THE WI NEWSLETTER 06/04

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 80

April 2006

SPRING

Spring is in the breeze again,
Red kites are flying high.
Buds burst out on every twig.
I hear a songbird's cry.

Ol' man Winter's days are gone,
With branches blown and bare.
Instead a lovely maiden comes,
With flowers in her hair.

I pause and watch the winging birds
Upon their north bound flight.
I see majestic tulips stand
With nodding heads so bright.

Tadpoles in the quiet pond,
Robins in the trees,
Each tells the world in its own way,
That Spring is in the breeze.

David B. Bates (WI 1951)

EASTER MEMORIES
submitted by: Pat Sprout Newbrough (RW '57)
rich.newbrough@sympatico.ca
I have very fond memories of Easter. It was always one of my favorite days when I was growing up in Nutter Fort. I always got a new outfit, shoes, purse and hat and I couldn't wait to wear them on Easter Sunday. We always went to the Sunrise Service first and then later for Sunday School at Vincent Memorial Methodist Church. After church I ran over to the Greenhouse near our house and bought my mother a geranium and was so proud. In the afternoon we had a special dinner with family. My brother Dick and sister Marilyn always had Easter Baskets until we graduated to the engraved Easter egg. Nowadays we usually have an Easter Egg Hunt for our grandkids, when the weather permits here in Canada.

Thanks for a fantastic job with the Newsletter. We have heard from friends we haven't heard from in years.

My Dad, and two uncles worked in the coal mines when I was growing up. My Dad though after the war got a job with the B&O Railroad, but my uncles stayed in the coal mines. I remember they came home from work and were covered with black soot, so much so you could hardly tell who they were. I never heard them complain though, and they did get a good paycheck. My husband Rich's brother owned a coal mine in Beckley but there was a fire in it so they had to seal it up. It is sad to hear of all the miners loosing their lives due to safety problems.

Happy Easter

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@msn.com
During Easter most Italian families made Easter bread....made with many eggs, yellow food coloring and Anise....Mom made it into bread and rolls...It was very good toasted or hot from the oven....If you were lucky you found anise seed from Italy......was like finding Gold.....It was a Tradition, like many others, that has fallen by the way side....the young generation today did not keep up with all these great old Traditions our parents did....they were afraid to break a nail.........LOL

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
jkimler@verizon.net
Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays, and not just because of the Easter candy. We would take time and use up lots of eggs as we dyed Easter eggs as a family the week before Easter.

Early on Easter morning I would get up to find my Easter basket. After a few candies it was time to get dressed in my frilly Easter dress and white patent leather shoes. We would go to church and meet all the other people in their Easter finery. My Mother had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir. I loved the uplifting music at church and my Father and I would sing, sing, sing even though neither one of us could carry a tune.

Home again and then on our way to grandma's. Grandma would cook a scrumptious ham with escalloped potatoes and home canned green beans. I can still taste that wonderful dinner.

Grandpa always read the Easter story to remind us all of the true meaning of Easter.

submitted by: Penny Christie Johnson (WI '60)
penem@nc.rr.com
What a beautiful time of the year...We could have snow depending on the date that Easter fell but I was always excited for I knew that if Easter had come, summer could not be far away and that was my favorite time of the year....

Of course attending church was top priority on Easter and we belonged to the First United Presbyterian. I always sang in the various choirs throughout my growing up years and of course on Easter...EVERY choir sang....Jesus Christ is Risen Today!! The odor of the Easter Lily's caused all the folks with allergies to bring along an extra handkerchief for the sanctuary was amassed with them.

There was always much anticipation and planning that went into this special celebration. I will always remember the Maundy Thursday service of my 13th year...I had attended confirmation classes for many weeks and on this particular evening I was to join the church and I have to admit that on that evening I was really excited because I wanted to go the dance at the Moose Hall right after the service. My mother did not feel that it was an appropriate thing to do after such a significant religious experience. Fortunately she had a friend that sided with me and off I went to the dance..I wish I could say that I remember joining the church that year for a more spiritual reason but that came much later in life.

Other memories include deciding on what I would wear..My mother was an excellent seamstress so I never considered buying a dress..she always made what I wore and I was very proud of her wonderful talent...Usually there were covered buttons involved somewhere on the outfit and she would take some extra fabric down to Singers on Main Street and they would cover them for her. She couldn't make hats so we would always go to Grants on Main to choose the most perfect hat...Mother had a friend who worked in the hat department so she always had something picked out that she thought I would like...The white gloves and patent leather shoes always completed the outfit. An Easter corsage was the icing on the cake and mother often times made it, too.We had beautiful flowers in our garden and she always managed to make a corsage that looked like it came from Weber's.

I always hoped it wouldn't rain or snow on Easter so that I wouldn't ruin my new clothes. Dinner was always ham accompanied by sweet potatoes and pickled beets and eggs....The beets and eggs were my favorite and I continue to make them every Easter even if we have been invited out to eat...No one in my current family ever liked them but that never stopped me from making them...We colored eggs as did most everyone but my Easter Basket wasn't such a big deal..We certainly didn't receive presents..but my basket would hold a generous supply of jelly beans and those awful yellow "peeps"

The week after Easter was great too because along with those pickled eggs I would add a pepperoni roll from "Squeeze Inn" lunch on Second Street and I was sure there was a Heaven...

Easter blessings to each of you!!!

WI CLASS OF '56---50TH REUNION
Our "Golden Reunion" will be held at the Clarksburg Country Club the week-end of June 16-17. All members of the 1956 class should have received invitations in the mail from Joe Williams. We feel that this is a significant event that should not pass unnoticed. Please respond positively and quickly so the Reunion Committee can plan accordingly. Our "tickers" can't stand the stress. If you did not receive your letter, please contact Joe at Joeandshirlw@aol.com.

We have been unable to reach the following graduates---Ernest Daugherty, Sandra Sue Davis, Robert Davis, Eleanor Griffith, Madylon Ruth Hammond, Joel Berger Lynn, Kenneth William Myers, Rosco Offitt, Patricia Ann Ringer, Marvel Louis Ross, Nancy Camille White, Patricia Ann Lyon, Robert John Dolinar, Susan Carol Heitz Smith. Anyone reading this Newsletter who can assist in locating these people please contact Don Sager at dks@davtv.com.

I have blocked rooms for the Reunion weekend at the Clarksburg/Bridgeport Hampton Inn. We will get a special rate of $75 plus tax per nite. Phone # is 304-842-9300. Most of the usual Spring Sarasota Picnic contingent will be staying here. We welcome you all to join us. And there are a number of other suitable motels in the area to choose from.

This may be our last "formal reunion".

Come one, Come all. No Excuses !!!!!

NOTRE DAME CLASS OF 1961 TO HAVE REUNION
"We are trying to get in touch with all of our classmates from the 1961 graduation class of Notre Dame High School. If anyone reading this newsletter can be of any help, please contact either one of the following:

Bonnie Portaro Alder - bdalder1@cox.net (757) 495-0214
Jean Colasante Thomas - Thomas4two@aol.com (603) 228-0052

Our plan is to have a reunion get-together this summer the weekend of July 14 - July 16. As time is drawing near and we have not been able to locate a lot of our friends, we would greatly appreciate any help you would be able to provide us.

Picture submitted by: Rose Lee Bellotte Hamrick
1st row-Mary Scott, John Light, Catherine Simirotis, John Donnelly, Patricia Sinsel, James Kelley, Joanne Frederick, Jonathan Veltri, Frank Roman, Carol Somazze

2. Terry Byrnes, Lydia Robinette, Steve Rymaz, William Foffpiano, Carolyn Espel, Robert Coberly, Michael Stumpo, Martha Simon, Edward Deison, Thomas Crowley

3. Alice Ann Deegan, John Sereno, Marie Jordan, George Alvarez, Rose Ann Cuppari, Joseph Spatafore, Ann Dolan, James Hendrickson, Charlene Roda

4. Jerry Povroznik, Rebecca Price, James Capage, Joseph Mazzi, Jean Colosante, Michael Conley

5. Mary Jo McGann, Adella Pahuta

6. Fred Kroll, Sara Spatfore, Daniel Mazzei, John Hanley, Donna Ayers, Anthony Clutter

7. Jean Kroll, Alfred Raschella, David Pettito, Judie Arco, John Vasbinder, Nick Lobianco, Frances Trecost, Dick Brumage, Alfred Molina, Bridget Rollins

8. Thomas Ryan, Christine Colombo, Pat Carney, Marie Portaro, John Carney, Roxanne Folio, James Oliverio, Catherine Iaquinta, John Newhouse, Daniel Collins

9. Lucille Nardella, James Scott, Veronica Mancino, Francis McQuillen, Patricia Samuels, Robert Club, Bernard Price, Gloria Renzelli, George Agrippe, and last but not least, myself, Rose Lee Bellotte.

