THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 49 September 2003






SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE!

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

I bet you didn’t even notice that last month’s issue had a number on the top! ISSUE 48, it read! We have been publishing this newsletter for four years. The newsletter was originally named “The WI Class of 1959 Newsletter”. The reason I started it was to keep my classmates in touch. I didn’t want to lose touch with them after I had worked so hard to find some of them.

The first year was a really tough year for this publication. Many times during that first year, I wanted to stop. I guess people in my class didn’t know what to write even though I begged and begged. However, Judy Daugherty Kimler and Bob Davis kept encouraging me. I did persevere. Soon I was hearing from people from other classes and other schools. Many didn’t know that they should write to the newsletter due to the name I had given to it. So I decided that maybe the name should be changed to “THE WI NEWSLETTER”. I considered The Clarksburg Newsletter, but I thought that was biting off more that I could handle. And as they say, the rest is history.

I have enjoyed doing the newsletter. There have been some hard months---the hardest one was December 2002 - I will never forget that date. I almost quit doing the newsletter again. But I made it through that month and after moaning and complaining many of you wrote the next month and thereafter. I believe the newsletter has not only made it easier for friends to keep in touch but it is a way to express our feelings and our memories. I know that it has helped me remember many things that I had forgotten long ago.

I believe the newsletter has re-instilled a “sleeping” pride in our state, city, and the education system that existed in Clarksburg when we were “growing up” there. I hope that all of you realize that we are special, we lived in a special place at a special time. Never again will anyone be able to experience what we did in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you who contribute to the newsletter. I am a hugger so I will just tell you-I send you a big hug!

Roleta Smith Meredith- Roleta1@aol.com.




SCHOOL DAYS!

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
Mysto99@aol.com

Roleta: Reading the Central Junior High memories of Central, (it is gone, but Central remains today) was where we went from a one room school from Country Club Addition-Barnett Grade School indeed was one room with Mrs. Mc.Gee as the teacher-principal all day long. I think about that now and wonder if she indeed go crazy in her final years immediately after retirement.----Her day was a real challenge!-- She started with the first grade, onto the 2nd.grade, then all the way through the one-room-grades 3rd-4th.-5th.-- to the 6th grade.--- Four or five in each grade.--- Recess time was a chance to play in the sand-box at the back of the room.

Cloak (?) Rooms contained overcoats, hats, heavy rubber boots...and lunch-boxes, or plain-paper-brown-sacks with our apple and sandwich.--- Outdoor plumbing --wonderful air-condition in the winters--- also with a hand-pump with the best water, but was a standing dare for anyone to try to place their tongue there-on without it freezing! ----then into Clarksburg and to Towers..as our small school was forced to close. --- Mrs.Robinson (?) the principal at Towers was a tough lady. She always wanted to use that paddle for any student that stepped out of step!

Remember the little guy that was the janitor? A good guy that rang the big bell...and when called on to give out the punishment, laid it on lightly with the mentioned paddle. We were all called together to hear of the WW II announcement of the War coming to a close. Assembled on the steps and in the hallway with one large floor-standing radio turned up very loud.

Sixth grade was a bore. Our teacher would give us study lessons and then she would turn her back and nap in the sun coming in the window. While she was sitting up with her head turned almost to the back of the room and snoring loudly. Her upper false teeth would fall down and wake her, and she immediately would jump on us for laughing.

Then we "graduated to the 7th.grade.” At Central Junior, Mr.Lowther was a great principal, but called on the janitors to use the paddle. Our 7th.grade beat the 8th.grade in basketball and our home-room teacher, Mrs.Heater was so proud of us she gave me (one of the championship five)-a big box of candy to pass around to all of the class, what a proud-treat!---

Remember Doc Lovett, coming to show us 16mm movies in the auditorium? He later built one of the first area drive-in Theatres which was in Weston. It had the "flying saucer" expert Gray Barker as his projectionist and film-booker.

Coach Columbo helped with a WW II salvage drive, and got me out of school to help him collect paper. I kept out a 1946 College Football Annual magazine, and consider it a valuable part of my sports collection even now as I do radio sports play-by-play.

The magicians that toured, playing schools with their shows were instrumental in my taking up magic. We would pay our 10-cents and witness a suave guy in a tux, producing endless rabbits and flowers and pretty silks. About that time I started noticing the pretty girls also in those acts. I was being sold. I wanted to be just like those fellows and tour the schools, some day with the show-biz stuff and the pretty girls. If they could do it, so could I!! The Central Junior Auditorium was great "theatre" for me. My first time acting in a play. I don't think anyone mentioned the small gym or the auditorium.

I had taken "distrib-education", my senior year. After being assigned Mrs.Grey as home-room teacher, I said I would quit first before having her. Coach Hite not wanting me to quit school and the football team got me in with Mr.Davis' class after I was told it was "full-up". During the day, I worked at National Auto warehouse in Glen Elk. Always staying up late at night and not getting enough sleep. I was on a ladder putting boxes up in stock on a warm fall afternoon with no air-condition and with nobody there when I nodded off to sleep and fell off into a pile of new Shirley Temple dolls that had just arrived for me to tag with prices.

I was also working the November afternoon watching out the top floor window as the snow piled up on the other roofs of the next-door buildings. A surprise snowfall, that was the big Thanksgiving snow of 1950, and getting home out of town was almost impossible. We did get home but without getting back into town for 5 days or to work.

Study Hall was sometimes the place to catch up on your lost sleep. Usually in study hall Bobby Cotter and I were drawing cartoons and keeping everyone laughing for more. As everyone knows, today Bob's paintings, especially of Clarksburg scenes-- bring a fancy $$ price, many hang on office-walls of doctors, dentists, attorney, and at Clarksburg City Hall.

But, I am sure there are many stories out there, waiting to be told!-- Now come on you WI-Grads ...DO IT!



submitted by: Dotty Taggart Rutan (WI '58)
dottyrutan@yahoo.com

POP CORN in the hall by Mr. Ong......

My friend Martha Kinney and I were watching the great theatrical production of "Growing Pains", with such stars as, Steve Barnett, Rusty Rutan, Betsy Rucker, Barbara Pickett, Sandra Talkington, John Randolph, Cindy (dog), Ernie Bastine, Jim Fleming, Ronnie Campbell, Bob Driggers, Bill Allmond, Dave Laughlin, Jimmie Brown, Penny Fish, Kay Lawson, Beth Ann Hill, Virginia Cantwell, Nancy Hamilton, Judy Coyne, Annabell Day, and Brenda Simons.

One of the actors caught my eye as his pants fell to the stage. We laughed, and I said to my friend Martha, "I am going to marry those legs!"

We celebrate our 41st Anniversary this year. He's still got great legs.

I know the cast names because we attended the reunion two years ago in Florida. My friends Kay Lawson Adair and Pat Shaw Bennett dug this info up and shared it with us.

We will be attending the reunion again this year (2004) missed it last year, but heard all about it through this great newsletter. Thanks to Roleta, there are not so many miles separating the years now.



submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
Skeith1514@aol.com

I remember Central Junior so well. Do you remember the Coffee Mill and Hammett and Harper? Slam books and Frogface Ferguson? I can attribute my ability to print posters freehand to her art classes. Remember diagramming sentences for Mrs. Hutson and reading Evangeline and saying the Gettysburg Address from memory. Christmas Eve services in Latin at the Catholic Church everyone went even those who weren't Catholic. Mass at the Catholic church on Christmas Eve was in Latin! I can't remember who I had for Latin at WI, but it was not Miss Nutter. I do remember translating Runaway by Del Shannon into Latin, with Jenny Heston and Melinda Mazza..."Ambulo empurium...( I'm a walking in the rain) or some such ..Ha Ha. So many memories, I love our collective memory! Good times, Great people.



submitted by: Carl Flavious "Buzzy" Floyd (VHS Class of 1956 - The class with class)
Floyds@lvcm.com

Dear Roleta,

Sorry I haven't put my two cents in lately to help you fill the letter, but I'll try to make up for it.

I remember my first day at school like it was yesterday. I was so excited that I got a physical reaction that I can still feel whenever I think about that day. I went to North View Junior High, which was a block from my house, from the first through the ninth grades. (Victory didn't have room for four grades, so we "farmers" started high school in tenth grade.)

On day one, minus fifteen minutes, I was poked in the back by my oldest friend, Vito Contento, who said, "I think that's you", when they called my name, because I didn't recognize it. You see, I had always been called Buzzy, because my sisters couldn't say "brother". At least that's the story I got from my parents. For some strange reason, other members of my family called me "Brother" for years. Maybe that was my intended nickname. Who knows? Some of my cousins even called me "Sammy", and I've never figured that one out.

My father's name was Carl Preston Floyd. Now, I never liked the name, "Carl", but Preston is a name I've always liked, and wouldn't have minded being called that. After all, most folks would name their first (and only) son after the father, so I should have been Carl Preston, Jr....but, noooo! My grandfather was Flavious Josephus Heater, who by the way, contributed a whole passel of kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, to the rolls of WI graduates, so don't be picking on me for going to Victory. Anywho, my parents, not seeming to care anything about my safety growing up, decided to name me Carl Flavious (and I'm admitting it for the first time here, but, hey, I'm 65 years old. How much longer can ya'll chide me about it?) But, I digress. So, on the first day of school, when they called the name, Carl Floyd, I just sat there like a bump on a log, until Vito punched me, and I realized that from that day forward, my name would be a problem; also, that I might be stupid. After high school, I decided that Buzzy was too kiddy sounding, and started going by Buzz. I've even signed Buzz on contracts for zillions of dollars, and no one has ever questioned me about it. (BTW: I know not to end a sentence with "it" but anyone who signs a phony name to contracts can't be worried about a little thing like that).

