A FAMILY MYSTERY

     Seventy plus years ago, I, the Kornerman, and a cousin, Nancy Rae Morris, at a similar age, were playmates.
      Nancy's parents were Harold "Hap" and Pat Morris. Hap, one of my uncles, was a state champion wrestler for BHS in the 20's and worked at Peoples Clothing store. He died of a heart attack while a 40-year old. Pat was well known as a pianist, primarily for the dance students of Betty Mae Harris. Nancy was an exceptional dance student of Betty Mae.
     I admit that I and Nancy never had a close relationship during our school days and, actually, my thinking about this, during that period of time, is very cloudy.
     Adding to my confusion is the fact that I noticed that a listing of BHS grads on Jerry Manriquez website includes the name of Nancy Rae as a BHS graduate in 1954, a year later than my graduation year. Yet, when I look at the school annual for 1954, there's no picture of Nancy as a graduate.
     I can't get in my head that we were in school together at that time, a year apart, and never had any "connection" that I can recall.
     I know that her mother, Pat, settled in Tulsa, OK. in the late 50's because, on my way home from service discharge, my parents and I stopped to visit her. She is now deceased.
     I am also aware that Nancy, eventually, married a Steve Martines and lived in Illinois.
     That's it! Its one of those cases where you wish you would have had a better relationship "back then" and are full of wonderment about a cousin's later path.
     Can anyone out there in Kornerland add to the story?
K-----K
     It was so good, they've decided to "double down."
     According to Sandy Crandell, BHS-61, her class and the Sacred Heart class of 1961 are going to have another reunion this year.
     You may recall that just last year, that group had a 75th birthday party with 60 in attendance.
     Sandy wrote, "we had such a good time, we decided not to wait until the 60th reunion in 2021, but to have another reunion this year and perhaps each year, hoping even more could attend. We are calling it the Class of '61 Shindig."
     A year ago, the group met at the Boone Senior Citizen Center, which was decorated with birthday balloons, had food catered from Ames Hickory Park followed by a birthday cake and ice cream.......the cake decorated by Carol Elsberry.
     This time, Friday night, April 26, the group will meet at Colorado Grill, 6 to 10 p.m., followed by a gathering Saturday morning, the 27th, at the Senior Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. and a Sunday morning meeting at 9 a.m. at Saints Avenue Cafe for a brunch. Dress is casual.
     Those planning to attend Saturday should contact Sandy Crandell at scrandel@grm.net to register by Monday, April 15 or for additional information.
K-----K
     Some cynical thoughts: (1) I read that 4,153,237 people got married last year. Not to cause any trouble, but shouldn't that be an even number? (2) America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote. (3) If you think nobody cares whether you're alive, miss a payment or two. (4) Money can't buy happiness but it keeps the kids in touch.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Larry Winstead, 72, Ames. Married Debbie Creel. Graduated from and eventually worked for the Pascagau, Mississippi school system for 17 years prior to retirement, via illness, in 1977. Boone area survivors include his wife, Pat, of Ames, step-daughter Angie Carswell and step-son Troy Strother both of Boone. Also surviving are three other daughters, a son and three brothers.........LaVerne Johnson, Clive/Pilot Mound. PMHS-56. Earned a degree from ISU in 1960. He taught in Somers, became a farm real estate lender and then a real estate broker/appraiser. Survivors include his wife, Sandi Thompson of Clive, who he married in 2008, two daughters, two sons and a sister..........Bertha Lukawski, 76, Olathe, KS. Formerly of Boone .........Warren Scott, 88, Webster City. Born in Stratford. Stratford HS. Married Peggy Stolte in 1950. He and his brother, Loren, owned and operated Scott Plumbing and Heating in Stratford. Survivors include his wife, Peggy, two daughters, a son, a sister and sister-in-law, Lila Scott of Boone.
K-----K
     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.