Saturday, January 30, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Friday, January 29, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
James Jones, 75, Granger. Survivors include a sister, Sherry Shearer, of Madrid.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Dr. Allan Redeker, 96, California. BHS-42. Brother of late Boone businessman Stanley Redeker.
A MUCH MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE
The Kornerman believes its time to put this "Dors" thing to rest. Everyone seems hunkered down on their individual feeling and there appears to be nothing to gain by advancing the discussion.
A generational divide seems evident with we "old folks" not being as excited about it as the newer group is and that's fine......to each his own.
Actually, this subject is a very small "blip" on a much larger screen that seems to multiply from one very serious national/international subject to another. It even was wondered by some why this would even be a considered debate while others said "it created more action than ever seen on a facebook page." So, perhaps, it did provide a "middle of the road" avenue to a "lighter" subject for the tenuous times we are facing.
In the long run, nothing will change.
As I expressed, I, personally, don't care for its use and other alumni responded in a similar fashion. However, in a phone call, BHS Athletic Director Brett Collins indicated to me the competing "kids" do seem to "like" the nickname and, in fact, in the coming spring and summer seasons, there will be some new uniforms with "Dors" prominently displayed.
So, let's get on to something the Kornerman hopes we all can and SHOULD agree on........the building of a much needed new elementary school, replacing Lincoln and Page schools. Getting the coming bond issue positively passed should be the community's number one priority now.
Property for the school has been purchased and the $23-million dollar Bond Referendum will be voted on by patrons on March 2, 2021.
Regarding this project, its time to thank current and previous Boone Community School Boards and administrations for their outstanding long range planning. The result is that there will be no increase in school tax asking to complete this addition. What's not to like about that?
Monday, January 25, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Larry Davis, 82, Stratford.
Merle Frette, 100, Story City. Born in rural Boone.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
SEVERAL COMMENTS ON "DORS" BLOG
Dang it, I didn't win the "big one" so I'm still here, twice a week, trying to survive the COVID threat.
My oh my, the Kornerman opened up the proverbial "can of worms" with that Wednesday rant on the "Dors".
The opinion rendered was my own.....minus any outside influence.......and completely engineered by a Des Moines Register photo that showed some of my beloved Toreador basketball players wearing uniforms with "Dors" emblazoned boldly on the front. After a moment of disbelief, all I could wonder was, "what is that" and "why?"
In a very quick study, not featuring any thoroughness at all, I have determined this is probably a fairly recent development and I don't want to suggest that its widespread.Thankfully, Boone and Toreadors are still prominently displayed on most various uniforms and in publication materials.
I did note in a 2016 yearbook, the word was used in the baseball section and I have been aware that there is an award, the "Dors" award, given to outstanding faculty members. I didn't have access to the more recent yearbooks for further study.
I had no idea what to expect in response to the rant but have been completely overwhelmed with opinions from various alumni. Its very obvious they're not on board with this "slang" and very much favor its demise with attention always given to the more historic Toreadors and/or, of course, simply Boone.
Here goes with some of the comments received:
Dr. Alan Munson: One of my classmates sent a note that the Toreadors were now "Dors." I hope this is some sort of hideous joke. Tell me its not true.
Julie Berg: Should be Toreadors. What is a "Dors?"
Christi and John Winter: More cancel culture. We're proud Toreadors. Always and forever.
Linda and John Moffitt: How stupid and embarrassing.
Marty Dannatt: I'll always be a proud Toreador.
Mike Sundall: What's wrong with the Toreadors? Was that offensive and to who?
Dede Mondt: I've hated that "Dors" thing. Its not only against a beautiful tradition, its just dumb.
Larry Kelley: We are Toreadors through and through. Tradition stands on this one. You don't change the heritage of that name.
Mike Loehrer: I thought the "Dors" was a rock group of the 60's led by Jim Morrison.
Tom Tays: The "Dors" thing would do best to lose all traction. Our unique to Iowa name should be capitalized on.
Lester Ross: Our school colors are red and green, not red and white or green and white. I've understood the junior high athletes aren't Matadors anymore either.
Martha Hilsabeck: I've seen signs etc. around town with "Dors" on them and wondered why. Same with changing our colors.
Jack Mustapha: I'm with you (Mo) but you're more polite than I am. "Doesn't cut it" NO.
Davi Mondt Lowman: I wrote a letter once stating my anger with people attempting to change/stop a BHS tradition. This "Dors" thing needs to stop. I played basketball as a Toreador and I'm very proud of that and I love being a school with a standout name. There are Tigers and Wolves etc. but we are the ONLY Toreadors.
Dick Sapp: While likely an unintended result, the decision on this uniform name conveyed a clear lack of appreciation for the history of the true nickname and what it means to so many. "Dors" is an insult to the long history of Boone athletes and fans who have supported this unique name for so many decades.