For years, I was able to keep my middle name a secret to all but my closest friends (those who saw my driver's license). I thought that in the 1880's, when Grandpa was born, giving a kid a name like that was just trying to sound smart or something, but still kind of cruel. Then one day, I saw a book about a guy named Flavious Josephus. Turns out he was a Jewish slave to the Flavian family in Rome, and he was so well thought of, that they gave him their name. He actually became a general in the Roman army, and wrote a history of the Jews from the Roman perspective. Some Jews hate him, as they consider him a turncoat (I hope not), and some Jews love him for telling their story truthfully (that's the version I like). Anyway, since I found out he was a great man, I've decided to just be proud to share his name, and I don't hide it (very much) any more. After all, the name is Italian, and coming from a town with such a proud Italian heritage, it could help me get in to places when I go to the Italian Heritage Festival in September.

And, speaking of September, that is how I remember my first day of school back in 1944.



SCHOOL MEMORIES

CENTRAL JR HIGH SCHOOL BAND




submitted by: J. G Timberlake (WI '48)
Jgtimberlake@aol.com

There was only one school bus to WI. It came from the Quiet Dell area and had only a few riders. Every one else walked or rode the city bus. I lived on Pike Street when I started first grade at the Carlisle School in 1936. I walked to school. The following year we moved to Broad Oaks, but I was allowed to continue at Carlisle.

When I went to Central JHS I still walked, but in bad weather rode the City bus. Somewhere around 1942, the bus company started selling half price ticket to school kids. They might have done this earlier, but since I did not ride the bus I'm not sure. All I remember is my Dad giving me five or ten dollars and I would go over to the bus station and buy a book of tickets. They were about half price or about three and one half cents each.

I have no idea what came later, but there was no cafeteria at school and bringing your lunch was discouraged except for those few kids who rode the bus. We were expected to go home for lunch or eat in town. One of my fondest recollections was getting to eat uptown when my Mother had other appointments. I was usually given a dollar or two for lunch. I normally dashed to Blands' soda fountain and had a tuna salad or chicken salad sandwich and a milk shake. This was really living!!!

In bad weather or if I was in a hurry, I rode the City bus. Very few kids had cars so we had little choice in getting around.



submitted by: Barbara Moore Losh (WI '63)
Ncbl@charter.net



This picture was taken in front of Towers Grade School. It is Miss Hogan's first grade class probably taken in May 1952. Some of the students are as follows: Carol Bates; Kitty Wells; Johnny Gray; Joyce Nichols; Becky Davis; Donnie Oliverio; Barbara Moore; Frances Oliverio; Joyce Reynolds; Gene Saunders. If anyone can identify yourself or others please e-mail.

I remember Miss Hogan as being the greatest first grade teacher one could have. She also taught elocution lessons at her home and had recitals every year.

At one of her recitals I gave the poem "Methuselah" and when I proceeded out upon the stage I fell and was so embarrassed that I could hardly remember the words. I didn't think I would ever get over that episode.

Those were the days when we were able to walk to school. We could eat lunch at the West Virginia Restaurant for about 25 cents and get an ice cream cone at Hagan's for 5 to 10 cents. I remember saving my allowance just so I could stop after school for a treat, but those times were few and far between.

The kids in our neighborhood all played hide and seek just about every weekend. They included Carol Bates, Kitty Wells, Eddie Evans, Jack Wolfe, Janet Cottrill, Gene Saunders, Jimmy Ford and others. Eddie, Jack, and Jimmy were always building a fort in Eddie's grandmother's basement. I remember all the clowns that Eddie drew and that Jack could make those drums talk. Carol and Kitty always played in the band and one of them always had first chair. Those were the good old days.

Bill and I enjoy your letters and look forward to receiving them every month. You do a fabulous job!!!



submitted by: Babe Bisping Cashman (WI '56)
scashman@ucnsb.net

You asked how we got to and from school. I think I told you how lucky I was to have a mom who worked, but was able to match her schedule to mine since she worked for my dad.

Morning and noon she acted as a chauffeur for as many kids as would fit in our car and were headed to and from Stealey. It's a good thing we didn't have to wear seatbelts back then cause we would get as many as seven kids in the back seat alone.

After school, we were on our own to make it back to Stealey with a dime or a bus token. We frequently walked so that we could spend the dime on an after school snack (often from that little bakery on Main Street). Off we would go up Chestnut Street and down to the railroad tracks that went by Hite Field, across the Hartland Bridge, past Zickefoose's to Hartland Ave. and up the hill to Milford Street. We thought that was a really long walk. When it is measured, it is probably less than a mile.



submitted by: Ken McIe (WI '59)
kenmcie@yahoo.com

I was reading the July newsletter, for the umpteenth time, and came upon your suggestions for memories of those lost Septembers we all experienced. Here's my contribution.

And I would sound like 'Ma' from the 'Golden Girls':

Picture it ... it was a sunny Tuesday morning, September 1947. A six-year old skinny kid meets up with his best buddy, Freddy Gyke from across Taft Street. And on the first day of school (never again, I might add), our Moms herd us down the street, down Harrison Street, turning right up Haymond Highway and coming eventually to Alta Vista Grade School. We were all wide-eyed and bright-eyed and innocent ... then.

But I digress, we go in through the front doors and get directed to the first grade classroom (Mrs/Miss Imes). Surely we have been to James and Law for all the school textbooks, workbooks, supplies. Here I go again, digressing. The scary thoughts about what school would be like, (My older brother Virgil took enjoyment with horror stories), disappeared with the smiling faces of Miss Imes and our classmates (for that year and eleven subsequent ones!). The principal, then Mr Lawson, greeted us and we met the janitor (I can see him, but I can't remember his name).

I got 'paddled' - on the first day! Freddy and I got 'carried away', what's new, and I got a swat on my beam end. That day stood out, because Freddy went off to Saint Mary's the next day. We experienced our first real separation.

I was that six-year-old skinny kid.

Freddy and I maintained our friendship through graduation (me from WI and him from Notre Dame) in 1959. Our final separation came just a few years ago when Freddy passed away. Some day, we will be reunited.

Our Septembers continued with the same pattern through the sixth grade. Were they all sunny, pleasant days, those September Tuesdays just after Labor Day? Or does my hazy, fuzzy brain play tricks with memories.....?

Thank you Roleta for letting me ramble on about the 'Good old days'



submitted by: Bill Bryan (RW '57)
PBRNRX64@aol.com

I was born and raised in the Broadway section of Clarksburg. I attended Broadway Grade/Junior High School 1st through 9th grades. It was a well-kept school and had beautiful hardwood floors. For many years, the principal was Fountie Williams--a man we all respected-and feared! One of my most memorable times was a 9th grade (unauthorized) skip day on a late spring day. Ten or more of us from "9-A" rode the bus to town and went to the Orpheum to a movie. As cool 9th grade "seniors", even cooler was Mr. Williams coming down the aisle of the theater and ordering all of us back to school. I don't remember our punishment, but I guess we were all glad we could move on to R-W. (As I type this, I guess it seems pretty corny, considering what kids in school do today!)



submitted by: Mary Elizabeth Weaver Snead (WI '60)
Auntmerts@earthlink.net

Good evening Roleta, after re-reading the newsletter about 5 times (I enjoy it so much each month) I thought I would put my 2 cents worth in about some of my memories of Carlyle Grade School. I attended grade school there and certainly have pleasant memories.

I remember several teachers I had there --Miss Hughes, Mrs. Nance, Mrs. Brown. Remembering 3 out of 6 is pretty good for me.

I also remember during recess the different classes would march out in the hall to big band marching songs and then go back to our classroom and drink milk and have a cookie. Those little bottles of milk seemed so big at the time, but in reality they are very small. Can't find those glass bottles anywhere now.

I can also remember how big the steps were outside and the many stairs we had to climb inside. And of course we played steal the bacon out back of school when the weather was nice enough to go out.

I used to walk to school everyday rain or snow and I can remember one year there were snow tunnels we walked through because of so much snow that year. Must have been in the late 40's or early 50's. There was always a bunch of us that would walk to school together. I would always wait till the gang from Golf Plaza would come by the funeral home (Davis-Weaver) and we'd all walk together. What great times we had.

Thank you once again for doing such an excellent job on the newsletter. I look forward to the first of each month for the newsletter and to recall such pleasant memories. Thank you for helping keep our memories alive.



submitted by: Bernice King McHenry (WI '52)
Bernicemchenry@aol.com

Here are some of my thoughts about first day of school. It begins when the back-to-school ads first show up in the daily paper.....or is it when I experience the crowds of children and parents in W-Mart seeking just the right notebooks?....or does it begin when the teachers' cars are seen in the parking lot of the elementary school down the street?... It REALLY comes when the class lists appear on the front doors of that same school.

What is it? Anticipation? Excitement? Adventure? It's hard to put a label on it, but it's real. The feeling which first began when as a newly turned six year-old, my mother walked with me the length of Duncan Avenue, and up Duff Street hill to Morgan School. There I met new friends, and a teacher, the first of many who welcomed me, and set me on a new journey. (Though they tell the story on me, that I vowed not to return a second day, for the first day was a waste.... We did not learn to read and write immediately!)

But that sense of anticipation, adventure, and excitement which began that year in Miss Chestnut's classroom has stayed with me through the years.

It was there for the beginning at Central Junior High School, changing classes for the first time... then onto the "Hill" more new friends, but still the same anticipation.

Freshman week at college brought still more stretching, but the continued excitement for learning.

I was surprised to find it there as I approached my first teacher's meeting, then met my first classroom of fourth graders!

When I changed careers, I found myself entering the realm of Adult Education... Was I surprised?.. not at all. The love of reading, learning, trying new things, meeting new friends all began that September day at Morgan School.

