THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT.......

       Dare I say this? 

      Nobody..... has been more BOONE than I.....EVER. For close to 80 years, I, through the spoken word, printer's ink or a micophone have, consistently and almost always positively, touted the many virtues of this community and its inhabitants that have been so important to my life and to others.

       WHOA! .....No regrets. I've said it and I'm glad..... Reminds me of Dizzy Dean's most famous quote. Many years ago, a baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and long time baseball broadcaster, Dean, who's syntax often drew laughter as well as criticism, uttered his true feelings when questioned about his boasting.

        Dean said, "It ain't bragging when you did it.......and I did it." 

        Well, I the Kornerman, still enjoy, at this stage, telling great stories about current great community contributors, as well as those who provided memories that still survive. I did it......and will continue until.

        And, we've got a few things to share today.

K-----K

        First, a salute to a former resident who continues to make a name for herself in the art world.

        Jo Ann Hendricks, BHS-67, has a studio and gallery in St. Paul, MN and this very weekend, she is showing her drawings via the Saint Paul Spring Art Crawl at her home base on Water Street in Saint Paul.

        Her success has been echoed by financial success and numerous sales, even to overseas clients. 

        Jo Ann was honored last year by being selected as a juror for the Minnesota State Fair Fine Art Competition, drawing and pastel, but she indicates her art time and energy "go forward" by setting up exhibitions for this year and beyond, taking part in various art crawls and entering a select Call for Arts.

         She admits, "I'm always thinking about what to do next as an artist." She adds that she's always available for Art Crawls or by appointment. To contact her....joannhendricks.studio@gmail.com.

         I have to add great memories of Jo Ann's parents and entire family. Her mother, Dorthea, working at Herald Drug on the north side, and her dad, Chuck, heavily involved in their kids athletic endeavors.

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        Jerry Manriquez, BSH-57, lost his wife, Joanna Lacey Manriquez, BSH-56, recently and the Manriquez family is certainly remembered by Boone residents past and present.

        One of the earlier memories, of course, is the fact that their famous pizza was one of the first such delicacies available to our community. Yes, in the area the Kornerman spent his earliest years, around 17th and Carroll, folks remember, right on that northeast corner, the Manriquez home, is where pizza's were made and sold right out the door.

         And, who could ever forget the dancing Manriquez twins, Jim and John, both, BHS-56,who were so locked up in their dance routine than one false move could bring them both down. Were they really tied to each other? 

         Now, only Jerry survives. Jim, John and Michael, BHS-69, are all gone.

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         Looking ahead, the Boone County Historical Society is planning some events in September that Toreador football fans should enjoy.

         It just so happens that the BHS football team of 1976 won the conference championship with a record of 8-1.

         In addition to that victory alone, its the 50th anniversary of that Merle Harris coached squad. As a result, class members are working hard to have a community celebration.

         So far, plans include an introduction of team members at a Toreador game, September 25. Then, on September 26, the Boone County Historical Society will begin an Open House exhibit that will be in operation from after Labor Day through the end of the month.

          More details will come as that time draws closer. 

         Especially for the benefit of those "outside" visitors, the Pufferbilly celebration this year is from September 18-20.

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         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     

       

         

          

           

 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Joanna Lacey Manriquez, 87, San Jacinto, CA. Born in Boone. Lived on a farm north of Boone and attended Scrabble Hill, a one-room schoolhouse through sixth grade. BSH-56. Worked for Bell Telephone in Des Moines but moved back to Boone in 1958 after her mother's death to care for her younger brother Michael, and work in the Fareway Accounting Office. Joanna met Jerry Manriquez when they were just five or six years of age. The couple married in 1961 at Sacred Heart Church in Boone. The couple lived in Cedar Falls while Jerry attended the State College of Iowa (now UNI). After earning his degrees, including a Masters, the couple moved to California where Jerry began a 30-year career as a financial analyst with North American Aviation, Rockwell International and Boeing. Joanna worked as a teacher's aid, an admission clerk for a hospital, a doctor's office and owned and operated a laundry and dry cleaning business. Joanna and Jerry moved to Norco, CA., which allowed them to raise farm animals. They traveled the country in their RV, took trips to Ireland with relatives and settled in a senior community in San Jacinto. Family was the most important thing in Joanna's life. Survivors include her husband, Jerry, a son, a daughter, brother James Lacey of Boone and a sister.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

 

       Alan Gallahan, 77, Boone. Born in Ames. AHS-67. Navy vet. Married Diana McKone in Ames in 1976. He was a plumber and enjoyed fishing. Survivors include his daughter, Jennifer Gallahan, and a brother, Mark (Yolonda) Gallahan, both of Boone. No services are planned.     

