THE WI NEWSLETTER 02/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 138

February 2011

CLARKSBURG - MY HOMETOWN!
Words/Music by: Meyer Seigal
Circa 1950
Verse:

Some folks think they're lucky,
If they're born in old Kentucky,
Or in ten, ten, Tennessee,

Say nothing could be finer,
Than to be from Carolina,
Where the sentiments don't mean a thing to me,

I'll never be found, Alabama bound,
Get me right, just put this down,

I got my opinion,
I'm a thorough West Virginian,
And Clarksburg's my hometown,

1st Chorus:

Clarksburg - Pride of the Mountain State,
Clarksburg - Birthplace of heroes great,
When the band plays Dixie, how my heart thrills,
To me it just means Clarksburg, the "Jewel of the Hills,"

Oh, that's where they smile when they greet you,
Everybody's happy to meet you!
All of my days
I'll be singing my praise,
for Clarksburg - my hometown!

2nd Chorus:

Clarksburg - we produce coal and glass,
Tin-plate, marble and window glass,
There's not a better town on the old B&O,
We're chucked full of pep and we're rarin' to go,

The West Coast has climate and 'quakes,
Florida - mosquitoes and snakes,
We don't give a damn, we got chicken and ham,
In Clarksburg - my hometown!

YOUR LAST NOTICE
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
This is your last chance. Either make your reservations now for the picnic or wait until next year.

I am sure that after 11 years, most of you know about the picnic but there may be some new readers who just don't know! On the first Saturday of March---we will have THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC. People from Clarksburg - well Harrison County - and surrounding area gather in Sarasota, Florida for a good time together. We share memories, we laugh, we sing, and we have a wonderful crazy time. We eat West Virginia " vittles", too. I make up about 18 pounds of hot dog sauce (chili) like we ate on our hotdogs in Clarksburg. I chop the onions and bring the mustard - I even bring a little cole slaw for those who are from other places and think that is the way to eat a hot dog. I bring the wieners too but they aren't those little tiny wieners like we ate, I do the next best thing. Actually everything for an old fashioned style picnic is provided except YOU! And when you come, all you have to bring is a dish to share and your own drinks. Oh and of course, I want to know how many are coming so I am sure to have enough hot dogs. So email me at Roleta1@aol.com and tell me you will be here with us this year. The picnic is at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. It is very close to I-75 and easy to find. I will give you any needed information when you make your reservations. Many people even come to Sarasota and spend a couple of nights in the same motel. If you need information on the motel, check last month's newsletter or contact me for information. Did I say the picnic is March 5th from about 11:00 until about 4:00 or whenever you want to leave? But don't leave too early this year, I have door prizes to give away. We take group pictures and we have a drawing for the winning ticket for the WIN Scholarship quilt and I have a big surprise!

Which reminds me…….THIS IS ALSO YOUR LAST CHANCE to send me a check for the scholarship fund and receive tickets for the 2011 quilt drawing. All money from the sale of tickets for the quilt drawing goes to the WIN Scholarship fund. Out of this fund the WI Newsletter awards college scholarships each year of $3,000.00 to 2 different graduates from RC Byrd HS. That is the only Clarksburg Public High School now. Tickets are 6 for a $5.00 gift or 12 for $10.00, and multiples from there on. You get 120 tickets for a gift of $100.00.
WHAT A BARGAIN!

When you give to the scholarship this month, we will make out tickets for you for the drawing of the quilt. You can have your name on the tickets or send me a note along with your check and indicate whose name you wish to have on the tickets. The drawing will be held at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC. We will provide the shipping of the quilt to the winner located any place in the lower 48 states.

Those who gave to the WIN (W I Newsletter) Scholarship this month were:

Margaret "Fran" Tate Barrett (WI 1950) Thanks for the continued support and the help on the obits.

Sue Robinson Pierson (WI 1965) Thank you for your support for the WIN Scholarship.

