Phone Booth Verification

     Greg Moore, BHS-84, who started this phone booth venture has provided a conclusion. Greg was asking if anyone knew where, in downtown Boone, one of those old telephone booths was STILL located. Years ago they popped up on various corners all around the town. Most have, since, disappeared. Greg said there was only one left that he knew of. Ron Schmickley, BHS-54, had responded that there might still be one "well hidden" at the west entrance of the Century Link building (the old, long time telephone building) at the northeast corner of Mamie Eisenhower and Story Streets.
     Greg answered this week, "looks like Ron Schmickley knows about the phone booth I mentioned. Fitting that it's built into the old phone company building. Maybe it's safe there and won't be destroyed like so many other cool things have been. I must be getting old and grouchy. I delivered the Boone News Republican (Editor says....that's when it was the BNR and not the Ames/Boone BNR) to a few customers at the Holst Hotel back in the days, and it had the most elaborate phone booth that I can recall. It was built into the area under the steps and was gigantic. Looked like something from the Titanic. Anyway, would be cool to have a Facebook page dedicated to pictures of Boone folks standing in the Century Link booth. Tons of class reunions or people home for Pufferbilly Days, etc. might think it is "a Boone thing." So there you go."
     Editor's note: Hey, talking of old phone buildings, we older folks probably refer to the Mamie/Story facility as the "new" phone building. We recall the old phone building as being on the south side of Seventh Street between Story and Keeler. First building east of the alley.
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     It's interesting how, almost without exception, various things pop into the old Kornerman's head that may or may not "hit a chord" with a viewer. Was just thinking about something noticed on television  recently. A list of things that no longer apply to the modern school classroom. Five were listed and I won't remember them all. But, I do remember blackboards, cursive writing, recess, those old glue jars and I don't remember the other one. Maybe you do!!! Or there may be even other such items that have disappeared into the dark.
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     Time already for the Kornerman's Bits and Pieces. Sorry, not much "outside" help this week. (1) Mentioned last time about following every stroke Iowa PGA golfer Zach Johnson takes. The Kornerman is not a golfer......never very serious anyway. However, when son Chris was a young lad I did get him involved in junior golf and, as a result, I took up the pastime long enough to get him started in that sport. However, once he got to a certain age, I quit for the good of the game. I'm happy I urged him to get involved. He went on to become a high school golf squad member and still enjoys the sport today when available to him. (2) Got a long-awaited call from Roger Dutton, BHS-63, this week. Was happy to hear from him because I knew he was heavily involved in some health issues recently. He has a serious problem that he blames completely on genetics. Six weeks ago he had his first of what will be three surgeries. The first one was a 12-hour job. He said he is recovering well from that one but later, will face another "tough" surgery to be followed by a third. He sounded strong and was optimistic as he continued rehab. (3) Old KWBG buddy Tom Quinlan, 90 years of age now, had called me a couple weeks ago and, knowing of our love for the big band era, he insisted he wanted to send me a VCR of good big band music he has acquired. It was received and just yesterday, T.Q. called again to make sure I had received it. (4) The Kornerman was very surprised yesterday. Was watching a Fenway Park (Boston) pre-game baseball ceremony honoring former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez who was just inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Several former Red Sox stars, including Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, were introduced to the capacity crowd. I watched Yaz walk across the field wearing a suit jacket. Much to my surprise, underneath the suit jacket was a white polo type shirt with a Herky emblem and the words, "Iowa Football." I kid you not. My news sense told me I had to check that out. I contacted a couple guys I know, Rick Brown of the Des Moines Register, and Steve Roe, Sports Information Director at the University of Iowa, and eventually got the answer to my question. It seems that a Hawkeye assistant football coach Chris White's dad plays golf on a regular basis with Yaz somewhere out east and when the Iowa folks learned about this, they sent Yaz lots of Hawkeye apparel. (5) As we Iowans know, the hotly contested political season is here......now. John Kueck, BHS-61, has informed the Korner that a free course, "All About the Iowa Caucuses" conducted by Professor Steven Schmidt, an ISU Political Scientist, is being offered in the coming months via several sessions. For more info, http://wwwiowacaucusesmooc.org.
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     What an accomplishment.......or is it two or even three wonderful accomplishments. The Korner wants to make aware to viewers all over the country that know them or at least remember them that  John, BHS-38, and Charlene (Char) Munson's family is having a three-fold celebration August 8 so get those cards and well wishes prepared and mailed so they will be received by the 8th.
     Here's the story.......the celebration will be to honor John's 95th birthday, Char's 90th birthday and the couples 69th wedding anniversary. 1220 Montana Road.
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     The BHS class of 1953 has been "sent to it's knees" by two recent deaths. Two of the Kornerman's classmates, Boone resident Don Ross and Ron Poshusta of Spokane Valley, WA, passed away this week.
     A memorial service for Mike Herman, BHS-59, will be held at the Herman Park Pavilion this Friday at 7 p.m.. Saturday, internment services will be held in Linwood Cemetery at 10 a.m..
     Boone Connected Deaths: Ron Poshusta was a professor of chemistry at Washington State University at Pullman, WA. prior to retirement and a move to the Spokane, WA area. Ron is survived by his wife, the former Caryl Achenbach, BHS-56..............Don Ross served in the U.S. Army during two wars and was a retired member of the Iowa Army National Guard. He was a carpenter who worked for Thorngren Construction and the Weitz Company prior to retirement. Boone area survivors include his wife, Nancy, of Boone, step-daughter Diane Shearer of Madrid, step-son Duane Shreve of Luther, and sister, Betty Moorman of Boone.........Darla Pearson Cullinan, 68, Adair. Formerly of Boone. Will be buried in Rose Hill Cemetery near Boone.........Mary Drake, 93, Slater. Born in Madrid. Parents were Clint and May Sullivan.........Helen Whannel, 79, Urbandale. Ogden High grad. Was a teacher. Parents were Ralph and Audrey Hutchins.........Berniece Ellsworth, 87, Boone. Formerly of Ames. Boone survivor is a son, Jeff Ellsworth..........Cherisse Constable, 52, LeHigh. Earned Associates Degree at DMACC in Boone..........Betty Lindgren, 75, Boone. Spent her childhood in Boone and attended Boone schools.
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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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