WHO NAMED "PUFFERBILLY DAYS?"

       Before another year, it's 50th, (oh, my gosh) of  Pufferbilly ends, let's try to answer a question proposed by Thomas Hokel, BHS-65. 

      Tom said he and his brother, Gary, Stanhope HS-60, were reminising about the event and Gary wondered, "who came up with the name, "Pufferbilly Days?"

       Tom admitted he had no idea but Gary answered, "Tolly Boyd, Gary's wife's best friend, Carol Hurty, BHS-63."

        Curious, Tom said he couldn't confirm that with an internet search but thought it must have been a joint agreement with the Chamber of Commerce.

        Gary thought it may have come from the Four Preps rendition of the song, "Down by the Station."

        "Down by the station, early in the morning. See the little puffer bellies, all in a row. See the station master pull the little handle, Chug, Chug! Toot, Toot! Off they go."

        Anyway, Korner viewers can tell we're grasping for an answer. We simply don't know. DO YOU?

        On another subject.

        Robert Atherton, BHS-65, referred to our recent talks about the railroads in Iran during World War II and said he and Tom Hokel talk often about trains."He's an absolute expert on trains and his  recent mention of working at Percival's reminded me of my "worst" job one summer on the railroad.

        Bob described, "One summer, Merle Long got Charlie Lind and I jobs on the section. Two-fifty an hour, big money. We drove every morning to Eagle Grove and worked with a "chain gang" of laborers who lived in a boxcar. We shoveled ballast under a tamper all day long in the Iowa heat. Needless to say, we didn't last and our return to college and Lawson's grocery as a sacker was never a problem. I have a feeling that your entire Boone network has similar life changing jobs to remember. Thanks for your efforts....we all enjoy staying connected to our home town."

K-----K

       Mark Campbell, BHS-67, is still in a funk about this AM radio situation.

       Mark, a former KWBG colleague of mine wrote, "the stations who will survive this MUST program for the community, not simply keeping the station's programming going. Yes, much of the satellite-driven shows are interesting, but there's nothing like local info. I used to listen to a station from Russellville, KY with local information. One segment featured a car dealership with the announcer chatting with a salesman. Do you remember Jimmy Wester of Wester Furniture? Locals enjoyed that.....as well as hospital admissions and dismissals. Ah, no longer possible."

        The Kornerman adds, "at 11 a.m. each morning Signa Shaler would report ALL the local news in great detail and, if I remember correctly, Wester Furniture was the sponsor of that report."

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......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.    

 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Alta Smith Soderstrum, 95, Luther/Eastern Star. Born near Perry. Washington Township school - 1948. Married Vernon Soderstrum in Luther in 1960. Vern passed in 2020. The couple farmed and had an egg laying operation north of Luther. They also ran Vernie's Egg and Produce from their farm and  included sweet corn and pumpkins. Alta was a faithful church member and enjoyed the fellowship of neighborhood clubs, the Las Amigas and the Worthwhile Birthday Club. Alta was an excellent cook, baker, enjoyed reading and loved the outdoors. Alta's life was filled with love, laughter and a profound impact on all those fourtunate enough to know her. A daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Randall, and a son, Kurt (Peg) Soderstrum survive. Service in Boone and Squire Boone Cemetery.   

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Mary Marlene Mindeman Pentico, 74, Boone. Born in Des Moines. Her parents were Nadine Eckley Williams and Albert Mindemann. Grew up in Boone surrounded by horses. She took care and showed horses (mainly Half-Arabians) and competed in numerous local, regional and national events. Her national spotlight was in the Half-Arabian Park Horse Division. In 1979, she rode Cognac to a top ten finish at the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian championship in New Mexico. Mary started work in cosmetology but eventually started working for the USDA with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In 1985, Mary married Doug Pentico and the couple spent many years riding horses on the trails around Boone and traveling to Palm Springs and Venice Beach. Doug passed away after the couple had been married for 36 years. A son, Josh Tracy, (BHS-93) of Boone survives. Mary always followed his various sporting events and celebrated his hunting and fishing successes. A brother and two step-sons also survive. A COL will be held in Boone.       

