The Mississippi River will crest at 20 feet tonight (Tuesday, May 2) at about 7 p.m. and will stay just under that mark for the next week or so.

According to the National Weather Service, the swollen river won’t drop below 19 feet until May 9.

&nbsp;City crews installed flood wall extensions a week ago, which should be enough to protect against the swollen river’s current projection.

Nick MacGregor, assistant city manager for public works for Burlington, said crews are ready to install sand-filled flood barriers and sandbags if the river rises beyond the forecast. A ring of sand-filled barriers is currently sitting south of Memorial Auditorium.

“What we have set up right now is all we’ll need. If we were to go to 21 feet, we would need to put in the railroad gates. We’ve had a discussion with Burlington Junction Railway about that,” MacGregor said.&nbsp;

At that point, sandbags would be installed around the intakes and manholes along Front Street. HESCO barriers would also be installed on Market Street toward Main Street. Pumps would be installed in the basement of the Burlington Depot to evacuate water seeping up from the dirt floor.&nbsp;

MacGregor said the building wouldn’t need to be protected by sandbags unless the river projection jumps to 23 feet.

“I’m pretty pleased with what we’ve had going on. We’ve had some staff time with some pumping, but it’s not near as much as what we were expecting,” MacGregor said.&nbsp;

The 20.2-foot river crest is the highest the Mississippi has risen since the summer of 2019, when the river reached 24.47 feet on June 2.

Des Moines County Conservation Director Chris Lee told the supervisors that Sullivan Slough Road already has significant water over it, which happens at a river level of 16 feet.

“Tama Road has been underwater for quite a while,” Lee said.

Des Moines County Sheriff Kevin Glendening warned residents not to drive on the levees that hold back flood waters. He said anyone caught will be ticketed and likely arrested. Causing damage to the levee can impact its effectiveness against flood waters.

“If you see ATVs or UTVs on the levy, they are thereby permitted only,” Glendening said.

MacGregor said he try to secure drone photos of the crest for historical purposes since flooding along the riverfront had changed because of the flood wall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1683053327338.jpeg" alt="The parking area near the Great River Bridge is partially submerged in Burlington. Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>The parking area near the Great River Bridge is partially submerged in Burlington. Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffThe Mississippi River will crest at 20 feet tonight (Tuesday, May 2) at about 7 p.m. and will stay just under that mark for the next week or so.According to the National Weather Service, the swollen river won’t drop below 19 feet until May 9.&nbsp;City crews installed flood wall extensions a week ago, which should be enough to protect against the swollen river’s current projection.Nick MacGregor, assistant city manager for public works for Burlington, said crews are ready to install sand-filled flood barriers and sandbags if the river rises beyond the forecast. A ring of sand-filled barriers is currently sitting south of Memorial Auditorium.“What we have set up right now is all we’ll need. If we were to go to 21 feet, we would need to put in the railroad gates. We’ve had a discussion with Burlington Junction Railway about that,” MacGregor said.&nbsp;At that point, sandbags would be installed around the intakes and manholes along Front Street. HESCO barriers would also be installed on Market Street toward Main Street. Pumps would be installed in the basement of the Burlington Depot to evacuate water seeping up from the dirt floor.&nbsp;MacGregor said the building wouldn’t need to be protected by sandbags unless the river projection jumps to 23 feet.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1683052800687.jpeg" alt="A parking area along Burlington's riverfront is submerged on Monday, May 1. Photo by Anthony DeWitt" />
 <figcaption>A parking area along Burlington's riverfront is submerged on Monday, May 1. Photo by Anthony DeWitt</figcaption>
 </figure>“I’m pretty pleased with what we’ve had going on. We’ve had some staff time with some pumping, but it’s not near as much as what we were expecting,” MacGregor said.&nbsp;The 20.2-foot river crest is the highest the Mississippi has risen since the summer of 2019, when the river reached 24.47 feet on June 2.Des Moines County Conservation Director Chris Lee told the supervisors that Sullivan Slough Road already has significant water over it, which happens at a river level of 16 feet.“Tama Road has been underwater for quite a while,” Lee said.Des Moines County Sheriff Kevin Glendening warned residents not to drive on the levees that hold back flood waters. He said anyone caught will be ticketed and likely arrested. Causing damage to the levee can impact its effectiveness against flood waters.“If you see ATVs or UTVs on the levy, they are thereby permitted only,” Glendening said.MacGregor said he try to secure drone photos of the crest for historical purposes since flooding along the riverfront had changed because of the flood wall.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1683063396714.jpeg" alt="City workers install a section of a flood wall last week behind Memorial Auditorium in Burlington. Photo by John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>City workers install a section of a flood wall last week behind Memorial Auditorium in Burlington. Photo by John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>

Mississippi River Crests at 20 Feet Tonight

Every lunch break, a handful of Danville High School students used to walk down Main Street, avoiding the crowded lunchroom.&nbsp;

It never took them more than a couple of minutes to arrive at The Mart gas station on old U.S. 34, no matter how slowly they walked and chatted. They dined on the usual convenience store options, planning their weekends around the video game rentals in the back.

It’s been years since the beloved local owner of the store, Paul Kloberdanz, died, and the doors were shuttered permanently.

Former Danville High School student Curtis Doyle wants to bring life back to the old building and turn it into a hub for the community — like it used to be.

When his girlfriend told him the store was for sale, Doyle jumped on it.

“I told her, ‘I’m buying that,’” Doyle said.

Doyle, who owns and operates The Outpost on Mount Pleasant Street in Burlington, closed on the property a few months ago. But he has no intention of reopening it as a gas station.

Instead, it will be a local diner — the only diner in Danville.&nbsp;

He’s already started renovation work, which follows a full day at The Outpost.

“It’s going to be a chore to get it going, but I think it’s going to be something for the betterment of the community,” he said.&nbsp;

“I want to hire people from within the community. I think it’s something Danville needs.”

No matter where he lives, Danville is home for Curtis Doyle. He admits to not being the best student and would occasionally chafe against the school administration.

But even then, he was working to better himself. Now he wants to work to better Danville.&nbsp;

“I was working, detasseling corn, when I was 12 or 13 years old. I was bailing hay for a buddy,” he said.

At 14 years old, Doyle got even more work experience through a job training program. Once he got out of high school, Doyle went to work as an over-the-road trucker for the next 10 years.

Doyle signed up for the U.S. Army and served for two years before blowing out his knee. When he came back home, he found out that the owner of The Mart, Paul, had passed away.

It never occurred to him that he would own The Mart. After returning home from the Army, Doyle went to work for LaVeine Sanitation for nine years.

Then he went to work for himself and purchased the former Crazy Coyote bar seven years ago. He changed the name to The Outpost about a year after buying it.

“I wanted to see what it was like to be my own boss,” Doyle said.

Doyle discovered he liked working for himself, despite the stress of the COVID-19 shutdown and the worries that make every small business owner fret. He has also operated a small lawn service business for nine years — a side hustle to earn spending money.

“I only have a couple of accounts,” he said.

