50 YEARS OF SHUFFLIN'

     Oh how my dad, Clint Kelley, enjoyed playing cards. As I understand it, he got started playing  cards during his collegiate days, starting in the late 1920's.  I guess it was about 1952 when a Boone card club was started as a regular event each Wednesday/Thursday night in the Kelley's basement. I, the Kornerman, wrote a story about that club. It appeared in the Boone News Republican in 2002 and, thus, was a 50-year remembrance of the club's existence. The story banner line read, "Cards are still flying 50-years later" and there was a nice picture of the group at that time........Chuck Lovin, Gene Merrill, Don Riemenschneider, Joe B. Wells, Stan Abrahamson, Ray Gragg, Rich Finnestad and my dad.
     I remember two of the older members, Chuck and dad, once attempted to write down the names of various players who, at sometime or another, had been involved. They had well over 250 names on the list and, believe me, they came from all walks of life.
     Despite dads great love for card playing, he had a son, me, who never gave a hoot for this endeavor. Strange but true.
     P.S. Although dad had some health problems in his later years, he was sharp mentally until his last days. He passed away in 2004 and you can bet that the game was still being played in the Kelley basement at least a couple years beyond that 50-year anniversary.
     Anyway,  here's a copy of that story that appeared in the BNR some 16 years ago. Keep in mind, the story is shown, as printed in 2002, with no updates. Here goes.
     It's a community treasure, and its celebrating it's fiftieth birthday this summer. Certainly, the town fathers will acknowledge its existence in an appropriate manner.
     A parade would be nice or, perhaps, a tree planting, a community holiday, or, at the very least, a praiseful proclamation.
     After all, over 250 of Boone's finest citizens have participated, and there have been no shootings, no fisticuffs, foul language has been somewhat limited, smoking and alcohol have been banned and a 10 p.m. curfew has been strictly adhered too.
     Yes,  it was fifty years ago this summer that a northside poker club started to make its way onto Boone's elite social calendar.
     Two of the originals, though, a bit bleary eyed after 50 years of play, remain. Chuck Lovin, 82, and Clint Kelley, 92, were there on that first Wednesday evening in  1952 when the initial call for card dealing artists went out.
     "Seems like yesterday," Lovin says. "Clint and I sat down and attempted to list everyone we could think of who has participated through the years. Of course, many have passed away and others have moved away, but our list reads like a Who's Who and every sector of town and every  profession imaginable are represented."
     Lovin recalled that, in the earliest days, it was mainly some high school coaches who got together and the educational community has continued to be well represented. However, it wasn't long until storekeepers and professional people were lured into the action.
     "Hey, when they checked in at the door, they knew the expectations, and everybody, for three hours at least, was on an even footing, regardless of their standing in the community. How often does that happen?" Lovin said.
     The two veterans insist that a firm application of the rules has played an important part in the success of the club.
     The start time is 7 p.m., although the darn Union Pacific might alter that a moment or two on occasion. The cards go back in the pack at 10 p.m. sharp. However, with a current group that ranges in age from 60 to 92, Kelley and Lovin admit some yawning may start as early as 9 p.m..
     The decorum has been exceptional. Neither Clint nor Chuck can recall an instance of anger. Disappointment?, maybe, anger, no. "Its always been for fun, not blood," Lovin states.
     The two club elders are proud of the impact the club has made on the communities health. Lovin admitted, "there used to be some smokers involved, but these days, we never have anyone light up." The acceptable vice these days is soda, diet of course.
     In the early years, there was some shuffling of sites but for thirty years now, the group has played at 521 17th street, the Kelley home. Lovin chided, "Clint likes that home table advantage."
     Once in awhile, in the "old" days, new members might expect a little initiation, like the time a newcomer was challenged by the acrid smell of limburger cheese placed under his chair.
     "We're more mature now," Lovin laughingly said. He went on, "we just do a little storytelling now."
     The club meets on a regular basis, except on occasion when those who play golf might stray away. "Some are involved in some golf activities on Wednesday this time of year, so we've gone to Thursday a time or two lately, "Lovin explained.
     If the steadiest play occurs in wintertime, surely bad weather can play havoc. Wanna bet? Lovin answers, "where there's a will, we'll find a way."
     And the beat goes on.
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     Some humorous musings.
     (1) I didn't make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row. (2) I decided to stop calling the bathroom "the John" and renamed it "the Jim." I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning. (3) Last year, I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.
      Finally, some seriousness. Something that is so much more important.
      Someone said, "today, as my father, three brothers and two sisters stood around my mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, "I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often."
     Think about it.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Andrew Ball, 30, Boone........Stella Gibbons, 98, Boone. Born in Ogden. Married Roswell Gibbons in Boone in 1941. Was a homemaker. Boone area survivors include a son, Mark, and daughters, Sue Pratt, and, Rosie Irvine, all of Boone and a daughter, Kathy Van Pelt, of Grand Junction...........Arthur Elsberry, 75, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-61. A Marine vet. Married Carol Ann Koop in California in 1962. Worked at Rolfes and was then a shopkeeper at ISU until retirement in 2008. Boone area survivors include his wife, Carol, son, Mark, daughters Raylene O'Tool and Morgan Hawk, and brothers, Marlin and Dayle Elsberry, all of Boone.....Willard Verplank Jr.. Worked as a custodian at the Boone County Hospital and with his dad at Midtown apartments. Also worked at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames..........Morris Walters, 74, Pilot Mound. Married Joyce Mayfield in Boone in 1961. Worked for Tom Walters Company and Walters Landfill before working as a foreman at the Boone County Landfill for 36 years prior to retirement in 2006. Boone area survivors include his wife, Carol, and daughter, Brenda Walters, both of Pilot Mound.
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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.