       Rhea Alveda Sprecher, 83, Oak Creek, Wisconsin. A sister, Mercedes, and a brother, LeRoy are survivors. Services including burial in Ogden.       

       Jo Lacey Manriquez, 88, San Jacinto, CA. Boone Sacred Heart-56. Married Jerry Manriquez, BSH-57. Among the survivors are her husband, Jerry, a sister, Pat Lacey Frazier, BSH-58 and a brother, Jim Lacey, BHS-53.

       Terry Lynn Carlson Parkhurst-Whipp, 78, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-65 where she excelled in basketball, with her scoring skills earning her all-state recognition. The highly-regarded Look Magazine team invited her to join them but, instead, she chose to attend Boone Junior College and Iowa State University. In 1970, she married Willie Parkhurst in Boone. The couple started their family on a farm in Winston, Mo. While Willie raised Charolais beef cattle, Terry was a school secretary. In 1980, the couple moved back to the Boone area. Terry worked in Ames at the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services and the couple's children attended United Community school. Willie passed away in 2000 and Terry married Shannon Whipp in 2007. The couple moved to a farm near Leon. Terry moved back to the Boone area in 2017 after Shannon's death. She enjoyed following the success of both the ISU and Iowa women's basketball teams. Survivors include daughters Kammie (Jeffrey) Friese and Shelly (James) Biladeau and three sisters, including Linda Hoppe and Karen (Doug) Brezina both of Boone and Tammie (Michael) Wallace. Terry had battled kidney disease in her final years. Services in Boone.      

       Iver P. Oppedahl, 86, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Stanhope. BHS-58. His entire work career was spent as a welder for Quinn Wire and Iron Works. Iver was a longtime member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shriners of Pilot Mound. He enjoyed motorcycles. Survivors include his siblings, Jo Ann Tolyan and David (Janice) Oppedahl of Boone and Suzanne Oppedahl of Ames. Iver was cremated and no services are planned. 

OGDEN REPORTER VOWS CONTINUATION

       Here's the best news we've been able to report early this month........"the Ogden Reporter isn't going anywhere."

       Those were the latest words spoken, via facebook, by someone representing the Reporter.

        As indicated in the Korner earlier this month, Mid America of Hampton, owner of the Reporter and the Madrid Register News, plus papers in 14 other Iowa counties, was finally succumbing to the pressures all of print media seem to face these days, "dwindling readership and advertising revenue" They announced they were closing all the counties doors April first. 

         That decision, many miles away, seemed to "wrap up" the long history of the two Boone County newspapers who have kept their communities and area informed, connected and heard since early this century and beyond.

          HOWEVER, one important caveat has still breathed life into this devastating story. Their seem to be fighters in those communities who refuse this acceptance.

          Regarding the Reporter, facebook said, "plans are in place for the Reporter to continue publication" and similar whispers have been heard regarding the Register News.

          So, nothing official to report yet........other than some individuals or groups are fighting to "stay alive and continue serving." 

          Let's remain hopeful.

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            I, the Kornerman served as a Boone Little League/Babe Ruth baseball coach for 25 years. Many stories, large and small, from those experiences, seem to pop up quite often. Everything from guiding a group of young Boone men, 13-15 years of age, to participation in the 1962 Babe Ruth World Series in New Jersey to simple interactions with players that produced a laugh or, perhaps, even a tear or two.

            Freddy Hagaman passed the other day at 76 years of age....how can it be. A Boone High graduate with the class of 1968, Fred was one of those hundreds of young men who I had the pleasure of working with. But there's more.

            In all honesty, Fred was not a gifted baseball player. But, perhaps, just his presence and attitude were even more important to our team than singles or putouts. He, without doubt, was one of the most enthusiastic young men I ever coached......always willing, always able........just the type of teammate always desired.

