For whom the "bell" tolls . . .

Ann Johnson sent a follow-up regarding Francis Boggess after our recent Teluwut lunch, as told repeatedly by son-in-law Dave Brunsvold, '76, brother of Richard Brunsvold, '62.  It has to do with a bell that didn't really "toll" but that makes for a better headline.  She says:

I feel sort of out of the loop because I was never a student of Frances Boggess but, as a parent of his students, I thoroughly enjoyed and admired him and respected his views and opinions...he truly was one of a kind. Our girls have great memories of “Mr. Boggess times”.

I forgot to tell you one of David’s best stories about 7th grade typing class.

Mr. Boggess was at the front of the classroom talking to the class and there was a resounding “DING” from out of nowhere.

Stone silence!

Someone had touched a typewriter....worse yet, the telltale “Tab” key.

No one breathed.

“ALRIGHT! EVERYBODY... HANDS ON YOUR HEADS”

Every student promptly clasped his/her hands together on top of the head and Mr. Boggess set out on his search and destroy patrol to find the guilty carriage that was teetering far on the left side of the typewriter. Dave, sitting in the very back of the room, found tremendous humor in the situation and was trying so hard not to laugh that his eyes were watering. Mr. Boggess noticed Dave’s reaction and did one of his “trying very hard not to crack a smile” faces.

Dave was laughing so hard as he was telling the story that I don’t believe he ever made it to the end and I don’t know what happened to the student who had to claim to errant carriage thereby admitting to touching the typewriter.

Did any of you ever have to do the hands on heads thing?

According to Ann, It’s much funnier when Dave tells (the story) because, being by far the tallest kid in the class, he was always seated in the back of the room....a great vantage point for keeping an eye on Mr. Boggess and seeing the reaction of all of the very scared and shaking little 7th grade girls.

Ann also reports her daughter Tanna apparently had a great personal relationship with Boggess, whom she called "Lucy" for reasons unreported, and even sang a duet with him:  "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille!"

Kensett #4 - More Memories

The photo of Kensett #4 brought back some memories.  The building was still there a year ago.  Karen Oakland probably remembers the log I dropped on her ankle way back then.  She probably still has a scar from it.  We used to have some great recesses!  In the winter we built awesome snow forts and had snow ball fights at recess.  As I remember it was always boys against the girls.  Some time in the 5th grade I had just sharpened a wooden pencil and was holding it with my left index finger on the point.  Somehow the point became embedded in the tip of my finger, still have the evidence on the finger after all these years.
After 6th grade we went to junior high in Kensett.  There we merged with the "townies" and those from other country schools.  The principal, Mr. Boggess was one to be feared.  Just the threat of being sent to his office was enough to change any behavior.  Our junior high boys basketball team was unremarkable.  I remember 1 game that we lost 17 to 2.  The only basket being scored by Stanton Arendts, as I recall.  The first semester of 7th grade I received the only "F" I ever had in any grade in school.  It was in math.  Must have been the change from country to city school.

The Pool Sharks - Blade and Seed

A YouTube video of a pool shark making the rounds prompted this story from SCA:

Seed and I actually skipped school one day and used my father's station wagon to go to Des Moines and pick up a pool table. My Father agreed, but never thought we would do it. I think he secretly wanted one for his own amusement. 

We set it up at home in the breezeway and had many good times there. Seed, Bob Smith and I spent many late evenings perfecting our pool skills. However, we never came close to what is shown in this video. I made my youngest sister, Terry, a footstool, so she could also join in the game. I hate to say it, but she got so good, she could beat me. Ahh memories!!

