We're going back 75 years but even though that was a long time ago, it boggles the mind (the Kornerman's mind anyway) to think of the numerous changes that have occurred from then to now.
These thoughts were prompted by that famous column that often appears in the Boone News Republican highlighting things that have happened locally 25, 50, 75, 100 years ago. The column is called, "A Look Back."
According to that column, on January 14 of 1941, Boone High School and it's old, original swimming pool hosted the Iowa State High School Swimming championships. Can you imagine?
Alright, perhaps, it wasn't that big a deal back then but the Kornerman can't help but make a comparison of that and today's much more modern facilities. The Kornerman remembers taking P.E. classes in that old BHS pool. The tidbit in the BNR states that the BHS pool was "a 60 x 20 regulation pool, with four swimming lanes and a fan seating capacity of 300" which was determined to be "adequate for state competition." Regarding that seating, I recall that it was "cement bleacher" seating. I and a pillow experienced it as late as the 60's when the current, new pool was but a dream.
It was indicated that, in the immediate past, the state meets had been held at the Iowa State College pool and that 14 to 15 of the state's high schools would be sending teams to the 1941 event.
Yes, four lanes. The most recent Iowa state high school meets have been held at the State University of Iowa pool, prior to that the Beyer Hall pool on the ISU campus and, in even more recent years, at the Marshalltown YMCA pool, all which feature eight lanes, a "must" when you have a possibility of representatives from 40-50 swim programs in the state competing. Last the Kornerman knew, 24 in individual and/or relay events earned berths in the state meet, which seemed logical.........eight lanes, 24, or three heats for final qualification. And, of course, these more modern venues all have provided much more seating capacity than our old BHS pool.
Too bad it isn't possible to go "back in time" and show the current crop of high school swimmers how it "really" was back in those "good old days."
How about this special addendum? I'm depending on an 80 year old brain here but the name "Helen Emmons" is popping in my head. At about that same time as the hosting of the state meet here, the late 30's, early 40's, there was a lady, "I'm thinking Helen Emmons" who was the BHS boys swim coach. I don't believe there was an organized girls swim program at the time. Anyway, I recall it being reported "back then" that this "Emmons thing" caused quite a stir. That it was the first time ever, in the USA, that a woman had ever coached a boys high school athletic team? I'm just reporting what the word was, "back then." If anyone out there in Kornerland can verify or correct any of this info, the Kornerman would be glad to hear from you.
K-----K
Throughout my career the Kornerman has had an opportunity to research and report about Boone High School graduates who have made "us" proud. I'm sure our viewers realize we are a big Boone braggard........perhaps even to a fault.
Anyway, while perusing this state swim meet thing, I came across, in an old BHS scroll, a page called, "Boone's Hall of Fame," which told of many BHS grads or Boone residents who had made a name for themselves in various ways, even nationally. Of course there were the usuals........Kate and Jack Shelley, Mike Enich, the Wilbur brothers etc. and others I have known about and have reported about in years past. However, there were some others in this new found material the Kornerman had never known, heard or reported about.
Here we go......I'll list a few today and have some more for next Wednesday. You've heard of Pyrex I'm sure,.......a form of glass that can withstand sudden changes in temperature without breaking. It was discovered by Martin Nordberg, a research chemist for Corning Glass Company and a BHS graduate. A Frank Wilcox was, for many years, a successful actor on the Broadway stage. Main Boucher was a Parisian dress designer and Yolanda Prosperi was a famous designer for the Nellie Don Dress Company. Those three were all BHS grads. The Kornerman is somewhat familiar with famous author McKinlay Kantor but I never knew he lived in Boone for a short time. Another famous author, Bess Streeter Aldrich, was a former Boone primary teacher and Paul McCrae, writing from Washington D.C., had his political articles distributed throughout the nation.
More of this next time.
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: Johnny Weber, 67, Ames. Formerly of Boone. BHS-66. Talented artist. Among many other local artistic achievements, Johnny designed and executed the railroad mural on the north side of the Eckstein's building, southwest corner of Ninth and Story. He was also the designer of those famous, limited edition Kate Shelley and Northwestern Railroad collector plates........Jim Marsh, 82, Jewell. Former Athletic Director/coach at South Hamilton High School.......Gwendolyn Craven, 90, Boone. Boone area survivors include three of her eight children, Kevin Majors, Tammy Hougham and Jeff Craven, all of Boone.............Abby Hand, 91, Boone. Pilot Mound High-41. Worked at telephone companies in Ames and Oklahoma and farmed with her husband, Lavern (Dutch) Hand, near Napier. Was an accomplished musician who played various instruments with local bands. Drove United Community school bus for many years. Boone area survivors include son Jerry of Ames and daughter, Sue Stolte, of Boone...........Robert Larson, 84, Boone. Was an electrician, eventually operating his own company. Boone area survivors include daughter Vicki of Stratford and son, Robert Junior of Boone...........Kenneth Carlson, Boone. BHS-60, Worked at the DOT, then Rolfes Company before starting his own Carlson Electric in Boone. Later, worked at the NADC lab in Ames before being disabled in 1994. Boone area survivors include his wife, Patricia, and his son, Jeffrey, both of Boone.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. We don't answer if we don't recognize the calling number. To email your stories/memories/comments/support........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Christmas Lighting and the "Watertower"
We continue with more memories from Larry Lindmark, BHS-63. Larry wrote, "while growing up in Boone, I don't remember any community Christmas lighting ceremonies. Many communities today have a special tree that they light the day after Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas season. The last two towns where we have lived, Viroqua, WI. and Red Wing, MN., have a lighted parade on the Friday night after Thanksgiving. Some years ago, Boone did start having a tree lighting ceremony. Is that still done? I lived in the southeast part of Boone where Aldrich Ave. and Garst Ave. had the typical small colored lights on trees and bushes, but the big display was in front of Mrs. Gibson's, the high school art teacher. She and her family always had a large, painted nativity scene set up in the 1100 block of Garst."
