comfort zone. Ultimately, it provided what professional traveler Rick Steves calls the best possible souvenir: a broader perspective. Contrary to all the bigotry and prejudice circulating on social media, I discovered that not everyone in the Middle East hates Americans. People are people, and we’re more alike than we are different.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678147037172.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;The Great Sphinx of Giza is shown. Photo submitted" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The Great Sphinx of Giza is shown. Photo submitted</figcaption>
 </figure>

The Treasures of Egypt

By Beacon Staff The Burlington Fire Department battled three fires this past weekend, including two on Sunday. No one was injured in any of the incidents, though some of the properties suffered major damage. House and Camper on Wightman Street Destroyed By Fire Sunday Night The Burlington and West Burlington fire departments responded to a reported structure fire at 7:03 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at 727 Wightman St. Burlington Police officers arrived first and assisted with locating and evacuating the occupant of the home. Firefighters arrived five minutes later to find a single-family home and travel trailer fully engulfed in flames.&nbsp; Off-duty firefighters from Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis were called in for assistance, and the fire was extinguished by 8:24 p.m. The property is owned and occupied by Joseph Zippe and is insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed, but both the travel trailer and house are a total loss. The Red Cross was called for victim assistance. One pet (a dog) escaped the house and was later recovered without injury. The fire damaged one automobile, as well as the house at 723 Wightman St., which sustained heat damage to two windows. The cause of the fire was due to open burning outside the residence. The fire spread to the travel trailer and then to the house. Zippe was issued a citation for violating the city’s open burning ordinance. Firefighters cleared the scene at 9:55 p.m. Lincolnville Motel Evacuated After Room Catches Fire Early Sunday Morning Firefighters from Burlington and West Burlington responded to the report of a structure fire at the Lincolnville Motel at 1:53 a.m. March 19, and arrived five minutes later to find flames and smoke showing from a room on the east side. Police officers had already started to evacuate the building of guests by then. Off-duty Burlington firefighters and firefighters from Danville and Mediapolis were called for assistance. Firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to one motel room and the attic area, but other rooms sustained smoke and water damage. The property is owned by Dilip Gandhi and is insured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is not considered suspicious. Firefighters cleared the scene at 3:43 a.m. Sunday. Kitchen Fire Causes $70,000 Worth of Damage to Burlington Home Saturday Burlington and West Burlington firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 412 S. Marshall Street at 5:34 p.m. on March 18. Firefighters arrived four minutes later to find heavy smoke coming from the back of the two-story house. Off-duty Burlington firefighters, as well as firefighters from Danville and Mediapolis, were called in for assistance. Firefighters located and extinguished a fire in the kitchen. The surrounding rooms suffered heat and water damage, with smoke damage throughout the house. The house, owned and occupied by John Harris, is insured. Damage is estimated at $70,000 to the house and contents. There were no working smoke detectors. The Red Cross has been called for victim assistance. The cause of the fire is considered accidental and was due to combustible items stored too close to the stovetop. It is believed that a pet jumped onto the stove and inadvertently turned on a burner. Firefighters cleared the scene at 8:22 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1679349410214.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff The Burlington Fire Department battled three fires this past weekend, including two on Sunday. No one was injured in any of the incidents, though some of the properties suffered major damage. House and Camper on Wightman Street Destroyed By Fire Sunday Night The Burlington and West Burlington fire departments responded to a reported structure fire at 7:03 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at 727 Wightman St. Burlington Police officers arrived first and assisted with locating and evacuating the occupant of the home. Firefighters arrived five minutes later to find a single-family home and travel trailer fully engulfed in flames.&nbsp; Off-duty firefighters from Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis were called in for assistance, and the fire was extinguished by 8:24 p.m. The property is owned and occupied by Joseph Zippe and is insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed, but both the travel trailer and house are a total loss. The Red Cross was called for victim assistance. One pet (a dog) escaped the house and was later recovered without injury. The fire damaged one automobile, as well as the house at 723 Wightman St., which sustained heat damage to two windows. The cause of the fire was due to open burning outside the residence. The fire spread to the travel trailer and then to the house. Zippe was issued a citation for violating the city’s open burning ordinance. Firefighters cleared the scene at 9:55 p.m. Lincolnville Motel Evacuated After Room Catches Fire Early Sunday Morning Firefighters from Burlington and West Burlington responded to the report of a structure fire at the Lincolnville Motel at 1:53 a.m. March 19, and arrived five minutes later to find flames and smoke showing from a room on the east side. Police officers had already started to evacuate the building of guests by then. Off-duty Burlington firefighters and firefighters from Danville and Mediapolis were called for assistance. Firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to one motel room and the attic area, but other rooms sustained smoke and water damage. The property is owned by Dilip Gandhi and is insured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is not considered suspicious. Firefighters cleared the scene at 3:43 a.m. Sunday. Kitchen Fire Causes $70,000 Worth of Damage to Burlington Home Saturday Burlington and West Burlington firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 412 S. Marshall Street at 5:34 p.m. on March 18. Firefighters arrived four minutes later to find heavy smoke coming from the back of the two-story house. Off-duty Burlington firefighters, as well as firefighters from Danville and Mediapolis, were called in for assistance. Firefighters located and extinguished a fire in the kitchen. The surrounding rooms suffered heat and water damage, with smoke damage throughout the house. The house, owned and occupied by John Harris, is insured. Damage is estimated at $70,000 to the house and contents. There were no working smoke detectors. The Red Cross has been called for victim assistance. The cause of the fire is considered accidental and was due to combustible items stored too close to the stovetop. It is believed that a pet jumped onto the stove and inadvertently turned on a burner. Firefighters cleared the scene at 8:22 p.m.

Local Firefighters Battle Two Fires on Sunday and One on Saturday

Ty Buras was in real trouble. Buras was an Army veteran who had done tours in active war zones.&nbsp;

The extreme stress and horrors of war left Buras with crippling PTSD, and his battle with severe PTSD was a fight he was losing.&nbsp;

He was in desperate need of a lifeline. That’s when Wrigley, his service dog, entered his life. Wrigley was supplied to Buras at absolutely no cost to him from Retrieving Freedom Incorporated.&nbsp;

Buras explained how important Wrigley is in his life now. “Life before her was a whole lot of isolating,” Buras said.&nbsp;

“My wife says I’m a whole different person after I received her.”&nbsp;

Retrieving Freedom or RFI is using man’s best friend in the best possible way. RFI trains and places dogs with veterans and children with autism to help them in their daily lives.&nbsp;

They have placed 142 dogs in 19 states. They have placed 51 dogs with autistic people and 70 dogs with veterans. Nine dogs were placed prior to the current established target clients.&nbsp;

“You have to train for 100 hours with other dogs so that you know how to handle your dog,” Buras said.

On average a dog costs $30,000 to place, train, and care for a service dog. All dogs are provided at no cost, by RFI Ambassadors.

In 2011 Co-Founder Scott Dewey, a seasoned field trial dog trainer decided to retire to be at home with his children more.

