Even More BNR Reaction

     Should have known my BNR comments would draw a reaction from that newspapers most noted alumnus, and I'm glad they did.
     Richard Longworth, BHS-53, wrote, "like you, I broke into the business on the News Republican and, like you, I'm so sorry to have seen its decline and now, its virtual disappearance as a real live, printed daily newspaper. I first picked up the newspaper reading habit as a kid via the comic page in the BNR, and the time I spent in the newsroom on Keeler Street hooked me on reporting forever. We both go back to the days of the Garveys, of fine editors like Earl Senholz and HarlanWeeks, of good people like Jim Anderson, Rollie Peterson, R.P. Brown ("Brownie" to everyone, circulation manager and photographer), of the printers in the press shop in  the back, and the way the whole building would vibrate when they turned on the huge rotary press in the basement. It was locally owned then, and locally focused, and the people who worked there spent their lives in the place, instead of moving on  to some other corporate cousin after a year or two. Local ownership is crucial. Absentee ownership never really cares about the town. The Garvey's did, and it made all the difference. I really think a newspaper, like the News Republican, is the soul of a community. It's the mirror when we look every day to see how we're doing. It tells us where we've been, so we understand where we are and can figure out, together, where we want to go. When a newspaper disappears, the whole town is poorer. Yeah, there's the web and digital sites and fragmented groups providing information, but it's not the same. A newspaper is a great big table where the whole town gathers every day. You can't replace that. I'm wondering how necessary all this down-sizing is. Up in Storm Lake, a town of 10,000, they've got two newspapers, one, three times a week, the other, twice a week. At least one is locally owned. They both are staying in business. If they can, why not the BNR?"
     Editor's note: In case some of you didn't know, Dick Longworth was an important, award winning member of the Chicago Tribune news staff for many years, including lengthy reporting assignments from London and Moscow, among other locales.
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     Tom Peterson, BHS-67, wants me to expand the Kornerman's work. He wrote, "I'd think that coaches/parents/citizens of Boone and surrounding areas should be encouraged to send you sports and other local news results electronically for Korner publication. Put a front page ad in the BNR telling of your new adventure in publication."
    On the other hand,  Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, thinks the Kornerman does enough the way its been. He wrote, "in reading about the BNR and you "taking up the slack," it could be done by taking advertisers. But, this is a hobby for you and the work involved would put you on a deadline. I'm certain there are readers/contributors who would enjoy being a part of KK. Unfortunately, it seems like work to me and at my age, and yours, who wants to have to meet a deadline?"
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     Something I guess we old folks do at this time in our lives is sort things we haven't looked at for ???. The Kornerman has been going through some photos that have been in a box for who knows how long. All kinds of pictures of relatives and, unfortunately, it seems a majority of them are no longer with us.
     Steve Roeder, BHS-64, of the Kansas City area, is one of my cousins and, when sorting, the Kornerman found some nice pictures of Steve, his wife, Jan, and his mother so I sent them to him. I did the same for various other relatives who are still among the living.
     That provided lots of memories for Steve pertaining to some Erickson family reunions that, at one time, were quite a big event. Steve wrote, "I remember there would be many attendees at the McHose Park shelter house. Lots of food and big crocks of iced tea and lemonade. Relatives came from as far away as Seattle and Minnesota and Des Moines, of course. I remember most of the men still wore suits, ties and hats to that kind of an affair. My mom, Josephine Erickson Roeder, was the historian and would give reports about what had happened in the family in the past year and how many had attended the previous years reunion. Perhaps you can encourage some other viewers memories of family reunions when we were kids. Thanks again for the pictures and I hope you continue to keep us all informed about what is going on in Boone."
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Vicky McDevitt, 70, Boone. Worked in the dietary department of the Boone County Hospital for over 36 years. Boone area survivors include her husband, Keith, son Brian, and daughter, Kristin Matthews, all of Boone..........Virginia Ruth Carlson, 96, Florida. Born in Boone and spent her early life on a farm within the city limits of Boone. Attended Boone Bible College. Was married to Wayne Carlson in Boone in 1944 at the Evangelical Free Church where her father, Albin Mathson, was choir director and her mother, Edith Peterson Mathson, played the piano and organ. Eventually, Virginia was a pastor's wife, following her husband at various churches in Iowa and in 1980, to Pompano Beach, FL. No Boone area survivors..........Linda Kay Brown, 69, Ogden. Formerly of Boone. Boone area survivors include a daughter, Robin Brown, and a brother, Jim Flockhart...........Connie Younger, 77, rural Madrid. Was an educator and a carpenter in Missouri. In 1976 came to Iowa State University to serve for 21 years as Chief Flight Instructor and transportation pilot. In1990, he launched Cy Aviation and managed the Boone Municipal Airport until his retirement in 1997. He was a 35 year member of the Boone Municipal Band and also managed the Boone Big Band. Boone area survivors include his wife, Lisa, and son Keith, both 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.