On another subject Larry wrote, ""The Watertower," that was the place to be for any aspiring baseball player from the age of 10 to 13. Day in and day out, players from around town would come to the Watertower to play ball. Johnny Morton was the closest, living right across the street behind the backstop, which was put up with the help of his family. Sandy Mahood, BHS-64, lived a block away. Jeff and Jerry Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI stayed with their grandmother each summer only a block and a half from the ball site. Balls hit inside the Watertower fence were an automatic out (I believe). Each ball had to be retrieved by sliding under the fence. Then, down the right field line, if a ball was hit hard enough, it would bounce across the street into a neighbor's yard. The man of that house would sometimes scamper out and pick up our ball and retreat inside the house. An outfielder had to be positioned so that he was the last line of defense before we lost another ball into that neighbor's yard. Years later, I saw an auction at that "right field" house and wondered how many of our baseballs were in the garage waiting to be auctioned off. From West Boone to North Boone to all around town, how many of these, "Fields of Dreams" did we have in years gone by?"
Larry, in answer to your question, "yes, we continue to have the tree lighting and lighted parade etc." By the way, the "Watertower" Larry was referring too is the one on First Street in the southeast part of town. Reviewing other "older" ballpark sites, the Kornerman remembers neighborhood games somewhere near 16th/17th and Monona where I, Bill Nordstrom, Bud Furst, Gerald LeMaster and others would gather. Then too, there was a site near 10th and Monona where Gary Grosnickle and I hit some tremendous home runs?"
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: John Smeltzer Sr., 89, Milford. Former administrator, teacher and coach at both Napier and Madrid..........Joanne Mapes, 61, Perry. Boone area survivors include daughters Jennel Clarke of Boone and Andrea Streigle of Ogden and son, Adam Runge, of Boone...........Karen Thornburgh, 73, Woodward. Survived by daughter, Shelle Arentson of Boone........Michael Lynch, 70, rural Ames.Was active in Boone County Fair...........Douglas Short, 69, Des Moines. Madrid HS-64. Worked for John Deere, as a farmer, and construction owner.............Stanley Reed, 91, Boone. BHS-42. Boone County mechanic. Boone area survivor is his wife, Irene............Henry William Tripp, 88, Napier HS. Was a Boone/Ames area farmer and played in several area bands............Evelyn Srigley, 86, Boone. Worked at Woolworth's and Boone Blank Book Company. Boone area survivors include sons Randy and Rick Srigley both of Boone...........Mildred Jay, 89, Boone. Boone area survivors include a son, David Jay of Boone, and daughter, Jamie Blomgren of Ames among others...............................Shawn King, 54, Boxholm.Perry HS-79.Worked at CDS, Cargill, Allied Construction.Boone area survivors include her husband, Scott, and step-son, Robbie King, both of Boxholm and sister-in-law, Brenda King Reimers of Boone..........Patricia Ankenbauer, 81, Ogden. Jamaica HS-52.An insurance secretary, worked at the newspaper in Grand Junction, worked for Northern Natural Gas and farmed with husband, Wayne, in the Jamaica/Beaver areas..........Jim Rasmussen, 92, Jefferson. Boone area survivor is a sister-in-law, Iola Whitver, of Boone...........Frances Nagle, 95, Saylorville. Born in Boone. Parents were Harold and Elizabeth Waldo............Mike Gregory, 39, Woodward. Born in Boone. Boone area survivors include his parents, Rick and Janet Gregory of Woodward.......................Johnny Weber, 67, Ames. Formerly of Boone.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. If we don't recognize the incoming number, we don't answer. To email your stories/memories/comments/support...........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
On another subject Larry wrote, ""The Watertower," that was the place to be for any aspiring baseball player from the age of 10 to 13. Day in and day out, players from around town would come to the Watertower to play ball. Johnny Morton was the closest, living right across the street behind the backstop, which was put up with the help of his family. Sandy Mahood, BHS-64, lived a block away. Jeff and Jerry Johnson of Kalamazoo, MI stayed with their grandmother each summer only a block and a half from the ball site. Balls hit inside the Watertower fence were an automatic out (I believe). Each ball had to be retrieved by sliding under the fence. Then, down the right field line, if a ball was hit hard enough, it would bounce across the street into a neighbor's yard. The man of that house would sometimes scamper out and pick up our ball and retreat inside the house. An outfielder had to be positioned so that he was the last line of defense before we lost another ball into that neighbor's yard. Years later, I saw an auction at that "right field" house and wondered how many of our baseballs were in the garage waiting to be auctioned off. From West Boone to North Boone to all around town, how many of these, "Fields of Dreams" did we have in years gone by?"
