OLD FRANKLIN

     In response to our last edition, Tony Crandell, BHS-59, wrote, "Ah yes.....Boone J.C..I remember well......the old Franklin building. I was there September of 1959 until May of 1961. I was one, of many, who volunteered to dig out, by hand, part of the unfinished basement for the snack bar. Some of the instructors I remember were Winifred Barquist, Lyle Poyzer, Miss Tisdale and Everett Porter. Everybody liked Everett and his crooked pipe. Although I never made the Dean's list, I was sent to the Dean's office a couple of times. Bob Gunderson, now deceased, an old KWBG alum, and I were there together. We both worked at KWBG until Bob went to the Air Force. I left KWBG and went to Fort Leonard Wood in 1963."
     Your editor missed out on that experience. When I attended, the college was located on the third floor of the high school building. Yes, I'm a proud 1955 graduate of BJC and the morning after graduation, I graduated into Army service with an immediate trip to Des Moines, followed by a train ride to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas.
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     Larry Lindmark, BHS-63, wrote, "I was just looking through old Boone postcards on ebay and happened to come across a Boone ham radio postcard. I remember that was a popular hobby for high school students back in the 60's. Several classmates, such as Ted Gifford, were ham radio enthusiasts. Postcards, with their call letters or numbers, were sent to people with whom they had contact. I wonder how many of your viewers had that interest in their youth or, perhaps, still have maintained that hobby today?
     EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, my first experience with ham radio occurred those many years ago on the north side. I grew up on Crawford Street....1710.....and in the next block south, the Gustafson family was located. Harold was the dad and his sons were Don, BHS-50, and Dean. I believe Harold worked for the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern railroad and he was a very active ham radio operator. I remember viewing his mammouth equipment and I recall one instance when I was there that he was visiting with someone in some very far-off land. I was very impressed.......I mean this was in the late 1940's.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Mitchell Melchert, 47, Ogden. OHS. Worked with his dad, Maynard, at M and M Construction. Survivors include his wife, Lisa, of Ogden, four daughters, Allison Hamilton and Mallory Melchert of Boone and Allyssa Melchert and Holly Melchert of Ogden. Also surviving are a sister, Malory Jennnings, and his father, Maynard. Lexi Elliott and Katie Moran also survive........Charles Darner, 71, Boone. Born in Boone. Married Lisa Stille in 2006. Was a mechanic and U.S. Army vet. Survivors include his wife, Lisa, of Boone, three daughters including Jennifer Derry of Boone, a son, Cody Schlichting of Boone, and three brothers including Frank of Boone.........Lois Kemmerer, 93. Gilbert HS-43. Married Kenneth Kemmerer in Boone in 1949. A son and daughter survive........Margaret "Tootie" Pepper Way, 96, Boone. She moved near Boone, close to two daughters, in 2007. A son, Ron Way, and three daughters, Donna Weiss, Connie Sutton and Peggy Sills, survive as well as two brothers.
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      Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

WE'RE DOOMED??

