Where Has that Been Hiding?

     For several weeks now, the Kelley's have been involved in that daunting task of attempting to downsize. We've revisited items we haven't seen in 25 years and would probably have no reason to see them or need them in the next 25. Yet, its......do we keep or toss? Tough decisions.
     Let's see,......here's my dad's very first report card, dated 1916, and with good news. He was promoted to first grade. For some strange reason, the first subject I, the Kornerman, wanted to check was deportment. Hmm'.....teacher May Jones recorded a 99 right across the board. Pretty good I'd say. Do schools still grade deportment or is that passe' these days?
     Lots of old pictures,.......many showing folks that we can't identify. Oh yes, here's a Boone High School football program, October 12, 1951,......Boone hosting Grinnell at Homecoming. Crazy coach didn't even have me in the starting lineup. Maybe I was on the injured list. I'm sure it had nothing to do with my class work.
     Now, here were a couple of items I know will be salvaged...........a pair of the old Lincoln Restaurant's top-rated recipes.........for their dressing and their cinnamon rolls. Can't toss those, they have a magical pedigree.
     Speaking of old favorites, here's a copy of a great story that appeared in the "old" Boone News Republican about Ruth Gehr Fox and her famous popcorn stand at the northeast corner of Ninth and Story. First thing I think of is her famous cooker, surrounded by a very dark black, oily substance that you knew had never been touched by soap and water or any other "cleansing" tool. That's apparently what made her popcorn so good.......that, and lots of  butter and salt. Isn't it amazing how many people still try today to mimic that Mrs Fox original? Same holds true with the authentic Boyd's malt. To those of us hailing from that era, Jolly Time, Orville and/or Baskin Robbins will never be there equal.
     By the way, the story says Mrs Fox took over the stand in 1932, two years after her husband, the former operator, had died. The story said she was a BHS graduate in a class of 21 students and that her father was once the town marshal of Montana........which, of course, later became known as Boone.
     During the days of World War II, as loaded troop trains were a steady visitor on the C&NW tracks to the Boone community, Mrs. Fox and some other ladies organized the "Boone Moms," who were on hand when those trains arrived to provide the military men aboard with sandwiches, cookies and even chicken on occasion. Oh yes, popcorn too........hundreds of sacks full.
K-----K
     Speaking of food, the current weather and the ups and downs of the current price of gas are a pair of main topics for my coffee group BUT food rates up there too. Most who show up become a food fancier, providing their critique of the latest food establishment they have tried. Some of the food is rated great, some not so good, some items are reasonably priced while others are a bit "over," at least in our speaker's opinion.  Anyway, lots of info about food outlets, primarily in the Boone/Story County area, are provided and yes, there are conflicting opinions quite often. If its in the immediate area, chances are at least one of our group has given that eating establishment the ultimate test.
K-----K
     Even found some copies of editions of the Korner when they were appearing in the BNR. Here's one dated, July 10, 2003, and it begins, "this column will automatically self destruct when you've finished reading it OR, PERHAPS, EVEN WHILE YOU'RE READING IT."
     Surprisingly, we've now been around with our internet offering since March 6, 2010, and a grand total of 317,311 folks interested in Boone, Iowa have taken a look..........3,824 in the last month.
     Sometimes I wonder...........but, if that many people are still lacking something of real substance to occupy their time, why should I determine the current Korner is one of those items that should be tossed?
     P.S. While I'm at it, a sincere thank you to those of you who have been with us all these days.
K-----K
     Someone just mentioned to the Kornerman the other day that a friend was so upset because he/she didn't even learn the death of a special friend until reading it in the BNR,........maybe even after that individual's funeral.
     Well, maybe those folks should regularly check the Korner. We had knowledge of that death and made it available in print at least four days before the BNR hit the mail boxes.
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Frank Dennis Sr., 88, Madrid. Boone area survivors include daughters Kelly Dennis of Woodward and Pam Dennis of Ogden...........James Shannon, 94, Boone.........Rose Ann Quigley, 81, Boone. Attended Boone schools. Worked a variety of jobs including time at Rolfes, Heinrich Envelope, Sundstrand in Ames and the Boone Community schools. Boone area survivors include her daughter, Gayla Harken, and brothers, Paul and Bernard Miller, all of Boone. Also surviving are another brother, Jack Miller, of Luther and a sister, Joyce Kirk, of Ames...........William (Dean) Kemmerer, 92, Clear Lake. Was born in Boone. BHS-44. An Army vet. Worked as a police officer in Boone, then joined the Iowa Highway Patrol and became the first pilot for that organization. He owned and operated several small businesses in the Clear Lake area.
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.