Now Doyle’s attention outside The Outpost is focused squarely on The Mart. The workload is immense.

Despite that, the building is in pretty good shape, Doyle said. The roof needs repair, but he’s hoping to open it this year.

Guests can expect to eat everything from pizza to ice cream to sub sandwiches. Doyle will be doing much of the cooking, just like at The Outpost.

“I’ve wanted to have a restaurant ever since I was a kid. I’ve always liked cooking. I kind of have a passion for it,” he said.

This won’t be gas station food. Just a friendly spot for neighbors hankering for a good meal.

“I think Danville needs this,” Doyle said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682793217568.jpeg" alt="Curtis Doyle stands in the doorway of the building that formerly housed The Mart on Tuesday, April 11, in Danville. Doyle along, with his girlfriend Candi Lewis, are in the process of renovating the building and opening up a small restaurant. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Doyle stands in the doorway of the building that formerly housed The Mart on Tuesday, April 11, in Danville. Doyle along, with his girlfriend Candi Lewis, are in the process of renovating the building and opening up a small restaurant. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithEvery lunch break, a handful of Danville High School students used to walk down Main Street, avoiding the crowded lunchroom.&nbsp;It never took them more than a couple of minutes to arrive at The Mart gas station on old U.S. 34, no matter how slowly they walked and chatted. They dined on the usual convenience store options, planning their weekends around the video game rentals in the back.It’s been years since the beloved local owner of the store, Paul Kloberdanz, died, and the doors were shuttered permanently.Former Danville High School student Curtis Doyle wants to bring life back to the old building and turn it into a hub for the community — like it used to be.When his girlfriend told him the store was for sale, Doyle jumped on it.“I told her, ‘I’m buying that,’” Doyle said.Doyle, who owns and operates The Outpost on Mount Pleasant Street in Burlington, closed on the property a few months ago. But he has no intention of reopening it as a gas station.Instead, it will be a local diner — the only diner in Danville.&nbsp;He’s already started renovation work, which follows a full day at The Outpost.“It’s going to be a chore to get it going, but I think it’s going to be something for the betterment of the community,” he said.&nbsp;“I want to hire people from within the community. I think it’s something Danville needs.”No matter where he lives, Danville is home for Curtis Doyle. He admits to not being the best student and would occasionally chafe against the school administration.But even then, he was working to better himself. Now he wants to work to better Danville.&nbsp;“I was working, detasseling corn, when I was 12 or 13 years old. I was bailing hay for a buddy,” he said.At 14 years old, Doyle got even more work experience through a job training program. Once he got out of high school, Doyle went to work as an over-the-road trucker for the next 10 years.Doyle signed up for the U.S. Army and served for two years before blowing out his knee. When he came back home, he found out that the owner of The Mart, Paul, had passed away.It never occurred to him that he would own The Mart. After returning home from the Army, Doyle went to work for LaVeine Sanitation for nine years.Then he went to work for himself and purchased the former Crazy Coyote bar seven years ago. He changed the name to The Outpost about a year after buying it.“I wanted to see what it was like to be my own boss,” Doyle said.Doyle discovered he liked working for himself, despite the stress of the COVID-19 shutdown and the worries that make every small business owner fret. He has also operated a small lawn service business for nine years — a side hustle to earn spending money.“I only have a couple of accounts,” he said.Now Doyle’s attention outside The Outpost is focused squarely on The Mart. The workload is immense.“It’s a total gut job,” he said.Despite that, the building is in pretty good shape, Doyle said. The roof needs repair, but he’s hoping to open it this year.Guests can expect to eat everything from pizza to ice cream to sub sandwiches. Doyle will be doing much of the cooking, just like at The Outpost.“I’ve wanted to have a restaurant ever since I was a kid. I’ve always liked cooking. I kind of have a passion for it,” he said.This won’t be gas station food. Just a friendly spot for neighbors hankering for a good meal.“I think Danville needs this,” Doyle said.

The Mart is Reborn

Above:&nbsp;Keith Campbell and his grandsons Wyatt Elder, 12, Reece Elder, 14, and Brooks Elder, 10, check out the cars on display during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show, Sunday, April 30, at Heartland Harley Davidson in Burlington. 

Above:&nbsp;Cars on display during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show.

Above:&nbsp;Tobi Thomas, 6, and his brother Korbin, 3, peer into a 1929 Model A Roadster shown by Jason Samples, during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show at Heartland Harley Davidson in Burlington. 

Photo by John Lovretta<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1682980568896.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Keith Campbell and his grandsons Wyatt Elder, 12, Reece Elder, 14, and Brooks Elder, 10, check out the cars on display during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show, Sunday, April 30, at Heartland Harley Davidson in Burlington. <figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1682980647449.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Cars on display during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1682980809026.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Tobi Thomas, 6, and his brother Korbin, 3, peer into a 1929 Model A Roadster shown by Jason Samples, during the Relay for Life Car and Bike Show at Heartland Harley Davidson in Burlington. .

PHOTOS: Rally for Life Car Show

Her ultra-polite staff — some of who have parents who worked for Bailey — are a testament to that support system.

“I speak a very fluent language called sarcasm, which can lead to a lot of fun, engaging conversations. So I think that helps,” she said.

Bailey was recently featured in an edition of the magazine, “Nation’s Restaurant News,” where she was called “the Michael Jordan of restaurant managers.” She was flattered but gave all the credit to her staff.

“You have to help them build up that ego,” she said, noting the difference between confidence and arrogance.

A West Burlington native, Bailey is the oldest of five children. It wasn’t a typical childhood.

“I feel we were pioneers in being a blended family. My mom got pregnant with me at 16, and she married my dad. They were married for five years, had me and my brother, and then my parents got divorced. And my mom gave us to our dad. And he remarried. And so I was raised by my stepmom, who is an amazing woman. And my mom lived like 1,000 miles away my entire life. We’d see her every summer, things like that,” she said. “She was always welcome in our home.”&nbsp;

There was a stigma to being a step-parent back then, Bailey said.

Bailey knew nothing but love from everyone in her family. She and her husband, Antonio, run their family, consisting of a 26-year-old and a 17-year-old, much the same way. Her daughter Amari, an EMT in training who already works with the Burlington Fire Department, used her birthdays to buy gifts for others.

That kindness runs in the family. Antonio coaches middle school football in the Burlington School District. He also acts as a lifeline for troubled youth who need positive guidance. The two of them help others without thinking, asking each other for permission later. They clicked from the start.

“It was just like kismet, you know,” Bailey said.

When two of their friends — a married couple who was deployed to South Korea at the same time — they immediately offered to take in their 1-year-old daughter Adrienne for the duration of the deployment.

They made one solemn promise to the parents. They vowed to shower her with love but would not try to replace them.

“That’s just what family does,” Stephanie Bailey said.&nbsp;

Since Adrienne’s parents were dressed in military fatigues the last time she saw them, Stephanie filled her house with copies of a photo of the Army couple before they left. Bailey reminded Adrienne of who was in the picture and even hung a copy in the crib.

