Mark Campbell, BHS-67, a former KWBG colleague of mine, wrote, "I enjoyed reading your piece on Jimmy Archer. At BG, manager Dick Johnson sold play-by-play of Little League games and hired Ken Shuey, BHS-56, to do the broadcasts. It was the summer of 1968 and Mark Braun was at the studio. It was always the same, as Mark would turn things back to Ken..."and now back to Jimmy Archer Field and Ken Shuey." Ken would reply, "this is Ken Shuey at Jimmy Archer Field."
"One day, Mark decided to switch it....."and now back to Ken Shuey Field and Jimmy Archer" to which Ken replied, "this is Jimmy Archer at Ken Shuey Field. No, wait a minute. I'm Ken Shuey at Jimmy Archer Field."
Mark concluded, "one day, Ken got excited and jeopardized the KWBG license. He said something like, "it's a high fly ball to center field. Jones is under it. %$%$%$ he dropped the ball.
Needless to say, Johnson called Ken to his office and reminded him to "cool the language."
The Kornerman says, "just some of the folly that radio, especially small town radio, seems to experience on occasion. I should have written a book about the various, goofy things that happened during my radio days. By the way, in the late 50's, we had a Game of the Week at Jimmy Archer Field. I readily recall announcing many Little League games from that site. Great fun and even today, some of the "kids" who were playing L.L. at that time, remember me doing those games."
"Would you like to hear me explain my broadcasting experience from the Dayton Rodeo? No, let's not get into that. Even for a veteran broadcaster, trying to talk about something you know nothing about...........well," "Come to think of it though......there are many national broadcasters today that, seemingly, know "nothing about" what their spouting."
K-----K
This subject always intrigues me, the Kornerman. It just seems like there's been such a dramatic "flip flop" in a rather short period of time..........50/60 years?
We old-timers remember and even "revere" the old Central Iowa Conference and their home communities back in those 30's into the 60's era. Without question, supported by its domination of state championships earned, it was THE premiere high school athletic conference in the state. Highly respected at that time and Boone High School was a prominent member.
There was Ames, Boone, Marshalltown, Newton, Oskaloosa and Grinnell. All were of similar size, school attendancewise, and the athletic competition was very intense.
But, as we said......time has passed.......and.........
School enrollment figures, if nothing else, shows this wide swath of "change." I can easily recall when Ames, Marshalltown and Newton were "top 15" among the largest high schools in the state. I remember even Boone was 48th.......now BHS is 62nd largest.
Even that "top three" has taken quite a tumble. Marshalltown is now 21st, Ames 31st and Newton 52nd.
Specifically, Marshalltown now has 1,162 students in grades 9-11, Ames has 1,054 and Newton 668. Boone currently has 491, Oskaloosa 469 and Grinnell 370.
What was that little "burg" just north of Des Moines? Kind of a pest. Oh yes, Ankeny. They have TWO high schools now......Centennial with 1,395 students and "regular" Ankeny at 1,292. Waukee has two schools and is anticipating a third. Waukee Northwest has 1,260 and "regular" Waukee 1,171.
Urbandale is at 959, Norwalk 768 and even "little" Dallas Center-Grimes has 683 students and is rapidly growing.
You may also be interested in always discussed Dowling Catholic which is 30th largest at 1,063 and the largest of them all......Valley, West Des Moines.......2,141......and their refusal to split into at least two schools. The Kornerman has always felt that with this "huge advantage" they have, the Tigers should always win all the state championships (and they do win many) or their "losing" coaches should be fired.
K-----K
Some things to keep in mind. (1) Whether your wear a $300 watch or a $30 watch, they both tell the same times. (2) First class or economy? If the plane goes down, doesn't much matter. (3) Whether you have a Rolls or an old Chevy, the distance you travel and the destination are the same. (4) Whether you live in a mansion or the smallest apartment........loneliness is the same.
K-----K
I like this too. If you put effort in but don't get the required results, you might think you lose, but you don't. Your glory is simply delayed.......not denied. You decide when its over, and if you don't get it in your lifetime, the kids you raise, the neighbors who see you will be inspired by you and you can revel in their success.
K-----K
BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Joshua James Klute, 51, Pittsburgh, CA. Raised in Boone. His parents were Duane and Evelyn Klute. Lived in Texas before moving to California. Was a graduate of Police Academy, had a demolition business, a charter boat business and retired from EBMUD. Married Kelley Mayfield in 2004. Survivors include his ex-wife, Kelley, three children and five siblings.....Darla King Grosnickel. Born in Boone. OHS-67. DMACC. Worked at the Woodward State Hospital for 10 years and was a hostess at the Tic Toc restaurant for 25 years. Also known as a concession stand worker at Memorial Park. Survivors include her life companion, Greg Clayton, two daughters, including Kim Peterson of Boone and a sister, Cheryl Lindholm of Ogden.........Michael Lee Williams, 64, Dallas, TX. Has Ogden connections..........Laurence Harney, 87, Granger. Survivors include a brother, Jim Harney, of Madrid.
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.
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