MERRY CHRISTMAS

     Time for the Kornerman and entire crew (? ) to wish all you folks in Kornerland a very Merry Christmas and holiday season. We are so appreciative of you folks who take a few minutes a couple times a week to pay us a visit. And, of course, we're doubly appreciative of those of you who keep in touch via email, telephone or letters with your stories and memories that are the backbone of what we attempt to do. We never know what the future holds but as long as we keep hearing from you and we're still available, personally, we'll try to keep this lovefest moving forward.
K-----K
     One of the Korner's many purposes is to attempt to find some answers. We had a pair of those instances this week.
     Minnesota guy John Kueck BHS-61, has a grandson who is a swimmer. In fact, he holds two of his school's current records. John was wondering if the Kornerman had access to BHS swim records so a comparison could be possible.
     The old Kornerman kept track of BHS records like that for many years right up until 1970 when I went to real work at the Iowa High School Athletic Association. I had records galore.......football marks starting in 1890 as well as baseball, basketball, track etc. for all those years. In fact, I still have a smattering of some of those records in my basement.
     The bad news is that it all ended in 1970 so I'm afraid I can't provide John with much help. I assume he could contact the school, itself, and some kind person there could relay the current records to him.
     Then too, I heard from Michael Morgan, BHS-77. Michael indicated that in some of his grandparents (Arlene Hopkins) files he found a bill dated August 30, 1918. The bill was sent to Albert Olsen for delivery of a baby, Errol Olsen, at the Eleanor Moore hospital in Boone.
     Michael wrote, "I'm  not sure why my grandmother had this but I would love to give it to an Olsen family member. Did you know if you had contact with any of those family members?"
     The Kornerman replied that I would mention this in the Korner to see if any of our viewers could provide any help. I did also mention that my memory tells me there was an Errol Olsen in town at one time and that he was involved with the National Guard here.
     Michael then replied to my reply saying, "thanks, it is the man who was involved in the National Guard and his son was named Errol as well."
     We oldsters, of course, know that the Eleanor Moore hospital was the forerunner to our current Boone County Hospital.
     Michael has been the City Manager at Kearney, NE for the past 11 years.
     Anybody going from Boonetown to Denver knows that Kearney is the halfway mark to the Rockies. The Kornerman and wife Jo have stopped there many times for meals or to stay overnight.
K-----K
     Enjoyed a note from the Register's former Iowa Boy, Chuck Offenburger, who wrote, "I continue to enjoy hanging out on "Kelley's Korner" from time to time, catching up on what the Kornerman is up to. Loved  your vignette the other day about how you've now come back to Christmas carols. All the best to you this holiday season."
     Also received holiday best wishes from Karen Anderson and Al Dannatt, BHS-66, who wrote from Houston, "I always get homesick this time of year. Have a very Merry Christmas and keep up the good work. Makes me proud to be an Indian." He was referring to the fact that he once played catcher on the Kornerman's Babe Ruth baseball team.......the Indians.
     Lou Oxenford sent a nice holiday ecard and I really enjoyed the Kelley's Christmas card which included a picture of Larry, BHS-64, and Toni. They looked like a pair of loving teenagers. Very nice.
     Then too, we got a first hand report from Roger Dutton, BHS-63, himself. He wrote, "I hope you and your lovely wife are enjoying the Christmas holiday season. I'm recovering from my third aorta surgery. Two more and I am done. By then, I will be a bionic ex-Toreador." Proud grandpa Roger included a video of his granddaughter singing in church. She also plays the piano. Talented like her grandpa.
K-----K
     Boone Connected Deaths: Cheryl Miller, 69, BHS-64. Boone area survivors include her husband, Ed, and son Ken both of Boone...........Naomi Peterson, 85, Boone, formerly of Stratford. Boone area survivors include her husband Delbert of Boone and daughter, Gaylene, of Stratford............Thomas (Ed) McCoy, 91, Boxholm. Luther High-43. Farmed in the Boxholm area until retirement in 1985. Boone area survivors include his wife, Ilene, of Boxholm, son Kevin of Ogden and daughter, Loraine Clark of Beaver.........Sherri Dennis Benning, 45, Mason City. Services held in Boone. Boone area survivor is her mother, Connie Dennis of Boone..........Joseph Williams Sr., 58, Ogden. Boone area survivors include his wife, Linda, and son Jon both of Ogden, son Joey of Boone and daughter Amy Block, his mother, Viola Williams, and his sisters, Marcy Pennington and Ruby Wildt, all of Boone.
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.