PICTURES MISSING FROM YOUR NEWSLETTER?
If you are not receiving pictures in the newsletter but instead just a big box with a little red X in the corner---Here Judy explains how you can most likely solve that problem.

If you right click on the red X, you should get a pop-up menu, then left click on "open" and the picture should appear. If this doesn't work you might try the "refresh" option at the top of the screen right under "favorites". It's to the right of the "x". I hope one of these works for you.

CHARLIE MEANS HARD AT WORK

Charlie Means (WI 1950) (CMeans@cfl.rr.com) kindly volunteered again this year to photograph things at the picnic and the group pictures for me……He works hard, is very efficient and does a wonderful job. This year Charlie had to leave the picnic by 2:00 which put a lot of pressure on getting the pictures done in time…but we did it! I moved people through and we were finished by 3 minutes until 2:00. I know I missed some though and hope I will get them next year. But please, if I don’t call you group next year, remind me…..

COMIC FROM WEST VIRGINIA

Bill and I went to a comedy club recently here in Sarasota. We saw a young man from West Virginia. (Not a Harrison County lad though)…And he was sooooo funny. He also does lead-ins for some of the “Blue Collar Comedians” on the Comedy Channel. His name is Reno Collier. You have to see him if you get a chance. He will probably ask if there is anyone in the audience from WV --- LOL..

If you would like to hear more about him, you can visit his web site. http://www.renocollier.com/

RELAXING IN THE SHADE

Above are several people visiting while relaxing in the shade at the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic in Sarasota, Florida. The park is an excellent place for the picnic….almost like we are the only people on earth at that time….This pavilion is very private and has a lot of space around it for us.

DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOL
submitted by: Ron Cleavenger (WI '63)
RonCleaven@aol.com
Bob Swiger mentioned the electric paddle of Mr. Landacre at Towers. I never went to Towers, but at Central Jr. High School, I never personally felt, but sure glad I did not feel Mr. Hall (the Shop teacher's) paddle that had holes drilled into it to decrease the resistance to the paddling-I remember one boy getting it at lunch time in the gym; this kid was a big fellow, and it brought tears to his eyes!!!

Where were the abuse lawyers then? Probably where they need to be even now.

What I remember most about Joe Kovach is that class in 1959, he let us listen to the World Series game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The White Sox won the first game 11-0; as I was the only person rooting for the Dodgers in the class, I really heard it from everybody including Joe Kovach. However, I had the last laugh when LA won the series 4 games to 2 games.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Lucy Barbario (VHS '47)	BarbarioL@verizon.net
Joan Johnston Hart and Bob Hart (both WI '55)	hartbella1@msn.com
Muscari Frank (WI '55)	em89@cox.net
Lloyd Hart (WI '50)	HART Volunteer@aol.com (note: there is a space between Hart and Volunteer)
Kay Kinney Shepard (WI '60)	midgy@verizon.net
Barbara Sutton Elder (WI '57)	BSE57@Hotmail.com
Mike Goff (WI '75)	mikegoff@aol.com
David Grimes (WI '53)	dgrimes@triad.rr.com
Cheryl Davis (WI '63)	cdavis.ywca@verizon.net
Nancy Starett (WI '53)	rockdalefarm@zoominternet.net
Doug Aspy (WI '62)	doug@aamcincorporated.com
Ray E. Cox (RW '63)	Buttonpuller@aol.com

CHANGE OF E-MAIL ADDRESS

Fred Heflin (WI '53)	frh147@aol.com
Eleanor Queen Heflin (WI '54)	eqh123@aol.com
Ron Werner (WI '59) and Becky McClain Werner (WI '60)	new email address wernerrlrs@verizon.net
Wilma Costlow Allman (WI '53)	wallman5@verizon.net
Greg Werner (WI '82)	was: wernergodspeed1@aol.com now: mountaineergreg@verizon.net

ARE YOU FROM CLARKSBURG? DID CLARKSBURG HAVE A FLAG? SEND ME YOUR VOTE
Did Clarksburg have a flag? If so can you describe what it would look like? Write to me with you yes or no vote and your idea of its description if you think one existed. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

MAJORETTE
EDITOR’S NOTE: At the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic I was talking to Sandy Zickefoose Lindke about being a majorette at WI. I ask her how on earth they kept those white skirts so they would stand out so firm. Remember those white skirts-down to their knees nothing like the costumes of today. I ask Sandy to write about it…I hope to hear from you other majorettes about your experiences ….uniforms, bus trips, boots, hats, dance routines, etc. I remember big tall furry hats one year---did any of you wear them? Write to me about being a majorette and what you wore…Write to: Roleta1@aol.com Come on girls, lots of girls wanted to be a majorette---

submitted by: Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
sjlindke@wmconnect.com
Just got home from the Clarksburg picnic. What a wonderful day with good food and renewed friendships. All of you W.I. 56 graduates show up for our 50th reunion in June. Joe Williams and volunteers have worked hard to make this happen.

Yes Roleta, I was a majorette with the Hilltoppers band. Our white (warm weather) uniforms were professionally done to get the skirts starched so stiff. The skirt was a complete circle and when you sat down in a chair or bus seat you pulled the skirt up behind you like a fan and did not lean back. The skirt length was just above the knee. We all wore the same shade of leg makeup. The dark blue velvet uniforms were my favorite and they may have been a "tad" shorter. I can remember some frosty morning practices at Hite Field. Mr. Mayor could really yell!!!!

We went to Huntington for a band festival and marched in a 2 mile parade. My socks worked their way into the toe of my boots and I ended up with huge blisters. My place in the lineup was the right hand curb. Mr. Mayor told us that we marched from curb to curb and to push back anyone in our way. A little nudge of the baton was needed sometimes to accomplish this. Of course we had horses in the parades and had to step around their droppings without breaking stride. A good halftime show at the football games made us feel good. During basketball season the majorettes gave out programs. We wore lettered sweaters as our uniform at this time. I did not have a lettered sweater so Mike Tricott loaned me his. Will have to look thru my mothers things and see if I can find some photo's. Good times and good memories.

ATTENTION: CLASS OF 56 Get your reservations in for the class reunion.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, ROLETA?
submitted by: Ken McIe (WI '59)
kenmcie@yahoo.com
Hello Roleta,

And you've done it again!!!!!!!! Now, what have you done?

Well it's this. You and the newsletter have been the intermediary between me and my long lost family (on my Dad's side). Another WI alum, Ed Nutter - WI 1968, read the newsletter when you ran my picture. He is a long lost cousin. Ed and a number of other cousins have been researching the family genealogy - producing a family tree that was totally unknown to me.

Thanks from me and Ed for our meeting and what it has and will produce.

So you've done it again in the WI Newsletter. What WILL you do next?

Keep it up, Roleta!

BASEBALL
It is time for baseball and softball try-outs. That reminds me of all the play ground teams and high school and college baseball teams….We girls played softball….Did you play baseball or softball at school or at the playground? Do you have a picture? Can you send us a copy of your picture? Contact Judy at jkimler@verizon.net for her address and instructions on how to send it…or you can scan it and send it.

Write to me and tell me something about your team…what was the name of the team…who all played on your team…..where did you play…..what position did you play……did your high school have a baseball or softball team? Did you have a team sponsor? Who was your coach? Come on---I am struggling to make this newsletter interesting ---help me! Write Roleta1@aol.com.

