Under the radar connections to Iowa

[CRcyclone6]

I believe he is still close with the family who hosted him during his time in CR. I recall reading a long article about them a few years ago.

I believe this is true also. My parents have been Kernels host parents for about 15 years. They stay in contact with a lot of players that stayed with them. They went to LA a couple weeks ago for the Dodgers Twins series and a former Kernel with the Twins hooked them up with tickets for two of the games. They also hung out with Graterol from LA for a bit.

 

[cowboycurtis]

The modern plastic ski boot was invented by Bob Lange in Dubuque. Who would have thought that would happen in Iowa??

 

[CloneFanInKC]

I believe this is true also. My parents have been Kernels host parents for about 15 years. They stay in contact with a lot of players that stayed with them. They went to LA a couple weeks ago for the Dodgers Twins series and a former Kernel with the Twins hooked them up with tickets for two of the games. They also hung out with Graterol from LA for a bit.

I was S&C coach for the Kernels for the season between under grad and grad school (graduated UG at Christmas) and I still exchange Christmas cards with my host family. Great, great experience because of them.

We met up in KC about 15 yrs ago when one of the former players that they hosted played the Royals as a big leaguer.

As a native central Iowan, living with them is the only positive experience I’ve had in eastern IA .

 

[CloneFanInKC]

The modern plastic ski boot was invented by Bob Lange in Dubuque. Who would have thought that would happen in Iowa??

I’m highly interested in details b/c I’m an avoid water skier.

Are you referring to plastic water ski boot or snow ski boot?

 

[simply1]

I’m highly interested in details b/c I’m an avoid water skier.

Are you referring to plastic water ski boot or snow ski boot?

LANGE, Robert B. - Encyclopedia Dubuque

www.encyclopediadubuque.org

 

[CloneFanInKC]

LANGE, Robert B. - Encyclopedia Dubuque

www.encyclopediadubuque.org

Thx.

Ya….no one was using a plastic boot/binding on their water ski in 1968.

 

[FallOf81]

Jeffrey Dahmer lived in Frederiksen Court for 4 years.

 

[wxman1]

The trampoline was invented by Cedar Rapidian George Nissen. His house is one of my favorites.

 

[CRcyclone6]

The trampoline was invented by Cedar Rapidian George Nissen. His house is one of my favorites.

One of my best friend's dad worked at Nissen for quite a while.

 

[4cy16]

The tv Superman was born in Woolstock, Iowa.

George Reeves - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[deadeyededric]

My grandma was a Swank and we always had to watch the Karate Kid with Hillary in it because “she was our cousin” lol

Super distant relation to us grandkids though, I’ve never met her or anything.

Lots of Swank's down around Mount Ayr and Lenox area. You are from Creston correct?

 

[deadeyededric]

Ezekiel Elliot’s mom is from Mt Ayr.

His Grandmother still lives there. His uncle lives in Urbandale. I talk to him pretty regularly.

 

[CRcyclone6]

Check out Bob Feller. Hard to be under the radar as one of the best pitchers in MLB history, but I believe he is one. Born in Van Meter. Incredible career that I'm not sure many realize.

 

[RustShack]

Lots of Swank's down around Mount Ayr and Lenox area. You are from Creston correct?

Yep, that is correct.

 

[dafarmer]

Elvin Bishop's "What the Hell is Going On" 2020 version will always be my favorite.

 

[HGoat1]

I recently learned that the actor who plays Jimmy in Yellowstone, Jefferson White, went to Iowa State and is from Mount Vernon. He graduated in 2012.

 

[mywayorcyway]

This thread is significantly more interesting than I thought it would be.

 

[MeanDean]

Stuart Margolin, best known for his role as Evelyn "Angel" Martin in TV's The Rockford Files was born in Davenport. He was scheduled to appear at two separate autograph shows I attended and cancelled both times so I never got to talk to him about it. He passed away soon afterwards so probably ill health and COVID fears kept him away.

Also was in Kelly's Heroes and Death Wish.

Also a songwriter. Had songs he co-wrote on albums by R. B. Greaves and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

 

[CloneFanInKC]

Check out Bob Feller. Hard to be under the radar as one of the best pitchers in MLB history, but I believe he is one. Born in Van Meter. Incredible career that I'm not sure many realize.

A guy you may know educated me on BF a long time ago. I agree in that he had an under appreciated career.

 

[wxman1]

Arthur Collins may not necessarily be under the radar with the company he built but a lot of his and the company's achievements are fairly unknown. Things like being the only one to contact an arctic expedition as a teen, Collins Radio being the first to bounce radio waves off the moon (from a site just north of Marion and receiving the first GPS signals. Not to mention all of the space stuff.

Coincidentally George Nissen (trampoline guy) and him were darn near neighbors on the SE side of CR.

Arthur A. Collins - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org