Still, Dewey wanted to use his abilities to help individuals with disabilities. Thus, Retrieving Freedom Incorporated was founded/incorporated in 2012.&nbsp;

The first service dog was placed in 2013. RFI exists on donations and grants. The important work that they do is dependent on the kindness of others, and every dollar that they receive is so important. Laura Erganian Fund Development Coordinator for RFI has been an important part of placing dogs with those in need.&nbsp;

Erganian stressed that the need for service dogs was great and that Covid-19 has made that process that much more difficult.&nbsp;

For the last couple of years, RFI has not been able to have the in-person contact that makes the program work so well.&nbsp;

“We are actually at an expansion point in our program, we are looking to double our number of dogs,” Erganian said.&nbsp;

The process takes about two years from start to finish. During that process, the clients are constantly working with the dogs and forming a bond with the dogs. “The dog picks you, you don’t pick the dog,” Burras said.

“It’s a unique process. What are the needs? What are their characteristics? What makes a dog pair to each client? Are they able to grow a relationship?” Erganian said. Dogs that are not successful in the program are placed in other lines of work or placed into foster care.&nbsp;

One dog has been placed with the Sedalia, Missouri police department. Right now, Retrieving Freedom is focused on the ambassador program and Ty Buras is one of only 10 ambassadors, whose job it is to spread the word of RFI in their communities.&nbsp;

“Individuals like Ty, come back and ask, ‘how can we help,’” Erganian said. Initially, Buras didn’t feel that he was worthy of a service dog. Buras felt like there were people in greater need than himself. Now that he has Wrigley, he understands how great his need truly was and how much of a difference Wrigley has made in his life.

That’s why Buras is telling his story so that others don’t feel alone and can get the help that they need. Buras knows that there are others out there like him. Those who don’t feel like they deserve a service dog. Buras’ advice to them “would be, to give it a try,”.&nbsp;

Retrieving Freedom is placing service dogs with those in need, and it’s difficult work but rewarding. The recipients of those dogs find that the dogs they receive truly are man’s best friend.&nbsp;

If you would like to donate to Retrieving Freedom you may do so at www.retrievingfreedom.org

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1679327818050.jpeg" alt="Ty Buras and his dog&nbsp;Wrigley.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Ty Buras and his dog&nbsp;Wrigley.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By Andy SchneiderTy Buras was in real trouble. Buras was an Army veteran who had done tours in active war zones.&nbsp;The extreme stress and horrors of war left Buras with crippling PTSD, and his battle with severe PTSD was a fight he was losing.&nbsp;He was in desperate need of a lifeline. That’s when Wrigley, his service dog, entered his life. Wrigley was supplied to Buras at absolutely no cost to him from Retrieving Freedom Incorporated.&nbsp;Buras explained how important Wrigley is in his life now. “Life before her was a whole lot of isolating,” Buras said.&nbsp;“My wife says I’m a whole different person after I received her.”&nbsp;Retrieving Freedom or RFI is using man’s best friend in the best possible way. RFI trains and places dogs with veterans and children with autism to help them in their daily lives.&nbsp;They have placed 142 dogs in 19 states. They have placed 51 dogs with autistic people and 70 dogs with veterans. Nine dogs were placed prior to the current established target clients.&nbsp;“You have to train for 100 hours with other dogs so that you know how to handle your dog,” Buras said.On average a dog costs $30,000 to place, train, and care for a service dog. All dogs are provided at no cost, by RFI Ambassadors.In 2011 Co-Founder Scott Dewey, a seasoned field trial dog trainer decided to retire to be at home with his children more.Still, Dewey wanted to use his abilities to help individuals with disabilities. Thus, Retrieving Freedom Incorporated was founded/incorporated in 2012.&nbsp;The first service dog was placed in 2013. RFI exists on donations and grants. The important work that they do is dependent on the kindness of others, and every dollar that they receive is so important. Laura Erganian Fund Development Coordinator for RFI has been an important part of placing dogs with those in need.&nbsp;Erganian stressed that the need for service dogs was great and that Covid-19 has made that process that much more difficult.&nbsp;For the last couple of years, RFI has not been able to have the in-person contact that makes the program work so well.&nbsp;“We are actually at an expansion point in our program, we are looking to double our number of dogs,” Erganian said.&nbsp;The process takes about two years from start to finish. During that process, the clients are constantly working with the dogs and forming a bond with the dogs. “The dog picks you, you don’t pick the dog,” Burras said.“It’s a unique process. What are the needs? What are their characteristics? What makes a dog pair to each client? Are they able to grow a relationship?” Erganian said. Dogs that are not successful in the program are placed in other lines of work or placed into foster care.&nbsp;One dog has been placed with the Sedalia, Missouri police department. Right now, Retrieving Freedom is focused on the ambassador program and Ty Buras is one of only 10 ambassadors, whose job it is to spread the word of RFI in their communities.&nbsp;“Individuals like Ty, come back and ask, ‘how can we help,’” Erganian said. Initially, Buras didn’t feel that he was worthy of a service dog. Buras felt like there were people in greater need than himself. Now that he has Wrigley, he understands how great his need truly was and how much of a difference Wrigley has made in his life.That’s why Buras is telling his story so that others don’t feel alone and can get the help that they need. Buras knows that there are others out there like him. Those who don’t feel like they deserve a service dog. Buras’ advice to them “would be, to give it a try,”.&nbsp;Retrieving Freedom is placing service dogs with those in need, and it’s difficult work but rewarding. The recipients of those dogs find that the dogs they receive truly are man’s best friend.&nbsp;If you would like to donate to Retrieving Freedom you may do so at www.retrievingfreedom.org

RFI group utilizes man’s best  friend in the best possible way

Above: Bark &amp; Play general manager Terrie Whiting, left, and, right, owner Ann Crowner are shown at the Burlington business. Below, Crowner is shown training Lulu. Photo/Andy Schneider

Ann Crowner is a dog lover, and taking care of dogs is her passion.&nbsp;

Crowner is the owner of Bark &amp; Play Daycare and Suites in West Burlington and The Bark Spa in Burlington.&nbsp;

After experiencing a bad boarding situation in California when she was a traveling x-ray tech, Crowner set out to make a dog daycare and spa that was all about caring for the dogs.

“Bark &amp; Play is not here to make a million dollars, I’m here to make dogs happy,” Crowner said.

In 2014, Crowner leased the building and started the Bark &amp; Play at 312 Dry Creek Ave. in West Burlington.&nbsp;

In 2015, she purchased the building and in 2016 she tripled the size of the building.&nbsp;

Crowner was able to expand the number of dogs that she is able to accommodate up to 45 dogs at one time.

“Bark &amp; Play is daycare and boarding. What’s special about here is that all of our boarding kids are integrated with our daycare kids. We have regulations that we abide by, so everyone is in pack playing every day,” Crowner said.

Boarded and daycare dogs are integrated, giving them a chance to intermingle throughout the day. While enjoying each other’s company, dogs are separated by temperament and energy level.

