KWBG RADIO TAKES CENTER STAGE

     The Kornerman's old "stomping grounds," KWBG radio, will definitely be featured in this edition.

      First, on the Tuesday "Tuned In" program, on KWBG, the guests were representatives of a "new" Boone Historical Society.
      Supporters of that long standing organization have faced a period of angst for several months now due to the threat of the closure of the Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace, then the closure of the main facility itself.
     The Tuned In program participants barely, if ever, mentioned the current birthplace situation and that will barely, if ever, be mentioned in this edition, due to current litigation. So, forget that for now.
     The main focus, at this time, is to get the Society functioning again, with the doors open, and again becoming a viable part of the community.
     Many thanks to them, five volunteers have stepped forward to become a temporary board of sorts to attempt to get the Society "back on track."
     On February 26, a 7 p.m. community meeting has been established for the purpose of attempting to install a new "permanent" Board of Directors to guide a Society "comeback."
     An important part of this new "beginning," of course, is to gain memberships and, as a result, much needed income. It was mentioned that the Society is currently some $65,000 in debt but, mainly via donations, day-by-day commitments such as to utilities etc....have been met to this point.
     If a new board can provide solid indications that the Society will/can "turn a corner" in this comeback effort, the city and county administrations may seem fit, again, to provide some much needed monies of support.  Numerous memberships and some renting of a part of the building would add to the financial needs.
     Former members, even some "lifetime" members who were "stripped" of their memberships by the previous regime, will be given an opportunity to reclaim their earlier support.
     At 6:30 p.m. on February 26, prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, memberships for all will be available for purchase.
     This is a gallant effort to get the Society back in good graces and all of us should be thankful that a handful of our citizens have seen this is something worth pursuing for our community good and are, on a voluntary basis, attempting to move things in that direction.
     A purchase of membership by all of us will certainly help.
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     Second, it just so happens I received some memories from an old KWBG compadre, Mark Campbell, BHS-67.
     Mark wrote, "some time ago, you discussed the potential loss some day of the BNR and the hole that would leave in the community. I recall, years ago, reading the news at the mighty 15-90. The newscasts included admissions and dismissals at the Boone County Hospital. We had arrest information and provided details about traffic crashes. We'd look at recently filed lawsuits and report them. We had a weekly discussion with Larry Erickson of the Chamber of Commerce. During the legislative session the local senator and representative would stop by for a discussion of state politics.Various groups and charities in Boone asked for publicity for their activities and they got it. I haven't listened to KWBG online for several months but I suspect it isn't giving listeners the detail we offered in the 1960's and 70's."
     Mark added, "station manager Ken Kilmer told me one day, "people can listen to Des Moines stations but remember, we are the only station that will provide daily news from Boone." He was correct. As I listen to local radio today, most programming comes from "riding the bird" (satellites). I've found a local station at 610 A.M. in Russellville, KY which actually has live Dj's and local news. What a thrill!! I am easily pleased. Keep up the blog, Mo."
     EDITORS NOTE: Oh yes Mark, lots of memories and "the way it was" 50/60 years ago.  But, actually, Jim, Ryan and Carol at our current KWBG do still offer a lot of what you mentioned and, in some cases, they are hampered, somewhat, by the new era of various rules and regulations. The hospital report, of course, is a good example. That type of coverage is no longer made available. So, my old KWBG still does do a good job of providing "Boone news" just like it always has. Even then, as you said, a local newspaper would be missed if it ever disappeared.
K-----K
     Third, a KWBG "original" is gone.
     Our Boone station began operation on March 2, 1950, and Thomas Aloysius Quinlan was there. He was one of the station's earliest hirers, serving as an announcer/engineer. He and his wife, Binx, and children, Dennis and Tom, Kathy Hoskinson and Patty Schlotterbeck, remained Boone residents  until moving to Perry in 1962 for Tom to become part-owner, station manager of KDLS radio there. Binx passed away in 1987.
    Tom, owner/operator of the popular early morning, T.Q. Show on KWBG, passed away in Perry at age 94 Monday.
    The Kornerman has said it before and will continue, endlessly, saying, "anything I've ever accomplished, worthwhile, in 83 plus years is due to the guidance of the late Rollie Peterson and Tom Quinlan. They certainly were my non-family mentors." And I'm sure there were many other young men who received early guidance from Rollie and Tom. Van Harden of the popular WHO early morning radio show, "Van and Bonnie" was another of Tom's "graduates."
     I'm not sure exactly how it happened but when the station opened and both men took a liking in 1953 to a recent Boone High School graduate, me, the Kornerman, it solved a question that most high school graduates ponder, "what am I going to do with my life now." They both took me under their wing and "away we went." And, I'm eternally grateful.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jolene Flockhart Wisecup, 89, Ogden. Born in Boone. Married Jr. Douglas Wisecup in 1946. Three sons and two daughters survive.........Charlotte Nelson, 77, Boone. Born in Iowa Falls. Iowa Falls HS. Was a homemaker and worked at an art and office supply store in Iowa Falls. Survivors include her mother, Doris Haydock, of Boone, a brother and two sons...........Robert Zell (Bob) Johnson, Ogden connection..........Marilyn Fritz, Madrid.
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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......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.