WI CLASS OF 1959 NEWSLETTER
| Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith | Issue 17 | January 2001 |
I think the newsletter is going really well and catching on with my intelligent friends from Clarksburg. I am so glad that you are all enjoying and contributing to the newsletter. You seem to like the sections of the newsletter that I have created. There is the LETTERS section, REMEMBER WHEN, HISTORY, TRIVIA, MY LIFE TODAY and when possible SPORTS. I am surprised that more of you ex-jocks don't remember a special game or sporting event to either write for the SPORTS section or the REMEMBER WHEN section.
A new section has been suggested by Judy Noe Ashland---RECIPE EXCHANGE. Not some recipe you found in a book but one with history...one you and your family love, one from your mother, your aunt, a neighbor or dear grandmother. We would like to know why it is a favorite? Who made the recipe? Who likes it? What is the history behind the recipe? There were so many ethnic backgrounds in our area of Clarksburg, surely you have a favorite. Be it Greek, Italian, Polish, English, German, or like me just "Mountaineer"-- (I hate the word HILLBILLY-- it always reminds me of the Clampetts on "Beverly Hillbillies" and we didn't act or live like that) we would like to have a copy of that family favorite! So won't you please help me get this section off the ground and contribute something? Let's see if we can make it work. So ask Mom, your wife, check your cookbook, ask a cousin, an aunt, whoever or just jot down one of your favorites ... Be it from a guy or a gal we want to hear from you. I have several male friends who are great cooks and share their recipes -- so lets hear from you guys too.
Some of you never write to me, are you really reading this? I know January is always a big let down after the holidays, the weather in most areas of the country is conducive to indoor activities.
This is your assignment for January!
Where sin and death abound,
How beautiful, beyond compare,
Will paradise be found.
James Montgomery
BOWIE, Md. -- John William Criss, 59, of Upper Marlboro, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at Doctor's Hospital, Lanham.
He was born March 24, 1941, at Clarksburg, W.Va.
His wife, Judith O. Criss, survives at Upper Marlboro.
Also surviving are one daughter, Anne L. Criss, Olympia, Wash., and one son, Brian W. Criss, Baltimore; and one brother, Thomas B. Criss, Dayton, Md.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Frederick M. Criss.
Mr. Criss was graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1959. He graduated in 1963 from West Virginia University with a degree in mathematics. He moved to the Washington, D.C. area and worked for the Naval Research Laboratory. He was a member and past president of Phi Kappa Sigma at West Virginia University from 1962-1963. He taught motorcycle safety.
Relatives and friends may call at Evans Funeral Home, Route 450 and Race Track Road, Bowie, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today, where the funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606.
CLARKSBURG -- William H. Bever, 90, of Preston Street, Clarksburg, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, in the United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following a brief illness.
He was born Sept. 17, 1910, in West Union, a son of the late Otto Bever. His wife, Rosemary McCandless Bever, whom he married in 1932, survives. Also surviving are one son, Roy Bever, Columbus, Ohio; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and one brother, Hubert Bever, Elkins. He was also preceded in death by one son, Donald Bever; and five sisters. Mr. Bever was a member of the Hermon Lodge No. 6 A.F. and A.M. Knights Templar, the Clarksburg Kiwanis, and the First United Methodist Church. He was a retired secretary/treasurer with James & Law Co. with over 50 years of service. He formerly served on the board of directors at James & Law.
Interment will be in the Elkview Masonic Cemetery where Masonic graveside rites will be conducted by the Hermon Lodge No. 6 A.F. and A.M.
NOTE FROM DICK HANIFAN--Anyone that was a member of DeMolay knew "Dad" Bever. He has been a roll model for hundred's of young men for all of his adult years. I've known Dad Bever for more than 50 years. He lived a few houses from me just around the corner back when I was in Towers School. The community has lost a fine gentleman. God does not make them better than he made Dad Bever.
He deserves special mention in the Newsletter.
jkimler@ezwv.com
Did you attend elementary school in Clarksburg? Is your school still standing? Not many of the "old" schools are in use. Here is a list of the conditions of the Clarksburg elementary Schools as of a couple of years ago.
Chestnut Hills - Still in use by a private business.
Towers - Gone. Torn down app. two years ago
Morgan - Gone. Torn down app. two years ago. The gym is still there - used as a community center or rented.
Alta Vista - Gone. Burned down app. 3-4 years ago.
Linden - Still in use by a private business.
Pierpont - Gone. Torn down app 3-4 years ago.
