Saturday, May 27, 2017

A Job Well Done

     Former Boone resident, Jack Lashier, has announced that he will be retiring from his position as Director of the Iowa Hall of Pride as of August 1st. He will be replaced by Ankeny Centennial teacher/coach Taylor Anderson.
     The Hall of Pride opened in Des Moines in 2005 but Jack actually started working on the project as early as 1996 and lived in Boone during that time of early planning before eventually moving to Des Moines.
     Another former Boone resident, Bernie Saggau, the Executive Director of  the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association at the time, started formulating the idea of a Hall of Pride in 1995 with an original plan that would locate the facility in Boone. However, Des Moines hierarchy became involved and were able to overcome a strong Boone effort via financial and location considerations to lure the hall to Des Moines. It is located next door to the Wells Fargo Arena.
     EDITOR'S NOTE:  The Hall of Pride is an amazing place and a visit there should be on all Iowan's bucket list.........if they do feel a sense of special pride in our state's history. It is NOT just devoted to athletic history but also cites the accomplishments of numerous Iowans in various fields, government, agriculture, entertainment etc.
     Whatever you might think it is............you'll find its much, much more. Truly an Iowa lovefest.
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     This IS about athletics......... track and field, tennis, golf, soccer, baseball and softball.    CONGRATULATIONS to all our Boone County athletes, high school and DMACC, who competed in spring state and/or national competition and performed exceedingly well..........some as state champions. The Korner is proud of your accomplishments. You represented us very well.
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     Mark Tompkins, BHS-60, and his classmate, Dr. John Clymer, have been touring Europe and Mark indicated in an earlier Korner edition that he would keep us informed of their travels.
     He wrote, "Dr. Clymer's presentation at the Wessex Institute went "swimmingly" as the Brits say. Yesterday we toured Salisbury. The two great sites were the world's oldest operating clock, circa 1340, and one of just four of the 1215 Magna Carta that started freedom for common folks around the world. We bicycled through the New Forest national park to Lyndhurst........only to run smack into the Maserati-Ferrari dealership. Toto, we aren't in Iowa anymore."
     The pairs adventure began in England where John, a world leader in electrical engineering, made a presentation on the Mathematics of Complex Adaptive Systems at the 2017 International Complex System's Conference. After that, they began their two-week trip touring the five D-Day beaches.
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     Oh, what a time! The Kornerman joined many others for a reunion of Boone Merchant fast pitch softball players at the Adobe Lounge last evening (Friday) and.........it was great.
     Remember now, this is an 82-year old mind in operation, minus any notes........just trying to remember most of those who attended. I apologize for anyone I might miss. But here goes......
     Al and Marty Dannatt, Dan McMullan, Jack Rusnak, Rick Neely, Topper Lyness, Larry Land, B.J. Bjorkgren, Iver Oppedahl, Bill Martin, Bill Carpenter, Pat Olofson, Terry Burke, Harold Johnson, Larry Knight, Doug Elsberry, Mike Wilhite and a few I really didn't know.
     Those guys had some tales to tell.......some of them pitch by pitch.......from Little League to Babe Ruth to high school and even to their Boone Junior College days.
     Those coming from the longest distance probably were Larry Land, who now lives in Florida, Pat Olofson of Wisconsin and Al Dannatt from Houston.
     Actually, it was Al Dannatt who organized the softball reunion but his brother, Marty, and sister, Terri, were also celebrating their mother, Mae Dannatt's, 87th birthday. Mae was there and enjoying every minute of it.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Clarence Schwien, 89, Pella, formerly of Boone. BHS-46. Was married in Boone. Was a carpenter, cabinet maker. Owned and operated a motel in Mason City. His wife, Betty Nystrom, is a survivor.........Charles (Chuck) Eddy, 86, Glendale, AZ. Formerly of Boone. BHS-49. He passed last month in Arizona..........Sharon Boersma-Smith-Anderson. 82, Badger, IA. Grew up in Boone. BHS-53. Worked as office manager at Warden Plaza in Fort Dodge. Lived in California for 21 years. Moved back to Iowa in 2003. Boone area survivors include her brother, Larry (Butch) Boersma, and niece Christy Duncan both of Pilot Mound and niece, Kelle Cook, of Boone..
Jerry Peterson, 78, Boone. Worked for the Iowa State Highway Commission in the Humboldt area. Moved to Boone in 2008. Boone area survivor is a son, Dr. Eric Peterson, of Boone..........Tim McIntyre, 66, Ogden. Born in Boone. BHS-69 . Worked at Quinn's for 25 years, retiring in 2008. Boone area survivors include his wife, Linda Hodges McIntyre, and daughter, Denise Elsner, both of Ogden,  son, Dennis Misner, and brother, Paul (Pete) McIntyre, both of Boone........Leota Eich, 93, Clive. She and her husband, Harold, moved to Ogden in 1962. She lived there until moving to Clive in 2014. She worked at Ohlson/Swanson Drug in Ogden for 40 years. Boone area survivor is a son, Randy, of Ogden.........Ronald Chelsvig, 79, Ames. Huxley HS-56. Was a farmer. Boone area survivor is a brother, Clyde Chelsvig, 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 email your stories/memories/comments/SUPPORT........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
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