Home Care In Garrison, IA

The Garrison, 131 W. 2^nd St., Davenport, in the historic Redstone Building, is the newest high-end, sophisticated bar and restaurant in the Quad Cities.

The Quad Cities Chamber held a ribbon-cutting for the new business (formerly occupied by tacobar) in the 1892 home of Common Chord and Zeke’s Island Café at 2nd and Main streets.

Opening formally on Saturday, Oct. 14, The Garrison hours are Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.), with the posh, private Speakeasy (in the back of the building) open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, said they were standing at the city’s “ground zero,” the birthplace “of the modern renaissance of downtown Davenport.”

In 2000, “this community had the guts to pass its largest referendum in the city’s history, River Renaissance, it literally created and renovated the building we’re standing in,” he said of the former River Music Experience, which opened in 2004.

“We built the Figge Art Museum, we built the Skybridge, we built two parking ramps and the New Ventures Center,” Carter said. “All of that began here in the building we’re standing in.”

“It’s very full circle to me to stand here in 2023, in a beautifully renovated space, and it is spectacular to see this level of commitment from all of you,” he said. “We have had so much success in development that we’re rebuilding things that we rebuilt. That is exactly what we should be doing; that’s the sign of a healthy community. I’m deeply proud to be part of this event.”

“I’m thankful for the city for being such good partners,” Carter said. “It takes a village.”

“If 2^nd and Main Street ain’t healthy, then Davenport ain’t healthy,” he added. “This real estate where we’re standing must succeed and I can’t imagine it won’t when it looks like this.”

Jonathan Newman, The Garrison executive chef, is a 2002 Davenport North alum, who worked in other cities 14 years, including in Europe, and restaurants up and the East Coast. He worked at Alinea in Chicago, and last opened Tattersall in Minneapolis, an 89,000-square-foot restaurant and distillery.

“I got to come home, my whole family is here,” Newman said. “Downtown Davenport is gorgeous, and coming home, Brandon gave me a great opportunity. Working together, it’s been great. We were both on the same page.”

“We are a 1920s, aged steakhouse, but we’re also a fusion restaurant,” he said. “We’ve got sweet beet mashed potatoes with pork chop, fried kale – we’re a lot of fusion-based food. It’s lot of sweetness of Asia, mixed with European food and American stuff. The bar is amazing.”

The restaurant website says: “With an unwavering commitment to excellence, his team consistently pushes the boundaries of the culinary world and elevates the Quad Cities’ foodie landscape to new heights.

“Everything is top-notch,” Newman said.

The Garrison co-owner Brandon Albertson also co-owns Brandon’s Pub & Grille at 3008 7^th Ave., Rock Island.

The name of the new restaurant honors the Army garrison at Rock Island Arsenal, protecting patrons’ right to eat and drink during Prohibition (the place’s theme) and Albertson’s father served in the Army 23 years.

Most of Brandon’s experience is in marketing and advertising, and he wanted to get into restaurants. He opened the Rock Island pub business in 2019.

“It’s been a nice run. I’m a quick study,” Albertson said. “I like the chaos of it; that sounds pretty sick. But it’s nice chaos, which is the best way to put it. I like the challenge of it. It’s like when we get to launch something of this magnitude.

“I like to wake up every day, knowing I’m gonna have something big in front of me to try and tackle,” he said. The renovations took nine months (done by Estes Construction, also based in the building), after the space was purchased a year ago.

“Here’s what we are good at it – we’re good at operating and logistics,” Albertson said of he and his partner. Why can’t we execute at the highest level, so that’s where we’re at. Let’s challenge ourselves.”

The Garrison has about 90 employees, including six bakers, who make bread fresh every morning, he said. “This place smells like a fresh bakery when you walk in. Everything is made from scratch — to include the bread your burgers come on, to your handhelds, to all your Parker rolls that get served to you for your dinner, they’re all made homemade.

“All of your desserts are homemade; all your sauces are homemade,” Albertson said. “That was all by design. My partners and I, we’re all foodies. We love food. If we wouldn’t serve it to our families, we wouldn’t serve it to yours. That’s our mantra.”

He wants the place to be the destination for people before and after shows like at the Redstone Room in the building, or nearby restored Capitol Theatre. The Speakeasy (which requires a password for entrance, and will be posted on The Garrison social media) has a book-lined wall that leads to restrooms in the common area of Common Chord (the speakeasy entrance itself is off the cleaned alley from the parking garage next to the Skybridge).

“This as you come in the door and see the atmosphere is special,” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said Friday of The Garrison. “It’s just another great thing that Davenport and the Quad Cities is doing, to expand and quite frankly, explode the excitement that’s going on.”

