THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 31 March 2002



IRISH BLESSING

May the roads rise to meet you,
May the winds be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.





So many wrote to me this month, I feel like singing an old song.

"THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"

Roleta





FOUR GENERATIONS AT WI
Editor's note: A few months ago I was requesting any reader with 2 or 3 generations who graduated from WI to write to me. I was amazed that several of you did record 2 or 3 generations. I then asked if anyone had 4 generations .... well, we have found one that is probably the record holder! Not only did they have 4 generations of HILLTOPPERS in their family but many other relatives climbed the hill. Read this from:

Shirley Heidelmeier Williams (WI '57) and husband, Joe Williams (WI '56)
Fayenwv@cs.com

I'm writing to tell you how much we enjoy the WI newsletter. It is of such interest to us because many in our family attended Washington Irving. My husband Joe Williams, class of '56, is very much involved in his class reunions. I, Shirley Heidelmeier, graduated the class of '57. We are life long residents of Clarksburg except when Joe was in the Army and we lived in Georgia and Olympia, Washington.

We have 3 daughters that also graduated WI. All of our daughters are married, each with 2 children, living in this area. Sherry graduated the class of '76, Pamela the class of '77, and Tina the class of '82. Our granddaughter Shara graduated WI in 1995 and our grandson Anthony (Tony), attended WI 3 yrs. and graduated RCB in 1996.

My uncle, Bob Heidelmeier, played football for WI in the 1940's. My aunt, Sylvia Heidelmeier, also attended WI in the late 40's/early 50's. (both deceased) Joe's brothers, Pete and Frank Williams, graduated in the 40's and several cousins on both sides have also darkened those hallways. Approximately 25 or more family members (both sides) attended WI over the years.

We cherish our memories and friends from our days on the hill, and still keep in touch with many of them. Thank you for all of your hard work and for your interest in putting things together.

Sincerely, Joe & Shirley (Heidelmeier) Williams.



FINDING ALMOST HEAVEN

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah '57)
billmere@aol.com

"Almost Heaven, West Virginia". How often we have heard this phrase from John Denver's hit song "Take Me Home Country Roads". It has become almost a state motto. But, do we really believe that West Virginia IS "Almost Heaven"? Sometimes, upon returning "home", it doesn't look anything like my hope for heaven. "Any Downtown", West Virginia is not a pretty site. And yet, West Virginia was heaven to me when I was young. I loved it then and I still do.

This was made more evident to me while reading two books recently. Many of you remember seeing the movie "October Sky" in 1999 based on Homer Hickam's book "Rocket Boys". Although I saw the movie, I didn't read the book. I enjoyed the movie, particularly because it was about West Virginia and it's people. Consequently, my wife, Roleta, gave me another Homer Hickam memoir as a present this past Christmas. However, it being the third of a series, I purchased the second book so I could read them in proper sequence.

"The Coalwood Way" and "Sky of Stone" brought back more "heavenly" memories than I thought possible. The true stories take place from the fall of 1959 through the summer of 1961 (Our time--right?) in Coalwood, West Virginia (McDowell County). The events were so familiar to me that I felt as if I were reliving my young adulthood. John F. Kennedy's run for the presidency, Cecil Underwood as governor of WV, Big Creek of War High School being suspended from competing in football, the "Company Store", script for pay instead of cash; all these I could vividly remember. Homer "Sonny" Hickam even worked in the coal mines while going to college. (So did I).

The books were easy reading. I couldn't put them down. The relationships within the author's family and his mother's unique wisdom were especially interesting. Mr. Hickam tells it like it really was in West Virginia. He keeps our state on a higher plane where it belongs and not as the national press which often depicts it as downtrodden, poor, and ignorant.

If you want to know where "Almost Heaven" is located, I suggest you return to "our time" by reading both "The Coalwood Way" and Sky of Stone".

Thanks for the memories Mr. Hickam.

                 


Homer Hickam




CLASS OF 1950

Washington Irving Class of 1950 has it's own web site. Created by Constance Wilkinson Pois (WI '50) apois@sprintmail.com. The web address is www.wififty.com. Hope you enjoy!




