Ah, What a Smell, What a Taste

     Recently, the Korner has been involved in some talk about coneys and restaurants that served them in Boone years ago.
     Now, as promised, the Kornerman will provide the official coney/chili recipe used at that time by Mary Kokanakis.  Mary, of course, worked with her co-owner husband, Pete, at the Coney Island restaurant at the southeast corner of Eighth and Keeler. Mary continued the operation for some time after Pete passed away.
     All credit for passage of her recipe to the Korner goes to Betty and John Nelson, BHS-55. They say that Mary disclosed the recipe on KWBG in November of 1982 but they discovered it in a recipe box belonging to Harriett Nelson, John's mother. John said, "best coney's around."
     Mary used all Tone Brand spices. Here goes.....
     Mix together five tablespoons of paprika and five of chili powder, one to 1 1/2 tablespoons of comina, two tablespoons of garlic powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons of ground black pepper, 3 1/2 tablespoons of salt, one tablespoon of hot cayenne pepper and 40 pounds of good ground chuck.
     Put four pounds of beef suet over a slow fire. Dice in two onions. Cook until the onions are brown and the suet melts. Add meat a little at a time. When the meat is done, add the spices. Cook four hours in a stainless steel pan. Put in small containers to freeze. If used as chili, add as many cans of Mrs. Grimes chili beans and water as you like.
     Note: Add a little water to the mix if its used as hot dogs. More water for chili soup.
K-----K
     The Kornerman, of course, was familiar with comedian George Carlin but I was not a Carlin follower. On stage, he seemed a bit too crude for my taste.
     However, Max Moore, BHS-46, sent me some Carlin material, some words he had written in 2008 and I found them very interesting. We don't have the space to use them all but here are a few of his thoughts.
     The paradox of our time is that.....
     (1) We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways but narrower viewpoints, we spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences but less time.
     (2) We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We've cleaned up the air but polluted the soul. We've learned to rush but not to wait. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes.
     (3) Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember to say, "I love you" to your partner and loved ones, but most of all, mean it. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
     The Kornerman says, "yes, I was very surprised and delighted to "see" this "other" side of George Carlin."
     Both George and his wife passed away in 2008.
K-----K
     Speaking of surprise.......did you note that former Boone resident John Haila became the Mayor of Ames via the Tuesday election?
     Mr. Haila,an architect, lived in Boone for quite some time before moving his business to Ames. He eventually sold the business and, in retirement, ran for elective office and was a big winner Tuesday.
K-----K
     Let's catch up on a quiz that Tony Crandell, BHS-59, has presented.
     Tony wrote, "during the heydays of the passenger trains coming and going through Boone and before mechanical air conditioning, Boone was where the trains took on hundreds of pounds of ice to keep the cars cool. Likewise, the refrigerated cars hauling meat and other perishables were loaded at the beginning of the trip but, sometimes, the ice was replenished in Boone."
     "Name Boone's ice plant company and tell us where it was located."
     The Kornerman will offer the answer next time.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Daniel Lee Sellers, 74, Cedar Rapids. Formerly of Boone. His parents were Nienan and Mary Sellers..........Mary Lou Kline, 83, Boone. Was married to Donald Kline in Boone in 1956. Boone area survivors include her husband, Donald, three sons, Ken, Kris and Andy all of Boone. Other survivors include a daughter and a sister.
K-----K
     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa  50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/SUPPORT......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.