Bits and Pieces

     (1) Received a very nice holiday greeting, including an e-card, from Ogden buddy Tom Kiefer who wrote, "I hope you folks have a great Christmas and thanks for being a good friend." (2) Speaking of Ogden, Gary Paulsen informed that early next week there will be a meeting in Ogden of old friends that get together, on occasion, to recall the great days of the Boxholm Swede softball team and various other Boxholm/Pilot Mound area memories. The Kornerman has attended that meeting and it was great fun recalling those days past. (3) Max Moore, BHS-46, sent a list of all the various and many Hawkeye events that are being planned for the Southern California area in the coming weeks.......tailgates, a visit to the battleship Iowa etc. etc.. In case you've forgotten, Iowa plays Stanford in the New Year's Day Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. (4) Barb Fosdick, BHS-67, sent some more pictures of the recent Boone County Freedom Flight. (5) Tom Peterson, BHS-67, informed that Roger Dutton, BHS-63, recently passed another of his many surgeries very successfully but still, another one is scheduled. Peterson also remembered, "when our high school coaches wouldn't let us skate because they feared we would risk ankle or leg injuries." He included an old WHO-TV, channel 13, report by Andy Fales regarding the Boone skating pond. It had to do with the pond being ready for play but nobody showing up. Now this was several years ago and if we hadn't been reminded of that, we would know it was an old story anyway because lots of snow is shown surrounding the camera shots of the pond. That's something that isn't evident (snow) in the current pond area. By the way, the Kornerman understands there will be no ice skating at the pond this year due to various problems. In fact, word is that the problems are so significant, any future skating action may take place at a new venue.......across the road southwest in the Gutteridge area of the park. (6) Thanks so much to John, BHS-64, and Linda Hinz of Tonka Bay, MN for their Christmas greeting. Also enjoyed the info regarding their life, which includes downsizing, and the many activities and successes of their "kids." Thanks so much to John and Linda for their very positive words about the Korner and their great support of the project.
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     Full disclosure. The Kornerman is happy to report that it's been a long time coming but I am again enjoying holiday music. I've even caught myself whistling or even singing along with some of the tunes we hear so often on our radios/tv's these days.
     I guarantee there are many so-called "disk jockey's" today who can't wait for the holidays to be over. Been there, done that. Sorry, but when you start playing nothing but holiday songs over and over the many hours from Thanksgiving to even beyond Christmas,  it gets very tedious. You're locked in, it's your job and you can't get away from it. I know, I did that for many years and after thousands of "I saw mommy kissin'" and even the traditional Christmas songs I was "worn away" from any possibility of enjoying that music. The good news is, "I'm back. The holiday sounds?, they're all great again."
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Bill McGrane, Chicago. He was the son of Bert and Veronica McGrane, both deceased. Bert McGrane was known as one of the greatest sports writers in the nation during his time at the Des Moines Register. Son Bill started at the Register, moved to the Minneapolis Tribune and eventally made a name for himself as a member of the Minnesota Vikings organization and then the Chicago Bears organization of the NFL. Boone area survivor is a sister, Betsy Haberer of Boone...........Paul Howe, 85,  Boone. A farmer. Boone area survivors include his wife, Mary, daughter Marcia Beaman and daughter-in-law, Mary Howe all of Boone..........Cheryl Miller, 69, Boone...........Martha Larson, 84, Des Moines, formerly of Boone. Was a secretary for her late husband Dick's insurance agency. Owned Country Gallery in Ames for a time. Boone area survivor is a son, Brad, of Boone.
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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.