BOONE PROUD

     I'm sure you've heard of "Iowa Proud." Today, I'm writing, with excessive pride, about "Boone Proud."

     The November, 2022, issue of Trail Tales, a publication of the Boone County Historical Society, has reached my desk and its a wonderful edition. Its devoted almost entirely to the 1963 Boone High School Marching Band that went after (sought) an invitation to march in the 1963 Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California on New Years Day, 1963, and, with the help of many Boone citizens, inside and even outside of the community, fulfilled that dream.

     The story, written by Jeanne Carpenter Wiebke, a current member of the BCHS Board of Directors, is award worthy. It is lengthy, very detailed, well written and probably done with the same sense of pride that the Kelley's, who just read it, felt about the entire project. There are probably very few Boone residents of that era that didn't know about this community highlight. However, Jeanne, I'm sure with lots of help, has gathered and molded together numerous insights about the entire proceeding, front to back, that is simply eye-opening.

    One of the main thoughts I, the Kornerman, have taken from this detailed story is that if our community could "come together" with the same sense of purpose this band community did, the best of "any" desirable things wanted or needed could happen right here. I say, with almost 100 percent certainty, that almost every Boone resident, of that time, had some kind of hand, close or from a distance, in making this dream come through. It seems, without hesitancy, everybody helped.

    Some $25,000 was required to push this project forward and I feel confident in saying that every organization, every citizen, contributed in some way or another of meeting that goal.......whether it was bake sales or car washes or monetary donations......Boone proud came through. And, I should mention that the band members, themselves, worked mightily, in numerous ways, to earn pennies and dollars that blossomed into the thousands needed.

    What more can I say? Just that we're Boone Proud when we are reminded that when our community forgets any "can'ts and don'ts" or self serving, rather than community advancement reasons, then, "why not?", the sky is the limit and accessible. That was a graphic lesson learned from this 1963 Boone Marching Band project.

K-----K

   Among the early holiday wishes we received came a greeting from Betty Anderson Atherton, BHS-40, who was recently honored on her 101st birthday. 

   Betty resides at the Eastern Star Home and was thrilled to greet son Bob and his wife, Bonnie, from Denver and a niece, Judy, and her husband, David, from Tampa, FL. for a celebration. However, Betty reports that "we all got COVID." She had a two week quarantine but,"finally tested negative."

   She thanks all for their support, thoughtfulness and prayers and concluded, "as much as I would like to remember all of you during the Christmas season, I am unable to do more than this email greeting."

   By phone, Betty can be reached at 1-515-432-6903. The Eastern Star address is 717 W. Third Street, Boone, Iowa 50036.

   Also, Helen Duffy will have her 106th birthday on Jan. 11, 2023. She's also at Eastern Star #85, 50036-3930. Her phone number is 515-432-2071.

 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.