A BIT OF THIS AND THAT

       The recent story on Pervical's drew a couple responses. 

        Martha Hilsabeck, BHS-62, remembered when her husband, Virgil, worked at Percival's. The couple married in 1963. Martha reported, "Virgil brought home $63.02 each week from his work there. We could spend $10.00 for a week's worth of groceries and still have money to pay rent, utilities etc. Those were the good old days. Thanks for keeping us in touch with those days."

         Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, wrote, "Percival's was the first real job I had, so I distinctly recall many events at the plant in '63 and '64. I started at $1.67 an hour and a short time later, jumped up to $1.76 and this was the same wage the guys who were supporting families received. To this day, I can name quite a number of fellow workers there and how they impacted my "growing up" period of life."

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        The latest minutes of meetings of the Boone County Historical Center board mentioned the landscaping that was continuing on the south side of the building as well as work on the front door, roof and various concrete updates. Racing in Boone County will be an exhibit feature in August/September of 2027. Work on that exhibit will begin in January.

         My-oh-my.....its hard to believe that the BCHC will soon have a 60th anniversary. There will be a special celebration on November 8, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m., with a program at 2:30 p.m. Also on your calendar add January 23, 2027, that will be the annual meeting day. 

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         Most of you are way too young to remember Johnny Bright.

         These old eyes of mine have seen and followed many great Iowa athletes but I've always said that Johnny Bright was one of, if not THE, best football player ever in Iowa, although he was not a Hawkeye State native. He came here from Indiana.

          He starred as a back for the Drake Bulldogs from 1949-51 and I see that finally, a statue of Bright has been added to the Drake campus near the football stadium to go along with the naming of the Drake Stadium in his honor. He received that honor several years ago.

          Bright actually lettered in three sports at Drake, football, track and basketball. 

          On the football field, he led the entire nation in total offense his sophomore and junior seasons and was recognized as a leading Heisman Trophy winner candidate in his senior year, again leading the nation in total offense.

          However, in a game against Oklahoma State, a tackle by the name of Wilbanks Smith became known nationwide. 

          In the first seven minutes of the game, Smith had purposely knocked Bright unconscious. Believe it or not, in those days, the Des Moines Register had an airplane that followed Iowa teams to certain games to speed up their coverage via pictures taken "from the air"  that accompanied game stories quickly back to Des Moines.

          In this particular case, clear pictures taken of Bright being targeted, actually breaking Brights jaw, became a world wide incident. The pictures of the flagrant actions earned a Pulitzer Prize for the Register and the actions by Smith  ended Johnny's college career.

          It was an amazing story and anyone interested in more details can find them on wikipedia.

          P.S. Bright was a first round pick in the NFL draft, but, instead, he chose to join the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League where he spent 12 years earning all kinds of honors, while breaking numerous football game and season records. 

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         Iowa's Caitlyn Clark is, of course, one of a kind nationally renowned basketball star but there have been many other ladies who call Iowa "home" and have made their own mark playing basketball.

         Not as well known, of course, but outstanding as well is another WNBA player from Iowa who continues to have an excellent career......and is, perhaps, too often overlooked.

         We're talking about Kiah Stokes, who was born in Cedar Rapids, attended Linn-Mar Marion High School and is currently a starting member of the Golden State Valkyries, a team still involved in the current playoff finals.She's already been a member of three WNBA championship teams, 2022, 2023 and 2025, with the Las Vegas Aces.

         Kiah stands 6-3 and is the daughter of a former University of Iowa star, Greg Stokes. Kiah had a successful career collegiately as a member of the successful University of Connecticut teams which reached NCAA Final Fours all four of her years there.

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         The Kornerman likes this.......Growing older is mandatory but growing up is optional. We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.

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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

       Rhonda Lynne Kerr Bagley, 73, Cambridge. Survivors include a niece, Teresa (Ron) Baker, of Boone. Services in Ames and Cambridge. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Joyce Marie Solomon, 96, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Born in West Milton, PA. Had lived in the Ann Arbor area for over 60 years. Survivors include a son, Daniel Solomon, of Ames, a former Boone resident and long time pastor of the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone. 