The Jefferson Highway Garage in Kensett

Photo Courtesy of L M Forland Family

Photo Courtesy of L M Forland Family

These photos are taken at the Jefferson Highway Garage in Kensett, established about the same time Highway 65 was built to run the north-south length of Iowa.  The Top photo was taken facing north and the other was facing south.  Here is the story behind the photos as told by Stan Arendts:

That is a picture of my grandfather, "Doc" Arendts. My father and grandfather were partners after WW2. The original Jefferson Highway Garage was established in the 1920's by my grandfather and as I recall was the oldest Ford dealership in the state, at one time. Huso was a competiter in Northwood as was Pritchard in Mason City. Prichard was a friendly competitor, Huso, not so much.

When I got my drivers license, I became the "gofer" and made many trips to other dealerships in the area to get parts, etc. I was very well respected among the group due to my family's longevity in the business and history of fair dealing. The garage was named after US 65, which was originally known as the Jefferson Highway, much like US 30 was the Lincoln Highway.

I could add that the building blew up twice, both caused by natural gas leaks. After the first time, the gas company added "aroma" to the odorless natural gas, to assist in recognizing leaks. The first explosion injured Johnnie Olsen, a Northwood resident, who was a mechanic. It occurred during the day and was caused by Johnnie lighting a cigarette.

The building was rebuilt and business continued. The second time was after my father sold the building to a Mason City hot-rodder, who used it as storage and a place to work on his cars. The second explosion happened at night and no one was injured. As far as I know, the building was not rebuilt. Maybe he didn't have insurance?

I have a lot of fond memories about that place. Spent a lot of time there and created many projects.........a wooden car, go-carts, tandem bicycles, flagpoles, hot rods, bazookas, sleds, etc.

Stan's memories are hopefully being shared with his offspring, totally unedited as he would demand.

The name "Jefferson Highway" may be unknown to many outside of Kensett, but the story is told in this History of the Interstate Trail provided by the Iowa DOT.  A different photo is included in the DOT report, of the Iowa/Minnesota marker commemorating the completion of the highway in both states in 1930, sitting along Hwy 65.  I have passed the marker and noticed it hundreds of times and never knew what it was.

The cigarette explosion reminds of a story told probably by Don Faris or possibly Maynard Midtgaard, of a service station worker who for years threw his cigarette butts into a pail of used oil, with nary a problem . . . until one very warm day when the oil was warm enough to combust.  The lesson, of course, explained the ingredients required to cause fire.  (Why in the world do we remember such trivia as a story like this?)

Blade and Seed - The Great Goose Caper

Another adventure, though the goose being cooked is themselves, in the lives of the Notorious Blade and Seed, direct from the pen (use your imagination) of Stan Arendts:

The objective was to create the most elaborate science project in the history of NKHS. What could be more impressive that to put together a skeleton of a full grown goose? How many bones in a goose? Who knows. How to get the meat and feathers off? I guess you boil it. Details, were never a problem for the dynamic duo.

Grandpa Morse's Favorite Goose

First, you locate a goose. Arlyn's grandfather had a few on his farm, but he was not interested in donating one to science......Then you capture the bird, put it in a milk can, so the bones don't break and put the top on so the goose makes no noise, revealing the theft. What could go wrong?

It was a normal night, with a lot of dew on the grass and weeds leading to the goose pen. It was also a lot longer of a trip (one mile) than originally thought. Additionally, an electric fence surrounded the pen. When we got into the pen, the geese went crazy, the dogs started barking and lights came on. The goose we caught was too big for the milk can. A hasty retreat was in order. On the way back, we got tangled in the fence with the milk can in tow. The dew solidified the connection and thus we were jolted into reality.

This was our introduction into "Murphy's Law" We ended up getting a C on the project, which sans the goose, concentrated on the properties of electricity. However, our creative instincts were intact. Such is life.

SCA

SCA Jr

The January 22 blog post reported one Stanton Carl Arendts was first alternate to be appointed to the Naval Academy.  Sure enough, our very own SCA is the apple who fell not far from the tree.  He confirms it was  his father referenced in the 75-Year-Old Anchor News:

USS West Virginia Burning in Pearl Harbor

Yes, My Father had almost as many sea stories as me!! He did go to the Academy (The boat school / canoe club) and graduated in time to be on the USS West Virginia when it was sunk at Pearl Harbor. Fortunately he was on shore at the time. 