       Donald W. Johnson,  93, Ames/Accura Health Care. Born in Ogden. His parents were Lester and Ruth (Dahlberg) Johnson. Ames HS. Iowa State and the University of Iowa where he studied to be a teacher and coach. U.S. Army vet. Married Janet Ihlene Johnson who survives. A daughter and step-son also survive. Graveside services in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Bonnie Nelson Sorenson, 82, Pilot Mound. Born in Fort Dodge. Her parents were Virgil and Alta (Cibert) Nelson. FDHS-62. Iowa State veterinarian labs. Married Ronald "Larry" Sorenson in Fort Dodge in 1962. She worked as a Vet Technician for James Lawton DVM and also artificially inseminated cattle, horses and hogs. She was later employed by Lundberg Seed Farm near Pilot Mound/Boxholm and Gates in Boone. She retired in 2008. Bonnie enjoyed horseback riding and made western shirts for her family. She was inducted into the 4H Hall of Fame, served on the Boone County Fair Board, the Youth Committee and was a Boone County Fair Parade Marshal. She enjoyed cooking and baking and making wedding cakes. Three children survive, Troy and Trent Sorsenson and Cindy Davisson, all of Pilot Mound. Six siblings, including Barb (Jay) Williams of Pilot Mound, also survive. Services in Pilot Mound.    

       James E. Casey, 69, Ames, formerly of Boone. Born in Boone. His parents were James and Gwen (Wilcox) Casey. He worked as a semi-truck driver for Des Moines Asphalt, Manatts and over the road. James married Vicki Gibson in 1991. She passed away in 2018. James owned numerous Harley's and enjoyed riding them and driving fast cars. Survivors include three sons, Mark and Matt of Madrid and Dan (Lynn) of Nevada. Also surviving are a sister, Jo Ellen (James) Wells of Boone and brothers, Chris (Jo) Capps of Ogden and Edward. Service in Boone.

       Joan LaVonne Hicks, 81, Madrid. Born in Perry. Worked at the Woodward Resource Center for 40 years. In recent years, Madrid became a special place as she truly flourished there. She became an active part of the Madrid Home and served as President of the Resident Council. Service in Perry. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         David Owen Hadaway, 72, Lewisville, Tx. Born in Story City. BHS-72. Grew up on a family farm and played football for the Toreadors.His parents were Willard and Helen (Gibson) Hadaway. David moved to Texas and worked in construction for Camino Construction for 35 years before retiring. Five siblings survive, Richard (BHS-68) (Teresa) Hadaway; Susan (BHS-69) Franey; Catherine (BHS-74) (Thomas) Misfeldt; Teresa (BHS-81) Cummings and Joseph (BHS-83) Hadaway. A COL in Texas and burial later in Iowa.      

        Richard Larson, 92, Iowa Falls/Scenic Manor. Born in Mason City. BHS-52. Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) 56. Army vet. Married Ruth Buechler. After discharge, the couple moved to Mitchellville where he taught science and coached football, track, girls basketball and softball. In 1968, they moved to Iowa Falls where Richard taught biology, physiology, anatomy and ECC Nursing at Ellsworth Community College and was the track coach. Dick was instrumental in starting the Ellsworth women's basketball and softball programs. He coached those sports for 10 years and in 1977, his softball team won the National Championship. In retirement, the couple wintered in Florida and took many trips to Europe. Dick loved golf and was a member of the Elks, Lions and Jaycees. Two daughters survive. Services in Iowa Falls.      

