REGRETS

    I, the Kornerman, feel terrible. What can be worse than feeling its necessary to start an edition of the Korner with a profound apology because of a perceived senior moment? 

    In a recent edition, "Memory After Memory," we told of receiving a letter from a Boone native, BHS-62, and we reported some of his comments.

    However, we had the contributor all wrong. It was Fred Groat, BHS-62, that wrote the letter, not his deceased brother, Doug, as we indicated more than once in our confused report.

    I apologize profusely for this error and, as mentioned, it must just be one of those "old age" or senior moments. Its a poor excuse but probably factual.

    AND, what makes it so especially egregious is the fact that much of Fred's letter was overly complimentary of the work I've done through the years promoting the Boone community and our citizens success on the radio, in the newspaper and via the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Perhaps Fred's flowery tributes may have increased this old guy's head size too.....hopefully, on a temporary basis.

    P.S. To add to my misery, wife Jo added to my slippage by pointing out that I had misspelled Missouri in the same edition. I had it Mizzouri. This growing older ain't fun folks.

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    A former KWBG associate of mine, Mark Campbell, BHS-67, wrote, "the recent challenge by Mr. Groat to find another five-syllable sports team, like Toreadorettes, inspired me to try. No luck, but there is an equal.....the Everly Cattlefeederettes. They won state basketball titles in both 1966 and 68. Everly High School no longer exists....they were absorbed into the Clay Central school system. The idea of adding "ettes" has  intrigued and mystified me for years. Today, we see "Lady" added to mascot names....Lady Tigers, Lady Comets.....and that makes sense. To me, the strangest names come from Mediapolis. The boys are the Bulldogs and the girls are the Bullettes.....not the Bulldogettes."

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    Talked to old buddy Mel Murken, BHS-59, on the phone yesterday. I had intended to call him but he beat me to it. I wanted to compliment him on the wonderful segment I saw on KCCI-TV recently regarding the renovation of the Rippey ball park. Mel's first teaching/coaching job was at Rippey and when he retired, he decided to return to that town. At one time, the Rippey ball park was one of the best around. In fact, the Iowa High School Athletic Association chose it numerous times as a host to important tournament games, including even at least one state championship contest. Unfortunately, the passage of time and lack of local interest allowed the park to deteriorate. Baseball has been a passion of Mel's for life. He coached Ankeny High baseball for many years and was so successful he became a member of the Iowa Baseball Hall of Fame. When he returned to Rippey, he refused to accept the state of that ball park. With the limited help of a couple friends, he has completely restored that park. KCCI-TV took note of that and did a very nice 8-10 minute segment, including interviews with Mel, on the park rebuild. It was great fun to see.

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     Congratulations to the Des Moines Area Community College softball team. The Boone Campus Bears completed a wonderful season (over 50 victories) with a fifth place finish in the NATIONAL tournament. Emma Dighton, BHS-2021,who hit a ton of home runs for the Toreadors during her high school career, did the same for the Bears and won numerous recognition for her achievements. She will leave DMACC after one season to join the Drake University softball program. Her parents are Dan and Sally Wulkow Dighton, BHS-87.

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   BOONE CONNECTED/AREA DEATHS

    Alice Marie Martin Whittlesey, 89, Boone. Born in Boone. Married James Whittlesey in 1953. Alice worked at a variety of jobs, from finish carpenter to meter reader but family was always a priority. She loved traveling, singing with Sweet Adelines and was very involved in Eastern Star and Grace Episcopal church events. Survivors include two daughters, including Cynthia Vinson of Boone, two sons, including Steven of Boone and a brother, William Martin of rural Boone. Services in Boone.

     Phyliss LaVonne Nelson Pevestorf, 89, Ames, formerly of Stratford. Born in Carroll County. Coon Rapids HS-50. Married Darwin (Dean) Pevestorf  in 1951. The couple farmed near Nevada before Dean was called to military service. While he was gone, Phyliss lived in Jefferson. When Dean returned from service they went back to the Nevada farm until purchasing a farm near Stratford. She was active in Garden Club, Women's Fellowship, church and 4-H. The couple square danced and camped at the State Fair for over 30 years. Survivors include a son, a daughter and a daughter-in-law. Services in Boone.

    Jimmie Lee Orsack, 84, Boone. Born and educated in Oklahoma. Army vet. Married Madgelann Boone in 1966 and the couple moved back to Madge's hometown, Boone. Worked as a groundskeeper at ISU for 37 years, until retiring in 2003. The couple showed quarter horses and were involved in the Hunt and Fish Club. Madge passed in 2010. Survivors include a son, Jay Orsack, of Boone and two daughters, including Deanna Brown of Boone. Services in Boone.

    Ian Monti, 29, Ogden. Born in Spirit Lake. BHS-2013. Eventually lost a long, hard fought battle with cancer. Despite many health issues, he rarely complained. Survivors include his mother, Rhonda Maas, of Ogden, his father of Florida, his grandfather, Richard Schmidt, of Ogden and his uncle, Julian Schmidt, of Ogden. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.

    Gislea (Gisy) Phelps, 72, Oktaha, OK., formerly of Ogden and Boone. Born and educated in Germany. She and her son moved to the U.S., living briefly in Chicago before settling in Grand Junction. She worked 26 years for Sandler Built Homes and Archway Cookies in Boone before they both closed. Married Frank D. Phelps in Ogden in 2001. Worked in the Ogden schools kitchen until retirement. She was most proud of becoming a U.S. citizen in 2002. Survivors include her husband, Frank, son Loren Holm of San Diego and step-son, Les Phelps of Ogden. Services are pending.

    Kenneth Eugene Bregar, 85, Madrid. MHS-56 where he was an outstanding athlete. Married Betty Jean Sturdivant in 1956. Worked briefly at John Deere before moving on to Bridgestone Firestone. In retirement, drove a Madrid community school bus. The couple were longtime members of the Hawkeye Chapter Studebaker Club. Survivors include his wife, two daughters and two brothers. Services in Madrid.

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