            Jeff Courter, BHS-80, remembered Fred as an assistant coach on a Dodger youth team he was a member of. 

             I'll never forget......Fred came to practice one day with a different pair of baseball shoes and wasn't he proud. The smile still remains as he showed me his shoes with the promise......"now, I'll really be able to run fast."

              Just one of those moments that remain in the mind of a 91 year old after all these years.

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              The Korner's Chief Eastern Iowa correspondent Andy Anderson has a story to tell.

              He says, "In 1963, while attending Boone Junior College, I met a young man who was a "boarder" at the Boone Biblical college. His name was Ken Kamau and he was from Nairobi, Kenya. In 1997, I was checking in at a hotel in Milwaukee. The hotel receptionist was an African American with a British accent and in our discussion, I learned she was from Kenya Nairobi AND SHE KNEW KEN."

               Andy had no connection with Ken in more than 30 years and was told that he was teaching African history in Milwaukee. After a few telephone calls, he was talking to Ken, they eventually got together, and he gave Andy a wonderful gift from Africa. 

               Several years later, Andy felt compelled to try to contact his friend. However, it was discovered that Ken had died in 2014.

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            Worldwide Korner headquarters are still 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. 

                 

             

           

          

          

         

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Kenneth Lee Shafer, 84. Raised in Boone. BHS-60. ITT Technical Institute in Des Moines, 1962. Was a computer operator for Ruan Transport before a 44 years career as an IT Administrator for the D.O.T., retiring in 2007. Married Debra Zanker in 1987. Completed flying lessons in 1985. Enjoyed photography, sports, organizing class reunions and weekly coffee meetings with classmates. Ken found joy in service to others. Survivors include his wife, Debra, sister Elaine Nelson, sons Scott, Steven and Brent and daughters Sara and Emily. Twin sister Karen is deceased. An intimate family gathering is planned.

       Ross Ervin Williams, 76, Boone. Born in Boone. Grew up on the family farm. His parents, both deceased, were Boyce Williams Sr. and Doris Williams. At age 17, Ross joined the U.S. Army and was a Viet Nam vet who served over 20 years. He married Donna Williams and they eventually divorced but remained close friends for his lifetime. After service time, Ross was a semi truck driver in Arkansas and later returned to Iowa to care for his parents. He worked for Pinkerton Security until retirement. Ross enjoyed hunting and fishing as a youngster, as well as racing and boxing. He was also known to have handyman skills, rebuilding his garage and his bathroom many times. Survivors include his son, Ron, and former wife, Donna. Services in Missouri.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Christine Rosemary Cromwell, 70, Boone. Born in New York. Settled in Boone in 2020 after retirement. Was an avid reader and a member of Boone Sacred Heart Church. Survivors include a son, Christopher Cromwell, of Boone and three sisters. A memorial service will be held in Boone.     

        Raymond Leslie "Ray"  LeMaster, 89, Ames. Born in Ogden. The family moved to Boone in 1950. BHS-54. Married Shirley Munsen Mestdaugh in 1956. He became an immediate father, via Shirley's three-year old who he eventually adopted. Shirley and Ray also became the parents of son Jeff Jay and daughter Koreen Kay. As an Iowa Air Guard veteran, he served from 1956-64 and was activated during the Berlin crisis, serving a year in France. In 1959, he began a career with the John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny. He became a union rep, supervisor and finally, night shift supervisor until retirement in 1999 after 40 years. In 1994, his marraige to Shirley was disolved and in 1996, he married Anita Marie Laisure Wirtz. The couple made their home in Ames. Ray enjoyed golf, was a Hawkeye fan and loved his miniature schnauzers. Ray served as a volunteer firefighter, worked at a gas station and a salesman at J.C. Peterson Clothing store in his early years, He also served as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon at Boone's Central Christian church and religion was an important part of his life. Survivors include his wife, Anita, her children, Joshua, Courtney and Justin Wirtz and spouses and his children, Robin Gogerty of Madrid, Jeff and Koreen and their spouses. Services in Ames.    

       Dave Keithley, 82, Boone. Born in Oklahoma. Navy vet. Married Carol Kaufman Portkonak in Oklahoma in 1987. Dave worked and traveled 50 countries repairing electrical equipment and computers. He worked thirty days and then took thirty days off. He said he enjoyed getting paid yearly but only working six months a year. A VFW member, he enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Survivors include his wife, Carol, a step-son, Dan (Mary Jo)  Potkonak, a daughter, Erin Keithley, and two sisters. A private service will be held.     

