COMMENTS ON CONDON CONTINUE

     I guess I, the Kornerman, have opened up that proverbial "can of worms" with all the "blow" about Mr. Condon. The guy is receiving all kinds of gravitas due to our recent replay of a story about him that appeared in the Boone News Republican 17 years ago. And,..........its still not over.
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     John Hinz, BHS-64, reported, "the BNR was a must read for me from Little League days till college graduation took me to Minneapolis in 1969. Anything in Boone worth knowing was in our outstanding newspaper of that day. Now, I count on your Korner to keep me informed. I used to enjoy "25 years ago and 50 years ago" reminders." (those were popular feature columns in the old BNR).
    "But now, another story about the ever popular Vern Condon. In 1972, my father, Walter (Doc) Hinz, passed away. My mother, Mary, decided to trade his Chrysler (too big) and her 1966 Plymouth (too old) for a new 1972 Plymouth. I told her to wait until I came back to Boone and I'd go with her to Nystrom Motors. She said she needed to do things on her own. I got back to Boone to find a blinding lime green Plymouth with a dark green vinyl roof and green interior. In a non-supporting way, I offered, "good luck selling that someday." Big mistake on my part. In the early 90's, all three of the Hinz kids were encouraging our mother to sell her car (less than 20,000 miles.) Her response was always the same, "Vern always works on my cars and I promised him, I would sell it to him when I was done with it. The day finally came and Vern, with cash in hand and a smile on his face. To remind us of the "good old days," Vern ask mom how much she was wanting for the car. Her response was, "whatever you think its worth." The deal was done that fast. I'm glad Vern got the car. What a nice, competent, and honest man."
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     Gerald "Jerry" Manriquez, BSH-57, wrote, "I just updated my Boone website. I added a Boone Public Grade School page under the Boone High tab. I also loaded a book, "War Stories and Memories" written by Robert H. Lamb, BHS-42. I placed this under the links tab. I got permission from Bob to put it on the website. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and mentions about 27 Boone men and women that he met at various bases. He also mentions meeting Frank (Bucky) O'Conner at his first duty station and again at his last duty station and Bucky, in fact, gave him a ride back to Boone after his discharge."
     The Kornerman explains that Bucky O'Conner was a Toreador teacher/basketball coach that led his 1948 BHS team to the second round of the state high school tournament. That was just the beginning of a very successful coaching career.  Later, in the 50's, he coached the State University of Iowa men's basketball team to a pair of NCAA Final Four appearances.
     If you want to view the items mentioned and/or numerous other Boone related items, Jerry has a mammouth website that can bring Booneites to cheers and tears. Here it is..
http://boonesacheart/manriquez.net
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     Its about time for a Steve Shaler sighting. Steve, BHS-59, along with Barry Wills and Tim Croxen of that same era, have come "home" for the Drake Relays festivities every year, forever. It appears the weatherman is going to be very cooperative this year, making their annual journey even more memorable.
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     Speaking of Drake brings to mind Bulldog grad Zach Johnson, who has had such an outstanding PGA golf career. A graduate of Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, he wasn't good enough to play much high school golf. He did play on the Drake University team.
     Now 42 years old, his story is so inspiring, he is such a great role model and, of course, the fact he is a fellow Iowan, we enjoy touting the success he's had on the pro tour. 
     Last weekend, in the Texas Velero Open, he finished fifth to earn a $250,000 paycheck for his four days of competition there.
     But now listen up!!
     Sure, Tiger has won $111 million in his career and Phil Mickelson is second best at $86 million. How about Zach? Among all the golf greats this world has produced, the soft-spoken Johnson is 11th all time in PGA earnings with $43 million and he's well known for his generous contributions to many great charities.
     Those of you with younger kids may want to put a golf club in their hand rather than a basketball or football. And, the career of pro golfers is much longer than participants in those other professional sports.
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     I hope you locals will plan to attend the Open House of the new KWBG radio studios this Friday, 7 to 9 p.m.. Its a nice improvement for them and the community.
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     The Kornerman received an email this week from James Reedholm. He wrote, "I recently ran across your blog and see that you write/comment on all things Boone. While I was born there, I have not lived in Boone for going on half a century but did visit a couple years back when I rode in RAGBRAI. Someone that did spend much of his life in Boone passed away last month in Idaho. Paul W. Reedholm, my grandfather, made it a few years beyond the century mark, just a few years short of his predicted 120 years. Those in Boone might remember him from the Reedholm Hardware store on Story Street, or from fixing one of the many Zenith televisions all over the region with a visiting grandchild or two in tow. He always spoke fondly of Iowa."
     Paul, 101, passed away March 10 while living with his daughter, Sonja, in Priest River, ID. He had lived in Texas for 10 years before moving to Idaho in 2016. Born in Boxholm, he grew up in Madrid, MHS-34. He married his wife, Merle, in 1938 and they moved to Boone. A military vet, they moved back to Boone in 1952 and Paul joined his dad in the hardware store. Later, Paul operated the store, helped by his son, Bob. The store closed in 1985. Survivors include Sonja, son, Joe, daughter-in-law Jonell Reedholm and nephew, Leonard Reedholm of Ames. There will be a celebration of life in Boone in June.
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Marigean Smith, 94, Dallas Center. Formerly of Madrid/Woodward. Woodward HS. Born in Boone County, she and her husband, James, lived in Woodward until his passing in 1993. She then moved to Madrid. Two daughters survive........Robert Kalvik, 60, Story City. Hubbard/Radcliffe HS. He married Kimberly Jo Morgan in 1998. Worked at Butler Manufacturing and then at ISU until retirement in 2017. Boone area survivor is a son, Alex Morgan, of Ogden.
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     Worldwid 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.