HE'S BAAAAAACK

     He has the same old vim and vigor old friends recall, BUT it just takes a bit longer than before to express itself.

     The Kornerman was sitting on his front porch, enjoying the return of better weather, when a gentleman parked his car, got out and moved toward the house with the words,"you recognize me?" I replied, "maybe, when you get closer."

      Didn't take me long to realize it was old friend Freddie Hartman, BHS-49, who's been known for attending many BHS/BSH reunions through the years.

     After a very recent return from Arizona, he had groceries in his car and was anxious to return to the summer home he owns on Aldrich Street. So, this first visit was short but very satisfying. He promised he would return with some pictures he wanted to show and when more time was available for a visit.

     While here, Fred mourned the loss of so many good friends while he's been gone, Jack Blanshan, BHS-49, Larry Adams, BHS-65, and Mike Newbold, BHS-57, to name just three.

     A main topic was the weather, "Arizona's winter this year was the worst I, and even native residents, could remember," he said. "Windy and rainy," he added. 

    After a degree from the State University of Iowa, Fred taught for many years in Arizona. He earned a track letter at the UOI but there was a nine-year pause from the time he finished BHS to making the trip to Iowa City.

     We both laughed recalling the "old days" when we were much younger and got together for touch football competition every Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park. Quite a lineup of individuals took part......Ev Long, BHS-49, Jimmy Donovan, BHS-51,........both come to mind but there were many others as well......at least two of the class of '53, Gary Grosnickle and I.

     Fred was the star of that show. He said he weighed 129 pounds at that time and if there was ever a person who could have been a "touch" star of national acclaim, Fred would have been a strong qualifer. He was fast but also quick......very quick and had the great ability to shake anyone who thought they had him, but suddenly found out they didn't. His movements were way too quick for opponents fingers or hands.

 K-----K

     Andy Anderson wrote, "I enjoyed your recent story about meeting Kim Mulkey. You mentioned Arnold Palmer. I had the pleasure of flying him in a helicopter from the Des Moines Airport to the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Flight time was seven minutes. He was a pilot and I think he enjoyed flying 500 feet above ground level with the doors removed. A very hot day. Love your blog, keep it alive."

K-----K

     Bob Atherton, BHS-65, has recently done some reading about Boone's Jimmy Archer, who went on to major league baseball fame. The original Lille League park in Boone was named, "Jimmy Archer Field."

     Bob said he read in a Casey Stengel biography, authored by Marty Appel, that in one of his first major league games, Stengel was thrown out at second base by catcher Jimmy Archer. Stengel, of course, was probably better known, later, as a very successful New York Yankee manager. I had forgotten that Jimmy Archer, who married a Boone girl, is buried in Boone at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

K-----K

     Put July 20-23 on your calendar. That's the date of the 2023 Boone County Fair AND this year's fair is special, its a centennial celebration so many new events are being planned.

     At the grandstand there will be a Monster Truck Tour, a Prairie Tractor Pullers Event, a Tractor and Truck Pull and the annual mud races.

     Some great entertainment is planned for the Leonard Good stage. A local group, Jake Doty and the Swensongs; a Tom Petty tribute band, Nashville country artist Canaan Smith and Casey Muessigmann, a member of Team Blake on season three of the Voice, will all be featured.

     Also, juggler Dan Kirk, a former America's Got Talent performer, and a top comedy ventriloquist, Kevin Horner will entertain.

     There will also be Barrel Train Rides, a Truck Car Show, a Pedal Tractor Pull, Mutton Busting, Face painting and the Iowa Cloggers will be on hand.

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.