Drum corps kicks off annual Tug Fest

LeCLAIRE, Iowa — Some of the Sheltered Reality performers never played the drums until joining the group.

But people watching their performance Thursday evening during the opening night of LeClaire's Tug Fest weekend here might not know that fact. They glowed as they joined executive director Steven Schlosser in a dynamic and synchronized rhythmic performance.

The group played as volunteers put the finishing touches on LeClaire's Tug Pit where tuggers will take center stage at 1 p.m. in Saturday's tug-of-war with Port Byron, Ill.

"As busy as we are, I wouldn't trade working with them and watching them grow for anything," Schlosser said about the young performers. "Helping young people figure out what they can do, then watching them do it is a great feeling."

The group plays timbale drums lined up along the stage in a rainbow of gold, silver and copper. Their sound, teamed with upbeat songs, drew people to the stage area.

He said teens and preteens can learn to play the drums if they are willing to learn, Schlosser said. "It's incredibly easy," he said. "My No. 1 philosophy for success means you have to be willing to take a chance to do something maybe you've never done before."

The mission of Sheltered Reality is to promote advocacy on behalf of children and teens facing difficult situations and the group performs at community events, schools and church gatherings. They ask for a free-will offering and a small fee for making appearances. Sheltered Reality has six practice sites in Iowa including LeClaire and Burlington, and nine sites in other states ranging from Rochester, N.Y., and through the Midwest.

"The true purpose is to help the audience realize they can make a difference and we do this between songs," he said.

Eric Ensey, 17, of LeClaire joined the group more than a year ago after hearing them perform at his church. "It's a blast to play in Sheltered Reality and it's so much fun. There's not much you can do these days that gets kids off the couch," he said. "This group is mainly to benefit the homeless."

The LeClaire group practices at Our Savior Presbyterian Church in rural LeClaire, and the Rev. Patricia Halverson has discovered a new talent for rapping out the rhythm. She appreciates watching the youths grow up and become wonderful kids. "Some of the kids come from tough backgrounds yet they get into the group, they bond and shine," she said.

Kaylyn Chapman, 16, and her sisters, Kelsey Chapman, 13, and Lynsey Chapman, 12, of LeClaire, never played drums until they joined the group almost two years ago. Their brother, Nathan Chapman, 15, is also part of the group.

"I thought it was really cool and really amazing so I wanted to join," Kaylyn said.

"We want audiences to know how homeless people feel," Lynsey said.

"It's sad. It makes me cry," Kelsey said about meeting people facing the challenges of living without a permanent home.

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