CANNING PEPPERS
submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@msn.com
Whew, what memories for me and so many Italians out there. .it was a Tradition to can.....like everything else no family did them alike....My Mom and I would start 6:00 am in the morning...wiping each pepper the night before...you did not wash them.. that was a no- no ! We did all the caning in the basement ...we could do 6-8 bushels in one day ...we had a fryer that sat on all 4 burners of the stove that would hold 2-3 bushels already cut up...we threw some hot in there also ...fry in oil.. with lots of garlic, onions, fresh basil and parsley....salt.....your sauce is cooking on another stove up stairs usually 4 gallons of it in one large cosalola...(POT)......If you were in your period you could not come around the caning due to the superstition that the lids on the peppers would not seal......after frying your peppers to the consistency you want or like add the sauce over the peppers and continue to cook.....into hot qt. or pt. jars add the peppers, fill them up to the top... and with hot lids and rings tighten up tight.. place on a table and keep them all cover with a heavy blanket...that evening as they start to cool you will her the lids pop.. which means they are sealing.....lots of hard work and sweat....but I was always beside my Mom when she canned them.....those days are all but memories now...most of the peppers we canned were all given away to our friends.. Italians show there Love by food...we never had a lot of money...but our refrigerator was always full and my friends always love to be asked for dinner at our house......Both my parents loved our friends and company...

CHILD FOR MARCH 2006

submitted by: Beth Twigg Devericks (WI '59)
bedevericks@hotmail.com
The precious child pictured is Dottie Spears. We spent sometime together at Crystal Lake. Her mother and Dad and my parents also had summer cottages at the lake. We had lot of good times there and also remember Dottie being a majorette in the band

submitted by: Dottie Spears Rinehart (WI '60)
der42@webtv.net
First, I just want to tell you and Judy how much I enjoy the Newsletter each month. I start looking forward to receiving it at the end of each month. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of time, but it warms so many hearts and brings back so many memories. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.

As I was reading through the March issue, I was really surprised to see my picture as the Precious Child for April. I am not really sure when this picture was taken ~ maybe about 5th grade at Carlisle School. Since I haven't had any "real" pictures taken recently, I am concerned about what the now picture will be. Guess I will have to wait until next month to find out.

Thanks again for all of your efforts. They are appreciated.

CHILD PICTURED IN THE APRIL 2006 NEWSLETTER
If you recognize this child, write to me and tell me something about this child. Remember all of our readers are not from WI and thus maybe not all of our precious children pictures will be of someone from WI. I am sure the person pictured below will enjoy reading your memories. Write to Roleta1@aol.com

COAL MINING

A coal miner’s son remembers it : submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com
For 38 years my father, W.A. Layman, was bookkeeper at the Dawson Mine located in Dawmont, WV. When the mine closed down the first time in 1957 my father became bookkeeper for the J.F. Allen Company. Most every coal mine had a company doctor that made house calls. The Dawson Mine doctor would also meet at the main office three times a week to see patients that were able to walk. The children, including myself, were given their school shots at the office. Some area mines such as Dawson had a barber who worked at the mines and then cut hair mostly on week ends. The shop was located in his house. The barber at Dawson as a favor to my father came to our house to cut our hair when we were little which consisted of four boys and one girl. Since we didn’t have electricity he had to use his hand clippers.

Approximately 500 miners worked at Dawson Mine during WW II and were paid every two weeks. The following items were deducted from their checks in this order: Government taxes, Social security, Burial fund, and then the company store. A lot of miners sometimes received nothing because the company story took all that what was left.

In the Dawson camp there were two outside baking ovens located on the lower alley and two on the upper alley. The women would take turns as who would bake at a certain time of the day of the week. Dawson mine had a one room school house which went from first to fourth grades and was located at the bottom end of the camp.

Two years ago the government tore down the company store, bath house, first aid building and the coal tipple and reclaimed the land.

Above is a photo of the first Dawson Mine Company store and post office. The store was operated by Marston Supply Company. Most company stores in Harrison County were owned by Standard Supply Company. A new and larger Dawson Mine Company Store was built in 1940. Also the post office was relocated there. The store manager was the post master.

This is the photo of the Dawson Mine Coal tipple. It burned own in 1951 as a crew was working on it with a torch. It was rebuilt. Today all the land has been reclaimed.

DAWSON MINE RESCUE TEAM

This is how the Dawson Mine rescue team looked in 1944. Most of this type equipment is no longer used today. Now there is more modern equipment. In the earlier days the miners wore a carbide lamp on their hats. It consisted of an open flame and caused many a mine explosion when it came in contact with mine gas. A new battery type lamp as seen in the photo was introduced before World War II. It had to be recharged after every shift.

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
I would like to share some of my memories of coal mining. All of my mother's side of the family were all coal miners. My grandfather Joe Conch, my uncles, Johnny, Pat, and Frankie Conch spent most of their lives in the coal mines. They worked at Cook's Mine and lived in the house near the mine. The mine was located in Meadowbrook, WV near where the back part of Pete Dye Golf Club is located now as I was told. A row of houses burned down so they moved to Hepzibah and started to work in coal mines there. The mine was near their house and they walked to and from the mine. There were many days when they never saw daylight. They would leave in the dark and came home in the dark. I remember there was a company store, Dodrills Store where they purchased all their needs and the company store kept track how much they had from their last payday.

I remember going down in the mines with one of my uncles and remembering the mine being very dark and damp. The ceiling seemed awfully low and I remember water constantly dripping from the ceiling. They used picks and shovels back then. Also, I remembered my uncles saying how sore their backs were and I think that was due to them bending over most of the time. I don't remember them complaining too much except for lack of work. I did not feel like they were frightened to go into the mines because that was a way of life for them. They wore miner’s safety helmets with little lanterns filled with a powder mixed with water that created a gas. The lantern was lit like the cigarette lighters by using a small wheel rubbing against a small flint. I still have my grandfather's lantern.

My uncles smoked some but chewed tobacco most of the time to keep the coal dust out of their lungs. Even generations later, in that area, people still chew. I know when I played baseball in the Babe Ruth League the guys from that area chewed tobacco. I think it was good old Mail Pouch and Beachnut.

When they would get home from work they cleaned up in the shanty. They would sit in a galvanized tub and I would pump water from the pump outside the shanty, put the pail of water on a little coal stove to heat the water and then pour it over them while they washed up. It was really hard for them to get completely clean due to the coal being so fine it would get in their pores and they had to scrub hard and still not get completely clean.

After they cleaned up and ate, they would sit down and listen to the radio with two sets of clothes near them. They would listen to the mine report and if they heard their mine was working that evening or the next day they knew they were to get their mining clothes ready and if they did not work they would put on their street clothes and go out and play a little cards and some other games the miners played. I recall one of the reports I heard was, "Dawson Mines Cat Eye Shift Will Work Tonight". But they reported all the mines reports every evening. Working their butts off was their way of life and they did it well.

Those were my memories of the mines and if anyone could add or clarify anything I had mentioned I would appreciate it.

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah '57)
billmere@aol.com
You asked for information about coal miners, so here are some memories from the time I spent working in various mines while going to WVU. During my senior year in high school I wrote a long paper for a contest sponsored by Consolidation Coal Co. I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners. The prize was a "Scholarship", which consisted of a summer job and an opportunity to borrow money interest free for college. How thrilled I was to be given this chance. The day after my eighteenth birthday, I began working in Williams Mine, near Shinnston, as a helper on a roof bolting machine. Was I frightened? Yes, a little. But I soon got over that. The biggest problems were the men working with me. They tried hard to intimidate me the first week or so, but by working hard and not complaining, I soon gained their respect. My first lunch included two cube steak sandwiches and a Thermos of hot cocoa. However, at lunch I was surprised to find that someone had traded me lunches, leaving me two "Garden Fresh" bologna sandwiches and a Thermos of dirty mine water. They teased me about that for the entire summer, but I laughed with them and had no more problems.