Larry, in answer to your question, "yes, we continue to have the tree lighting and lighted parade etc." By the way, the "Watertower" Larry was referring too is the one on First Street in the southeast part of town. Reviewing other "older" ballpark sites, the Kornerman remembers neighborhood games somewhere near 16th/17th and Monona where I, Bill Nordstrom, Bud Furst, Gerald LeMaster and others would gather. Then too, there was a site near 10th and Monona where Gary Grosnickle and I hit some tremendous home runs?"
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: John Smeltzer Sr., 89, Milford. Former administrator, teacher and coach at both Napier and Madrid..........Joanne Mapes, 61, Perry. Boone area survivors include daughters Jennel Clarke of Boone and Andrea Streigle of Ogden and son, Adam Runge, of Boone...........Karen Thornburgh, 73, Woodward. Survived by daughter, Shelle Arentson of Boone........Michael Lynch, 70, rural Ames.Was active in Boone County Fair...........Douglas Short, 69, Des Moines. Madrid HS-64. Worked for John Deere, as a farmer, and construction owner.............Stanley Reed, 91, Boone. BHS-42. Boone County mechanic. Boone area survivor is his wife, Irene............Henry William Tripp, 88, Napier HS. Was a Boone/Ames area farmer and played in several area bands............Evelyn Srigley, 86, Boone. Worked at Woolworth's and Boone Blank Book Company. Boone area survivors include sons Randy and Rick Srigley both of Boone...........Mildred Jay, 89, Boone. Boone area survivors include a son, David Jay of Boone, and daughter, Jamie Blomgren of Ames among others...............................Shawn King, 54, Boxholm.Perry HS-79.Worked at CDS, Cargill, Allied Construction.Boone area survivors include her husband, Scott, and step-son, Robbie King, both of Boxholm and sister-in-law, Brenda King Reimers of Boone..........Patricia Ankenbauer, 81, Ogden. Jamaica HS-52.An insurance secretary, worked at the newspaper in Grand Junction, worked for Northern Natural Gas and farmed with husband, Wayne, in the Jamaica/Beaver areas..........Jim Rasmussen, 92, Jefferson. Boone area survivor is a sister-in-law, Iola Whitver, of Boone...........Frances Nagle, 95, Saylorville. Born in Boone. Parents were Harold and Elizabeth Waldo............Mike Gregory, 39, Woodward. Born in Boone. Boone area survivors include his parents, Rick and Janet Gregory of Woodward.......................Johnny Weber, 67, Ames. Formerly of Boone.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. If we don't recognize the incoming number, we don't answer. To email your stories/memories/comments/support...........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Minnesota and Wisconsin Viewers Report In
Red Wing, MN. and Monroe, WI., viewers, as well as others, reported in this week.
Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, wanted to "keep the fires burning" so he provided some good memories for our Korner viewers.
Larry wrote, "In the late 50's, Boone had two movie theatre's, the Rialto and Princess, with a candy store in between. My parents talked about, one or maybe two, additional theatre's across the street from the Rialto. I believe one of them was located in the former Petersen's Clothing store on the west side of Story. It's hard to believe four Boone theater's could exist at the same time. That's a lot of Saturday "serials" and news reels."
He went on, "but think of all of the hardware stores lined up along Story street.....Coast to Coast and Reedholm's next door to each other with Hamilton Hardware across the street on the east side. Then, located in the "theatre district" were Western Auto and Montgomery Ward's with Sears and Roebuck a few blocks away. That's a lot of nuts and bolts. I worked for Les Fawcett and Irv Hellum at Coast to Coast. They, later, moved to South Dakota and I happened to stop and see them at their store while I was on an Augustana College choir tour. Or, think of the downtown grocery stores, Fareway, National Tea with Les Crouthamel, Lawson's with Chet, Gladys and gramps, two Thriftway's, maybe a Safeway later on. Or, the filling stations selling their gas for 20 to 30 cents per gallon, except in the times of gas wars (remember them?) when it would drop to 19 cents or less at Standard, Phillip's 66, DX, Sinclair, Shell, Conoco etc.. Or the dairies, Boyd's with Jim and Lonnie, Boone Dairy and Peerless across the street from each other near the National Guard armory."