       Adeline Evelyn  Frodl Wagner, 84, Ogden/Friendship Haven, FD. Born in Wisconsin. Newman Catholic HS-60. Married Alois T. Wagner in Wisconsin in 1961. The couple lived in several Iowa communities and traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Korea and Japan.She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, painting, crafts, hiking, cross country skiing and traveling. She was involved in numerous sewing groups in different states and loved playing games. A sister and five children survive. Services in Ogden.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Sandy Ann Sawyer, 72, Boone. Born in Fort Dodge. Twin Rivers/Bode HS-72. Was class president. Army vet. Returning to Iowa after service, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Buena Vista college. She taught at Boone Sacred Heart for several years and received the Good Shepard Award given to a school employee who is admired, respected and held in high regard by her peers. Her faith was very important and she did lots of volunteering, especially at two food banks in Boone. She was an avid follower of the Cubs and Cyclones. Survivors include a sister, two brothers and several nieces and nephews. Services in Boone and Livermore Iowa. 

        Nicholas "Nick" Blackburn, 77, Jefferson. Born and lived his life in Jefferson. Worked at several jobs. His last job was at the Fareway Warehouse in Boone. He loved fishing and one of his favorite spots was a farm pond near Ogden. Services in Jefferson.

       Jacob Eli Parnell, 21, Jefferson. Born in Boone. His parents are Aimee Reeser Parnell and Jason Parnell. Greene County HS-23. Services in Jefferson.

       Lillian M. Hughes, 87, Versailles, Mo. Survivors include a son, David Hughes, of Boone. A COL will be held later. 

HOT STUFF

       About the time you think the discussion is over......you find out it isn't.

       Tom Hokel, BHS-65, has provided additional information about the heat in the Iranian desert. His source is a document by HistoryNet.

        This discussion began when Robert Atherton, BHS-36, who spent a four-year stint in Iran in military service during World War II, said something about, "guys working in heat that hit 170 degrees and even better in the sun." That descriptive quote came from a publication, the U.S. Weekly.

         Jim Pratt, BHS-71, chimed in that the highest temperture ever recorded, worldwide, was the 134 degree mark in Death Valley California on July of 1913. Second place went to a location in Tunisia. That figure was supported by Wikipedia and others.

         Following is a portion of the new info Hokel discovered via HistoryNet.

         Summer shade temperatures in southern Iran regularly surpassed 120F to 130F with historical weather stations recording extreme highs near 168F. Metal bodies of locomotive absorbed the desert sun, turning the cab structure into a literal oven before the engine was even fired up.

        The massive uninsulated steel wall of the boiler inside the cab radiated intense, constant heat directly at the engineer and fireman. Every time the fire door was opened to shovel coal or adjust oil-firing, a blast of heat reaching over 2,000F hit the crew directly.

         While moving at speed created a breeze through the open cab windows, crawling up steep desert grades meant slow speeds, trapping stagnant, superheated air inside the workspace.

         The heat was so debilitating for Allied train crews along the Trans-Iranian Railway that military authorities largely shifted heavy train runs to nightime hours to prevent heatstroke and equipment failures.

         Tom concluded, "ya, our WWII soldiers were some tough cookies."

        P.S. He added, "I worked five summers at Percival Manufacturing in the "Plant Growth" section on the sides of the main assembly line. A few times, my workstation was near the end of the oven opening, where refrigeration sides and panels were sprayed and baked. One afternoon my boss came over and showed me a temperature gauge.....it read 135F. I don't know how we worked in those temperatures.." 

        Loren Frazier, BHS-58, summarized this entire discussion pretty well. He said, "not that it matters, but when its hot, its hot."

K-----K

        Regarding our recent blurb about AM radio, Vern (BHS-50) wrote, "thanks for keeping the AM radio situation alive. I hope you have stirred others to be aware of the circumstances too. On the financial side, I'd hope thinking about it will stir our less vocal and active friends into action. On the local side, that means to support their "home town" stations by feedback to advertisers who support its very existence. I'd hope too that attention would stimulate station owners to see to more aggressive programming (and pay) which could lead them back to those Golden Days of AM radio when The Shadow knew what to do."

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......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com.