Coal mining was dangerous, but very rewarding. We were paid well and were judged by the tonnage produced. It was dirty----my eyes had coal dust around them for months. Smoking was not allowed in the mines. You were "patted down" before entering to make sure you had no cigarettes. Some men broke the rules, but not in gaseous mines. If you were caught by a fellow worker smoking in a dangerous mine, you might not come out alive. Most small towns with mines had company stores. You could buy anything from groceries to TV's. They were the forerunner of Wal Mart. I worked in most of the mines in north central WV for a short time, and could tell you many more stories, but space won't permit. I'll close by saying that every coal miner I ever met only wanted one thing, an honest wage for an honest day's work that would allow him to provide a decent living for his family. For well over half a century, coal miners were the backbone of West Virginia. God Bless Them, Every One.

submitted by: Dolores Costlow Wall (WI '58)
Kidneybean7@aol.com
There is a wonderful article in this month's National Geographic about coal mining in WV. It is all about the modern method of blowing off the top of the mountain and then getting out the coal. It makes living around the coal mines very dangerous and is causing flooding in many of the areas. I don't know if the NG is available at the library, but, if so, the article is well worth reading.

submitted by: Judy McDougal Siders (WI '57)
siders_judy@sbcglobal.net
First of all I was so sorry to read about Barbara Helmick and Mike. I graduated with Barbara You asked about coal miners in your family. My great grandfather was a miner and 2 of his sons. His name was Romeo (Rome) McDougal. They lived in company housing, duplexes and yes there was a company store. They didn't make much money and what they did went to company store, therefore, back to the owners. I think he probably had black lung, as he became in very bad health and coughed a lot. They lived in Gypsy and my great grandmother's name was Minnie Pearl McDougal (Collins). One of my cousins husband also worked in the mines. He was working one night when the roof fell in and he was killed by slate falling down on him. It takes very special people to make a livelihood and career in mining and as we all know even today. Thanks for the newsletter. I do look forward to the first of every month. By the way, an idea for the news letter - How many of us have family serving in the Armed Forces at this time? My grandson Joseph Sheets - 19 yrs. old - high school graduate - stationed Ft. Riley, Ks. He signed up his Jr. year when Army came for career day at his high school and left a mo. after graduation.

submitted by: Bob Griffith (WI '54)
Regr635@wmconnect.com
Roleta, first, thank you both for all the work which goes into each month's newsletter. And I read monthly how much it is appreciated by everyone.

Since the recent Sago mine explosion near Buckhannon, a lot of attention has been focused on mine safety and past mine disasters in West Virginia.

From that attention, has come an interest in erecting a monument to the 22 miners who died in an explosion in the Clinchfield mine at Dola, near Lumberport, on April 25, 1963. I recently took my Cousin, Artha Singleton Cabo Robinson to an organizational meeting in that area. Her husband, Ralph Cabo was among those who perished that day.

After 43 years, and with the leading of a lady by the name of Debbie Stout, whose grandfather lost his life also that day, things seem to be on track for the long overdue memorial to be completed this year.

Ralph was a WI grad of 1937, Artha WI 1939, Their deceased daughter Sandra Cabo Harold, WI 1958, and daughter Dee Ann Cabo Tiffany, WI 1960.

SALEM, WEST VIRGINIA
There was a big fire recently in Salem, WV. Here is the story…just double click on this hyperlink: http://www.wboytv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=9145

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

Re: Robinson Grand theatre in last newsletter:

Madge Doud, long time manager of the Grand Theatre is the lady in the black coat with her back to the camera keeping an evil eye on those WI students evidently attending a Midnight Spook Show. Madge booked the films for both theatres. From the individual film studio bookers many of them would visit her at her office....Madge not only made up the newspaper ads for the Grand, but also the Moore’s Opera House.. when I worked in the advertising department of the local newspaper, I would go to her little office to the left in the Grand Theatres' Lobby and pick-up her ads. If she liked you--she would keep you well-supplied with passes. How many remember the free passes to the movies that were hid in the Exponent-Telegram classified section with names from the local telephone book and phone number planted there by the classified manager who always had plenty of free movie tickets on hand. The ad would say something like "Here is a free pass to see "the wonderful Whatever Movie "at the Grand for "whoever lives at xxxx." You called in and went to the Box office and picked up the ticket!...............

submitted by: John Stealey (WI '59)

Thanks for running the publisher's blurb about PORTE CRAYON'S MEXICO. There will be a certain (probably restricted) segment of the readers that will be interested in what I do and in the subject. It is what historians do. I have a couple more works in the tube, and I hope that my health and mental alertness hold up so that I can see them to the end. I remember being at WVU when the great Oliver Perry Chitwood started his last book when he was 84. I thought that it was the height of optimism, but he did survive to finish it. Perhaps it is these intellectual projects that keep old historians alive. One can only hope. My family history generally runs against me, but with certain ancestors, there is enough precedent to hope. It is certain that history is an old woman's or old man's profession. It takes a long time to accumulate the knowledge base to adjudge sources and reach mature conclusions. This runs contrary to prevalent modern thinking that asserts that one does not have to know anything. Of course, my teaching attempts to disabuse my students of this line of thinking. It may be a losing battle.

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

I enjoyed the photos in your newsletter. The only one I knew was Dick Albright, one of our former neighbors. I became a grandpa this month when my daughter, Kim and my wife Donnie Sue went to Russia to bring back our new Granddaughter, Marilyn Hope Ferrell. They had a big celebration yesterday at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission where I worked for 40 years as a health physicist and a nuclear engineer and my daughter now works in the finance section.

If you have time check me out in The Marquis Who's Who in the World 2002.

submitted by: Joe Malone (WI '52)
jmalone934@sbcglobal.net

Ro - Thanks for the Reunion Special. I am in Salt Lake City with Bob McCarty (WI-1952) for the first/second rounds of March Madness. (We were in Greensboro, NC last week for the ACC Championship.) It is a "lay day" here today so I had time to read your newsletter.

The photos were fun to see. I enjoyed seeing Dave Larimer (WI-1950) and "Bobby Joe" Hart (WI-1955) each of whom "book-ended" McCarty and me on WI basketball teams. I particularly enjoyed seeing Pat Elder (ND-1957) with whom I have corresponded but never met. "Guy C." Wright (where was Libby?), the Tetricks and Bobby Clousson were fun to see also.

You and Bill (and all your friends) do good work

submitted by: Barb Charles

That was picnic special edition was so nice, and you got it out so quickly. We enjoyed ourselves, and can appreciate all the work that goes into it.

By he way, I also won a quillow made by Carol Van Horn Dean.

submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)
Ma5388@earthlink.net

My guess for the mystery trivia picture is the WI field house at Hite field where WI played all their football games.

I believe the girls gym teacher in the 50's was Mrs. Simpson. She wore her blonde hair in a page boy. That's about all I remember about gym class. HA!

submitted by: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)
Nmimiphyllis@aol.com

I had freshman Civics at WI to Josephine Swiger. She was very prim and proper, but I always felt that she cared about her students. I had to come to WI in the 9th grade after the 1st 6 week period because I moved to Stealey, and when the Board of Education found out, they made me change from Adamston Jr. High To WI. At first, I was so upset at changing schools that I hated being there, but Miss Swiger was very nice to me, and helped me to see that I might as well accept the fact that I was there, and it wasn't going to change unless my family moved. Since that wasn't going to happen, I finally started accepting invitations to go places and do things with the WI kids and ended up making some very good and life long friends at WI. Miss Swiger helped me a lot. I ended up enjoying my 4 yrs at WI and was never sorry I stayed.

Our Easter celebration included church, but I loved getting a new outfit even more than getting an Easter Basket. One year, when I was a senior, my father was laid off from the Carbon and he told I could either have a prom dress, or an Easter outfit. He couldn't afford both, so I borrowed Shirley Heidlemeir's gown, and got a new Easter outfit!! I had a great time in both of them.

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com

Great job with the pictures and man, you didn't take long to get them together and send them. Only problem: “WE LOOK OLDer”.

submitted by: Sharon Myers Hall (WI '65)
hhubert@bellsouth.net

I moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1966 to be with my husband who was stationed at Reese Air Force Base.

So here comes this hillbilly to the big city who did not go to college, but found a job that was fulfilling. I was Hostess and Waitress (later I purchased the business) at Lubbock's Little Italy. I got all the Italian food I wanted, but we did not have Pepperoni Rolls or "Oliverio's Peppers". I do not remember the year, but a group came in after seating them I do not think I was their waitress, but one of the ladies kept looking at me and she seemed so familiar to me. As they were leaving she came up to me and said that I looked like someone she went to school with in Clarksburg, WV. I looked at her and said that I had a feeling I had seen her somewhere before. We said our names "Sharon Myers" and "Christine Schulenburg (I know that spelling is wrong maybe someone can correct that for me). We gave each other a hug and said it was nice seeing each other even if we had to go to Texas. I have not kept in contact with her, but I really, really remember her.

submitted by: Jayne Rose Ross (WI '57)

Quick note---as I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all you do. Hopefully next year we can come to the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic----but yesterday just finished my 2nd cataract surgery----I feel like I am writing in Braille. Hopefully by next week----my eyes will be "eagle-eyed"

Cheers.

submitted by: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)
Nmimiphyllis@aol.com

Here is the requested information about Nancy Schlicker. She lives in Delaware and her email address is: schlicker@verizon.net.

