Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Surprise! Surprise!

     What a week! The unpredictable ebb and flow of the Korner. Notes from Illesheim, Germany and Memphis, TN. and wonderful, surprise calls from two Des Moines Metro friends PLUS a box of chocolates.
      Alright, one by one. Wendall Condon, BHS-75, wrote from Germany, "just wanted to say a big thanks for your blog. It is nice to see all the familiar names and the stories everyone has of old Boone. Please know you make a huge difference. Please, never stop! Also, thanks for the update on my dad, Vern, BHS-49. I know he has your blog on his "favorites.""
     From Memphis, Doug Miller, BHS-71, wrote, "good to see you guys a couple weeks ago. It's always fun to come back "home"to see and do things that bring back good memories of the past and to see how things have changed. Thanks for helping us keep up with all the latest news and, most importantly, thanks for being great neighbors to Arnie Ahrens. He enjoys seeing and talking to you guys and said he may have to go on a diet with all the yummy cookies he receives from Jo."
     The Kornerman had a great phone visit with Vicki Weston Colby. Vicki, who lived in Boone with her parents, Jack, BHS-49, and Punky Weston, BHS-48, her sister Carla and brother Jon, until the early 60's, has been a long time resident of the Metro. She called to thank the Korner for mentioning her mom and brother's recent passing. Her dad, Jack, had also passed some time ago. We had mentioned in a recent Korner that Jon, about eight years old at the time, served as our bat boy on the 1962 Boone Babe Ruth All Star team that was so successful, including a trip to the Ruth World Series in New Jersey. The Weston family members were great supporters of that team, following it all the way to New Jersey. Marty Dannatt, BHS-68, had started this connection by sending our Korner mention of Jon's death right to the guest book at McLaren's Chapel in Des Moines when Jon died. Marty and Vicki had been classmates at Lincoln Elementary in Boone. Vicki replied her thanks to Marty for sending her the Korner comments and then she called the Kornerman personally this week to thank us for doing that. Vicki said she is an art photographer and has a family of six children. By the way, sister Carla passed away 10 years ago via a stroke.
     Also enjoyed a phone visit from Toni Aldrich Sly, BHS-64. The Kornerman remembers Toni from when she spent lots of time, way back when, at the old Bon Appetite restaurant when her mom, Jane Aldrich, was in charge of the BA. The Kornerman should add that the Bon Appetite was one of the "in"places for all of us "kids" in those days so yes, we spent lots of time there too. Anyway, Toni, who lives in the Metro area, wanted to reminisce a bit and added that she intends to come to an upcoming class reunion and she has some Boone memorabilia she wants to share. She indicated she could probably sell some of the items on ebay but would rather "pass them on."
     Finally, this Kornerman found a box of Whitman's Sampler at his front door. A note was included, "thanks for helping get Al McCoy in the Iowa Hall of Pride. You do a great deal for Boone and I thank you for all you do." It was from former BHS teacher/coach Chuck Lovin who, yes, was a geography teacher of mine at BHS.
K-----K
    The date for the Boone County Veterans Freedom Flight, October 13, is fast approaching and the Kornerman is afraid he's dropped the ball on one connecting item. Family members of those going on the flight have been urged to send letters of appreciation to those passengers so they can have another "mail call" while on this journey. The problem is they were hoping to receive the notes by October 2. I'm sorry I overlooked that earlier date......I was thinking more of the 13th. Maybe.....maybe a few such letters could still be sent and accepted? Boone County Freedom Flight, Box 311, Boone, Iowa 50036.
K-----K
     Bits and Pieces: (1) Mark Tompkins, BHS-60, wrote, "KRNT has had some big changes over the years, but abandoning a proven market to be the "new kid on the block" in a tough sports market sector may not show brilliance. Nonetheless, you may be able to get KRNT-FM on your previously cursed computer. Likewise, if you google, "Big Band Radio" and "Rock n' Roll Radio" you will find several sites that play the music you like......free."
     (2) John Kueck, BHS-61, advises that when you google Kelley's Korner you get numerous possibilities. However, most of them are Kelly's Korner and they are located all over this planet. Funny how one letter of the alphabet can make such a difference. Oh yes, there is one Kelley's Korner and it's located in Boone Iowa.
     (3) Kathleen Wheelock wrote, "so glad you're back. Missed you on Wednesday. Love your blog. Read it all the time and forward it to some former Booneites. Believe me, you are really appreciated by us all."
     (4) In a recent Korner we passed on a new address for Willy and Barbara Mondt, provided by the Mondt's. However, Barb tells us she sent the wrong zip code. It should be.....91010.
     (5) We have a complete rundown on the fun time the class of 1958 had in Branson while celebrating their 75th birthdays recently and we will be providing that info in the next edition of the Korner.
     (6) The walls are comin' down.......even more so. Picture the northwest corner of 10th and Story. The most recent occupant in that area, and for many years, was Lynn's Lounge. Unfortunately, a north wall of the building did come down some time ago and now, the entire remainder of the building is being purposely brought to earth. Along that same line, the former Imperial Bowling Lanes on West Mamie Eisenhower is also about to fall, in the same manner.
     (7) The brand new Redeker's Furniture is now officially open at it's new location, east and a bit south of Boone on highway 17.......the road that goes toward Luther and Madrid. It's a huge and great looking building and a grand opening will probably be forthcoming. What about the former location on South Story you may ask? No official announcement yet but word is that it has been sold.
K-----K
     Boone Connected Deaths: Janet Baker, 73, Ames. Boone survivor is a daughter, Tracy Bloomquist............Selma Gau, 90, Ames. Formerly of Waukee and Boone. She retired from the Boone County Auditor's office after several years of work there. Boone survivors are sons, Michael and Douglas Peterson.
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.

    
    

No comments:

Post a Comment