     "Things will never be the same".........and they shouldn't be.
     Time passes and yes, things do change. Some for the better and......
     I, the Kornerman, assumes you're still not driving that real "old" Chevy or wearing that leisure suit, The outhouse is gone and the hair's not as thick but....
     The point is.....yes, we're all disapointed that our Boone Iowa "downtown" is missing those clothing and shoe stores and the JCP's and Sears outlets, drug stores and the Coney Island's BUT have you driven around town lately? All is not lost.
     New projects have emerged, some stores have relocated and have you ever seen as much new construction, houses and otherwise, as we saw this Spring/Summer?
     And, in this edition, I'm going to tell you about two of the biggest and best "new" opportunities for optimism for our community......one for certain and the other a "maybe."
     (1) Our Des Moines Area Community College Boone Campus is like a "city within a city" and aren't we happy to have it?
     This ever expanding asset will be "at it again" in the coming months.
     Plans are well underway for a 28,500 square foot "Enhanced Recreation" facility on campus. Plans are for breaking ground in April, 2020, and have the $6 1/2 million project open by the Spring of 2021.
     The DMACC Board of Directors is seeking $750,000 in private support but will cover the remainder of the cost.
     The facility will provide numerous fitness opportunities, athletic training rooms and indoor practice facilities for sports teams and its hoped that it will draw various youth camps for such activities as basketball and volleyball tournaments. All good for this community, right?
     Who would have thunk it? Boone Junior College began in 1927 and after homes on the third floor of Boone High School and as part of an old Franklin elementary building, a final move was made to the current 23 acre plot and inclusion as part of DMACC in September of 1967.
     As a result, the Boone community has received an influx of 2,500 students each semester, 45 full-time faculty positions, 25 adjunct positions, 75 other full-time employees and the only one of DMACC's campuses offering eight NJCAA Division II sports programs.
     The Kornerman cannot conclude this history without mention of the importance of a strong Boone presence through the years on the nine-member DMACC Board of Directors. At the beginning, late attorney Lloyd Courter, BHS-53, was a board member who exhibited great influence in guiding the board to a Boone destination when it could have, very well, landed elsewhere.
     After Courter, the late Dr. Wayne Rouse followed up with several years of "making sure" the Boone campus was well respected and given full backing. In the most recent years, Fred Greiner, a former Boone businessman, has taken the reins to assure that the Boone Campus continues to receive strong and expanding support.
     This triumvirate deserves the communities profound "thanks." Without their dedication to this community and Boone Campus, DMACC certainly could have found a much different location.
     (2) The "maybe" is the possibility of a newly constructed $8 million Boone Recreation Center to, somewhat, at least, replace the loss of a long-time Boone resident......the YM and previously YWCA.
     Meetings are being held, a committee has been formed and even a possible location on current city property has been discussed.
     The committee's conceptual presentation shows a pool with rental space for parties and private events, a kid's wading pool, an exercise/fitness room, a full-sized gymnasium with walking track, a Yoga/aerobics center, a rentable banquet/community space, locker rooms and a small resource room.
     Currently, this project is a "dream" but serious study is taking place on a regular basis and its hoped that the new year will provide some clear-cut answers.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jennifer Baldwin Gilpin, 51, Ogden/Boone. Was adopted by Dr. Bernard and Joyce Baldwin at the age of 9 and moved to Boone. BHS-87. Was an Air Force vet. Married Samuel Gilpin and moved back to Boone. Moved to Ogden in 2007. Survivors include two daughters, her mother, and four sisters, including Anne Baldwin of Boone........Sheryl Disbrowe, 75, Boone. Grand Comm HS grad. Worked at several area nursing homes. Survivors include two daughters, a son, a sister and her brother, Lance Larson, of Boone........Vanita Pearl McCambridge, 104, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-33. Married Loran McCambridge in 1937 and he passed away in 1952. Worked at Boyd's Dairy for 25 years, prior to retirement in 1980. Survivors include a son, Michael of Boone, and two daughters, including Glenda Camelin of Boone. A sister also survives.......Constance Larrew, 75, Boone. Born in Boone. Married Antonio Silva and they were divorced in 1984. Worked 20 years at K-Mart and 20 years at Walmart. Survivors include two sons, a daughter, Cindy Holmes of Boone, three brothers, a sister, a half-sister and her step-mother..........Elizabeth Botos Thornburg, 76. Was a legal secretary. Married John Thornburg and they farmed near Ogden. John passed away in 2011. Two daughters survive........Harriett Henry, 93, Des Moines.Was born in Boxholm in 1926.........Barbara Johnson Carlson, 76, Spring Lake Park, MN. BHS-61. Was a city council member for 22 years and a member of the city planning and zoning committee prior to that. Had also been a paraprofessional at Park Terrace Elementary school. Three children and her husband, Gary Carlson, survive.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
     
     
     
    
    