       Michaela "Kayla" Annette Calllahan Rose, 50, Omaha. Born in Nebraska. BHS-94, after moving to Boone at age 10 when her mom, Norma, married Bob Paris. Had started fifth grade at Bryant Elementary. She enjoyed playing in the band from fifth grade to graduation and even played in the Municipal Band as a senior and a year later. She was happy to say she played in the first Municipal Band Festival. After several early jobs, she found farming with Junior John, ran the combine, did some trucking and learned lots of lessons about farming and life. Became a couple with Tyler in 2003 and started traveling to Phish shows. In 2004, the couple moved to Colorado so she could attend massage therapy school. Moved back home in 2007. She admitted she was obsessed with her kids. In 2020, she realized she had an alcohol problem and stopped drinking. Joined Trinity and started taking her faith more seriously. Survivors include her husband, Tyler, two children, Aidan and Liam, a brother, Patrick, her mother-in-law Lynne Jordan, best friend Amanda Runyan and her family and the Tom Rose family. Services in Boone.

       Deborah Faye Majors Lebo, 74, Boone. Born in Decorah. Grew up in Boone. Her parents, now deceased, were Erma and Harold Majors. BHS-70. Married Dale Lebo in 1970. Deborah built a long and dedicated career as a lab technician with the National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Services, now known as the USDA Research Lab in Ames. She retired in 2011 after over 35 years of service. Deborah was an active church member, singing, playing the bells and volunteering. She bowled, was a camper and loved boating, fishing, riding motorcycles, cooking and coaching softball. In 2022, her husband, Dale, suffered a brain injury due to a motor vehicle accident and Deb and family cared for him until his death in 2023. Survivors include a daughter, Toni Lebo (Michael) Tullis, twin sister, Donna Majors (Joel) Jones, and a brother, Ted Handlon. There will be a joint memorial tribute for Deborah and Dale in Boone.

A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE TOREADORS

       Late Tuesday, October 13, Boone High School claimed a state championship in class 1-A girls tennis competition in Cedar Rapids.

       Cedar Rapids Xavier had earlier claimed state championships in both singles and doubles play and, as a result, would be favored for the team crown.

       The two teams came into the match rated as the top two teams in the 1-A state rankings BUT it was Xavier that received the top billing.

       However, it was the Toreadors that prevailed with a 5-2 decision, the first Boone team title since 2008.

       Earlier, the Boone squad had defeated, Fairfield, 5-0, and Pella, 5-2, to advance to the final round.

       In singles play, Boone's Maiya Phanchantraurai, a freshman, lost in the title match to a four time state champion. Gabriella Fleming of Xavier, 6-4, 6-4.

       In doubles, Boone's Kaylee Kuehl and Livi Schneider captured fifth place. 

       CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STATE CHAMPS, coached by Shawn Latimer and coach Jeb Hammen. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Karl "Doc" Grabau, 80, Boone. Born in Boone. His parents, now deceased, were Otto "Ott" and Adeline "Addie" (Borg) Grabau. South Hamilton HS-64. Doc had a long military career. Served in the Iowa National Guard from 1965-68, the U.S. Army from 1968-70 and finished as a guardsman from 1971-91. He married Sheryl Elvert but they divorced and he married Kathy (Craven) Losh in Boone in 1991. Kathy passed away in 2019. Doc was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 817 of Boone and a member of the Ames American Legion. Survivors include two sons, Matthew (Shellie) Grabau and Brandon Grabau and a step-son, Joe (Lori) Losh. Also surviving are a brother, Forrest (Stump) Grabau, and a sister, Paula "Pink" (Jim) Pudil. Services in Boone.

       Mary Elizabeth Dahmus Martens, 82 Ames. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Matthew Martens, who has served the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone in various ways in his retirement. Two sons and four siblings also survive. Services in Ames. 

      Roger Lee Buechler, 83, Scottsdale, AZ. Born in Boone. His parents were Kenneth and Lyla (LeMaster) Buechler. UnitedCHS-60. Attended Sioux Falls College and lived in Sioux Falls. Worked as an office manager for Golden Rule construction. Moving to Arizona, he worked as an office manager for Grammar Construction. In retirement, he enjoyed driving transportation busses and was highly skilled as a car repair man. He was an avid NASCAR fan but his greatest joy was farming and building the Buechler and sons farming legacy. He was well known for his charm, sense of humor, generosity, and welcoming smile. Survivors include two daughters, Rachelle (Rick) Muir and Roxanne (Darin) Harr, a brother, Robert (Sheila) Buechler, a sister, Jean LeMaster, and an aunt, Lois (LeMaster) Nutt. Graveside service in Ames.   