I'll look for reflections of other WI folks. We do all appreciate the Newsletter and being "connected"


WI ALUMNI PICNIC IN CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

  


If you missed it you missed a great time. Laurels should be placed at the feet of Sharyn Cottrill McGahan for the terrific job she did for the picnic on Saturday, August 23, 2003. She was so well organized. She and husband Jim worked hard and I hope that each of you either thanked them personally or will write them a thank you note. Mtmama41@msn.com.   I can’t think of one thing that they could improve and I asked them to do it again next year. (Put your vote in too!)

They even ordered up perfect weather for the day-what else can you ask. Many thanks to Stumpie Bice (WI 1962) for helping them and to Judy Daugherty Kimler too.

The food was terrific. There are a lot of great cooks who attend the picnic each year. However, I did miss that home made apple cake that Joy Stalnaker’s aunt brought the last couple years. We missed all that family this year.

There were so many new faces this year. We enjoyed seeing some of the classmates from the Class of 1953 who were in town for their 50th reunion. But we missed the ones who were not back again this year. Bill Meredith did a headcount and came up with 106 in attendance at one time or another. A few missed the registration sheet. Several said that many WI Alumni didn’t know about the picnic. We depend on you readers to spread the word and Bob Stealey had a “blip” in his column in “The Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram” (BobnAlong). Next year we will try to publicize it in several ways. But you telling others is a great way!

I believe the largest group was my Class of 1959…Next year we should have even more in attendance! Judy and I will be putting picnic pictures in the newsletter for the next few months so you can see nearly all who were in attendance. All of us who travel 4-15 hours are always amazed that we want to see our old classmates, however there are thousands of WI Alumni in Clarksburg who don’t come to see us. I hope that some will come next year and see how much fun they have seeing old friends. Remember there are no cliques at these picnics!

Those who signed up are:(Notice I have put their e-mail addresses with their names. Some are new to the newsletter.*)

Sue Brice Smith (WI 1953) * ssbsmith74@hotmail.com
Aubrey Smith
Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959) mtmama41@msn.com
Jim McGahan
Willard “Bud” Wheelock (WI 1960) Hawkewoode708@aol.com
Sharon Dillion Wheelock (WI 1962) Hawkewoode708@aol.com
Nadine Criss Stealey (WI 1963) psychnurs@aol.com
Bob Stealey (WI 1964) bobnalong1@aol.com
Konrad Melkus (WI 1955) * KM13787JM@aol.com
Fred Dunham (WI 1957)
Polly Costlow Dennison (WI 1945) *polly812911@cs.com
Patricia Dennison (WI 1977) *triciad20@cs.com
Ann Romine Yoke (WI 1946) annryoke@aol.com
Bill Yoke (WI 1946) annryoke@aol.com
Bob Teter (WI 1960)bteter@chartertn.net
John Teter (WI 1961) jateter@aol.com
Phil Carter (WI 1959) *carter1@verizon.net
Jim Alvaro (WI 1956) Jalvaro@aol.com
Sonja Grossa Alvaro (Bridgeport 1958) sonja1940@aol.com
Mike Snyder (WI 1957) *mesfastwater@hotmail.com
Jill Snyder
Janet Duncan Welch (WI 1955) JanandLynnWelch@aol.com
Lynn Welch (WI 1950) JanandLynnWelch@aol.com
Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) Falvaro33@aol.com
Richard Hanifan (WI 1959) RKHanifan@aol.com
Al Castellana (WI 1950)
Jean Castellana (WI 1952)
Jim Blair (WI 1954)
Gladys Williams (WI 1971)
Anna Williams Walsh (WI 1971) *Gwill1004@aol.com
John Harrison (WI 1956) Johnh@teays.net
Wil Melvin (WI 1953) *Wilnauo@wmconnect.com
Carolyn Layfield Cady (WI 1953) *Cady@napanet.net
Hellen Williams Layfield (WI 1946)
Paula Brasseur Riley (WI 1959)
Michael Terry Riley (WI 1956)
Bob “Meatball" Trent (WI 1956)
Charlotte Tomes Trent (Bridgeport 1959)
Larry Floyd (WI 1958) *LarryFloyd@aol.com
Judy Cutlip Floyd (WI 1959) *LarryFloyd@aol.com
Jerry Paugh (WI 1959)
Roberta Stalnaker Paugh (WI 1965) Rpaugh8998@aol.com
Burlin Tustin (WI 1965) * Mrt918@aol.com
Dick Frush (WI 1959) * frushfamily@aol.com
Emma Lee Hite (WI 1960) emmalee@mailstation.com
Connie Combs Terrango (WI 1961)
Sarah Gervella Frush (WI 1961) * GAFSDF@aol.com
Gary S. Weiner (WI 1960) cias@iolinc.net
Bill Skinner (WI 1949)
Dave Rowe (WI 1962) DCRowe@labyrinth.net
Dick Lejeune (WI 1961)
Ron LeJeune (WI 1963)
Frank S. Martino (WI 1965) *Ttyke1@aol.com
Larry Martino (WI 1959) Mjspoppy@aol.com
Charlie Burkhammer (WI 1959) CBHammer@aol.com
Walter “Sonny” Talkington (WI 1957) Sonny57Talking@aol.com (change of address)
Pat Maylee Mace (WI 1957) SassyMace@aol.com
Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI 1959) jkimler@ezwv.com
JoAnn Zistt Melkus (Bridgeport 1965) KM13787jm@aol.com
Mary Sue Kerns Carr (WI 1953) MSD5328@aol.com
Marty Elliott (WI 1957)
Sharon Elliott VanDevender (WI 1960)
Phil VanDevender (WI 1959)
Bob Hiller (WI 1952) TheHiller2@aol.com
Marian McDonald Hiller (WI 1953) TheHiller2@aol.com
Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959) Roleta1@aol.com
Bill Meredith (Monongah 1957) billmere@aol.com
Dale Allen
Alberta Malfregeot Allen (WI 1953)
Stumpie Bice (WI 1962) evansbice@aol.com
Nancy Bice
Kay Collins (WI 1955)
Bud Collins (WI 1955) KEMils@aol.com
Dianne Douglas (RW 1967)
Don Douglas (WI 1954) CDShine49@aol.com
Pam Wolfe Brown (WI 1960) pameez@aol.com
Jim Brown (WI 1957) jbrown@gabrown.com
Kathie Bowie
Skip Bowie (WI 1957) sbowie1140@aol.com
Ken McIe (WI 1959) KenMcie@yahoo.com
Linda Warner Kulina (WI 1965) * Kulina@mteer.com
Dave Kulina (WI 1961) * Kulina@mteer.com
Glen “Bill” Cowgill (WI 1959) Gcowgill@ix.netcom.com
Nun Cowgill
Chuck Thomas (WI 1956) ThomasDRCR1@juno.com
David Bevan (WI 1961)
Dottie Spears Rihehart (WI 1960) Der42@webtv.net
Ella Grace Spears (WI 1934)
Judie Hardesty Tryslehor (WI 1953) * gilibrary@gia.alaska.edu
Lucy Ropp Hornor (WI 1954) Lhornor@aol.com
Frank Meligan (WI 1949) *Fnnmel@atlantic.net
C. Watson Hartsock
Richard Iaquinta (WI 1964)
Susan Dodds Michaels (WI 1953) *RadheSai@aol.com
Elizabeth Layton (WI 1961) *Ekl120@aol.com
JoAnn Burnett Hurst (WI 1953)
Elanor Rowe Carter (WI 1936)
Chet Rowe (WI 1933)
Doug Aspy (WI 1962) *Dougaspy@yahoo.com
Lynna Sands Davis (WI 1957)
Bill Davis (WI 1958)
George Eicher (WI 1957) *geicher@webtv
Sandra Eicher
James E. Griffin (WI 1965) *FfirG1@aol.com


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

I went to the WI picnic this past weekend in Clarksburg, and was glad that 7 of us from the class of 61 made the effort as we had a REALLY GOOD TIME and shared a lot of memories and conversation (AND good food). A picture of us is attached in case you want to take a look at what we look like today.

Coach Castellano was at the picnic so we asked him to join us for the class of 61 picture.


In the picture are: (from left to right)
Coach Castellano, Dick LeJeune (back), Sarah Gervella Frush (front), Connie Combs Terango, Dave Bevan,
Elizabeth Swiger Layton, John Teter, and Dave Kulina.




LOST SPOON



Help, I am lost! I was left at the WI Alumni Picnic on August 23rd in Clarksburg WV. My family left me behind. I am sure I am going to be missed. I am a large serving spoon and I have been told that my embellishments make me very pretty! I have really pretty roses in full bloom with leaves on each side and a sort of scroll beyond the leaves. Mrs. Roleta took me to her home and copied a picture of my etchings. I am clean and she is keeping me comfortable. But I don’t want to be here. I want to go home. I don’t want to be stored in a strange drawer. I want my family! If you want me to come home, write to Roleta1@aol.com.




WEST VIRGINIA DAYS - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2003
Titusville Florida

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler
jkimler@ezwv.com

Those of you that live or vacation in Florida may already know about this event. I found it while looking for WV graphics a few months ago. http://www.nbbd.com/festivals/wvday/




MISS NUTTER REMEMBERED

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

The questions about Virginia Nutter brought back lots of memories. I had her for junior English. She was a wonderful teacher and very dramatic in her presentations, whether reading poetry or reprimanding one of her students. I know a little about her background because my father, who grew up in Shinston, WV and was a physician, knew her father, who was also from Shinston, and a physician there. As I understand, she was married once, very briefly. She lived in Shinston with her father and mother and drove back and forth each day to teach at Washington Irving.

One incident that happened while I was one of her students was very traumatic for me and possibly for Bob Upton and Tom Progler. We three attended the First Methodist Church and at that time had Thelma Howard for Sunday school. At one point after our class we began complaining to Mrs. Howard about something regarding Miss Nutter and our English class. It was so innocuous that I can’t recall exactly what it was. Mrs. Howard, who was a jokester, brushed off our concerns with some humor and that was the end of it.