NEW E-MAIL ADDRESSES

These are new readers of the newsletter

Anne Harter Corbett
(would have been WI '57 parents moved away) 		boanco@xtalwind.net
Judy Coyne Shepherd (WI '57) shep@apex.net
William Thomas (WI '50) ribbit@att.net
Bill Gardner (WI '42) billdonnagardner@yahoo.com
Sue Lynch Baldini (Bridgeport '59) sue@citynet.net
Jim Gill (VHS '59) Katejim1225@aol.com
Katie Sue Holder Gill (VHS '57) Katejim1225@aol.com
Linda Metcalf Moran (ND '60) love2paint@webtv.net
Don Cinci (WI '56) DonCinci@aol.com
Martin Danley (WI '73) rcrdan@westco.net
Greg Werner (WI '82) WernerGodspeed1@aol.com
Glenna Phillips (WI '38) glp13121@webtv.net
Howard Smith (WI '55) virgo37@worldnet.att.net
Bill Bowie (WI '62) whbowie@earthlink.net
Nancy Kirkpatrick Gaines (WI '50) Nanielee@aol.com
Ron Ogren (WI '50) Ogrenron@aol.com
Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50) fran.barrett@att.net
Constance Wilkinson Pois (WI '50) apois@sprintmail.com
Joe Williams (WI '56) Fayenwv@cs.com
Shirley Heidelmeier Williams (WI '57) Fayenwv@cs.com
Ed Flint (VHS '50) EDMUNDFLIN@cs.com
Ruth Warnock Flint (WI '50) EDMUNDFLIN@cs.com
Charlie Means (WI '50) CMEANS@cfl.rr.com
Marcie Fernandez Means (VHS '49) CMEANS@cfl.rr.com
Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74) Dfisher4140@cs.com


CHANGE OF E-MAIL ADDRESS
Bob Teter (WI '60) bteter@chartertn.net
Tom Allen (WI '57) dta23@yahoo.com
Bill Fowler (WI '59) Wlfraf5@aol.com


CORRECTION OF MY TYPO IN ADDRESSES LAST MONTH

Sorry, Joyce

Joyce White Wyatt (WI '56) jew1jaw@udata.com




REMEMBER ...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.




THE CLARKSBURG SONG

Editor's note: Tom Marshall requested the words to "The Clarksburg Song". Below you will see the words. I must confess, I don't remember ever hearing this song. Now I have the words .... what is the tune? I hope this brings back memories for all of you.

submitted by: Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)
Dfisher4140@cs.com


Do I remember the words to that song? I have them ingrained in my memory. My mother and father have probably sung it to me 50 zillion times and I don't think I'm exaggerating. Every time we came home from anywhere and hit the top of Bridgeport Hill I would hear it. I have to say I even sang it myself a couple of times.

Clarksburg pride of the Mountain State
Clarksburg birthplace of heroes great
Oh when the band plays Dixie
Oh how my heart thrills
I just think of Clarksburg the Jewel of the Hills

Oh that's where they smile when they greet you
And everybody is tickled to meet you
All of my days
I'll be singin' the praise
Of Clarksburg my home town

Now the west coast has tornadoes and earthquakes
And Florida has mosquitoes and big snakes
I don't give a darn
We got chicken and corn
In Clarksburg my home town.


Now that's what I remember. My Aunt Margie Sharpe Righter sent me the following words with the name of the author.



CLARKSBURG MY HOME TOWN

submitted by: Cliff H.Selden

Some folks think they're lucky
if they're Born in old Ken-tuck-y
or in Ten-Ten-Tennesee.
Say nothing could be fin-er
then to be in Car-olin-a
but those sen-ti-ments don't mean a thing to me,

I never will be found
Al-a-bam-a Bound.
Get me Right just put this down----
I've got my Own o-pin-ion,
I'm a true blue West Vir-gin-ian--
AND CLARKSBURG IS MY HOME TOWN.

CLARKS_BURG Pride of the moun-tain State,
Clarks-Burg birth-place of he-roes great,
When the band plays Dix-ie
How my heart thrills to me
it means just Clarks-burg's the Jew-el of the Hills -

O there's where they smile when they greet--you
Every-body's tick-led to meet you,
All of my days
I'll be singing the praise--
of CLARKSBURG MY HOME TOWN

Clarksburg--We pro-duce coal and gas,
tin-plate - Marbles and window glass,
Not a better town on the OLD B & O -
We're chock full of pep,' (hey hey) and we're rare in -to go

The West Coast - may have cli-mate and quakes--
and Flo-ri-da mos-qui-toes and snakes,
We don't give a darn--
We've got chick-ens and corn--
in Clarksburg - My Home Town

Hope everyone enjoys.






The Florida Clarksburg Picnic was held on Saturday, March 2, 2002 on what turned out to be probably one of the windiest days in Sarasota this winter. However, a temporary wind break was erected of polyethylene to block the wind so that we could visit, eat and enjoy our time together. Ninety-eight people registered at the picnic. I think all attendees had a great time.

The nice thing about this picnic is that we not only saw classmates from our class but other classes, old neighbors from high school, kids that some of us baby-sat and even an old date or two. I wish more of you could have enjoyed this experience with us. You missed some of the best food and the best hot dogs outside of Clarksburg. Sue Ellen Stalnaker Crawford has the best recipe from a place in Clarksburg. Maybe she will share. She has made the chili for the hot dogs the last 2 years. As popular as the hot dogs were this year, I think we will cut out the hamburgers next year and just have the hot dogs. There was so much food including Oliverio peppers.

If you plan a trip to Florida next year, try to be there the first week-end in March, as that is when we will have our annual picnic.

If any of you took pictures at the picnic, please send them along with the identification of who is pictured to Roleta1@aol.com. If you can't scan the pictures, mail them to me. I will scan them, return to you and put as many as possible in future newsletters.

