An ex-Toreador Still Excelling

     Bill Wallace informed that, "Rick Bushore, former Toreador, class of 1970, ran the Boston Marathon Monday and competed in the 60-64 age group. Rick completed the marathon and his time was such that he qualified for next year's Boston Marathon. As I recall, Rick was a cross country/distance runner for the Toreadors, and a classmate of mine. Rick is retired and lives in San Diego, CA. Mo, I really enjoy reading your blog about the great city of Boone and its people. Please keep up the good work."
     Thanks also to Janelle Henry, who provided the same information as Bill but also added Rick's official time........three hours,51 minutes and 17 seconds.
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     In the last edition, the Kornerman informed of the passing of friend and classmate Charlie (Big C) Hancock. His death instantly reminded the Kornerman of some great Boone high school Toreador memories.
     Charlie and I were not only good friends, we were teammates on Toreador basketball and track squads. The Kornerman held his own in basketball but in track, while I attempted to throw the football, shot put and discus, Charlie was a super star runner and his exploits in that endeavor will never be forgotten by this guy. The Kornerman has been involved and has closely followed sports for over 70 years, and a race that Charlie was heavily involved in probably makes my top ten list of sports memories. Here's why.
     In his junior and senior seasons, Charlie had built a reputation as one of the state's top 800 meter runners. Back then, it was not proclaimed to be a meter event, it was simply the half/mile. He and a Des Moines North super star, Caesar Smith, engaged in several competitions and probably split the victories. However, the Des Moines Register "adopted" Caesar Smith. They felt he was heaven sent and couldn't polish his resume enough while Charlie's publicity lanquished in comparison.
    So, here comes the state meet with Caesar the heavy favorite and Charlie, somewhat of an "unknown" upstart from Boone, meeting in the competition. Smith led in the early going but Big C's closing, come-from-behind kick was too much for the metro's golden boy to match. Hancock was the state champion in the biggest meet of all. What a thrill it was to watch that match.
     A great guy and super athlete, Charlie is survived by his wife, Janese Carney Hancock,  and three sons. Janese is a Boone native as well and Charlie's dad, Garland Hancock, was once the Mayor of our city.
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Miriam Stevenson, 73, Ames. United Community grad. Was a secretary. She and husband, Bob, lived, for a time, on a farm west of Ames. Miriam was a Boone County Master Gardener and had done several master gardening projects in Boone. No Boone area survivors.........Merritt Mattson, Boone. Sang in the choir and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Boone. Boone area survivors include his wife, Deanna, and stepson Gary Wilcox and wife, Robyn, of Boone........Helen Hadaway, 86, Boone..Gilbert H.S.-47. She and her husband, Willard, farmed in north Boone County until moving to Boone in 1989. Boone area survivor is a son, Richard, of Boone.........Norma Jean Majors, 86, Boone. BHS-46. In earlier years, worked at Mitchel (sp?) Drug. Was a housekeeper for private families. Boone area survivors include a daughter, Linda, son Craig, grandchildren and great grandchildren all of Boone.........Robert (Bob) Wirtz, 88, Ogden..Born in Ogden. Attended Ogden schools. Worked five years at John Deere, then farmed until  1991..Moved to Ogden in 1994. Boone area survivor is a son, Jeff, Of Ogden........Ada Sprecher, 97, Ogden. Born in Ogden. Farmed with her husband, Arnold, north of Ogden until 1978 when they moved to Ogden. No Boone area survivors.........Debbi Mount?........Roger Dee, 80, Boone. Was a baker at Archway, worked at Firestone in Des Moines and for Per Mar Security as well as being a seasonal farm worker. Boone area survivors include his wife, Marilyn, son Jeff and daughter Julie, all of Boone........Colin Tesdall, 58, Ames. Grew up in Ames. Was a roofing contractor. Boone area survivor is a brother, Joel Tesdall 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.