Elevators

     If, in Boone, you haven't figured out how to operate an elevator, you're out of luck, at least until you study a copy of "How to Operate an Elevator for Dummies."
     The coffee group got into the subject of elevators recently and leaned toward those housed in two Boone buildings, the Boone National Building and the Citizens National Bank Building, now, the U.S. West Bank Building.
     Remember when they were operated by PEOPLE, folks just like you and I?
     I have no idea what those folks were called other than elevator operators or, maybe, assistants or associates.......which seems to be the more stylish current vogue. But the point is the elevators were hand operated by individuals who stood/sat in them during the busiest of times, asked passengers for a destination and delivered them to their destination. There was probably some conversation between floors. Usually obvious in the elevator were a chair,  books and maybe even a sandwich or sack lunch. Perhaps even a radio.There was no charge for the ride........it was just a provided service.
     Going a step further, who remembers the elevator service at the old Younkers Building in Des Moines? Now that was clearly first class. The operators wore white gloves and spoke out when arriving at each floor with an audio index of what was available on that floor.
     Anybody remember anything else about this service. How about the folks who operated the Boone elevators? Any other memories?
K-----K
     The Kornerman is absolutely astonished that no information was received this week regarding our comments on Skateland in the last edition. Surely, some of our viewers attended that popular Ames venue which opened in the Fall of 1949.
     Entertainment was much more limited then in comparison to today so the Skateland opening and a new 20th Century Bowling Alley next door drew attendees from all around the area. The Penkhus brothers brought the facilities to Ames after enjoying much similar success in Colorado.
     Skateland was a 100 by 150-foot building with a solid maple floor and, of course as mentioned last time, with Boone's Noni Mylenbusch playing the organ. There were strict rules. Blue jeans for skating were only allowed on Wednesday nights. For other sessions, girls were required to wear dresses or skirts. The boys had to wear slacks. There were no T-shirts allowed, the boys shirts had to have collars and belts were required. On occasion, some boys would even wear jackets and ties. Needless to say, outstanding behavior was always required.
     Regular skating prices were 60-cents, 30-cents to rent skates and 30-cents to just watch. Weeknights and Sundays, skating was from 7 to 10:30 p.m.. Fridays and Saturdays there was a second session from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.. There was a Sunday matinee also. Pop, candy bars and popcorn were available for purchase but no gum. I'm sure you know why.
    Damage from a tornado plus new entertainment opportunities helped rush Skateland to it's demise in 1960. The bowling alley survived for many years beyond that.
    This begs a question. Would such an offering with all those rules survive today?
     None of you ever went to Skateland? Well, I admit it.........I didn't either.
K-----K
     Boone Area Deaths: Ben Parsons, 52, Boone. Ogden Hi-1980. Several jobs with his latest an  11-year stint as an early morning announcer on KWBG radio. Boone area survivors include his wife, Anna, his son, Adam Smith, and daughter, Elaina Gibbs, his mother and stepfather Betty and John Nelson all of Boone and his mother-in-law Edith Schroeder of Pilot Mound...........Clarence (Bud) Rice, 93, Fort Dodge and formerly of Boone. Owned and managed Otis Lumber Company in Boone for 17 years and was employed by Iowa State University Extension Service for 20 years prior to retirement.
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/support..........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.