“She said good night to Mommy and Poppy, and she picked up the phone and asked for Mommy and Poppy,” Bailey said.

A picture of Bailey’s favorite customer, Kevin, hangs on the wall. Kevin suffered brain damage, was paralyzed, and was confined to a wheelchair. Bailey met Kevin when she was a delivery driver in the 1990s.

Kevin always ordered a Taco Little Joe and a Mountain Dew. When Bailey would return after delivering to Kevin, her manager asked why it took so long.

Bailey explained. She delivered the pizza to Kevin’s nursing home unit, opened the straw for him since he could not do it, and opened his sauce packets. She even put the sauce on the pizza.

“I told him (the manager), ‘I’m just going to be extra long on that one,’” Bailey said, noting the manager agreed with her.

When Bailey moved up to manager, she ensured delivery drivers would always open sauce packets and the straw for Kevin. Sometimes, delivering the order herself.

Bailey got Kevin to come into the restaurant (with the help of his parents) on his birthday to make his own pizza, which became an annual tradition.

“He would call and talk to me on the phone. He could carry on very good conservation. He called me to wish me happy holidays and things like that,” Bailey said. “Our relationship grew.”&nbsp;

Kevin died of bone cancer two years ago. Bailey will never forget the last conversation she had with Kevin. The walls of his room were decorated with his Happy Joe’s to-go cups.

“He asked me if I would dance with him in the streets of heaven when I got there. He was very religious. And he told me loved me,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/5/1682961314213.jpeg" alt="Stephanie Bailey, general manager of Happy Joe’s Pizza &amp; Ice Cream,&nbsp; poses on Tuesday, April 25, in the Burlington restaurant. Bailey was recently featured in “Nation’s Restaurant News” magazine as one of the 25 top general managers throughout the country. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Stephanie Bailey, general manager of Happy Joe’s Pizza &amp; Ice Cream,&nbsp; poses on Tuesday, April 25, in the Burlington restaurant. Bailey was recently featured in “Nation’s Restaurant News” magazine as one of the 25 top general managers throughout the country. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithHer ultra-polite staff — some of who have parents who worked for Bailey — are a testament to that support system.“I speak a very fluent language called sarcasm, which can lead to a lot of fun, engaging conversations. So I think that helps,” she said.Bailey was recently featured in an edition of the magazine, “Nation’s Restaurant News,” where she was called “the Michael Jordan of restaurant managers.” She was flattered but gave all the credit to her staff.“You have to help them build up that ego,” she said, noting the difference between confidence and arrogance.A proud stepchildA West Burlington native, Bailey is the oldest of five children. It wasn’t a typical childhood.“I feel we were pioneers in being a blended family. My mom got pregnant with me at 16, and she married my dad. They were married for five years, had me and my brother, and then my parents got divorced. And my mom gave us to our dad. And he remarried. And so I was raised by my stepmom, who is an amazing woman. And my mom lived like 1,000 miles away my entire life. We’d see her every summer, things like that,” she said. “She was always welcome in our home.”&nbsp;There was a stigma to being a step-parent back then, Bailey said.Bailey knew nothing but love from everyone in her family. She and her husband, Antonio, run their family, consisting of a 26-year-old and a 17-year-old, much the same way. Her daughter Amari, an EMT in training who already works with the Burlington Fire Department, used her birthdays to buy gifts for others.That kindness runs in the family. Antonio coaches middle school football in the Burlington School District. He also acts as a lifeline for troubled youth who need positive guidance. The two of them help others without thinking, asking each other for permission later. They clicked from the start.“It was just like kismet, you know,” Bailey said.Fostering othersWhen two of their friends — a married couple who was deployed to South Korea at the same time — they immediately offered to take in their 1-year-old daughter Adrienne for the duration of the deployment.They made one solemn promise to the parents. They vowed to shower her with love but would not try to replace them.“That’s just what family does,” Stephanie Bailey said.&nbsp;Since Adrienne’s parents were dressed in military fatigues the last time she saw them, Stephanie filled her house with copies of a photo of the Army couple before they left. Bailey reminded Adrienne of who was in the picture and even hung a copy in the crib.“She said good night to Mommy and Poppy, and she picked up the phone and asked for Mommy and Poppy,” Bailey said.Favorite customerA picture of Bailey’s favorite customer, Kevin, hangs on the wall. Kevin suffered brain damage, was paralyzed, and was confined to a wheelchair. Bailey met Kevin when she was a delivery driver in the 1990s.Kevin always ordered a Taco Little Joe and a Mountain Dew. When Bailey would return after delivering to Kevin, her manager asked why it took so long.Bailey explained. She delivered the pizza to Kevin’s nursing home unit, opened the straw for him since he could not do it, and opened his sauce packets. She even put the sauce on the pizza.“I told him (the manager), ‘I’m just going to be extra long on that one,’” Bailey said, noting the manager agreed with her.When Bailey moved up to manager, she ensured delivery drivers would always open sauce packets and the straw for Kevin. Sometimes, delivering the order herself.Bailey got Kevin to come into the restaurant (with the help of his parents) on his birthday to make his own pizza, which became an annual tradition.“He would call and talk to me on the phone. He could carry on very good conservation. He called me to wish me happy holidays and things like that,” Bailey said. “Our relationship grew.”&nbsp;Kevin died of bone cancer two years ago. Bailey will never forget the last conversation she had with Kevin. The walls of his room were decorated with his Happy Joe’s to-go cups.“He asked me if I would dance with him in the streets of heaven when I got there. He was very religious. And he told me loved me,” she said.

‘The Michael Jordan of restaurant managers’

Matt Bormann, CEO of Western Smokehouse Partners, joked he would normally discuss the difficulties in bringing a new manufacturing plant to town.

But that wasn’t the case. Bormann spoke about the smooth transition into Burlington during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 20, at the company’s new manufacturing plant at 3800 West Ave. in Burlington.

“The city really came together and helped us along,” Bormann said.&nbsp;

Carl A. Nelson and Company were tasked with turning the building into a facility suitable for making meat sticks.

Borman said due to their quick work, the factory will begin production in early May.

&nbsp;“We told them (Carl A. Nelson) that we needed this in nine months. Our customers needed it. It should have been impossible. You guys made it possible,” he said, addressing members of the construction company.

Tours of the facility explained how the meat sticks are made, and plenty of area residents at the event expressed interest in working at the facility. About 30 people have been hired, and more jobs are posted online on Indeed.

“We have the first initial wave of people hired. They’re going to be starting next week. And then we will continue to bring people on to build to 150 people by the end of the year,” said Crystal Bohm, chief human resources officer for the plant.&nbsp;

Bohm said a lot of the management team for the new plant has been in place for a couple of weeks. She had fielded more than 300 applications already.

“We will be looking for processing technicians and packaging technicians. Those are the positions we will continue to hire,” she said.

Western Smokehouse Partners, known as Western Smokehouse and Meat Market, is headquartered in Greentop, Mo. The company is leasing the building. Integra vacated the building in February 2022, resulting in a change of plans for Western Smokehouse Partners.

