HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND

     ATTENTION RAILROAD AFICIONADOS.........especially those who have an extra $400-$750 "hanging around." There's a special opportunity awaiting.
     To cap off Omaha Railroad Days later this summer, the Union Pacific Railroad is offering rides on a train pulled by a 1940's steam engine that will end its run right here in good old Boone, Iowa.
     The newly restored Big Boy No. 4014 steam train will carry passengers from Omaha to Boone on July 15. The passengers will then disembark in Boone and travel, via luxury motor coach, back to Omaha.
     The Kornerman assumes that folks from "this end" could, if they desire, find their way to Omaha, and come back "home" to Boone to stay.
     The Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in 1941. It was retired in 1961 after traveling  1,031,205 miles while in service. The railroad reacquired the locomotive in 2013 and sent it to Cheyenne, WY for restoration. The restored engine, the only operational Big Boy, left the shop earlier this month and is longer than two city buses and is powerful enough to pull 16 Statues of Liberty over a mountain range.
     Passengers must be at least 18 years old to board this train and patrons of the Union Pacific museum will be offered an advance opportunity to purchase tickets which will become available to the public starting Tuesday, May 28. Proceeds benefit the UP Museum and range in price from $400-$750.
     Omaha Railroad Days, July 13-14, consists of a series of train-themed events at locations throughout the Omaha area.
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     In our last edition, Larry Lindmark, BHS-64, told of his Boys State experience. That mention spurred some replies.
     From the state of Washington, Ron Hopkins, BSH-59, wrote, "In 1958, Jim Moore, BHS-59, and I were selected to represent Boone at Boys State. I remember how proud I was to be selected, and that it was an important experience. I remember something of the tumult of arrival at Camp Dodge. But I am surprised how little I remember of the actual experiences. Not only was it 61 years ago but I was probably in a naive fog for the entire week."
     Ron also wondered, "has your group found another coffee gathering spot since McDonald's closed?
     The Kornerman answers, "we've been experiencing Burger King."
     Gary Knox, UC-58, wrote, "I found my own "fish bowl" photo of the 1957 Boys State I was a part of. I remember that after the event,  Paul King, BHS-58, Bill Herman, BHS-58, and I had to give speeches to the local American Legion members about our experience there."
     Gary enclosed a photo of the three that appeared in the Boone News Republican. What a young  looking trio.
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     Tony Crandall, BHS-59, Larry Kelley, BHS-64, and I, the Kornerman, BHS-53, all former KWBG employees, along with Larry Adams, BHS-65, have been attempting to make a list of ALL the former KWBG employees from its inaugural date of March 2, 1950, to the current crew. Gosh, that's almost 70 years.
     We have a pretty extensive list, much of it due to Larry Adams research, but as times passes, we continue to add more bits and pieces.
     Tony wrote, "there was Bob Sharp in the 1957-60 era and Harold Higbee was one of the earliest employees.....1949-50.....when the station studios were located in the Boone National Building."
     The Kornerman says, "that is news to me. I was unaware that the station, at one time, was in the Boone National Building. The studios were located in the former Citizens Bank building in more recent years of course."
      Some day soon, Larry and I are getting together to peruse our list, maybe shed a tear or two in memory and probably laugh a lot about things we experienced in our days at K-Dub.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: John Wayne Sparks, BHS-52, California, passed away Thursday.........Leatrice Olson Orr, 94, Neenah, WI. BHS-44. Married Bill Orr, BHS-46, in 1952. She worked as a telephone operator in Boone for several years. Two daughters, Kim Orr McCoy, BHS-79, and Jill Orr Beverlin, BHS-83, survive.........Ila Mae Holmes Daniels, 67, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-70. Earned a degree as a certified welder from DMACC. Married Rickey Daniels in 1983. Worked as a welder for Massey Ferguson in Des Moines and Kiefer Built Trailers in Ames. She returned to DMACC to become a CMA and CNA and worked at area nursing homes. Boone area survivors include her husband, Rickey of Boone and a brother, Tom Holmes, of Ogden. A son also survives...........Matthew Coleman, 51, Boone. Survivors include his parents, John, BHS-58, and Lelia Coleman, his wife, Greta, and six children, Elizabeth, John, Brendan, Seth, William and Mia and a sister, Lisa Davis, all of Boone. Two other siblings also survive.........Karen Christensen Williams, 50, Erie, PA. OHS-87. Grew up on a farm south of Ogden and was very active in school and Boone County 4H activities. Was named Boone County and Iowa Junior Miss in 1987 and competed in the national event. ISU grad. Furthered her education at the University of Georgia. Served as a professor at Mercyhurst University in Erie. Ogden area survivors include her parents, Roger Paul Christensen and Mary Ann Shelton Christensen, and an uncle, Rex Christensen, all of Ogden.
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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.