Dogs are never left in cages and instead are placed in high-walled “suites” when they are confined so that it doesn’t give off feelings of a pound.

“Here at Bark &amp; Play our mission statement is to have the client trust in us and believe in us,” Crowner said.

Crowner’s staff is always present even on weekends to give the dogs a human presence. The employees stop by even after hours to give the dogs evening meds, potty breaks, or evening treats before bedtime.

This is the level of dedication that Crowner strives to provide.

“Saturdays and Sundays, we are the only ones in the area to offer drop-offs and pickups,” Crowner said.]

Above: Bark &amp; Play owner Ann Crowner is shown training&nbsp;her newest dog, Lulu.

In 2020, she opened The Bark Spa at 1200 N. Seventh St. in Burlington to add a service to groom dogs and offer TheraClean services. TheraClean is an advanced cleaning process using only water.

The TheraClean process sends microbubbles into the dog’s hair follicles to clean, refresh, and rejuvenate.

Presently, the Bark Spa has three groomers on staff, and they can meet the needs of any sort of dog and any level of styling.

All of the staff at Bark and Play and the Bark Spa are certified in pet CPR and first aid. Crowner and her husband are certified pet CPR instructors. If you drop your dog off at either location, you can be sure that it is in capable hands.

“TheraClean, is a therapeutic bath where they soak in water for 20 minutes. It helps with any kind of skin allergies. It helps seniors with arthritis, it helps with mange, it helps yeast, etc.” Crowner said.

Few places offer TheraClean service, with The Bark Spa being the only facility in Iowa.&nbsp;

The closest places offering TheraClean are in St. Louis or Omaha. TheraClean alone would make The Bark Spa stand out, but Crowner is focused on going the extra mile.

Crowner’s goal is to make her boarding and daycare, just like home for the dogs.&nbsp;

Crowner also wants to be sure that her spa provides great grooming services that always put the dog’s comfort first.&nbsp;

Crowner wants to make sure that customers can trust her businesses with their pets.

“Even though this is my place, my dogs are my kids,” Crowner said.

That sentiment is shared among the staff of both of Crowner’s businesses. If you’re looking for a caring staff to work with your dogs in terms of boarding, daycare, or grooming, Ann Crowner and her team are ready to help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1679277971172.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Bark &amp; Play general manager Terrie Whiting, left, and, right, owner Ann Crowner are shown at the Burlington business. Below, Crowner is shown training Lulu. Photo/Andy SchneiderBy Andy SchneiderAnn Crowner is a dog lover, and taking care of dogs is her passion.&nbsp;Crowner is the owner of Bark &amp; Play Daycare and Suites in West Burlington and The Bark Spa in Burlington.&nbsp;After experiencing a bad boarding situation in California when she was a traveling x-ray tech, Crowner set out to make a dog daycare and spa that was all about caring for the dogs.“Bark &amp; Play is not here to make a million dollars, I’m here to make dogs happy,” Crowner said.In 2014, Crowner leased the building and started the Bark &amp; Play at 312 Dry Creek Ave. in West Burlington.&nbsp;In 2015, she purchased the building and in 2016 she tripled the size of the building.&nbsp;Crowner was able to expand the number of dogs that she is able to accommodate up to 45 dogs at one time.“Bark &amp; Play is daycare and boarding. What’s special about here is that all of our boarding kids are integrated with our daycare kids. We have regulations that we abide by, so everyone is in pack playing every day,” Crowner said.Boarded and daycare dogs are integrated, giving them a chance to intermingle throughout the day. While enjoying each other’s company, dogs are separated by temperament and energy level.Dogs are never left in cages and instead are placed in high-walled “suites” when they are confined so that it doesn’t give off feelings of a pound.“Here at Bark &amp; Play our mission statement is to have the client trust in us and believe in us,” Crowner said.Crowner’s staff is always present even on weekends to give the dogs a human presence. The employees stop by even after hours to give the dogs evening meds, potty breaks, or evening treats before bedtime.This is the level of dedication that Crowner strives to provide.“Saturdays and Sundays, we are the only ones in the area to offer drop-offs and pickups,” Crowner said.]<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1679278062842.jpeg" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Bark &amp; Play owner Ann Crowner is shown training&nbsp;her newest dog, Lulu.In 2020, she opened The Bark Spa at 1200 N. Seventh St. in Burlington to add a service to groom dogs and offer TheraClean services. TheraClean is an advanced cleaning process using only water.The TheraClean process sends microbubbles into the dog’s hair follicles to clean, refresh, and rejuvenate.Presently, the Bark Spa has three groomers on staff, and they can meet the needs of any sort of dog and any level of styling.All of the staff at Bark and Play and the Bark Spa are certified in pet CPR and first aid. Crowner and her husband are certified pet CPR instructors. If you drop your dog off at either location, you can be sure that it is in capable hands.“TheraClean, is a therapeutic bath where they soak in water for 20 minutes. It helps with any kind of skin allergies. It helps seniors with arthritis, it helps with mange, it helps yeast, etc.” Crowner said.Few places offer TheraClean service, with The Bark Spa being the only facility in Iowa.&nbsp;The closest places offering TheraClean are in St. Louis or Omaha. TheraClean alone would make The Bark Spa stand out, but Crowner is focused on going the extra mile.Crowner’s goal is to make her boarding and daycare, just like home for the dogs.&nbsp;Crowner also wants to be sure that her spa provides great grooming services that always put the dog’s comfort first.&nbsp;Crowner wants to make sure that customers can trust her businesses with their pets.“Even though this is my place, my dogs are my kids,” Crowner said.That sentiment is shared among the staff of both of Crowner’s businesses. If you’re looking for a caring staff to work with your dogs in terms of boarding, daycare, or grooming, Ann Crowner and her team are ready to help.

A doggone good place for canines

It began in fifth grade when she wrote to pen pals as part of a school project. My mom, Marilyn Schneider, started writing those letters and just never stopped. She kept in touch with them for almost 70 years.

Mom had pen pals in three different parts of the world. She had Ashok Roy in India, Monty Harding in New Zealand, and Millicent Russell in Jamaica.

When my mother married my father, Monty came to the United States from New Zealand to attend the wedding. Every year Monty would send my mom a calendar that would showcase the splendor of New Zealand.&nbsp;

Monty grew up on a sheep farm and my mom kept him up to date on the monthly happenings around our farm.

Ashok was an artist. Ashok would write my mom and would often do drawings on the letter of our farm or tailored around a specific holiday.&nbsp;

Oftentimes, he would do drawings of Mickey Mouse for the kids to enjoy. Near the end of my mom’s life, Ashok posted pictures of the very first letter he ever received from my mother. Ashok had kept the letter all those years.

Millicent Russell had a major hurricane hit in the 1990s and my mom sent supplies such as blankets and clothes, constantly.&nbsp;

Mom would watch the news and see the people in need and would even send extra supplies for Millicent to share with others. Millicent would call my mom “her angel.”

