AN IMPRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT

     You viewers, from "out of town," probably remember when Meyer's Clothing store occupied the corner building, northwest corner of Eighth and Story Street. There was a hobby shop downstairs.
     Unfortunately, that entire corner was wiped out via a fire several years ago. After cleanup, it has remained just a "plot of ground," in the midst of downtown Boone.
     Thanks to some progressive community members, with help from the Boone Optimist Club and the backing of city officials, that oppressive looking area is suddenly turning into a bright addition to our downtown.
     Its been a rather slow process, due mainly to......you guessed it.......adequate funding...... but its really beginning to show its true promise.
     In fact, Sunday, a flag raising ceremony was a nice "kickoff" to a more promising future. Some beautiful flag poles were graced with a U.S. flag, state and city flags and even fire department and police department flags.
     Sidewalks have been installed, there are some nice benches and landscaping and a small "band shell" type building is under construction.
     The hope is that it will eventually become a nice "gathering area" for folks visiting our downtown.
     Fourth ward councilman Terry Moorman has been the "top gun" in promoting this project and he tells me they hope to have things pretty well completed by the end of August.
     By the way, if anyone would care to donate to this project, you can simply send a donation to the City of Boone, 923 Eighth Street, Attention-Greenspace project, 50036......and, you might mention that you heard about it via the Korner.
K-----K
     BREAKING NEWS: Des Moines Area Community College, Boone Campus, has a new head men's basketball coach, the 13th in the school's history.
     Brett Putz, a Forest City native, who was an outstanding player at St. Cloud State, will replace Josh Sash, who left after one season as the Bears coach to become an assistant at North Dakota State.
     It will be the first top job for Putz who has a long career as an assistant coach at several schools, Chicago State, Omaha, Wayne State and St. Cloud State.
     P.S. This news reminds me that the new Toreador boys basketball coach, Rusty Hicks, a Boone native, will become a neighbor of the Kelley's "some day." Just two houses down, there's a lot that the Hicks family has purchased and will build a house on. In fact, preliminary action is underway. I noticed some surveyors are working that lot today.
K-----K
     Still on the subject of basketball, the Kornerman has a heavy heart these days. I lost my Boone High School basketball coach the other day. Larry Gillespie, 96, passed away in Des Moines.
     Larry came to BHS from Manning as I began my senior season, 1952-53. He was a true gentleman, a strong leader and an excellent coach, a real inspiration. I think about him a lot.
     He remained in Boone another year or two before moving on to Des Moines Tech.
K-----K
     Unfortunately, there are two more recent deaths that bring a ton of memories to the Kornerman.
     Patty Donovan McDonald, BSH-58, sent me a note about the passing of Don Reed, who died at Clear Lake, June 1. Complete details will follow in Boone Connected Deaths.
     Whether I need to or not, I'm going to plead a disclaimer here because what I say could be proven wrong.......although I don't think so.
     There was a Don Reed, BHS-44, who was an outstanding baseball pitcher and had an opportunity with the St. Louis Cardinals I believe. However, it was wartime and he served in the U.S. Navy. During that service, he suffered some lifelong leg injuries that ended any hopes of playing baseball again.
     I can recall a picture of him, behind a microphone, with clear evidence of serious leg damage.
     The Don Reed I am thinking of was the first Sports Announcer when KWBG started serving the community, March 2, 1950.
     The obituary Patty sent me said he was the last member of the Clarence Reed family. Don had three brothers and three sisters. One sister's name stood out. Marie Seiler was a beautician, I remember, in Boone.
     SO, there are several clues that indicate to me that this was the Don Reed I was thinking of. Still, there have been many Don Reed's so......
K-----K
     Then too, Tony Riker, BHS-62, informed me of the death of his brother, Mike, 75, BHS-63.
     Mike is remembered as a guy that saw lots of touchdowns, fumbles, good weather and bad at Goeppinger Field each fall.
     He worked as a member of the football "chain gang" for 53.....that's 53 YEARS.
     I asked Tony if Mike had ever been honored for this service. Yes, at halftime of a game on the 50th annivesary of this work, he was honored and given a certificate for free lifetime admittance to all BHS and DMACC events.
     P.S. Tony, a former Toreador swimmer, is still at it....and very impressively. He is still a United States Master Swimmer. At age 76, he is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several events with a high of 4th best in the 200 breaststroke.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Beverly Abrahamson Keigley, 83, Madrid area. BHS-55. Original family lived in Fraser and Boone. Bev married Herbert Keigley in 1952 and the couple farmed in the Napier/Luther area. Survivors include a son and daughter and her brother, Stanley Abrahamson of Boone........Michael Riker, 75, Boone/Eastern Star. BHS-63. Worked on the football "chain gang" at Toreador games for 53 years. Survivors include his brother, Tony, BHS-62..........Don Reed, 94, Clear Lake. BHS-44. Navy vet. Last member of the Clarence Reed family, which included brothers, Charles, Bob and Bill, and sisters, Fearl, Marie Seiler and Marilyn. Was the first sports announcer for KWBG when it opened, March 2, 1950........Larry Gillespie, 96, Des Moines. Was a teacher/boys basketball coach at BHS in the early to mid 1950's. Moved on to Des Moines Tech. A son and daughter survive........Henry Knoploh, 92, Ames. Married Virginia Frahm in 1952. Taught school in Postville and then Clear Lake for 30 years. Retirement brought them to Boone for a time before they settled in Ames. A son and daughter survive.......Margaret "Peggy" McVay Sharp,76, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. Served for several years in city administrative positions in Knoxville and then Johnston. A daughter and sister survive..........Kathleen Wheelock, 72, Boone. A very good friend of the Korner.
K-----K
     Worldwide korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.