DETERMINATION WINS OUT

       Anyone remember the song, "Blue Suede Shoes?" "Well, it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat go. BUT, don't step on my blue suede shoes."

       Carl Perkins wrote the song and Elvis was one of many big stars who performed it back in the mid-50's. 

        Just a warning! Watch out! My wife, Georgia (Jo), isn't shakin' or bakin' anymore (I don't think) or even shooting from the logo like years past BUT she is a proud owner of a pair of Caitlin Clark's new signature blue suede shoes.

       October 1, Nike and Caitlin released them to 5,000 stores nationwide, the largest signature shoe launch in women's history and guess what? They sold out in ALL sizes and venues on that opening day, in less than two hours via reports of various retailers.

        Jo was quick to respond but not quick enough. Every outlet she tried had them available...BRIEFLY but soon they were long gone. Connecting with daughter, Jody, in Las Vegas, a new avenue was tried. And, thankfully, Jody quickly contacted Dick's Sporting Goods there and secured the big prize. Just a day or two later, they arrived at 928 South Jackson, Boone. 

        Jo's already worn them a time or two around town with little notice. Surely she's not the only Boone recipient. Next time you see her, take a quick look down and nod or, perhaps, give a thumbs up sign. I'm sure it will attract a nice, big smile.

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       Boone history is fun.

       For earlier Korner editions we have enjoyed various informative additions from Tom Hokel, BHS-65.

       In his latest, Tom has mentioned that, from 1964-69, he had once worked summers at Percival's in Boone. WHAT?

       Percival's Manufacturing was located in those buildings (now the Event Center?) just east of the Short Stop at the east edge of town.

       The company's name comes directly from its original co-founder, Charles L. Percival, and it has had a rich, 135 year history, transforming from a local butcher-supply shop into a cutting-edge global leader in scientific research.

       Starting in Des Moines in 1886, the company originally sold butcher tools, animal hides, and meat market fixtures. As the meat industry modernized, the need for preservation grew. In 1901, C.L. Percival patented a forced-air and ice-cooled counter refrigerator and the company shifted its focus to commercial refrigeration, manufacturing refrigerated food display cases for grocers and butchers. 

      In the 1950's, the company moved its operations from Des Moines to Boone. Due to a request from Iowa State University, the company engineered the first commercially available plant growth chamber, a controlled environment to study plant biology. This revolutionized agricultural and biological research because scientists could suddenly control variables like light, temperature, and humidity precisely.

      The company rebranded as Percival Scientific and in 2000, moved from Boone to a larger, modern facility in Perry. Today, they manufacture over 150 different models of research chambers and their units are used in all 50 states and over 80 countries by universities,biopharmaceutical companies, and government organizations like NASA. 

      EXTRA - In 90 plus years, many memories are implanted and I, the Kornerman, certainly have my share.

      To this day, I clearly remember a family trip to Colorado when I was going into my senior year at BHS. One of the stops was high up in the Rockies at a rather small convenience store. 

       Just browsing around, I looked at a refrigerated display case and, to my amazement, discovered that, although, many miles from home, the case had been built by Percival Manufacturing of Boone, Iowa.

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       World wide Korner headquarters are still located in Boone Iowa, 928 South Jackson, 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

       Dian Dobson Meek, 89, Des Moines. Born in Boone. Her parents, now deceased, were Ted and Virginia Dobson. Jefferson, Ia. HS/Iowa State. Married Bill Meek, who sold paper products to Boone customers. Survivors include Dian's husband, Bill, a son and two daughters. Services in Des Moines.

       Alice Marie Kelly, 96, Thurston, Nebraska. Three children survive, including Julie (Myron) Oliver of Boone. Services in Nebraska.

       Betty Ann Brunk Hugunin, 79, West Des Moines. Born in Sheldon. Fulda, MN-HS-65. A victim of pancreatic cancer, Betty spent 22 years as a medical laboratory technician, primarily at the Boone County Hospital and Mary Greeley. After retirement, she began a second career teaching family and consumer sciences and health occupation in various Central Iowa schools including Boone. Survivors include her husband, Mike Hugunin, a daughter, a son and stepsons.