Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The Distant Past Exposed

     The Kornerman knows that was never his intent, but, in a note to the Korner this week, Greg Moore, BHS-84, really reminded me and others of my ilk how old we really are.
     Greg wrote, "love the stories you promote on this blog. Boone is a great little place to be, now and the last 49+ years in my experience. One of the most enduring mysteries I have wondered about over the years is the "message" on the bridge where Highway 17 crosses over new Highway 30. The east bound lanes have a message that appears to be written in globs of cement. I believe it says, "Go Ames, Beat Boone." I could never understand who would have done this, why this message needed to be written, or what Ames would be beating Boone at? Did we play each other in sports at some point in the past? Anyway, if you or other readers can resolve these questions I would love to put it behind me.Then, we'll tackle the burning issue of who might have Teddy Roosevelt's thumb."
     Wow!! It's hard for this oldtimer to believe these memories go back so far that an almost 50-year old wonders about them.
     Here's the scoop Greg and any other "youngsters" that may be viewing.
     In the mid-1920's, six central Iowa schools, Ames, Boone, Grinnell, Marshalltown, Newton and Oskaloosa formed a conference, the CIC, for activity competition. It became a renowned conference, especially for sports competition. Through the years, the CIC schools captured numerous and varied state championships. It all ended in the 1960's when, at that time, Ames, Marshalltown and Newton, became so much larger, enrollmentwise, than the other three schools that those top three sought competition with schools at a higher, more common enrollment level. These many years later, it's a rarity that Boone, Grinnell and Oskaloosa would have a meeting on an athletic field with those three "drop-outs." O.K. I know somebody is going to say Boone recently played Marshalltown in girls basketball and the Boone boys play Newton in basketball etc. etc. but it is a rarity in comparison to those older CIC days.
     Anyway Greg, for those many years of CIC existence, the Ames-Boone rivalry was intense to say the least. The messages on the bridges were just a parcel of the usually friendly but overwhelming feelings the competition between the two schools encouraged.......not just school wise, but community wise as well.
     Hey Greg, don't feel bad about "awakening" this subject and exposing some of our viewers advanced age. No apology needed. In fact, it's always rather nice to, on occasion, recall what were, truly, some "good old days." The Kornerman much appreciates hearing from you. Would like to hear from more of the "younger" crowd.
    P.S. Now I'm the mystified one. What's this about Teddy's thumb??
K-----K
     (1) The holiday weekend provided lots of opportunities for gatherings. The Kornerman understands there was a great turnout of the Farley clan and friends for the late Dick Farley's, BHS-43, Celebration of Life. Lots of Boyds Dairy talk and even some mentions of the Korner we hear.
    (2) Wife Jo, DHS-61, and I, BHS-53, attended the annual Dayton all-school reunion. Also on hand were Jo's classmates, Dino Rosene, of Boone and Nancy Ferrari of Pilot Mound. Also saw Larry and Sue Ohge of Boone among the 250 plus in attendance. Sue was also a DHS grad.
     Unfortunately, it may be the last such reunion. The same brave, overworked lady, Judy Nemecheck Heidner, has been the main organizer/worker for eight years and is ready to relinquish. Nobody seems to be volunteering to take over.
     (3) Had WHO radio on the other day and former Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Viet Nam vet, was being interviewed. He spoke very highly of Iowa's Adjutant General, Boone's own, Major General Tim Orr, BHS-79. He called Tim, "the best Adjutant General, the most motivated ever." Aren't we Booneites proud. It's always great to hear of great accomplishments by our family members.
     (4) Speaking of Boone pride. How about the ladies? The Des Moines Area Community College softball team placed fourth in the National Finals. Then too, what a wonderful job by the BHS girls track team. They finished fourth in the state in the class 3-A team competition and had some top individual performances as well, including a first place finish in the sprint medley, a first by Dianna Slight in the 400 meters and a first by Bailey Schminke in the long jump. Terrific!!
     (5) At the local coffee shop, we visited with the former Mary Ann Sifrit, BHS-58, who with her husband, was in Boone from Kansas to visit her father's gravesite. She said she was a great friend of Moreen Pestotnik Behling when "growing up" in Boonetown.
     (6) And, good friend Rick Houser, BHS-63, of Fairfax, VA wrote, "in the mid-50's, my mother worked for the Chamber of Commerce above Ed's News Stand at Seventh and Story. Speaking of celebrities visiting Boone, I believe Boone hosted Smiley Burnette, Gene Autry's sidekick."
K-----K
     Boone Connected Deaths: Betty Lou LeMaster, 82, Boone. Born in Boone and spent her childhood here. Madrid High grad. Boone survivor is her husband, Gerald LeMaster...........Darlene Eckley, 85, Marion. Born in Boone. Her parents were William and Mary Barger..........Marjorie Hammond, 88, Boone. Nurses aide at Boone Hospital for 20 years. Boone survivor is a daughter, Marsha Hammond..........David Sebring, 74, Boone. BHS-58. Worked at Bridgestone/Firestone in Des Moines. Boone survivor is a daughter, Melody Duncan..........Margaret Briley, 86, Boone. Worked in Dr. David Grant's dental office and as a volunteer at the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. Boone area survivors include a son, Larry, and daughter, Linda Van Pelt, of Boone and daughter, Cheryl Temple of Ames. Several grandchildren also survive........Richard Hover, 67, Ogden. Bus and truck driver. Moved to Ogden in 1997 and worked as a railroad engineer. Boone area survivors include his wife, Beverly, and sons, Lyle and Lance Hover, both of Ogden.
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.
    

    

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