It was a great day. I hope to see all of you again soon!


Some people help Tim Weinmeister and Bill Meredith erect the wind barrier.

The people in this picture are helping to erect the plastic --- they are actually leaning into the wind to keep the plastic back until Bill and Tim nail it in place on the other side. Far left with gold watch on his arm is Jim Alvaro. Lady in white with a black top right beside Jim Alvaro is Shirley Burnell Welling (WI 1962). Lady with her back to the camera and hand up is Betty Gardner Gibson (WI 1943). Man in the middle with white curly hair is Martin Schwartz (husband of Mere Gurson Schwartz -- WI 1957). Third from right in the plaid shirt is Guy Wright (WI 1950)--thanks Guy for going to purchase more materials for the wind break! In the blue shirt, second from the right is Charlie Means (WI 1950) -- thanks Charlie for these pictures. Look for more pictures in future newsletters. And the gal on the far right is Jalon Smith Burton (Roleta's little sister) who was born in Clarksburg but left when the family moved to Ohio in 1960. Unforutnately she never experienced growing up in Clarksburg, WV.



Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59) is not leading a song, just shouting a few directions.
Jim Gill (VHS '59) is seen laughing on the right.


PICNIC MEMORIES

submitted by: Constance Wilkinson Pois (WI '50)
apois@sprintmail.com


Hi everyone,

I am glad that I decided to make the 2 and 1/2 hour drive, alone, from Sanibel to Sarasota to attend the annual picnic which Roleta Smith Meredith organized. It was brought off with great success for over 100 alums in spite of monsoon like winds. We all had such a good time we didn't mind the sand in our food and drinks. Everyone contributed a wide array of edibles, including hamburgers, chili dogs, appetizers, salads, and desserts. I especially liked the miniature chocolate eclairs.

One of the best things about such a get-together, for me, was the opportunity to get to know my classmates better; and, to meet and see graduates of other classes and schools who had some connection to my early life in Clarksburg. Guy and Libby Wright, Charles and Marcie Means, Ron and Sharon Ogren, and I represented our class. We were sorry some or our other classmates who live in Florida couldn't make it. I understand that Fran Barrett is recovering from surgery and I hope her recovery is uneventful and speedy..

And, as I said, there were graduates from other schools and classes that I enjoyed meeting and getting acquainted with. Jerry Clousson's brother, Bob, was there with his wife, Darlene. I met Marilyn Hurst Lee who is the daughter of my father's good friend who married the little Lee boy who lived at the top of Tyler Avenue. (I met him, too). I reminisced with Lee Hefner's brother. I remember him as her scrawny, younger brother whenever I went to Lee's house to play. This was when we were in Alta Vista Grade School. He's now a tall, handsome man; but I could still recognize that lttle boy and see Lee in his face.

I'm looking forward to next year's picnic (without the wind) and encourage those who didn't make it this year to put it on your calendar. It was lots of fun; but, also, thought provoking. Some of the memories and news can be painful as well as pleasant. In fact, I missed a turn on the way home while deep in thought.


submitted by: Charlie Means (WI '50)
CMEANS@cfl.rr.com


Today is the 2nd of March 2002. It will be remembered as one of the windiest days in Florida history. Winds of 25-30 miles per hour with gusts to 45. ALL DAY! More than that though, it will be remembered for the Great WI Picnic held in Sarasota, Florida. (Now to be known as the "Clarksburg Picnic") The class of 1950 was well represented by; Connie (Wilkinson) Pois; Guy and Libby (Branham) Wright; Ron and Sharon Ogren and Charlie and Marcie Means. Fran (Tate) & Jim Barrett could not make it because Fran had a knee replacement and it's not healed yet. I had talked to Janet Larimer on Thur eve and she was going to try and get Dave to go but they didn't make it. Maybe next year! This is hard to believe but I was showing some pictures I took at the 50th reunion and in them was a picture of Guy and Clarence. Guy had on the same shirt today. We told Libby that right before Christmas, we would take up a collection to get him a new one. She said that would be nice since he bought that Jaguar, he can't buy his own.

We had one lady that graduated in 1936, a lot from the 40s, three from Victory, one from RW, two from Notre Dame, two from Bridgeport and one from West Union, two or three from the 60s, some from the 70s and the rest from the 50s. 56 and 59 being the most. Next year should be better. Roleta did a great job on this one and I'm sure she will outdo herself next year.

Charlie
Semper Fi

submitted by: Jane Poulicos Faust (WI '66)
Poulicos@aol.com


Roleta,

We just had breakfast with some of the grads from yesterday and everyone agreed the picnic was a great success. Again thank you for all your efforts. It really recharges all of us to see people that have meant so much to us.

You did a great job.

