Where Do We Sled?

     Classmate Richard Longworth wrote, "Boone has been in the national news recently in connection with a growing movement among cities to ban sledding in public areas. It seems there have been a number of expensive lawsuits connected with sledding injuries. The stories cite the awarding by Boone of $12 million in 2011 to a woman who was injured in a sledding accident in 2008. This seems to be, by far, the most expensive settlement yet. I googled on the News Republican and found a story that said the town's only sledding hill has been closed since that accident. I didn't know Boone had a sledding hill. In my day (admittedly in the dark ages before lawyers were invented) we didn't have "official" sledding hills. We just went out, found a hill, rode down it, fell off frequently, sometimes hurt ourselves, and then did it again."
     Dick had lots of questions which someone other than me can answer much more correctly. Truthfully, I, the Kornerman,  hadn't followed the story that much but Dick wondered where the incident took place and if sledding was legal in Boone these days or is it banned?
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     Some Quick Hits: Julie Mendell Burge wrote, "thanks for doing your blog, really enjoy it !! Made me smile to see Lennie and Harry Bloomquists names. They were neighbors while I was growing up and always good to the Mendell family."
     Tom Peterson, the Korner's vast computer department's CEO, was in town the other day and stopped by. We had a nice visit and he was then moving on to see Kelly and Marcie McMullan, Betty Lyness and other Boone friends. Tom is now an official University of Northern Iowa retiree.
     The Kornerman's across the street neighbor is Arnie Ahrens and we see that his daughter Cheri and husband Doug Miller are in town for a visit. They reside in Memphis but come around every so often to renew acquaintances.
     Jenelle Givens Henry sent a note about something she saw on eBay. It was pictures of the 1914 Toreador football team and the current bid when we looked was $31. Interesting.
     Andy Anderson, BHS-62, wrote, "I'm not a Funk and Wagnall's for sports but here's my opinion regarding why basketball players wipe their hands on the bottom of their shoes prior to a free throw. I think it is merely to reduce the moisture in their hands and, thereby, increasing friction! Just remember, for every difficult question, there is a simple solution and generally it is wrong. I may be wrong."
     The only thing the Kornerman points out is the fact that this "wiping" occurs all over the court........when coming in the game, going out of the game, just standing around on the court or whatever. It's not just a free throw habit.
     P.S. Anyone else heard about a plumbing business being interested in the current Redeker building or, perhaps, they or an Ames church interested in the old Walmart building? Just talk minus any real substance.......at least at this time.
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     Davi Mondt Lowman wants everyone to know about Boone Community Theatre presentations this coming weekend. She wrote, "a bunch of us who started BCT back in 1975 are trying to revive it and bring it back to the level that we enjoyed during the glory days. We are putting six shows, starting with two dinner theatres Friday and Saturday, the 13th and 14th, at the playhouse which is the old Garfield school. Food will be catered by HyVee with dinner at 6 p.m. and the curtain at 7:30 p.m.. Attendees will have their choice of chicken breast or roast beef along with red potatoes, mixed veggies, roll and a brownie. The dinner and show are just $35 per couple or $20 for a single. There will also be two Sunday matinees, the 15th and 22nd, with the curtain at 2 p.m.. The final two evening performances will be held the 20th and 21st with the curtain at 7:30 p.m..Those four shows are just $10 per person. For this theatre to succeed we need lots of community support. Thanks again Mo for all your efforts to keep Boonies all over the country connected."
     Another bit of news Davi offered is disconcerting to members of the BHS class of '53 and many others. Her uncle, Willie,,............yes, the Korner's good friend Willie out in San Diego, has been in the hospital. Davi wrote, "he fell at Christmas time but didn't think he was hurt. Several years ago he had brain surgery after going over the handle bars on his bike. Now, he's had a similar problem. He started having weird symptoms and it was determined he had a subdural hemorrhage. As a result, he's had two recent surgeries. He's actually doing pretty good.  But, on top of all this, Willie's wife, Barbara, fell right before Thanksgiving and broke her shoulder and elbow. She's had the elbow fixed but due to Willie's problem, she has had to postpone the shoulder surgery."
     If you Korner readers would like to send a card.......Willie and Barbara Mondt, 2714 Erie St., San Diego, CA. 92117.
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     Boone Area Deaths: Milton Severson, 86, Story City. Boone area survivor is a brother, Gordon Severson of Luther............Doris Peterson, 86, Boxholm. Dayton-46. Worked at the Dayton Review and she and her husband farmed 55 years near Boxholm before living in Boxholm 10 years. Boone area survivors include her husband, Paul (Shorty) Peterson of Boxholm and son, Tim Peterson, of Boone.........Marilyn Yenger, 79, Stratford. Was a teacher, secretary, bus driver. Boone area survivor is her husband, Frank, 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.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.