In the last two years alone, Davenport has seen over 400 new business licenses, including over 75 in the downtown, Matson said. “It’s exciting. It’s the momentum and positive things that are happening…I love the word ‘garrison’; I am a military person. It’s inviting, bringing folks around here, to enjoy a drink, enjoy a meal in an environment that’s so inviting.”

“We’re excited to have more activity in the Redstone Building with the new restaurant and bar, joining Zeke’s Island Cafe, Common Chord programs, and the other building tenants,” said Tyson Danner, executive director of Common Chord.

“The Garrison’s investment in creating another high-quality amenity in the core of downtown will continue to advance the progress that has been made in the heart of downtown Davenport at the Redstone Building,” he said. “The renovations in The Garrison are looking top-notch, and we’re looking forward to their opening day.”

For the menu and more information, visit The Garrison website HERE.

Garrison Carter announced his plans to take on a new role at Creston High School in a social media post that has since been deleted.

ADEL, Iowa — Former Adel De Soto Minburn head football coach Garrison Carter is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the school's booster club in July 2022.

The Tiger Gridiron Club is a nonprofit that invests in ADM's high school football program.

Local 5 spoke to the Tiger Gridiron Club President David Felt, who said Carter was provided a credit/debit card to use on behalf of the club.

Felt said the booster club noticed financial irregularities on the card. The club confronted Carter, who then resigned.

Felt told Local 5 all of the Gridiron Club's money is accounted for, and there are no missing funds at this time. The Gridiron Club is not an official ADM organization.

Carter resigned from ADM and the Gridiron Club on Friday, May 12, and even specifically thanked the Gridiron Club in a now-deleted farewell post.

"I love you all and thank you cannot even begin to express how grateful I am for every single player who has put on the uniform over the past five years," the statement reads in part. "Your belief in our vision and drive to execute it has turned ADM Football into one of the premier programs in the state of lowa."

Carter plans to use the coming months to focus on his family and on his mental health.

Local 5 reached out to ADM Community School District, with Superintendent Greg Dufoe releasing this statement:

"We can confirm that Mr. Carter resigned his employment with the school district, but by law the district cannot comment on confidential personnel matters. For clarity, the district is considered separate from the Gridiron Club."

Carter announced his plans to take on a new role at Creston High School in another social media post that has since been deleted.

Local 5 contacted Creston Community Schools about the allegations against Carter.

Superintendent Deron Stender said in a statement to Local 5:

"Creston Community Schools follows all legal procedures and policies to hire the most qualified candidates and followed this process to hire Mr. Carter as a special education teacher and member of the Panther team."

When asked about the status of Carter's employment, Stender shared an additional statement:

"We are aware of the allegations and in accordance with district policy, we will address the status of his employment with the district if there is any recourse impacting his ability to hold an Iowa teaching license."

Local 5 has reached out to Carter for comment but have not heard back at this time.

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – A Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician is the new U.S. Army Garrison’s senior enlisted leader.

Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin O. Brinkmeyer replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Tamisha A. Love during a change of responsibility ceremony July 27 at the Gregg-Adams Club.

Col. James D. Hoyman, garrison commander, officiated the ceremony that took place in the club’s cavernous main ballroom. More than 100 people were seated for the event to include Maj. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, CASCOM and Fort Gregg-Adams commanding general; Command Sgt. Maj. Marco A. Torres, CASCOM CSM; and G. Scott McConnell, deputy to the CASCOM commanding general.

Also present was Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin King, command sergeant major, Installation Management Command Directorate-Training, USAG’s higher headquarters.

Brinkmeyer arrived here from Fort Liberty, N.C. (formerly Fort Bragg), where he served as battalion CSM for the 192nd Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). He is the first EOD-trained Soldier to occupy a position that has been previously filled by mostly quartermaster non-commissioned officers.

During his remarks, Brinkmeyer thanked the audience for attending, including his parents, John and Maride Brinkmeyer, who drove to the central Virginia installation from Iowa.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support and love,” said the Hubbard, Iowa native. “You mean the world to me.”

Brinkmeyer, a husband and father of six, including two Soldiers, who were unable to attend the ceremony, added that his arrival here was marked with kind gestures and goodwill.

“The commitment of this place and the welcome that was given to me and my family…. I’m grateful for all your patience and support and I look forward to being a part of this team.”

Brinkmeyer went on to say he is eager to establish relations with CASCOM, the other installation tenants and the ID-T team in the work of supporting the “best sustainers the Army has to offer.”

He remarked that Love, the outgoing CSM, possessed a presence that would be hard to match.

“CSM Love was never accused of being tall nor was she ever accused of wearing big shoes,” he said, “but she fills large shoes and casts a very giant shadow.”

Hoyman made note of her influence during his introductory remarks, discussing Love’s profound presence. Vivacious and relatable, she seemed to be everywhere all at once – on social media, at official events and community gatherings -- fixing problems, offering solutions and otherwise spreading messages of support.