The Kornerman says "there's more but we'll provide Larry's comments on Christmas time and the Boone water tower for the next time." By the way, Roger Clymer was the Boone Dairy man while Vic Brunner operated Peerless Dairy.
Also, in reply, the Kornerman says, "I believe the Boone theatre was the one located about where Eckstein's Jewelry has been located. At least it was a bit further north than the Petersen's building. Then too, I believe, at one time, there was a theatre on Keeler Street and, of course, there was the famous Opera House building which featured movies, stage shows etc.. That was located on Eighth Street, east of Story, south side, where the Johnstone Bakery was once located. Speaking of Reedholm's Hardware. That was where "we" first saw television. It was in the window and we would sit there and watch fuzzy "somethings" and think it was unbelieveable."
Thanks Larry.
K-----K
As Korner viewers know, we like to act as a "service" vehicle. The old fast pitch softball slugger, Tom Peterson, BHS-67, wanted more info on the recent ROMEO meeting we reported on. I'm sure he could have provided some stories and would have enjoyed hearing the banter. From Omaha, Marty Dannatt, BHS-68, had lost Jerry Manriquez web site address and was seeking help. He eventually found it himself but added, "keep up the good work."
K-----K
Then there was Gary Hessel, BHS-50, who wrote, "I continue to enjoy your writings. Not much new on this end. I turned 83 last month and am still going strong. I've been a volunteer driver for the local Aging and Disability Resource Center for several years. Using my own vehicle, I take people to out of area medical appointments. I'll be going to Arizona for the month of February."
Gary checks in on occasion and we enjoy hearing from him and also much appreciate the added support he provides for our project.
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: Gretchen provided some news on deaths not previously reported. Florence Moore Bradford, BHS-38, passed away in Saratoga, CA. She was an older sister of the late Marcia Moore.........the class of BHS-48 was hit with the deaths of Ed Statton, a resident of Belvidere, IL and Sun City West, AZ, in mid-December and the death of Richard Sovereign in Dunnellon, FL in late November. Boone residents may recall his sister Sue Sovereign Brogden and brother, Larry Sovereign............Jeanette Foshee, 53, Boone. BHS-80. Worked at ISU for over 20 years. Boone area survivor is her mother, Donna Foshee of Boone..........Shirley Bills, 74, Boone. Homemaker. Boone area survivors include a son, Dave Bills of Dayton, and daughters, Pat Elsberry and Shirley Glover, both of Boone.........Mary Sellers, 92, Boone.........Henry William Tripp...........Ruth Hansen, 91, Perry. Boone area survivor is a granddaughter, Angela Powell of Boone.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530 (we don't answer unless we recognize the incoming number). To email your stories/memories/comments/support...........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, wanted to "keep the fires burning" so he provided some good memories for our Korner viewers.
Larry wrote, "In the late 50's, Boone had two movie theatre's, the Rialto and Princess, with a candy store in between. My parents talked about, one or maybe two, additional theatre's across the street from the Rialto. I believe one of them was located in the former Petersen's Clothing store on the west side of Story. It's hard to believe four Boone theater's could exist at the same time. That's a lot of Saturday "serials" and news reels."
He went on, "but think of all of the hardware stores lined up along Story street.....Coast to Coast and Reedholm's next door to each other with Hamilton Hardware across the street on the east side. Then, located in the "theatre district" were Western Auto and Montgomery Ward's with Sears and Roebuck a few blocks away. That's a lot of nuts and bolts. I worked for Les Fawcett and Irv Hellum at Coast to Coast. They, later, moved to South Dakota and I happened to stop and see them at their store while I was on an Augustana College choir tour. Or, think of the downtown grocery stores, Fareway, National Tea with Les Crouthamel, Lawson's with Chet, Gladys and gramps, two Thriftway's, maybe a Safeway later on. Or, the filling stations selling their gas for 20 to 30 cents per gallon, except in the times of gas wars (remember them?) when it would drop to 19 cents or less at Standard, Phillip's 66, DX, Sinclair, Shell, Conoco etc.. Or the dairies, Boyd's with Jim and Lonnie, Boone Dairy and Peerless across the street from each other near the National Guard armory."
The Kornerman says "there's more but we'll provide Larry's comments on Christmas time and the Boone water tower for the next time." By the way, Roger Clymer was the Boone Dairy man while Vic Brunner operated Peerless Dairy.
Also, in reply, the Kornerman says, "I believe the Boone theatre was the one located about where Eckstein's Jewelry has been located. At least it was a bit further north than the Petersen's building. Then too, I believe, at one time, there was a theatre on Keeler Street and, of course, there was the famous Opera House building which featured movies, stage shows etc.. That was located on Eighth Street, east of Story, south side, where the Johnstone Bakery was once located. Speaking of Reedholm's Hardware. That was where "we" first saw television. It was in the window and we would sit there and watch fuzzy "somethings" and think it was unbelieveable."