We keep in touch a few times a year. We both graduated in 1957. The 2 gym teachers I remember when I was at WI in the fifties were Mary Siegrist and Mrs. Simpson.

The trivia picture is of the Hite Field concession stand (the first small building) and the building which had the locker rooms for the teams, and the rest rooms. I could be wrong !! Thanks again for the great newsletter.

submitted by: Mike Goff (WI '75)
mikegoff@aol.com

I stumbled across your newsletter and found it fascinating. My name is Mike Goff.. I spent 3 and 1/2 years at WI and would have graduated in 1975 had my family not moved to Charleston. I currently live in Huntsville, Alabama - the Rocket City. Nonetheless, I stay in contact with my old college roommate, Harry Mitchell (WI 75) and a few others. Please add me to your distribution list.

submitted by: Kay Childers Martin (WI '78) and Steve Martin (WI '76)
semartin@iolinc.net

Just a quick e-mail to let you know how much my husband and I (both graduates of WI) enjoy the newsletter. Thanks …

submitted by: Cheryl Davis (WI '63)
cdavis.ywca@verizon.net

I attended Morgan Elementary School, Central Junior High, and Washington Irving high School. I graduated in 1963 from Wausau Senior High is Wausau, WI. Yes Davis is my maiden name. My brother Gene Davis has shared past copies of your newsletter with me and I find it very interesting.

submitted by: Connie Bailey Casto (WI '59)
castoc@earthlink.net

Good evening Roleta,
This looked like an outstanding year for the picnic and a crowd of many different classes and schools. Your adventure has become an honorable occasion that contributes so much fun and joy to the lives of great West Virginians. You are really amazing Roleta, and look younger every year. Please send me your secret!!! Dick and I were sorry we couldn't be there and do hope nothing will get in our way next year. Give our regards to Bill. Hugs to you.

submitted by: Joanne W. Tetrick (WI '52)
fragilegranny34@msn.com

Great picnic and the day was perfect. The Trivia Picture is currently called "Hite Field" and we knew it as W.I. Field. Dick and I certainly appreciate your hard work and the hotdogs were superb!

submitted by: Lyle Corder (RW '57)
wvlYLE@AOL.COM

Carolyn Moore went on to West Virginia Wesleyan college, became a cheerleader and married the star basketball player...Gary Hess, I think was his name. He came back later and coached the basketball team at the college. They had a bunch of kids and moved west I think.

SUGESTED NAME FOR R.C. BYRD HIGH SCHOOL (Editor’s note: pretty clever)
submitted by: Raymond E. Cox (RW '63)
buttonpuller@AOL.com
Thank you very much for the WI newsletter. I enjoyed it very much. Several of the names and articles were familiar. Being a graduate of RW, WI was always one of our arch rivals. Back in 1963 there was talk of joining the two schools. Our principal, Louis Bauld, (who I think graduated from WI), had been to a meeting of the Board of Education where the issue was raised. One of the main issues was what to name the new school. Mr. Bauld suggested that they take the R from RW and the W from WI and call it RW. I guess that idea didn't catch on. Thank you again and I will be looking at some of the older issues.

Looks like I missed the picnic again. Oh well maybe next year. Thank you very much.

REFLECTIONS
submitted by: Pat Elder (ND '57)
st1pat@aol.com
Joan & I took the long way home from Sarasota in our motor home & weren't aware of the special picnic edition, so would like to add our two cents. Joan couldn't bear to let Roleta be the only broken bone person, so out of sympathy she fell into a deep rut next to the blacktop at one of the campgrounds when we were pulling into our spot for the nite on the way home. She broke 4 ribs & we were worried that she broke a leg or ankle, but the x-rays were negative. She is still limping around & I've been helping her out since we got home.

Back to Sarasota; WHATTA BLAST !!!! We partied Wed. nite, Thurs. nite, Fri. nite & at the picnic all day Sat. We rested on Sun all day after church. We stayed at Sun 'n Fun RV court right off I-75. It is a big site with about 1200 spaces, very large swimming pool, lawn bowling, shuffleboard, & about a dozen of everything else. We saw Bob Dennison and his wife, sister and mother Vivian, Bob Cloussan and his wife Darlene who were all staying there too. I was a little skeptical going to the picnic as to how many people I would know since I went to NDHS, not WI and this would be my 1st time to the Sarasota picnic. I figured maybe I would know 10 to 20 % of everyone there. I bet it ended up knowing 50 to 60 % after I started talking around. Some people I met for the first time. Clarksburg is definitely the common denominator--everyone was simply outstanding !! Our old Broad Oaks Gang was up to the test-they just keep on getting better-they were so enjoyable. And Roleta's husband Bill is a great, great guy and really knocks himself out to make everything work for that event. We all know that Roleta is unbelievable, doing all that work on 3 broken toes. You know, she really believes deeply in that WIN scholarship and puts in a ton of her work for it. Driving back, I was thinking about that and I really think that we-all should do a much better job donating to it. We should raise at least twice that much !! Maybe give 2 scholarships per year or a $2000.00 scholarship instead of a 1000.00, but we can do better than that! Why don't we double next year what we gave this year and get more people get on the band wagon that are not participating yet!

When I tell my friends about this newsletter, they say "you know you really have something special there- there's probably nothing like that in the country--you should really be proud & thankful". Believe me, you cannot take it with you so why not be proud and thankful by giving more.

Back to the picnic! The Quilt was stunning--many kudos to Sue Moats & the participants. I was particularly impressed by Augie M. giving up his WI letter. When everyone headed to the food line I ran to the hot dog line & got the #1 WVA Hotdog-Gulp-Gulp. Joan loves em too.

Vivian Dennison, now upper 80's and so sharp-she ran the office for Christopher Construction when they put the sewers in C'bg. Both Bill White and I were in civil engineering then & worked there doing surveying work. First thing she asked me, "ever hear from the White boy"(no puns) and she was delighted to hear a yes (are you listening Bill White?) She has a lot better memory than I do.

Bob Dennison showed up 5 min. after I pulled my RV into a tough spot when we first got to Sarasota. I was in the back hooking up the water & elec. when Joan walked back & told me that there was a man in front that says we are in the wrong spot & have to move. I just kept on hooking up & told her to go tell him we weren't moving! It was Bob Dennison playing with me & I had not seen him in 50 years--looks the same! He was very hospitable to us and knew his way around too.

Then there was Marty Schwartz and Bernie Cohen who worked in and around Dayton where I did. I'm very embarrassed to say I did not ever know them or that they were from Clarksburg. Bill Meredith clued me in. We all had a lot of conversation then. I still can't get over that! Then, I got to see Tom Allen. We played playground BB together and when he went to Potomac St., they came to Wheeling Jesuit U. to play us. He and George Eichert (sp?) met at half court and visited for about 10 min. before the game .(I transferred to Dayton since WJU only had 2 yrs of "pre-engineering") That had been the last time I had seen those 2 and Tom Allen looks great!

Jim Brown is a very successful contractor in WVA & I hadn't seen him for a long time either. We do the same kind of work. Alvaro's, Sagers, Collins, Brassines, Tustins & on & on. I knew Liz Tustin all thru school-she lived across from my grandmother in Broadway Addn. I dated Roberta Brassine Palmer all thru school and she looks great too. That is all I have --it was a great, great, great time and if anyone is thinking about going for the first time next year---GO !

MEMORIES OF STEALEY METHODIST CHURCH
submitted by: Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WI '52)
cshaffer@pathwaynet.com
Each month it seems I say I will write you and then I find a month has slipped by. But I can't pass up this one. We had missed our email for Feb. so I had a pleasant surprise when I opened the March newsletter and up popped Stealey UMC. I too found a good foundation there. Both my parents, Don and Mary Hughes, were active there and I feel I sort of "grew up" in the church. In addition to the spiritual foundation, I also received a foundation in music which has added a full dimension of joy to my life. My introduction to the classics was from listening to the organ preludes and offertories. I appreciated the organ music enough to involve myself in organ lessons which continued on in my adult life. I also was initiated into the life of volunteer choirs through the church choir at Stealey UMC and this has also been a source of fun. But the organ music has been therapeutic. I have appreciated the various teachers I have had plus the congregations where I have served as organist but most of all I appreciate the seed that was planted.