“We had identified a building in Terre Haute, Ind. But structurally, it wasn’t going to work, and there was nothing we could do. We found this place within a week. It’s a great location. As far as our other plants, it’s pretty centrally located,” Bohm said.

Western Smokehouse and Thrushwood Farms were separately founded in 1978 by Sam Western and Jim Hankes. They met each other through the industry and became good friends. Their sons, Kevin Western and Doug Hankes, grew up in the industry together — and each started making meat sticks.

After a facility expansion, Western’s and Thrushwood decided to combine. The Western and Hankes families remain shareholders, and there are processing plants in Springfield, Ill., and Galesburg, Ill.

When the facility is up and running, it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat annually.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682873280713.jpeg" alt="Matt Bormann, Chief Executive Office, during a ribbon cutting ceremony for Western Smokehouse Partners, Thursday, April 20, at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Matt Bormann, Chief Executive Office, during a ribbon cutting ceremony for Western Smokehouse Partners, Thursday, April 20, at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffMatt Bormann, CEO of Western Smokehouse Partners, joked he would normally discuss the difficulties in bringing a new manufacturing plant to town.But that wasn’t the case. Bormann spoke about the smooth transition into Burlington during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 20, at the company’s new manufacturing plant at 3800 West Ave. in Burlington.“The city really came together and helped us along,” Bormann said.&nbsp;Carl A. Nelson and Company were tasked with turning the building into a facility suitable for making meat sticks.Borman said due to their quick work, the factory will begin production in early May.&nbsp;“We told them (Carl A. Nelson) that we needed this in nine months. Our customers needed it. It should have been impossible. You guys made it possible,” he said, addressing members of the construction company.Tours of the facility explained how the meat sticks are made, and plenty of area residents at the event expressed interest in working at the facility. About 30 people have been hired, and more jobs are posted online on Indeed.“We have the first initial wave of people hired. They’re going to be starting next week. And then we will continue to bring people on to build to 150 people by the end of the year,” said Crystal Bohm, chief human resources officer for the plant.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682873459360.jpeg" alt="Lilly Garnsey samples a variety of flavors of meat sticks produced by Western Smokehouse Partners, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Thursday, April 20, at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Lilly Garnsey samples a variety of flavors of meat sticks produced by Western Smokehouse Partners, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Thursday, April 20, at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp; Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>Bohm said a lot of the management team for the new plant has been in place for a couple of weeks. She had fielded more than 300 applications already.“We will be looking for processing technicians and packaging technicians. Those are the positions we will continue to hire,” she said.Western Smokehouse Partners, known as Western Smokehouse and Meat Market, is headquartered in Greentop, Mo. The company is leasing the building. Integra vacated the building in February 2022, resulting in a change of plans for Western Smokehouse Partners.“We had identified a building in Terre Haute, Ind. But structurally, it wasn’t going to work, and there was nothing we could do. We found this place within a week. It’s a great location. As far as our other plants, it’s pretty centrally located,” Bohm said.Western Smokehouse and Thrushwood Farms were separately founded in 1978 by Sam Western and Jim Hankes. They met each other through the industry and became good friends. Their sons, Kevin Western and Doug Hankes, grew up in the industry together — and each started making meat sticks.After a facility expansion, Western’s and Thrushwood decided to combine. The Western and Hankes families remain shareholders, and there are processing plants in Springfield, Ill., and Galesburg, Ill.When the facility is up and running, it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat annually.

Western Smokehouse starts production in May

Feeding thousands of people over a few hours is a massive undertaking.

Over the past 34 years, members of the Burlington Kiwanis Club have become experts at it.

The 34th annual Burlington Kiwanis Pancake Day fundraiser will run like a well-oiled machine from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 27 at the Port of Burlington. If flooding makes the port unusable, the breakfast will be held at the Burlington High School cafeteria.

So far, the massive event has never had to change venues due to flooding. The annual breakfast always serves as the kickoff for the Snake Alley Criterium cycling event, which takes place the same day.

Pancake breakfast chairman George Rinker said it would not be possible without the volunteers — and the food, of course.

Rinker said it also takes 750 pounds of pancake mix, 1,500 pounds of whole-hog sausage, and more than 3,000 units of milk, chocolate milk, and orange juice. The pancakes and sausage are prepared on several grills, divided between the sausage and the pancakes.

The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Burlington Kiwanis Club, and the money goes back into the community. The Kiwanis Club provides youth activities, boots, and coats for children from low-income families. It also donates to literacy efforts locally.

“This is for the kids,” Rinker said while cooking pancakes at a previous breakfast. “We support over 23 local youth programs. The biggest one we contribute to is the after-school program. We’ve given a lot of money to it, and we’ve seen the fruits of our labor. Kids are getting hot meals and a good education.”

Pre-purchase your tickets for $10 from any Kiwanis member at Hy-Vee or Fareway in Burlington. Tickets will be $12 at the door, and kids 8 and under eat for free.

Sponsors of the event will be getting more exposure through several advertising banners this year.&nbsp;

Interested sponsors should call Dennis Wilson at 319-753-6929.

“It’s our largest fundraiser, and the funds that we raise are all used to support community families,” Rinker said. “We are not sending money hundreds of miles away. Everything we get is spent locally, to improve children’s lives.” in our community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682824409271.jpeg" alt="Beacon File Photo" />
 <figcaption>Beacon File Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffFeeding thousands of people over a few hours is a massive undertaking.Over the past 34 years, members of the Burlington Kiwanis Club have become experts at it.The 34th annual Burlington Kiwanis Pancake Day fundraiser will run like a well-oiled machine from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 27 at the Port of Burlington. If flooding makes the port unusable, the breakfast will be held at the Burlington High School cafeteria.So far, the massive event has never had to change venues due to flooding. The annual breakfast always serves as the kickoff for the Snake Alley Criterium cycling event, which takes place the same day.Pancake breakfast chairman George Rinker said it would not be possible without the volunteers — and the food, of course.Rinker said it also takes 750 pounds of pancake mix, 1,500 pounds of whole-hog sausage, and more than 3,000 units of milk, chocolate milk, and orange juice. The pancakes and sausage are prepared on several grills, divided between the sausage and the pancakes.The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Burlington Kiwanis Club, and the money goes back into the community. The Kiwanis Club provides youth activities, boots, and coats for children from low-income families. It also donates to literacy efforts locally.“This is for the kids,” Rinker said while cooking pancakes at a previous breakfast. “We support over 23 local youth programs. The biggest one we contribute to is the after-school program. We’ve given a lot of money to it, and we’ve seen the fruits of our labor. Kids are getting hot meals and a good education.”Pre-purchase your tickets for $10 from any Kiwanis member at Hy-Vee or Fareway in Burlington. Tickets will be $12 at the door, and kids 8 and under eat for free.Sponsors of the event will be getting more exposure through several advertising banners this year.&nbsp;Interested sponsors should call Dennis Wilson at 319-753-6929.“It’s our largest fundraiser, and the funds that we raise are all used to support community families,” Rinker said. “We are not sending money hundreds of miles away. Everything we get is spent locally, to improve children’s lives.” in our community.”