Point Comfort - Gone. Torn down 10-15 years ago. Senior apartment building there now
Carlisle - Gone. Torn down many years ago.
Central Jr. High - Still there, unused, vacant, and will probably be torn down soon.
We think this accounts for all of the elementary schools that fed into WI but if there are others please let us know!
hcpd@access.mountain.net
In case you have forgotten, pronounce Appalachia as Apple At Cha!
by Muriel Miller Dressler
I am Appalachia!
In my veins runs fierce mountain pride;
the hill-fed streams of passion,
and, stranger, you don't know me!
You analyzed my every move--you still go away shaking your head.
I remain enigmatic.
How can you find rapport with me
--you who never stood in the bowels of hell,
never felt a mountain shake and open its jaws to partake of human sacrifice?
You, who never stood on a high mountain,
watching the sun unwind its spiral rays;
who never searched the glens for wild flowers,
never picked Mayapples or black walnuts;
never ran wildly through the woods in pure delight,
nor dangled your feet in a lazy creek,
You, who never danced to wild sweet notes,
outpourings of nimble-fingered fiddlers.
who never just "sat a spell" on a porch, chewing and whittling;
or hearing a past time the deep-throated bay of chasing hounds
and hunters shouting with joy, "He's treed!"
You, who never once carried a coffin to a family plot high up on a
ridge because mountain folk know it's best to lie where breezes from the
hills whisper, "You're home".
You, who never saw from the valley that graves on a hill bring easement
of pain to those below?
I tell you, stranger, hill folk know what life is all about;
they don't need the pills to tranquilize the sorrow and joy of living.
I am Appalachia; and, stranger, though you've studied me,
you still don't know me.
This wonderful poem has become one of my favorites. I already own the book from which it was taken and had been thinking of typing for you all. Instead, a Stalnaker family researcher sent it to me because he thought I might like it. It was recently published in an anthology "Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry 1950-1999" edited by Barbara Smith and Kirk Judd as part of the Celebrate 2000 event here in WV. My organization, the Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, has it for sale. It is paper back, has 418 pages, and contains some marvelous words - many just as stirring as this. It's $19.95.
EDITOR'S NOTE---If you wish to purchase this book please contact Joy via e-mail.---Roleta
JUJUBEE40@aol.com
Your Christmas issue is bested only by your Veteran's Day issue. Great job. I had every intention of writing about a Christmas memory, but my mom (85) has moved here and between watching my 4 yr old granddaughter daily and taking care of my mom, the time just flies by. Anyway, I want to share it with you and if you chose to publish it, then it can be shared with others. I still feel out of place writing for a WI newsletter since I am not an alumni, but I do consider myself an alumni of Clarksburg in the fifties. I am convinced that that era was the greatest time to be a kid.
This is my story:
It is a memory of Clarksurg and growing up in the fifties as well as a Christmas one. It was a few days before Christmas and I was in town doing some shopping. It was around seven o'clock and it was snowing, softly. The sidewalks were crunchy with snow, the Christmas decorations were all aglow, and the church on the corner of 2nd St and Main St. was playing Christmas hymns. I was walking down Pike St. passing by the Workingman's Store and the State store. Even in what was considered to be the "seedier part " of town, I was in awe of how beautiful it was and how inexplicably quiet it seemed, although it was very crowded with shoppers. The soft falling snow, the music, the lights-- it was magical and I will never forget how I felt, at 16, to be so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.
It wasn't until later that I realized that I was also blessed to be living in a town and in an era that allowed a 16 yr. old girl to be walking through town, after dark, by herself and not even giving it a thought. Nothing that I have experienced since that night has given me such a feeling of total peace and joy.
Well, that is it--nothing newsworthy, but it made quite an impression on me. I believe that there are many others who treasure what we had back then in Clarksburg. It was a pristine moment in time.
submitted by: Martha Frey Dase
Nanas 10@aol.com
Happy holidays to you and your family. I really feel bad I have not written but the cup has been awful full here.
The first of Nov. we put my dad in a group home (6 people). We could no longer care for him. It had been a big challenge with them here and I am run down from caring for them.
Mother had surgery to remove a mass on an ovary that was supposed to have been gone in 1960. So now you see where I have been and why you haven't heard from me.
You amaze me with your newsletters ... They just get better and better ....... You are a 1959 grad jewel.