Until we got to English class the next day! Miss Nutter asked the three of us to stay after school so she could talk to us. That afternoon, sitting in the front row of chairs next to her desk, we began to undergo “the third degree” over what we had said about her in Sunday school class. We tried to tell her exactly what we had said, and, of course, what Mrs. Howard had said. None of it was good enough for her. She was sure we had said something highly negative and wanted us to confess. By this time, my mouth was getting dry and I kept trying to reassure her that we had not been malicious nor had Mrs. Howard. I’ll never forget a comment she made during the inquisition, “Me thinks thou doth protest too much.” She finally gave up and dismissed us.

One last comment. On hearing about Bob Hope’s death I was reminded that Miss Nutter had a passionate dislike for him. We were not allowed to mention him or write about him. Apparently, it was because of his vulgar jokes. I wonder what she’d say about the humor of today!




MR. JACK FREDERICK

submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)
Hawkewoode708@aol.com

Rolerta,

You and I spoke about Mr. Frederick at the WI Alumni picnic. Here is the information regarding Jack Frederick: for those who would like to send him a card or letter, his address is:

Wishing Well Retirement Home
1543 Country Club Road
Fairmont,WV 26554
Attn: Mr.Edwin J. Frederick
Room328

If they change the room number I will pass that on. I know he would be appreciative of any mail that is sent. Last time I visited with him he was quite chipper and his mind is as clear as a bell.

Gotta run. Looking foreward to the next newsletter. Regards,




THE VACATION

submitted by: John Harrison (WI ’56)
johnh@teays.net

Roleta, I write this in payment of your newsletter, which I truly enjoy. Also, I wish to pay tribute to a teacher I had in third grade at Towers Grade School: Mrs. Delcie Freeman.

I started the first grade at Towers Grade School with some fear and excitement along with several other students in the late forties. My father was a West Virginia State Trooper and we had moved seven times since I had been born in 1938 in Clarksburg. After completing the first grade, we moved to Princeton, WV where I started the second grade in an entirely new school.

In mid December 1946, just before Christmas, my father, Burr W. Harrison, age 33 was killed in the line of duty. I can barely remember finishing the second grade, but finish I did and was promoted to the third grade. My mother, brother and I relocated yet another time and returned to Clarksburg and I returned to familiar Towers Grade School to begin the third grade. This was my first experience with Mrs. Freeman. I was so thrilled to have her as a teacher that I tried my best to please her. I had developed a stuttering habit by this time and she did her best to help me over come it. That unfortunately did not happen. At any rate, I managed to complete the third grade with fairly decent grades.

As the end of the school year neared, I was delighted to find out that Mrs. Freeman would be teaching our class for yet another year... fourth grade. As school came to an end we had discussions about going on vacation. I had never been on a vacation in my life, although I had visited relatives in Maryland and West Virginia…..but a vacation, was totally new to me. As Mrs. Freeman stood in front of the class and told us about her upcoming trip to Silver Springs Maryland, I thought that would be the best vacation ever, so after class I simply asked her if I could go with her to Silver Springs. Now, I know, many of you are thinking, he wouldn’t do that. He really wouldn’t go. And of course, she would not let him go. Well, you are wrong. I really did ask and believe it or not, she got in touch with my mother and I was off to Maryland with my third grade teacher and her family. She actually took me with her. I enjoyed the best vacation and the first I ever had taken.

I tell you this because I am convinced that we had some of the best teachers in the state. They not only taught us in the classroom, they gave us experiences that have lasted a lifetime. Thank you Mrs. Freeman for making a little boy feel wanted, at a time when that was really important to him. I have never forgotten your kindness and your interest in making me feel important.



BARB AND JIM WARREN

submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI '58)
Dblu2@aol.com

Those precious children are Jim and Barbara Warren. I recognize Jim particularly. They lived on Pick St in Stealey and not far from where I grew up. Barbara and I had a lot of fun times growing up. I tagged along with her a couple of times delivering newspapers for her brother, Jim. She did a lot of babysitting and sometimes I would drop by to keep her company. Occasionally, I would walk home from school with her. She was an economizer. She walked rather than ride the bus. I babysat, gave perms and haircuts for extra spending money, but then spent it on mashed potatoes and cokes at the drug store.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I should have explained last month that I lost several parts of the August newsletter due to computer malfunction and telephone line trouble. One such letter was the above one from Carol. If any others were lost in cyberspace, please re-write and re-send. I have had the second phone line removed.



submitted by: Bill Bryan (RW '57)
PBRNRX64@aol.com

Thank you for including me on your WI Newsletter mailing list. As an "outsider" (R-W, 1957), I still know some of the respondents and pictures/information on Clarksburg. You're doing a great job and service to us who are into reminiscence.

Having seen Jim Warren's name in the newsletter recently, here is a story about him of which I'm sure he will ALWAYS remember. As 15 year olds, we both played Babe Ruth League baseball. Jim played for the Clarksburg Rotary, and I played for the Broadway Reds. This game we were getting soundly beaten by Rotary. Our pitcher was wild and had walked many batters. There were no pitchers available to relieve, so our coach, Pudge Bryan (my uncle), called me in from center field to pitch--his only words-"DON'T WALK ANYONE". I believe then, never having pitched in competition before, I became the "greatest batting practice pitcher" ever. As I remember, there were two outs, bases loaded, and Jim at bat. One swing and a home run. Rotary batted "a round" (no walks I might add), and Jim came to bat again, bases loaded. Yep-another home run! I often wonder, in organized ball of any kind, if this is not the one-and-only time anyone has hit two grand-slam home runs in the SAME INNING. I finally got the third out. I don't ever remember my Uncle Pudge calling on me to pitch again! Thanks Jim - for keeping me humble! (maybe we can both make it to the next Sarasota get-together)



ARKO MARBLES

submitted by: Charles M. Ferrell (WI '46)
eagle1928@starpower.net

The stories about marbles from the Akro Agate plant bring back fond memories. I had hundreds of marbles from that source. At Morgan School our fifth grade class was located in a separate frame building next to the large brick school. We had a family of skunks that lived in the inner dark depths of the structure. One morning one of our classmates brought his slingshot along with a pocket of marbles to school. Before class started this fellow proved to be an excellent shot with this primitive weapon and scored a direct hit. We did not have class that morning or several days after until the smell left our classroom.

At WI some of the students would release marbles in the ventilation ducts on the top floor. They would make a terrible racket as they dropped through the pipes to the basement. Another prank was to put marbles in some of the hubcaps on student's cars. Ah, those marvelous marble memories!



submitted by: Janet Duncan Welch (WI '55)
JanandLynnWelch@aol.com

Roleta - I felt that I should respond to Judy Allen Hutson's very nice piece in the August newsletter. So, if you want to put this in the next newsletter, that is fine with me.

Judy doesn't know how very flattered I am that she thought so much of me. I am so pleased that I was that important in her life. When friendships are formed in those early years, they last a lifetime. Judy also doesn't realize how important she has become to me. She is there for me always.

Judy and her daughters came to visit us last year. She looks great and has two very pretty daughters. We were both very comfortable and it was if we had never been apart. And, my husband has a cousin that he never knew that he had before. How great can that be?

Roleta - keep up the good work. My husband and I enjoy the newsletter so much. Hope to see you at the picnic.



submitted by: Burnell Lynch (WI '49)
BurnellLynch@prodigy.net

Just got the web site for the WI newsletter, very nice, great memories. Please add my name to your distribution list. Burnell Lynch WI '49 (Burnie)

It was great to read about your activities, and memories. We live in Hobe Sound, FL, north of Jupiter. We are currently in Arthurdale, WV for the summer vacation. Maybe I'll figure a way to send some photo's that most will remember.



submitted by: Elise Andre (WI '55)
elise_andre@berea.edu

Hi!

Let me join with all those thanking you for all the work you do publishing this fine newsletter for us. I was surprised to find that Mary Beth Jeranko Hilburn was looking for me--and will write to her. I attended the picnic in Nutter Fort a couple of years ago, on my way back from my sister's on Cape Cod, but cannot make this year's. Perhaps next year. I have been on the go a lot this summer: one-week retreat in KY, two-week trip in MT and the Canadian Rockies, one-week meeting in St. Louis, and now a two-week trip to visit friends and family in New England. In connection with writing a book about one of the Belgian families that helped downed airmen in World War II, I will be back in Belgium and France in September.

By the way, I prefer that you send the newsletter to my other email account (on the Berea College campus, where I go to use email): elise_andre@berea.edu. Thanks. And happy rest of the summer,

P.S. About Miss Nutter, I never had her as a teacher but always had the fiendish desire to mess up her hairdo, as there was never one hair out of place!



submitted by: Diana Sue Cleavenger Swiger (WI '66)
Mamaswag6@aol.com

Re: Charmichael Auditorium: I can remember going there to see the Harlem Globetrotters when I believe in grade school. Then when I was in high school I went there to roller skate. Thank you for this newsletter. PS I have contacted Sandra Fox Smith. Thanks to your readers.



submitted by: Charles M. Farrell (WI '46)
Eagle1928@starpower.net

I really enjoyed reading the WI Newsletters. I will send you a bit of wisdom from my youth at Morgan School, Jr high school and WI. I was drafted in Dec 1950 after the Nov snowstorm into the US Army Armored Infantry Third Armored Division with WI graduates Al Gensel, Tony and Billy Pinion, Jerry Berman and Patsy Bart. We took a troop train to Fort Knox, KY that was one heck of a trip. Some of the draftees took liquid refreshments, that they passed around. Some of the non-drinkers would take the bottles to the john to increase the volume and flavor. Our train car was noisy so I went to the rear to sit with the conductor. I asked how he could stand this noise. He said that he did not mind since in the next baggage car were several quiet GIs being returned to Kentucky for final burial.



submitted by: Judy Allen Hutson (WI '56)
Judithahutson@webtv.net

Thank you so much for running my little article about hooking up with my best friend - Janet Duncan. Janet and I e-mail each other quite often and I call her as often as I can. Since I have started reading your WI newsletter I have so far heard from Steve Limbers (a fellow tap dancer), Babe Bisping (also a Mary Berger alumni) and am hoping others will follow. We all go through life never thinking about those we knew in school but when we get a certain age - they become so very important. When I was a freshman at WI high school, a bunch of sophomores took me under their wing and helped me through a very difficult time. Their names were - Janet Duncan, Nancy Brannon, Sandy Leasburg, and Betsy Murphy. They knew I was having a difficult time, my dad was working in Oklahoma for Pittsburg Plate Glass Co. and I knew there was the possibility that we would have to move there. My friends surrounded me with love and helped me get through my freshman year at WI. I don't think kids today appreciate what friends really are. We would all get together for lunch, after school at Blands, on Friday nights we would go to open houses, and on Saturday nights - it would be a slumber party at my house because my mother played with the Bill Brookover orchestra and was never home. After we moved I missed those times so much and couldn't believe how good my life was when I lived in Clarksburg.