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     The good news.......after a very long list of obituaries in the Wednesday edition, the updated list is short.
     The bad news......nothing else to report except.....Ann Anonymous wrote, "I know there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Boonites who read the Korner. I'm absolutely amazed that more readers don't contribute memories of days gone bye. Everyone has a story."
     ??? I don't know......a bad editor maybe.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Pauline Hora, 87, Stratford. Formerly of Boone. Grew up in California. Married Don Hora, BHS-46, in 1953. Survivors include her partner of 28 years, Duane Kopp of Boone, two sons, a daughter and a brother.......Kyler Kiner, 24, Grand Junction.......Darci Thelander, 64, Boone.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Virginia "Jeanie" Manriquez, 85, Franklin, TN. Survived by her husband, John Manriquez, BHS-56. John and his twin brother, Jim Manriquez, BHS-56, were noted for their Betty Mae Harris dance routines in the 50's. John and Jeanie recently moved to Franklin, near Nashville, to be closer to family. They previously lived in Memphis. Two other brothers, Jerry, BSH-57, and Michael, BHS-69, also survive........Monte Moorman, 62, Ames. BHS-75. Married Toni Overton in 2000. Survivors include his wife, a son, a daughter and his parents, Ronald Moorman and Penny Winters Scherrard..........Richard Pestotnik, 94, Boone........Glenn Peterson, 71, Boone. Perry HS-66. DMACC-95. Army vet and a 23 year Iowa National Guardsman. Married Tamara Rose in 1986. Worked at Oscar Meyer, as an electrician/maintenance man at Camp Dodge and a technician for the DOT. Survivors include his wife, a son, two daughters, a sister, and in-laws, including LaVonne Shearer and Tom Rose both of Boone........Larry Smith, 79, Boone. Married Patsy Scott in 1994. Worked for Hallett Construction. Survivors include his wife, son, Richard, of Boone, a step-son, a brother, sister and his mother-in-law, Lila Scott of Boone......Thomas Howell, 63, Boone. Maquoketa HS-74. Married Sue Stecker Howell in 1985. Worked for Pamida and in 1998, started working for Besser Pipe and Pre-Cast. Survivors include his wife, Sue, of Boone, two sons, including Aaron Howell of Boone, his mother-in-law, Jacque Stecker, of Boone, brothers-in-law, Mike and Tom, and sisters-in-law, Deb Potter and Michelle Hull.........Wallace Martin, 78, Boone. BHS-61. Worked in the composing room for the Ames Tribune for 43 years. Survivors include brothers, Richard and William Martin, and a sister, Alice Whittlesey, all of Boone. Two other sisters, Diane Riffel, and Hazel Peterson, also survive........Lovan Lombard, 88, Dayton. Survivors include a daughter, Holly Robinson, of Stratford........Ardis Bakley, 87, Ames. Formerly of the Boxholm area. Grew up on a farm near Paton. Married Bob Bakley and the couple farmed south of Boxholm for 64 years. She also operated a beauty salon in her home for 45 years. Two daughters and a son survive.........Dean Higgins, 78, Des Moines. A daughter, Jeana Palmitier, of Madrid is among the survivors........Jack LaFollette, 24, Cedar Rapids. BHS-2013. An Air Force vet. Survivors include his parents, Lorin and Kate LaFollette, of Boone, a sister, a brother, and his grandparents, Maggie Suckow, Norman and Shirley LaFollette, of Boone.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

PRAISE FOR DES MOINES

     John Kueck, BHS-61, is a wonderful contributor to the Korner.......always presenting interesting subjects.......things to think about.
     I assume its a publication of some kind.......the Midwest Traveler......provided an interesting "outside" look at our capitol city, Des Moines, recently and John filled us in with info from that article.
     The banner was, "Des Moines is on the move with an emerging food and drink scene" and the author urges readers to "Go there now."
     He/she cited numerous things in the city that deserved attendance.......the Art Center, the farmer's market.....the famous Waveland Cafe among many eating establishments.....etc. etc.
     In conclusion, he/she wrote, "Go now while Des Moines still enjoys the charms and convenience of a small town."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Larry Pendarvis, 72, Brooklyn, IA. Son of Larry and Nan Pendarvis. Born in Boone. BHS-66. Army vet. Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars. Married Diann Larson in 1967 and the couple had two daughters. They divorced in 1991 and in 1993, he married Kimberly Kleckner. In 1969, Larry joined the Des Moines Police Department and served for 33 years prior to retirement in 2002. Survivors include his wife, daughters and a brother, CoryPendaris...........
Constance Larrew, 75..........Jack LaFollette, 24, Boone..........Tom Farley, 85, Redfield. Formerly of Boone. Army vet. He relocated to Boone and worked in construction and as a truck driver. Survivors include two daughters, a brother and sister.........Janet Ruth Olson, 78, Boone. A cook who served various area nursing homes, the Boone County Hospital and the former Dave's Food Center in Grand Junction. Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Siders, of Boone, and two sons, including Dave Cook of Madrid.
     EDITOR'S NOTE: The Kornerman remembers Larry Pendarvis as a big kid for his age, knocking lots of home runs in Boone Little League play. What a successful 33 years he had as a member of the Des Moines Police Department. During his career there, he won two Medals of Valor, numerous Certificates of Commendation and WAS THE MOST AWARDED POLICE OFFICER IN THE HISTORY OF THE DES MOINES POLICE DEPARTMENT. Wow!
     We are always so pleased to learn of great achievements by Booneites and there's nothing better than being able to distribute information about those successes to our viewers.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson Street, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