Thanks for keeping us posted and up to date.
submitted by: Barbara Sutton Elder (57)
BSE6@webtv.net
So sorry to hear of the death of a classmate. But thank you for being so good to let us know. I do have a question, what class was he in -- 1959?? His name sounds so familiar but I graduated in the class of 1957.
And by the way, your newsletter brings a bit of nostalgic joy every month, really enjoy reading it and my thanks for all your hard work on it.
submitted by: Jay Sharp
JSharp2484@aol.com
I was sorry to hear that John Criss had died.
We grew up together. His grandfather and my father were close friends. John lived on Montecello Ave, only a few blocks from my house. He was so smart, especially in Math. He will be missed.
submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (56)
jdjett@attglobal.net
Been so busy with Christmas I haven't been able to keep in touch, as I'm sure it's been the same with you. Not sure when you prepare the newsletter. I so enjoyed the Dec. one. and sure could relate to several letters.
I remember most of the memories that Herb Cottrill has: the Clique Club, Friends, Bland's, the Coaches, Carmichael Auditorium --- my sister, Carolyn Tustin Vitolo of Cape Coral, same class as Herb-52', remembered everything he mentioned, and sure enjoyed me sharing it with her. I remember the Santa Claus that Connie Bailey Casto wrote about. It covered the whole front door and was spotlighted it seemed. It sure showed up on the "big house on the hill".
And I also was a member of Be Square, and share Patty Terrills' memories of patrolling the stairs and visiting the hospital. In pediatrics I happened upon a neighborhood girl, from Stealey, I think Ridenour St. or Carpenter St., who had been hit by a car while sledriding. She was about six, was black and blue and face all swollen, with broken arm. Her last name was Matthews. I also realized at that time that nursing was not my calling, as I had to leave the room, practically passing out.
I got a laugh out of Karen Combs mention of the tap dance picture. I didn't see it, but I'm sure she is talking about Mr. Louie. My sister and I took from him and we were sure we would become "professionals". Ha!
Enjoyed your memories. Now I know why I don't remember you after high school, since your family moved to Ohio about that time.
In answer to the Trivia questions.
Judy Rice's home on E. Main St. in Goff Plaza had the swimming pool. I remember when it was built. I went to DID Sorority meetings at her home.
Phyllis Curtin became an accomplished opera star, growing up on Ridenour St. in Stealey. My sister, Mary Beth Young "class of 55" and I would hide in the bushes by her house and listen to her practice. We seemed to know then that we were listening to something special. I remember her parents very well. Her Dad was Vernon Smith and her Mother wore her black hair pulled up in a knot on top of her head. They were very nice.
I can picture Cyrus Vance's home, but can't remember where it was located.
Maybe you can use some of my memories in newsletter. You do a great job.
NEW E MAIL ADDRESS
We now have a new address for one of our classmates
Clara Jason Davis can be reached at
claraandjim@aol.com
Drop her a line and welcome her on board!
CHANGE OF E MAIL ADDRESS
Please change
Joy Gregorie Stalnaker is now:
joy@hackerscreek.com or hcpd@hackerscreek.com
John and Marolyn Tustin Jett are now:
jdjett@attglobal.net
RAD29063@aol.com
To you that may seem funny but, to me, that is no joke.
For when I'm "here" I'm wondering if I really should be "there"
And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer!
Oft times I walk into a room, say "what am I here for?"
I wrack my brain, but all in vain a zero, is my score.
At times I put something away where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from is, generally, me!
When shopping I may see someone, say "Hi" and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, "who's that?"
Yes, my forgetter's getting better while my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy and that isn't any joke.
Author Unknown
Did you know the answers to last month's questions? I wish I had more trivia questions as I think all who read this newsletter enjoy using their brains. However, no one sent in any trivia questions for me to use. Many voiced the fact that they liked this section and would contribute, but it was forgotten in the hustle and bustle of December. So it's a new year and a new month, please provide some trivia facts for future newsletters. Everyone who wrote was correct...Indeed Phyllis Curtin was a singer and in drama via opera.....See below!
submitted by: Barbara Warren Williams (58)
gembobfl@sunline.net
You did a great job as usual on the December Newsletter. It was terrific.
Phyllis Curtin was an opera singer and lived on Main St. in Golf Plaza.
Cyrus Vance's home was located on W. Main St. below Buffington Studio. It was in the 100 block almost at the bottom of the hill.
I'm not sure but Bob thought Neeley's built a swimming pool in 1950.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep in touch!
submitted by: Bill Fowler
billf@ngn.com
Trivia was great Roleta....I will write some up and submit them later. Also. Dec. letter was excellent.