        David Lee Tesdahl, 78, Marion. Born in Boone. Parents were David and Virginia (Clark) Tesdahl. Iowa City HS. Associate degree from Orange Coast College in California. Marine vet. Married Catherine Marie Madden in 1997. Retired from Nordstrom Direct A man of deep faith and unwavering pride in his Norwegian heritage. Very active religiously. Enjoyed sports and was an avid fisherman. Honor Flight member. Survivors include his wife, Catherine, and a sister, Suzetta Miller, of Hawkeye, IA. Was cremated. 

NEWS VETERANS RESPOND TO NEWSPAPER CLOSURES

        Occasionally, we say......"no news is".......but golly, I don't know anymore......it seems there's more bad than good news.

        Haven't got any more particulars to report on the recent Ogden Reporter/Madrid Register News story.  The proposed closure date has silently passed and there have been small rumbles of some one or groups as potential buyers. But no dramatic conclusions have been aired.

        Of course, the Korner does have access to a pair of local, long time communication experts who serve as our go-toos when it comes to such matters. So, let's lean to some of their thinking in this regard.

         I'm proud to call Richard Longworth, BHS-53, a classmate of mine. Dick has reached the pinnacle of journalistic success in many ways, including Pulitzer Prize nominations, during his long career, primarily with the Chicago Tribune and United Press International and now, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. For 20 years, he served as the Tribune's Chief European Correspondent with work in 80 countries over five continents.

          We've been in contact and I gladly lean on his perspective on this issue. In fact, he informs me that he has forwarded our story to the Local News Initiative at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Dick's alma mater.

           Richard wrote, "that group is doing the best scholarly work on the decline of local newspapers. They tell me, no fewer than 3,500 American Newspapers, mostly small town papers, have vanished in the past 20 years. The result is "news deserts," which they define as "counties with no locally based source of original news at grass-roots levels that meets community needs." Sounds like Boone County right now."

           He continued, "So what? What do we need newspapers for anyway? The usual answer is the keeping of an eye on local government and our tax dollars at work. But, I think there's an even more important reason. Local newspapers are a public diary, printing the every-day stuff that adds up to life in a real community. Good journalism is a conversation between reporters and readers and between the readers themselves, sort of a corner table in a cafe with the entire town listening. A newspaper chronicles a town's past and present. If you don't know where you've been or where you are, how can you decide, as a community, where you want to go?"

           In a nice conclusion to his remarks, Richard said, "there's no real replacement for dead newspapers. Kelley's Korner, or the like, is one that comes closest, a real conversation between you and your readers. You do such valuable work. Keep it up."

           Your editor replies, "the blood still flows and oxygen is fairly consistent BUT at 91, I wonder how much of my time remains and is there someone out there to "fill the gap" when needed?"

            Another good friend, Vern Modeland, BHS-50, adds, "here's another example of a way of life fading away. Or is it pushed away? Things fade from age, weakness or a lack of interest, but fade when there is no one left who cares or can push'em along. You've done that for the News Republican. You keep alive a twinkle of the good "old" Boone that had a vibrant downtown, a bustling community with a twinkle in its eye when we all, young and old alike, used to see Saturday nights downtown to be a humming place to park, walk and talk to each other. But, today's media for the lazy has taken over or is being steered to put face-to-face communications on the chopping block. More and more someone else is doing the thinking and pushing. Big entities with lots of money and lots of one mission, to do our thinking for us and making big seem better. Do the homework and it appears the only "Big" in history took something away to get there. However, it's the ants that keep the colony humming, not whatever you call the one at the top."

             Vern, of course, is another hero of mine, who took his great BHS education further than many with broadcasting work at KWBG, KFJB of Marshalltown, KJFJ of Webster City and then 10 years as an assignment news journalist for WHO radio and television in Des Moines. He added later work in marketing communications and photography for  Beech Aircraft and Gates Lear Jet in Wichita, communications for Silver Dollar City in Branson, Cox Medical Centers in Missouri and finally, at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C..

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            Worldwide Korner headquarters are still 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.