A Plethora of Topics

     Talk about bypassing all the fluff and getting right to the point, Mark Tompkins wrote, "I have nothing to report, but wanted you to know that I'm always disappointed when I click on the Korner and find there is no update."
      Then there was Lou Oxenford who wrote, "Mo. What has happened? I can't find you on the internet. You haven't quit have you? We all hope that isn't the reason I can't find you!!!. This is Wednesday and I'm lost without your great articles. Please tell us you're O.K. and will be back again soon."
     The Kornerman replied to Lou that I'm "still kickin" maybe not so high some days but...... I think with a little advice, we got Lou back on track.
     In both cases, let me say that nobody is more disappointed when we have to bypass publication days because of a lack of material than the old Kornerman. I don't like that either......not one bit BUT again, it all depends on you......you viewers out there in Kornerland. We simply don't exist without your help..........you know, stories/memories/comments/support........as we always say.
K-----K
     Mark added, "Meanwhile, you mentioned telephone operators back in the day. That could be a springboard to party lines. Certainly some Korner readers must have some interesting and mirthful tales of party lines."
     Sorry Mark, we did throw out that bait......but nobody grabbed the hook.
K-----K
     The Kornerman had an opportunity to "hook up" with Bob Lamb, BHS-42, this week and had an interesting conversation about some good old days of the late 30's, early 40's.
     Bob tried different sports in high school but was most successful in swimming. He was a sophomore in the 1939-40 school year and graduated at the end of the 41-42 school year. Now living in the Dayton, OH area, Bob said, "actually our swim coaches were a pair of junior college students, Bob Cramer (not the Bob of Fareway etc. of course) and Ed Updegraff, followed by Jan Harken Welin. I tried football in my sophomore season when Wayne Hill was the varsity coach and his assistant was Bucky O'Conner. I wasn't very good, had a helmet with no strap and a second or third team uniform. I tackled John Handley once, my helmet flew and his knee hit my ear which resulted in a broken ear drum. It's kind of ironic that I saw Bucky O'Conner twice while in the service. I saw him when he was teaching physical education at Jefferson Barracks and then on a ship, on the way home from Japan, I heard his name mentioned and we got together. One of the first things he asked was, "how is your ear drum.""
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     The Kornerman must mention how great it's been recently to "vibe and jive" with a pair of good friends, Mike Loehrer and Roger Dutton. Mike had called from his home base, Dublin, OH, a few weeks back and wanted to visit with the old Kornerman when coming to Boone and Roger just called the other day wondering how the "old guy" was getting along.
     P.S. Many of you know Roger has a serious health problem that needs correcting but he still hasn't had that surgery which will be a tedious and dangerous one. He said, "I'm ready but the doctors are just waiting for the "right moment." He sounded good and, in fact, had just returned from a vacation overseas.
K-----K 
     This goes back several editions. Gretchen (Otis of course) wrote, "you wrote about Skateland and Winona (Starner) Mylenbusch Decker. When Charles Decker passed away, Nony moved to Ames to be closer to a son. I talked to her this year when I was researching "Skaters Paradise," a roller rink located outside of the east gate of the Ledges back in the late 1930's. The rink was built by the Rice brothers from western Iowa and Nebraska. It burned down on Christmas eve of 1942. I haven't found any printed information on this rink or on the fire. It did not have an organ but just used recorded music. Darlene Lincoln, BHS-40, provided some information and some pictures. Her father, Orrie Clark of Boone, was the rink manager and she was the "skate girl.""
     P.S.: Gretchen, who has some health issues, is doubly worried. She wrote, "I've enjoyed keeping track of the BHS/Sacred Heart classes over the years and assisting surrounding schools but I have no idea what will become of all the information I've gathered. So far, no one has shown any interest in housing it or continuing this project. Any ideas???"
     The Kornerman says, "she's put a ton of time and work into this project and it would be a shame to see it deteriorate or completely die. It contains a lot of history, validity etc. etc. but needs a younger person to grab it and continue what Gretchen has put her heart and soul into for so many years."
     P.S. 2: Reminds me of the Kornerman's similar situation. I'm, of course, not getting any younger either and I have considerable information about BHS athletics that I have gathered over a 65-year period and am wondering how to keep that from simply "passing away."
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     The time is drawing near. The BHS/Sacred Heart classes of 1959 will be meeting next weekend in Boone for their 55th gathering. There will be a breakfast at the Scout Cabin Shelter House in McHose Park Saturday morning and a get-together at the home of the Munson's, Emily and Alan, in Ames that evening. As far as the Kornerman knows, this is probably the last class reunion of the year.
K-----K
     Boone Area Deaths: Carl Steig, 81, Fort Dodge, formerly of Boone. Carl was an industrial arts teacher at BHS and while in Boone, built his own home here. No Boone area survivors........................
Marvin (Bud) Walters, 87, Ackley/Boone. Boone area survivors include his wife, Jean, and daughter, Vicky Van Dyke...........James Obrecht, 78, Ames. Was a pharmacist in Ames and Huxley. Boone area survivor is his wife, Judirae Hendricks Harris Obrecht, a Boone native..........Iola Doty, 81, Ames, formerly of Stratford, Was a homemaker and worked as a CNA at hospitals. Boone area survivors include daughters Janice Albracht of Woodward and Joyce Bricker of Stratford...........Susan Marie Morris, 58, Minnesota, formerly of Boone. BHS-73. Was a vocal music teacher and worked in libraries. No Boone area survivors..........Jerry Mackey, 83, Illinois, formerly of Boone. Was a lawyer/banker........Wilma May Miller, 79, Luther High grad. Born in Sugar Valley, west of Luther. Worked several years at Woodward Hospital. Then worked at ISU. Boone area survivors include a step-son, Bob Miller of Woodward, a brother, Dan Danielson of Madrid,  sisters Maxine Anderson and Mildred (Judy) Peterson of Madrid.
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     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.