My mother also has an identical twin sister, Carolyn, who would also receive letters from mom’s pen pals. When I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2010, Monty sent me $500 in the mail.

Even though there were oceans between us, we had become a family just from letters Ashok Roy in India sent through the mail.

When my mom passed away, we had to make that difficult call to her pen pals to inform them of the unfortunate news, and Ashok took time to draw a special picture that was a touching memorial to my mom.

Ashok reposts the picture every year on the anniversary of mom’s death, as a tribute to his friend he can no longer reach. The special bond my mom made can only be achieved through years of communication and the kind of discipline it takes to continually write those letters.&nbsp;

That’s the kind of dedication that most people neglect in today’s world. Those simple words, exchanged through letters over the years, had changed the lives of all of those involved.

Oceans seemed so much smaller because of those letters. Cultural differences seemed to vanish just from a few words exchanged. Maybe if we all reached out to someone else and took the time to get to know them, we could all understand each other a little better.

My family was never big on saying “I love you.” Though mom struggled to put it in words, she made up for it in writing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678804176829.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Andy SchneiderIt began in fifth grade when she wrote to pen pals as part of a school project. My mom, Marilyn Schneider, started writing those letters and just never stopped. She kept in touch with them for almost 70 years.Mom had pen pals in three different parts of the world. She had Ashok Roy in India, Monty Harding in New Zealand, and Millicent Russell in Jamaica.When my mother married my father, Monty came to the United States from New Zealand to attend the wedding. Every year Monty would send my mom a calendar that would showcase the splendor of New Zealand.&nbsp;Monty grew up on a sheep farm and my mom kept him up to date on the monthly happenings around our farm.Ashok was an artist. Ashok would write my mom and would often do drawings on the letter of our farm or tailored around a specific holiday.&nbsp;Oftentimes, he would do drawings of Mickey Mouse for the kids to enjoy. Near the end of my mom’s life, Ashok posted pictures of the very first letter he ever received from my mother. Ashok had kept the letter all those years.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678804212734.jpeg" alt="The first letter Marilyn Schneider wrote to Ashok Roy in India.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The first letter Marilyn Schneider wrote to Ashok Roy in India.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Millicent Russell had a major hurricane hit in the 1990s and my mom sent supplies such as blankets and clothes, constantly.&nbsp;Mom would watch the news and see the people in need and would even send extra supplies for Millicent to share with others. Millicent would call my mom “her angel.”My mother also has an identical twin sister, Carolyn, who would also receive letters from mom’s pen pals. When I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2010, Monty sent me $500 in the mail.Even though there were oceans between us, we had become a family just from letters Ashok Roy in India sent through the mail.When my mom passed away, we had to make that difficult call to her pen pals to inform them of the unfortunate news, and Ashok took time to draw a special picture that was a touching memorial to my mom.Ashok reposts the picture every year on the anniversary of mom’s death, as a tribute to his friend he can no longer reach. The special bond my mom made can only be achieved through years of communication and the kind of discipline it takes to continually write those letters.&nbsp;That’s the kind of dedication that most people neglect in today’s world. Those simple words, exchanged through letters over the years, had changed the lives of all of those involved.Oceans seemed so much smaller because of those letters. Cultural differences seemed to vanish just from a few words exchanged. Maybe if we all reached out to someone else and took the time to get to know them, we could all understand each other a little better.My family was never big on saying “I love you.” Though mom struggled to put it in words, she made up for it in writing.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678804288913.jpeg" alt="Ashok Roy wrote a tribute to Marilyn after she died. He wrote, in part, “God has taken you to a place where mortal mail can no longer reach you.”" />
 <figcaption>Ashok Roy wrote a tribute to Marilyn after she died. He wrote, in part, “God has taken you to a place where mortal mail can no longer reach you.”</figcaption>
 </figure>

Decades of friendship through letters

Above: Staff members of the Burlington Golf Club are front row: Cody McCoy (service manager and events coordinator), Shyanne Zippe (pool manager), and Tiffani White (office manager). Back row:&nbsp; Tyler Potts (head chef), Matt Hall (superintendent), Tom Foutch (general manager), Rod Cain (facility manager), and Mason Blow (sous chef).&nbsp;Photo by Andy Schneider

Founded in 1899, the Burlington Golf Club is a hidden gem for the city of Burlington, and according to its members, it is the oldest incorporated golf club west of the Mississippi River.

The continued success of the golf club is not an accident.&nbsp;Tom Foutch, the general manager, recently moved to the area from Denver and stressed the involvement of the club in the community, and the level of engagement the staff have with members.

“When someone comes in we already know their drink. They’re not only going to be greeted, but their drinks are also going to hit the table before they do. That is something we can do that no one else can do,” Foutch said.

“He (Matt Hall, head golf superintendent), knows the type of game that he can put together with members. He (Hall) knows how to set up our course for tournament play to address the needs of our members. Everything in the private club is personalized. No one can top us in that. No one.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were looking for an outlet to remain active but also to safely distance from others.

“We had several new people pick up the game in that two to two-and-a-half year span, just because you couldn’t do anything else,” said Matt Baschke, head golf professional.

The outdoor activities that the Burlington Golf Club provides became a great resource.&nbsp;

The club offers golf, tennis, and pickleball, among other activities. A private pool is just one of the amenities.

The personal touch is felt everywhere, from the golf course to the restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

COVID also increased the carry-out business of the club. The Burlington Golf Club had to adapt and offered carry-outs for major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Now that COVID restrictions have ended, the club is seeing an uptick in its dine-in business.

“There is a ‘new normal’ in a private club, because of COVID. That’s how it is everywhere because of COVID,” said Foutch.

The Bonnie Weaver Bar at the club offers a fantastic dine-in experience with a scenic view. The dining staff works as a team to provide the best possible service.

“We are huge on a team environment. Everyone from the front of the house to the back of the house works together as a team,” said Cassandra Ruckman, lead server.

The Burlington Golf Club offers a big-city experience in a small-city environment.&nbsp;

In a larger city, membership to a club of this level would be three times the membership cost, not to mention the travel requirements to get to a club with this level of experience, according to Foutch.

KC Fleming, a recruiter for Great River Medical Systems and a club member, spoke of the impression the Burlington Golf Club has made on those coming in from outside the community.

“To get the compliments like ‘best I’ve ever had,’ ‘greatest steak,’ amazing,’ ‘wonderful.’ The superlatives are used with sincerity,” he said.

The Burlington Golf Club has hosted several community events, including the annual Easter egg hunt, Fourth of July fireworks, and local proms.&nbsp; Also, sledding down the hills and valleys of the club is a favorite of area children.

The club is not resting on its laurels. The club is improving the golf course by redoing all of the bunkers.&nbsp;

The restaurant has continued to evolve, offering a wide variety of flavor profiles, while offering top-shelf customer interaction with its servers.

“Keeping everything new and everything exciting, that’s what makes it so special,” president Mike Nunn said.