Jane Faust
Alex Lancaster
Vicki Limbers Moore
Steve Limbers
Sandy Lough Limbers
Melinda Mazza Sutter


submitted by: Jim Alaro (WI '57)
JAlvaro@aol.com


Roleta,

I want to thank you and Bill for the wonderful picnic/reunion we had. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. It was so great seeing some of the old gang I haven't seen since high school. I can't wait until next year and believe me I WILL be getting in touch with those I know that didn't come to this one and tell them what they missed.

Again, thanks for all the hard work and time that went into this wonderful event.




MISSING CLASSMATES

submitted by: Judy Zabeau Shephard (ND '58)
JZShepherd@AOL.COM


Roleta, I am canvassing former classmates from Notre Dame High School for a possible class reunion this year. I need addresses for the following alumni and wondered if any of the WI alumni could help out filling in the missing addresses. Thanks in advance.

Richard Schmidt
Rosalind Maico DeMicco
Laura Jean Wanstreet Heldreth
Mike Hanley
Mary Kay Cascarelli
Nancy Gulley
Mary Lee Wilson
Becky Lanham
Patty Kitchak
Cecilia Kniska




OBITUARY

JESSIE FRANKLIN BELL, JR


Jessie Franklin Bell, Jr., age 63, Rt. 2, Box 48, West Union, WV, died Wednesday, February 27, 2002, following an extended illness. He was born in West Union, November 12, 1938, a son of the late Jessie Franklin Bell and Mary M. Dennison Bell, Reynoldsville, WV. Also surviving are his wife, Nancy K. Bell, Wallace, WV; seven sons, four sisters, Carolyn S. Grill, Washington, DC, Janet M. Esposito, Fairmont, WV, Julia Sorbo, Fitchburg, MA, Scarlett C. Dennison, Reynoldsville, WV; one brother, Millard R. Dennison Jr., Wyomissing, PA.
Mr. Bell attended grade and high school in Doddridge County and was a graduate of Victory High School in Clarksburg. He had served in the United States Marine Corps and was a member of Meuse Argonne Post 573, VFW.




HILLTOPPERS.COM

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com


I am a 1961 graduate of WI and I have been trying to get in to the HILLTOPPER.COM web site, to do some research in trying to find some people for an upcoming reunion. SO FAR, I have been unsuccessful and I was wondering what had changed as I have been out on this web site and in to the DATABASE section many, many, many, many, many times in my searching for my classmates of '61.
HELP
I thought that this web site was just EXCELLENT, but the DATABASE section just is not working. Anyone have any ideas on who or how to contact the proper people about this matter, please contact me at jteter@balmar.com

Thanks



BIRTHDAYS
3-05      Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)      jkimler@ezwv.com

3-10      Mary Elizabeth Weaver Snead (WI '60)     Auntmerts@Boone.net

3-16      Irvin A. Miller (WI '61)      IrvinAMiller@aol.com

3-18      Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)      Floyds@lvcm.com


ANNIVERSARIES
3-14-60      Bill and Roleta Smith (WI '59) Meredith      Roleta1@aol.com

3-24-61      Jim and Sharyn Cottrill (WI '59) McGahan      Mtmama@iolinc.net

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Please send your birth date to Gary Weiner at cias@iolinc.net or to Roleta1@aol.com and I will send it to Gary. Gary keeps the birth dates on record and each month he sends me the BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES for the newsletter.

Thank you Gary.




HUNTING THAT PERFECT HOT DOG

EVERYONE LOVES THEM AND WOULD LIKE TO CAPTURE THAT TASTE ONE MORE TIME!

submitted by: Rick Waldemar   Inverness, Florida
rjw@digitalusa.net

Editor's note---NOW THIS IS INTERESTING

Dear Roleta,

Found your newsletter by accident, and just wanted to tell you that you are doing a fantastic job!! Wish our New York H.S. had ANYTHING - much less the quality newsletter that you head up!

I was actually on the hunt for the authentic West Virginia hot dog, so your 5/01 archive of recipes was a big help. There is a small tavern in Leesburg, FL that serves a "West Virginia hot dog" with chili, onions, and cole slaw. So I enjoyed Buzzy Floyd's (Victory Class of '57) comment that cole slaw ruined a true WV hot dog, unless you were from Southern WV and were a hillbilly. And in all the links for the WV hot dog recipes, his was the only reference at all for cole slaw. Such an education!

I enjoyed reading some of your classmates' memories, even though I have no West Virginia connections. New York raised, Florida now for my adult life. I just wanted to thank you for your hard work, and offer a word of encouragement and congratulations.

Tell Buzzy I said "hi," too.

Rick Waldemar



LOST IN THE FIFTIES

Remember that dear old song? Thanks to Dick Hanifan (WI '59), now you can hear "Lost In the Fifties" as you read through some memories from the fifties.

Check it out at:     http://www.mamarocks.com/lost_in_the_fifties.htm




MORGAN GRADE SCHOOL

submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)
fran.barrett@worldnet.att.net (Margaret Barrett)

I have more pictures from Morgan Grade School. Here they are. This was Miss. Young/Mrs. McClung's second grade class of 39-40. We started out the year with Miss. Young, she married over the Christmas holidays and came back as Mrs. McClung.


