A Report in From Tuscany

     A couple more mentions of ISU baton twirler Joyce Rice.
     Davi Mondt Lowman has just returned from another of her trips to Tuscany/Chianti and wrote, "it amazes me that I can be thousands of miles from home and be in touch with friends and family within seconds (via social media of course.) I was able to read the Korner and stay connected with Boone while I was gone."
     Regarding Rice she added, "I got to see her up close and personal because my younger sister, Dede, took baton lessons from her in the 60's. Dede was the Toreador solo baton twirler until graduation in 1969. She learned from the best and could also throw that baton so far up in the air that it got caught in our huge tree at times. She did everything Joyce did including the fire baton, sometimes two fire batons at the same time."
     Davi wrote, "Got word from Barb Mathis Gohman that her brother, Steve Mathis, was flying into Boone. She knew I would be interested in his open cockpit bi-wing waco. This vintage plane was a WWII trainer and my dad may have trained in one like it. I didn't get to see Steve or the plane since we were on the Boone and Scenic Valley dinner train when he arrived. Let your readers know the train was a fantastic experience. The train is so beautiful and the dinner was great."
     She also told about last Sunday's gathering of around 80 "mondtsters" at "our family reunion." She said her favorite uncle, William and his bride, auntie Babs, plus their two daughters would be in attendance and that she was sure Willie wouldn't behave himself.
     The old Kornerman would add to that the fact that Willie and his bride also showed up at our monthly BHS class of '53 meeting Tuesday night and he was the same old Willie we've always known and yes, he did behave himself pretty well..........considering there was lots of talk about instances that occurred in our "old days."
K-----K
     Liz Hinz Reiss backed the Kornerman up on a couple of comments we made in the last edition. She wrote, "Good one, Mo! I'm pretty sure you're right, that Joyce Rice was from Greenfield. She performed with a big smile and had such a look of confidence. The flaming baton was amazing! And yep, the "dirty thirty" quarterback was Dwight Nicols."
K-----K
     Last week it was great to see another of my "old ballplayers" from the days I was coaching Babe Ruth baseball. Kevin Barnes was in town. Dad Kenny had some surgery so Kev came up for a few days. We had some good discussion two or three mornings at McDonald's. A former sports broadcaster, Kevin now spends his work time helping people guide their finances as a financial advisor.
K-----K
     Received word this week that classmate Margaret Peg Oxenford Kooser is "preparing to try my third retirement and a move." She's been at her latest job for eight years but her kids have ganged up on her to "hang it up." She has a niece in Grand Junction, CO starting a new venture so Peg will be going there and "helping." This will put her closer to a daughter who lives in Las Vegas. By the way, her niece is her brother John's (BHS-43) daughter. She concluded, "hope all is well with you as well as others in the class of '53."
K-----K
     Last summer the Kornerman was invited to a couple class reunions as well as my own class gathering. However, on August 17, I had that accident that slowed things down for awhile and I was never able to attend any reunions except for about an hour at the class of '53 get-together.
     This year, I'm excited to have an opportunity, at their invitation, to visit with the class of 1964. Things will begin with a golf outing on Friday, June 20. There, I'll have an opportunity to catch up with Pat Ahlstrom, Mike Culver, John Hendricks, Dick Musser, Steve Roeder, Roger Dutton, John Hinz and various others. It will be great.
K-----K
     Thanks to John Kueck who sent me a very lengthy but interesting copy of a commencement address given at the University of Texas by an ex-Navy Seal Admiral who tells about the depth of their training. John wrote, "it tells things about Seal training that I didn't know. Wow!!"
    John had special interest because his families winter condo in Coronada is next to the Navy Seal training facility. He wrote, "we actually see some of the Seal candidates doing some of their training.
    The Kornerman intends to take a good look at the piece.
K-----K
     Boone Area Deaths: Rev. Paul Williamson, 84, Granger. Ministered at the Boone United Methodist Church in the early 90's..............Sisters Mary Karpin and Katherine Hargens, Boone. Karpin, 63, worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Des Moines. Boone survivors are her son, Kenneth and nephew Craig Brown. Hargens, 60, worked at Woodward State Hospital and as a driver for Cimmaron Coach. Boone survivors are nephews Ken Karpin and Craig Brown. Karpin passed away February 16 and Hargens on April 13, both 2014.............Elizabeth Shingle, 88, Moingona and formerly of Pennsylvania..............Gary Kane, 50, West Des Moines and formerly of Boone.........Marvin Grems, 78, Boone.............Robert Johnson, 87, Beaver. Farmed south of Beaver............Deloris Richmond, 90, Clive and formerly of Boone. Madrid-43. Worked as a cosmetoligist for over 60 years in Boone and Grand Junction. Boone survivor is a step-son, Gary Richmond.
K-----K
     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.