CATCHING UP

     Still on the unfamiliar lap top so please excuse any miscues.
     An abundance of "catch up" items: (1) Glad to hear from '53 classmate, Margaret (Peg) Oxenford Kooser. She is living in Baton Rouge, LA. but plans a Boone visit in the near future. (2) Thanks to Diane Webb Lewis, BHS-65, for remembering me on my birthday. Thanks to many others who sent emails or cards or contacted me in any way. Thank you. (3) The recent State Boys Basketball Tournament reminded me of a fact some locals may not realize. Yes, the Toreador boys won a state championship in 1931, beating Muscatine in the final, 16-11, but there's more. Boone High also won boys state championships in 1920 and 1921, prior to the establishment of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. In the title games, it was BHS over Spirit Lake, 20-15 in 1920 and BHS over LuVerne, 23-10, in 1921. (4) Speaking of the boys state tourney, Boone's strong connection to that event continues. Of course, many Boone and Boone area employees of the IHSAA manage the tournament. In addition, three Boone natives were involved. Father Craig Collison, BSH-70, of Pocahontas is still one of the announcers, Rich Collison, BHS-80, of Algona, officiated in the meet and Gary Long, BHS-73, of the Quad City area, is the stat room  coordinator. (5) Boone's Alan Beste will soon be retiring as Executive Director of the IHSAA and he and Donna plan to remain in Boone. His successor has been named. Dr. Tom Keating, currently the President of Cedar Rapids Xavier, will replace Al. Tom has been at Xavier since 2004 and previously served schools at Maxwell and Dubuque Wahlert. (6) Jim Goodrich, the former United Community basketball star, who once was the all-time leading scorer in IHSAA history, came "home" for his high school coach Tom Nutt's funeral. For 35 years, Jim has been an Iowa City area resident associated with Athletes in Action. He ministers, when asked, with numerous University of Iowa athletes and coaches and indicated close relationships recently with football star Noah Fant and basketball star, Joel Wieskamp. (7) The MIC insurance group, located next door south of the old Redeker location, will be moving. The building they currently occupy has been leased by someone else? (8) Rumor has it that the old Peoples Clothing store has been sold. Did notice some action there recently.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: David Rankin, 63, Boone...…..Betty Jean Audlehelm, 89, Ames. Married Don Audlehelm in 1949. The couple arrived  in the Boone area in 1960 and eventually settled in Napier. A son and daughter survive...…...Catherine Brierty (Pat) Lynch, 99, Boone. Born in Boone. BSH-38. Earned a nursing degree and joined the military where she became a nurse and captain. Worked later as an RN at the Boone County Hospital. Married Earl Lynch in 1949. A son, Robert, and daughter, Patricia Ames, both of Boone, survive...…….Tom Nutt, 75, Boone. United Community grad. Earned a degree from the University of Northern Iowa and was a teacher/coach for 35 years at United and later, in the Boone schools. Led a pair of United boys basketball teams to state tournament qualification. Wife, Linda, daughter. Wendy Patterson, and sister, Carolyn Bass, all of Boone survive. Another daughter, Kathy McCarey, of Illinois also survives.
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