The above picture, I remember some of the names.
Front Row, Sally Black, ?, Robert Lereant, Virginia Hester, Frances Tate, Buddy Flesher, Mary Sue Bolton,
Second Row: ?, ?, Mary Miller, ?, ?, Betty Lou McKowen, ?
Third Row: ?, ?, Robert Wilfong, ?, ?, ?, Nina ?, Robert Bush

The second picture (below) is the same students, just arranged differently.



See you soon, Fran Barrett




JUST A LITTLE THOUGHT!

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.






submitted by: Judy Coyne Shepherd (WI '57)
shep@apex.net

Please include me in the monthly newsletter. We are living in Paducah, KY after leaving Atlanta where we had lived for 20 years. I graduated in 57 and went to WVU where I met Jerry. His identical twin Jack married Judy Zabeau who went to St Marys.

I have 3 grown children and 7 granddaughters. Jerry plays golf and I attempt to play a lot of tennis. Also, play duplicate bridge a couple times a week.

Hope we have another reunion soon, last one was lots of fun.

Thanks for creating such a great newsletter.



submitted by: Stephen Chapnick (WI '60)
schapnick@core.com

Memories are really something else. The picture of Morgan Elementary School brings back a ton of rememberances. I went there for six years trudging up the hill so many times over the years and at least 2 times a day. My 5th grade class was in the little house to the right of the building (as one faces it). The teacher was Miss. Brown.

The picture of the street at night is 4th Street where the Fountain Cut Rate Store existed until the mid 1970s. My dad Bommy Chapnick or Abe or Al Chapnick was the manager of the store for 30 years. I worked there during Xmas break and summers. Across the street the drug store had a soda fountain and counter. They made the best chocolate rickies that I have ever had. For many years Friedlanders was right across the alley from the Fountain Cut Rate and then moved up to the corner of 4th and Main. Barbara Karp's father Alex managed the jewelry store next to Friedlanders. I remember that street quite well. The Empire Bank was at the other corner of 4th and Main.

The picture of Cyrus Vance brought back another interesting memory. He was a senior partner in a New York law firm that one of my New York first cousins was also a partner in.

The newsletter is A NUMBER 1 SUPER--it brings back fond memories of a time when one could more easily stop and smell the roses.




THE LIBRARY
Washington Irving High School

submitted by: Barbara Christie Morris (WI '50) Librarian, WIHS 1968-1989
Bibliobarb@aol.com



When Washington Irving High School first opened its doors in 1914, the school's library was housed in a classroom and the collection numbered some 400 volumes. Just fourteen years later, in 1928, the Irving Place addition to the school was built and provided for two gymnasiums, three classrooms on the second floor, and on the third floor, two large study hall rooms and a library that architecturally was impressive. With its tall windows, its soaring and vaulted ceiling and its balcony, it certainly was a setting that demanded excellence in practice as well as appearance.

This 1928 photo of the "new" WI library was submitted by Fred Layman (VHS '46). At the time it was one of the best in WV.

Alice Griffin was the first librarian; she served in that position for forty-one years. Clayce Kishbaugh came along to become an assistant librarian and then became the head librarian herself after Miss Griffin's retirement. Portraits of both women hung over the desk in my library office during my entire tenure. Elizabeth Mack joined the school staff working first with Miss Kishbaugh and then later as head librarian herself. All three women were of the "old school" and the library was a place where boys sat on one side of the room, girls on the other, and you were only permitted to look at a magazine during the last ten minutes of the period. And you were QUIET! Times were changing, however, and changes for the library were in store as well. Jean Young had been serving as Mrs. Mack's assistant when I joined the faculty as a teacher in 1967. Two years later, Mrs. Young resigned, and Principal Jim Bennett gave me the opportunity for which I had yearned. I was assistant to Mrs. Mack for several years before her retirement at which time I became the librarian and would be so until my retirement in 1989.

Those years were a time of great transition for the library. After Mr. Bennett left to become a school superintendent, Sam Scolapio became principal. Mr. Scolapio understood that library service was a fundamental component of academic excellence in a school. The appearance of the library changed. Gone was the institutional green on the walls, to be replaced by pristine white. Gone was the old brown linoleum floor which had just DEMANDED that pennies be tossed, to be replaced by colorful carpet. A comfortable sofa and chairs were added to provide a browsing area that also included shelves of adolescent literature, a genre of quality fiction for teen-agers that was coming into its own. Touch was not lost with the past, however; the large painting of Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrim remained on the west wall in what had been its appointed place for years.

