I got a phone call from Miriam Ashland Jackson this morning and now we have Martin "Sonny" Ashland's address! Sonny's mother died a few days ago and I saw an obit in the paper, followed through with the clues and viola !
Sonny has a business degree and has been in the glass business in several places--WV, OH, PA, MN, etc. He is sort of the troubleshooter between the union and management, I guess.
Anyway, it was great getting this info. Sonny and I were in grade school at Linden School and he always made me laugh. He was a lot of fun.
His address is :
Martin Ashland
1949-128th Avenue NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
(612) 755-9565 JUJUBEE40@aol.com
Sonny is married to Judy Noe who went to Notre Dame, (I think) They have several grown children. They are grandparents.
Phyllis Fittro Brown
EDITOR'S NOTE---Thanks for the detective work Phyllis.
Thanks to Jay Sharp and Shayrn Cottrill McGahan for the following information:
Terry McAtee is deceased. We are not sure of the cause of death.
Thanks Charles Burkhammer for the following information on another classmate who was listed among our lost...
Mike Swiger has been found...
Mike Swiger
Rt. 1 Box 422
Clarksburg, WV 26301 ISWIGER@AOL.COM
Many thanks to Joy Gregorie Stalnaker for informing us that Sandra Harbert Harding's mother passed away sometime the week of January 17th. Her mother was in her 90's. We all send our condolences.
EDITOR'S NOTE: It is so nice that the list of "missing" classmates is getting smaller and smaller. With the 3 found this month, I count only 12 still missing. Those being: Ray Allen, Vivian Gillespie, Judy Grant Prout, Louella Knight Wiseman, Loretta Mayer, Richard McIntere, Sandy Moran Ferguson, John J. Murphy, Peggy Tibbs, Peggy Robinson Michael, Bernard Snyder, Eugene Davis, and Robert Neal.. Do you know of any others who are missing from our roster? Do you have any information on any of the still missing? We have people willing to chase down any lead. We need your help.
Roleta,
I was in Greece- renewing old friendships and making new ones- during our 40th. I'm glad you had a fine get-together, because my trip was one of a lifetime. (I have 3 hours of video and 400 pictures to prove it.) I have been receiving your newsletters, pictures etc. and enjoy them tremendously. I teach English at Ripley Middle School in Jackson Co. WV. My daughter Lynne has a master's degree in chemistry from William and Mary, is married and resides in NC. My mother (91) and I live together in a house beside my oldest sister and her husband.
Thanks so much for remembering me and for the news that you send to us.
Pat Kerns Pate
Don't forget to send me your name and branch of service in which you served. I think this is an important part of our history and should be set into a record for future reference. I have listed only 8 classmates who served in the military. I am sure there are more. Thanks.
You don't know me. I graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1958. I have been reading your newsletter with a great deal of interest since you published the first one. I have several lifelong friends that graduated from WI.
I grew up on South 7th Street. Jeannie Wells lived up the street, Kitty Hess lived down the street, Bonnie Smith was a street or two over. I was surrounded by WI kids. It naturally follows that many became my good friends. I have known Dick Hanifan since early high school, we have kept in touch all these years. I grew up with Dave Bell, Mike Trecost, Jack Byrnside, Bob McGee, Curtis Wilson, Nancy VanGilst, Jeanie Long, Allen Alvarez, to mention just a few. I spent much more time with WI kids that with kids from my own high school.
I have fond memories of my own high school activities, I played football and basketball for Notre Dame, attended the proms, etc. and have some lifelong friends from there also.
I went to Potomac State with Frank Iaquinta, Glen Morrison, Gary Carpenter, Dean Henry, Barry Mazzie, Nick Pinti and about 20 other people from Harrison County. Anyway, without rambling on to much longer, I have enjoyed reading the newsletter. I have read about many folks that I know and have known. Would you please put me on your mailing list. bbeall9346@aol.com.
By the way. Charlie Burkhammer and I have daughters married to brothers. How about that for the small world stories. I live in Virginia Beach, VA. When Vince Fragomene and his wife were stationed here, (Vince ran the Intel school at Dam Neck) my wife and I got to see them several times.
Again, I have enjoyed reading the Class of '59 WI Newsletter. Keep up the good work.
