Hey, We've Got it All Right Here

    In response to our recent promotion of several Boone area events, Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, wrote, "Mo, I read in your KK about all of the events that recently took place in Boone. It is with great embarrassment I write that this old Toreador has never been to Pufferbilly Days. I was totally unaware that the international dirt track races and farm implement show were such huge events. These have to be some of the biggest extravaganzas in Iowa; a heck of a lot better than the Scott County Fair when we lived in Davenport."
     The Kornerman replies, "I haven't been officially designated for such responsibility but I have certainly, in various ways, writing or speaking, always tried to put a positive spin on this community,  its people and events. Obviously, I love it here and knew, in those early years when we moved here in 1947, I was here to stay, regardless of any outside opportunities. Luckily, I obtained some great opportunities right here and for that, I will always be thankful. In that regard, I've had the best of both worlds."
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     Many thanks to Erik Miles, BHS-68, for sending some clarifying information about the Miles-Lee Park and, particularly, the memorial monument within, that his dad, Lawrence Miles, was so instrumental in establishing.
     Erik wrote, "the park is located where my dad grew up. His dad, Herbert (Ted), was a coal miner and later worked at Quinn's. Their house was located in the middle of the park side of the block on Franklin Street. After my grandparents died, dad's older brother, John, lived there for many years. He was a baker for Barstad's Bakery. As time passed, the house came under disrepair so, instead, of investing more money into it, dad worked with the Lee family, who also had a house just south of the Miles house. Together, they then worked with the city and Boone Parks Department and donated the houses and land to become a park for that part of West Boone. The house, itself, was burned for practice by the Boone Fire Department. Dad, as you said, was "tenacious" in making sure the park had the amenities a nice park needed."
     He continued, "after the park was established, dad, who was very patriotic, wanted to remember the Boone County residents who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. That was going on when his Signal Company was ordered there. While his company was near the rear of the battle, it made a great impression on him seeing so many soldiers, who were killed, being transported to the rear and processed for their return home. Dad got the idea for a monument and worked with a monument company to design and price just what he thought was appropriate for that recognition. He then worked with several Boone citizens, businesses and volunteers to raise the needed money. With this accomplishment, the monument was added to the park and a dedication was held at the Boone Community Building. Dedication day was  Memorial Day, May 26, 1997 after the monument had actually been placed in the park in 1996. Boone native Jack Shelley, Des Moines WHO radio news man and war correspondent, wrote a brief word history of the Battle of the Bulge for placement on the monument. Members of the committee to establish the memorial were Paul Stark, Greg Thede, Jim Malloy, Richard Hansen, Mark Gustafson, Ben Guenther, John Peterson, Shirley Walrod, Paul Ouverson and dad. Many people came together to make this happen, including the American Legion. Some 86 Boone County Battle of the Bulge veterans were initially identified. I have letters from several of them. The park, itself, was established in 1988 and has had several upgrades since, My brother, Kevin, BHS-72, actually planted the seed for the park by suggesting to dad the old lot could be made into a "kiddie park" and dad ran with that idea."
     Kevin concluded, "dad was a Power Plant and Substation Electrician for Iowa Electric Light and Power and this type of activity (the park/monument) was not something he was familiar with. However, with mom's/Letti's support and his tenacity, I hope the Miles and Lee heritage have helped to make Boone a, somewhat, better place."
     The Kornerman says, "Wow! What an inspiring story of "do-ism." That begs the question, "what have you done lately to make your community better?"
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     Bits and Pieces: (1) The Kornerman is hoping a good group of Booneites, from here and yonder, are gathering today for luncheon at the Tic Toc and a trip to view the new Boone Freedom Rock. The class of 1958 is leading this project. (2) The BHS class of 1961 will have a reunion wing-ding this weekend with a meal Friday night at the Lucky Pig in Ogden, Saturday activities in the afternoon and evening at Seven Oaks and a Sunday brunch at the Saints Avenue Restaurant. A couple of Korner viewers have indicated they will attend and, in fact, have invited this old-timer to pay a visit. (3) A side note from Mike Loehrer. He wrote, "living these past 27 years in Ohio and our community of Dublin exposes the lack of knowledge about Iowa and the wonderful people who populate the state. It is impossible to tell you the number of times I have come across citizens of the Buckeye State who constantly confuse Iowa and Idaho. Here's the real story. When I moved from Iowa to Ohio, the IQ levels of both states rose dramatically."
     The Kornerman says, "I got my first taste of that lack of recognition in 1962 when I managed the Boone Babe Ruth All-Stars to participation in the Ruth World Series in Bridgeton, NJ. I'll never forget some fellows preparing the baseball diamond wondering, "what part of Ohiah are you guys from?"
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     According to Loren Frazier, his BHS-58 classmate, Karen Toot Dix-Johnson, recently lost a son, John, to a heart attack while visiting one of his brothers in the state of Washington. John was 47. His mother resides in Omaha, NE.
     Word from California's Max Moore, BHS-46, tells of the death of his brother, Owen Moore, BHS-42. Owen has lived in LaMirada, CA. for 74 years. Owen was 93 and is survived by a second brother, Larry, BHS-52, who also resides in California.
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Dick Reutter, 88, Lakewood, Co..Formerly of Boxholm...........
 Jim Houchins, 81, Arnolds Park. Passed away in July. Former Ogden resident, teacher and girls athletic coach........John Galetich, 79, Madrid. Worked at Armstrong Tire. Retired in 1987. Wife Phyliss, daughter Michelle and brother Tom survive.........Helen Carpenter, 82, Boone. Was a bookkeeper at the family business, Yegge Lumber, and a secretary and bookkeeper at Boone Sacred Heart. Three sons and a daughter survive.........Christy Abbott, 63, Ogden. Formerly of Boone. BHS-71. Graduate of ISU. Taught Food Sciences at ISU until retirement in 2010. Boone area survivors include a brother, Bob Abbott, and an aunt, Karen Ely, both of Boone...........Gina Christians, 58, Boone. BHS-76. Worked several jobs at the Boone County Hospital. Boone area survivors include her husband, Kevin, and  her mother, Pat Miller, both of Boone..........Nana DeYoung, 96, Ames. Passed away at the Boone Eastern Star Home.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 5156-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.