THE WI NEWSLETTER 11/06



THE NEWSLETTER




Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 95 July 2007






NOTE FROM JUDY: We recently received a letter from a reader saying his e-mail was incorrect in the LINKS AND CONTACTS section of the web site. I corrected his info but noticed that others were also wrong. When the WI NEWSLETTER began we only had 75-100 readers and keeping up the list was an easy task. As Roleta has mentioned, we now have close to 1500 readers and it is no longer feasible to keep this list up to date. As a result, I am removing the "FRIENDS OF 1959" from the web site. For now, I am going to continue updating the list of 1959 e-mail addresses.



THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF AMERICA

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?




A PICNIC IN THE HILLS AND YOU ARE INVITED

Rex Zickefoose is having a picnic August 11, 2007 in his backyard. But his backyard is 105 acres in those West Virginia Hills so he can handle a lot of people! He throws the picnic annually to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or any other reason you want to celebrate. Actually, the reason he throws it seems simple to me, he wants to get together with his friends. Everyone is invited but he particularly wants the people from HARTLAND to come together this year at his picnic.

Rex will roast 2 pigs and have other meat for you to eat. He will provide the plates, silverware for your eating and the glasses for your drinking. All you need to bring is a lawn chair, your own drink, a dish to share and a smile for all.

You can sit back and enjoy yourself, dance a little or even sing along as Rex will have a “Blue Grass Band” and a DJ there to entertain you.

It would be nice if you would email him and tell him if you are coming and how many will be in your group. His email is rexzickefoose@hrea.coop If more information is needed call 304 873 2251.  

Directions to the picnic location:  US 50 to Tarkiln Rd - after exiting make an immediate left - turn right on Big Flint Rd. - turn right on Narrow Run Rd -  The picnic location (and Rex's house) is 8/10 of a mile up Narrow Run Rd. on left. You can't miss the place



AN ACTUAL 1955 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ARTICLE



Anyone remember when life was like this? Write your comments to Roleta1@aol.com




BABE RUTH LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM
PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO. 1954



All practices were held in West Milford. Some of the players were from Broad Oaks and some from West Milford so they could get enough players.  

Front row l to r..........Bobby Turner (WI), Phil Carter (WI), Dave "Pidge" McGahan (WI), Ross Terango (WI), Don Apperson, Jim Westfall (WI), "Stiffy" Clifton (West Milford), Eddie DeVoge (RW), Bob Campbell (West Milford).  

Top row l to r............Coach Dufour, Walt Schroader (West Milford), Sonny Hornick (West Milford), ?, ?, Sarge McQuillan (WI), Jim Alvaro (WI), Coach Vaughn Rice.  

Can you recognize some of the missing names? Please write to Roleta1@aol.com with any additional names or comments. I hope you will share some of your baseball/softball league pictures with us.




THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE

submitted by: Roleta (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com

On May 19th we attended the funeral for Jack Meredith (Bill’s oldest brother). The day after the funeral, we traveled through VA stopping at a couple of places to golf on our way to WV to visit Bill’s brother and sister who have summer homes there. Since we were going to be in the area, we decided to attend the RC Byrd Scholarship Presentation on Wednesday the 23rd of May. We have wondered how the scholarships were presented and I wanted to meet the children who would benefit from the generosity of the readers who have donated to the WIN Scholarship. To our surprise, we were called up on stage to meet the recipients.

Jacqueline Manley and Joel Cano were each awarded a $2,000.00 WIN Scholarship. Joel was scheduled to work that evening and not knowing that he had been selected to receive the WIN Scholarship, he didn’t take the night off from his job to attend the awards ceremony. Both Jacqueline and Joel have very good grades and need the money to help them with their college endeavors.

Here are their Thank You notes to you:

Hi this is Jacqueline Manley.

Once again let me thank you so much for choosing me for the WIN scholarship. I greatly appreciate it. Also, I apologize for not emailing sooner but with graduation and a trip to Myrtle Beach, and working... basically life has been hectic.  

I will go to Grove City on June 29th to register for school and classes. I'll be majoring in Communication Studies. I would like to go into public relations or journalism. I haven't really decided yet.


Dear Mrs. Meredith:

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for receiving the WIN Scholarship. I regret that I wasn’t there to receive it in person, but I was not informed that I would be receiving any scholarships during the awards presentation. However, I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and will put the funds to good use. This money will help me with various expenses next year at Fairmont State University to pay for books and tuition. I am planning on majoring in a business field while in college and also plan to play on the FSU golf team. After college, I am hoping to either start a golf related business or become a country club pro.

Once again, I sincerely thank those who made this scholarship possible. I will use the money wisely to further my education. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

My sincerest thanks,
Joel T. Cano
Ridenour St.
Clarksburg, WV

EDITOR’S NOTE: The recipients are chosen by the principal and counselors at R C Byrd High School. The scholarship money is paid directly to the college of choice. It is paid into their student’s account which can be used by the student only for college expenses.

I am sure many people think that the high school graduates receive many scholarships. I saw a few students honored many times and receive more than one scholarship. I also noticed that many of the scholarship gifts were for $500.00 or less. Several of the graduates had their names called 3 or 4 times. I thought goodness they have a lot of money for college. However, when I checked it out, I found out that 3 or 4 scholarships sometimes only added up to around $750.00. I also know that amount of money is a help but falls very short of the needed money for college in 2007. I know that often books and study supplies can run close to $500.00. Thus, I felt that by the WIN Scholarship being $2,000.00 this year that we are really easing the financial burden for that first year of college for these young people.

THANKS TO YOU WHO HAVE JOINED THIS ENDEAVOR
AND WHO HAVE GIVEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.




CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WERNER FAMILY

submitted by: Roleta Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com

Imagine my surprise when I sat down in the R C Byrd HS auditorium and looked around, directly across the aisle from us was Ronnie (WI 1959) and Becky McClain Werner (WI 1960), sitting in front of them was Jean Werner Davis (WI 1958). They were attending the ceremonies to watch their grandson, Ross, and great nephew receive awards for scholastic achievement. His name was called several times and he received several scholarships.

Ross would be so easy for anyone from the WI Class of 1959 to recognize. He looks just like his granddaddy! He looks more like Ronnie than Ronnie’s son. Ross even had his hair cut the same way Ronnie wore his in high school. Ronnie was so proud of his grandson, as he should be. Congratulations to the Werner family!



NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Lynn Hornor Keith (would have been WI '66) Blhk2@aol.com
Bob McCartney (WI '52) Rlmccarty3@aol.com
Larry Jett (RW '56) Jetterman@ca.rr.com
Ron Kemper (WI '65) rkemper@charterinternet.com
Bob Aaron (WI '65) mulesmulesmules@verizon.net


CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Judy Hudkins Phair (WI '56) jphair9507@suddenlink.net
Rose Bosley McGee (WI '65) ROJAC432@YAHOO.COM
Marty Elliott (WI '57) martyelliott@verizon.net
Wanda Irene Williams Mapes (WI '49) mtnmama75@netscape.com
Dave Hardman (WI '67) davehardman@optonline.net
Betty Marino Blackshire (ND '62) Blackshire@ma.rr.com
Linda DeTurk Jones (WI '60) jpjones59@comcast.net
Paul Rector (WI '58) pwrector@grandecom.net
Charles D. (Dick) Albright (WI '47) jada50@embarqmail.com
June Ann Hoffer Albright (WI '49) jada50@embarqmail.com




AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America! America!
God shed your grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.




CLASS OF 1947 TO HOLD REUNION

The Class of 1947 will hold it’s 60th Class reunion in September. If you are a member of that class and have not been notified of the reunion planned events, please either contact one of your class members or contact me Roleta1@aol.com and I will direct your inquiry to someone to help you.




ATTEND YOUR REUNION

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Is your class planning a class reunion? I hope you plan to attend. You will have so much fun. It will give your “old” memories a jog and new memories will be created. You will make contact with old friends and create new relationships. Some people think that they will not feel comfortable for one reason or the other. Believe me, after attending several of my reunions and several with Bill I can attest to the fact that you will be amazed at how much you will enjoy yourself. If you want to have a good time you will!! At our ages, we are all classmates, there are no barriers among these old friends. That may not have been true in high school but it is so different now. People from the time share a common bond! We shared teachers, a school, the teams, the fads, the hit movies and songs, the dances, the downtown, the stores, the car models, the hair cuts, the style of clothing ….. basically we all share so much that it is amazing to get together with others who share the same things, there is no limit to topics to be discussed, remembered, laughed about and enjoyed. So one more thing, please do this for yourself!
GO TO YOUR REUNION!



LITTLE LEAGUE PICTURE

submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontiernet.net

In the Bill Manley's Little League picture, in the first row, the one on the end at right on his knees is my son, Gregory Jaranko. He played for Bill until he reached the age that he had to leave Little League. He played ball through the Babe Ruth league. I will tell him to look at this picture as he will remember many of his team mates and will submit their names. Thank you.

