Wednesday, February 9, 2022

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

     Okay, here's the followup to the "teaser" we posted Sunday regarding this outfit, SnackPaks, identifying Boone Iowa as the best place in Iowa to retire too. 
     Actually, that's just one part of a series of similar offerings. SnackPaks also lists the worst places to live in Iowa; the cheapest Iowa places to live and the best places to raise a family in the Hawkeye state. The best places to retire in America is also available and, might we also assume that each and every single state in the USA is given the same scrutiny?
     Obviously that old goal, compensation, comes into play. We note that yes, there is some real estate connection mentioned. So, be skeptical, be doubtful......it doesn't matter........its always fun to have any outsider say good things about the old home town.
     SnackPaks says they are reader-supported and this is their seventh yearly ranking and they looked at the latest FBI and Census reports on crime, demographics, affordable housing, distance to the closest international airport and amenities for 29 Iowa cities with over 10,000 residents to complete their ranking.
     The Top Ten were Boone; Fort Madison; Clinton; Waverly; Oskaloosa; Spencer; Bettendorf; Clive; Pella and Norwalk.
     SnackPaks claimed Boone has a population of 12,487, median rent is $738 and its located 37 miles from the closest international airport. 
     And, wouldn't you know........for more pertinent information, a real estate website is provided.
     We hate to go negative but, according to SnackPaks, the worst places in Iowa to live in are Centerville; Ottumwa; Osceola; Waterloo; Council Bluffs; Fort Madison; Clinton; Des Moines; Marshalltown and Fort Dodge........after analyzing some of those same criteria.
     Enough said.
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     Some odds and ends
     (1) Old news. I thumbed through a Readers Digest, November, 2021 edition, and was excited to see a familiar sight. Starting on page 44, there is a segment....Where or When?......a photo quiz. Right before my tired eyes was the famous picture of the Boone and Scenic Valley steam locomotive traveling across the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, a 156-foot high steel structure built in 1913. You may recall the steam locomotive was purchased from China in 1989 for $350,000. The quiz question that was asked was, "from where was this scene photographed." Was it from Norwich, Connecticut; Treasure Valley Idaho; Boone County Iowa or Elkins, West Virginia.
     You, surely know the answer.
    (2) A viewer wrote about Boyd's Dairy......mentioning the north side store and two stores on the south side. Maybe he considered the West Boone store was located on the south side. Anyway, there was north, south and west Boone stores and I added, "there was also one in Ames." Seeing Linda Boyd Bravard, BHS-61, one day recently, I told her the story and she added, "actually there were TWO Ames stores."
   (3) I, the Kornerman, has closely viewed Boone High School athletics for 80 years and have never been bashful in saying, "the 1960's were the most successful, athletically, in BHS history." There was an abundance of great athletes and great teams who made their mark not just locally but statewide as well. Bob Sapp, BHS-71, watched those years unfold and has done a wonderful job of studying, in detail, that "most prolific era in Boone High sports." He spent numerous visits to the Ericson Public Library wading through many years of the Boone News Republican via microfilm. The result is a very detailed look at BHS athletic achievements, 1962-63 to 1971-72. It brings back many wonderful memories.
   (4) In all my personal research of that era, for some reason, I was never able to pinpoint exact scoring information for girls basketball. I followed some good teams and some great individuals and did lots of reporting on their success. But, I've always felt bad I didn't have more specific information. Bob, thankfully, has "filled in" that info. The late Marsha Lilly, BHS-72, leads the way with a three-year career in which she averaged 27.3, 43.2 and 44.8 points per game. The grand total was 2,775 points for her career which is probably a mark that will never be broken. Also of note were Terri Carlson, BHS-65, who averaged 30.4 and 27.8 in her final two years and Carol Grabau, BHS-70, who averaged 25.9 as a senior. Yes, I know.....that was in the six-on-six era........but still....
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    BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
    Sue Ann Swarts, 75, Boone. Survivors include her husband, Michael, sons, Johnathan and William Ward and daughter Cynthia Sue Dierking all of Boone. A step-daughter also survives. Prior to retirement, worked at the Boone Post Office. Hastings Funeral Home of Perry is in charge of services.
    Patricia Rae (Patty) Dakin, 75, Covid. Bethany/Ames. Fought health issues for several years. Attended cosmetology school, worked at Mary Greeley, Homeward Health and did day care. Married Jerry Dakin in 1969 and they divorced but remarried in 1987. Survivors include her husband, Jerry, two sons, including Travis Dakin of Stratford, two sisters and Boone grandchildren, Ben McDaniel and Carlos Dakin. Services in Boone.
    Cynthia Bernedette Peet, 76, Britt. Four sisters survive, including Pamela Ward of Ogden.
    Melissa Christine Duerkes Wilson, 44, Des Moines, Covid. Her dad, Charles Duerkes retired from the U.S. Army and the family moved to Denver and then Boone. After her dad's passing, the remaining family, mother, Kris, and daughter, Melissa, moved to Des Moines.
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/death notices.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
   

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