The goal was to make the old school library into a modern media center. Study halls were banished from the schedule. Those two large rooms would serve a much more useful purpose. The east side study hall became the art room. Remodeling was done to the west to provide for a large audio-visual room that would house both hard and software. I had brought the first television set to the school in the late sixties so that my students could watch the unfolding story of Robert Kennedy's assassination. Now the WI library became the first school library in the county to have both a large television and VCR. The periodical collection was expanded and five years' worth of almost every magazine listed in the Readers' Guide were kept in the small west side room adjacent to the librarian's office. And guess what, you didn't have to wait until the last ten minutes of the period to look at the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated or to read USA Today! The library collection had been weeded and expanded until it numbered, at the beginning of the 1990s, 13,000 volumes selected specifically to meet the needs of the faculty and student body of Washington Irving High School.

With no study halls, students came to the library at any time during the day. Often they came with an entire class that had been scheduled into the library by a teacher for a specific purpose. They came for pleasure and they came for research; we even had a copy machine. The library was a busy place, essential to fulfilling the goals of the school. During these years, Alicia Lu Rhoades had come to the faculty to serve as assistant librarian. Even though the library load was heavy, staff reductions reduced her position to half-time. Eventually, that position was eliminated altogether. During the last years of my tenure, for the first time in its history, Washington Irving had only one librarian. Student assistants became, as if they hadn't always been, of tremendous importance, invaluable to getting the job done. Also for the first time, I had a BOY student assistant. I think he was just looking for a place to "hang" until time for after-school basketball practice! And so there were many changes occurring, but some things remained the same; Jack Frederick's students were still stopping by after school to pick up a copy of Common Fallacies.

The role of computers in our lives, and in our schools, of course, was beginning in the mid to late eighties. We had a computer in the library when I retired, but because students were only beginning to learn, its use was limited. This would not be the case for long. I retired in 1989, and Lu Rhoades returned to the school in 1990 to fill the position of media center director. It was she who accepted the responsibility of integrating computers into the library as both a tool for students and faculty and for the practice of library science as well. The old card catalog became obsolete as did inventory, accession, and circulation procedures. Mrs. Rhoades, with the library, moved to Robert C. Byrd High School where she remained until her retirement last year.

Mischief was done in the library over the years; so be it. When I was a shy freshman in the fall of 1946, Miss Griffin asked me to leave the library because I was talking. I was so embarrassed; but, undaunted, I returned. My love of libraries and my enjoyment of students were huge components of my life. And my friends and family now respond with the same tolerance as did my students when I said to them "You've just GOT to read this book."


photo submitted by Barbara Christie Morris


MEMORIES ARE DIM BUT EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT

submitted by: Holly Furbee Berger (WI '59)
hollyivy@midsouth.rr.com


My memories have faded, but I do remember that Clayce Kishbaugh was a great lady. She ran a pretty "tight ship" when it came to that library and how important responsibility is, like being on time, lining up the books just right, etc. She was always very kind to me, yet, I could never take advantage of her. To this day I can picture her in my mind, remembering with fondness her big smile and that underneath her toughness was a generous and caring spirit. I think we had a wonderful library because of her qualities.


photo submitted by Barbara Christie Morris


MY EXPERIENCE AS A WI STUDENT LIBRARIAN

submitted by: Carol Van Horn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com


I was a student librarian my sophomore and junior years. Working under Clayce Kishbaugh was a good experience, however, my responsibilities were minimal, such as keeping the books straight and to the edge of the shelves. I had access to literature books recommended by our teachers for reading. There were some boys I had crushes on and would hold back some books until they came to the desk asking for them. Then magically, I would have the book they were looking for in hopes of scoring a "brownie point."

Clayce was good and kind to me. She set up and introduced me to my first boyfriend.



HOWEVER RARE TRUE LOVE IS, TRUE FRIENDSHIP IS RARER.

quote by: La Rochefoucauld



FIND THAT MISSING FRIEND

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com


I would like to offer my services in trying to find missing classmates from the graduating classes of WI. I really cannot offer my services to any of the other high schools (past and present) in Clarksburg, even though I have been finding some graduates of the other high schools, such as Notre Dame.

If any people are looking for missing classmates from WI, if you want to send me ANY information that you have on the classmate (regardless of how old the information is), I will make an attempt to find them and either contact them myself, or send you the information to let you contact them.

Last year, I was able to find 20 of my missing classmates from 1961, through various web sites and I found it to be a lot of fun. PLUS, I found some other people that I had not been looking for, so that was kind of neat.

Just provide me with the person's name at graduation and the year of graduation, and I will start from there.

Please E-mail me at jteter@balmar.com; I will acknowledge receipt of your request; do my "search THING"; and then get back to you with what information I have been able to find (if any) GOOD or BAD. I had the unpleasantness of finding one of my best friends from '61, but placing deceased next to his name in my record keeping file, REALLY HURT. I had that happen on two different people, but finding out that JIM McINTIRE had been killed in a motorcycle accident in Texas back in 1996 REALLY HURT. He was SUCH a nice person. Robin Woolard was another person that I found that had passed away. BUT, I did find a lot of people that we had given up on finding. Like, Roger Pettito who I found working for a car dealership in the Atlanta Georgia area.