The Burlington Golf Club will be hosting the IGA four-ball championship. This is a very prestigious event and was held in Ames last year.&nbsp;

Todd Hamilton, who won the British Open Championship, is even an honorary member of the club. Going above and beyond to provide members with the best possible experience, is what the Burlington Golf Club staff is dedicated to.&nbsp;

There are multiple types of memberships for those interested in joining. Interested parties can contact Tiffani White at (319) 752-2769 for further information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678736409290.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Staff members of the Burlington Golf Club are front row: Cody McCoy (service manager and events coordinator), Shyanne Zippe (pool manager), and Tiffani White (office manager). Back row:&nbsp; Tyler Potts (head chef), Matt Hall (superintendent), Tom Foutch (general manager), Rod Cain (facility manager), and Mason Blow (sous chef).&nbsp;Photo by Andy SchneiderBy Beacon StaffFounded in 1899, the Burlington Golf Club is a hidden gem for the city of Burlington, and according to its members, it is the oldest incorporated golf club west of the Mississippi River.The continued success of the golf club is not an accident.&nbsp;Tom Foutch, the general manager, recently moved to the area from Denver and stressed the involvement of the club in the community, and the level of engagement the staff have with members.“When someone comes in we already know their drink. They’re not only going to be greeted, but their drinks are also going to hit the table before they do. That is something we can do that no one else can do,” Foutch said.“He (Matt Hall, head golf superintendent), knows the type of game that he can put together with members. He (Hall) knows how to set up our course for tournament play to address the needs of our members. Everything in the private club is personalized. No one can top us in that. No one.”During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were looking for an outlet to remain active but also to safely distance from others.“We had several new people pick up the game in that two to two-and-a-half year span, just because you couldn’t do anything else,” said Matt Baschke, head golf professional.The outdoor activities that the Burlington Golf Club provides became a great resource.&nbsp;The club offers golf, tennis, and pickleball, among other activities. A private pool is just one of the amenities.The personal touch is felt everywhere, from the golf course to the restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;COVID also increased the carry-out business of the club. The Burlington Golf Club had to adapt and offered carry-outs for major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Now that COVID restrictions have ended, the club is seeing an uptick in its dine-in business.“There is a ‘new normal’ in a private club, because of COVID. That’s how it is everywhere because of COVID,” said Foutch.The Bonnie Weaver Bar at the club offers a fantastic dine-in experience with a scenic view. The dining staff works as a team to provide the best possible service.“We are huge on a team environment. Everyone from the front of the house to the back of the house works together as a team,” said Cassandra Ruckman, lead server.The Burlington Golf Club offers a big-city experience in a small-city environment.&nbsp;In a larger city, membership to a club of this level would be three times the membership cost, not to mention the travel requirements to get to a club with this level of experience, according to Foutch.KC Fleming, a recruiter for Great River Medical Systems and a club member, spoke of the impression the Burlington Golf Club has made on those coming in from outside the community.“To get the compliments like ‘best I’ve ever had,’ ‘greatest steak,’ amazing,’ ‘wonderful.’ The superlatives are used with sincerity,” he said.The Burlington Golf Club has hosted several community events, including the annual Easter egg hunt, Fourth of July fireworks, and local proms.&nbsp; Also, sledding down the hills and valleys of the club is a favorite of area children.The club is not resting on its laurels. The club is improving the golf course by redoing all of the bunkers.&nbsp;The restaurant has continued to evolve, offering a wide variety of flavor profiles, while offering top-shelf customer interaction with its servers.“Keeping everything new and everything exciting, that’s what makes it so special,” president Mike Nunn said.The Burlington Golf Club will be hosting the IGA four-ball championship. This is a very prestigious event and was held in Ames last year.&nbsp;Todd Hamilton, who won the British Open Championship, is even an honorary member of the club. Going above and beyond to provide members with the best possible experience, is what the Burlington Golf Club staff is dedicated to.&nbsp;There are multiple types of memberships for those interested in joining. Interested parties can contact Tiffani White at (319) 752-2769 for further information.

Burlington Golf Club provides a big-city experience in a small town

The Bart Howard Foundation will be giving out four $1,000 scholarships this year, and the philanthropic organization is promoting those educational boons with a country music concert May 5 at the Capitol Theater.

The scholarships, partially made possible by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) will be awarded to four local, musically-inclined students.

The foundation, which is separate from the Bart Howard Lounge at the Des Moines County Heritage Center, is dedicated to preserving Howard’s memory by promoting what he loved best — music.

The Bart Howard Lounge is also dedicated to this goal. For the past decade or so, it has sat on the lower level of the Heritage Museum.&nbsp;

The meeting space and concert venue are modeled after a typical, small, New York City lounge.&nbsp;

Providing seating for up to 55 guests, the Bart Howard Lounge has hosted everything from jazz performances to cabaret and music bingo.

Howard was a Burlington native and songwriter most famous for penning the song “Fly Me to the Moon,” which has been recorded by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald.

“He wrote a lot of songs for Frank Sinatra,” said Bart Howard Foundation president Judy Stevens.

Burlington resident Bob McCannon, a former member of the Bart Howard Foundation, met with Howard a few times before the musician’s death.&nbsp;

McCannon was instrumental in not only convincing Howard to endorse a museum/performance venue in Burlington but to donate $250,000 to the project.

McCannon visited Howard several times at his New York home, and the two men became friends. Despite that, Howard wasn’t interested in any kind of facility or tribute that venerated him.

Eventually, McCannon was able to convince him.&nbsp;

He remembers Howard slowly putting his head in his hands when they discussed it, and McCannon thought for sure he had lost him.

But Howard said “yes.” He initially agreed to donate $100,000.&nbsp;

After his passing, Howard’s estate and his partner Bud Fowler donated a quarter of a million dollars instead — as well as memorabilia from his life.

“This is my opinion. But I think it was a time in his life when he realized he wasn’t very well anymore. He was making arrangements, and I offered an arrangement situation. I think that was a relief to him,” McCannon said.

Howard began his career as an accompanist at the age of 16 and played for Mabel Mercer, Johnny Mathis, and Eartha Kitt.

“Fly Me to the Moon” was first sung in 1954 by Felicia Sanders at the Blue Angel nightclub in Manhattan, which the Bart Howard Lounge is modeled.

