I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

     Jo and I attended a movie early in 2000 and said, "we'd had enough." We didn't care for the consistently crude language and/or sexual interactions and it seemed easier to forget movies rather than "take a chance," since even some of the favorable? "ratings" seemed askance.
     These many years later, we received some raves from friends about the movie, "I Can Only Imagine," which was just released in March. It was described as an American biographical Christian drama, so we took a chance and attended a showing.
     Others have noticed this production also. At this early date, the song involved, "I Can Only Imagine," is already the most played radio single EVER. First weekend release monetary projections were shattered and a few weeks later, the financial surge has continued well over the estimates. The Kornerman has also noticed the song has become very favored at funeral services, along with Sinatra's "My Way," amidst other contemporary possibilities.
     This movie is about the life of a young man, abandoned by his mother and abused by his alcoholic father, struggling his way through life but, eventually, writing a song that has been a monumental success.
     Dennis Quaid is especially outstanding as the father. Iowa born Cloris Leachman, Amy Grant and
Trace Adkins are also featured. We went to an afternoon performance for $6 each. We bypassed the overpriced popcorn and pop.
     You might want to give this movie a try and the song a listen. I think you'll be inspired. To hear the song, use google to get to youtube and then pull up Ivan Parker's rendition.
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     Let's highlight the early 60's with some info from Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, and John Kueck, BHS-61.
     Larry was on one of my earliest Babe Ruth baseball teams and he sent a lengthy email with lots of good memories that we will share over the next several editions of the Korner.
     Today, we'll recall some of our Boone News Republican days. He wrote, "you worked for the BNR when Harlan Weeks was the editor. I was there as well. During my senior year of high school, 1962-63, I worked there as a co-op student. Several classmates would be dismissed from school about 1:30 p.m. to go to our co-op jobs. I would walk with Karen Elsberry Ryan, BHS-63, Karolyn Roberts Reedholm, BHS-63, and others. Harlan's desk was near the stairs going up to the linotype machines in the upper room. Right by his desk was a new machine for making pictures. It was round like a lathe, a silver metal piece was placed around the cyclinder, a sharp needle cut into the metal and that piece would, eventually, be sent back to the linotypists for placement in the story. Marv Lestina, BHS-61, was one of the linotype operators, Ed Bomberger was a reporter, Doris (Peg) Smith Hohanshelt, BHS-43, had a desk next to me, Rollie Petersen was in sales and Jim Anderson was the photographer. You would be making trips back and forth from the BNR to KWBG across the street. I called in local Friday night football scores to WHO radio and various other news outlets. Harlan's family lived next door to us when we lived at 1212 Third street, before we moved to 1233 Aldrich. Across the street from Weeks lived Karl and Mable Knodle, the owner of Bowl Mor Lanes who also became a mayor of Boone."
     John wrote, "Sue and I just completed a 1,000 mile tour of central California that included the Hearst Castle. That castle is a national landmark and mansion located on the central coast. It was a residence for William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. It features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, movie theatre, airfield and the world's largest private zoo. That triggered my curiosity as to what are the largest homes in Boone, present or past? I remember one on the corner, west, across from the old Lowell school. The dining room in the castle was quite large with a huge, narrow table. It was narrow to promote conversation and long to accomodate the many guests. The seating arrangement was fixed so that new guests were close to the center and as your stay extended, you were seated further toward the end, supposedly, to encourage you to leave. We hope readers give you more information. We love  to hear their stories, thanks to you."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Kenneth Walter, 92, Boone. A Navy vet. Earned degrees from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Moved to Boone in 1960 and served as United Community Principal from then until 1988. Taught at DMACC until complete retirement in 1991. Served as a Boone City Councilman among many other Boone activities. Boone area survivor is his wife, Maureen. The couple had six children.
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     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.