SO, if anybody needs some help in locating "missing classmates", please let them know to E-mail me.

Take care,
John Teter
WI, 1961



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR FEBRUARY
FOURTH STREET MEMORIES:

Editor's note: Below are letters with some memories of Fourth Street, Clarksburg, WV. These memories were stirred up by the February Trivia picture. Hope you enjoy this section. If you have a picture we can use, just contact me at Roleta1@aol.com.

submitted by: Bill Fowler (WI '59)
Wlfraf5@aol.com

I was fascinated by the Feb. Trivia Picture. Although taken at night I remember the location well. It is 4th Street looking down from the vicinity of the Empire Nat. Bank.

Below Fountain Cut Rate was the Chicago Dairy with Sayre Studio upstairs and Candyland on the corner. On the other side of the street I can see Moore's Opry House, with Monongahela Power on the corner, and you can make out the marquee of the Ritz Theater across the corner on Pike Street. Great old picture. Thanks. Remember that during this time coffee was still a nickel at Harberts Drug Store.



submitted by: Bill Phillips (would have been WI 1960 but graduated from Elkins HS)
CaptBill2001@ aol.com

Looks like 4th St to me. Harberts Drug Store, Bill Wilfong, WI, class about 1958. He used to hang on a parking meter there. Clothes Horse moved in across the st. Candyland at end of st. on right. Theater across from Candyland. Later power co. now vacant lot. Ritz Theater facing at end. Then Chicago Dairy across Traders on right. There was a florist across from them. Also, the only car on the st. at 3:00am belonged to John Daffet. He owned the Strand Pool Room on Pike St and lived upstairs of Chicago Dairy. Am I close ?



submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56)
ks@davtv.com
This is a picture of Fourth St. looking toward the library. I cannot figure out what time of night this picture was taken as this street was always busy.

My first thoughts are that Greg Myer's father and mother operated a meat market at the corner of the alley on the left side and Steve Limbers' grandmother operated a dry-cleaners for years down the alley on the right side. The Ritz Theater was straight ahead. Many memories of the balcony, but another day. The Monongahela Power Company had a store at 4th and Pike. I remember when TV cable was coming to town. We used to stand in the entryway and watch the TV's they left on at night. Moore's Opera House was on the left. We always went to the Saturday matinee in the late 40's, probably when this picture was taken. Two pictures, a serial and cartoon for 12 or 17 cents depending on your age.

The Lunch and Beer sign on the right was for a luncheonette. Maybe "Busy Bee". When the door opened a rush of tobacco smoke always came out and all I remember is a bunch of men drinking "long necks".

There were a number of ladies dress stores on both sides and a photographer where we had our class pictures taken next to a large market on the right.

As you can see there were a number of awnings on the street. When we were in Central Jr. High, it seemed that all the boys would jump up and hit the awnings as we went by. (Must be a boy gene thing) I recall one Friday night as we were coming back uptown after a WI basketball game at Carmichael Auditorium. A group of "Jr. Hi guys" were coming by Harbert's Drug Store and we were jumping to hit the awnings as usual. I cannot remember exactly who did what to whom but one of us jumped to hit the awning, got bumped or pushed and fell into the glass window next to the drug store. Luckily no one was hurt, but we "made tracks' to get lost in the crowd at Hagen's. Not sure of all the culprits but could have been Rudy Garten, Greg Myers, Chuck Thomas, Bob Davis, Bob Kopp, Jim Alvaro, John Harrison, Bill Shaw, Dick Wolfe and ME, of course. Model Citizens All.



submitted by: John Iaconis (WI '59)
jiaconis@erols.com

What a memorable sight - South Fourth Street. Our grocery store, Fourth Street Market, was just to the right [out of sight in this picture]. It is no longer there and that space was converted when Friedlander's women's clothing store expanded. We lived above the store until the summer before I started first grade at Towers Grade school. Beyond the picture, in the darkness directly ahead was the public library and the gateway to that mysterious part of the city called "Glen Elk". This street was unique - a composite of everything commercial in one block - Empire Bank, two grocery stores, meat store, Fountain Drug Store, Candyland, shoe store, dress store, jewelry store, restaurant, flower store, movie theater [Moore's Opera House], appliance store, loan financing store, and others.

The Fourth and Main Streets corner was probably one of the busiest corners, if not the busiest, in Clarksburg since people used it to avoid the bars on Pike street between Fourth and Third streets; and to travel to and from the library; Glen Elk, North View, Adamston and areas; the Pike Street bus stops; trolley and interstate bus station; railroad station; the Waldo hotel; and other places and homes along and beyond the downtown Pike Street area . I especially remember going to the Moore's Opera House to watch Saturday morning cartoons and cowboy movies.



submitted by: Lib Teter Akin (WI '56)
LibAkin@aol.com

This is Fourth Street, taken from Main to Pike, sometime in the 1950's. In fact, the photo was taken by Ulysses Buffington the night the mercury vapor lights were turned on for the first time in downtown Clarksburg. Several years ago I saw the photo on the wall of the Empire National Bank and because it brought back so many memories, asked one of the cashiers if she knew anything about it. She didn't but suggested I ask Mr. Highland who had another copy in his office. I did seek out Mr. Highland and he explained the occasion and suggested that I ask Buffington if the negative was still around and if I could get a copy. Indeed, he offered me one of his copies to take to Buffington if the negative was not available. I can't remember how I ended up getting the photo, but I also got a negative and have had copies made for several friends since then.