Howard died Feb. 21, 2004, at age 88, in Carmel, New York.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1678502895979.jpeg" alt="Bart Howard" />
 <figcaption>Bart Howard</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithThe Bart Howard Foundation will be giving out four $1,000 scholarships this year, and the philanthropic organization is promoting those educational boons with a country music concert May 5 at the Capitol Theater.The scholarships, partially made possible by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) will be awarded to four local, musically-inclined students.The foundation, which is separate from the Bart Howard Lounge at the Des Moines County Heritage Center, is dedicated to preserving Howard’s memory by promoting what he loved best — music.The Bart Howard Lounge is also dedicated to this goal. For the past decade or so, it has sat on the lower level of the Heritage Museum.&nbsp;The meeting space and concert venue are modeled after a typical, small, New York City lounge.&nbsp;Providing seating for up to 55 guests, the Bart Howard Lounge has hosted everything from jazz performances to cabaret and music bingo.Howard was a Burlington native and songwriter most famous for penning the song “Fly Me to the Moon,” which has been recorded by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald.“He wrote a lot of songs for Frank Sinatra,” said Bart Howard Foundation president Judy Stevens.Burlington resident Bob McCannon, a former member of the Bart Howard Foundation, met with Howard a few times before the musician’s death.&nbsp;McCannon was instrumental in not only convincing Howard to endorse a museum/performance venue in Burlington but to donate $250,000 to the project.McCannon visited Howard several times at his New York home, and the two men became friends. Despite that, Howard wasn’t interested in any kind of facility or tribute that venerated him.Eventually, McCannon was able to convince him.&nbsp;He remembers Howard slowly putting his head in his hands when they discussed it, and McCannon thought for sure he had lost him.But Howard said “yes.” He initially agreed to donate $100,000.&nbsp;After his passing, Howard’s estate and his partner Bud Fowler donated a quarter of a million dollars instead — as well as memorabilia from his life.“This is my opinion. But I think it was a time in his life when he realized he wasn’t very well anymore. He was making arrangements, and I offered an arrangement situation. I think that was a relief to him,” McCannon said.Howard began his career as an accompanist at the age of 16 and played for Mabel Mercer, Johnny Mathis, and Eartha Kitt.“Fly Me to the Moon” was first sung in 1954 by Felicia Sanders at the Blue Angel nightclub in Manhattan, which the Bart Howard Lounge is modeled.Howard died Feb. 21, 2004, at age 88, in Carmel, New York.

Paying tribute to Bart Howard through education

From left Wendell Biggs, Paul French, and Matt Morrison, members of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission take a break from clearing brush and trimming trees, Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wykert Cemetery in Burlington. The cemetery is one of 48 pioneer cemeteries that the commission looks after. Photo by John Lovretta

Des Moines County’s oldest cemeteries remain because of the efforts of the Des Moines County Pioneer Commission.

Maintaining the forgotten cemeteries in rural areas and small towns is a full-time job. Fortunately, the local pioneer commission is up to the task.

A pioneer cemetery is where 12 or fewer burials have occurred in the preceding 50 years. Often these sites are family burial or rural church cemeteries. Some of the oldest plots pre-date the Civil War and even embalming.

In 1996, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law stating that the county board of supervisors could establish a cemetery commission to maintain the oldest pioneer cemeteries in the state. There are 99 counties in Iowa, and 60-80 have small pioneer cemeteries. As of 2023, only 30 counties in Iowa have a cemetery commission.

“Before the law, it was the duty of the township trustees to care for abandoned cemeteries,” said Herb Price, the chairman of the Des Moines County Prairie Cemetery Commission.

Above: Matt Morrison and Wendell Biggs members of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, clear brush, Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wykert Cemetery in Burlington. The cemetery is one of 48 pioneer cemeteries that the commission looks after.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo/John Lovretta

The Des Moines County Prairie Cemetery Commission was founded in 1999 by John Danielson. Currently, there are nine members. Herb Price is the current chairman and a central figure in the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission since he became a member in 2010.

“Legally, what we are supposed to do is keep the cemeteries in good maintenance, and keep them mowed,” Price said.

Fred Wetzel has been a central figure in the commission, holding it together for years. Wendell Biggs is the current secretary-treasurer for the commission.&nbsp;

Under Iowa law, local governments must notify landowners when a cemetery or burial site has been identified if that site is not within an existing cemetery. For sites older than 150 years old, government officials are required to notify the state archaeologist.

The Des Moines County Commission has an annual budget of $30,000.

The amount of funding is determined by the county board and is paid by the county general fund.

“We are only established when the Board of Supervisors decides so,” Price said.

There are 108 documented cemeteries in Des Moines County, and 36 of those are active, 72 are pioneer cemeteries, and 12 are lost and cannot be found. Often these sites are in remote areas, overgrown, and with headstones that require maintenance.&nbsp;

Finding people who are willing to maintain these sites is not easy.

Last spring, a new burial plot was located in Des Moines County. The plot belongs to the Neff family. This would be the 109th cemetery in the state.

“I got a call from an individual who said, ‘I know where two tombstones are leaning up against a tree”, Price said.

After investigating, they found that the tombstones were from a mother and son. The mother died in childbirth, and the son died six months later. The father later moved away and became a judge in another state. These sorts of family burial grounds are why the Prairie Commission is so important.&nbsp;

These members devote a lot of time to preserving these sites.

Most of the members of the commission are older residents. When these members cannot do it, they worry about who will take their place.

&nbsp;The stories that these small cemeteries tell are interesting and historic. Maintaining these small cemeteries is preserving the history of the county.

Above:&nbsp;Paul French, a member of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, carries a branch as several members were clearing brush and trimming trees. Photo/John Lovretta

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1677987429435.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From left Wendell Biggs, Paul French, and Matt Morrison, members of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission take a break from clearing brush and trimming trees, Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wykert Cemetery in Burlington. The cemetery is one of 48 pioneer cemeteries that the commission looks after. Photo by John LovrettaBy Andy SchneiderDes Moines County’s oldest cemeteries remain because of the efforts of the Des Moines County Pioneer Commission.Maintaining the forgotten cemeteries in rural areas and small towns is a full-time job. Fortunately, the local pioneer commission is up to the task.A pioneer cemetery is where 12 or fewer burials have occurred in the preceding 50 years. Often these sites are family burial or rural church cemeteries. Some of the oldest plots pre-date the Civil War and even embalming.In 1996, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law stating that the county board of supervisors could establish a cemetery commission to maintain the oldest pioneer cemeteries in the state. There are 99 counties in Iowa, and 60-80 have small pioneer cemeteries. As of 2023, only 30 counties in Iowa have a cemetery commission.“Before the law, it was the duty of the township trustees to care for abandoned cemeteries,” said Herb Price, the chairman of the Des Moines County Prairie Cemetery Commission.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1677987227668.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Matt Morrison and Wendell Biggs members of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, clear brush, Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wykert Cemetery in Burlington. The cemetery is one of 48 pioneer cemeteries that the commission looks after.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo/John LovrettaThe Des Moines County Prairie Cemetery Commission was founded in 1999 by John Danielson. Currently, there are nine members. Herb Price is the current chairman and a central figure in the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission since he became a member in 2010.“Legally, what we are supposed to do is keep the cemeteries in good maintenance, and keep them mowed,” Price said.Fred Wetzel has been a central figure in the commission, holding it together for years. Wendell Biggs is the current secretary-treasurer for the commission.&nbsp;Under Iowa law, local governments must notify landowners when a cemetery or burial site has been identified if that site is not within an existing cemetery. For sites older than 150 years old, government officials are required to notify the state archaeologist.The Des Moines County Commission has an annual budget of $30,000.The amount of funding is determined by the county board and is paid by the county general fund.“We are only established when the Board of Supervisors decides so,” Price said.There are 108 documented cemeteries in Des Moines County, and 36 of those are active, 72 are pioneer cemeteries, and 12 are lost and cannot be found. Often these sites are in remote areas, overgrown, and with headstones that require maintenance.&nbsp;Finding people who are willing to maintain these sites is not easy.Last spring, a new burial plot was located in Des Moines County. The plot belongs to the Neff family. This would be the 109th cemetery in the state.“I got a call from an individual who said, ‘I know where two tombstones are leaning up against a tree”, Price said.After investigating, they found that the tombstones were from a mother and son. The mother died in childbirth, and the son died six months later. The father later moved away and became a judge in another state. These sorts of family burial grounds are why the Prairie Commission is so important.&nbsp;These members devote a lot of time to preserving these sites.Most of the members of the commission are older residents. When these members cannot do it, they worry about who will take their place.&nbsp;The stories that these small cemeteries tell are interesting and historic. Maintaining these small cemeteries is preserving the history of the county.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/3/1677987321019.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Paul French, a member of the Des Moines County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, carries a branch as several members were clearing brush and trimming trees. Photo/John Lovretta