Brooke Beall
Virginia Beach, VA.
A CLASSMATE LOOSES A CHILD
from:LORIE A. CHISLER (DAUGHTER OF RONNIE WERNER)
BRIDGEPORT -- Lorie Ann Chisler, 37, died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, (Fairmont) following a sudden illness.
She was born Jan. 19, 1962, in Biloxi, Miss., a daughter of Rebecca S. and Ronald L. Werner, Clarksburg.Her husband, Franklin Michael Rezin Chisler, whom she married May 5, 1990, survives Also surviving are three sons, Jordan Franklin, Zachary Michael and Spencer Rezin Chisler, all at home.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Earl McClain; her paternal grandparents, Justus and Mildred Werner; and her father-in-law, Frank M. Chisler.
Mrs. Chisler was a graduate of Fairmont State College and a member of the United Methodist Temple Church in Clarksburg. She was a former employee of CNG Transmission Corporation.
KARL KYLE, CLASS OF 1958
from:Carol Van Horn Dean (WI CLASS OF 1958) DBLU2@aol.com
Karl Kyle graduated in 1958. (We called him KB. His dad was Judge Kyle). His wife's name was Virginia. Virginia died of cancer the first week of January.
Do you remember exchanging valentines in school? Remember in elementary school when we made Valentine boxes out of red hearts and lace? Remember how wonderful it was to receive a Valentine from someone special? Remember how great you felt if that special someone happen to put a little heart candy inside or gave you a special smile when he or she handed you that Valentine?
Oh if life were still so simple.
My brother, Frank Loria, has been selected to be in the "COLLEGIATE HALL OF
FAME". There have been a lot of dinners and press. His son, Frank Jr. was
born one month after the tragic accident Frank Jr. has been present to
accept all of the awards. The induction will be in August in South Bend, In.
I plan to attend. There will be a documentary about the accident this
spring or fall. My brothers children have all been interviewed. Frank was a
great guy and his son is special too. I'll write to you soon....ERMA
Thanks Erma----please let us know when and where we can see the documentary.
NOTE: When I saw this little poem it reminded me so much of my feelings, so I
wanted to share it with you. I am sure all of you gals will be able to
relate to this!
GRANDMOTHER'S SHOES
When I was very little,
All the Grandmas that I knew...
Were wearing the same kind,
Of ugly grandma shoes..
You know the kind I mean..
Clunky heeled, black, lace-up kind.
They just looked so very awful,
That it weighed upon my mind.
For I knew, when I grew old .
I'd have to wear those shoes,
I'd think of that, from time to time
It seemed like such bad news.
I never was a rebel,
I wore saddle shoes to school.
And next came ballerinas,
Then the sandals, pretty cool..
And then came spikes with pointed toes,
Then platforms, very tall.
As each new fashion came along,
I wore them, one and all..
But always, in the distance,
Looming in my future, there.
Was that awful pair of ugly shoes,
The kind that Grandmas wear.
I eventually got married,
And then I became a Mom.
Our kids grew up and left,
And when their children came along.
I knew I was a Grandma,
And the time was drawing near....
When those clunky, black, old lace up shoes,
Was what I'd have to wear.
How would I do my gardening,
Or take my morning hike?
I couldn't even think about,
How I would ride my bike!
But fashions kept evolving,
And one day I realized.
That the shape of things to come,
Was changing, right before my eyes.
And now, when I go shopping,
What I see, fills me with glee.
For, in my jeans and Reeboks,
I'm as comfy as can be.
And I look at all these little girls,
And there, upon their feet...
Are clunky, black, old Grandma shoes,
And I really think that's neat.
( author unknown)
Jerry Warne makes beautiful wood furniture which he sells at shows throughout WV and Ohio. A tragedy struck. Jerry's workshop, located behind his house, burned to the ground recently. We are all so sorry Jerry. One good thing though, Carolyn and Jerry were not in the workshop and did not get burned.
You can contact Jerry at wrmychsnut@aol.com
This month the newsletter went together so much easier. I wish to thank all of you who contributed. I didn't have to scrape up news in every little possible corner. I think you are catching on. This isn't my newsletter---It is OUR NEWSLETTER. Please keep sending me your news.