You have helped me so much (with the newsletters) get in touch with my past and I am still hoping to hear from people that knew me when I was either in Morgan, Central, or - good old Washington Irving. Hang in there, don't give up, and know how much the Newsletter is appreciated by people that have had to move from there and always wondered - what ever happened to? Thanks again.



submitted by: Betty E. Starkey

Both of my children graduated from WI. Teresa E. Snider Fazio - 1967 and John R. Snider - 1969. I enjoy reading about the people I know. I was trying to get on the e-mail list, but evidently fouled up. Thanks for your e-mail.



submitted by: David Bevan (WI '61)
Dabevan445@hotmail.com

Have really enjoyed the newsletter, and this is my first attempt to send you an article and I'm not sure of the correct procedure. If it's usable fine, if it's not please let me know what to correct. I graduated from WI in 1961 and later from Fairmont State College. During my senior year I interviewed for employment with different companies in different industries, and was having a difficult time deciding what I wanted to do. My fiancee, now my wife, suggested that I talk with some of the insurance companies. My response was that I had no desire to spend my working career reading insurance contracts. I worked in the aluminum industry for 18 years and then had the opportunity to go into the insurance business where I have been for the past 15 years. One day a client asked how I got into this business and I relayed the above story. After listening intently he said that he had something for me. This is what he gave me.

GODS REASONS

I don't know how to say it
but somehow it seems to me
that maybe we are stationed
where God wants us to be.

That little place we're filling
is the reason for our birth
and just to do the work we do
he sent us down to earth.

If God had wanted otherwise
I reckon he'd have made
each one of a little different
of a worse or better grade.

And since God knows and understands
all things of land and sea
I fancy that he placed us here
just where he wanted us to be.

Some times we get to thinking
as our labors we review
that we should like a higher place
with greater things to do.

But we come to the conclusion
when the envying is stilled
that the post to which God sent us
is the post he wanted filled.

And there isn't any service
we can scorn
for it may be the reason
God allowed us to be born.




submitted by: Carolyn Hornor Wilson (WI ?)
chw10@gv.psu.edu

I am so impressed by the professionalism that you have given each edition. Although I do not recognize a lot of the names, I do enjoy the comradely and the reuniting of old friendships. Having been an only child and having gone away to school for the last two years of high school, I have rejoiced at connecting with old friends. I guess that I feel that friends are your “chosen” family and can certainly broaden your horizons.

Continue to do such a superb job. You are a real asset to the memories and friends of Washington Irving.



submitted by: Roger Duncan (WI '57)
roger.duncan@oracle.com

I am a WI non-graduate as I moved my senior year. I would have graduated in 1957. I completed my senior year in Akron Ohio but raised in Clarksburg and went to Morgan Grade School and Central Junior High. I have these forwarded to me by friends. I do enjoy the newsletters and would appreciate being put on the list. Thanks,



submitted by: Karen Lou Myers Horton (WI '66)
Missygk519@aol.com

I really enjoy reading this newsletter and look forward to more. I went to WI from 62 to 66. Was in the band, played a cornet from grade school. My sister Sharon was 2 years ahead of me. Our family had the Pizza Plaza and lived in the big white house behind it. I will do some more thinking and e-mail you again with what all I remember. Again thank you -



submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
Mysto99@aol.com

Re: the material-note from JOHN PETERS (Notre Dame) who worked originally at WPDX-Radio was great. I always listened to John in the mornings as I went to school- at WI. The station tower was at Country Club Addition off Rt.19 South of Clarksburg, & is yet there today. I watched the tower being built from my then & current home. John Graham and his wife Sue, were "Little John and Cherokee Sue" and did "live" studio shows weekdays along with Buddy Starcher --a national recognized country/western singer and songwriter. Sponsor "Sun-Way vitamins" were offered.--- Sue passed away sometime ago, John retired from his plumbing business and yet sings in the church choir. John Peters was recently employed in the Clarksburg-Harrison Country Sheriff's office. (I worked with John as original staff-ANNOUNCER-members of WBOY-TV when they got on the air around 1958)..WHAR, Mutual/ABC network.. was at the bottom of Bridgeport Hill. Paul Ellison brought us the first up-to-date-then young current music with his late night DJ show, "Painted Rythm". Paul passed away just recently. Jim Harper was their local long-time sports play-by-play announcer. (I applied for a job at WHAR while in high-school..and Jim Harper asked me.." why did I want to work in Radio?"-- I failed the test--and couldn't really answer it correctly for Jim-I never got a job there.-Hey JIM wherever you are:I will be starting my 12th year of local play-by-play radio sports this year)-------WBLK was NBC network over Robinson Grand Theatre.--- I also was an original staff-member announcer of WJPB-TV, Weston -built by former water-commissioner of Fairmont, Pat Beacon, who also built Fairmont-Channel 35-HFTV in early 1950's. But no one could bring it in on the few TV sets out there--- I also worked there. WJPB-TV changed call letters to WDTV (which it is today). John Peters was general-manager of WDTV at one time. A small world perhaps when you think how things and people connect. And I hope an interesting bit of broadcasting-history of Clarksburg and it's people from a WI Grad.---AND--Keep up the great work with the Monthly Letter..!!!!



WI BAND

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler
jkimler@ezwv.com

Last month, in the JULY TRIVIA PICTURE letters several people mentioned watching parades with Henry Mayer and the WI band. I thought you might like a couple of pictures of the band marching down Main St.







TO CONTRIBUTE PHOTOS TO THE NEWSLETTER

To send photos via mail, contact Judy Daugherty Kimler who you can reach at jkimler@ezwv.com or Roleta Smith Meredith who you can reach at Roleta1@aol.com. You can mail the pictures to one of us, we will scan them and return them ASAP. Or if you have a scanner, scan them in as a j-peg file and email them to either one of us. All articles---please send to Roleta1@aol.com.

WRITING TO ME
Roleta1@aol.com

When writing to me, make sure you sign your name, school and year you graduated or would have graduated. You are catalogued by a number here too.

Stop and think how many numbers describe you. To name a few: your birth certificate number, school and year of graduation, social security number, age, weight, size of clothing, your driver’s license, your car tag, house number, 10 digit phone number, invoice numbers, and don’t forget that big long number that is on every credit card.


KUSTOM KAR NATIONALS

submitted by: Barry Mazza (WI '58)
Mutzy007@aol.com



Glad to make a payment, you do a great job and I look very forward to seeing the newsletter each month.

I have some news about one of my cars which is on tour right now across the United States. This car is pictured above.

At the Kustom Kar Nationals , which was just in Hamilton, Ohio, my car the "Aztec" was voted the most outstanding Kustom Kar in America. Now this is quite an award as it takes into consideration every car built in the USA over the past 60 years.

The award will be in the Custom Hall of Fame , which is in Oklahoma. I hope to have the car on the west coast this winter and it will be in the Peterson display in LA which has about 80 cars that represent the best of the sports evolution over the years.

I hope some of you get to see the car in person. It was featured in last month issue of "Rodders Journal" #22 . One of my other cars a 41 Buick was featured in last months Rod and Custom magazine.

That’s about it from hot and humid Florida.


A photo of wife Jeanie and me at our local pub




MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
MUSIC FROM THE SUMMER OF 1968

submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
BobnAlong1@aol.com

Don't know how many '68 grads will recognize these as having been popular when they got their diplomas, but here are a few that should make you remember those days. I worked as a disc jockey on a couple different occasions.
From the summer of 1968:

"People Wanna Be Free," the Rascals
"Reach Out in the Darkness," Friend and a Lover
"Born to Be Wild," Steppenwolf
"You've Made Me So Very Happy," Blood, Sweat & Tears
"I Wish It Would Rain," The Temptations
"Young Girl," Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
"Honey," Bobby Goldsboro
"McArthur Park," Richard Harris
"This Guy's in Love With You," Herb Alpert
"Mrs. Robinson," Simon & Garfunkel
"Sunshine of Your Love," Cream
"Get Offa My Cloud," The Rolling Stones
"Hey Jude," The Beatles


Those are just a few of 'em. There may be some that were popular in earlier '68 or later '68. Another special year of music will be in the next newsletter. Don't Let the Music Die!



MUSIC FROM THE LATE 50’S

submitted by: Jerry and Carolyn Pinella Warne (WI '59)
Wrmychsnut@aol.com

Oh, those were the BEST SONGS EVER....... THOSE OLDIES BUT GOODIES.........

We can remember Splish Splash, Little Darlin', One Summer Night, Silhouettes, The Book of Love..... and the " BELAIRS " singing at our Senior Chapel.......... Oh, we couldn't forget Gerard Folio and the Prodicals and dancing the night away at Willow Beach....... We danced every dance and we still weren't ready to go home... Dancing was the thing we all did and had so much fun..... Oh, yes, the BELAIRS were Pidge McGahan, Mickey McGowan, Eugene Davis and Terry and Jerry Warne ........... sometimes Johnny Christie....... Those were the good ol days........Great Memories............

