From Germany, Washington, Minnyhaha

     Wendall (Spike) Condon, BHS-75, one of Vern's boys, checked in from Germany this week. He wrote, "sorry I haven't corresponded much lately, although I have been following your blog weekly. I'm still at the Illesheim Flight Simulation Facility. We've been extremely busy lately. We're getting a couple new  helicopter flight simulators and with that, there's lots of work. We've just extended for two more years here in Germany. Lori and I will now return to the U.S. in 2020. Thanks for continuing your blog, even when there is not always lots of response. Thank you for the death notices. Your blog is where I normally find out about those who have passed away. Happy belated birthday too."
     Great to hear from Wendall and Lori (she's a former Boone resident also) from clear across the other side of the ocean.
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     Not quite as far away but we also heard this week from Ron Hopkins, BSH-59, from the state of Washington. He wrote, "your column today leads me to raise the philosophical question: "What if there were no hypothetical questions?" I, too, appreciate the death notices, even though I have now been gone so long I recognize few of the names."
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     Always nice to "catch up" with one of some 400 guys who, in their younger years, were members of Babe Ruth baseball teams I coached. The only trouble is.......they're all getting older much too fast.
I do appreciate the fact that one of them, Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, has saved the old Kornerman a year. He started an email with, "happy 81st birthday." I'll take that.
     Larry continued, "during my years of playing baseball at Jimmy Archer Field, east of downtown, there were always familiar faces that would stop by the park to watch the games. One such observer was "Happy" (last name may have been Johnson). He always had a checkerboard and some checkers in his bag. He challenged anyone to play him. "Happy" offered $1.00 to anyone who could beat him. He'd sit in the bleachers and challenge all comers. I believe Dick Musser, BHS-64, beat him one time but I'm not sure he ever received his dollar. Boone, like many small communities, has been a safe haven for folks like "Happy" who walk the streets and are recognized as local "institutions." I may not know their names, but they were a part of the social fabric of the community."
     Larry's a Redwing, Minnesota resident.
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     As always, there sure was a Boone flavor at the recent Iowa State Boys Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Alan Beste, of course, is the Executive Director of the sponsoring Iowa High School Athletic Association while other Boone area residents, Brett Nanninga, Chad Elsberry, Jared Chizek and Lew Curtis all played prominent roles in the direction of the tourney.
     Then too, Boone's Everett Johnson is one of the tourney's scorekeepers, Father Craig Collison, BSH-70, is still one of the tourney announcers and Gary Long, BHS-73, is the statistic's room coordinator. Gary's been involved in the tourney for almost 40 years. We also noted that this year, Rich Collison, BHS-80, Father Craig's brother, was one of the game officials at the tourney.
     One other note of local interest. Brad Rose, the Athletic Director at West Des Moines Valley High School, was named Iowa High School Athletic Director of the Year. Brad's parents grew up in Ogden before a move to Fairfield where Brad went to high school. I knew Brad's dad pretty well. We were inducted into the U.S. Army at the same time and spent basic training together at Fort Smith, AK.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Alan Smiley, 87, BHS-48, passed away this month in Buford, GA. His wife, Carole Nelson Smiley, BHS-52, survives..........Pam Zahrt, 68, West Des Moines. Born in Boone. OHS-66. Worked as a secretary. Husband Chuck and two sisters survive.........Carol Carlson, 78, Madrid. Carol's husband, Gary of Madrid, and four children survive.........Jeannine Schaub, 79, LaGrange, IL. With her husband, Bob, she was a co-owner, co-publisher of the Boone News Republican for many years........Sherwood Selim, 79, Boone, BHS-57. Piano tuner, bike rider.........Mary Wood, 94. Former Boone resident. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Sharon McCargar, of Boone.........Jason Richeson, 40, Boone.........Joyce Richeson, 69, Boone.........James (Little Jim) Gould, Madrid. Was a volunteer at the Madrid Home..........Twila Mackowiak, 71, Ogden. Born in Boone. Her parents were Russell and Eva Smalley. Was a social worker in Illinois. Retired in 2005 and moved to Ogden Manor in 2012. Boone area survivor is a sister, Ruth Evans, of Beaver.........Sylvia (Dianne) Currier Campbell, 78. Altoona. Born in Boone. Parents were Selden and Mary Currier.
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     A personal note: After retirement from the IHSAA, I, the Kornerman, was an employee of Bob and Jeannine Schaub at the BNR for several years. I very much appreciated the opportunity to "come home" to a place I had worked previously for some 17 years. They were a wonderful pair to work with and work for. I enjoyed them very much and have lots of great memories of working at the "old" BNR with many super special people including Bob and Jeannine.
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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.