Busy Days in Boonetown

     Its been a busy time around Boonetown. The three-day Farm Progress Show brought lots of visitors to town. Now, we're in the final days of the Super National Races and Pufferbilly Days.
     We "locals" are well aware of the rain problems faced by the racers. For the benefit of those viewers from away.........there are 900 cars from all over the U.S. competing and there was so much rain Wednesday, the action had to be halted. To get the schedule back on track, on Thursday, the racing started at 9 a.m. and was continuous until about 6 a.m. Friday morning........21 hours of solid racing......156 different events.
     By the way, in visiting with racers and their families who come to Boone for this event, we find out the reason for this "fascination." First of all, it is the competition. After all, this is the Super Nationals.......a national event and national champions are determined in several classes. But then too, we are told over and over its the track, itself, that draws the entrants. Regardless of where they come from, the competitors we've talked to say, "its the absolute best track we have an opportunity to run on all year." The event concludes Saturday night unless additional rain on Friday prolongs the schedule.
     The three mentioned events bring what seem like more visitors to town than there are long term residents. Various kinds and sizes of camp-type vehicles appear parked in many areas of the community. Rooms are extremely hard to come by in the entire Central Iowa area.. Regular attendees attempt to register for rooms a year ahead of time. Unfortunately, we've heard that area accomodations do reach sky-high levels during this time.........$190 to $220 per night in some areas.
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     Pufferbilly will wrap up its 40th season on Sunday and it still seems to draw former residents back to their home town. The Kornerman saw Al Dannatt, BHS-66, this morning, heard that Dick Musser, BHS-64, and some classmates were back in town and both Tom Peterson, BHS-67, and Roger Dutton, BHS-63, made visits to the Worldwide Headquarters Friday.
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     Speaking of visiting, Jon Welin, BHS-70, wrote, "I've been in Long Island for vacation and am just getting around to reading the Korners I have missed. I saw your question about my uncle, Jacques (Jock) Welin. He is well and living in Houston where one of his daughters resides. He did spend many years in Dallas after retiring, having lived in Oklahoma, Colorado,Venezuela, Beirut, Norway and Jakarta during his working years. He's the same old Jacques and I'm sure he would love to hear from anyone in Boone. Keep writing Mo! Don't know what all of us (transplants) would do without you my friend."
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     Loren Frazier, BHS-58, learned about Boone's new Freedom Rock and decided to invite classmates to "come home" September 21 for a visit, including a luncheon together and a trip to view the Rock. Loren assumes local classmates will be interested but also hopes that others from out of town will be enticed to return for the day.
     The plan is to meet at the Tic Toc for lunch at 12:30 followed by the trip to view the Rock.
     If possible, Loren would like to hear from those planning to attend so he can give the restaurant an estimate of possible attendance.
     There may be some from other school classes that would be interested in attending as well and Loren says, "anyone from any class that's interested is welcome."
     By the way, you can learn more about the Rock...........
http://www.thefreedomrock.com.
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     A good thought. A good deed.
     Mark Tompkins, BHS-60, wrote, "I just did it again and it is too good not to be shared. This is the sixth time I've seen a four or five year old with his or her parents. I go over and ask if I can interrupt for a moment. When the parents say, "yes," I tell the child, "Santa is a friend of mine. He told me to give you this" and I give the child a dollar, adding....."Santa told me to tell you its time to start being good." Serendipity and unexpectedly, the parents bought my dinner tonight. Good things do happen to those who do good."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS:  Muriel Parks, 95, Boone.........Patricia Weichert, 70, Boone. BSH-65. Was a beautician and later worked at ISU. Boone area survivors include her husband, Jerry Godwin, brother Joe Gibbs, and sisters, Kathleen Alevantis and Francine Gibbs all of Boone..........Frank Carlsen, 83, Ames. Married Barbara McCall at the Baptist Church in Boone. Worked at the Department of Energy, Ames Lab, from 1962-91.........Teresia Reinsch, 82, Coralville, formerly of Boone. Grew up in northern Boone County. Stanhope HS-51. Was a nurse at the VA hospital in Iowa City and then worked at the Coralville Library. Boone area survivor is a sister, Clara Crook of Boone.........DeLoris Lundvall, 86, Story City/Boxholm. Grew up in Stratford. Stratford HS-47. Worked at Stratford Feed and Grain for 20 years. She and her husband, Paul Lundvall, farmed in Grant Township. Boone area survivor is a sister, Judy Ellsberry, of Boone...........Jerry (Buddy) Payton, 68, Omaha/Perry/Lake Panorama. Boone area survivors include a brother, Steve Payton, and a niece, Nicole Arringdale, 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 submit your stories/memories/comments/support.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.