NOTE: The picture was in June's newsletter




THANKS

submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net

Thanks for another great WI Newsletter, June 2007. What a nice surprise to open it up and see the first two pix were one of my favorite uncle, Trevy Tibbs, and one of an old friend from North View, Tuffy Knight. Just a slight correction on Tuffy’s pic though. He graduated in 1954 from dear old VHS, not ’55. I knew Tuffy was a coach in Canada, but never knew the particulars until now. At Victory, Tuffy was an outstanding player in three sports, Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Actually, I think he may have been on the track team also, but track at Victory wasn’t a priority sport back then. In the attached pic that’s Tuffy standing in the back in the checkered shirt.

It was funny to see that newspaper clipping of my uncle’s induction during WW II. The other day someone sent me a link to Ancestors.com which offered free use for three days to look up records of people you might know that served in the military. First one I looked up was Uncle Trevy, and I found that same information about when and where he had been inducted. I’m assuming you got that picture from my Aunt Roxie, or one of my cousins, Carole or Terry; all loyal Hilltoppers…but I love them anyway.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Judy and I appreciate you saying thank you. No matter how many times we hear it, we still enjoy it.



SUMMER JOBS

submitted by: Bob Alton (VHS '55)
ralton1@satx.rr.com

This is my first time to send something for input into the Newsletter, so bear with me if it is not as it should be!!  

During my high school years I lived on Milford Street in Stealey.  During the summers, before I got a license to drive, I mowed lawns and washed down walls on porches for people in the area.  I also worked some for my cousin who had a contract to clean the Stealey Methodist Church and the drug store across the street.  

After I got that all important license, I worked at George's Cities Service station across the street from the church and beside the playground.  What a great experience that was!!  I got the chance to drive (even if only for short distances) some of the neatest cars.  My job included pumping gas on the "island" (remember when someone else pumped the gas, washed the windows, and checked the oil???), washing cars, changing tires, and greasing and changing the oil.  

The highlight of day was when I got to drive the owner's 1950 Caddie to Bridgeport to pick up supplies from the bulk plant.   

I learned a lot about life during that experience. George Kovach, the owner of the station, was a wonderful mentor to a hardheaded (sometimes hotheaded!) kid!!.  George remains a part of my life to this day, and I call him about once each month to see how he is doing, and I visit him every time I get back to Clarksburg.  

Thanks for the chance to share some great memories with other Clarksburg folks.


submitted by: John Timberlake (WI '48)
JGTimberlake@aol.com

I did not work during the school year. In the summer I mowed lawns around the neighborhood in Broad Oaks with the exception of my Grandmothers which was on Oak Street. During the war, I worked on my aunt's farm near Charles Town, WV. It was a real learning experience for a city boy, learning to milk cows, drive a team of horses, and work farm machinery. Today it would be against the law for a young boy to do these things. When I was sixteen I got my first paying job, $.42 cents an hour, at the Coca Cola plant in Glen Elk. I fed the soaker, which washed bottles at 600 cases an hour and for my break was allowed to carry 100 pound sacks of sugar to mix new batches of coke syrup, or load and unload trucks.

Another summer I worked as a laborer on the repair crew for the Trust Department of the Union National Bank. We maintained buildings and houses that were part of estates managed by the bank. This was the best job because you were doing a variety of work each day so it was not a boring as feeding a machine.

I learned a lot on these jobs, probably the work ethic, as I worked with older men. I also gained a number of skills which came in handy when I became a homeowner. During the winter I clerked at Loar and White for the Xmas season when I was in College.

Someone wanted to know what the teachers did in the summer. Most of the men worked at the Hope Gas Co. Some worked there part time during the year.


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

Yes, I had a couple of jobs during high school.  I sold tickets and worked the concession stand at the Robinson Grand Theater.  I also worked some at the box office of the Moore's Opera House.  The great thing about the Robinson Grand--I was dating Don Simpson and we had a standing free "pass" for all of the movies there.  One of the first things I did with some of my earnings was to go to Aaron's shoe store and buy a pair of "I.Miller" high heels that were bright red.  They were really cool...


submitted by: Penny Christie Johnson (WI '60)
penem@nc.rr.com

My first job was with Parson-Souders taking pictures at Easter time. Judy Whisnant Brown and I dressed up like Easter Bunnies and took turns taking the Polaroid pictures. They chose us because we were cheerleaders and I guess they thought we must have energy like a Bunny...LOL I then continued to work for Parsons each summer until I went to college. I was in the candy and nut counter my first summer. Does anyone remember that rotating machine that held the salted nuts? I do because I had to clean it out everyday at 5:00. They sold Russell-Stover candy also. Next I was moved to the Teen dept on the second floor....Never made a cent when working in that department because I spent all my money on clothes...

The best part about working at Parsons was that I went to the basement every lunch time to get a sliced chicken sandwich on one of their homemade rolls.. It was the best...


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

In February 1964 of my junior year I was hired as a weekend "DJ" by WHAR -1340 AM, the only Rock station in the Clarksburg area. I had been a member of the WI Radio Club in my soph. and junior years where we had "Club WI" on WHAR on Saturday mornings at 10 am and on WPDX-AM on Sunday afternoons at 2pm. My being on the radio from 6pm - 1 am (sign off) on Saturday nights kept me out of a lot of trouble. But since I was an usher at First Presbyterian Church at the 9 am service on Sundays before my 12 noon - 6 pm show, there were adults who put song requests in the collection plate! My theme song was an instrumental from the Munster’s TV show and I called the program "Mac's Shack". In my 1965 yearbook about 50% of the quotes mentioned me being on WHAR. 

Some of my memorable times at WHAR radio were the Four Seasons coming to a concert at Salem College (a cousin from New Jersey of Frankie Valli was going to Salem) and their bus showed up at the radio station on Saturday morning while I was on the air and the only person available to interview them. Also a deranged female with a .22 pistol came to the window of the studio on Bridgeport Hill and threatened to shoot me through the glass. I also filled in on a Saturday when Mike King (still a local radio personality) eloped to Maryland. 

In August 1964 as a 17 year old I had the amazing opportunity to travel by bus from Clarksburg with the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars as the emcee and introduce groups like Paul Revere and the Raiders, Chad and Jeremy, Brian Hyland, Dobie Gray ("The In Crowd"), Tom Jones, The Crystals, The Ronettes and the Beach Boys in Cumberland MD, State College PA and Uniontown PA.

During my senior year, our Principal Mr Cubbins allowed my schedule to be changed mid-term so that my 7th period class was changed to a study hall so I could leave school and be on the radio "afternoon drive" 3 - 7 pm. I was already enrolled at Ohio State as a pre-pharmacy major --- this radio DJ job was just a high school job to me. Later on in 1967 I almost flunked out of college but then changed my major to radio-tv and have had a great career in broadcast management in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Dayton Ohio, Richmond Va and Raleigh,NC.


submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@AOL.COM

My first after school job was at the Chicago Dairy and Baking Co. in September, 1944. My Uncle Harry Kinnard owned the business. His son, Bucky Kinnard, graduated from WI and became a radio announcer for the former WBLK radio station. The family moved to Hollywood, FL in the late fifties. My starting time after school was 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and quit at 11:30 p.m. On Fridays I started at 11:00 p.m. and worked all night to 12:00 noon on Saturday. My job was cleaning bake pans, icing donuts, cup cakes and raison bread. I was also in charge of slicing bread. On the all night shift I was kept real busy mostly cleaning cake pans for a lot of wedding cakes to be picked up Saturday. Around 7:00 a.m Saturday mornings I had to transport all baked goods to the store. The bakery was located in a separate building in Traders Alley.

I left the bakery in March of 1945 and started working at the Workingmans Store at 328 W. Pike Street. Starting time after school was also 3:30 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. On Saturday I had to report to work at 7:00 a.m. Every one had to work till 10:00 p.m that day as the store closed at this time. In late March of 1947 the store started selling ladies shoes. In two weeks I quit because every woman had to be shown every style and color of shoes. Then they would get up and leave without buying any shoes. After they left I had to replace shoes back in their boxes and restock them.  I had enough of that.

In June of 1947 I started working at the courthouse and stayed there permanently for over forty years.


submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
Falvaro33@aol.com

I was fortunate to participate in summer baseball (Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion) from age 10 to 17. The summer after graduation (1959), I worked at Roush's Fruit Market, W. Pike Street and had no plans for attending college that fall; until, WI teacher Mrs. Martino, approached me at Roush's that August and strongly insisted that I look into it. She indicated that Anthony Julian and Mark Garrett were going up to Potomac State for a visit and I should go with them. I took her advice, enrolled and attended the next two years before transferring to WVU. Thank you Mrs. Martino.   The following summer I played baseball for the Clarksburg Cavaliers and the next two, I worked at the M & L Zinc Plant in Zeising. 



THESE GAVE, THANKS

Can you think of anything that has been more important to you in your life than your education? Where would you be without it?

The following people believe that education is the future of America. Thanks to each and every one of these generous people who said THANKS by giving to The WIN Scholarship.

WILLIAMAM G. HUTCHINSON gave in memory of RAYMOND ROWE 1934-2007 who was a member of the WI Class of 1952.

PAT ELDER (ND 1957) He said Thanks for the newsletter with a donation.

JIM ALVARO (WI 1956) Jim realizes what his education meant to him.

BETTY LATSTETTER BURKE (WI 1958) thanked us for the newsletter with a donation to the scholarship.