Thelma Wilcox the organist at Stealey UM was one of my teachers. I had five years of piano and used it as a relaxation tool after no longer taking lessons in high school. After I had completed nursing school at Fairmont General Hospital I decided to take organ lessons from the music department at Fairmont State College. The prerequisite was five years piano so I was glad I had at least stuck it out that long. But interestingly enough, my organ teacher at Fairmont State had been from Stealey Meth. Her parents were friends of my parents and she had been a Holden. My lessons at Fairmont were at First Meth. Church and the pastor there was Rev. Jarvis who had been our pastor for a period of time at Stealey.

In my years of nursing I would sometimes come home exhausted and think I didn't have the energy to practice for whatever I had to do that week. Then it finally got through my head that after I was on the organ bench for a few minutes I wasn't tired anymore!! Amazing!! Thank you, Thelma Wilcox!!

I could write another dissertation on my decision to go into nursing for a career but this has consumed half your morning already. Suffice it to say that I owe both my avocation and vocation to Stealey U M. And I feel a certain bond with those who also felt their lives touched through the ministry of that congregation.

I was especially interested in the responses in the March newsletter related to the history of the church. Laura Stealey provided the influence in my life to go into nursing as a career and this has been a very major part of my life. I often think of all the blessings in my life which revolved around that church and now I have learned a lot more about it as a result of this newsletter.

I share this on a personal level with you but acknowledge the many ways the memories of Clarksburg are brought back through the newsletter which is "your ministry" now and do extend my appreciation. I will try to be more diligent in sending clips of my memories for the newsletter.

submitted by: Jane Hamilton Ross (WI '53)
meezer83@msn.com
Thanks for a wonderful job on the newsletter. I read it from start to finish the minute I find it in my in box. Since the picture in February was the Stealey Methodist Church I thought you might be interested in a little more information. The pastor there in the mid-40s was a man by the name of James Clair Jarvis. He was a young man about 27, I think. He went on to become the Senior Minister at St. Marks Methodist church in Charleston, from whence he retired. He now lives in an assisted living facility here in Charleston, and recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. Just a little side light.

SOME LITTLE CUTIES
submitted by: Nancy Ogren Anderson
NancyOA@aol.com
My brother, Ron, sent me the WI newsletter last week and I had a great time looking at all the photos - wondering if there would be anyone I recognized - at least a name. The only one I saw was Carol Van Horn Dean.

You see, I was only 12 when we left Clarksburg and went back to Jamestown NY where I graduated in 1956. So I didn't remember many people. But I had this photo I located after seeing Carol's picture and wrote to her. She suggested I send it to you, too.

This may have been my birthday in February 1946. It's taken in our back yard on Liberty Street. I'll send it here so you can see it and I will write the names underneath of those I remember. But I will also attach it as a file thinking that may be the easier way for you to add it to your newsletter - if you want.

1946 A bevy of beauties!!
Front Row l-r: Nancy Ogren, Connie Thompson, Darlene Sweeney, Suzette Van Horn, unknown, Carol Van Horn
Back Row l-r: Mary Devine (I think), unknown, unknown, Nancy Van Horn, Carol unknown

IDENTIFICATION
In the Special Picnic Edition of the newsletter----In a picture I couldn’t identify a lady in a red top who was pictured with Sharon Wendler Stevenson and Pam Wolfe Brown…..it was Linda DeTurk Jones-Class of 1960 WI. Sorry Linda….

THE 1944 SHINNSTON TORNADO
Shinnston Tornado by: Kyle McCormick
1958
Charleston, West Virginia

The most destructive natural disaster in lives and property to occur in West Virginia came about as the result of a tornado at Shinnston in Harrison County on June 23, 1944, when a total of 153 persons lost their lives. This was but nine miles from the Monongah mine where in 1907 some 350 persons lost their lives, the greatest disaster in the state and the greatest mine disaster in history.

This tornado, the most severe one West Virginia has experienced, came about 8:30 in the evening when from the northwest a great black funnel-shaped cloud appeared, traveling about 40 miles per hour. Most persons seeing it thought it to be fire of some kind until they noticed a heavy mass of debris, timbers, trees, etc., traveling before the cloud. Then they knew the worst.

Other sections visited by the tornado were Flemington, Meadowsville, Montrose, Thomas all in West Virginia: Oakland, in Maryland and Chartiers, McKeesport and Smithfield in Pennsylvania. But the big damage was in Shinnston. The main path of the tornado was from 500 to 1,000 feet in width. The time it took to roar through Shinnston was some two minutes.

Here is the summary of the damage of the tornado as given by the American Red Cross: West Virginia 103 persons killed, 72 in Harrison County, nine in Barbour County, three in Marion County, seven in Randolph County; 846 persons seriously injured; 1,686 families affected; 404 homes destroyed.

There were 45 persons killed in Pennsylvania and three in Maryland. Total statistics for Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia: 153 persons killed; 846 seriously injured; 1,686 families affected; 404 homes destroyed; 821 other buildings damaged. The damage was less serious in Ohio.

The tornado ran out in the Allegheny Mountains.

The place hardest hit was Pleasant Hill, a suburban section of Shinnston with about 50 homes. This group of houses just disappeared. Persons who witnessed the tornado say that one minute it was there-the next minute it had gone as though by some magic. Dozens were killed at that spot.

As usual many unbelievable things happened in this tornado: Bonds, checks and papers from that section were found some 150 to 200 miles away in Moorefield, West Virginia; Staunton, Virginia and in Southwest Virginia.

The steel radio tower of the State Police was broken in twain.

A barn was blown away, leaving the horse in the stall uninjured, but a two-by-four beam blew straight through a cow in the field. A pig pen disappeared leaving the pigs. Hailstones were described as baseballs.

Nine persons were killed in the home of Charles Carlin on Peoria Hill at Shinnston, all that were there when the house was demolished; but there were 17 persons in the general store of Y. C. Holsberry at Meadowsville and all but three were injured when the store collapsed completely. Holsberry lost 17 buildings in the tornado. A garage was carried away at Meadowville, the car inside undamaged. Some automobiles were blown 100 feet.

Streetcar tracks were twisted as though made of macaroni, and a cook stove was found three miles away from its former home.

A box containing $750 in bonds and valuables was carried miles away but returned to its owner.

Numbers of bodies were recovered from the West Fork River, one of them 40 miles down stream.

A truck was loaded with a thousand feet of green lumber. Only five pieces of the lumber remained after the storm. One woman was found dead, hurled through the air several hundred feet.

The home of Paul Cox, Shinn's Run, skidded 1,000 feet then was borne through the air for 175 feet. His wife and two children died.

The "believe it or not" story about the tornado is that some persons will swear that they saw straw blown through a concrete wall.

(Note: permission was given by George Rice of Shinnston to use material from the book his father-in- law, the late John L. Finlayson, author of Shinnston Tornado.)

Shared by Boo Beall (ND 1958)

NOTE FROM THE WINNER OF THE 2006 QUILT
submitted by: Pat Nicholson (WI '56)
hwnpan@prodigy.net
I am tickled pink that I won the quilt. Now I will have to do the cross stitch for next years quilt if there is going to be one. I can't believe that I won it. I will treasure all the hard work everyone put into it!!!! Thanks again for all that you do. I am pleased to contribute to the WIN scholarship fund in any way that I can as my husband retired as a principal here in Wood County and our daughter won a total of $10,000. in academic scholarships to use when she attended pharmacy school.

THOSE WHO CARED AND SHARED THIS MONTH
The WIN Scholarship is alive and growing thanks to a few people who have cared enough to share. I know many, many more of you plan to send some money but just keep putting it off.

Do you know that I have only heard from 10% of the readers!

Those who sent me checks this month were:

Sherry Greitzner Dial (WI 1956) given in memory of TONI DAVIS BAILEY AND JIM BAILEY ((WI 1951)

Robert Griffith (WI 1954)

John Timberlake (WI 1948) given in memory of JAMES BAILEY (WI 1951)

If you have decided to become a part of helping a young person ease the financial burden of college, please send a check made out to:

Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship (must be written this way)

and mail it to:

Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, Florida, 344240

It won’t hurt---no one but me and thee will know how much you sent…So send whatever you feel you can afford.