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a favorite song? Every time you hear a certain song does it bring back a distinct memory for you? Each month Bob Stealey has offered to share the titles of some songs with us. I hope that your memories will be jogged by these lists and you will write to me with your own lists or special song. Write Roleta1@aol.com



PEPPERONI ROLLS

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

I was interested in reading the comment in the August Newsletter from Claire Nicewarner Conley about pepperoni rolls. Joe Argiro of Country Club Bakery in Fairmont might well have marketed them first, although I would agree that 1927 might be a bit early.

I grew-up in Monongah in Marion County. Legend has it that the first pepperoni rolls were those carried into the coal mines by miners in their dinner (lunch) buckets. They consisted of a loaf of Italian bread & a stick of hard pepperoni. This plus water was their daily lunch. As stated earlier, Joe Argiro may have been first, but a man named Clyde Batiste from Monongah started baking them in about 1945 & selling them to various stores & restaurants. I'll never forget his black panel truck with the advertisement for pepperoni rolls painted on each side. His efforts certainly introduced them to the far ends of north central West Virginia. I have purchased hundreds of rolls from County Club Bakery, but now look for those with "less bread" on my W.Va. visits.

Incidentally, thanks to Sen. Byrd, W.Va. bakers are exempt from buying a federal "meat license". Bakers in Columbus OH have told me they can't make pepperoni rolls because of the problems they would encounter handling the meat.

Thank goodness for pepperoni rolls. They give me another excuse to go back home.


TRIVIA PICTURE FOR AUGUST

submitted by: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)
Mshaf26478@aol.com

I think the Trivia Picture is of Pierpoint Grade School.

I attended Pierpoint for only 1 year and that was when I was in the 6th grade. Miss Whalen was the principal and the 6th grade teacher. I sat in the first seat just inside the door and because of that I got to answer the office phone when it would ring because Miss Whalen was in the classroom instead of the office. I thought I was really something.



submitted by: Connie Bailey Casto (WI '59)
Castoca@aol.com

This looks like Pierpont Grade School where I taught for quite a few years when I returned to Clarksburg. Except for the lack of teacher parking space, I always enjoyed the large classrooms with high ceilings. I had one of the early Special Education classes, which was a self-contained class rather than resource. Education was a joy then. Today, at least in Florida, we have so much paper work and testing mandates that I am more anxious for retirement every day.



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

My guess on the trivia picture is Pierpont Grade School located at the corner of Sycamore Street and Pike Street. The school has now been torn down and replaced with a commercial building. When the school was being torn down, people were invited to come to the site and take a brick for souvenir purposes. I ended up with a brick from Pierpont as did my brother and sister and PROBABLY even my mother. If I remember correctly, one of the things that I remember about Pierpont (as I went there) is that there were two of the six teachers at the school who had the same last name, which I think was Gifford. It was a shame to see the school go unused for a really long time before it was torn down and replaced with the commercial building.

GOOD NEWSLETTER, again! Thanks.



submitted by: Sharon Myers Hall (WI ‘64/’65)
Shall@c-gate.net

What a wonderful newsletter! When I first found it a year or so ago I thought it was just for the Class of ’59. I received an email from Diana Clevenger a couple of months ago and was very surprised to see so many graduating years being referenced. ………….and the memories, what can I say? Diana and I had found each other through a classmate's site on the Internet where we both registered at Pierpont Grade School. This is another question, was it Pierpoint or Pierpont??

That brings me to August’s trivia picture, it is Pierpont Grade School. I went to that school 1st thru 6th. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Gifford #1, if I remember correctly her first name was Marie. Second grade was Mrs. Gifford #2, I believe they were sisters-in-law. Third grade was Mrs. DeVito, I remember her very clearly because when we were learning to read, the sentence which I was to read aloud had the word “sandwich” which I could not pronounce. Mrs. DeVito told me to say “sand” then “witch”, all I could see in mind was a witch in the sand. She asked me what I have for lunch sometimes, when I finally got to sandwich she said that is the word, but I still could not get that witch out of the sand. Fourth grade, I don’t remember very much about that grade. I believe the teacher’s name was Mrs. Weaver, if anyone else has memories maybe that may trigger mine. Fifth grade was Mrs. Riley; she was one of my favorite teachers. Sixth grade was the principal Mrs. Whalen (is that correct?). How I dreaded that year because everyone said she was a strict teacher, but I really enjoyed sixth grade.

I remember David Lynch’s mother coming several times to teach us to square dance.

The grade school kids had to use the stairs in the back of the building, I think the front stairs were too steep for our short legs. In my mind’s eye I can still see and hear the DE students running up and down those stairs. I think it was Mr. Davis that taught the Distributive Education Class at Pierpont in the 50’s.

I lived on Sycamore Street until 5th grade then we moved to Gandy Street. We walked to school, rain or snow; we never had “snow days” back then. I can remember in first grade a thunderstorm came up and a lot of us kids were scared, the thunder booming and lighting flashing, all I wanted was to go home. Mrs. Gifford pulled the window blinds down. I guess that calmed some of us.

Another thought, we had to wear handkerchiefs pinned on our dresses for runny noses?? and sneezing. I can remember trying to choose which one I wanted to wear with what dress.

I will never forget Patsy’s store on the corner of Locust and Sycamore. We did not have a lot of money, but we did get “penny candy” and they had “Hot Tamale’s” not the Mexican kind….these were like jelly beans but were cinnamon and hot…but we bought them and ate them. I also remember Smith Brother’s cough drops, black and red. Good and Plenty, Tootsie Rolls, wax lips, wear them for a while then chew them like gum, small wax bottles filled with flavored liquid, the powdery bubble gum in base ball cards??. The Ware’s, the owners of Patsy’s, made a lot of money off of all our families in the neighborhood.

Those are a few of my memories of good old Pierpont Grade School, which is no longer there.



submitted by: Nancy Mayer Capilla (WI '59)
Rcapilla@worldnet.att.net

I want to say again that you all do a wonderful job thanks. I remember some of the teachers Mrs. Riley, Mrs. Weaver, and Mrs. DeVito and I cannot recall the principal's name. Thing I remember she used to throw erasers at pigeons and after school I would take them home so Dad and I could fix them up. Also I remember Mrs. DeVito teaching multiplication they were on the board in a circle.



submitted by: Jack (Leslie) Holdsworth (WI '49)
lholdswo@tampabay.rr.com

I remember being chosen to carry the US Flag at the head of the boy’s line to the restroom just before recess. It was about 1939. I attended the 1st through part of the third grade. While in second grade my teacher sent me to a fourth grade class to demonstrate Zaner-Blosser hand writing skills to the embarrassed students there. I started wearing glasses in the third grade. I remember Albert Paletta and Barbara Grimm. Albert and I got in some trouble with a girl in the cloak room after school when we were painting lard cans for our mother's Christmas gifts and when Santa (Mr. Robinson, the janitor) brought candy gifts to our room, Albert and I had been omitted from the recipients list. Ha, embarrassment was a strong teaching technique in those days.



submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)
Hawkewoode708@aol.com

Yes, that's my first Alma Mater. I went there from 1948 to 1954. Sadly it is now gone and a doctor's office stands there. I wasn't quite ready with my story about growing up in the Westend in the late 40's and early 50's but no better time than now.

I lived on Glendale Avenue, which is still there though so much of the area is gone, up behind the present McDonald's. There was of course the old Red Head gas station across the street by Stout's Restaurant Supply, which is still going strong after all these years. And the old Spur gas station right at the foot of the hill. I don't remember a Kroger's there at the time. We had the brass Rail restaurant (later Garney's) and of course my favorite place right across from the school was White's Drug Store. Every Sunday after church my parents & I would stop in for a cherry coke and I would read as many comic books as time would permit.

Heading down the street toward the river we had a Tucker dealership in what now serves as HQ for Channel 46 (Fox) TV. I saw one of the few Tuckers ever made and was awed by it. Later the building served as a National Guard Armory. Anyone remember those Armistice Day parades when they had a couple of Sherman tanks clattering down Main Street? And there was Peck Auto (now a Subway) with Mopars to intrigue us. Pringle Motor with its Packards and Callahan with its Lincolns and Mercurys. Boy we couldn't wait until we were old enough to drive one of those beauties! Mr.Crutchfield's barber shop and the single-stall West End Fire Station stood alongside the A.G.Davis tire shop right by the railroad tracks.

I was lucky enough to live right above the railroad tracks. My dad worked for the B&O for 40 years and railroading has been in my blood. My most vivid memory of the railroad is when a hundred-car coal train from the Mt.Clare mines would be headed our way. They always let out long blasts on their whistle to let everyone know they were coming. Next thing I knew my mom would come running out the back door to try to get all the laundry down and inside before the train got there. Sometimes she didn't quite make it. I didn't want to go inside. I wanted to see the train. One time I was allowed to do this. No less than eight steamers were hauling that train and they sat at the West end crossing for quite a while. Smoke, soot, cinders rained down and I LOVED IT! Now going to Cass is the best I can do.

Pierpont was an experience. The only young teacher I had was Miss Gifford, who became Mrs.Weekley and was later on one of the main leaders of the YWCA. I loved school. Did any of you have the other Ms. Gifford who taught second grade? She terrorized us all. Miss De Vito was my third grade teacher. She was an awesome Italian lady who was a class act. Miss Weaver in 4th grade was the only teacher ever to board me. She seemed big enough to play pro football. She got frustrated because of my penmanship (or lack of it) or maybe just because I was a "lefty". Did any of you feel like they had it in for you because of that? How come we aren't considered a minority group? It's a wonder she didn't kill me because the harder she whaled me the harder I laughed. Miss Whalen was the Principal and also my 6th grade teacher. Luckily I was her "pet" and never got any discipline when I was sent to see her. I feel I really got a first class education at Pierpont that I doubt anyone could get today in one of our huge elementary schools here.

