THIS AND THAT

     (1) In reply to a recent mention by someone regarding guitar lessons, Larry Kelley, BHS-64, wrote, "Herb Forbell was my guitar teacher when I was about 12 years old. He gave lessons above Bacon Jewelers, if I  remember correctly. He, later, gave lessons in Ames at Eschbach's Music House on Main Street. I taught guitar there, as well, for a few years, at the same time he was there. He lived on the north side of 22nd street in Boone."
     (2) The Kornerman apparently committed an error. Replying to the recent mention about a BHS teacher who was credited with working with individual students who went on to radio announcing careers,Vern Modeland, BHS-50,wrote, "It was a HER (not a him). I remember her face and voice but can't remember who 'twas. It was not our class of 50's, Ms. Taylor. Older. And she did good work! Made talkers out of us mumblers a far way ahead of what is heard on the radio and TV today."
     Which brings to mind a Kornerman thought. "Really....how many modern day singers are real singers? And, I'm referring to some that are very well publicized and that crowds go ga-ga over? Seems to me its all loud, loud, loud background music and I'm thinking that's to cover up the fact that some of these folks can't sing well at all. How can we tell? How many of them do we see sing without accompaniment? Seems to me lots of these stars (?) bury themselves behind lots of noise, jump around a bit and count their change after. Oh well, give them credit, they've made a great career out of "fooling" a segment of the public."
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     Often, those who follow high school athletics ask, "how come our team is in class etc. and some neighboring school is in another class?" Believe me, I know all about that because I worked with it for 30 years as a staff member of the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association.
     As long as I can remember, class assignments have been determined by a school's enrollment in classes 9, 10 and 11 from the year before the current year. For the 2019-20 school year, the enrollments from 2018-19 were used. Schools are then listed numerically......in 2018-19....West Des Moines Valley was number one with 2,201 students and Diagonal was last with 21 students. Then, there are so many schools in each class. If there are 48 schools in a certain sport the top 48 from Valley on down are in that class.
     Yes, there are different numbers of schools in certain classes. In some cases, there may be 120 schools in a particular class. The object is to make things as equal, competitively, as possible. Its a tough task.
     And yes, some times the ball (or count) doesn't bounce your way. For example, using that 48 school class, the 48th listed school would be Epworth,Western Dubuque with 668 students. They would probably love to be 49th and drop to the next lowest class. On the other hand, the 49th school is Newton with 651 and they may be very happy to be number one in their class rather than last in the class above them. Sometimes there can't be a perfect "world."
     As long as I'm on this subject, I'll peer into some info you may find interesting. I remember when Boone was somewhere near that 48th largest school in the state marker. Now, I note that with 471 students in grades 9-11 they BHS is 62nd largest.
     Behind the largest, Valley at 2,201 students, is Waukee number two at 2,147. Then, there's quite a drop off to number three, Des Moines Lincoln, at 1,793. In other words, Valley has 408 more students than Lincoln and that many more opportunities to entice possible student-athletes that could aid their sports programs into participating. Personally, the Kornerman has always felt, with that kind of an advantage, those top schools should always be a top contender for state championships in all sports. No excuses.
      Ogden High is tied for 214th largest with 157 students and Madrid is tied for 227th with 148 students.
     Remember the old CIC? Marshalltown is 25th at 1,093, Ames 30th at 1,026, Newton 49th at 651, Oskaloosa 61st at 476 and Grinnell 81st at 377.
     Those metro suburbs besides Waukee?......Johnston is 4th at 1,682 and Ankeny both 13th and 14th. Ankeny Centennial is 13th at 1,269 and the other Ankeny 14th at 1,260.
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     Laurence Jensen, 97, passed away in Leesburg, VA last week.
     In 1946, Laurence and his wife of 73 years, Dorothy, were married in Madrid in 1946, farmed in that area and raised their kids there until moving to California in 1986.
     I knew the Jensen's well as a Boone Sports Editor (BNR) and Sports Director (KWBG) who covered the Madrid High School athletic exploits of son, Dick Jensen, and daughter, Barbara.
     Wife Dorothy, son, Dick, and daughter, Barbara survive.
     In my long years of covering Boone County athletics, Dick Jensen was one of the finest athletes ever. He was a tall, 6-8, talented basketball player but also a state champion cross country runner.
     Then, at the State University of Iowa, Dick became an important member of a Hawkeye basketball team termed, by most, as the greatest in the school's history.
     The 1969-70 Hawkeye team, coached by Hall of Famer Ralph Miller, did what seems almost impossible. They had a perfect 14-0 Big Ten Conference record as they stormed to the league championship by averaging over 100 points per game.
     The team was called the six-pack because just six players dominated the playing time. John Johnson and Fred Brown later became NBA all-stars and the other contributors were Glenn Vidnovic, Chad Calabria, Jensen and Ben McGilmer.
     Unfortunately, a team many felt were NCAA championship worthy lost, 104-103, to a last second tip-in by Pembrook Burroughs of Jacksonville in the regional semifinal. Burroughs was a 7-footer and was assisted by 7-2 Artis Gilmore. Both later also became NBA all stars.
     In a consolation contest, the six pack defeated Notre Dame, 121-106.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Steven (Robby) Robinson, 69, Boone/Ames.Was raised on a farm between Boone and Ames. UC-69 grad. ISU. Married Joni Van Scoy. Farmed. Two daughters survive as well as a nephew, Lance Hein, of Boone and  his ex-wife, Joni, of Gilbert..........Judith Paul, 84, Madrid........Dan Turner, 66, rural Boone. Born in Boone. Married Carmen Johnson in Boone in 1973. Farmed. Survivors include his wife, Carmen, of Boone, his mother, a son, a daughter, a brother and two sisters, Donna Wood and Diane Dearden, both of Boone.
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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.......
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