Cemetery board preserves history

The last week in February marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a national campaign to bring awareness to this common mental health condition that 30 million Americans will struggle with at some point in their life. That statistic boils down to nearly 10% of the population. While some people still hold the assumption that you can tell who has an eating disorder by their size, the truth is only 2% of those struggling are at a low body weight.

Recovery from eating disorders is near and dear to my heart, both as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and as a person who has experienced an eating disorder and recovered. Fifteen years ago, during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I entered treatment. It took years of specialized treatment and unwavering support from family and friends, but I made it through. I show up for my clients every day hoping they will experience full recovery too.

Eating disorders take many forms. They can present as either one primary symptom or a mixture of the following: food restriction, binge eating, purging behaviors of several types, rigidity around the quantity, quality, or other aspects of food, preoccupation with food, compulsive eating, avoidance of foods due to sensory qualities such as texture, or avoidance for fear of adverse consequences such as choking.

Many eating disorders come with body dissatisfaction, and compulsive exercise or exercise avoidance. Eating disorders are like chameleons, shifting in presentation to hide and protect their very existence.

People who struggle with eating disorders miraculously keep behaviors hidden from their closest family and friends for months, years, or even decades. Our bodies have evolved with the ability to adapt to starvation in the form of famine, so many sufferers are incredibly ill but may have a neutral or larger body size and normal blood work and vital signs. However, eating disorders are still the second most deadly mental illness.

The assumption that people will become underweight if there is a legitimate problem fuels the suffering. This means parents, friends, even doctors and healthcare providers miss identifying this condition. Again, it’s like a chameleon: hard to see unless you’re specifically looking for it.

One interesting phenomenon about eating disorders is often the person experiencing the problem doesn’t want to change, or may not even see their very clear symptoms as a problem at all. There is actually a clinical term for this, “anosognosia,” which is the inability to recognize that one is ill.

In some ways, not seeing clear eating disorder symptoms as a problem is unsurprising, considering the rules eating disorder sufferers follow closely mimic popular diets. For people in larger bodies, healthcare guidance sometimes prescribes the very symptoms we diagnose as eating disorders in thin people!

Just this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed drastic weight loss measures for growing children, including pharmaceutical and surgical methods. The eating disorder community is in disbelief, not only because of the lack of research supporting such extreme measures, but because advising children (or anyone) to lose weight is directly correlated with contributing to the development of eating disorders.

Iowans are particularly unlucky when it comes to seeking eating disorder treatment. The University of Iowa had the one specialized inpatient unit for eating disorder patients in the state and closed last year to expand services to more general mental health beds. There are ZERO facilities in the state of Iowa for those with eating disorders.

The statistic of 30 million Americans suffering boils down to 100,000 Iowans who have limited access to care, which flows over to the outpatient setting as well. Most folks will never need intensive medical monitoring, but they do need therapy and nutritional therapy support, usually weekly, for at least several months, sometimes years.

Unfortunately, as caring and compassionate as your standard medical provider, therapist, and nutrition professionals are, they are ill-equipped in supporting eating disorder sufferers without specialized training. They have overflowing caseloads and limited time. Treating eating disorders requires extensive time and specialized education.

Do you want to join me in doing something to support those struggling with eating disorders? If so, learn more by browsing the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa (EDCI) website at edciowa.org, where resources for families, professionals, and the public are available.

Visit the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) website at nationaleatingdisorders.org for even more resources and a confidential screening to see if you may benefit from support.

If you’re a professional who wants to make a difference, attend a conference or join a free online webinar to expand your knowledge to support the eating disorder sufferers you see in your practice. Please contact me directly to collaborate on providing care for our local clients!

Despite the mountain of work for both professionals and those suffering, recovery is possible. People can and do recover from eating disorders every day. The sooner they have access to specialized treatment and comprehensive support, the better their outcomes are. We must act NOW if we hope to reduce the incidence of eating disorders in the years and decades to come.

Michelle Russell, RD, LD, CEDS, is a dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist practicing in downtown Burlington. She provides nutrition therapy for individuals and families struggling with eating disorders and is one of less than ten certified specialists in the state of Iowa. Michelle’s definition of healthy eating includes eating for enjoyment and acknowledges that there are many ways our bodies are nourished. She may be reached via phone at 319-208-9038 and email michelle@michellerussellrd.com.