Back then we didn't get Phys Ed. We got our exercise at recess. Most exercise we got was when Mr.Thompson the janitor got after us. He was fast for an old man. It was great to be able to go home for lunch every day. The only time I can remember getting off from school was when we had the blizzard of 1950. That happened over Thanksgiving so we really didn't miss much school. I almost forgot to mention my favorite place in the area. That was Wilson Motor Co. that stood across from Hartland Planing Mill. I probably stopped there almost every day before going home. I loved Fords and still do. They had a display in their window every Christmas with a miniature of their building and a conveyor belt that took little Fords past it. Mr. Wilson gave me one of them as a present. Unfortunately, they had a disastrous fire there in 1957 that put them out of business at that location.

Whew. I could go on and on, but better close for now. I would like to hear from any of the folks who went to Pierpont back in the "good ole' days" See you at the picnic!



submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
Skeith1514@aol.com

I spent my first school year in a new town at Pierpont Grade School... And there I met many wonderful kids, including my lifelong friend, Pam Jacobson Waugh.

Our 6th grade teacher (also the principal) was Miss Whalen. She was very intelligent, but had her idiosyncrasies .. A dress, needing hemming or mending,would be held together with safety pins. She insisted we stretch ourselves..and we were given additional spellings lists by her each week because she thought the accepted curriculum too easy...and she taught proper word usage. "You can't 'fix' dinner, it isn't broken. You prepare dinner.", she would say..or if she overheard that someone was mad at another student...we were told.." You are angry, if you were 'mad', you would be in Weston (State Hospital)".

During penmanship we labored over our "push pulls and ovals" made on special writing paper, with blue Zaner Blosser pens and booklets..The paper had to be positioned at just the right angle and elbows pointing out, all for proper slant. Just to be able to use a pen was a privilege. Rights of passage along with first high heels (1 inch) and hose worn for church on Sunday with the latest in fashion, the Sac Dress. (smile)

Having no playground, was no problem. David Lynch's mom came every Friday with records to teach all interested to square dance. Desks against the wall gave spectators good seats..And the old wooden floor creaked and thumped with the swinging legs and stomping feet of twelve 6th grade couples.

We were allowed to create a talent show and perform it before our parents and friends. There was a very small auditorium, stage and all, next to our classroom. Pam and I wore gingham dresses that nearly matched, as we sang with the records of Lollipop and Tonight You Belong To Me (Just to little 'ol me)..

And the parting memories, along with salt maps drying in the sills of the tall windows, must include one tall-for-his-age Johnny Johnston stating he was leaving and stomping out to the cloakroom.. Quickly, Miss Whalen went out the other door and met him in the hall, bringing him back in bent down to her height by her death grip on his right ear.. We all grew up in spite of it, I guess.. Ha Ha.



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@alo.com

The trivia photo for September is of the former Pierpont Grade School which was located at West Pike and Sycamore Streets. It was built around 1907. Before being classified as in Clark District, Harrison County, the Pierpont School was in the Clarksburg Independent District until 1933.

Some of the principals through the years were as follows:
C.E. Williams (1918-1939)
Alice Whalen (1939-1959)
Pearl Ford (1959-1973) **
Irene L. Riley (1973-1976)
Richard Lantz (1976 until into the early 1980’s)

**Mrs. Ford was also principal at Chestnut Hills Grade School for a time while a principal at Pierpont.

The School closed in 1990. It was later demolished to make way for a doctor’s office building in 1997. See picture below:


Above picture furnished by Freddie Layman (VHS '46)-thanks Freddie!


EDITOR’S NOTE: While talking to Jim Brown at the WI Alumni Picnic on August 23 in Clarksburg, I asked him if the school was Pierpont or Pierpoint? He said it was Pierpont and he believed it was named after Francis Pierpont, former governor or WV. I asked him to write me something about Mr. Pierpont….:

submitted by: Jim Brown (WI '57)
Jbrown@gabrown.com

FRANCIS HARRISON PIERPONT
January 25, 1814 - March 24, 1899


Governor of the Restored Government of Virginia. Born in Monongalia County, western Virginia, Pierpont’s family moved when he was a year old to a site on a triangle of land where the Tygart and West Fork rivers join to form the Monongahela in present-day Marion County. He became a teacher and an attorney before becoming immersed in politics during the 1850s. A key player in organizing the Wheeling Conventions of 1861 that led to the creation of West Virginia, he was elected governor of the Restored Government of Virginia but was never governor after the new state was admitted to the Union. Confederate raiders burned his personal library after the Battle of Fairmont in 1863. Pierpont’s political career did not survive the turbulent years of Reconstruction, and he was removed from office Apr. 4, 1868.

His efforts in creating the 35th state earned him the nickname "Father of West Virginia." One of his business partners, James Otis Watson, with whom Pierpont established the first coal mine in Fairmont, is sometimes called the Father of the West Virginia Coal Industry. Pierpont died in Pittsburgh and is buried in Fairmont’s Woodlawn Cemetery.



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR SEPTEMBER 2003



If you recognize the above picture, send your memory and guess to Roleta1@aol.com --please always include name, school and year you did or would have graduated … thanks



NEW E MAIL ADDRESSES

Charles M. Farrell (WI '46) Eagle1928@starpower.net
Betty E. Ayers Starkey (WI '47) bettyboopdodge@aol.com
Marey Lynn Ferrell Reardon (WI '47) Mlrsmokey@aol.com
Fred Wilson (WI '48) jfredmugs8@msn.com
Nancy Crane Jones (WI '48) njones@eohio.net
Bill Shaw (WI '56) bill@lawshaw.com
Mary Ellen Shachat Killingsworth (WI '56) dshachat1@davtv.com and
mn12@umail.umd.edu
Penny Fish Wolverton (WI '57) bpwolv@webtv.net
Marty and Rusty Elliott (WI '57) elliott@panax.com
Roger Duncan (WI '57) roger.duncan@oracle.com
Kay Gum Mihaliak (WI '61) Gramsanapping@aol.com
Kitty Wells Ray (WI '63) KITTY4900@aol.com
Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64) Skeith1514@aol.com
Karen Myers Horton (WI '66) missygk519@aol.com
Joellen Welch Nieman (WI '70) hjnieman@msn.com


CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Sandy Conaway Mason (WI '54) Sandy-Lou@SBCglobal.net
Anne Harter Corbett (WI '57) rcorbett@tampabay.rr.com
Marty Elliott (WI '57) elliott@panax.com
Arbradella Maylee Mace (WI '57) SASSYMACE@iolinc.net




HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEPTEMBER BABIES

12 Carol Grow Robey (WI '57) Garcar928@earthlink.net
20 Leslie McKinley (Mrs. John) Wallace (Would have been WI '60) momvol@aol.com
28 Mickey Drummond (WI '60) Kato@Innet.com
30 Judy Zabeau Shepherd (ND '58) JZShepherd@aol.com
      Bob Davis (WI '59) rad2906@aol.com
      Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74) Dfisher4140@cs.com


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

21   Richard F Tetrick (WI '47) and Joanne W Tetrick (WI '52)   Fragilegranny@msn.com




PRECIOUS CHILDREN FOR AUGUST


    


submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)
majett@atlantic.net

I recognize the "precious children" as Don and George Cinci. Don (WI '56) and George (WI '60). Don's eyes and George's curly hair give them away. Don always seemed to be taller than the rest of us.

The "mystery trivia picture" is the Pierpont School. I could place the school but could not think of the name of it until I had some help from a former student there.

Hoping the Clarksburg-WI picnic is a big success.




PRECIOUS CHILD FOR SEPTEMBER 2003



Do you recognize this precious child? Write your guess and a memory to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember, I don’t publish incorrect guesses. Please sign all email with your name (include maiden name if that applies), school and year you did or would have graduated….thanks



WI RADIO CLUB

submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)
bmcintyre@ec.rr.com

In 1962-1965 the WI Radio Club had weekly one hour programs on two Clarksburg stations, Saturday mornings on WHAR 1340 (on Bridgeport Hill) and Sunday afternoons on WPDX 750 (above Hagan's Ice Cream). Since WHAR was the area rock station, they had all the current hit records for us to play. It was a different story at WPDX because of their country music format. They received promotional copies of rock and soul songs and they just put them in a big box for us to pick from.

Each station provided an engineer to play the records we picked out; all we had to do was talk when they opened our microphone. We had occasions of "mic fright" when club members would freeze when they were supposed to be reading an announcement or song dedication. In those situations I had no problem jumping in for them and covering the "dead air". Bill Quinn and Carol Gottlieb weren't bashful either. There were enough radio club members that with four persons on each station per weekend, we only would be on every third week or so. However I was on our programs on both stations almost every week because there were always people needing to find a fill-in.

My interest in radio was noticed by Al (Newton) Cox and when a weekend d.j. job came open at WHAR in February 1964 he offered me the job. Through June of 1965, when I graduated and moved to Columbus Ohio, I worked with Mike King, Lee Rhodes, Terry Cassel, Flo Vespoint, Bob Hilber, Charlie Gaylord and General Manager Jim Fawcett. My show was called "Mac's Shack" and some of my classmates still call me that at our reunions. Once I filled in for Mike King when he and his wife (still!) eloped to Maryland to get married.