When mentioning the newsletter to a friend recently she thought it was wonderful that we had this means of communication and expressed it in a way I had not thought about. We are creating a history book!!!!
I asked John Iaconis if he would again share the article which he wrote before the July class reunion . It is something that I am sure anyone growing up in Clarksburg, WV will appreciate. Therefore, I find it only fitting that we publish it here for all to enjoy one more time. Thanks John for putting in writing what so many of us feel but had left unexpressed....
FROM JOHN IACONIS
Some thoughts as the 40th reunion for the Washington Irving High School Class of 1959 nears.- Growing up in Clarksburg, West Virginia.Borrowing a phrase or two to help express these thoughts.
AND HERE IT GOES
It was the best of times.
It was the worst of times.
It was an age of innocence.
It was a period of uncertainty.
It provided a reference for life.
It provided purpose and meaning.
But external factors created permanent change.
Change that affected us all.
As we grew into young adults, the winds of change were blowing.
The economic base of the area was rapidly diminishing.
Technological advances and economies of scale adversely impacted us.
After graduation, our lives diverged along many different paths.
For some the paths traveled were planned; and for others it was less so.
And now our paths converge at this reunion for awhile.
This small hill town was a microcosm of a larger world.
A beautiful town nestled in the foothills of the Alleghenies.
Composed of many separate neighborhoods - each different and distinct.
It was proud. It was vibrant. It was a wonderful place.
Its citizens' culture and character created a certain atmosphere.
Many were immigrants seeking a better life.
The area had an abundance of natural resources.
Bituminous coal, natural gas, and timber were highly valued.
The fuels were of the highest quality.
It provided steel and copper products.
Its plate glass, glassware, and marbles were prized.
Its engineered carbon products used in numerous industries.
But times changed during our growing years.
Changes occurred as the industrial age evolved.
Absentee owners got wealthy from our resources and factories.
But they did not share and reinvest in central West Virginia.
The coal mines shut down.
The glass plants closed.
Manufacturing facilities left.
Resources dwindled.
It was not economical to continue on.
Business opportunities were not taken.
This was to our disadvantage.
Employment followed job creation elsewhere.
Families were forced to move.
Many young adults started their careers elsewhere.
For Washington Irving High School Hilltoppers --
-- it was a special place and time.
For its students best reflected the diverse makeup of the city.
Our hopes were to better ourselves and contribute to the world.
To seize the day as the saying goes.
We were a part of the end of an golden era.
We were happy. We were sad.
We did not always understand what was happening.
What was provided to and shared with us.
For some - it was the best of times or the worst of times.
After graduation at WIHS, our paths diverge.
We went along many different roads.
Sometimes after being away for a long period-
I liked to revisit what I once knew.
I traveled the surrounding country roads.
I drove through company coal towns in the hollows.
I went around the neighborhoods.
I saw what was left of the downtown.
And I liked to lean against the Courthouse wall.
- All of this helped to remember what once was.
The industrial age diminishes.
The service and information ages rise.
There maybe a rebirth of this city but not as we knew it.
The character and culture of its people will differ.
There is some current urban renewal and revitalization.
But the path will be lengthy and difficult.
The city struggles to survive.
There is an uncertain future.
It needs visionaries, entrepreneurs, and political leaders.
We are part of Appalachia.
We share some of its problems.
But its people's strength and character are forever.
They say that mountaineers are always free.
Hope and faith remains eternal.
One often thinks of West Virginia.
One always returns if not in body at least in spirit.
It is good to go back and to reflect.
To know where we came from
To know where we have been.
Washington Irving High School is gone but not its ideals.
I remember [in no special order]: assemblies in the auditorium,
school plays, the band, homework, chemistry labs,
writing English compositions, learning history,
memorizing poetry, reading about other cultures,
Hite field, Carmichael auditorium, the front steps,
foreign languages, math, science, walking up the hill,
various teachers, and classmates.
There may be many other areas with similar plights.
But, there is only one Clarksburg and WIHS for us.
It is our heritage.
It is our experiences.
It is our memories.
It is our special place.
It is our special time.
It binds us together.
It is what we all share.
As for me --
I say to the WIHS class of 1959
"thank you all".
And to some I offer an apology.
----AND SO IT GOES----
It is all relative.
It is all relevant.
