Christmas is A-Comin'

     Thinking of Christmas, this popped into my old head. Remember in the 50's, maybe even before and a bit beyond, it was not unusual for schools to have a monthly visit, an assembly, from a minister who read scripture and/or did a short sermon. There may have been a musical number also. What was it called? Was it something to do with chapel.....chapel talk or ? Anyway, I remember it as a regular, monthly assembly. Seems to me like attendance was not mandatory so those who didn't want to be there went to study hall. Why can't it still be that way? It seems so simple, if you want to take part, fine, if you don't, fine. You decide.
     Then, too, in those days, there were baccalaureate services, a celebration honoring a graduating class, typically, a Christianity-based interdenominational service. Wasn't it held a day or two prior to graduation day?
     Can anybody out there verify or provide more details?
     That type of thing, unfortunately,  has been long lost and would certainly be condemned by some these days.
K-----K
     Earliest Christmas/holiday greetings from John and Linda Hinz, BHS-64, in Minnesota, Rick Houser, BHS-63, in Virginia, Max, BHS-46, and Larry (lefty) Moore, BHS-52, in California and Tom Peterson, BHS-67, right here in good old Iowa.
     John and Linda have made a move from Lake Minnetonka to the city of Minnetonka just prior to leaving for Arizona for the winter months.
    Thanks to all. The Kornerman is very appreciative of their great, longtime, support of the Korner.
K-----K
     California's Jerry Manriquez, BSH-57, has provided additional railroad hotel/depot information. He sent a sketch that shows the area and some of the accompanying structures. We notice that across north and adjacent to the tracks are two lumber companies side-by-side, Otis Lumber and P.T. Nelson's Sons Lumber. This was in 1925.
K-----K
     Super Bowl talk is increasing and that brings to mind the fact that a couple years ago, I, the Kornerman, suggested to the Boone Historical Society that one of their monthly or beyond "specials" should be a tribute to the late Jim Doran, a Boone Countian most of his life and a frequent Boone visitor who still counts many relatives in this area. Nothing regarding my suggestion was ever developed.
     Briefly, for those of you unaware, here is his story. He became a football All-American receiver at Iowa State University, went on to the NFL, primarily with the Detroit Lions. A few years prior to it being called the Super Bowl, the NFL had what was simply called the league championship game. In that title game in the early 50's, quarterback Bobby Layne threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Jim Doran. So, you could say that a Boone Countian received the winning touchdown pass in what eventually was named a Super Bowl game. Quite a feat for "one of our own."
     Speaking of Jim Doran, I see there is an award given to an ISU football player each year honoring Doran. Its called the Jim Doran Outstanding Special Teams Player award. Again this year, that award was given at the recent ISU football post-season banquet.
 K-----K
     No more daily/multi-weekly paper so you view things here you won't find anywhere else in Boone County........twice weekly.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jean Heldenbrand, 92, rural Madrid. Johnston HS. Was a U.S.  Navy veteran. Farmed with her husband, Don Heldenbrand, in the Van Meter area. Boone area survivors include her husband, Don, her sister and brother and six children.........Tyler Scott Nelson, 32, Pleasant Hill. Boone area survivors include his parents, Deb and Tim Gioffredi of Madrid.......Ann Dennert, 84, Boone. BHS-50. She moved to Boone at age two. Was a musician in high school and with the Boone Municipal Band. Worked at Woolworths prior to a long career as a telephone company employee. A brother, John, survives as does a Boone sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Dennert-Burman.
K-----K
     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.