SHOW YOU CARE AND AGREE WITH THIS PASSION OF MINE!
EDUCATION IS THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION.
I heard one person say, I had to get through college on my own, so why should I help a kid I don’t know…..You help because it is the right thing to do. Just think how much $1,000.00 would have helped you when you were going to college….Would you have refused help of $1,000.00? That is funny isn’t it? That is like saying I don’t eat bread because it cost $1.00 a loaf, when I was a kid it cost 10 cents so I won’t eat it now!

COME ON, WE ARE FROM WEST VIRGINIA WHERE WE HELP ONE ANOTHER.
LET’S SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUTH.

FRANK LORIA
submitted by: Sharon Myers Hall (WI '65)
hhubert@bellsouth.net
About a month ago we had to have our wireless surround receiver serviced, I called the Sony phone number that came in the booklet. We live in Purvis, Mississippi and the closest service center was on the coast of Mississippi. When I called the number I was forwarded to Mobile, Alabama due to "Katrina" damage, they said we could mail the unit which is quite heavy. I thought for a moment and asked my husband if we could take it there..............I wonder why I would ask that...........maybe because of Olive Garden? He said sure and we can go to the Antique Store that always has pocket watches as he is a collector. We drove to Mobile the next day, dropped off the receiver, went to Hardee's for breakfast. As we were leaving the cell phone rang, it was the service center and they wanted us to come back, it seems there was nothing wrong with the speakers when they were connected directly to the a main unit. We told them we would pick the unit up later that afternoon. We went to the Antique Store and hubby stayed in the front while I looked around. "County Roads" sung by John Denver was playing in the background and I was looking at cook books and saw the "Almost Heaven" West Virginia cookbook. As I went on looking I was "singing" (if you want to call it that) along with John Denver. I glanced up and spoke to the gentleman that was looking at books and said to him that I was born in West Virginia. He proceeded to tell me something about Logan, WV and Marshall University. I had not thought of Frank Loria in years, but it all came back to me. I said that I went to school with one of the passengers that was on the 1970 plane crash that killed most of the football team. As soon as I got home I went to the computer to see if I could find any information. The next two paragraphs are from my search on the Internet as well as the picture.

Frank Loria, a two-time All-American, was a defensive back for Virginia Tech from 1965 to 1967 and went on to become the offensive coordinator at Marshall University. He was killed in the 1970 plane crash that killed most of the football team. He was 23 years old. In 1999 Loria was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. His son, Frank Jr., accepted the award, saying he never knew his father but knew he was more than just an athlete. "I can tell he was not only a great football player but a great man by the way people look at me and see a little bit of him in me," said Loria, whose mother was seven months pregnant with him when his father died. "I know that my dad would be grateful." Frank Loria was a native of Clarksburg.

10 Frank Loria

Despite his 5-9, 175-pound frame, Frank Loria was one of the most tenacious football players ever to play for Virginia Tech. Loria, who started every game at safety from 1965-67, rapidly established himself as one of Tech's all-time greats with his uncanny ability to diagnose plays and pass patterns. He played every defensive play of his sophomore season. During his junior year, he helped the Hokies to the Liberty Bowl and earned first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press and the Football Writers Association. As a senior in 1967, Loria became Tech's first consensus All-American, making seven first-team All-America squads. He also was named a first-team Academic All-American. Loria finished his Tech career with seven interceptions and still holds Tech records for most touchdowns on punt returns for a season (3) and career (4) and the best punt return average for a career (13.3 ypr). His 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Miami in 1967 is still the longest in school history. After his playing career, Loria joined the coaching staff at Marshall University where he became the offensive coordinator. In 1970, at age 23, he died in an airplane tragedy that claimed the lives of the Marshall football team and staff. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 7, 1999.

But................I remember Frank as the ballerina on stage at Central Junior High School. I wonder if anyone else remembers that?

BREAD ON THE WATERS
Shared with us by: Charles McClung
There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about

THAT ELUSIVE GOLD BRACELET
submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)
flmom1cat4@juno.com
Arrived back in cold Erie late last night after having the plane deiced in Pittsburgh. Brrrrr

First of all, I found my gold bracelet in my car. Thank you for keeping that in mind. How do you remember all that stuff????

Second, thank you so much for all your hard work and planning. I hope everyone realizes these picnics and newsletters would not be happening today if not for your views into the future. Everyone had a good time, I know I did. Every year that I'm able to attend I appreciate it more and more.

Third, I'd like the recipe for the chocolate cake with the coconut and chocolate pudding in it. If the person that brought this delicious thing would share it with us.

Fourth, I am sending you the pictures I took at the picnic.

Fifth, Sure hope your toes are better. I know you were in pain that day, it hurt me to watch you walking around. You sure are a trouper, nothing and no one is going to slow you down!

MARCH TRIVIA PICTURE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Many people named the site but didn’t share a memory so their letters do not appear.

submitted by: Cindy Este Loy (RW '78)
Loyclan@aol.com
This month's trivia picture is of Hite Field. The building pictured is the concession stand. My husband & I graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson, the arch-rivals of WI. My husband played against WI and I attended many RW - WI games at this field. What memories!

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
I think it is WI Field and if it is, it was before I played on that field because I don't remember the net and the fence that close to the dressing rooms. If it was the building by itself, I would definitely say it was the WI field dressing room. Don't know about the "L".

EDITOR’S NOTE: The red “L” stands for Liberty High School-they now use the facilities.

submitted by: Beverly McCLund Eye (WI '70)
beverlyeye@aol.com
I believe that is Hite or Hyte (SP?) field. It is where the football and track meets were held for WI. It was very close to my neighborhood, Chestnut Hills, so we could just walk to the games I could actually hear the games from my home when I was very young.

I remember the band. They always did such a great job and sounded so good. They would march out in perfect formation with the drum major (I think that is what you called that position) and the majorettes and all would do a routine that was always very enjoyable and then go sit in the end field. They always returned to do a show at halftime that was excellent.

submitted by: Bill Phillips (WI '60)
CAPTBILL2001@aol.com
COULD IT BE THE LOCKER ROOMS AND CONCESSION STAND AT HITE FIELD. Not too many memories---I remember Skip Bowie, I think he was the Captain of the football team and Dave and Ace as they called him doing burnouts in the parking lot in his dad’s car…..taking short cuts over the hill through the woods from my home on Hornor to tryouts. Coach Folio had dinner with him years later in New Jersey. I didn’t see much of the locker room, didn’t make the team. Either I was too lazy or just not good enough-probably both….Thanks again for the newsletter---I look forward to it each month.

submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
WaynePawco@aol.com
This is the concession stand at Hite field,,,,WI played many games there and the football and track team used it a lot for practice....It is located just below Chestnut Street in Clarksburg...

submitted by: Chuck Wilson (WI '57)
cwilson@aviall.com
The pic is the field house at Hite Field, this served WI, RW, Victory & Notre Dame, later on Liberty HS 7 ND are presently using it. spent many of day in the old barn, coach's rooms were upstairs.

submitted by: Wade Coffindaffer (WI '68)
wcoffin1@verizon.net
My guess is that the trivia photo for March is the old field house at Hite Field. Although I did not participate in the sports program I did spend a lot of fall Friday nights in the stadium with my father, Wade Sr., who was an avid sports fan and the ultimate WI Hilltopper sports fan. He began taking me to football games at Hite Field when I was really young and countless times reminded me that the field was named in honor of Clay B. Hite, one of the finest high school coaches he had the privilege to know . . . and he knew a bunch of them (and sports officials) in the Harrison County area over the years. Dad was too small in physical stature to play sports in high school, but he did serve as a manager under Coach Hite.

submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)
Hawkewoode708@aol.com
Looks like the field house at Hite Field! So many memories of so many games over my years there as a student 1956-60 and 25 more as a teacher before moving to RCB! Not fancy but it had ATMOSPHERE!

submitted by: Bob Kramer (WI '65)
slimedawgg@aol.com
It is the old WI field house at Hite field, now used by Liberty High School.

submitted by: Bob and Barb Warren Williams
bjwilliams@roverusa.com
The trivia picture is of Hite Field house. We believe it was called WI Field before it was renamed in honor of Clay B Hite.

submitted by: Linda Spelsberg Wolfe (WI '58)
Wolfopolis@aol.com
I think the trivia picture for March is the club house at Hite Field, where W I played their football games. If I remember correctly, this also housed rest rooms and a snack area, as well as football teams locker rooms. I well remember walking from home up the hill, down a street and then a dirt path to the gate, and on to the bleachers. Always a chance of seeing 'him' and maybe a chance of talking to 'him' or helping a friend do the same. Often went to Hagen's after a game, either to be thrilled after a win; or to bemoan a loss. Matter of fact, that's where I met Dick Wolfe, my husband of ....well that's a lot of years.....48 years.