His room mate was Bob Lim who went on to become the president of Philippine Air Lines after serving in the Philippine ARMY, as a general (I think). The Lim kids used to visit our family in Kensett during the summers.

While at USNA he, along with 2 other midshipmen formed a radio station and played music for the academy. When they graduated, they flipped for the records and my father won, ending up with hundreds of the old 78's. I used them as clay pigeons for skeet practice.His description of Navy life was much the same as my experiences. "Years and years of boredom, with fleeting moments of sheer panic and terror."  Much has changed since I got out.

SCA

Rest assured the photo of the USS West Virginia is included here only with the greatest respect.  The Class of '62 grew up in a marvelous era following what can best be described as a dangerous era.

More Old News from the Anchor - Stanton Arendts

The December 24, 1936, issue of the Anchor reports:

Stanton Carl Arendts of Kensett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Arendts, has been nominated to be the first alternate to Gerald Carney of New Hampton for an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, according to word received from Congressman Fred Biermann, who made the nomination.  The appointment begins in July, 1937, it is said.  With the present world situation, Arendts is almost assured of an appointment to the Academy, it is understood.


The Stan Arendts we know, who often signs his emails SCA, also served in the Navy.  Stan, fill us in on this earlier version of SCA, please.

The Return - and Near Death - of Blade and Seed

OK, the preamble:

I always thought and still do that Arlyn Morse was the most intelligent person in our class.  It still amazes me that, although he was salutatorian, he never got a scholarship.   It always bothered me more than him.  We all strived to succeed and I think I only made the top half of our class, but that was significant since a very high percentage of us continued to excel in educational endeavors.  Anyway, Blade and Seed did make use of some of the education we received, however it was amplified by research, mostly from Arlyn's extensive reading.  HS was a phase of life that needed to be amplified.  The adventurous and entrepreneurial aspects were enticing and started for us during this time. 

Blade and Seed Sagas:

I would like to think that we coined the phrase "Road Trip".  It started in HS and continues to this day.  Through the years, I have visited every state, except ND, and a lot of that was accomplished by road trips with Arlyn (Seed).  Initially, we used the "dangerous"  Corvair.  The only problem we had with the car was the spark plug wires kept falling off, so we had to stop every now and then to reattach them.  We graduated to Sebring convertibles and MGB's.  As I recall, we made 2 road trips from CA to IA for NKHS class reunions.  At the outset, we could encamp and decamp in 20 minutes with tents and cots.  This flexiblity  led to the ability to come and go quickly.  Now, we have more money and can be more comfortable.  Also, the next road trip may need to include the better halfs, so who knows whether or not the tradition will continue?

#1 - The Bootleggers convention.

Probably during prohibition, but certainly before my time, Kensett hosted an event called the bootleggers convention.  According to legend, there was a bootlegger on every downtown corner during the festivities.  In an effort to carry on the tradition, we (Seed & Blade) decided to create our own white lightning enterprise.  Knowledge was gained from books and chemistry class.  Equipment was procured and a still was set up in Grandma Arendts's old garage.  The garage was used as storage and was located next to the infamous cottonwood tree described in the out house story.  It was secure and out of the way, so discovery was unlikely.  At the time, my grandmother was elderly and seldom ventured out side her house.

The liqueur of choice was corn whiskey.  The effort took a few weeks due to the fermenting process.  Fuel was charcoal, since portable butane was not available at the time.  In retrospect, the operation was quite impressive and involved a lot of engineering.  When the still was activated, we took turns tending, paying particular attention to pressures.  The watches were relatively boring, so we studied or read girlie mags.  As time went on, it became apparent that our design was not working.  Seed came to relieve me from one of my watches and found me passed out on the floor.  He managed to revive me.  We speculate that the carbon monoxide build up in the garage had almost done me in.  I was sick for a few days, but we never told a soul about our experiment.  There was no 911 in those days.  Moonshining was illegal.  No harm no foul.  If we would have had access to the internet, I feel it would have succeeded.   Seed, I owe you one!!  Such is life.