Thanks Larry.
K-----K
As Korner viewers know, we like to act as a "service" vehicle. The old fast pitch softball slugger, Tom Peterson, BHS-67, wanted more info on the recent ROMEO meeting we reported on. I'm sure he could have provided some stories and would have enjoyed hearing the banter. From Omaha, Marty Dannatt, BHS-68, had lost Jerry Manriquez web site address and was seeking help. He eventually found it himself but added, "keep up the good work."
K-----K
Then there was Gary Hessel, BHS-50, who wrote, "I continue to enjoy your writings. Not much new on this end. I turned 83 last month and am still going strong. I've been a volunteer driver for the local Aging and Disability Resource Center for several years. Using my own vehicle, I take people to out of area medical appointments. I'll be going to Arizona for the month of February."
Gary checks in on occasion and we enjoy hearing from him and also much appreciate the added support he provides for our project.
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: Gretchen provided some news on deaths not previously reported. Florence Moore Bradford, BHS-38, passed away in Saratoga, CA. She was an older sister of the late Marcia Moore.........the class of BHS-48 was hit with the deaths of Ed Statton, a resident of Belvidere, IL and Sun City West, AZ, in mid-December and the death of Richard Sovereign in Dunnellon, FL in late November. Boone residents may recall his sister Sue Sovereign Brogden and brother, Larry Sovereign............Jeanette Foshee, 53, Boone. BHS-80. Worked at ISU for over 20 years. Boone area survivor is her mother, Donna Foshee of Boone..........Shirley Bills, 74, Boone. Homemaker. Boone area survivors include a son, Dave Bills of Dayton, and daughters, Pat Elsberry and Shirley Glover, both of Boone.........Mary Sellers, 92, Boone.........Henry William Tripp...........Ruth Hansen, 91, Perry. Boone area survivor is a granddaughter, Angela Powell of Boone.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530 (we don't answer unless we recognize the incoming number). To email your stories/memories/comments/support...........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Welcome Back to the Real World
The holidays are over (finally) and a return to more normalcy is anticipated.
The Kornerman was looking forward to the first big event of the new year and it was a huge success.
Tuesday, at the Lucky Pig restaurant in Ogden a ROMEO lunch and lots of talk was enjoyed by a record 42 attendees. ROMEO, that stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
A majority of those attending were from western Boone County........the Ogden, Boxholm, Pilot Mound area, although there were some Booneites there as well as two or three from out-of-state. The memories, many involving the "old" days as athletes at their respective schools were flowing. Several former members of the famous Boxholm Swedes softball team were on hand.
There were many Muench's, lots of Swanson's, Peterson's and Erickson's on hand. The Register's former Iowa Boy, Chuck Offenberger, came over from Cooper, Boone's Rick Wulkow, retired Executive Director of the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association, and Keith Kerkhoff, the CEO of Templeton Rye were there.
Forget my 30 years at the Iowa High School Athletic Association. For 20 other years, I was involved in writing sports for the Boone News Republican or announcing sports events for KWBG radio and in surveying the room yesterday, I would estimate I had written about or had spoken about the athletic achievements (?) of over 90-percent of the guys in attendance. Alright, so maybe some of my descriptions of their play was overhyped. Nevertheless, it was exciting for me to see so many of these older but familiar faces, many of whom I hadn't been in contact with for years.
The food was great and I was very impressed with how quickly the numerous orders (there were other customers there as well) were processed and the food delivered. The entire event was terrific.
K-----K
The Kornerman has been invited to a monthly Des Moines meeting of radio personnel, working and retired. I think they call themselves the "telephonies" or something like that. Former KWBG star Larry Kelley, BHS-64, has attended and has urged me to do so. I'll give that some thought.
K-----K
Speaking of radio, the Des Moines Radio Group is comprised of several Des Moines stations and it just so happens that at least four former Boone residents work there. It was noted the other day that Michael Hope, BHS-78, has celebrated his second anniversary as a member of the sales staff, Mike Pace has a show a couple times a week on the air, I still hear Mary Shaler Day's (BHS-61) voice on the air occasionally and I think KWBG alum Mark McDowell also works there in the sales department.
K-----K
The Kornerman really appreciated a holiday greeting from former Booneite Jack Kelly, BHS-58, who sent a nice card and a wonderful show of support for the Korner from his home in Locust Grove, VA. Jack wrote, "you column provides me with many fond memories of places and people in Boone. Please keep up your good work."
The Kornerman says, "we certainly intend too, especially with the help we receive from viewers like you who support our effort."
