Walmart Questions?

     Warning: The following paragraph is loaded with cliche after cliche.
     This story has been living and dying, time after time.
     Some time back there were rumors of a purchase of the old Walmart building but, eventually, those stories died.
     They're back and even more adamant than before. Usually, where there's smoke there's fire and, lately, there's been more smoke than in the past. Someday, perhaps, sooner than later, we'll know.
     P.S. Despite all the talk of a sale, nobody seems to know who the buyer is or what the plans are.
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     Bowling has been a recent Korner subject and Jerry Manriquez wrote, "About 1951 or 1952 I worked at a bowling alley located above the State Liquor Store on the south side of Seventh Street a block west of Story. I think the alley owner was Ray McCoy. There must have been about 10 lanes and I was a ball boy. We sat behind the racks and after the ball hit the pins, we would send it back to the bowler, grab the pins and reset them in the rack. After the second ball, we repeated the process and pulled a cord to lower the rack. If there were not enough boys available, we would have to jump two lanes, working back and forth. What was dangerous about this job was that some of the pins would fly up and hit you in the head. But, what was worse was when some of the bowlers were drinking and would send a second ball down the lane while you were picking up pins from the first ball. We were paid 10-cents a line and would be paid at the end of the day. When we were not setting pins, we would eat hamburgers and fries and drink cokes. That was put on a bill and at the end of the day, Mr. McCoy would settle with us. We usually ended up owing him money for food and drink."
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     Willie wrote, "next time you need entertainment, watch the movie "Kingpin." Everything turns out O.K.. While at the NCR, (National Cash Register?), we occasionally organized a bowling team. I usually signed on. Somewhere along the line I arrived early and, for a lack of anything more interesting, I decided to have a beer or two or three or........anyway, I was quite relaxed when the contest began and threw five strikes in a row. We were all impressed and, from then on, I was invited to be a team member. Things never worked out as well after that, probably bad beer."
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     Names of celebrities who have invaded our town?
     Kathleen Wheelock added, "I remember the summer of 1990 Boone County Fair. The entertainer was Garth Brooks and that was just before he became a super star. He provided a great show for us. My husband, Chuck, and I were in attendance."
     Editor's note: About that same period there were several, mostly, country stars who appeared here and went on to even greater venues. Brooks and Dunn were here for a show at the fair one year but there was a severe storm. If I remember correctly, the proposed show was never held and there was a hassle about their payment.
     Another name to add to the list was Anne Murray, who appeared at the Trestle Lounge for a show or shows at the start of her career.
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     Thanks to Dick Chamberlain and Rick Houser for sending some great stories for the Kornerman to enjoy. Dick sent a story, written by Michael Gartner, that was a tribute to his dad and Rick, knowing I'm a Cub fan just like he and his dad, sent a newspaper clipping that was in remembrance of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, who died last week.
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     Karen Anderson was one of the sleuths who provided good information when the Mineral Ridge subject came forth. Some of it was material we've previously reported on but there is some new material as well.
     She wrote, "Ridgeport in Dodge Township, also called Mineral Ridge, was laid out near the summit of Mineral Ridge in May of 1854. It looks like the village was named Ridgeport but the post office was named Mineral Ridge. Mr. Ericson was the postmaster for 10 years. Charles Ericson, his wife and daughter, are buried in Linwood and his parents are buried at Mineral Ridge. I remember my grandfather talking about Ridgeport and Mineral Ridge and Pilot Mound. He liked it when my dad would take him on drives through that area. As I recall, he lived in Ridgeport at one time. I also have relatives buried in the Mineral Ridge and Pilot Mound cemeteries."
     Editor's note: If you've been with us, the Korner, all along, you'll recall this Mineral Ridge/Ridgeport story started via the story of Charles Ericson. He's the gentleman the Ericson Public Library is named after.
     Larry Lindmark had told us about Ericson's donation of land to Augustana College and the fact that Augustana's football field is still called Ericson Field. That all developed after his several years of residence in the Mineral Ridge area.
     Karen reported from "Find A Grave" that Ericson arrived in Boone County from the Quad City area at age 19 in 1859. He first opened a small store in Mineral Ridge. For 10 years he served as Postmaster of Mineral Ridge while also filling the position of road supervisor, school director, treasurer and township clerk. In 1870, he moved to Boone and purchased a general store that he operated for five years. In 1871, he assisted in organizing the First National Bank and became it's vice president. In 1878, he sold his store and became bank cashier. In 1879, the bank was reorganized as the City Bank. He eventually became president of that bank. In 1871, he entered politics, serving in the General Assembly of Iowa for a time before returning to the Quad City area. He died in Boone in 1910 and left Augustana College 260 acres of Iowa farmland that was also rich in coal. A total of $13,000 from his estate was added to the farmland and the total money derived resulted in Augustana's Ericson Athletic Field.. Before that, in October of 1901, Ericson bestowed a lasting gift to the Boone community. The Ericson Library was built at a cost of $10,000. Ericson, eventually, increased his giving to $12,000 and another $7,000 in donations from the community was added. Thus, the cost of the building as well as books and fixtures etc. were all covered.
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     Boone Area Deaths: Elizabeth "Betty" Wickwire, 87, Dayton, formerly of Lehigh. Boone area survivor is a brother, Gerald "Gus" Linn of Boone............Gerald Winger, 74, Boone. Was an electrician in California before moving to Boone. Iowa survivors include three sons, Tom Winger, Toby and Josh Myers..........Caryl Ahrens, 92, Boone. Attended Boone schools. Worked at Bourns in Ames. Boone area survivors include son, Warren Ahrens Jr., daughter Becky Gilliam-Wilken and brother and sister-in-law, Marian Bauman and Etta Stewart all of Boone and brother and sister-in-laws Dean and Dale Ahrens of Stratford and Jean Ahrens of Ogden.........Jerry Bechtel, 73, Clinton. BHS-59. Worked as a lab technician for 37 years. Boone area survivors include a brother, Melvin Bechtel, and a sister, Arvella Nunley, both of Stratford..........Irene Simonson, 90, Des Moines. Formerly of Madrid. Left Boone County for Des Moines in the early 50's. Worked at Sears for over 25 years. Boone area survivors include son, Pat, of Stratford.
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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.......
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