SCA

Outhouse Tales

Once you get past a certain age nearly any topic is suitable for discussion, and the venerable Outhouse shot to the top of the list this week in an email from Richard Holstad.  Then it proceeded to seep in a number of directions until finally "Blade", AKA Stanton Arendts, topped the pile with this story.

My grandmother Arendts had one in Kensett.  They lived katty-corner from the school.  It was not used for the designated purposes when I was growing up, but rather as a storage site for storm windows and screens.  It was under a large cottonwood tree next to the garage.  It had a peaked roof that was topped by a metal ball with tin flashing on the four sides leading to the top.

The house is no longer there and hasn't been since lightning struck the tree one night.  The bolt traveled down the tree and hit the ball on top of the outhouse.  It continued to the ground via the tin strips.  The house was split into 4 equal sections.  The sides filleted open and fell to the ground in perfect symmetry.  Can you imagine the "shock" if it were in use at the time?

Morals of the story:

1.  Lightning does strike more than once in the same place.  That tree was struck 3 times during the time I lived in Kensett.

2.  Never take a crap in an outhouse during a thunderstorm.

Sometimes the stories that get passed around are kind of crappy, and I suppose that this one technically is, but our thanks to Blade nonetheless.  And apologies for all the scatological references.

The Class of 62 History

The Yearbook gives a year-by-year accounting of the 13 years the Class of '62 was on the Northwood campus. Providing teacher names and a listing of new students annually, the History also provides a few stories of each year.

5th grade found us a class divided, some members housed somewhere in the main building (called the "big building" in the class history), and about a dozen of us in a 5th/6th combination at First Lutheran Church, a quick walk away.

Because it was within walking distance, every noon those of us in the combination found ourselves walking back and forth for lunch, and the picture above of Leidal, Helgeland, and Lien is one that was taken when we queued up to gather our food. Coats were required when the weather chilled so we would survive the walk. Lunch was served in the gym of the new elementary building, which beat the heck out of the basement cafeteria in the "big building" that we had used previously.

It was also during this combination year that the federal government began requiring school districts to serve a daily milk break, presumably to expand the dairy markets. Most brought cookies or crackers to eat with the milk, which for some reason seemed to have a tainted taste. Mike Wall, who was in the 6th grade section of the combination, became renowned for his TV-like commercial extolling the virtues and great taste, after which he would do his off-camera vomiting.

Unfortunately, this class history tells us nothing of the story of the Kensett students prior to the merger in 1958. Perhaps they didn't exist, were waiting patiently for 9 years for school to start for them, or simply had no history until they became a part of Northwood-Kensett. But join us they did, and at the least, the Class History gives us the names of all those students, who as we reported earlier, we couldn't pick out of a lineup as "Kensett" kids, for the most part, because they were just part of the class. All is well that ends well, and that includes the 13 years.

The SCA Water Tower

Stanton Arendts reported his adventures climbing the Kensett Water Tower and we now have photo documentation as to the difficulty of that climb, as submitted by Ruby Flaaten.

Wisely, Ruby did not choose to make the climb herself, and in fact took this shot from the safety of some distance. If you look closely you can see the diagonal wires that Stan negotiated on occasions when he was looking for a greater thrill in the climb. And you wonder, "What the heck was he thinking?"

The photo should open in a new window if you double-click it, thus creating a larger image for better viewing and a higher level of appreciation of the skills of a teen growing up in Kensett, IA.

Thanks, Ruby!

What City Slickers do to Raise Money

Where there's a will to raise a dollar, there's a way. At least for Stanton Arendts:

We were an organized group of strapping young men back in the late 50's. Our objective in life was to raise enough money for a canoe trip to Canada. It was wintertime, so de-tasseling corn was not an option. Besides, we needed more money than that could provide.