NANCY STARETT (WI 1953) who gives to the scholarship each month. She has challenged her classmates of 1953 to match her by September. She will give $20.00 and challenges her classmates to match her contribution. Nancy does not have a computer but her niece often copies the newsletter for her.

DIANA CLEVENGAR SWIGER (WI 1966)

If you wish to send a check or money order to the WIN Scholarship, make your check out to:
Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship.

Mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Yes, the address has changed. Due to some mail difficulties this summer, we are having all of our mail sent to us at our office. We receive a UPS package weekly from our office with our mail included. We hope that this will make sure your mail reaches us.



PEPPERONI ROLLS

You ask the question, the WI Newsletter readers can provide the answers.

submitted by: Mary Stump Harrell (WI '55)
msharrell2005@verizon.net

Some years ago I ordered bread and pepperoni rolls from Tomara's Bakery and they were shipped to me in Florida where I then lived. I suspect that they still ship them.



submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net

I’m sure you both have had 100 replies by now concerning where to order pepperoni rolls and Oliverio’s peppers. But just in case here is what I know about it. Unless something has changed, they told me a couple of years ago at Tomaro’s Bakery that they would ship pepperoni rolls, I believe by FedEx. Their phone # is (304) 622-0691. Address is 411 N. 4th St., 26301. I haven’t ordered any so far so I don’t know how much it costs. They told me before and as I recall it wasn’t cheap. When I had my first pepperoni roll they cost 10 cents. I’m sure they must be a little more than that by now.



submitted by: Jody Buffington Aud (WI '77)

Call Tomaro’s Bakery, they will ship them.



submitted by: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)
nmimiphyllis@yahoo.com

Enjoyed the June Newsletter.  Hope you get lots of response for July.  Tomaro's Bakery located at 411 N. 4th St. Clarksburg WV 26301 ships pepperoni rolls out of state.  Phone # 304-622-0691.  A friend of ours shipped 2 dozen to my brother Bob Alton in San Antonio Texas.  He has also gotten the peppers in sauce from Oliverio's Cash and Carry Mkt. Phone #304-622-8612.  Frankie Oliverio, class of 57 WI was and probably still is, an owner of this business and Oliverio's Italian Style Peppers Inc 280 Ohio Ave. Clarksburg WV.  Hope this helps pepperoni lovers everywhere .     My son lives in New Jersey,  and we can't even get in his house without pepperoni rolls.  We don't go to San Antonio without them either.  Ha Ha

The phone # for Oliverio's Italian Style Peppers is 304 622-4959



submitted by: Bobbie Snider Prochelo (WI '59)
Prochelob@aol.com

I don't know about the pepperoni rolls but I have ordered the peppers from Oliverio Peppers in Clarksburg.  Their number is 1-800-296-4959.  Last Christmas I made baskets for all my kids with jars of the peppers, hoagie rolls and directions on making hoagies.  

I really enjoy the newsletter - what great memories it brings back.



submitted by: Penny Christie Johnson (WI '60)
penem@nc.rr.com

Loved the newsletter..
I have ordered Pepperoni rolls many times from Tomaro's in Glen Elk..They ship UPS and I usually talk to Frieda....304-622-0691.

My mouth is watering just thinking about those yummy rolls..



submitted by: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59)
mtmama41@msn.com

Tomaro's Bakery on 4th St may send these rolls to him.

Oliverio's Pepper's also in Glen Elk will send the peppers to him... however they are very expensive to mail.... The California McGahan Clan inquired about this and finally wrapped up several in their backpacks and carried them home.



A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL

submitted by: Ron Gonzalez (VHS '56)
ronaldgonzalez3@msn.com

The first graduating class at Victory High School attended Washington Irving High School in their Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior years. After completing their junior year and a vacation of three months, they entered their new school building which was named Victory. The name was chosen as it was built during World War I and completed after the war was won.

When the first Senior class entered Victory in the fall of 1919, they were greeted by the unfinished building. In some places they had to walk on construction planks to reach their class rooms. The gymnasium was not completed until early January 1920. The manual training class, known as shop class today, didn't have any tools for the students to use for approximately six weeks into their school year.

Also due to the incompleteness of the building, the school was only able to have a small band consisting of a director and six members. A glee club was organized but being its first year, it didn't have a chance.

Two years of sewing was offered in the new school which at the time was known as domestic art. The domestic art class was considered the most useful subject taught at Victory. Years later the title was changed to home economics class. Believe it or not, the new school had a cafeteria. More information on this subject will be found under the heading of domestic science.

Victory High School, when it opened its doors for the first time, was a four year high school. As the years went by the Freshman Class was done away with because of the ever increasing number of upper classmen.

Over 7,400 students graduated from Victory High School during its years as a high school. Roughly 230 teachers served on the faculty along with 7 principals. There were two state basketball championships won, the first was the 1933 team coached by Farly Bell and the second championship trophy was won in 1941 coached by Howard " Doc" Hutson. Seventeen Victory High School students lost their lives in the armed serves during World War II.

At the time Victory was closed as a high school, students were attending from the following communities: Ziesing (Spelter), Erie, McIntyre, Hepzibah, Farnum Road, Reynolds Siding, Dawson Mines, Gore, Crooked Run, Edgewood, Perry Mines, Glenwood Hill, Adamston, North View, Arlington, Glen Falls, Summit Park, Liberty Addition, Whiteman Addition, Wilsonburg, Chifton, Reynoldsville, Katy Lick, Sardis, Catfish, Flag Run, Big Rock Camp, and Little Rock Camp.

Hail Alma Mater Hail to thee
Dear in our memories you'll always be
With in Victory's portals friendship, so loyal so true
Hail dear old Victory hail, hail to you.

All through the years your name will be
Symbol of honor and loyalty deep our devotions
To friends, so faithful so true
Hail Victory High School Hail Hail to you.




VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM (1954)

Pictures submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
floyds4@cox.net



  


If you have any other names or corrections, please write to Buzzy.

from right to left:
#1 Tuffy Knight...Bunk Sprouse (brother), Matt Perri, Punky Garrett, Clarence Leggett? Sam Hilton, Maybe Don Smith?

#2 Anthony DeMicco, Keith Clark, "A" Williams, John Anderson (my cousin. You sure? Doesn’t look like him to me) Joe Perri, Bob McNabb, Either Jerry Stackpole or Charlie Pyle? Robert Byrnes?

#3 Doctor Jimmy Kopp, Carl Taylor? David Toothman,George Beezel? Coach Neil Sappington (Sapp)





A HAPPY CUSTOMER

submitted by: Beverly Ellis O’Grady (WI ’58)
logrady@cfl.rr.com

Recently I ordered & received the CD that has the WI Newsletters from September 1999 thru February 2007 on it. The instructions were all there and it was so easy to use. Larry & I have enjoyed "catching up". Not only was there a lot of good reading but it's great that the WI Newsletter Scholarship fund receives a portion of the $10.

Thanks to both of you,

NOTE FROM JUDY: Others who purchased a CD and contributed to the WIN Scholarship are:

AL STARKEY (WI '60)
PAT ELDER (ND '57)
DIANA CLEAVENGER SWIGER (WI '66)





WIN 2008 SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

"THINK SPRING"

Sue Selby Moats and volunteers, Carolyn Layfield Cady, Liz Carder, Carol Dean, Sharon Melvin Kinney, Mary Harbert Nophsker, Elaine Norteman, Kitty Sager and Mary Sue Spahr are busy stitching up another quilt to be raffled off to benefit the WIN Scholarship. The quilt this time will be made from RJR Heirloom Lilacs fabric by Debbie Beaves. This is the large lilacs on cream background from that collection. Mary Liz Custer Carder (WI '54) has provided the focus fabric for us to use in our quilt blocks this year. Thanks, Liz!

The stitchers will make a 12 1/2 inch block (finishing to 12 inches) in the pattern of their choice. The blocks will be sent to Sue who will figure out how to combine them into a WINning quilt. The back ground of each block will be cream and they will add other green and lilacs fabrics from their Quilters' Resource Center (otherwise know as their "stash") to complete each block. The block may be pieced or appliquéd as they choose.

Some of these blocks have been finished and will be on display at the WI Picnic in Clarksburg on August 25th at the VA Hospital Park where Sue will be selling tickets. The drawing for the quilt will be held at the Clarksburg Picnic on March 1, 2007 in Sarasota, Florida.

If you are interested in participating in the making of the quilt to raise money for the WIN Scholarship or if you wish to purchase raffle tickets, please contact Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) moatsue@aol.com.



ADAMSTON GLASS PLANT SMOKE STACK

submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net

Don't know if you saw this or not. I‘m sure a lot of you who live in/near Clarksburg were there for the actual event. It wasn’t exactly on the scale of our semi-annual implosions of Strip hotels but it’s still fun to watch. Another Clarksburg landmark bites the dust! What’s next?

http://www.wboy.com/slideshow.cfm?func=viewshow&showid=111



TAPS

In reply to our printing the words to the song “TAPS”. Glenda Gregg (WI 1957) sent us this site to see more about the song. Check it out.

http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html

Here is another source re: “TAPS” that you might wish to check:

http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons//sr-story-of-taps.html




QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION
IN HONOR OF OUR VETRANS

submitted by: Sue Selby Moats (WI '55)
Moatsue@aol.com

As we celebrate our Freedom on the Fourth of July, may we remember and honor our veterans and especially our military personnel wounded or killed in Afghanistan or Iraq. They are giving so much to help others gain their own Democracy.