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser is May 27

Above: Burlington High School students along with staff, faculty, and community members participate in the Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide on Friday, April 28, in Burlington. Several hundred walkers made their way from Bracewell Stadium to the Port of Burlington.&nbsp;

Note: The full story and more photos will appear in the May 5 print edition of The Beacon.

Above:&nbsp;Burlington High School students Danielle Ebert, left and Rihanna Campbell, comfort each other while listening to a speaker while taking part in BHS's Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide.

Above:&nbsp;Shawn Johnson, whose daughter Zephaniah "Zephy" Johnson died in February 2022, speaks to Burlington High School students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Above and below:&nbsp;Burlington High School students along with staff, faculty, and community members take part in Burlington High School's Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide.

Photos by John Lovretta<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682740950143.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Burlington High School students along with staff, faculty, and community members participate in the Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide on Friday, April 28, in Burlington. Several hundred walkers made their way from Bracewell Stadium to the Port of Burlington.&nbsp;Note: The full story and more photos will appear in the May 5 print edition of The Beacon.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682741349052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Burlington High School students Danielle Ebert, left and Rihanna Campbell, comfort each other while listening to a speaker while taking part in BHS's Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682741493119.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Shawn Johnson, whose daughter Zephaniah "Zephy" Johnson died in February 2022, speaks to Burlington High School students, staff, faculty, and community members.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682741605745.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above and below:&nbsp;Burlington High School students along with staff, faculty, and community members take part in Burlington High School's Bring Change to Mind Club's Walk to Fight Suicide.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682741682124.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Walking to Bring About Change, Save Lives

Brittany Jacobs, director of the Burlington Public Library is filmed by Allison Richert, youth service specialist at the Burlington Public Library, during a ceremony unveiling the newest library installation on Saturday at Crapo Park. The Story Walk installation features 21 panels that currently feature the book "Wonder Walkers" by Micha Archer. The installation will feature different books during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The installation will be taken down during the winter months.&nbsp;

Photos by John Lovretta<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682450741327.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brittany Jacobs, director of the Burlington Public Library is filmed by Allison Richert, youth service specialist at the Burlington Public Library, during a ceremony unveiling the newest library installation on Saturday at Crapo Park. The Story Walk installation features 21 panels that currently feature the book "Wonder Walkers" by Micha Archer. The installation will feature different books during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The installation will be taken down during the winter months.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682450994038.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

PHOTOS: Burlington Library Story Walk

At long last, it’s that time of the year again when Mother Nature puts on her floral dress and starts playing peekaboo with the sunshine.&nbsp;

It’s springtime. The daffodils are in full bloom, the pollen counts are rising, and the birds are twittering more than Elon Musk.&nbsp;

If you got that last one, it’s a clear indication it’s time to put the phone down and go outdoors.&nbsp;

And don’t tell me there’s nothing to do. I can tolerate some “I’m bored” during the doldrums of winter when it’s dark outside during both daily commutes, but not anymore. Anybody who says that now should be throttled with a large bundle of daffodils.

In the interest of flower protection, here’s some of what you can do in the coming weeks to get outside.

First and foremost, it’s spring cleaning time, both for your garage and our community. I hope to see everyone out and about on Saturday, April 22 for the city-wide Earth Day Cleanup event. Join in the festivities down at the Port of Burlington starting at 8 a.m.&nbsp;

Get your supplies and head out to shine up your neighborhood or road corridor of choice. Re-join the community at noon for lunch and trading of found treasure stories.

In the meantime, lace up the walking shoes or hiking boots and put on some miles. Whether it’s a short walk around your neighborhood or a forest-bathing hike on your favorite local trail, a good stroll is just what the doctor ordered to soak up some sun, get the resulting hit of Vitamin D, and maybe even start shedding some of the winter weight we tend to pack on from holiday feasts and cold-night comfort food.&nbsp;

Des Moines County Conservation’s next “Hike A Park” program is April 27 at 3 p.m. at Hunt Woods just south of Burlington. This 50-plus acre park is a forest management demonstration area, so you’ll get to see various stages of forest management as you hike.&nbsp;

It’s also fishing time, and it will soon be paddling and boating time, so while you’re doing that spring cleaning, be sure to clean and inspect your life jackets.&nbsp;

Do they still fit? Kids grow fast, so last year’s jackets might no longer be the right size. Are there any rips or tears in the fabric or frays in the straps? If so, it’s time to replace them[. Life jackets can be cleaned with hot, soapy water. Don’t use bleach or harsh cleaning solvents. Allow them to dry fully before stowing them again to prevent mold.

Did someone say fishing? A fifteen-minute-or-less car ride gets you and the family to Big Hollow Recreation Area near Sperry.&nbsp;

In addition to the big lake, there are several smaller ponds throughout the county’s largest park. In town, kids can also fish Lake Starker in Crapo Park in Burlington. And the fish in Lake Geode should be reaching catchable size now. But take note that the beach and road to it at Lake Geode are closed for construction this year.&nbsp;

Speaking of kids, the signup for summer camps at Starr’s Cave Nature Center will open at noon on April 25.&nbsp;

Registration is done online and the link will be posted on the nature center’s Facebook page when it goes live. There are camps available for youth ages 3 through 13 with various camp dates from June to August.&nbsp;

And speaking of boating, now is also a good time to get the boat, canoe, or kayak out of storage, cleaned up, and prepped for the season. Is your registration up to date? Are the seats still tight? Are the paddles in good shape? Does the motor need a tune-up? With the warm temps, now might be a good time for a test run. That way, if something does need fixing, you’ll hopefully have time to get it into the shop before the full summer boating season.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t implore the bike owners to take to the trails as well. Our county has several great bike routes including a couple sections of the Flint River Trail — one along the river in Burlington and one from Flint Bottom Road up to Big Hollow.&nbsp;

For the more adventurous cyclists, there’s a rather extensive singletrack trail called North Gorge just across the road from Flint Hills Golf Course. This volunteer-built and managed trail zigzags up and down the steep bluffs overlooking the Flint Creek floodplain at the Leopold Recreation Area. While some sections are fit for the casual rider, there are segments complete with hairpin turns and jumps that only experienced riders should tackle.&nbsp;

So whether it’s an afternoon stroll, a community cleanup, or a white-knuckle ride on gravity-defying singletrack, there’s something for everyone to do outdoors in our community now that spring is in full swing. Daffodils are optional.&nbsp;

The Out &amp; About column appears every month in The Burlington Beacon courtesy of Des Moines County Conservation.&nbsp;