by Michelle Russell for The BeaconThe last week in February marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a national campaign to bring awareness to this common mental health condition that 30 million Americans will struggle with at some point in their life. That statistic boils down to nearly 10% of the population. While some people still hold the assumption that you can tell who has an eating disorder by their size, the truth is only 2% of those struggling are at a low body weight.Recovery from eating disorders is near and dear to my heart, both as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and as a person who has experienced an eating disorder and recovered. Fifteen years ago, during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I entered treatment. It took years of specialized treatment and unwavering support from family and friends, but I made it through. I show up for my clients every day hoping they will experience full recovery too.Eating disorders take many forms. They can present as either one primary symptom or a mixture of the following: food restriction, binge eating, purging behaviors of several types, rigidity around the quantity, quality, or other aspects of food, preoccupation with food, compulsive eating, avoidance of foods due to sensory qualities such as texture, or avoidance for fear of adverse consequences such as choking.Many eating disorders come with body dissatisfaction, and compulsive exercise or exercise avoidance. Eating disorders are like chameleons, shifting in presentation to hide and protect their very existence.People who struggle with eating disorders miraculously keep behaviors hidden from their closest family and friends for months, years, or even decades. Our bodies have evolved with the ability to adapt to starvation in the form of famine, so many sufferers are incredibly ill but may have a neutral or larger body size and normal blood work and vital signs. However, eating disorders are still the second most deadly mental illness.The assumption that people will become underweight if there is a legitimate problem fuels the suffering. This means parents, friends, even doctors and healthcare providers miss identifying this condition. Again, it’s like a chameleon: hard to see unless you’re specifically looking for it.One interesting phenomenon about eating disorders is often the person experiencing the problem doesn’t want to change, or may not even see their very clear symptoms as a problem at all. There is actually a clinical term for this, “anosognosia,” which is the inability to recognize that one is ill.In some ways, not seeing clear eating disorder symptoms as a problem is unsurprising, considering the rules eating disorder sufferers follow closely mimic popular diets. For people in larger bodies, healthcare guidance sometimes prescribes the very symptoms we diagnose as eating disorders in thin people!Just this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed drastic weight loss measures for growing children, including pharmaceutical and surgical methods. The eating disorder community is in disbelief, not only because of the lack of research supporting such extreme measures, but because advising children (or anyone) to lose weight is directly correlated with contributing to the development of eating disorders.Iowans are particularly unlucky when it comes to seeking eating disorder treatment. The University of Iowa had the one specialized inpatient unit for eating disorder patients in the state and closed last year to expand services to more general mental health beds. There are ZERO facilities in the state of Iowa for those with eating disorders.The statistic of 30 million Americans suffering boils down to 100,000 Iowans who have limited access to care, which flows over to the outpatient setting as well. Most folks will never need intensive medical monitoring, but they do need therapy and nutritional therapy support, usually weekly, for at least several months, sometimes years.Unfortunately, as caring and compassionate as your standard medical provider, therapist, and nutrition professionals are, they are ill-equipped in supporting eating disorder sufferers without specialized training. They have overflowing caseloads and limited time. Treating eating disorders requires extensive time and specialized education.Do you want to join me in doing something to support those struggling with eating disorders? If so, learn more by browsing the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa (EDCI) website at edciowa.org, where resources for families, professionals, and the public are available.Visit the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) website at nationaleatingdisorders.org for even more resources and a confidential screening to see if you may benefit from support.If you’re a professional who wants to make a difference, attend a conference or join a free online webinar to expand your knowledge to support the eating disorder sufferers you see in your practice. Please contact me directly to collaborate on providing care for our local clients!Despite the mountain of work for both professionals and those suffering, recovery is possible. People can and do recover from eating disorders every day. The sooner they have access to specialized treatment and comprehensive support, the better their outcomes are. We must act NOW if we hope to reduce the incidence of eating disorders in the years and decades to come.Michelle Russell, RD, LD, CEDS, is a dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist practicing in downtown Burlington. She provides nutrition therapy for individuals and families struggling with eating disorders and is one of less than ten certified specialists in the state of Iowa. Michelle’s definition of healthy eating includes eating for enjoyment and acknowledges that there are many ways our bodies are nourished. She may be reached via phone at 319-208-9038 and email michelle@michellerussellrd.com.

Eating Disorders are a Public Health Crisis

Downtown Partners on Tuesday evening unveiled the new brand for the downtown Burlington businesses.

The new brand is to give downtown Burlington a way to brand itself to those outside the community and to make it a destination for tourists.

The branding was made possible by a $15,000 grant applied for by Downtown Partners to Main Street Iowa. This allowed the group to hire Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow &amp; Associates to create a new brand. After months of work, the new brand was finally unveiled downtown Tuesday night at the Capitol Performing Arts Center.

Amy Moyner, the executive director of Downtown Partners hosted, and opened the event by stating the reason for the branding.

“The vision of downtown Burlington is to be a unique and vital downtown that celebrates the history, encourages entrepreneurial spirit, artistic expression, entertainment activity, hospitality to visitors, and instills a sense of place in our community,” Moyner said.

Sue Ann Wells, the Bean Counter owner, and a Downtown Partners member spoke first at the presentation. Wells stated that as a small business owner, it is hard to be recognized.

“Since the Bean Counter opened and long before, downtown Burlington had been in search of a way to create a brand which would bring us all together,” Wells said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/2/1677456442053.jpeg" alt="The logo for downtown Burlington." />
 <figcaption>The logo for downtown Burlington.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Andy SchneiderDowntown Partners on Tuesday evening unveiled the new brand for the downtown Burlington businesses.The new brand is to give downtown Burlington a way to brand itself to those outside the community and to make it a destination for tourists.The branding was made possible by a $15,000 grant applied for by Downtown Partners to Main Street Iowa. This allowed the group to hire Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow &amp; Associates to create a new brand. After months of work, the new brand was finally unveiled downtown Tuesday night at the Capitol Performing Arts Center.Amy Moyner, the executive director of Downtown Partners hosted, and opened the event by stating the reason for the branding.“The vision of downtown Burlington is to be a unique and vital downtown that celebrates the history, encourages entrepreneurial spirit, artistic expression, entertainment activity, hospitality to visitors, and instills a sense of place in our community,” Moyner said.Sue Ann Wells, the Bean Counter owner, and a Downtown Partners member spoke first at the presentation. Wells stated that as a small business owner, it is hard to be recognized.“Since the Bean Counter opened and long before, downtown Burlington had been in search of a way to create a brand which would bring us all together,” Wells said.Wells went on to explain that though she had been in business for a number of years and was present on social media, still getting her business recognized was difficult.“There are still many people in our local community who have never heard of the Bean (Counter). It is difficult for a single business to be well known in a community, and even more difficult to get your name out there, outside of the community. This is where our downtown brand is going to be a game changer,” Wells said.Brandon and Kathy Bentz, owners of the Scotten Building on the 700 block of Jefferson Street, were next to speak. The couple moved to West Burlington two years ago and noticed that Burlington was different from the rural communities they had previously lived in.“The community, people, and the vibe were different from most places we had lived,” Brandon Bentz said.Bentz plans his new building, “to open in late June, early July a full-service restaurant, brewery, corner market butcher shop, commercial spaces for five new upstart businesses, and some additional loft-style housing.”Later in the year, they plan to add additional parking, sandlot volleyball, and the potential for an amphitheater for concerts and other outside events.“We plan on having a large marketing campaign to go along with what we are developing, but we can’t do it alone,” Bentz said.Bentz talked about the community coming together under the new brand to help bring people into the community, and establish a sense of common purpose and togetherness. Bentz said that the new branding would help with that purpose.K.C. Fleming, who is a medical staff recruiter for Great River Medical Center, was the next to speak.He spoke about how other cities such as Chicago and New York had brands that were instantly recognizable. That branding for companies such as Nike or Apple explains what their brand is about, and this new downtown branding would do the same for Burlington.“What we see tonight is going to help pull everything together, to what downtown Burlington means to us,” Fleming said.Moyner then revealed the brand to the audience, Burlington Downtown It’s Happening! The logo is a rainbow of colors that spell out the word Burlington with the Downtown placed inside the letter U.Moyner also stated that there would be a rebranding of the Trick or Treat Downtown, The Witches Walk, and the Sip and Stroll.The Downtown Partners will also offer classes that teach how to use the new brand in association with your business or products.People have wanted a united downtown presence for a while, and it appears it’s happening downtown.