APRIL TRIVIA PICTURE

Picture submitted by: Ron Harvey (WI '55)

Do you recognize the place pictured above? Please send your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember I don’t publish incorrect guesses so you won’t embarrass yourself. Also, we enjoy a memory included with your guess.

SOCIAL STUDIES---ANDRE STYLE
submitted by: Skip Bowie (WI '57)
Sbowie11140@aol.com
The subject for the day was Mongolians and their life styles. We students were discussing the habitat, outerwear vs. “ innerwear”. The Captain stated that the hair structure was of a flat nature, whereas other "tribe's" hair was more round. He asked why we thought this so. No answer of course. However, I had the answer, because they wore their hats 24 hours a day.

Captain Andre was a unique person in my opinion. A "pretty" good teacher. As I remember he had a bottle "NO SHAKE" is his desk drawer. Once in awhile he would tell a fable about his war time experiences. To me he would talk about real life rather than life from a book.

During the summer he worked for the school board cutting grass on the WI football field and other places. He had a golden Frog tan all year long. His wife went to our church and she tried her very best to teach me some French. Un Peu.

When I remember these events it conjures lots memories. The Newsletter is a link to the pass. One of them - I moved to Clarksburg from a very small town two weeks before I started WI as a freshman. The first few days in the hallways, I thought the kids were giving me the evil eye. They were because I was wearing my Levi pants above my white socks and with a semi silver cowboy belt buckle and "Clod" Hoppers. However, Harriet Murphy saved the day for me. She told me that I looked like a hick. Get a Life, Grover

MR ANDRE CHAPERONE ON BUS TRIP
submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)
ma5388@earthlink.net
This picture was sent to me by a neighbor in Stealey in the 40's and 50's, Sharon Burner. Her father was a City Lines bus driver and is the driver in this picture. He passed away last February and she found this in his memorabilia. I'm guessing this was taken in the fall of '52 or '53 with students going to an away football game. Mr. Rene Andre' is standing next to the bus terminal building, evidently he was the chaperone. I remember the faces but can't put names to all of them.

The girls in line from left to right are Sue Selby '55, Eleanor Queen, Mary Ann Baily '56, Patty Tennant '56, Angela Muscari, Right behind her with part of her face hidden could be Sue Day or Sandra Ross, Toby Singleton '56-cheerleader. Third from right could be Sarah Jane Mandeville.

Boys: , ?, George Josephs '56 in striped shirt, Clifton Whaley '56, Dick Allen '56, Leo Andy (would have been '56 but went away to private school.) Okey Kennedy '56 is in back between George and Clifton. Way back and I would guess on someone's shoulders is Gene Petitto.

Isn't this a classic? Love those skirts, bobby socks and loafers. That's the way it was back then!

Hoping readers can help!

HARRY POWERS
submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
Mysto99@aol.com
Crowds at the local Powers Farm looking at Ditch where Powers buried his victims from Illinois...

There were always large crowds of on-lookers that came from everywhere..the barn on the left..in the above picture is where Powers murdered his victims..before burial in that ditch...

The MOORES OPERA HOUSE--where the Powers Trial was held on the stage, because the new Court House was being erected..

The MOORES.. 4th.Street---the Liberty Store...and the Mon-Power Store on the Right, Corner of Pike..and across the street you can see the RITZ Theatre marquee...Remember the big 24-sheet Movie Poster on the right of the Moores..always advertising the movie at the Robinson Grand..!

Large crowds waiting to get in to see the Powers Trial being held on the Moores stage.....

..."there were as many outside waiting to get in as there were inside the Moores"..everyone wanting to know what was happening, to hear from anyone that suddenly came out...

WE used these actual news photos in our large beautiful Souvenir Booklet at the "Harry Powers Murder Case"performances ... we sold..for 0nly $1.00---at the 1987 Play I co-produced for the Art Center.. and I purposely choose to play the part of the Police Chief from Illinois that came to Clarksburg as Power's Victims had done only to be murdered by Powers..The Chief helped beat up Powers after his arrest during "Question and Answer confession-sessions"... ....the late Mike Simons Played Powers in an excellent performance...Mike begging and whispering to me to "take it easy-not so rough!"-- in those scenes!!! We did 14-sold out nites, and we stopped the show, because the whole cast..yes indeed..we were absolutely too exhausted to do anymore

OBITUARIES
LOTA FERGUSON BICE
SHINNSTON - Lota Ferguson Bice, 88, of Alderson, WV, formerly of Clarksburg, WV, passed away on March 7, 2006, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Bice was born on July 30, 1917, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of the late Frank M and Blanche Ferguson.

She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and New York University, where she received a degree as medical dietitian. After working briefly in Clarksburg, she married Harvey Donald Bice and moved to Alderson, WV, where her husband was sent to install the first telephone system in the area.

Her long-term dream was to start a heritage museum in Shinnston, WV. Her dream reached fruition with the beginning of the Bice Ferguson Memorial Museum.

She and her husband provided both funding for this project as well as many of the antiques and artifacts that will be displayed in the museum when it opens in the near future.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frank “Bud” Ferguson and one cousin, David Hardesty.

Mrs. Bice is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Harvey Donald Bice.

RICHARD D. WOOD
NAPLES, Fla. - Richard D. Wood, 76, of Naples, Florida, died March 7, 2006.

Born in Mingo, W.Va., he was the son of the late Lacy and Icie Mae Wood and grew up on a farm on Davisson Run, Clarksburg, W.Va.

He was a 1949 graduate of W.I.H.S., received his B.A. from Fairmont State, and his M.A. from WVU. While attending W.I., he was very active in his church, Bethlehem Baptist, Youth for Christ, basketball, and track.

After graduation he joined the Air Force and married Lorene H. Hayes of Clarksburg on June 20, 1953. He was stationed in Moses Lake, WA and Johnson AFB in Toyooka, Japan. He then returned to Clarksburg where he served as a Lay Minister at the Harrison St. Baptist Church while attending college. The couple moved to New Philadelphia, Ohio where Richard taught Industrial Arts at New Philadelphia High School for 24 years where he was awarded the Ohio Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in 1980. After retiring in 1985 and moving to Naples, FL, he taught at Gulfview Middle School. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bonita Springs where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, conducted the children’s missions, VBS, and the hospitality ministry. He was active in his Naples Park community where he was president of the Property Owners’ Association and Neighborhood Watch.

Richard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lorene Hayes Wood of Naples, FL; three children, Kyrus (Jeff) Patch and Julie (James) Devore of Naples, FL, and Curt (Cindy) Wood of Dover, OH and five grandchildren Also surviving are a brother, JD Wood of Wellsburg, W.Va.; a sister, Vivan (Harold) Cochran of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and a multitude of close relatives and friends.

CHARLES KENNARD “DUTCH” SCHULTE
CLARKSBURG - Charles Kennard “Dutch” Schulte, age 77, Fairfield Glade, TN, and formerly of Clarksburg, departed this life Mar. 11, 2006, at his home.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on Aug. 24, 1928, a son of the late Kennard A. Schulte and Anna (Varkonda) Schulte.

Surviving are his wife, Anita Sue (O’Dell) Schulte, whom he married on Oct. 22, 1966; a mother-in-law, Helen L. O’Dell, Clarksburg, WV; two sisters-in-law, Rita L. Heldreth, and her husband John, Fairmont, WV, and Ruth Ann Davis and her husband, Ralph, West Milford, WV and many relatives and friends.

Mr. Schulte graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1946. He served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict, working in communications while being stationed in AK.

Mr. Schulte retired with Bell Atlantic Corp. in Clarksburg with forty years of service, and in 1994 moved to Fairfield Glade.

Above are excerpts from the Obituary columns of the Clarksburg Exponent.

"I'M THE EASTER BEARY..UH-H-H...BUNNY"

Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index