By Chris Lee&nbsp;At long last, it’s that time of the year again when Mother Nature puts on her floral dress and starts playing peekaboo with the sunshine.&nbsp;It’s springtime. The daffodils are in full bloom, the pollen counts are rising, and the birds are twittering more than Elon Musk.&nbsp;If you got that last one, it’s a clear indication it’s time to put the phone down and go outdoors.&nbsp;And don’t tell me there’s nothing to do. I can tolerate some “I’m bored” during the doldrums of winter when it’s dark outside during both daily commutes, but not anymore. Anybody who says that now should be throttled with a large bundle of daffodils.In the interest of flower protection, here’s some of what you can do in the coming weeks to get outside.First and foremost, it’s spring cleaning time, both for your garage and our community. I hope to see everyone out and about on Saturday, April 22 for the city-wide Earth Day Cleanup event. Join in the festivities down at the Port of Burlington starting at 8 a.m.&nbsp;Get your supplies and head out to shine up your neighborhood or road corridor of choice. Re-join the community at noon for lunch and trading of found treasure stories.In the meantime, lace up the walking shoes or hiking boots and put on some miles. Whether it’s a short walk around your neighborhood or a forest-bathing hike on your favorite local trail, a good stroll is just what the doctor ordered to soak up some sun, get the resulting hit of Vitamin D, and maybe even start shedding some of the winter weight we tend to pack on from holiday feasts and cold-night comfort food.&nbsp;Des Moines County Conservation’s next “Hike A Park” program is April 27 at 3 p.m. at Hunt Woods just south of Burlington. This 50-plus acre park is a forest management demonstration area, so you’ll get to see various stages of forest management as you hike.&nbsp;It’s also fishing time, and it will soon be paddling and boating time, so while you’re doing that spring cleaning, be sure to clean and inspect your life jackets.&nbsp;Do they still fit? Kids grow fast, so last year’s jackets might no longer be the right size. Are there any rips or tears in the fabric or frays in the straps? If so, it’s time to replace them[. Life jackets can be cleaned with hot, soapy water. Don’t use bleach or harsh cleaning solvents. Allow them to dry fully before stowing them again to prevent mold.Did someone say fishing? A fifteen-minute-or-less car ride gets you and the family to Big Hollow Recreation Area near Sperry.&nbsp;In addition to the big lake, there are several smaller ponds throughout the county’s largest park. In town, kids can also fish Lake Starker in Crapo Park in Burlington. And the fish in Lake Geode should be reaching catchable size now. But take note that the beach and road to it at Lake Geode are closed for construction this year.&nbsp;Speaking of kids, the signup for summer camps at Starr’s Cave Nature Center will open at noon on April 25.&nbsp;Registration is done online and the link will be posted on the nature center’s Facebook page when it goes live. There are camps available for youth ages 3 through 13 with various camp dates from June to August.&nbsp;And speaking of boating, now is also a good time to get the boat, canoe, or kayak out of storage, cleaned up, and prepped for the season. Is your registration up to date? Are the seats still tight? Are the paddles in good shape? Does the motor need a tune-up? With the warm temps, now might be a good time for a test run. That way, if something does need fixing, you’ll hopefully have time to get it into the shop before the full summer boating season.I’d be remiss if I didn’t implore the bike owners to take to the trails as well. Our county has several great bike routes including a couple sections of the Flint River Trail — one along the river in Burlington and one from Flint Bottom Road up to Big Hollow.&nbsp;For the more adventurous cyclists, there’s a rather extensive singletrack trail called North Gorge just across the road from Flint Hills Golf Course. This volunteer-built and managed trail zigzags up and down the steep bluffs overlooking the Flint Creek floodplain at the Leopold Recreation Area. While some sections are fit for the casual rider, there are segments complete with hairpin turns and jumps that only experienced riders should tackle.&nbsp;So whether it’s an afternoon stroll, a community cleanup, or a white-knuckle ride on gravity-defying singletrack, there’s something for everyone to do outdoors in our community now that spring is in full swing. Daffodils are optional.&nbsp;I hope to see you out there.The Out &amp; About column appears every month in The Burlington Beacon courtesy of Des Moines County Conservation.&nbsp;

Out & About: Springtime means it’s time to get back outside

Above:&nbsp;Maddox Matteson, 8, holds onto Jett before the start of the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society on Sunday, April 24, at the Community Field parking lot in Burlington. Dogs and their owners searched for plastic eggs filled with dog treats as well as numbers that won special prizes.

Above:&nbsp;Emily Moeller, gets a kiss from her dog Cyan before the start of the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society.

Above:&nbsp;Mac a Shih Tzu belonging to Terry and Minde Grant looks for eggs during the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society.

Above:&nbsp;Nick Dolan gives his dog Keta a treat found in an egg at the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser.

Photos by John Lovretta<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682293533777.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Maddox Matteson, 8, holds onto Jett before the start of the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society on Sunday, April 24, at the Community Field parking lot in Burlington. Dogs and their owners searched for plastic eggs filled with dog treats as well as numbers that won special prizes.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682293560833.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Emily Moeller, gets a kiss from her dog Cyan before the start of the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682293634458.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Mac a Shih Tzu belonging to Terry and Minde Grant looks for eggs during the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser sponsored by the Des Moines County Humane Society.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682293844509.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above:&nbsp;Nick Dolan gives his dog Keta a treat found in an egg at the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt and Fundraiser.

PHOTOS: Doggie Easter Egg Hunt Was a Treat for Pets, Owners

Above: Matt Bormann, CEO of Western Smokehouse Partners, speaks on Thursday, April 20, at a ground-breaking ceremony for the company's Burlington plant at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running, it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp;

Western Smokehouse Partners, also known as Western Smokehouse and Meat Market headquartered in Greentop, Mo., has leased the building that was vacated by Integra in February 2022.

&nbsp;Western Smokehouse Partners makes a variety of flavors of meat sticks.

Photos by John Lovretta<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682041978984.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Above: Matt Bormann, CEO of Western Smokehouse Partners, speaks on Thursday, April 20, at a ground-breaking ceremony for the company's Burlington plant at 3800 West Avenue. When the facility is up and running, it is expected to process 13.2 million pounds of meat a year.&nbsp;Western Smokehouse Partners, also known as Western Smokehouse and Meat Market headquartered in Greentop, Mo., has leased the building that was vacated by Integra in February 2022.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682042289534.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Western Smokehouse Partners makes a variety of flavors of meat sticks.

Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Meat Stick Plant

Former Miss Burlington and current Miss Iowa contestant Olivia Keller wore her sash and crown to the airport Tuesday — her usual uniform for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

But she later admitted to an unspoken motive. The buy one, get one free sale that clogged the ticket counter at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport.

“I’m excited. I’ve never gotten to fly out of Burlington before,” she said. “When I heard this was happening, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got to go and buy tickets.’ I love going to Chicago. My uncle lives there. I’m going to buy a couple of sets and jet off.”

The ribbon cutting for Southern Airways Express, held in conjunction with The Greater Burlington Partnership, packed the airport terminal with an eager local flying populace.

Southern Airways Express co-owner Mark Cestari could barely contain his excitement Tuesday morning as he stood in front of the red ribbon.

“Southern has only been here for 11 days. We now fly to over 50 cities coast-to-coast and in the Hawaiian Islands,” he said. “Our cities are usually smaller places, and in most of our cities, we’re the only airline in town. And when you’re the only airline in town, you have to do a good job. You have to be reliable.”

