Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Boone Notables

     The computer is a wonder. Sure, you can gather tons of information on almost any subject immaginable. But that's only half the story as the Kornerman learned this week. There also are tons of interesting material you can accidentally "stumble" onto.
     I can't even tell you how it happened. But one day I was aimlessly shuttling from one link to another and all at once, a page of famous people who, at some time, called Boone "home" appeared.
     My first thought was Mamie, of course, then the other "usuals," such as former Iowa Governor Norm Erbe, Kate Shelley and Colonel Nathan Boone. But wait, this is not that typical listing. In fact, these listed names were ones I, a 70-year resident of this community and someone who has written extensively on Boone history, was completely unfamiliar with.
     The Kornerman had never heard that actor Vern Adix, screenwriter Hal Davitt or actress Katy Johnson Evans had Boone backgrounds. It said that Adix was born in Boone, Iowa, May 3, 1912, and died in Salt Lake City in 1983. Davitt was born in Boone December 8, 1892, and died in a plane crash in California at age 40 in 1933. In addition to his screenwriting, he also wrote for various national magazines.
     Adix and Davitt, BHS-10, go back a number of years. Even then, I am very surprised I had never heard of them. Even more surprising is the fact I am unfamiliar with the young Ms. Johnson Evans, 27, who was born here April 16, 1988. She has appeared in at least four films that are mentioned......"Maniacs" in 2001, "Field of Screams" in 2010, "Black Limousine" in 2010 and "Penthouse" in 2010.
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     MANY BITS AND PIECES: (1) The Kornerman noted in the Des Moines Register the other day a mention of the Ralph Zarnow orchestra. Boy that was a well-known Central Iowa band "way back." And, does anybody remember Boone's Shirley Heitkamp, BHS-49,? If I remember correctly, she was a star singer for the Zarnow band for many years.
     (2) Boone's Brogan Austin, who was a star track man for the Toreadors during his high school days, then starred on the Drake track team, has been named one of just four recipients of a Missouri Valley Conference postgraduate scholarship. Brogan was great in the classroom as well as on the track and due to his exemplary academic and athletic performances, he'll receive a $5,000 reward. He graduated in May, compiling a 3.76 grade point average while majoring in math. The Korner is always proud of Boone folks who excel on the state, national, international scene as well as here at home.
     (3) I know it's late but for you early risers.......Boone's Jamie Kelley is scheduled to appear on WOI-TV at 6:30 a.m. and on WHO-TV at 11:30 a.m. or noon this very day to promote his concert that will benefit the upcoming Boone County Freedom Flight. You do still have time to attend the concert. It will be held Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the high school auditorium. Obtain $20 tickets at the Boone YMCA or Ecksteins or you can buy them at the door for $25. Donations can be mailed to Boone County Freedom Flight, Box 311, Boone, Iowa 50036.
     (4) One of Boone's best all-around athletes ever, Roger Dutton, BHS-63, has completed the first part of a very serious surgery and it was successful. A second serious surgery will follow soon and we are predicting it will be just as successful. We all wish him the best.
     (5) Friend Rick Houser, BHS-63, wrote of a wonderful trip he had just taken. It started in Phoenix, included Montezuma Castle where the Indians made their home on the side of a mountain, continued into the Grand Canyon area where some of those famous John Ford/John Wayne movies were filmed, then on to Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park before hitting Vegas and flying home to Fairfax, VA.
     (6) It was nice to have some visiting time this week with Tom Peterson, BHS-67, who was in town prior to attending visitation for his former softball teammate/competitor Darrell Zunkel. Pete was telling that he had received some interesting photos from Jan Helgeson of Arvada, CO. Jan is a daughter of one of Boone's most famous fast pitch softball players, Morrie Reid, BHS-31. Morrie played on some local teams that were consistent state championship contenders and even participated nationally. One photo was of a softball jacket with "McCaskey's Cafe" printed on the back and the other was another softball jacket, a 1937 jersey worn by the famous Boone Nitehawks team. The Kornerman could talk all day about some of the feats of those older Boone teams but that "McCaskey's" reference reminds me of Ray Burlingame, who operated the cafe for a time and was also one of Boone's many outstanding softball pitchers.
     (7) Max Moore, BHS-46, sent me a note from California. It tells that preparations are being made for another, "Iowa By the Sea Picnic." It's two months away but the organizers are interested in obtaining pictures of, articles and other historical information about the picnic. The Kornerman didn't see a date for the event but they do have a web site, iowabythesea@gmail.com. Further information can be obtained there or by calling Don Swenson, 678-896-6327.
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Sunny Powers, 85, Ames. Boone survivor is a daughter, Cindy Albertson..........Velda Fitzgerald, 97, Boone. Elementary teacher. Moved to Boone in 1963. Area survivors include nephews, Mike Fitzgerald of Ames and Pat Fitzgerald of Boone.........George DuWayne Bennett, 82, BHS-51, formerly of Boone...............Patricia Boucher, 88, Boone. Moved to Boone in 1980. Patricia and husband, Lester, owned and operated Boucher Masonry Contracting until 2013. Boone area survivors include her husband, Lester, sons Tod and Jeffrey of Boone and Kelly of Ogden...........Cody Jo Van Wagner, 38, Boone. Worked at 3M in Ames. Boone survivors include his wife, Becky Ensley, and step-children, Aleka Ensley, Logan and Amaya Ringler all of Boone............Mary Van Marel, 82, Ames. Lived and taught in Stratford for a time..........Marjorie Olson, 93, Des Moines. Born in Boone. Parents were Zoe and George Crooks. Jordan High grad........Sheryl York, 78, Woodward/Perry. Survivors include step-son Larry York Jr. of Woodward and sister, Marjorie Petty of Boxholm.
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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.

    
  

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