Please visit http://www.qovf.org/ which is the website for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. This was started by Catherine Roberts of Delaware and is now supported by many quilters all over the world. The slide show of the wounded soldiers with their QOVs (Quilts of Valor) will touch your heart strings. Quilters who want to make quilts for this project may find information on the site about size, etc. Quilt makers can be matched with longarm quilters in their area to complete a quilt. Participants may receive tickets to win one of two exquisitely quilted vintage quilts.

Another group provides quilts to comfort families of soldiers who have been killed in the conflicts. It is called Freedom Quilts at Freedom Quilts They are raffling a 75 x 90" handmade patriotic quilt for a $25.00 donation. Funds generated through this raffle are earmarked for construction on the inside of a building that will house supplies, finished quilts and provide space for quilters from across the country who want to assist Freedom Quilts. The drawing is July 4th.

Contact person is Betty Nielsen at 1-712-288-5328
Freedom Quilts Inc.
C/O Betty Nielsen
13437 550th St
Fonda IA 50540


A COLLAGE OF THE QUILTS

We're lucky, our brother Buck's son returned safely from Iraq as did the daughter of a good friend. So, I'm throwing out another challenge to the quilters who read the WI Newsletter. Some of you are already helping with the 2008 WIN Scholarship, please share this information with any quilt guilds to which you belong and ask them to honor our military personnel by helping out with one of these projects. Or, if you prefer, send me a patriotic quilt square of your choice & I will put them together to make a QOV.

Let's say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE together.





A NOTE FROM OUR GAL IN IRAQ

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Remember I ask you to send cards to Liz Litsinger who is serving in Iraq? She is a niece of a reader and faithful contributor to the newsletter, Buzzy Floyd (VHS 1956). Well, I am happy to announce, Liz is coming home!!! Here is her letter:

Hello to all,
This is my mass email to let everyone know that I will be home soon and that I hope to get the chance to meet up with you all at some point possibly. I want to thank you for the letters, emails, cards and packages it really helps with the morale here. This is also to please let you know that our last date for mail is the first of July so please don't send anything else...if you feel it necessary it will go to soldiers in the next unit coming in. It has been a long hard journey here and I am definitely ready to head home.

Thanks again for all the support and love.
Liz Litsinger



EIGHTH GRADE CLASS PICTURE AT CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

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

It is a Central Junior High School picture. Home Room 302. However, it is a class picture for years 1961-62. I was in 8th grade. The teacher's name is Mr. Wharton. He's on the far left in back. The girl beside him is Vada Hickman. The black guy in the back far left is a guy by the name of Bruce Jones.





REMEMBERING THE CLASS PROM

submitted by: Penny Christie Johnson (WI '60)
penem@nc.rr.com

I remember our Jr-Sr prom of 1958 because the Junior Class was in charge of it and I was on the decorating committee. The theme was "How Deep is the Ocean" We made paper fish and a huge sculpted octopus that was stuffed with gray crepe paper. We used a large area in the middle of the dance floor where we had fishing nets, the octopus and even a mermaid. The top half of her was dress mannequin that we borrowed from Parsons. It was held at the Waldo and was lots of work, but also lots of fun. My junior year I went to the prom with Gene Davis and my Senior year I went with Billy Patton. Great memories.

Thanks again for all your work and commitment to this undertaking.



NEXT MONTH

Subjects to be discussed in upcoming newsletter issues

1. Sports: …..swimming, hiking, ball park games, playground games, league participation, baseball, football, tennis, attending your first major league game….Come on, write to Roleta1@aol.com with your memories of summer sports when you lived in Clarksburg. I want to start a nice SPORTS section in the newsletter so you sport enthusiasts can discuss sports in the newsletter…. (now don’t you dare start writing each other privately about the subject)! Even though not every one writes, a lot are readers and hopefully your input on the subject will encourage some of those “SILENT SPORTS FANS” to write also.

2. Did you play organized baseball? Several people have shared ball team pictures. We have a lot of them in this newsletter. If you remember your team or have a picture, won’t you share with us? Send your memories to Roleta1@aol.com. You can scan your picture or copy it and mail it to Judy. Contact Judy for her mailing address where you may send your pictures to jkimler@verizon.net.

FEATURED WILL BE:

3. The summer is coming to an end…remember those feelings when you were young? Sometimes we were anxious for school to start but we didn’t want to have the summer end—those free summer days when we didn’t have to get up and get ready for anything! Those days when we could loaf around the PLAYGROUND! AUGUST NEWSLETTER will be DEVOTED mostly to your fun at your local playground, a playground romance, a ball team, a new friend, your favorite activity, the movies, the playground leader, ….so send me your memories…write to me at : Roleta1@aol.com

4. Coal mining in Clarksburg, Harrison County and the state of WV. Did you have a coal miner in your family? Did you ever work in the coal mines? Did you live near a coal mine? Tell us about your experiences with mining.

These will be main features of the August newsletter; however, you are welcome to write to the newsletter about any subject. Don’t hesitate to write. You may write about any subject to the newsletter, the more the merrier; however, write about each subject in a separate letter to me please. You don’t have to be a writer; you just write it as best you can and I will help as best I can and together it will work….at least it has worked well that way for 8 years. Be sure to include your name, school, and year of graduation in each letter.


submitted by: Rose Lee Bellotte Hamrick (ND '61)
roseham@msn.com

I just wanted to share with you that in the last newsletter I saw a name with a change of email address for Sam Fiorenza. My mother’s maiden name was Fiorenza so I took the chance on writing him. Today I heard back from Sam and found out we are cousins. I remember his sisters but can’t ever recall knowing him.

Thanks for the newsletter.



submitted by: Sharon Bee Armstrong (Bristol HS '59)
sharonbeearmstrong@yahoo.com

Just read the newsletter and as usual, you and Judy outdid yourselves. I have some information for Bud Givens, unless a dozen other people have written in response to his question about "peppers in red sauce" and pepperoni rolls. He might have been referring to Oliverio's for the peppers. Every time I'm in Clarksburg I go to Kroger's on Bridgeport Hill and stock up for my trip back to Florida. They also have a web site and will ship. One day when I was there a man was straightening the shelves and I remarked that I was taking half a shopping cart full of Oliverio's back to Florida with me and he turned out to be the son of the owner! He was there doing his own grocery shopping and couldn't resist straightening the shelves. He also told me they were going to start stocking in the Tampa area, which is where I live, but so far, I haven't found any of their products. They're so good, by the time I open the jar, I'm eating them before they ever get out of the jar.

I hope one of these days our paths will cross and we will be able to do a "nine and dine," although I'm getting pretty good at making it through 18 with the help of a Thermos with some of Almaden's finest! Have fun this summer and thanks again to you and Judy for a great job.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sharon, I do mean to get in touch with you so we can once again meet. We haven’t seen each other since I left Wolf Summit in October of my 5th grade year. Oh, correction….I think my parents threw me a girl-boy party (at our home in Clarksburg) my 6th grade year and a lot of my friends from school in WS came…perhaps you were one.



submitted by: Bob McCartney (WI '52)
Rlmccarty3@aol.com

I'm sure you are all interested to know that the Princeton Review just published their 2007 list of top schools, including a list of the Top 10 Party Schools. Univ. of Texas was ranked #1, closely followed by Penn State (Joe, your school hasn't changed since you were there), and WVU in 3rd place. For all of our HS classmates who went to WVU, I see things haven't changed there either.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Where did you attend college? Did you party while there? How do you think your college rates as a party school? If you don’t want me to use your name in the newsletter, just tell me……but we still want to know! Write Roleta1@aol.com



submitted by: Bob Secret (WI '60)
RLSecret@aol.com

I just needed to extend my deepest sympathies to Bill and you for your family loss...my prayers are with you guys.....You do a marvelous job of entertaining we readers and it would be quite disappointing to not get these cherished memories and updates from our alumni in your monthly newsletters...However, if there is a flip side, thanks for a job well done!



submitted by: Leslie Moran Bond (WI '79)
moore@ufcw23.com

Under the summer jobs section this month, I saw where Ron Harvey wrote about being an Exponent-Telegram paperboy. I worked for Cecil Highland, Jr. for nearly 25 years as an adult, and throughout that time, had numerous influential Clarksburgers mention to me that their first job had been as a paperboy. I think it would be interesting to know who among your readers held such a job. In particular, I recall Larry Mazza (with whom I also worked for a long time), who was a Notre Dame graduate and who was, for a time, the youngest bank president (Empire National) in America and distinguished himself as such. He has been a remarkable community leader who first learned responsibility carrying the paper. I know there were many others, although names escape me. Your readers may have something to offer.

Throughout all my school years, my best friend was Ellen Cobb, who lived very close to WI. She had an older brother named Ty Cobb, who also graduated from WI - probably in the late 60's or early 70's. When Ty was older he was very ill and once while hospitalized, received a lot of ribbing about his name from a roommate. Then he discovered that his roommate's name was Bud Wiser.