Southern Airways became the official airline for Southeast Iowa Regional Airport on April 1. Southern replaced Cape Air, which flew its final flights out of the airport on March 31.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a long relationship with them,” said Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority Board president Charlie Walsh. “We were with Air Choice One for 10 years, and the other one (Cape Air), 14 months.”

Walsh expressed his optimism about the future of Southern Airways Express.

“We’re one of seven airports in the state,” Walsh said. “So all the 24 flights that we’ll be having, those are two international airports that you can travel to anywhere in the continental United States and worldwide. I mean, Burlington is fortunate to have what we have, and we do welcome Southern.”

Southern Airways Express acquired Air Choice One in March of 2022, making it one of the largest commuter airlines in America. Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Director Sarah Sandburg thinks the airline will be a boon for the community, and has confidence in its longevity.

Sandburg was particularly pleased with the ticket promotion, which was helping rebuild the trust of the flying public.

“I had a call with a gentleman this morning who wanted to know if there was a limit to how many tickets you can buy. He wanted to buy eight,” Sandburg said.

Sandburg said the first 11 days of flights from Southern Airways Express went well, with the exception of storms and tornadoes that disrupted the entire state.&nbsp;

She said Southern Airways has pilots lined up for at least the next couple of years, which should protect against pilot shortages that impacted the previous carrier, Cape Air.

Those pilot shortages resulted in a multitude of canceled flights over the past year. Sandburg said Cape Air was averaging about six passengers per flight, but only made 64 percent of their flights.

“These planes are probably more sustainable, more reliable than what Cape Air’s were. And more room,” she said, noting that the planes will be carrying about eight passengers.

Cape Air’s 14-month tenure in Burlington was much shorter than expected. In May of 2022, Cape Air told the U.S. Department of Transportation that it planned on ending the four year-contract early due to a lack of viable pilots. Cape Air couldn’t pull out of Burlington, however, until the airport authority found another airline.

The DOT rejected a proposal from Boutique Air to become the new airline in October and received new proposals from Cape Air and Southern Airways Express.&nbsp;

The Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority voted to go with Southern Airways Express.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will compensate Southern Airways as an Essential Air Service with a subsidy rate of $3.4 million for the first year and $3.5 million for the second year.&nbsp;

Essential Air Service is a government program that guarantees small communities in the United States receive air service.

The essential air service will provide 14 round trips from Southeast Iowa Regional Airport to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and 10 round trips to St. Louis-Lambert International Airport with roughly 8 to 9 Cessna aircraft. That’s 24 round-trip flights per week, with two flights leaving each day for Chicago, seven days a week. Flights to St. Louis will be daily, including two flights on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Tickets went on sale on Feb. 14, ranging from $39 to $89. Cestari said partnerships with United and American Airlines, Alaska, and Hawaii would take passengers anywhere they want to go.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1682043350345.jpeg" alt="Mark Cestari, the chief commercial officer with Southern Airways Express, talks with John Schulz on Tuesday, April 11, during a ticket sale and launch event hosted by Southern Airways Express at the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Mark Cestari, the chief commercial officer with Southern Airways Express, talks with John Schulz on Tuesday, April 11, during a ticket sale and launch event hosted by Southern Airways Express at the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithFormer Miss Burlington and current Miss Iowa contestant Olivia Keller wore her sash and crown to the airport Tuesday — her usual uniform for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.But she later admitted to an unspoken motive. The buy one, get one free sale that clogged the ticket counter at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport.“I’m excited. I’ve never gotten to fly out of Burlington before,” she said. “When I heard this was happening, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got to go and buy tickets.’ I love going to Chicago. My uncle lives there. I’m going to buy a couple of sets and jet off.”The ribbon cutting for Southern Airways Express, held in conjunction with The Greater Burlington Partnership, packed the airport terminal with an eager local flying populace.Southern Airways Express co-owner Mark Cestari could barely contain his excitement Tuesday morning as he stood in front of the red ribbon.“Southern has only been here for 11 days. We now fly to over 50 cities coast-to-coast and in the Hawaiian Islands,” he said. “Our cities are usually smaller places, and in most of our cities, we’re the only airline in town. And when you’re the only airline in town, you have to do a good job. You have to be reliable.”Southern Airways became the official airline for Southeast Iowa Regional Airport on April 1. Southern replaced Cape Air, which flew its final flights out of the airport on March 31.“Hopefully, we’ll have a long relationship with them,” said Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority Board president Charlie Walsh. “We were with Air Choice One for 10 years, and the other one (Cape Air), 14 months.”Walsh expressed his optimism about the future of Southern Airways Express.“We’re one of seven airports in the state,” Walsh said. “So all the 24 flights that we’ll be having, those are two international airports that you can travel to anywhere in the continental United States and worldwide. I mean, Burlington is fortunate to have what we have, and we do welcome Southern.”Southern Airways Express acquired Air Choice One in March of 2022, making it one of the largest commuter airlines in America. Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Director Sarah Sandburg thinks the airline will be a boon for the community, and has confidence in its longevity.Sandburg was particularly pleased with the ticket promotion, which was helping rebuild the trust of the flying public.“I had a call with a gentleman this morning who wanted to know if there was a limit to how many tickets you can buy. He wanted to buy eight,” Sandburg said.Sandburg said the first 11 days of flights from Southern Airways Express went well, with the exception of storms and tornadoes that disrupted the entire state.&nbsp;She said Southern Airways has pilots lined up for at least the next couple of years, which should protect against pilot shortages that impacted the previous carrier, Cape Air.Those pilot shortages resulted in a multitude of canceled flights over the past year. Sandburg said Cape Air was averaging about six passengers per flight, but only made 64 percent of their flights.“These planes are probably more sustainable, more reliable than what Cape Air’s were. And more room,” she said, noting that the planes will be carrying about eight passengers.Cape Air’s 14-month tenure in Burlington was much shorter than expected. In May of 2022, Cape Air told the U.S. Department of Transportation that it planned on ending the four year-contract early due to a lack of viable pilots. Cape Air couldn’t pull out of Burlington, however, until the airport authority found another airline.The DOT rejected a proposal from Boutique Air to become the new airline in October and received new proposals from Cape Air and Southern Airways Express.&nbsp;The Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority voted to go with Southern Airways Express.The U.S. Department of Transportation will compensate Southern Airways as an Essential Air Service with a subsidy rate of $3.4 million for the first year and $3.5 million for the second year.&nbsp;Essential Air Service is a government program that guarantees small communities in the United States receive air service.The essential air service will provide 14 round trips from Southeast Iowa Regional Airport to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and 10 round trips to St. Louis-Lambert International Airport with roughly 8 to 9 Cessna aircraft. That’s 24 round-trip flights per week, with two flights leaving each day for Chicago, seven days a week. Flights to St. Louis will be daily, including two flights on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.Tickets went on sale on Feb. 14, ranging from $39 to $89. Cestari said partnerships with United and American Airlines, Alaska, and Hawaii would take passengers anywhere they want to go.

