The Missouri Waltz

     Somewhere along the line, I knew this. Perhaps it was the writing I did for the News Republican for the 1965 Centennial edition. Anyway, some of you viewers may not be aware so.........
     At the weekly band concert last Wednesday, Boone Municipal Band Director Dave Richardson pointed out that the famous Missouri Waltz was written by a Boone resident, John Valentine Eppel, who lived on Boone's north side.
     That was one of the songs the band performed that night.
     The song was originally doomed a failure but eventually became very popular and even today, it is the state of Missouri's state song and the University of Missouri marching band makes it a part of each of their fall football appearances.
     We're talking a few years back.......Eppel lived from 1871 to 1931 and the waltz was written in 1914.
     Music from the production, "Chicago," and from the works of the famed composer, George Gershwin, were also featured Wednesday and a dixieland group performed, "Alexander's Rag Time Band."
     Those of you in the area may want to get out your "dancin' shoes" for this coming wednesday. That will be Big Band night and yes, there will be an area for those who wish to dance to that great 40's, 50's music.
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     Its kind of ironic that I would receive a similar mention twice this week. Good friend Rick Houser, BHS-63, from Fairfax, VA, knowing I'm a baseball fan, sent me a DVD of the Abbott and Costello show featuring that famous, "Who's on First?" segment. There were some other of their show episodes as well.
     Then, Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, sent me a photo of a baseball player standing on first base. His name, shown on the back of his uniform, was HU. Mike wrote, "after all these years, HU (who) is on first."
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     Don (Red) Houser, BHS-49, wrote from Tustin, CA. about his grandchildren who are quite the Lacrosse athletes. The Kornerman doesn't know much about the sport which features a long-handled stick and a rubber ball and goals. We don't have the sport in our high schools but I believe the University of Iowa does compete in that sport.
     Red's granddaughter, Grace Houser, is a high school junior in Orange County and was captain of her lacrosse team that had a 21-0 season. As a sophomore, she had already been awarded a lacrosse scholarship to the University of California at Berkley. This summer she is scheduled to play in lacrosse exhibitions at San Diego State, Denver, Maryland, Duke and California, Berkley. Grace's brother, Nicolas, is attending Wagner College in New York also on a lacrosse scholarship.
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     Oftentimes, just sitting at McDonald's, you see a familiar face that you haven't seen in  quite some time. This week, the Kornerman had a nice visit with former Boone resident, Marshall Grabau, who now lives in West Des Moines. That particular Grabau family lived at the southwest corner of 11th and Greene. Marshall had a younger brother, Bruce, who I remember from Babe Ruth baseball. Unfortunately, Bruce passed away at a young age several years ago. Then too, there was sister Melanie, BHS-67, who I remember as a good Boone High basketball player. Marshall said she lived in the Minneapolis area.
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Ernest Krieger, 83, Jefferson. Boone area survivor is a son, Ross Krieger, of Boone.........Paul Stark, 84, Boone, long time Boone funeral director and businessman.
BHS-50. Boone area survivors include his wife, Gretchen, and sister, Jean Blanshan, both of Boone........... Donna Byriel, 85, Boone. Retired in 1996 from the Boone Community Schools Food Service Department. Boone area survivors include her husband, Glenn, and sons, Brian and Perry, of Boone and two sons from other locations.........Colin Murphy, 23, Dayton. Born in Boone, the son of Bob and Judy Murphy. SEW-Grand HS grad. Was a mechanic and a Dayton reserve police officer. Boone area survivor is his dad, Bob, of Dayton, and  a brother, Jon Christie, of Ogden............Earl Deathridge, 78, Boone and Waverly, IL. He wired grain bins and worked at ISU from 1973-99. Was also involved in the Boone Speedway. Boone area survivor is a son, Brian, of Ames...........David Thelaner, 84, Hemet, CA..........Steven Safly, 75, Ridgeway. Formerly of Gilbert............Marilyn Edwards, 86, Clarion. Huxley HS-47. Worked at Banker's Life and the DOT. Farmed with her husband, Leo, near Polk City before moving to Clarion. Boone area survivor is a grandson, Jason, 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.