That's all for now. I enjoy receiving the newsletter very much - thanks for your diligence in making it happen!



submitted by: Lynn Hornor Keith (would have been WI '66)
Blhk2@aol.com

I was given the link by Jane Faust. I went to Towers. Central and 9th grade at WI and then went away to high school in Richmond, VA where I graduated in 1966. I graduated from The University of Georgia in 1970. My parents were lifelong residents of Clarksburg, Mary Louise and Bob Hornor who are now deceased and I have two sisters, Caroline Hornor Ramsey of Bridgeport and Leslie Hornor in Kensington, MD. I moved to Maryland in the early 70's and have lived in or around Washington, DC ever since. My husband Taylor and I live in Kensington, MD.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading past newsletters from January. Occasionally I see a familiar name but I really enjoy the great stories about our wonderful childhoods in Clarksburg.

My grandmother lived diagonally across the street in Golf Plaza from the Cohens and I vaguely remember Mr. Cohen's murder, but I don't think it was ever solved. I loved Broidas and how exciting it was to shop for something special there. Does anyone remember a dress shop next to the Union Bank on Main Street that went out of business over night? I had bought my first formal dress there which I absolutely loved and while I was in Richmond, they closed their doors overnight. I also seem to remember that Melets carried some ladies clothes but as a child, we bought things at a children's shop across from Moore's Opera House. I only went there once, to see Traviata when we were at Towers. The only thing I remember was studying The Anvil Chorus with Mrs. Richardson in the 6th grade. I could go on and on!!! I have a steel trap memory about growing up in Clarksburg!

Will you kindly add my email address to your list.

Thanks so much for your great work on this newsletter.



submitted by: Judy A. Rice Talago (WI '56)
JTalago@aol.com

I don't know about the pepperoni rolls but I do know you can order Oliverio's Peppers on the web. Also a couple years ago I found them at Winn Dixie in Melbourne, FL. Someone could make a mint in Fl. if they opened a good WV hot dog and Pepperoni roll store. If I were younger I'd try it.

You are doing a great job with the newsletter and I look forward to it every month. Was raised in Broad oaks and attended Alta Vista, Central Jr., graduated from WI, Graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing. None of my institutions of learning remain as they were when I attended. I spent 40 years working at St. Mary's, UHC, VA and finished in prison. (1988 - 1996) (Working in the clinic, of course.)

In 1998 was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis but my only problem with it is that I have to use Oxygen 24/7. But after 9 years of dragging it around, think I'd miss it. lol Actually, don't let it slow me down much. I will try to make the Clarksburg picnic and possibly the Fl. one also. I spend Oct. to April in Rockledge, Fl.



submitted by: Michael McClain (WI '62)
crazymanmichael@bellsouth.net

I recently became aware of your newsletter after serendipitously meeting an old classmate, Ray Carter (WI,'62), some months ago in Asheville, NC. Whilst I left Clarksburg in 1960 and completed high school in Ohio, throughout the passing years I always carried a deep affection for the town, the schools (Tower ES, CJHS, and WIHS) and all the friends, circumstance forced me to leave behind so long ago.

After all the years, most lived overseas, it has indeed been a pleasure reading through the past, as well as the more current, editions of the newsletter and learning of the very many remarkable successes and honors achieved by those I knew so long ago. But it was also with sadness that I have read of the untimely passing of so many others. Oh well, such is life....

I just wanted to express my thanks to you for performing such a excellent job of bringing old friends together again.

Please keep up the good work!!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: To Michael and all you other readers. All of our past newsletters are now on a CD which you can play in your computer…..you haven’t missed a thing……you can read it whenever you like……..It only costs $10.00----it will be mailed to you ready to play with very simple instructions---------------and all the proceeds go to the WIN Scholarship. So as they used to say, “You kill two birds with one stone”. A $10.00 check will be the stone! Contact Judy Daugherty Kimler at jkimler@verizon.net for instructions on where to send your check. Thanks



JUNE 2007 TRIVIA PICTURE

submitted by: Debra Tuttle Yorgensen (Parkersburg Catholic HS '69)
dyorgensen@hughes.net

Is it Union Carbide in Anmoore? I had a friend whose husband worked here. His name was James Beam Noe, one of the Beams of Jim Beam fame. I am not sure how they ended up at UC but they lived about 3 doors down from me on Stanley Avenue for a year or two. She (Teresa) was a great socialite (just about 23 years old or so, from Kentucky). Their son played with my middle son. I don't know where they are now but I am fairly sure they are not together. She was also with me in Beta Sigma Phi, Rho chapter.



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

My uncle "Monk" Westfall and his son and my cousin, Jim Westfall (W.I.'58) both worked there. I also know that my nephew, Jeff Westfall, W.I. '74 worked there a summer or two. I pass by this plant several times a week and they have added to the size of the plant. My scariest recollection came from a friend who died from breast cancer. She was asked by the doctors at Cleveland Clinic if she lived near a U.C. plant and she replied, yes, I live in Stonewood. I have always thought the only common thing all of us have in and from this area is the air we breathe and the water we drink. I have lost a husband and a son to cancer; have a nephew very ill with cancer and a sister-in-law who is a survivor. I have lost count of the people in this area who have died from this deadly disease. I am not pointing a finger at U.C., but the entire picture is one not to ignore.



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


THE CARBON NOW

The trivia picture is that of the Union Carbide Company in Anmoore, WV. I know it well as I married Sonja Grossa whose house was directly, and still is, in the front yard of the plant. In fact my mother in law Anna Grossa, still lives there with her brother, Johnny Krosmico. It is the only house on that side of the road. My father in law, "Buck Grossa" retired from the Carbon and all his working life walked about 100 yards to the entrance of the plant. I remember him coming home in the evenings covered with carbon dust. When we would go visit from GA. and take my daughter, she would go out and play and she would come in the house covered with carbon dust on her feet and clothes. But now with the pollution controls, the air is much cleaner. I had several friends who worked there during the summers. Judging by the cars in the parking lots, it seems the Carbon is still doing pretty well. Let's hope so because as I could remember, the Carbon paid as well or maybe more than most of the factories in Clarksburg.



submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@msn.com

I worked for union carbide for 33 years. The picture must be when it very first opened. It doesn't look like that now. At one time they had over 900 employees. Today they may have 100. We are fortunate to have this plant here in this area as so many other plants have shut down. One story I will share as there were so many during my 33 years there: once on an afternoon shift we cooked a whole pig in one of the hot furnaces. We wrapped it ever so tightly in aluminum foil and covered it with hot sand. I have lots of memories of my time there, some good...some not so good.

Anyway I am glad to be retired. Thanks Roleta.....



submitted by: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)
BAP555@aol.com

That is the Carbon Factory in Anmoore. My Dad worked there. It was a dirty clothes job. My Dad used to send me up to the laundry mat on Haymond Highway in Broad Oaks to wash his clothes. He paid me to do his work clothes. I used to use the money to ride the bus to go to school at Central and WI. It was a cold walk to town and we had to wear skirts to school then. My first job was working at McCroy’s 5 and 10 cent store. I worked Monday evening and all day Saturday pricing items for .92 cents an hour. My brothers and I sure miss our Dad, he was a great father.



submitted by: Randy Martin (WI '74)
rlmartin@aep.com

I remember a few things about the Carbide plant, particularly while in high school, delivering newspapers in lower Stealey on warm summer mornings and smelling the sulfur from the plant. When I was younger, my family would get ice cream cones at the Dairy King in Anmore. We would drive up behind the plant to return to Stealey via Nutter Fort. The bright lights that illuminated the plant site at night fascinated me. The plant seemed to be an enormous operation. I guess it was. I seem to remember reading that Carbide operated two similar plants, one in Niagra, NY, the other in Cleveland, OH. That plant provided a comfortable income for many workers and their families in the Clarksburg area.

It is a small world. This trivia picture reminded me of Dad and times long ago in our old Clarksburg. Thanks for helping me remember!



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

The photo is a postcard labeled Washington Carbon Works. This was a predecessor of Grasselli Carbon, and then National Carbon, and Union Carbide and now another company that manufactures carbon products at Anmore. We were by there Memorial weekend and noted that there is in fact new construction occurring on the factory property, a suggestion that the carbon industry is alive and well there.



My father and aunt worked many years at the National Carbon plant. Daddy was a laborer, working shift work all his life. He died at age 57 of a heart attack. My aunt, Sarah Kathryn Teter, a former math teacher, worked in the offices, starting as a payroll clerk and finishing in quality control, working with the engineers. She retired from there. Both of my brothers worked there, Bob in a co-op program, and John for a summer I think. They will, I am sure, tell their stories.

The first house I remember living in was in Anmore, on Ash Street, I think, on the hill opposite the Carbon. I am attaching a photo of my mother, brothers and me, taken in the front yard of our Anmore house. The factory can be seen in the background. Mother is holding John, and Bob is standing next to me.



