A KORNER EXPERIMENT

     For quite some time I've had concerns, mainly about the content, of our weekly Boone News Republican. I know, being a former BNR Editor, I'm subject to criticism that, "you're just upset that they aren't doing things the way they use to in your good old days....etc."
    Well, maybe that's true, but even considering the idea that many passing years have resulted in numerous changes in the news industry, the fact remains that BNR circulation has steadily plummeted and the reason's why are available for debate.
    One reason I think people have lost interest is the fact there isn't the same feel of community "closeness." There is time and could be available space for more and more personal stories about friends and neighbors, their families, work and play. After all, there's a week between issues and, to my way of thinking, adequate space available, if they would desire to use it.
    For example, the main story in the last edition was some three full pages pertaining to a pertinent subject and a good story but it had no mention, whatsoever, of Boone. (some space available there) Then too, I know Arvid Huseman and Bill Haglund. They're good guys and good writers but almost every week both of them have columns that take space in the BNR and I've never read one word in either column about Boone. (More available space) Those are just a couple examples of space that could be available for more and more Boone news. And, I think that's what most Boone folks want, more news of Boone in the Boone News Republican.
     If I ask for a showing of hands of Boone people that I, at some time or another, wrote personal stories about for the BNR, many hands would go up. Then too, many of my "victims" are now deceased.
     Anyway, the following is going to be a Korner experiment.
     I have copies of many of these old stories I authored and, just because I can do it, I'm going to "replay" one of them to show the type of stories I wish we saw more of in the BNR on a consistent basis. There are 12,000 plus folks "out there" and they each have interesting stories just waiting to be tapped and, it seems to me, lots of those people would love to hear things about their neighbors they never knew about them.
    I'm not going to change anything so many things mentioned in this experimental story will be outdated today but, hopefully, you'll get the "drift" of the message I'm trying to espouse.
     Here's one of those stories:
     VERN CONDON -Fourth and Story public relations director
     Every community large or small has its hub.
     Every community has that main intersection, an area that introduces or welcomes people to the entire community.
     In movieland, its Hollywood and Vine. In Ames, its Lincolnway and Duff. And, in Boone, it's Fourth and Story streets.
     For 37 years, service station operator, Vern Condon, has been the ex-officio mayor, the ambassador of good will and the public relations director of Boone's corner of Fourth and Story.
     Whether its visitors to town, new residents or the legions of his regular customers at Condon's Service, Vern meets them with an indication of interest, a friendly greeting and a noticeable work ethic that we all wish we could boast.
     "I was hoping I could retire at 55, then it was 60 and 65. Now, I'm 70 and it looks like I'll walk out of here or be carried out when I'm 80," Condon says.
     Let's face it. The guy simply likes people and likes to serve them. He admits, "I think it would be real difficult for me to not have contact with the public." He adds, "I've been very fortunate to have a great clientele, good people."
     Vern, it works both ways, of course, and the stories those "good people" relate about Vern's thoughtful treatment of all and his willingness to go above and beyond are legendary.
     One long-time customer comments, "If I shopped around, I might find cheaper gas or services elsewhere, but I also know that if I had a problem in the middle of the night a hundred miles from here and called for Vern's help, he'd provide help in short order."
     Vern didn't have a fancy childhood, but along the way he learned how to treat people and learned how to work hard.
     That wasn't the case in the summers during his school days, however.
     His grandfather was the famous founder and first custodian of Ledges State Park, Carl Fritz Henning. "My brother, Ted, a cousin and I lived with my grandfather at the Ledges from the day school was dismissed until the day it started again," he explains.
     Asked if he had to work hard during that time, he replies, "Not much. We really goofed off most of the summer."
     During the school year, he was a worker, though. In the seventh grade, he got a job as a stock boy at a grocery store. Later, he helped Emmet Eckhart grow roses at a greenhouse, worked at a couple of gas stations and put in some time at another grocery store.
     In 1964, he leased his present service station and later purchased it.
     He's had good help during the years, quite a bit from his own family. Sons, Denny Ellsberry and Curt Condon, are currently on staff; while sons, Wendell and Ed Condon and Dave and Doug Ellsberry, also worked for him at various times.
     Vern has seen lots of changes in the business during his time, more self-serve, more complicated cars to work on and, of course, a fluctuating gas market. "In the 50's and 60's, gas prices hardly ever changed. Now, it seems like it changes on a daily basis," he comments.
     Vern was a National Guardsman for 24 years. He's a Rotarian and served on the Boone County Historical Society Board for a time, even as chairman.
     You could see the pride in his eyes, and hear it in the sound of his voice, as he talks about helping dedicate the new Ledges Park Shelter House in honor of his grandfather in 1999.
     Vern and wife, Vera, who's been an important factor in his success, do take a few trips now and then, but most of the time, he can be found pumping gas, washing windshields, fixing tires or any of the other tasks that need tending.
     All right, maybe 80 is a realistic goal but in a recent survey of those "good people," they overwhelmingly decided 90 might be better. What in the world would they ever do without Vern?
     EDITOR'S ADDITION: A nice picture of Vern, standing at his "corner," accompanied the story.
     That story is some 17 years old. It appeared in the BNR in 2001. The Kornerman has many others like it from the past and on slow Korner days, we might just print more of them. Although outdated, they surely are as worthy as blank pages.
     In my humble opinion, that's the type of Boone story (and many others like it) that would give local readers a reason for looking forward to each edition of the BNR That, plus lots of other Boone, Boone, Boone news that could occupy space now used for non-Boone material.
     Would I, the Kornerman, like to hear viewers comments on our experiment. ABSOLUTELY!!
K.....K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Rev. Pamela Farren, 67, Boone. Formerly of Des Moines, Redfield, Adel. A lay preacher, she also worked at a grocery store prior to official ordination in the early 90's. She served several Iowa communities as a minister. In 2003, with her husband, Dean, moved to Boone where she continued limited preaching. Boone area survivors include her husband and two daughters, including Jenifer Hutzell of Boone..........Elizabeth Nelson, 86, Boone. Boone area survivors include a son, Gary of Ames, daughters Lisa Ballantyne of Nevada and Melanie Williams of Boone. Also surviving are her sisters, Valenette Heldt, of Boone and Evelyn Stockman of Ogden and her brother, Roland Schoff, of Boone.........Harold Gildea, 97, Boone, Luther HS-42.  An Army vet, Harold was a farmer. Boone area survivors include his wife, Mary, of Boone, daughter Beth Lycke of Nevada, sons, Clifford of Slater and Wayne of Boone and a sister, Lois Riker, of Boone........Joseph Rivera, 84, Boone. Air Force vet. He earned a degree in secondary education from Southwest Missouri State and also an associate degree in nursing. He served as a hospital administrator in several Missouri and Iowa communities. Four sons and one daughter survive, including son Joseph of Boone.
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.