Airline exceeds sky-high expectations

Eric Renteria can’t help but grin every time he looks out the front display windows of his new shop location in the former Sears building in Burlington.

Outside those windows, he sees parking. Lots of parking. Ease of access for his customers he’s been longing for. The kind of parking that just wasn’t available to Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark on Jefferson Street.&nbsp;

As much as he hates to leave downtown, Renteria said, the move was the only way to sustain and grow the business. He said he has cultivated only good memories of his time downtown and championed the idea of calling it the Snake Alley District.

“Parking standards generally call for three-to-seven parking spaces per 1,000 square feet. So we should have had somewhere between 20 and 32 parking spaces for the square footage of retail space that we had downtown,” Renteria said.

Hallmark had four parking spots before the TIGER Grant-funded reconstruction of Jefferson Street and was reduced to three spots after construction.

“We can’t get enough people through the doors to support the business that we want to have with that amount of parking,” he said.

Renteria said he has sold the downtown location to someone who he believes will do great things with the building.

“They’re going to be able to do far more than we could with it,” he said.

Eric has lived all over the country at one point or another but was born and raised in Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School, and the freshly carpeted floor at his new location reflects that purple school pride.&nbsp;

Coming back to Burlington wasn’t a hard decision. This is home.

“I lived in Wisconsin, Washington, DC, San Antonio, and Miami. I was gone for 20-plus years. I came back, and I’ve been here since 2005,” he said.

The original gift store upon which Myrtle Vera’s is built, Country Friends opened its doors in 1989. Eric and his wife Donna took over in 2015, making the gift store into Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark and Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio. The shop moved from its original location in the 400 block of Jefferson Street to the 600 block of Jefferson Street five years ago.

The Renterias have doubled the greeting card selection, and continue to sell ornaments, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Simply Southern Apparel and Gifts, and hand-crafted cement sculptures by Davenport resident Isabel Bloom. Collectibles by Jim Shore are another vital part of the product line.

“We’re going to be adding a lot more Vera Bradley that will expand our perfumes,” he said. “We’ll have a much bigger, Simply Southern section, and I’m going to build a dressing room in the corner.”

Renteria is also launching a new T-shirt line based around the slogan, “Iowa Nice.”

“We just did our first design. So we’re starting to try to come up with our next lines and designs for that,” Renteria said.

Aside from the 3,500 square foot of recently installed purple carpet, the Renteria’s have spent the past month painting, changing out ceiling tiles and windows, and doing general cleanup.&nbsp;

The downtown location will be open through April 17, and the new location in City Center is set to open May 1.

That will give the Renterias and their employees enough time to move the inventory and other items, such as display racks. They’ve also hired two additional staff.

“The building was in pretty good shape,” Eric Renteria said, noting that it’s about twice the size of the downtown store.

The higher traffic count along Roosevelt Avenue neighboring businesses such as Billy Sims BBQ and Wing Stop will only elevate the Hallmark store, Renteria said.

“We love our customers, they’re so great to us. We’ve gotten to know so many of them. And we’ve built relationships with so many of them. They’re excited for us. They’re as excited as we are. They know we’re going to have a better selection and better stuff. And it’s just a fun shopping experience,” Renteria said.

A 50-percent off moving sale on select items will begin Saturday.

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 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2023/4/1681863768692.jpeg" alt="Eric Renteria stands amid the new Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark space on Monday, April 10, in the City Center development in Burlington. The space, which is located next to Universal Therapy, is larger than its downtown location. Renteria hopes to have the store open by May 1. Photo/John Lovretta" />
 <figcaption>Eric Renteria stands amid the new Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark space on Monday, April 10, in the City Center development in Burlington. The space, which is located next to Universal Therapy, is larger than its downtown location. Renteria hopes to have the store open by May 1. Photo/John Lovretta</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithEric Renteria can’t help but grin every time he looks out the front display windows of his new shop location in the former Sears building in Burlington.Outside those windows, he sees parking. Lots of parking. Ease of access for his customers he’s been longing for. The kind of parking that just wasn’t available to Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark on Jefferson Street.&nbsp;As much as he hates to leave downtown, Renteria said, the move was the only way to sustain and grow the business. He said he has cultivated only good memories of his time downtown and championed the idea of calling it the Snake Alley District.“Parking standards generally call for three-to-seven parking spaces per 1,000 square feet. So we should have had somewhere between 20 and 32 parking spaces for the square footage of retail space that we had downtown,” Renteria said.Hallmark had four parking spots before the TIGER Grant-funded reconstruction of Jefferson Street and was reduced to three spots after construction.“We can’t get enough people through the doors to support the business that we want to have with that amount of parking,” he said.Renteria said he has sold the downtown location to someone who he believes will do great things with the building.“They’re going to be able to do far more than we could with it,” he said.Eric has lived all over the country at one point or another but was born and raised in Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School, and the freshly carpeted floor at his new location reflects that purple school pride.&nbsp;Coming back to Burlington wasn’t a hard decision. This is home.“I lived in Wisconsin, Washington, DC, San Antonio, and Miami. I was gone for 20-plus years. I came back, and I’ve been here since 2005,” he said.The original gift store upon which Myrtle Vera’s is built, Country Friends opened its doors in 1989. Eric and his wife Donna took over in 2015, making the gift store into Myrtle Vera’s Hallmark and Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio. The shop moved from its original location in the 400 block of Jefferson Street to the 600 block of Jefferson Street five years ago.The Renterias have doubled the greeting card selection, and continue to sell ornaments, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Simply Southern Apparel and Gifts, and hand-crafted cement sculptures by Davenport resident Isabel Bloom. Collectibles by Jim Shore are another vital part of the product line.“We’re going to be adding a lot more Vera Bradley that will expand our perfumes,” he said. “We’ll have a much bigger, Simply Southern section, and I’m going to build a dressing room in the corner.”Renteria is also launching a new T-shirt line based around the slogan, “Iowa Nice.”“We just did our first design. So we’re starting to try to come up with our next lines and designs for that,” Renteria said.Aside from the 3,500 square foot of recently installed purple carpet, the Renteria’s have spent the past month painting, changing out ceiling tiles and windows, and doing general cleanup.&nbsp;The downtown location will be open through April 17, and the new location in City Center is set to open May 1.That will give the Renterias and their employees enough time to move the inventory and other items, such as display racks. They’ve also hired two additional staff.“The building was in pretty good shape,” Eric Renteria said, noting that it’s about twice the size of the downtown store.The higher traffic count along Roosevelt Avenue neighboring businesses such as Billy Sims BBQ and Wing Stop will only elevate the Hallmark store, Renteria said.“We love our customers, they’re so great to us. We’ve gotten to know so many of them. And we’ve built relationships with so many of them. They’re excited for us. They’re as excited as we are. They know we’re going to have a better selection and better stuff. And it’s just a fun shopping experience,” Renteria said.A 50-percent off moving sale on select items will begin Saturday.

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