I started school in Anmore and my brothers were both born while we lived there. In fact, Bob was born at home there. Ash Street was named for the Ash family who was some of the original settlers of that area and still had a home on the street when I live there. Old Mr. Ash was a carpenter, and I believe the father of Ken Ash who became a Major League baseball player. I remember playing with Beverly Ash who was, I believe, Ken's daughter. Her grandfather gave me a carpenter's pencil, a real curiosity to a five or six year old. The years we lived there were the war years and I remember having blackouts and listening to the radio to hear war news. The carbon was working on critical war projects in those days, so I was told. It may just have been that the carbon electrodes they made for the steel furnaces were critical. I remember good times there, a swing on a grape arbor, a playhouse under the porch, gooseberry bushes and pear and cherry trees, broomsage burn offs in the fall, and good neighbors...the Mino and the Fragmin families, and schoolmates...Eddie Duchess, Jarvis Brent and Louise Gray and my first grade teacher, Miss Kinney. We moved from that house, a rental, to Clarksburg in August of 1945 when my parents bought a house on Broaddus Ave.

In thinking more about the Carbon, Bill and I turned last evening to one of our favorite resources, Dorothy Davis's History of Harrison County and found there information that makes my skin crawl. Talk about industrial contamination! That Anmore site has not only produced carbon products but also processed zinc in earlier times. Grasselli Chemical's plant there roasted zinc to produce sulphuric acid. An employee named Richard Ziesing suggested the smelting of zinc. Land was bought in what is now Anmore, including parts of the ASH farm (that same Ash family) to build a spelter. That plant closed in 1927 and all operations moved to Meadowbrook where the company bought land from E. I. DuPont company and built both plants and towns .. Spelter and Ziesing. Apparently the carbon electrode plant and the zinc plants operated at Anmore simultaneously during the first quarter century. If I am not mistaken, DuPont has fairly recently taken (or been given) responsibility for cleaning up the Spelter/Ziesing site. That is another story.

Thanks for giving all of us the memories you give us.



TRIVIA PHOTO

submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@AOL.COM


AERIAL VIEW OF THE CARBON TAKEN IN 1975

The latest trivia photo is of the local National Carbon Plant located at Anmoore, Harrison County. The town was originally known as Grasselli, W.Va.

The name Anmoore is for Ann Moore whose father owned the town site. This location was selected because of its plentiful supply of inexpensive gas (3 cents per thousand cubic feet). Construction began on the plant May 6, 1904. It was built specifically for the production of carbon electrodes. The Wall Street Collapse forced the plant to close in 1931. It was rekindled in August 1933. The plant now occupies 132 acres and is still in operation today.



PRECIOUS CHILD


submitted by: Vince Merendino (ND '64)
jvbond0007@att.net

This is a picture is of Chuck Holden when he was in the 5th or 6th (?) grade at Carlile grade school on Maple Avenue. I went to elementary school with Chuck and we were friends. His family lived in Chestnut Hills. I had a crush on his older sister, Sallie. Grade school times are good memories.


submitted by: Corrine Tiennebaumn Levy (WI '59)
krinee12@yahoo.com

I think the child in the picture is " Chuckie" Holden. Sallie Day's brother. As least it looks like I remembered him when I was at the house.



PRECIOUS CHILD FOR JULY 2007



Do you want to play our game? Just guess the identity of the pictured child and include a memory of the person. I will not print an incorrect guess. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com




You are invited to the Seventh Annual WI Reunion Picnic in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on Saturday, August 25, 2007, at Veterans (River Bend) Park Osborne Shelter, off Milford St. You can also get to it via the Nutter Fort area by going over Rt 98. The time is 11AM until the last one goes home...whenever that is. The picnic is for anyone who ever attended WI (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GRADUATE). .

LET'S MAKE THIS A BIG WI REUNION DAY!
Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959) is in charge of this picnic. She provides the table settings for you. You will need to bring a covered dish, your own drink, and money to put in the pot to help her cover her expenses. Some people bring a folding lawn chair. Don't forget your cameras!!!

You do not have to make a reservation but she will need to know about how many to expect. It is nice to be surprised but it isn’t nice to be overcome with a large group of people and not have enough supplies. If you are going to attend please write Sharyn and tell her - mtmama41@msn.com.Also, let her know if you are willing to come early and help with the picnic --- cover tables, registration, tell people where to put their food, or stay and help clean up, etc.


A group of friends enjoying the 2005 picnic.

If anyone needs directions to Veterans Park they can e-mail Sharyn or Judy Daugherty Kimler at jkimler@verizon.net.

If you live out of the area, you might want to make this picnic part of a week long vacation that would include the Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg on Labor Day weekend. If you don't have family in the area with which you can stay, you should make motel reservations now. There was a list of motels in June's newsletter.




CLARKSBURG ITALIAN AMERICAN MEN OF THE YEAR

submitted by: Ada Pinion Trupo (WI '44)
WVAgata@aol.com

The 29th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg will take place over the Labor Day Weekend, August 31, September 1 and 2, 2007. The food is great, the people are all friends and there is always wonderful entertainment. And each year they honor an “Italian American Man of the Year”.

Every year Ada (Pinion) Trupo (WI 1944) and her husband Louis “Zeke” Trupo look forward to the Italian Heritage Festival. Ada and Zeke celebrated their 60th anniversary on December 28, 2006. But now they have another great event to celebrate. Louis “Zeke” and his brother Joe (Trupo Brothers) have been selected as “Co-Italian American Men of the Year”. They will be honored for their personal achievements and recognized for their contributions to the Italian American Heritage.

Ada, Louis, Joe and their families are looking forward to seeing you at the Italian Festival.



REMEMBERING

submitted by: Jim Potter (WI '65)
JPOTTER@DeltaGas.com

Thanks again for the newsletter I look forward to having memories refreshed the first of every month. You can never go home again but the trip down memory lane is special and I thank you.

Summer in Clarksburg was always fun. Like some of the readers we were never members of the country club or a pool but we had a great time. When I was 16 and had a driver’s license my father said I was not allowed to have a car, so I bought an old motorcycle. (Today they call it the letter of the law). I worked most mornings shoving an old lawn mower with a can of gas and a pair of grass clippers around Broad Oaks offering to cut peoples grass for what ever they thought it was worth. Most the time I was paid more than I would have charged. If they were cheap I didn’t go back. I had about ten regulars that I took care of every two weeks and many others that had special jobs for me.

In the afternoon I would go with some friends Billy Stout, Hardware Hank and others to Buffalo Dam, or one of the other parks with a lake and white water for a day of swimming. On week ends we would go with Tony & Nick Alvaro to the Eldora race track for a night of watching the races.

Some Saturday nights we would go to the basement of the Masonic Lodge and shoot rifles they had a nice range for teenagers and gave medals and patches for the best shots.

On several occasions when we could get a car we would load up a bunch of guys from Broad Oaks and go to the Sky Line Drive In. I don’t know if we invented the trick of loading up the trunk with friends to get in but we may have perfected the practice. Near the drive in was a hot dog stand that had a dozen dogs with chili for a dollar and we would load up before going in.

On the few nights that nothing was happening we could always go to the Broad Oaks Dairy Bar for a shake and hope some of the really good looking local girls would come by. Many of the local kids spent many a night at the Millers home on Harrison St. Mrs. Miller had card games, different kinds of rummy for the neighborhood kids. She also had two very attractive daughters Nancy & Sue.

Summers were special, teen age years only happen once, and go by too fast, those years and memories will last a life time.



HOW I GOT MY NAME

submitted by: Leslie Moran Bond (WI '79)
moore@ufcw23.com

Under the "unusual names" section: I was named "Leslie" for the character Elizabeth Taylor played in "Giant." However, my mom, Billie Anne Cork Clevenger (a WI graduate) always joked that I was named for Leslie Uggams because when I was born, she looked at me and said "Ug!" More interesting is the fact that I am now Mrs. James Bond (South Harrison '77). My husband was born prior to the 007 movies and was named for a relative, James Ian Bond. His name is James Bryan Bond and he goes by "Bryan," but we have parlayed his first and last name into free cocktails and desserts on numerous occasions! When getting on a restaurant list with the name "Bond," invariably the host/hostess, quips "James?!" and we answer in the affirmative. They don't believe it. So my husband says, "If it's true, can we have a free cocktail/dessert?" They normally agree, he whips out is driver's license, and we're all set!



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

I've heard my brother Fred tell it over and over that my Mom and Dad didn't like me when I was born because they did not name me, being the first born, after my father. My father's name is Fred and my brother, second born, is Fred Jr. However, I will set the story straight. Since the Dr had to pull off a miracle to bring me into this world, my mother was so appreciative she named me after Dr James Brennan. My middle name, Edward, was from my uncle Edward Alvaro. Dr Brennan was one of the last, or maybe THE last Dr to make house calls. I still have the quarantined signs he gave us, that were hung on the doors, indicating Measles, Mumps, Whooping Cough, etc.. I cannot say, "THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLE DAYS".

A CLASS HISTORY

submitted by: Dave Bates (WI '51)
Bates8806@aol.com

It was 1933, the 157th year of our republic, the fourth year of what was called "The Great Depression". The Republicans under Herbert Hoover had gone down to overwhelming defeat the previous November and the Democrats with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his "New Deal" were riding high.

Hunger…unemployment…despair …ruled the land. In our part of the country, families whose fathers, or sons, owned a shotgun were lucky, as they hunted "Hoover chicken"(cotton tail rabbits) to keep meat on the table. Families across Clarksburg and the surrounding hills awaited our births with mixed emotions as old dad worried about how he was going to pay the bills, now with another mouth to feed. A popular song of the time said it all… "Once I built a railroad, made it run…Buddy can you spare a dime?"