“She is an amazing person, leader and friend for quite a number of us here,” he remarked. “I think the word that stands out is ‘inspirational.’”

Love took on her responsibilities in April 2021. She became part of a garrison leadership team supporting -- among other challenges – the installation’s response to COVID-19 and the corresponding restrictions facing Soldiers and civilians; Operation Allies Welcome that welcomed and sustained more than 3,000 Afghans for months here; and redesignation, a process overseeing the name change from Fort Lee to Fort Gregg-Adams.

“Her impact cannot be overstated,” said Hoyman, who has partnered with Love since his arrival in August 2022. “It really, really is impressive.”

Love, a native of Alabama, approached the lectern flashing her trademark smile, then quipped about Hoyman’s previous remarks, drawing laughter from the crowd. Turning serious, she thanked the audience for their presence and God “for his amazing grace and mercy.

“He has given me strength to handle everything that comes my way,” she said. “My mom always says, ‘Trust God – He leads you in the best way.’ There’s no doubt that God has led me to this phenomenal team – Team Gregg-Adams.”

Love went on to say the periods leading to the change of responsibility were emotional.

“This has been the hardest week in my military career,” she said. “I’ve been touched by all the well-wishes I received …. but today is my turn to say thanks.”

Love spent a considerable amount of time thanking all who supported her and the garrison during her tenure, many by name.

Additionally, she recounted how the garrison team made an impression on her first day on the job. That day, two housing units caught fire, and a military bus with passengers was involved in an accident.

“I quickly learned I was surrounded by a team of professionals that were subject matter experts and (who) are passionate about serving Soldiers and their families,” she said. “I also learned I cannot apply the typical leadership style for this organization.”

As the garrison CSM, Love was part of an organization with hundreds more civilians than Soldiers. She was responsible for such operations as housing, law enforcement, morale, welfare, recreation and utilities – a far cry than what she was accustomed with the many deployable units she was assigned. Nevertheless, Love said she had grown to understand and appreciate the legions of those not wearing uniforms who are just as passionate about the mission.

With that sentiment, Love said mission accomplishment is rarely completed through individual efforts alone.

“My success in this position has been because of my individual worth or achievements,” she said. “My success has always been because of my family members, friends, teammates, and, of course, Fort Gregg-Adams, which is my family.”

In closing, Love was decidedly sentimental.

“I was once told that the best things are free – hugs, smiles, family, love, laughter, sleep and good memories,” she said. “Fort Gregg-Adams, you have provided all of this to me … (all) but sleep.”

Love next assignment will take her to Redstone Arsenal, Ala., where she will take on responsibilities as CSM, Installation Management Command, Sustainment Directorate.

The Kirksville Arts Association is offering an exhibit called “Seeing the World Through Art” by David Garrison of Burlington, Iowa. The show is running at the Sue Ross Arts Center at 215 S. Franklin Street in Kirksville. The show opened last Tuesday and will run through April 9.

According to Linda Treasure, president of the Kirksville Arts Association Board, Garrison has about 45 paintings on display at the exhibit, using oils, pastels and conte-crayon. Garrison’s work captures scenes from France, Arizona and the Midwest.

“He has some beautiful, beautiful work and we’re really excited to have him here,” Treasure said, noting that Garrison has won many awards in the U.S. and France and has had his work shown in a number of galleries in France, the United States, China and Russia. This is Garrison’s first show in Kirksville.

Last Thursday, a reception was held at the Arts Center with Garrison in attendance, where he was said to have been captivating and well-received by locals.

Garrison said that the exhibit is a collection of the many travels he has embarked on over a 50-year professional career, including scenes from Paris and Normandy, France, where he lived for three years; Chicago, a favorite city of his where he graduated from the American Academy of Art as well as taught art; the Southwestern desert as well as the Midwest, where he likes to capture the lifestyle of the Amish people. Some of his work is based on sketches he has made, others from photos he has taken, and still others, scenes he captured on location, such as the painting of the Louvre in Paris and the bridge that spans the water that runs alongside the famed museum.

“Each of these paintings I have on display is from different places I’ve lived,” Garrison said, noting that his paintings of the Louvre and the Chicago River were a mixture of oils while the exhibit’s framed paintings were pastels. “I have a big variety of subject matter with each medium and then I have a few of the conte-crayon… and that's sort of like a pastel but it is a limited a color range — so I added some acrylic paint to that — it would liven it up.”

Garrison arrived late to the reception due to an emergency that occurred with his grandson, who turned out to be ok. He said he was impressed with the layout of the paintings in the gallery.

“The show is looking good,” he said, praising the art center’s director. “They really did a tremendous job of hanging things in a beautiful way.”