Turns out that Arnold Hogan had an extensive chicken farm operation that was rather haphazardly put together. The barn doors, where the chickens were housed, were not large enough for machinery access so everything had to be done by hand. Our job was to remove the accumulated chicken shit. It was 3 feet deep!! Had to be scooped with shovels and was extremely slippery.

After a while, we became inured to the odor, so we got on with it. It was somewhat strenuous, but the real problem was maintaining balance. I only slipped once, but it was like sliding into second with no base to stop momentum.

We were transported home in the back of a pick up. Maybe my mother smelled me coming, since she was waiting at the door and wouldn't let me in the house until I had completely stripped. All the clothes were burned and I was instructed to take an unusually long bath.

The good news is that we raised enough money for the trip and actually took it, but that is another story.

Such is life.

SCA, the '40 Ford, and Officer Jackley

Another installment of the Stanton Arendts conflict with Officer Jackley, wherein Young Arendts wound up with a citation:

I normally worked on my cars after school and at night.

One night, after installing three-twos on my 1940 Ford, I took it out for a test drive. I had taken the hood off for access and had no air cleaners installed. It sounded like a jet revving for a Cat launch. By the time I hit the Kensett City limits, I was going 100 MPH.

I wouldn't go much faster than that, because it was too scary. Since I couldn't afford a dropped front axel, I extended the spring brackets, which created erratic steering problems. I needed the entire road, since I couldn't keep it in one lane. Wouldn't you know that Jackely was coming into town at the same time.

This was before radar and he had no proof of my speed, but he was sure it was over the 35 MPH limit. He turned around and pulled me over. By that time, I was aware of his presence and had slowed down. He completely inspected the car and could find nothing wrong. He cited me for disturbing the peace. This was about 2 miles north of Kensett, in corn field area.

I had to go to the Justice of the Peace, in Manly. I had removed the three-twos and about a block away had stuffed steel wool up the exhaust, so the car purred like a kitten. The charge was dismissed, I removed the steel wool and headed home. Such is life.

SCA, the Flag Pole, and Officer Jackley

It took a little friendly persuasion from several classmates to get him to allow this story on the blog, but Stanton Arendts finally succumbed. We think you'll enjoy the 2nd of the series of his run-ins with Officer Jackley:

I played a cat and mouse game with this sworn officer. I think it all started with the flag pole at Phillip Sigmond's house, which is on the northern edge of Kensett. Perhaps it is still there?

Being a notorious flag waver and general patriot, I agreed to construct a major flag pole for Phillip, who was a disabled war veteran from WW2. I loved to weld things and received excellent instruction from Orvin Ellingson (Sandra's father). Since the flag pole was large (40 feet) I received help from my father and Arly Thompson, (Arla's father), who was a master welder. All proceeded well until the transfer of the pole from my father's garage to the site at Phillip's home.

I secured a truck from my grandfather (Monk Boyett) and drove it to the garage using town streets. Since I did not have a chauffeurs license, I was reluctant to drive it on the highway. Arly agreed to do it and stated "That if anybody inter-feared, he would knock them on their ass."

Wouldn't you know that Jackley was on the ball, followed us and noticed that we didn't have a red flag on the flagpole which extended far behind the truck. Keep in mind that we were only going about 5 blocks. Jackley followed us up Phillip's drive way and cited Arly for not having the red flag. To say all hell broke loose would be an understatement.

Suffice it to say that we made Officer Jackley feel like a jerk, we thought. Nevertheless the citation was issued. We requested that Jackley should at least salute the flag as he drove by, in the future. I always thought that Jackley didn't really understand what we were trying to do and remembered each of us as perhaps "future offenders".

1958 School Consolidation

Pictured above, a few of our Kensett brethren gathered for a "Pre-Party" prior to the 2007 Class Reunion.