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: Ruth Helm, 93, Loveland, CO, former Boone resident. Worked at Bourns in Ames and was a volunteer at the Boone County Hospital. Three daughters, Kay Sanders, Karen Keys and Lavonne Christensen as well as a son, Mel, survive.............David Andrew, 55, Boone. Worked at Cyclone Car Stereo, ALMACO in Ames and the Clapper Corporation in Ankeny. His son and mother survive as well as several siblings..........Frank Blakley, Bevington, IA. Boone area survivor is a sister, Ramona Crabtree of Madrid.........Michael Lowman, 52, Boone. Railroad employee. Boone area survivors include a son, Ryan Lowman of Boone and a daughter, Katie Lowman of Ogden..........Delores Laidley Erickson, 85, Littleton, CO. BHS-48. Former Boone resident. Her parents were Mildred and Harold Laidley. Delores and her husband, Bud, moved to Littleton in 1959. Her husband is among the survivors..........Robert Bornholt, 60, Stratford.............
Dennis Carlson, 70, Atkins. Services were in Ogden. Parents were Morris and Laura Carlson. OHS-64. Worked 35 years with IES Industries and Alliant Energy. Boone area survivor is a sister, Barbara Miller of Boone..........Virgil Williams, 96, Madrid. Formerly of Boone. Luther High. Longtime railroad employee and famous horseshoe pitcher. Boone area survivors include a son, Jonathan of Woodward...........Etta Phipps, 88, Boone. Pilot Mound High-45. Worked at Merit Baking and Alco. Boone area survivors include a son, Phil Phipps of Stanhope and a daughter, Ann Lyness of Boone...........Helen Crim Bergman, 103, Ames. Born on a farm near Ridgeport and grew up on a farm south of Stratford. Stratford High-30. Was a teacher.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
The Kornerman was looking forward to the first big event of the new year and it was a huge success.
Tuesday, at the Lucky Pig restaurant in Ogden a ROMEO lunch and lots of talk was enjoyed by a record 42 attendees. ROMEO, that stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out."
A majority of those attending were from western Boone County........the Ogden, Boxholm, Pilot Mound area, although there were some Booneites there as well as two or three from out-of-state. The memories, many involving the "old" days as athletes at their respective schools were flowing. Several former members of the famous Boxholm Swedes softball team were on hand.
There were many Muench's, lots of Swanson's, Peterson's and Erickson's on hand. The Register's former Iowa Boy, Chuck Offenberger, came over from Cooper, Boone's Rick Wulkow, retired Executive Director of the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association, and Keith Kerkhoff, the CEO of Templeton Rye were there.
Forget my 30 years at the Iowa High School Athletic Association. For 20 other years, I was involved in writing sports for the Boone News Republican or announcing sports events for KWBG radio and in surveying the room yesterday, I would estimate I had written about or had spoken about the athletic achievements (?) of over 90-percent of the guys in attendance. Alright, so maybe some of my descriptions of their play was overhyped. Nevertheless, it was exciting for me to see so many of these older but familiar faces, many of whom I hadn't been in contact with for years.
The food was great and I was very impressed with how quickly the numerous orders (there were other customers there as well) were processed and the food delivered. The entire event was terrific.
K-----K
The Kornerman has been invited to a monthly Des Moines meeting of radio personnel, working and retired. I think they call themselves the "telephonies" or something like that. Former KWBG star Larry Kelley, BHS-64, has attended and has urged me to do so. I'll give that some thought.
K-----K
Speaking of radio, the Des Moines Radio Group is comprised of several Des Moines stations and it just so happens that at least four former Boone residents work there. It was noted the other day that Michael Hope, BHS-78, has celebrated his second anniversary as a member of the sales staff, Mike Pace has a show a couple times a week on the air, I still hear Mary Shaler Day's (BHS-61) voice on the air occasionally and I think KWBG alum Mark McDowell also works there in the sales department.
K-----K
The Kornerman really appreciated a holiday greeting from former Booneite Jack Kelly, BHS-58, who sent a nice card and a wonderful show of support for the Korner from his home in Locust Grove, VA. Jack wrote, "you column provides me with many fond memories of places and people in Boone. Please keep up your good work."
The Kornerman says, "we certainly intend too, especially with the help we receive from viewers like you who support our effort."
K-----K
Boone Connected Deaths: Ruth Helm, 93, Loveland, CO, former Boone resident. Worked at Bourns in Ames and was a volunteer at the Boone County Hospital. Three daughters, Kay Sanders, Karen Keys and Lavonne Christensen as well as a son, Mel, survive.............David Andrew, 55, Boone. Worked at Cyclone Car Stereo, ALMACO in Ames and the Clapper Corporation in Ankeny. His son and mother survive as well as several siblings..........Frank Blakley, Bevington, IA. Boone area survivor is a sister, Ramona Crabtree of Madrid.........Michael Lowman, 52, Boone. Railroad employee. Boone area survivors include a son, Ryan Lowman of Boone and a daughter, Katie Lowman of Ogden..........Delores Laidley Erickson, 85, Littleton, CO. BHS-48. Former Boone resident. Her parents were Mildred and Harold Laidley. Delores and her husband, Bud, moved to Littleton in 1959. Her husband is among the survivors..........Robert Bornholt, 60, Stratford.............