Tom Peterson: I've had so many people, through the years, hearing I was from Boone, just knowing we were the Toreadors. I also noticed the Toreador mascot was changed so it looks like the Pillsbury Doughboy. We had strong leaders "back in the day" and I can't believe such a change would have lived for a second around them.
Barb Fosdick: We're proud Toreadors now and always have been.
Nelson Tompkins: Toreador name change? What's up?
I, the Kornerman, have sent a copy of the initial blog on this subject to the current President of the Boone Community School Board and suggested he may want to pass a copy on to all the members of the board as well as administration members. Just so they know there has been concern about this.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
WHY?
Buckle up. The Kornerman is ready to vent.
I've been sick for a few days now. COVID19? Not really. Let me explain.
On the internet, I was perusing some Des Moines Register sports offerings. Much to my surprise, there in large lettering, was a promise of 22....that's 22 photos of Boone vs Carlisle high school basketball activity.
Further investigation revealed the excellent photos, which would seem very praiseworthy. After all, the times our community has ever had that much Register publicity is very limited.
But, as Lee Corso, former Indiana University football coach and now a panelist on TV's Football Game Day program, likes to suggest, "Not So Fast."
Further examination of the photos shows the Boone boys in nice uniforms BUT adorned in huge letters with "Dors." What a sudden kick in the gut......a queasy feeling.
Look, I'm not that naive. In recent times, on occasion, I've noticed that "term" mentioned. Heavens, there's even some kind of school faculty award named the Dors award. But my question is WHY? What has happened to Toreadors?
Did our school board hold a midnight meeting to embrace this change? Did a superintendent think this idea would brighten up his agenda? Please.....don't tell me.......this was a Booster Club idea. I'm thinking, in a vote by some unknown group, maybe there were two contenders for this "new" thing and Dors had a handful more votes than Tors. Ridiculous!
Ironically, a few days later, in the Sunday edition of the Register, there was a similar nice action picture taken during the girls Boone/Carlisle game and I noted that the girls uniforms had a very nice BOONE on its front. By the way, congratulations to both teams.....boys and girls, both winners.
For any who may be unfamiliar, it was actually a Boone/Marshalltown basketball game followup newspaper article in the Marshalltown Times Republican in the 1930's that resulted in Boone's Toreador nickname. The writer was so impressed with Boone's play, he suggested it was, as if, the Toreadors were bullfighter choreographed. That was quite a compliment from, normally, an opposing force.
Yes, admittedly, the term Toreadors is unique, the lone such team nickname in Iowa and isn't that neat? Uniqueness is something to pride, to build on, not to destroy. Think.....Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad changing its name to Tooterville.
Sure, change is certain and it can be good, bad or uncertain, but tradition is solid, is proven, is established and long lasting. Its been earned over a period of time.
So there you have my take. I was a Toreador athlete and there's been no better Toreador supporter since my family arrived in this beautiful community in the late 1940's.
Once a true Toreador, always a Toreador. To me, Dors.....whatever that means....... just doesn't "cut it."
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Monday, January 18, 2021
Sunday, January 17, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Kathryn "Kay" Swanson Hill, 90, Ankeny. Born in Boone.
John "Jack" Byrnes, 90, Waukee. Survivors include his sister, Helen Jacobson, of Boone.
David Hindal, 64, West Des Moines. Survivors include a cousin, Ann Volkers, of Stratford.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Friday, January 15, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Thursday, January 14, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Larry Gibson, 81, Boone. Worked Fairchild Comm./valet at Boone County Hospital.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
BOONE, IOWA......REALLY?
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Gilbert Marten, 95, Ames. Former Boone resident who was a piano technician in the Boone/Ames area.
Monday, January 11, 2021
Sunday, January 10, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Edith Billyard, 70, Des Moines. Survivors include a nephew, Seth Billyard, of Boone.
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Audrienne Swedlund, 94, Boone. BHS-42.
Jeffrey Lass, 61, Pilot Mound. Grand HS-78.
Saturday, January 9, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Susan Johnson, 72, Dayton. Fort Dodge HS-66. Worked many jobs, including at Gates Rubber in Boone.
BOONE CONNECTED DEATH
Audrey Norma Mathiason, 93. Born in Boone County. Daughter Krisha Stoll of Boone survives.
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Friday, January 8, 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Erling Larson, 89, Boone
Laura Palmieri, 95, Carbondale, IL. Formerly of Madrid
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Helen Jean Swenson Frazier, 94, Norwalk. Was a P.E. instructor at BHS, 1949-52
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
CHECKING THE MAIL
CATCHING UP AGAIN
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Monday, January 4, 2021
Sunday, January 3, 2021
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
Shirley Bills Glover, 63, Boone. Has Boone survivors.
Richard Bolton, 86, Ankeny. Madrid HS-52
Ruth Whitehurst, 90, Adel. Born in Boone County.