Highlights of the photo, for me, are Harberts, Moores Opera House, Fountain Cut-Rate, and further down the street May's Cut-Rate, Chicago Dairy and Candyland and the Ritz Theater. I also remember Ormonds (was that affiliated with the chain that existed elsewhere?), Haught and Rayle (sp?), and Dudley's Florist. Friedlanders was then a small shop at the corner of the alley, on the right hand side of this photo. I would also note that the hot dog stand and several other businesses on the upper right corner of the photo were destroyed in a fire that burned the Exclusive which was then at the corner of Main and Fourth. I recently saw somewhere a photo that suggested it was Friedlanders that burned. I remember seeing the ice on the wires and cashmere sweaters soaked and scorched in the window that was just above the hot dog stand. It was after that fire that Friedlanders built on that corner and that the Exclusive reopened elsewhere. There were three major fires in downtown in that decade that I remember: First Methodist Church, the Arcade, and the Exclusive.

I love this newsletter and appreciate all the effort that goes into it. Keep it up!



submitted by: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI '56)
MSSpahr@aol.com

I think this is 4th Street looking toward the Ritz Theater and the library. I am not as sure about this one as I have been about others because it is 1) night, 2) before my time and 3) deserted. If it is where I think it is, I have memories of going to movies at the Ritz, spending time at the library, getting a coke at Candyland and smelling that horrible salt-rising bread odor coming from the bakery on 4th Street.




MARCH TRIVIA PICTURE
submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
jkimler@ezwv.com



Do you recognize this? What is your guess? Did the picture stir a long lost memory? Did you enjoy your thoughts while looking at the picture? If you said yes to these questions, write to me and tell me about your thoughts.... Write to the newsletter at Roleta1@aol.com




COLLECTIONS

submitted by: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)
MShaf26478@aol.com



My name is Gloria Caruso Shaffer and I graduated from WI in 1958.

I thought I would tell the readers of the newsletter about my collections and hope that others will write to Roleta and send her pictures of their collections and or hobbies.

I have quite a few Boyd's Bears, Steiff Bears, Swarovski Crystal and Murano Glass. I also have mouth blown glass from right in our back yard -- Buckhannon.

My main collection is clowns. My daughter bought me my first clown in 1985 and I have gone wild since then. I probably have about 400 clowns.

My collection includes watches, earrings, pins, clocks, pictures, whistles, ice cream scoop and even a mask my granddaughter bought for me at a yard sale.

Some of the clowns are expensive - Ron Lee Clowns, Swarovski Crystal Clowns and Murano Glass Clowns. I also have some very cheap clowns, like my key chains from the Dollar Store. I love them all and wouldn't part with any of them.

One Halloween my granddaughter, Amanda, was a clown and for Christmas my daughter had a 36x24 sketch made from a picture of Amanda in the clown costume. It has been hanging on my wall for quite a few years and I don't plan on taking it down.

I am sending Roleta some pictures and I hope she will be able to use them.

I am also going to be watching for other readers to send in something about their collections or hobbies. I am sure Roleta would appreciate any input we can give her for the newsletter.



submitted by: Anne Harter Corbett (Nitro High School '57)
boanco@xtalwind.net

Just a response to your newsletter.

I collect hands. I have about 100 of all kinds -- mostly porcelain, wood and crystal or glass. My mother started it about 1945, when her grandmother, Dora Nutter gave her some milk glass hands. She just kept on gathering them, when she passed away, I took over. I also collect dolls and wooden houses. I have the 1939 edition of Madam Alexander`s Little Women Dolls which my grandmother bought for me when I was born, and I never was allowed to play with them. That started my collection of 75 dolls. Those are the two that I have the most of. Am anxious to hear what other people collect.

Anne Harter Corbett




WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Click Here To Hear
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING




CLOSING THOUGHTS

from your editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com


All of my life I had thought golf was the most stupid game on earth but three years ago I picked up a golf club and swung at that little white ball and I became hooked! I am still learning---does one ever know all there is to know about that game? There are so many variations to every move and every rule! I am no longer the "golf widow". For many years I sat in the sun on the beautiful white sand of Siesta Key while the mister was off playing golf. Now he "never" gets to go to the golf course alone! So we are moving! Yep, it's off to the house at the golf course! We are selling our lovely condo overlooking that white beach and the beautiful water of the Gulf of Mexico. Know anyone who would like to buy a condo on Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida? Just tell them to contact me at Roleta1@aol.com.







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