A Look at a Boone Park

     All Booneites know about our great park system and we are proud of all those parks but, perhaps, we don't talk about them enough. Mark Tompkins, BHS-60, has lit the fuse and so we're going to write about one of them that may not be as well known.
     Mark wrote, "anyone know how long this monument has been in Boone? And, how did it get there? After visiting Malmedy two years ago and Bastogne earlier this year I'm curious."
     Mark is referring to the Battle of the Bulge Memorial Marker in Miles-Lee Park, which is located at Fifth and Franklin streets in West Boone.
     The Kornerman is ashamed to acknowledge there are some of Mark's queries that I can't answer but there is additional information we can provide via an instant bit of research.
     Text on the beautiful marker reads: "Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-February 1945. This memorial is dedicated to the Boone County men and women who faithfully served their country during this famous battle of WW II. Over 76,890 American soldiers were killed or wounded."
     The polished marble marker has images representing transportation, infantry, liaison, armor, nurse, and artillery engraved in the middle. A map of the area where the battle took place is etched at the top.
     Miles-Lee Park is a neighborhood park that also contains a picnic shelter, playground and small ball field.
     Now, here's where the Kornerman "dropped the ball." I'm hoping some viewers will "fill in the blanks." I don't know how long this park has been in existence and am unaware of the date of the marker's installation. As a BNR photographer I recall it, but I can't pinpoint it. I know I should know about the Lee connection also but I'm drawing a blank there too.
     In answer to Mark's question about, "how did it get there," I can provide some of that info. The marker certainly would not be there if it weren't for the tenacious determination of the late Lawrence Miles, BHS-44. Lawrence and his late wife, Letti, (a great singer by the way) were a well known Boone couple with two surviving sons, Eric, BHS-68, and Kevin, BHS-72, and a surviving daughter, Krisha, BHS-71.
     If I recall correctly, Lawrence Miles was the leader in fighting hard to "get" this marker established and he did lots of the footwork required, raising the funds needed etc. to complete that goal.
     P.S. Mark spoke of Bastogne. Wasn't that the location of a major battle where a U.S. General, when asked by the Germans to give up,..........replied, "nuts," or something to that effect.
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     Larry Kelley, BHS-64, had an opportunity to "revisit" the building at 813 Keeler Street recently and that produced "tons" of memories. At one time, that was the location of the KWBG studios that Larry and I and many others, of course, plied our trade in the '60's. Larry wrote, "I went in there and its changed but I can still remember how it was. Your office is still there."
     Larry wondered who the manager of the station was in the early 60's? He pondered, "Milt something but I can't pull up the name." The Kornerman has White on the tip of my tongue.......Milt White? Maybe. Maybe not.
     Larry continued, "I remember an Eggnell (sp) or something like that. Mark Campbell, BHS-67, may come up and do some remembering with me in the building. I sure wish we could do that all over again as it was back then. Such a great time for radio and we had fun. I remember Betty Hicks, BHS-56, went to KRNT theatre and had an interview with Johnny Cash. I remember my mom listening to Dial Your Neighbor every day on one of those little pea green radios in our kitchen. The back end of the building, which was wide open at the time with the teletype running back in the corner, was turned into rooms. The teletype was moved up to a little cubby hole next to the two "on air" studios and that little room is still there."
     The Kornerman says, "oh yes, Dial Your Neighbor. Roger Weber and I put that show together every afternoon. People were invited to call on any subject and quite often, recipes were shared. We eventually had enough recipes to put them in a book. That was in 1960 and I proudly proclaim that we were earlybirds, very early, in what has become, in recent years, a plethora of talk shows from border to border. Roger and I were way ahead of that phenomenon. The Eggnell mentioned was actually Bob Engnell, BHS-55. I think he did some sales work at the station prior to moving to Missouri."
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     Bits and Pieces: (1) Nice to see people you haven't seen for quite some time..........Tom White at Valley West Mall and Jeanne DeHoet, BHS-51, in front of Crackerbarrel. Yes, I was resting from a busy day of shopping at both locations? (2) John Kueck, BHS-61, wrote, "I so enjoy Kelley's Korner. I look forward to each issue and am disappointed when there is "no news." You are my connection to Boone. While I have not lived in Boone for 50 years, Boone is my hometown and you keep me connected." Thanks John. (3) The journey is underway. Pete Kostelnick, BHS-2005, that world class marathon runner, has started his trek from one coast to the other..........the San Francisco City Hall to the New York City City Hall. Monday he began his 44 day, 3100 mile attempt to establish a new Guinness record. He'll be coming through Boone in early October and has invited "locals" to join him for at least a part of his trek. (4) A week from today, the BHS class of 1958 is planning a luncheon, followed by a trip to view the new Boone Freedom Rock located on the Boone County Courthouse lawn. The luncheon will be at the Tic Toc at 12:30 and Loren Frazier hopes all the locals plus come outside members of that class and any other BHS or BSH classes interested will plan to attend for visiting and a look at the Rock. Please let Loren know if you plan to attend the luncheon so he can tell the restaurant how many diners to expect.
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     Boone Connected Deaths:Theresa Lowman, 79, Boone. Survivors include a daughter, Kristin Ellinwood, and a daughter-in-law, Julie Lowman...........Charles Mischke, 89, Ames. Worked at ISU until retirement in 1995. Then, he became interested in the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. Was a certified conductor, trolley motorman and diesel locamotive engineer here for 15 years..........Susan Price, 59, Ames. Gilbert HS-74. Was an RN graduate of DMACC in Boone..........Dorothy Yates, 92, Des Moines/Boone. Boone area survivor is a son, Jeffrey Yates of Boone..........James Van Ness, 90, Evanston, IL. A professor at Northwestern University. Spent his boyhood in 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.