My best memories were when the Four Seasons came to the studio to be interviewed on Saturday before a performance at Salem College (one of them was Mike Simon's cousin) and also hosting two of Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars at the Nathan Goff Armory. As the weekend guy I only got on stage to introduce the "minor" stars like Brian Hyland (Sealed With A Kiss), Dobie Gray (The In Crowd) and Bobby Goldsboro (See The Funny Little Clown). The main d.j.s like Al Newton got to introduce Gary Lewis and the Playboys (This Diamond Ring), Bo Diddley, The Chrystals, Chad and Jeremy, The Ronnettes and Tom Jones. But I did luck out and was able to drive up to Pittsburgh to see the Rolling Stones at the Syria Mosque in the fall of 1964, carrying a "portable" (30 pound) Wollensak tape recorder and interviewing drummer Brian Jones backstage.

In the summer of 1967 between semesters at Ohio State I came back to WHAR and served as the morning man and program director. My D.J. career continued at WCOL in Columbus and eventually I worked my way up to General Manager of stations in Pittsburgh PA (1979), Dayton OH (1981) Raleigh NC (1985) and Richmond VA (1992). I left radio management in 1993 but it all started with the WI Radio Club!



NOTICE TO REUNION COMMITTEE OF WI CLASS OF 1945!

Please let the members of your reunion group know that I graduated from WI in 1945. I have lived in Jamestown NY, Las Vegas, NV and now here in Vacaville, CA. since I left West Virginia. I had a great time while there even if it was only a year. I was active in the Cadman, and the A Choir. I had a lot of friends then and I would like to hear from them now. If any one can send me addresses or e-mail addresses of anyone that you think of that might pass on word to anyone. I will write them. I hope you have a huge crowd. Haven't heard if my brothers are going to WVA this year or not. But do have a great time. Love to all Joyce Ogren Devine. e-mail is Jodyvine@aol.com. A really simple one to remember. I hope



OBITUARIES

NANCY LOWTHER ROY

Nancy Lowther Roy of Largo, Florida, died August 3, 2003, following a long battle with breast cancer, starting in 1988.

She was born at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, in 1944, the daughter of the late Robert S. Lowther and Eleanor H. Engle. Her son, Jonathan Edward Roy, of Largo, Florida, survives. Also surviving her are one brother, Richard H. Lowther of Good Hope, West Virginia, and his wife, Patricia.

She graduated from WI, and then attended Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Ohio. She then transferred to West Virginia University, where she graduated with a B.A. in music with a concentration in piano.

She attended the world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan for three summers, where she was a member of an honorary saxophone quartet that performed live radio concert broadcasts during the summer. She was also chosen as the top West Virginia high school tenor saxophone player and as a member of the West Virginia All-State Band, won the right to perform at the Space Needle at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, Washington.


PATRICIA A. (BABE) TIANO OAKES

Patricia A. (Babe) Tiano Oakes, 65, of Dunedin, Florida, died August 4.

Babe was a 1955 graduate of Washington Irving High School and left home the following year when she was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.

She later became a management analyst at the Social Security Administration's office in Woodlawn's headquarters in Baltimore, MD.

Upon retirement in 1982, she moved to Dunedin, FL, and operated a concession at the Oldsmar Flea Market. She also sold souvenirs and T-shirts at the Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg for several years.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Frank. She also had two children, Michael Steele of New Windsor, MD, and Gail Hibbeln of Oldsmar, FL, and two stepchildren and seven grandchildren.

Babe had two brothers, Louis Tiano and John Tiano Jr., both of Clarksburg, and two sisters, Rose Marie Lopez of Phoenix, AZ, and Betty Rossana of Clarksburg. She was the daughter of the late John Tiano and Catherine (Katie Pinella) Tiano.


GAETANO 'GUY' MICHAEL CAPUTO SR.

Gaetano "Guy" Michael Caputo Sr., age 83, Bridgeport, WV, died August 5, 2003. He was born at Laura Lee, WV, a son of the late Pietro "Pete" Caputo and Rosa (Gigliotti) Caputo, who immigrated from St. John's, Italy, at the turn of the century.

His wife, Waunita B. (Moss) Caputo, whom he married on May 14, 1955, survives. Also surviving are one son, Guy Michael Caputo, Chicago, IL; one daughter and a son-in-law, Felicia Michelle and Ronald Walden of Bridgeport, WV; one brother, Joseph A. Caputo, Clarksburg, WV; one sister, Mary Mellie, Morgantown, WV; two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Frank, Louis, Anthony, James, Samuel and John Caputo. Mr. Caputo was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Bridgeport.

He was in partnership with his three brothers, who owned and operated 16 Garden Fresh stores in West Virginia. Mr. Caputo operated the Garden Fresh Shopping Center in Buckhannon for 13 years and retired from the Garden Fresh Warehouse in Hepzibah in 1982.

He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in 1939. Mr. Caputo served in the Army during World War II from 1943-1948. He received a Bronze Star serving in the South Pacific, 105th Chemical Processing Company, a division of Americal. He also fought in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. Mr. Caputo was on a ship in the Lady Straits Harbor near Japan and was a member of the first force to occupy Japan after the nuclear bomb was dropped.


JAMES N. HESS JR

CLARKSBURG -- James N. Hess Jr., age 94, of Alexandria, VA, died in Arlington, VA.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on October 8, 1908, a son of the late James N. Hess Sr. and Lena Hess.

Surviving is one daughter, Kitty Hess, (WI 1959) Alexandria, VA, with whom he previously made his home.

He attended West Virginia University and graduated from Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA, and was a member of Beta Theta Pi.

Mr. Hess worked for Union Carbide as an accountant and retired from the accounting department with the Barden Corporation in Connecticut.


O. KENNETH MITTONG

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds@lvcm.com

Mr. Mittong was my favorite teacher at Victory. I was really interested in Biology, and he taught it well. He also was a friend, and treated me like a person, instead of just a dumb kid. I visited his home after graduation, and sold him a Mutual Fund program. I hope it helped in his retirement.

O. Kenneth Mittong, 93, formerly of Salem, passed away,August 11, 2003, in the Thornwald Nursing Home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Bula, West Virginia, September 29, 1909, a son of the late Curtis Otto and Nelly Sutton Mittong.

He was married to Audra Pauline Groves Mittong, who preceded him in death in 1989.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, G. Edward Mittong and his wife Betty Lou, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and many grandchildren

Mr. Mittong was a 1927 graduate of Victory High School and a 1931 graduate of Salem College. He continued his education at V.P.I., Marshall University, Union Theological Seminary, eventually receiving his master's at WVU. At the time of his retirement, he was a biology teacher at Victory High School, having served two other schools, Glen Falls Grade and Adamston Jr. High.

It is interesting to note that thirty years of his life were given to Victory High School, having been a student for four years and a teacher for 26 years. Many former students and patrons will remember the many fund-raising programs for the educational trips to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. One of these fund-raisers was the first Soap Box Derby held in Clarksburg on 22nd Street.

Mr. Mittong was a life member of the N.E.A., WV Education Association. He was active in the Harrison County C.T.A., the organization in which he was president. He was a veteran of WWII and was a member of the local U.C.T.

The Mittongs resided on their "Happy Valley Farm" at Salem, where he established a Christmas tree farm. Until the untimely death of his wife, Pauline, in 1989, they spent several winters in Florida and their summers were spent vacationing in Canada and camping in their motor home. He was Methodist by faith.

ABOVE ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE CLARKSBURG EXPONENT TELEGRAM


GENE BEEFY WALLACE

Gene Beefy Wallace, age 72, of Alexandria, VA. Died July 27. 2003 in Washington DC in the Veterans WASHINGTON DC. Gene attended Washington Irving High School where he participated in all sports and upon graduation served his country in the Marine Corps from 1948 through 1952 in the Korean conflict. The WI Class of 1948 dedicated their reunion in Gene’s honor.


JESSE COWGER

Jesse Cowger (RW 1957) passed away on August 1, 2003 as a result of a heart attack he had on July 28, 2003. He had been married 46 years to Mary Ann Conrad Cowger (WI 1958). You can send your sympathies to Mary Ann at her email address Mcgowger@berryenergy.com.


DIANNA ROBEY TILLMAN

Diana Robey Tillman, age 69 of Bridgeport passed away in August. She was born in Clarksburg the daughter of Lloyd Atha Robey and Anna Higgins Robey. She is survived by three daughters Elisa Tillman Thompson (Jeff Thompson), Tamara Tillman Martin (Randy), and Melanie Tillman, one son, David. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack T Tillman. Dianna was a graduate of WI in 1952.




TO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

EDITOR’S NOTE: This has been sent to me by many people. I don’t know who wrote it but thought maybe some of you who have never seen it would find it very interesting!-Roleta

HOW OLD IS GRANDMA? Some interesting facts to ponder!! Stay with this...the answer is at the end...it will blow you away. One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events.The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The Grandma replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. There were no credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man had yet to walk on the moon.

Your Grandfather and I got married first and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, "Sir" and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir".

We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.

We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends, not purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.

If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.

Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards.

You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600 but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day, "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked in, and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby, "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a hardware store, and "software" wasn't even a word.

No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap...

How old do you think I am???

This Woman would only be 60 years old.



SUBJECTS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS

Write Roleta1@aol.com

WHITE WATER RAFTING - Have you gone? Tell us about it. When did you go? Where did you go? With whom did you travel over the rapids? Were you scared or was it a wonderful experience for you? Would you like to go again? Or do you wish you had gone or do you plan to go? We want to know.

FIRST KISS - When was that “all meaning first kiss”? Not the little spin the bottle thing but the one that made you think-WOW! You don’t have to name the person if you don’t want to reveal that but share the experience with us.

FIRST DATE - Can you remember back that far? Did you enjoy your first date? Where did you go?

SCHOOL PUNISHMENT - Were you punished in school? What type of punishment did you receive? Today teachers and principals can’t punish students. Do you remember any other student being punished when you were in school? What type of punishment was used by the teacher? What did that student do to push that button with the teacher that made that teacher react?

STONEWALL JACKSON MONUMENT - What do you remember about the monument in front of the courthouse? What is your opinion of it? When you look at the monument are you proud or what are your feelings?





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