Dennis Carlson, 70, Atkins. Services were in Ogden. Parents were Morris and Laura Carlson. OHS-64. Worked 35 years with IES Industries and Alliant Energy. Boone area survivor is a sister, Barbara Miller of Boone..........Virgil Williams, 96, Madrid. Formerly of Boone. Luther High. Longtime railroad employee and famous horseshoe pitcher. Boone area survivors include a son, Jonathan of Woodward...........Etta Phipps, 88, Boone. Pilot Mound High-45. Worked at Merit Baking and Alco. Boone area survivors include a son, Phil Phipps of Stanhope and a daughter, Ann Lyness of Boone...........Helen Crim Bergman, 103, Ames. Born on a farm near Ridgeport and grew up on a farm south of Stratford. Stratford High-30. Was a teacher.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Wiping the Slate Clean
As so many of us do or, at least, attempt to, I, the Kornerman is going to "wipe the slate clean," put 2015 in the rear view mirror and plan ahead.
Thus, we'll bypass this weekend, the final phase of the holiday period, and look forward to a fresh start on Wednesday.
Here's hoping we can count on some of you viewers to help us get off to a good 2016 start with your stories/memories etc. etc........maybe even some of your holiday experiences.
Anyway, happy, happy New Year. Let's make 2016 a great one.
Thus, we'll bypass this weekend, the final phase of the holiday period, and look forward to a fresh start on Wednesday.
Here's hoping we can count on some of you viewers to help us get off to a good 2016 start with your stories/memories etc. etc........maybe even some of your holiday experiences.
Anyway, happy, happy New Year. Let's make 2016 a great one.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Have a Great New Year's Holiday(s)...NYEve and NYDay
With the Rose Bowl game, Stanford vs Iowa, coming and the UOI basketball team celebrating a win over number one ranked and previously unbeaten Michigan State, our state is engulfed in Hawkeye Fever as well as New Year's fever.
The result? Everyone's busy, busy. So, we'll bide our time also.
We'll check in on Saturday and then really get ready to burst forward to 2016 the following Wednesday.
Be safe and enjoy.
The result? Everyone's busy, busy. So, we'll bide our time also.
We'll check in on Saturday and then really get ready to burst forward to 2016 the following Wednesday.
Be safe and enjoy.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
A Neat Story to Start the New Year (almost)
The Kornerman absolutely loves this. It's one reason, above all others, to keep this party alive, being a connecting source.
Here's the story:
Last Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., I released our most recent blog to the internet. At 11 a.m. that morning, I received a phone call from Bill Olson, BHS-62, in Blairsville, GA telling me he had read the Korner and had already contacted Michael Morgan, BHS-77, in Kearney, NE to make arrangements for receipt of his (Bill's) late father's birth certificate information. Can it get any better than that?
You may recall that in the last Wednesday edition we had mentioned hearing from Michael who was wondering if the Korner had any contact with the Errol Olson family. It seems while perusing some material his grandmother, Arlene Hopkins, had accumulated, he found a bill from Boone's Eleanor Moore hospital dated August 30, 1918. The bill had been sent to Albert Olsen for delivery of a baby, Errol Olsen.
Michael could have easily overlooked that, even trashed it. Instead, he contacted the Korner with an "outside" hope a mention might draw an Olsen family members attention and it did. Michael wrote, "I'm not sure why my grandmother would have this, but I would love to pass it on to an Olson family member." Bill Olson, meantime, took a look at the Korner and was stunned to read a mention of his family.
The Kornerman assumes the material will soon be on it's way from Nebraska to Georgia and both parties will be happy they "connected" via the Korner.
The Kornerman had mentioned that I had recalled an Errol Olson who was connected, somehow, with the National Guard here. Bill told me, "yes, my dad was a guardsman in Boone and Des Moines and, unfortunately, he passed away at age 53 in 1972." Bill's grandfather, Albert Olson, had an upholstering shop in north Boone.
P.S. I know.........someone is going to mention the Olsen and the Olson........and I have no answer for that. All I know is that a pair of our viewers have connected in a very positive way to the happiness of each.
Can't ask for more than that.
K-----K
The Kornerman appreciated the very nice holiday greeting from Kathleen Wheelock and regardless of how long you've been away, you can't take the Iowa out of a true Iowan. Yes, he's been in Southern California for years but Max Moore, BHS-46, sent me a self-picture of him proudly wearing a Hawkeye sweatshirt. He's looking forward to the big Iowa-Stanford game next weekend.
K-----K
Had a nice holiday newsletter from former Booneites the Lindmark's, Larry, BHS-63, and wife Kristen. Larry, of course, grew up in Boone......in fact, right here in the very house I'm sitting in on Aldrich Avenue. Kristen spent a few years here as the Youth Pastor at Augustana Lutheran church.