If we were born in a hospital in Clarksburg, it was either at St. Mary's or Mason Hospital (Named for and owned by Dr. John Mason, John Lynch's maternal grandfather. Name changed to Union Protestant in 1934.)

Most of us came home from the hospital to two parent families, living in single family homes, with stay-at-home mothers. Houses were heated by coal fired furnaces (if one were living "high on the hog") or by coal/wood burning grates or open flame gas heaters in each room. Trips to the doctor were uncommon, as the cost of an office visit was $2.00. If a family member was very ill, and a home visit necessary, the cost went up to $4.00 or $5.00. Mothers nursed the family back to health with iodine, Vaseline, caster oil, milk of magnesia, Vicks Vapor Rub, cod liver oil and too frequent enemas. On summer evenings, mosquitoes were somewhat held at bay by citronella, as we chased and caught lightning bugs in jars with holes poked in their lids.

Our preschool years were mostly safe and, to us, serene, filled with neighborhood playmates, birthday parties, Sunday school (in some instances) and waiting for daddy to get home (unless mother had invoked those most dreaded of words, "you just wait until your father gets home"). Those were definitely pre-Dr. Spock days, when "Spare the rod and spoil the child." was the ruling philosophy of child rearing.

We were unaware that Edward had renounced the throne "for the woman I love", that the Hindenberg crashed and that Orson Wells had scared the hell out of the country with his radio drama “The War of the Worlds". We listened to Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Fibber McGee and Molly and the Shadow on the radio and to 78-RPM records on a wind up Victrola.

As the summer of 1939 rolled to a close, with varying levels of excitement and anticipation, we waited the beginning of first grade on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Earlier in the year, we had been marched through long lines at our soon to be schools for our smallpox vaccinations. Remember the big scabs that itched terribly, and that we WEREN'T supposed to scratch?

On Friday, September 1, we woke up to the news that Hitler had loosed his blitzkrieg upon Poland. It meant little to nothing to us at the time, and none of us could have possibly comprehended that this was to become the premier, defining event in our formative years. Not so for our parents with their vivid recollections of The Great War.

On Tuesday, September 5, we entered first grade. (From this date to entering junior high the story line, while I’m sure closely reflects the time for all of us, goes through Towers. I welcome and NEED input from those who went to other grade schools, and from Towers' students on things that I have forgotten and need to be added.)

Below are misc. items to be covered in some detail

Street cars….rails dug up and sent to Japan…Carl A. Hopkins (model airplanes) Robinson Grand, Ritz, Moore's Opera House (Big triple Bill), Orpheum… Meyer Sigal (Clarksburg, My Hometown) scrap paper, rubber, metal… milkweed pods… save cooking grease, rationing, red stamps, blue stamps, Service Flags, church attendance way up, 48 hr work week

O Johnny O…Remember Pearl Harbor… Wing and a Prayer… Don't Sit Under…Praise the Lord and Pass…Johnny Zero…White Cliffs of Dover…Don't fence Me In…A tisket a tasket…Kate Smith…Lay that Pistol Down…Old Black Joe…Miss Shackaford, traveling writing teacher… who was the traveling music teacher??? …cowboys & Indians. Cops and robbers…then we fought the Japs and the Germans… Air Raid Wardens…Blackouts…Whooping cough…measles…chickenpox…mumps…scarlet fever…polio…Friday afternoon football games (our fresh. yr. we got lights) …colored kids to Kelly Miller …walk home for lunch…knickers…Your Hit Parade…One Man's Family…Capt Midnight… Terry and the Pirates…Jack Armstrong…Lone Ranger…Lum & Abner…Amos & Andy…Duffey's Tavern…Lone Ranger…Fibber McGee…Jack Benny…Baby Snooks…penny candy…Pearl Harbor…D-Day…VE Day…VJ Day …Carmichael Auditorium… School boy patrol

No fresh on front steps… Fri. chapel Fr. in balcony, So. floor rt, Jr. floor left, Sr in ctr. Royal blue grad. gowns, 1st white HS in WV to have a "colored" grad speaker…1-2-3-4-5-6-7- All good children go to Heaven , when they get there they will yell Victory, Victory go to hell… We Are the hilltop girls, we wear our hair in curls…

Towers Staff: Miss Lucy Abigail Robinson, Principal (see attached)
Miss Blanche Hogan, First Grade
Miss Flannigan(???), First/Second Grade (???)
Miss Ruth Bracey, Second Grade
Mrs. (???) Burke, Third Grade (Mrs (???) Freeman)
Miss (???) Lockery, Fourth Grade
(???) Third/Fourth Grade
Miss (???) Harris, Fifth Grade
Mrs. Stella Heater, Sixth Grade
(???) Fifth/Sixth Grade
Mr. Robinson, Janitor
Mr. Joe crossing guard (A Policeman Dressed In Blue)

Central Staff: Mr Gene Lowther Princ
Mr Earle Orme Boys coach/science teach
Mr Frank Colombo " " " (came in 8th)
??????? Girls coach
Mrs ????? Malone art
Mrs ???? Nelson 7th math
Mrs Neva Switzer 7th Eng
Miss ??????????? Geography
Miss?????????? Music ( I think we got a new teacher in 8th )
Mr ???? Corder 7th Shop
M?? ??????????? 7th Home Ec
Miss (???) Cannon 8th math
Miss Virginia Shetter 8th Eng
M?? (???)Reynolds History
Mr Dwight Fowler 8th shop
Miss Wilma Wine 8th Home Ec
Any others?

NEED THE SAME INFO ON THE OTHER GRADE SCHOOLS AS I'VE GOT FOR TOWERS



CLASS OF 1957 PLANNING REUNION

The Class of '57 Reunion Committee is trying to locate the following missing persons: We would appreciate any help we can get. Thank you! Do you have any information that might be a lead for the search committee to find one of their missing classmates? Perhaps you know the city where the person lives, perhaps you know a cousin or a sibling….any lead at all may help the committee find someone…..Please contact Jim Brown at jb1obx@aol.com.

Bennett, James Kenney
Bleigh, Shirley Ann
Boethius, (Per Krister) Goran
Bright, Carl Clifford
Cantwell, Carolyn Virginia
Chidester, Janis
Colburn, Ronald
Daquino, Thomas Lee
Deison, Robert
Dilly, Mary Ann
Elder, Edna Estella (Cox)
Goff, Roger
Kelley, Dan
Loose, Carol (Stricke)
Mascaro, Angela (Morrison)
Rhoades, Oscar Lee
Sharp, Roy Dale
Simpson, Anne (Shelton)
Smith Joanne (Holyfield)
Smith, William
Spencer, Sandra
Thompson, Mary Helen
Welch, Irene Rose
Wise, Marilyn Joan Catching)
Wolford, Karen (Lafferty)
Woodward, Gary
Wu, Josette



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR JULY 2007


Picture submitted by: Susan Mollohan WI '61

Recognize the picture above? Please include a memory with your guess. I will not print incorrect guesses. Write Roleta1@aol.com.



WHERE HAVE THE YEARS GONE?

submitted by: Beverly Ellis O'Grady (WI '58)
logrady@cfl.rr.com

The saying "You can't go home again" is so true. Through the years when we have returned to Clarksburg so much has changed and very little looks the same as we remember when we were growing up there. Memories, however, never change and it's those memories that have brought about renewed friendships through this Newsletter. It's amazing to read other peoples' memories of Clarksburg. They are much the same as mine. I get the feeling that these things we are remembering didn't happen that long ago. Where have the years gone?

Larry and I moved to Florida in 1964. Our daughter, Marcia, was born in 1965 and our son, Dan, was born in 1968. We took them to visit relatives in and around Clarksburg every two or three years when they were growing up. Marcia has always loved to go to that area. As I write this note she and her two children are in Clarksburg visiting. We don't have many relatives there anymore - many have passed on. She called the other day and excitedly said, "I'm walking down some streets where you walked as a girl." (Could that really be 50- plus years ago?) She had a flat tire on her rental car and was having it fixed somewhere on Main Street. She and a cousin were walking down Sixth Street to the Post Office to pass time. She said she saw where the Robinson Grand used to be.

What a joy it is for us that Marcia still loves to go there - if only she could see it now as we knew it then. Nevertheless, the attachment is there. Hopefully, her children will have the same love for the area that their mother has.

Larry & I often say we are glad we grew up when and where we did. We actually lived beside each other on Bond Street in Stealey for five years. I was 5 and he was 8 years old when his family moved next door to mine. He moved to Bridgeport in 1952. One day in 1956 (I was a Junior at WI) we saw each other on Main Street . He was in the Navy and home for the weekend. I was going home after school. He called and asked me out. Here we are, 62 years after we first met, 47 years of marriage, with 2 children, 5 grandchildren and all kinds of wonderful memories. Where have the years gone? I'd love to do it all over again!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you ever go back to Clarksburg and walk down those familiar streets? What do you remember? Why are we drawn back to our youth? We know we can’t go back, we know we can’t do it over, we know we can’t change the way we did things. We lived in the best of times in a wonderful place….and in our memories, it hasn’t changed!