House with the pool was the Keeley home.....and Phyllis Curtin was a Met Opera Star and her house was in Goff Plaza.
submitted by: Connie Bailey Casto
CASTOCA@aol.com
The Keeleys had the first swimming pool on E. Main St.
Wasn't Phyllis Curtin in drama? Maybe an opera singer. I think she lived on Buckhannon Ave.
Cyrus Vance lived on E. Main Street didn't he?
submitted by: Holly Furbee Berger
HollyIvy@aol.com
It was such fun reading the Christmas newsletter. I wish I had contributed, but I am lucky to get my Christmas letter written and sent. I'll try to send something in next time.
Thank you for your work and Judy's.
Phyllis Curtin was a professional dancer & teacher. My mom remembered her well and always admired her. I believe she lived on Country Club Road.
Last month's trivia questions were provided by Dick Hanifan and this month he provided the answers.:
submitted by: Dick Hanifan
RKHANIFAN@aol.com
The Swimming Pool is at the Keeley home at 217 East Main. This summer the house was on the market. Want to buy it? Jim Keeley has it for sale.
Phyllis Curtin: I have her as a world class and world accomplished pianist. The Curtins lived in Golf Plaza. I thought it might have been Spring Street or Buckhannon but East Main fits. I'll send you her vitae.
Mostly correct on the Vance house. But it is East Main and next door to (the down hill side or east side of the Buffington Studio). It is now the home of the Harrison County Historical Society. They moved into that house about the time Cyrus went off to College. The house just before that one was across the street. They sold that home and moved to the South Side of the street. The old Home was sold to the Moose. The Moose Lodge sometime in the fifties built a big social hall behind the house and then eventually tore down the old house. Remember the sock hops at the Moose.?
Phyllis Curtin, Professor of Voice and Artistic Director, Opera Institute. Dean Emerita, School of the Arts, 1991. BA, Wellesley College; MusD(hon), New England Conservatory, Marshall University, Salem College, WVU; Doctor of Humane Letters (hon), Albertus Magnus College. Town Hall recital debut, 1950; New York City Opera debut, 1953, in U.S. premiere of Von Einem's 'THE TRIAL"; Artist-in-residence, Aspen Music Festival, 1953-1957; title role, "Savannah" (Floyd), U.S. premiere, 1955; title role, Medea (Milhaud), US premiere, 1955; world premiere, "WUTHERING HEIGHTS" (Floyd), 1958; leading soprano, Vienna Staatsoper, 1960-62; leading soprano, Metropolitan Opera, 1961-74; world premier, 'PASSION OF JONATHAN WADE' (Floyd), 1962, US premiere, "WAR REQUIEM" (Britten), Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, cond., 1963; world premiere, "LA MERE COUPABLE" (Milhaud), 1966 (Geneva); US premiere, Shostakovich, Symphony No. 14, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, cond., 1971. Numerous appearances with major orchestras, opera houses, festivals, and in recital throughout the US and abroad; Artist-in-residence, teacher of the Phyllis Curtin Seminar and Vocal Fellows, Berkshire Music Center, 1964-present. Professor of Music, and Director of Opera, Yale Music Division, 1974-83; Master, Branford College, Yale University, 1979-83. Dean, School for the Arts, 1983-1991. Present position, 1991.
This newsletter was started after the Class of 1959 had their 40th Class Reunion. It was then my intent to keep classmates, who were on line, in contact. People other than just those who graduated from WI in 1959 are enjoying our newsletter. I hope anyone with common interests will contribute and join us in our memories. I welcome any notes, letters, articles, suggestions, pictures or anything else that might be of interest to any of us with a bond to those familiar places and that time. I don't care where you attended school, what religion you practice, the color of your skin, or the choice of your politics. If you care enough to write, I care enough to consider your writings for this newsletter.
It is amazing to me how interesting you people are! Was it the educators of the 50's, something in the air or that West Fork River water? Was it the city in which we were raised that most influenced us? I find each letter so interesting. Each article expressing something memorable and each idea or difference of opinion all stir inner memories too.
Didn't you find it funny that last month Sheri found the aluminum Christmas trees awe inspiring and I found them ugly? When I wrote my Christmas memory, I had not yet received her Christmas memory. We all have our own tastes and that is what keeps this world from being boring.
So as busy as you might be- (who isn't?) -- take a minute or two and type out that note to me -- the one you have been intending to send. This is the end of this newsletter and the beginning of the February newsletter, all we need is your input.