He said he hoped to hold another reception in Kirksville before the current exhibit run ends in April, and invite special guests to have an opportunity to meet with him and view the gallery.

According to his website (david-garrison.com), Garrison is an internationally recognized pastelist and is the only American to ever be awarded the Lead Crystal award for "art excellence" in the exhibition of contemporary artists sponsored by the City of Bueil, France. He was also awarded the "Master of Light" and "Master Pastelist" titles by the Societe Pastellistes de France (Pastel Society of France).

His murals are currently displayed in hotels along the eastern seaboard as well as the Midwest. Some of Garrison's murals adorn public welcome centers around Iowa. His work can also be found in private collections and have been bought by classical entertainers and collectors of fine art on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Treasure, the Kirksville Arts Association board president, spoke positively about Garrison’s aptitude and creativity, encouraging locals to visit the exhibit, which is free to the public and open to children.

“It’s very impressive and he’s very talented and very, very dedicated to his art,” she said.

Garrison said that those that appreciate art most may want to visit the Kirksville exhibit due to his having a variety of ways he has expressed his imaginativeness on canvas.

“I have such a variety of medium and because of the interest I’ve had in different parts of our country, and the interest I’ve had living in France, I think they would enjoy scenes of this country and also French country through the eyes of an artist, me, and how I view a country in different forms, whether it be in Chicago or whether it would be in Paris, France, or our own Midwest with its Amish people…,” he said.

The Kirksville Arts Association was founded in1974 with a small arts and crafts festival at the Red Barn on the campus of Truman State University and has since then grown into a community arts organization, a not-for-profit institution bringing art to the community through exhibits, workshops and fundraisers.

“We try to improve the quality of life for people in Kirksville — give people something enjoyable to come and visit — to come and see,” Treasure said. “It’s good for your soul to see something beautiful. It puts you in a good place — you can look at it and reflect on it and getting to see something beautiful, especially in the days we’ve had recently, it’s a nice diversion and I think it makes us feel real, real good.”

To view Garrison’s work, gallery hours for the Sue Ross Arts Center are Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"They're just very giving little girls," Darla Keller says of her teenage daughters Mackenzie, Macey and Madeline Garrison

Triplets Mackenzie, Macey and Madeline Garrison have a lot to look forward to in the final weeks of 2020.

With the holidays, their 18th birthday and 2021 quickly approaching, mom Darla Keller tells PEOPLE that her three daughters — two of whom were formerly conjoined at the pelvis — are excited to celebrate, even if they have to stay at their Iowa home.

"We'll be home [for Christmas], but we started a tradition last year: The girls wanted to do name draws," says Keller, 50. "We didn't buy presents for everybody, we just did a name draw within our family, and so they requested we do that again this year."

"They're just very giving little girls, so they want to buy presents. And now they're working so they all have money and they think spending money is fun," Keller adds of her teenagers. "They're very generous."

It's just one of the ways the sisters stand out.

Macey and Mackenzie were born conjoined at the pelvis and were separated 10 months later by Dr. James Stein, chief medical officer at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, in a 24-hour surgery in 2003, PEOPLE previously reported.

9-Month-Old Twins Conjoined at the Head Are Successfully Separated: 'A Very, Very Rare Anomaly'

Shortly after, the girls were adopted by Keller, who welcomed them into her Iowa home, alongside her three biological sons.

Though their surgery was successful, Macey and Mackenzie each have one leg and rely on prosthetics to get around.

Over the years, they've led normal lives while experiencing additional medical hardships. Most recently both Macey and Mackenzie underwent spinal surgery to correct severe scoliosis, their mom says.

"It was a really huge surgery. They put rods... all the way down their thoracic spine, from their neck to the small of their back. There were 10 vertebrae they fused," Keller explains. "That recovery was difficult."

"[It was] a very stressful time," she adds of the surgeries, which occurred in January and June. "They're doing well now. They each got released to be back to normal and they're not in pain anymore like they were."

When they "turn the big 18" on Dec. 16, Keller says her family is hoping to do an escape room together to mark the occasion. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, their plans remain up in the air.

"It's kind of a fun team-building thing that we're going to try to do for their 18th birthday," Keller shares. "I'm not sure if it's going to happen, but we're hoping. We'll probably just have to mask up."

RELATED VIDEO: Formerly Conjoined Twins and Their Sister Enjoy Being 'Normal' Teenagers 17 Years After Surgery

As for when they ring in the new year, Mackenzie, Macey and Madeline have their eyes set on two things: graduating high school and attending college.

"That's going to be our focus in 2021: getting graduated and getting scholarships because they all want to go to college," says Keller. "As parents, we have three other boys, so we haven't been able to save a ton of money."

"They work hard in school," she adds. "With the girls being unique and adopted, and just all the challenges they've had... we're hoping for maybe some academic scholarships, so we're going to be searching those out."