UPDATE ON BOONE CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETY

     In viewing the latest minutes of a recent Board meeting of the Boone County Historical Society, its obvious that the discovery of  errors committed by the previous administration has provided a good lesson for the new leadership group.
     That's a need for TRANSPARENCY, detailed and complete. That's the pursuit.
     Thus, significant time has been spent on a followup of financial recommendations from the state audit, a review and update of Society bylaws and updating of the BCHS website.
     In reviewing the previous three years of financial transactions, it was determined that the biggest reasons that led to the Society's loss of funds, during that time, were three-fold. (1) the previous director's unfettered access to charge accounts. (2) the use of paid outside vendors rather than volunteers for needed repairs or to build things and (3) a lack of information presented to the board regarding the cost of various new projects. The director would present a project idea and then, without specific board approval, would begin incurring costs related to the project, followed by the presentation of bills relating to it at a later date.
      Of the lengthy minutes, here were a few of the more interesting mentions.
     (1) The treasurer's report dated June 30, 2020, indicated there was just $6,066.79 in Society funds, with July obligations still to be met.
     (2) There is no plan to reopen the museums in the foreseeable future due to COVID-19.
     (3) There has not been much building rental activity but that possibility will be more actively persued.
     (4) An unscheduled elevator inspection test by the elevator company has been done at a cost of $450 with few problems noted. However, in the near future, the Iowa Elevator Inspection Office will also require an inspection at a cost of $300-400 to bring the elevator up to code.
     (5) The Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace will eventually be taken over by the Birthplace Foundation. But, until that transaction becomes official, no movement of materials back to the birthplace will occur.
     Finally, the Kornerman says, "Hip, Hip, Hooray........Thank You......Thank You.....Thank You" to all who have stepped forward, minus anything other than our praise, to take on this responsibility. It would be one thing to "step into" a stable situation. Its quite another to "step forward" when a complete rebuild of management and trust is required.
     Obviously, any hint of involvement.......financially or volunteerwise.......would be a much welcomed event.
     Financially, help is easy. For $25, individual memberships are available; families can sign up for $40 and businesses or organizations can register for $75. And, memberships, of course, are a major key to survival.
     Volunteerism is important as well........whether its simply watering the flowers at the birthplace or spending several hours as a docent or aiding in various other ways.
     The Society is located at 602 Story Street.......phone 515-432-1907 or email admin@BCHSIowa.org. for any further information.
     This is a vital asset and we all, in whatever way possible, should do what we can to restore and retain its place as an important community landmark.
K-----K
     We've been persuing this study of former Toreador drum majors and/or mascots and, without ANY outside help, have been able to add an item or two to our original list.
     The Kornerman believes Bob Carpenter may have been the drum major in 1952 with Marlyn Wiemer in 1953. Chuck McCubbins and Doug Gustafson served in the late 50's to early 60's with McCubbins probably in 1959 and Gustafson after that, for, perhaps, more than one year.
     The Rose Bowl band of 1964 was led by John Reed. Dr. Bill Martin was in charge in 1965 and 66, Chuck Solheim in 1967 and Craig Harvey in 1969.
     Dorothy Cleveland guided the band in 1973 and Terri Criner was the leader for three years, ending in her senior year of 1976.
     Now, all of you out there in Toreador land are invited to tell me what I have wrong. Or, of course, you can add to my list.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: LaVonne Anderson Stumbo, 77, Ashland, OR. BHS-61. Her husband, Rev. Jim Stumbo, BHS-62, is among the survivors. His address is 881 Clay Street, Ashland, Or. 97520.........Brian Jennings, 46, Ogden. Missouri HS. Indian Hills Community College. Married Jennifer Joss and the couple had three boys prior to divorce. In 2013, he married Melany Melchert Olesen and the couple lived in Ogden. He had rental properties, an Old Hickory Building dealership, sold sheds, had a consignment store and repaired computers. Survivors include his wife, Melany, of Ogden, three boys and two girls, Lexi Elliott of Ogden and Katie Moran of Boone. His parents, who live in Missouri, survive. Survivors also include a brother, his father-in-law, Maynard Melchert, and sister-in-law, Lisa Melchert, both of Ogden..........Robert Ripley, 69, Ames. Born in Boone. Madrid  HS-69. Marine Corps vet. Earned a degree in accounting from ISU. Married Vicki Wilson in  1973 and the couple had two children before divorcing. He worked at Mary Greeley in the business office until retirement in 2007. Married Judy Donovan and they divorced. Survivors include a daughter, Carisa, and a son, Brandon, both of Ames, two sisters and a brother, Merwyn Ripley, of Ames. Merwyn's wife is Nancy Hicks Ripley, BHS-61...........Additional Information: Dorothy Pike Garland, 88, Boone. Moved to Boone in 1941. BHS-50. Married Lawrence Garland in 1950. Was a bank teller, bookkeeper and housewife. Three sons, including Dennis Garland of Ridgeport, survive.
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.