WE'RE GETTING BETTER

     Wife Jo is progressing well after last week's emergency surgery. She got home Monday.
     We both thank all of you who, in some way, offered your concern regarding this incident. The phone calls, text messages, emails, prayers, food deliveries etc. etc. were overwhelming and so much appreciated.
      Before we know it, hopefully, our lives will be back to "normal."
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     A little catch-up here.
     BHS-53 classmate Margaret Oxenford Kooser wrote about a recent Korner mention of Mrs. Gunn, the piano teacher. "If her husband was Dr. Gunn, they were our neighbors and she was also a teacher for school kids who were home-bound. I was not aware that she taught piano. I don't know if there were any other Gunns in town. He was our family doctor. My sister-in-law's mother, Mrs. McVicker, taught me piano. As for outside games, our front yard was a baseball diamond. Sidewalk to the house was home plate, a big cottonwood tree on the road (old Highway 30) was first base, apple tree on an empty lot was second, a bush by the end of the house was third base. If there was no game going, my mom would grab any of us kids to go out front to play catch. She was pretty good. All of that ground is now covered by Westhaven. When they took our old cottonwood down, it was so big it made the papers, as they had to close highway 30. That happened after we left the area. Weather here in Louisiana is better for me than Iowa's weather. I spent too much time in the SW part of the country to deal with humidity and snow. Have humidity here but a much lower dew point. That has been a key for me."
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     Sources indicate that Jude Rolfes, BHS-64, has had a pair of surgeries lately and they would like to inundate him with lots of "good wishes" for a speedy recovery.
     ATTENTION: I'm told that Jude's address is.....15 S. Emory Bend Place, Shenandoah, TX 77381.
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     Here's an idea for you travelers.
     A good contributor mentioned that they've seen "the Palace of Versailles, the White House, the Grand Canyon, been to the Vatican and seen the great works of art in Florence, Italy but after a visit to the Greenbrier in White Sulpher Springs, WV in the good old USA we found its a "gorgeous place" and ranks right at the top."
     He added, "I talked to a golf starter on hole #1 and he'd been doing that job for 42 years. After asking him for some stories he may relate he said, "I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly and then too, their are the politicians.""
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Peggy Gus, 89, Boone. Napier HS. Worked for Tim Buckner and Principal Financial from 1979-92. Was very active in Presbyterian church. Survivors include a son, Steve, and daughter, Susan Jacobson, both of Boone. One other daughter also survives.........Janet Ruth Olson, 78, Boone.........Verle Toyne, 91, Boone. Korean War vet. Married Lois in 1948. The couple farmed in the Boxholm/Pilot Mound area. Two daughters and a sister survive........Terry McAnally, 77, Des Moines. Married Larry McAnally, BHS-93, in 1964. Larry passed away in 1993..........Robert "Bud" Drake, 98, Sheldahl. Born in 1920 to William and Elsie Drake on a farm south of Madrid.........Ronald DePriest, 79, Norwalk. Survivors include a brother-in-law, David Wilson of Ogden.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

A SHORTENED VERSION

     Squeezing in a little update in between my trips to downtown Des Moines Methodist and back.
     Jo is improving daily but, as typical, not as quickly as would like. Hopefully, home in the next week sometime.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Barbara Jipp Silver, 72, Boone. BHS-65. Married Richard Silver in Boone in 1965. Was an RN. Survivors include her husband, Richard, of Boone, a son, two daughters, her mother, Eleanor Jipp of Boone, and two sisters.........William Valline, 93, Ames. Attended Ames schools. Married Mildred Warner in Boone in 1947. Worked 26 years for Alliant Energy. Three sons survive........Donald "Bud" Shuey, 87, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-51. Married Shirley Merrill of Stratford in 1951. Military vet. Worked at Percival and the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad. Finished his working life at the ISU Power Plant from 1969-91 when he retired. Surivors include his wife, Shirley, of Boone, and two daughters, Colleen Eslick of Dayton, and Pat Duehring of Boone.........Darrrell Peterson, 68, Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Formerly of Boone.........Randy Lee Rardin, 67, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-70. Was a railroad employee and a six year Iowa National Guardsman.Survivors include his son, Troy Rardin, and an aunt, Viola Lycke, both of Boone. A sister also survives.........Thomas Paul Howell, 63, Boone........Michael "Joe" Mann, 56, Muscatine. Boone survivor is his son, Chris Mann, a swim coach at BHS........Pat Conway, 83, Elm Grove. Born in Boone. BSH-53. Was a graduate of Clarke College in Dubuque and after graduation, taught high school math in Milwaukee. Married Jim Parks in 1961. The couple raised 10 children, including three from Ecuador. They worked tirelessly as volunteers for the Working Boys Center mission in Quito, Ecuador. Survivors include nine children, sisters Madre Miguel and Mary Charles and two sisters-in-law.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.