Is This Worth It?

    Maybe some of you have this same feeling regarding a project. Every once in a while, the Kornerman finds himself wondering if anything worthwhile is being accomplished by continuation of the Korner. Yes, we do have our bright spots but also, on occasion, some dull spots. Especially during those dull spots, it makes me wonder whether its worth it. Just can't help that feeling.
     But then, oftentimes, something will occur that prompts the urge to "keep on truckin." That's been the case the last week or so.
     First, received a phone call from former Boone resident, Roxanne Rose Aplanalp, BHS-57, now living out west, Utah, I believe. Roxanne indicated plans were being made for a BHS class reunion, she knew Mark Tompkins was a Korner "regular" and wondered if Mark might be able to provide some info/address etc. for his brother, Morgan Tompkins, BHS-57.
     Mission accomplished! The Kornerman was able to connect Mark and Roxanne for the needed information.
     Then, in a recent edition, courtesy of Loren Frazier, BHS-58, we were able to report the passing of Karen Toot Dix-Johnson's son, John. That's Karen Toot, BHS-58.
     From Arizona, Mary Jane Vignovich McConnell, BHS-59, noted that death message in the Korner and wrote, "do you have an address for Karen? My family and I would like to send her a card. Karen's mother married my uncle George back in 1964 and Karen has attended our cousin reunions but it seems none of us can find her address. Maybe Loren Frazier would have it but I don't have his  email address. I just flew home from visiting in Ohio and looked you (the Korner) up to see what is new in Boone. Keep up the good work. We former Booneites appreciate you."
     The Kornerman eventually brought Loren and Mary Jane together and she wrote, "thank you so much for helping me get Karen's address. After getting Loren's email address from you, I contacted him and he was able to answer back with an address for Karen and even an obituary for her son, John."
     Voila! Of the various things we try to provide via the Korner, there is nothing more satisfying than helping our viewers connect for any one of numerous reasons.
     Yes, we'll "keep on truckin'" for at least another week or two, if not longer.
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     Here's an update on Boone's world class marathon runner, Pete Kostelnick, BHS-2005, son of Boone's Charles and Clare Kostelnick.  
     You viewers will recall that Pete left the San Francisco City Hall on August 12, with an attempt to break a 35-year old Guinness record of running 3100 miles in 44 days, ending at the New York City City Hall.
     Pete has already conquered California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Thursday, his 18th day, he ran 72.9 miles in 12 hours and 58 minutes to bring his grand mileage total to 1,235.6 miles. Today (Friday) he has moved into Nebraska and will soon be seeing Kearney, Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha. He expects to be in Iowa, at Missouri Valley, next Thursday.
     Lincoln, his current residence, is expected to have a nice greeting for him and Pete is looking forward to passing through Boone, his home town, and Ames, the home of his alma mater, Iowa State University, later in October.
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     Bits and Pieces: (1) Lila Kruse wrote, "noticed the info on Miles-Lee Park. Daryl and I "adopted" the park last year, painted all the picnic tables and benches and we check each week for trash and vandalism. It is also where we have our traditional Easter egg hunt and get some great family pictures. Keep up the great work." Kornerman says, "you guys are the ones doing the "great" work. Those are wonderful contributions to our city. (2) Thanks to Sandy Crandell, BHS-61, who sent the Korner some outstanding pictures taken during the '61 class reunion last weekend. They were great. (3) Speaking of that reunion, which the Kornerman had the opportunity to attend, in my review of the event last edition I left out Doug Gustafson. Had a few moments to visit with him. The Kornerman remembered one Toreador basketball game I broadcast that Doug was playing in. In fact, he was fouled right at the end of an even game and had a free throw or two (?) after time had expired and a successful free throw won the game for BHS. Don't remember, but his teammates probably carried the big guy off the floor.
(4) Along that same line, you might notice the passing of John Adamson, BHS-50. The Kornerman was 15 in 1950 but I seem to recall John as a great kicker and, in fact, it seemed to me he won a game for BHS with a late field goal. I also recall a 14-14 tie (no tiebreakers in  those days) with Ames and, perhaps, he had something to do with that? Can't get all the cobwebs out this morn. Maybe someone out there in Kornerland remembers more details.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: John Adamson, 84, Boone. BHS-50. Korean war vet. Worked at John Deere in Ankeny, 1963-92, prior to retirement. Boone area survivors include a sister, Mildred Chapman, and a niece, Dominie Irvine, both of Boone.........Dorlis Good Smith, 81, Boone. OHS-54. Worked at McCaskey's Restaurant, Bournes, Pilot Mound school and the Boone County Hospital. Had a lifelong love of horses. No Boone area survivors.........David Linstrom, 77, Boone. Navy vet. Worked at ISU from 1978-95. Moved to Boone in 1975 to work as a recruiter in Ames. Boone area survivor is his wife, Arlene, and two sons........Rita Aspengren, 87, Boone. BSH-47. Worked at Bournes and Page school. Boone area survivors include sons, Tim, Richard and Brian, and daughter, Deborah Mitchell, all of Boone and daughters, Sandra Niester and Patricia Lewis, both of Ames..........Eldon Boone, 72, Madrid. MHS grad. U.S. Navy vet. Worked at John Deere in Ankeny prior to retirement in 1992. Boone area survivor is a brother, Dan Boone, of Madrid.
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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.