When Northwood and Kensett were having their discussions about the consolidation that came to play during our freshman year there is little that I personally can recall. These "new kids" showed up, and over the course of the four years and after have become friends and even lifemates for some on both sides.

But did you ever wonder as a Northwood schoolmate how difficult it must have been to make that huge plunge? To give up school colors, mascot, familiar surroundings, even teachers, to go to the unknown?

Football, for example, was an unknown commodity for those from Kensett, and even if you loved the game, it's not easy to just come out for the team and start playing when you really have no prior experience at terminology, angles, drills, and all the hoopla that goes with it.

In the course of writing for this blog I have thought of their adjustments from time to time, and with recent contributions from SCA (Mr. Arendts) I am finally putting down the words that come to mind about this consolidation. Having worked in the public schools for a number of years I can vouch for the difficulties that a merger brings with it. Yet for many of our class it was pretty much a non-event, and when Serena Shields Holstad was elected Homecoming Queen that year, 1958, it probably helped to bring us all together, at least within our class.

Not long ago I mentioned the lack of girls athletics when we were in school, but if memory serves me correctly, didn't Kensett have its own girls basketball team? And weren't they a pretty good squad until they found themselves homeless at NKHS? Seems like they were maybe way ahead of the times. Kensett had formed a Girls Athletic Association as early as 1911, perhaps a precursor to their later athletics, and at Northwood GAA was all that could be offered for women's athletics, at least until Title IX came along, as referenced previously in this blog.

Someone recently sent me a copy of the Kensett Centennial Book from 1972, which I found to be interesting reading, and the source of the GAA info above. The book addresses the conflict between the two communities over establishing the county seat. Both towns wanted that title, obviously, and the argument apparently went to the Iowa Supreme Court before it was finally settled. Maybe the title isn't so coveted today, but it certainly was in the past, even to the point where certain national companies wanting to expand their markets would list "County Seat" towns as a desirable location.

Ironically, there is no mention in the Centennial Book about the drama of the school re-org, at least in the section titled "History of the Kensett Schools", perhaps as if it were never an issue. It does tell us that in the early 1900s the graduating class was composed of anywhere from zero to 3 students, and since attending, let alone graduating, high school in those days was quite unusual, those numbers should not be surprising. But by the time we all graduated in 1962, I would have no idea how many of our 65 were from whichever town. And if you told me that 20 of us were from Kensett, I'd have a heck of a time picking them out of the lineup. And isn't that a good thing? We're all the richer for it.

Where's the Beef?

I got into the loop of some emails this week in which Donn Holstad ('60?) was reportedly the guy who gave Stanton Arendts the nickname of "Fabian." You remember that fellow, Fabian, I'm sure. Stan, who signs all his emails with his initials, SCA, clearly qualifies as the greater personality, because here he is today, and who knows whatever happened to Fabian?

I can just hear Richard Holstad referring to Fabian as "All hair, no cattle." So where's the beef?

Meanwhile, SCA, the MG Guy, had a way with the automobile (see yearbook description) even when we knew him as the Kensett Heartthrob. (Take it as a compliment, Stan. This is just a blog and the author has no limits, right?)

Another fellow with the Reagan "wave" is Albert Adams. I recall Albert more as the hard-nosed grinder on the football field, but this photo shows he had a real debonair tilt, easily recognizable in the hallway. On the field I most remember Albert's gait, and the hip pads that stuck up about 4 inches higher in the back, so there was never any mistaking him for any other player.

According to SCA, Albert and Dave Randall took him under their wing after the Northwood - Kensett School Consolidation in 1958. It seemed to work, because today we

remember Stan, and, who was that other guy again?

I'm sure I can/should be corrected on this but my understanding is that Albert became an ag teacher somewhere, maybe in Northwood, and David began his dentistry practice in Lake Mills, so he was never far from home.

David is obviously not in the "hair" category for purposes of this blog entry, but like the other two does qualify because as an NKHS grad, he's got the "beef."