We Got the Answers

      In the last edition, the Kornerman mentioned a recent newspaper article talking about Iowa communities with a population of 500 or more and the highest percentage of residents 65 or older and communities of 500 or more with the lowest percentage of residents 18 or less. Twenty Iowa communities were mentioned and Boone wasn't one of them, despite the fact we, oftentimes, hear that we are an "older" community. The Korner pleaded guilty. We had no real knowledge of where Boone would stand in such a study, other than knowing at least 20 other communities were "older" than ours.
     It didn't take long. We got some answers.
     Two viewers, Richard Longworth, BHS-53, and Chuck Brainard, BHS-50, tracked down and submitted some interesting info to share........and that's what the Korner is all about. We or readers pose the ideas and hope viewers will "pick us up." Dick and Chuck did just that. You didn't think, I, the Kornerman, was going to do that much hard work did you?
     Dick wrote, "the 2010 census figures show that 23.5% of Boone residents are under 18 and16.2% are over 65. That doesn't get us in any top-10 lists. In fact, we're pretty average. For all of Iowa, 23.9% are under 18 and 14.9% are over 65. Our Boone retirement homes make a difference, for sure, but so do the young families who work in Ames or Des Moines but choose to live in Boone. Don't think the old town is dying out quite yet."
     Chuck directed us to a great site......city-data.com..... with lots of great information. Its easy to find. Choose Iowa and then any city in Iowa you wish to gain info from.
     About Boone or any other Iowa city there is so much data, the Korner can't possibly include it all but we'll try to pick out some of the more interesting items.
     The population in 2014 was 12,633, a 1.3% drop since 2000. Some 47.5% of Boone's population are male and 52.5% female. The median resident age is 38.4 compared to the Iowa media resident age of 38.0. Iowa's cost of living index is a low 78.4 compared to the U.S. average of 100. States like Connecticut, California and New Jersey are in the 120's, Alaska, New York and Washington D.C. the 130's and Hawaii's cost of living index is at 162.9.
     Median gross rent in Boone is $643, estimated per capita income is 26,523 compared to $18,985 in 2000. Estimated median house income in 2016 was $49,614 compared to $38,179 in 2000. The state's figure is $56,247.
     There's much more info available, including even the current temp and forecast. Its an interesting site.
K-----K
     What's this about the radio station, KWBG, my old stomping grounds, making another move? When I started there, we operated from the Ledges Road studios by the big tower. Then, a move was made to Keeler Street, across from the old Boone News Republican offices. That was followed by a move upstairs in the old Citizens Bank Building........now second floor.
     Word is that after remodeling, the station will operate, again on Keeler Street, from the Specifications Chemical building located across east from the old Bide-A-Wee.
K-----K
     Speaking of interesting sites, Jo tipped me off that there was going to be a special segment about the history of Fareway Grocery stores on channel 11 Friday (last) night at 6:30 p.m.. The show was Iowa Entrepreneur. The Kornerman watched the 15 minutes and thought it was exceptional, very well done with history talk and interesting interviews with Fareway hierarchy Reynolds Cramer, BHS-87, Scottie Beckwith, BHS-73, and Fred Greiner. Lots of Boone connection involved.......pictures etc.
K-----K
     The latest quiz question was, "in the 40's, 50's and early 60's, Boone was the winter quarters for a carnival company. What was the name of that company, who owned it, and where were the winter quarters located?
     Dick Longworth thought it was a company owned by Bernie Mesenbrink's dad.
     Bernie was a classmate of Dick and the Kornerman, BHS-53, and yes, it was Ben Mesenbrink, Bernie's dad, who owned the Boone Valley Shows.
     Our quizmaster, Tony Crandell, BHS-59, wrote, "the winter quarters were on the south side of the 300 block of West 7th. If you attended Lincoln Elementary, you always looked forward to the month of May when Mesenbrink's would set up one or two of their rides for maintenance etc. and, on a certain afternoon after school, would give the Lincoln kids free rides."
     We're going to have more on the Boone Valley Shows, Ben and Bernie Mesenbrink, in a future edition.
K-----K
      What do we learn from cows, buffalos and elephants? Its impossible to reduce weight by eating green grass and salads and walking.
      The Kornerman just heard a segment on TV today that indicated you are dreaming if you think you can lose weight via exercise. I think they mean via exercise ALONE.
     I noted a cartoon showing a lady visiting with a neighbor. You know, like the old days, they were watching some clothes hanging on a clothes line outside. The lady says, "it dries the washing using the latest technology, a combination of solar and wind power."
     I've found that the first five days after the weekend are the hardest.
     Aw, c'mon, smile a bit.......it won't hurt.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Several BHS-58 classmates have reported the passing of David Reynoldson, who died, December 31, in Glendale, AZ. His wife, Sylvia, is a survivor and his brother, Larry Reynoldson, of Boone also survives..........Kurt Walker, 66, Boone. His parents were Ted and Bonnie Walker. BHS-69. U.S. Air Force and Viet Nam vet. One son, one daughter and one sister survive. Boone area survivors include his brothers, Brian and Lance Walker, and Brian's fiancee, Diana Sidler, all of Boone.........Ruth Murken Scott, 97, Augusta, GA. Was raised on a farm near Boone along with 10 brothers and sisters. Earned a nursing degree from Iowa Lutheran in Des Moines. She and husband, Bob Scott, made their home in Augusta in 1962...........Marilyn Jorgensen, 92, Lees Summit, MO. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Anne Nordaas, of Madrid...........Maynard Lind, 95, Boone.
K-----K
     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/SUPPORT.........kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.