Larry's quite the traveler, particularly when it involves sports activity. The newsletter mentions that Kristen joined him on one of his major league baseball bus trips.........eight west coast ball parks, 11 games in 13 days. That's livin' the life of Reilly......or Larry Lindmark.
I suppose I've mentioned this before......but I did that type of thing many years ago.....went from Boone to Minneapolis, to Chicago (Cubs), to Milwaukee, back to Chicago (White Sox), to St. Louis, to Kansas City and back to Boone. I guess that was six different parks in a week's time.
The Lindmark's live in Red Wing, MN..
K-----K
Along with his Christmas greeting, Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, included the news that their class members who get together annually for friendship and golf are planning a meeting in June in the Omaha area. Mike wrote, "Mike Nyman is the organizer. We're planning on a golf outing at an Army base near Omaha and we expect 15 guys to be there. It should be great fun, especially since we've all turned 70 this year or in 2016. If you mention this in the Korner, make sure you shame Jude Rolfes and John Hendricks, both Texans, into showing up for our gathering. We have wonderful memories of our Toreador coaches, Merle Harris, Larry Parr, Ralph Carroll, Noel Jones, Bill Sapp, Hal Lyness, Larry Blaker, Jim Ranglos and others. We were very fortunate, looking back, we did have so many sports accomplishments."
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Here's the story:
Last Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., I released our most recent blog to the internet. At 11 a.m. that morning, I received a phone call from Bill Olson, BHS-62, in Blairsville, GA telling me he had read the Korner and had already contacted Michael Morgan, BHS-77, in Kearney, NE to make arrangements for receipt of his (Bill's) late father's birth certificate information. Can it get any better than that?
You may recall that in the last Wednesday edition we had mentioned hearing from Michael who was wondering if the Korner had any contact with the Errol Olson family. It seems while perusing some material his grandmother, Arlene Hopkins, had accumulated, he found a bill from Boone's Eleanor Moore hospital dated August 30, 1918. The bill had been sent to Albert Olsen for delivery of a baby, Errol Olsen.
Michael could have easily overlooked that, even trashed it. Instead, he contacted the Korner with an "outside" hope a mention might draw an Olsen family members attention and it did. Michael wrote, "I'm not sure why my grandmother would have this, but I would love to pass it on to an Olson family member." Bill Olson, meantime, took a look at the Korner and was stunned to read a mention of his family.
The Kornerman assumes the material will soon be on it's way from Nebraska to Georgia and both parties will be happy they "connected" via the Korner.
The Kornerman had mentioned that I had recalled an Errol Olson who was connected, somehow, with the National Guard here. Bill told me, "yes, my dad was a guardsman in Boone and Des Moines and, unfortunately, he passed away at age 53 in 1972." Bill's grandfather, Albert Olson, had an upholstering shop in north Boone.
P.S. I know.........someone is going to mention the Olsen and the Olson........and I have no answer for that. All I know is that a pair of our viewers have connected in a very positive way to the happiness of each.
Can't ask for more than that.
K-----K
The Kornerman appreciated the very nice holiday greeting from Kathleen Wheelock and regardless of how long you've been away, you can't take the Iowa out of a true Iowan. Yes, he's been in Southern California for years but Max Moore, BHS-46, sent me a self-picture of him proudly wearing a Hawkeye sweatshirt. He's looking forward to the big Iowa-Stanford game next weekend.
K-----K
Had a nice holiday newsletter from former Booneites the Lindmark's, Larry, BHS-63, and wife Kristen. Larry, of course, grew up in Boone......in fact, right here in the very house I'm sitting in on Aldrich Avenue. Kristen spent a few years here as the Youth Pastor at Augustana Lutheran church.
Larry's quite the traveler, particularly when it involves sports activity. The newsletter mentions that Kristen joined him on one of his major league baseball bus trips.........eight west coast ball parks, 11 games in 13 days. That's livin' the life of Reilly......or Larry Lindmark.
I suppose I've mentioned this before......but I did that type of thing many years ago.....went from Boone to Minneapolis, to Chicago (Cubs), to Milwaukee, back to Chicago (White Sox), to St. Louis, to Kansas City and back to Boone. I guess that was six different parks in a week's time.
The Lindmark's live in Red Wing, MN..
K-----K
Along with his Christmas greeting, Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, included the news that their class members who get together annually for friendship and golf are planning a meeting in June in the Omaha area. Mike wrote, "Mike Nyman is the organizer. We're planning on a golf outing at an Army base near Omaha and we expect 15 guys to be there. It should be great fun, especially since we've all turned 70 this year or in 2016. If you mention this in the Korner, make sure you shame Jude Rolfes and John Hendricks, both Texans, into showing up for our gathering. We have wonderful memories of our Toreador coaches, Merle Harris, Larry Parr, Ralph Carroll, Noel Jones, Bill Sapp, Hal Lyness, Larry Blaker, Jim Ranglos and others. We were very fortunate, looking back, we did have so many sports accomplishments."
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
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