We can remember the good times and we can share them with others. Write to Roleta1@aol.com



DESPERATE IN NEVADA

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net

Speaking of great Clarksburg food…and we always are; I have had a craving for about 45 years for a chicken salad sandwich. Not just any chicken salad sandwich, but a CSS from the Sunny Croft Golf Course. Back in junior high when I was a sometime caddy at Sunny Croft, we lowly caddies were never allowed inside the clubhouse; we could only purchase food from the rear window of the kitchen. It didn’t matter since my lunch nearly always consisted of a chicken salad sandwich and a bottle of RC Cola. It was the best chicken salad ever made and I can still taste it. In fact, I can’t get that taste out of my mind, and it’s driving me crazy. With Sunny Croft’s version as my standard, all other chicken salad sands that I’ve ever eaten since then have been just plain yucky. Especially those that think big, huge chunks of chicken make a good sandwich. Sunny Croft’s was shredded and smushed together with the other ingredients so that the flavors merged into a taste of heaven.

Does anyone else remember those? If so, does anyone know the recipe? Do they still make those? Maybe I could bribe someone at Sunny Croft for the recipe. Please help me before it’s too late. I may do something desperate...like asking Carol to let me cook tonight AND do the dishes.



THE UPTOWNER INN

submitted by: Al (Alfred) Starkey (WI '60)
aps4160@aznex.net

May's trivia picture is of the 'UPTOWNER INN'.

It looks familiar to me because I worked on it when it was being constructed. As I remember it was about 1968 or 1969. It was quite an impressive and modern addition to Clarksburg at the time. My father and I both worked for the general contractor who built it. It's builder was Clyde M. Shrum, Inc. a General Contractor who was a well known builder in Clarksburg for many years. He was in business from the 1920's till 1975 when he closed the doors.

As I remember it the Uptowner was later called a Sheraton Inn and later on made into apartments and offices. Having not lived back there for many years, I have no idea what it is now.

Love the newsletter, thanks so much.



SOMETHING OF INTEREST

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net

For those who remember Big Bill Lias (sp?), the boss of Wheeling back in the old days, I think he and Benny Binion were two of a kind. So I guess it’s fitting that a Chester, WV, company bought Binion’s Horseshoe Club. Looks like they’re selling it already.

The place that made poker famous is awash in rumors of a possible sale, but its owners still aren't showing their hand.

Binion's in downtown Las Vegas has been the subject of sale speculation for months and a recent remark by the chief executive officer of the West Virginia company that owns the historic casino added fuel to the rumors.

But so far neither Edson Arneault nor anyone else in the Chester, W.Va., headquarters of MTR Gaming Group is willing to elaborate on plans for the struggling casino, the former home of the World Series of Poker, an event that's reaped millions of dollars and raised poker's profile worldwide.

For the full story click here: http://www.lvrj.com/business/7782556.html



OBITUARIES

Thanks to the Clarksburg Exponent for permission to print excerpts from their obituary columns.

PATRICIA LINDA WHITE STUMPO

CLARKSBURG — Patricia Linda White Stumpo, age 61, of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY, on Sept. 2, 1945, a daughter of H. Laban White and Gwendolyn (Beall) White of Clarksburg. She was married to Lewis Anthony Stumpo for 23 years. She was a graduate with the WI Class of 1963.

Also surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Traci Michelle and Joseph Terango, Summit Point, WV, and Jennifer Careen and Scott Duarte, Bridgeport, WV; two sisters and a brother-in-law, her twin sister, Diane White and Gary Slaughter, Jane Lew, WV, and Carol Ann White, Clarksburg, WV; five grandchildren, Brock Daniel Duarte, Brennan Anthony Duarte, Sophia Tina Nicole Duarte, Amelia Grace Duarte and Anthony Nicholas Terango; two nieces, Melissa McCullough and Gabrielle Vick; one nephew, Joshua Laban Gutshall; great-nieces and -nephews, Lauren Walatka, Dillon and Emma McCullough and Kobe and Noah Vick.

Also on the Stumpo family side, she was surrounded by Patsy and Lana Stumpo, JoAnn Stumpo Oliverio, Debbie and Jim Moneypenny, Donna Stumpo, Michael and Nancy Stumpo, and Chucky Stumpo, and nieces, Amy Moneypenny, Krista Lyon Sharma, Marie Stumpo and a nephew, Michael Stumpo; great-nieces, Tegan and Kamila Moneypenny, and great-nephews, Adrian Moneypenny, and Nathan and Kavi Sharma. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tina Nicole Stumpo.

Linda was an active member of Horizons Church, Lost Creek, where she was involved in life groups, prayer groups and Bible studies. She was a dedicated employee of Chase Bank for 18 years. Her service included various positions from teller to sales and service associate. She served as trustee for scholarship funds and was often representing Chase within the community. The most important position she held for Chase Bank, however, was a friend and family member to fellow employees and customers alike. To the associates she worked with, she was the surrogate mother of the office, always willing to lend an ear and a prayer. To the community and to the Chase customers, she was the same. No matter what the issue, she was never too busy to spend time with her customers, willing to go the extra mile for anyone. To know Linda was to bear witness to the purity of her heart of gold. It was never the positions or various accolades that Linda achieved at Chase that we will remember, but her love for all of us at Chase and her customers.

She loved to listen and dance to music, spend time with her children and grandchildren, and was a sports enthusiast.



ALMA MARIE ZINN COFFMAN

BELINGTON — Mrs. Alma Marie Zinn Coffman age 79 years, a resident of Laurel Mountain Rd, Belington, departed this life 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins. She had been in declining health for the past several months.

She was born November 8, 1927, at Clarksburg, the daughter of the late Claude E. “Joe” Zinn and Leona Marie Cross Zinn.

On July 5, 1946, she was united in marriage to Robert Lewis “Bob” Coffman, who preceded her in death earlier this month due to an automobile accident. Mrs. Coffman is survived by two sons, Rod Coffman and wife Melissa Staggs of Worthington, OH, David Lewis Coffman and wife Sheryl of Raleigh-Durham, NC; and three grandsons, Kevin, Stephen and Mitchell Coffman all of Raleigh- Durham, NC; and one brother-in-law, Charles Edward Coffman of Clearwater, FL.

She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, was a homemaker and a Protestant. Alma was a devoted wife and mother. She kept a beautiful home where all felt welcome. Her cooking and quilting were exceptional. Her love for her family was endless, selfless and unconditional.



NELSON L. BLANKENSHIP

Date of Birth:.Aug. 4, 1931    Date of Death:.June 9, 2007

Mr. Nelson L. Blankenship, age 75, of 19 Windward Terrace, Cape Haze, FL passed away at 5:08 A.M. on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the Tide Well Hospice Care Center in Port Charlotte, FL following an extended illness. He was born in Clarksburg, WV August 4, 1931 a son of the late Jennings B. Blankenship, Sr. and Grace Elizabeth Cogar Blankenship.

Twice married, he is survived by his former wife, Norma J. Probst Blankenship and his current wife, Cynthia Spry O’Connor Blankenship, two sons & a daughter-in-law, Larry P. & Bonnie Blankenship, Bridgeport, WV and Garry B. Blankenship, Grafton, WV, a step-son, Brian O’ Connor, Hernando, FL two sisters, Mrs. Kathleen B. Martin, Birminghan, AL and Mrs. Mark (Linda Lou) Stevenson, Rock Hill, SC, two grandchildren, Hilary Gonzales & husband, Daniel & Matthew Blankenship & his wife, Stephanie, three great grandchildren, Nathaniel & Noah Gonzales and Colton Blankenship and a step-great granddaughter, Sadie Bringhurst his mother-in-law, Goldie Spry, Lumberport, WV and several nieces & nephews.

Mr. Blankenship was also preceded in death by a brother, J. B. Blankenship, Jr.

Mr. Blankenship was a member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Boca Grande, FL. He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School - Class of 1949 and the B. & O. Railroad School of Operations. He attend Point Park College & Fairmont State College. He was a graduate of the F.B.I. - N.S.A. Academy in Quantico, Virginia and the Jail Management National Institute of Corrections in Boulder, CO. He was a master mason with membership in Bridgeport Late Lodge # 63 A.F. & A.M. and a shriner with membership in Beni Kedam Temple of the Shine in Charleston, WV. He was a past State Director of the West Virginia Jaycees and the Central West Virginia Pilots Association. He was a past member of the Benedum Airport Authority, where he had been appointed by the Harrison County Commission to a four year term. He was a charter member of the Tygart Valley Boat & Recreation Club and a charter member of the Tygart Valley Shrine Club. He was honored by being appointed an Admiral in the Cherry River Navy of Richwood, WV, serving as First Vice President of the WV State Sheriffs Association and he received an Honorary Degree from the “School of Hard Knocks” at Alderson Broaddus College. He had been employed by the B. & O. Railroad for over 32 years & was a Trainmaster, employed in the Monongah Division out of Fairmont, WV. He also worked on railroad committees that included, safety rules and regulations, policies and procedures and employee services investigations.

After his retirement from the railroad, he served the people of Harrison County as their Sheriff from November 1980 till November 1984 and as Clerk of Harrison County from January 1985 till December 1986. He had many interests and hobbies, which included, flying, golf, singing and fishing. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and loving family.





HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH




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