Sherry Greitzner Dial (WI 1956) I appreciate your support and the recipients of the scholarship thank you too.

Babe Bisping Cashman (WI 1956) Your support of the newsletter and the WIN Scholarship is greatly appreciated.

Allen Alvarez (WI 1958) Thank you for your generous gift to the WIN Scholarship.

If you wish to give, please write your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

Mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240

I THANK YOU ---- And the child who receives this gift of a scholarship will thank you. READ THE LETTER BELOW!

2010 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER WRITES
EDITOR'S NOTE: There were 2 winners of the 2010 WIN Scholarship. Each received $3,000.00. I send half of it to their Student Account at Fairmont State University, where both of them are attending. Amanda Seefong and Mariah Calef were the winners. I do not have a current email address for Mariah so I can't contact her. I did call Fairmont State and found that both girls are enrolled as full time students for the spring semester, thus I sent the second installment.

Amanda Seefong (R.C. Byrd HS 1010)
Adlseefong@yahoo.com

Hello! I am sorry I haven't contacted you in a while. I am still a full-time student at Fairmont State. I am going to begin my second semester of classes next week. I did very well last semester. I earned a final G.P.A of 3.6, of which I am very proud. I worked very hard and only intend to work even harder this upcoming semester. I am extremely happy at Fairmont State. It has become my home away from home. I want to thank you again for your gracious donation. I sincerely appreciate everything you are doing for me! Thank you so much and God Bless!!!

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)
bfmcintyre@att.net

From my days in rock and roll radio, this picture of me with George Harrison was taken in early 1977 at a party at a hotel in Washington DC. The single "Crackerbox Palace" was being released and George was on a promotional tour across the US, visiting radio stations. The video had just debuted on Saturday Night Live, one of the first ever music videos, many years before MTV. The ballroom of the hotel was filled with radio people and George quietly entered the room and walked up to the group I was talking with and just stood there listening till we noticed him. He was wearing the same thick brown sweater he had worn on Saturday Night Live. He continued to talk with us while the photographer took individual pictures and by then a crowd was forming around us. I also have a picture with Paul McCartney taken backstage at a Wings concert at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati in 1976 but the guy who took the pic was nervous and didn't hold the camera still, so it looks like I might have been posing with a cardboard cutout. The picture I took of my friend with Paul is still on his office wall in Columbus Ohio.

RIFLE TEAM COMES IN HANDY IN THE KOREAN CONFLICT
submitted by: Charles Ferrell (WI '46)
Eagle1928@starpower.net
In the late 1940's we had a 22 cal. Rifle team at Stealey Heights Methodist Church. Our coach was Jim Jefferies and the team members (to the best of my memory) were his twin daughters, Dianne and Joanne, Al and Tom Gensel and Charles Farrell. I have forgotten the other names.

We practiced at the basement range in the Masonic Temple (below our DeMolay Club room on the side street level). I used a Winchester Model 75 nine pound target rifle. This training on gun safety and proper firing positions came in handy when I was drafted in 1950 into the C-29th Armored Infantry of the US Army Third Armored Division along with five other WI graduates to Fort Knox in the dead of winter. Al Gensel was in another company next to ours. We were trained for the Korean Conflict with M-1s, carbines, grease guns, 45 ca. pistols, Browning automatic rifles, bazookas, light machine guns, tank machine guns, mortars and the 75 mm cannon. We marched at speeds compared to our Clarksburg's Stonewall Jackson's foot Calvary. After our infantry training we spent weeks in training on M-4 and M-24 light recon tanks. On completion of 16 weeks of rugged basic training, I was sent to the US Army Chemical Corp at Edgewood, MD to work on atmospheric atomic weapons tests effects since I had a BS degree in physics and the rest of my company were sent directly to Korea.

After basic training Al Gensel went to OCS and served in Korea as an officer in a medical unit. I chose to go into the Army's new Scientific and Professional Personnel Program to improve my training for later civilian life.

WW II MEMORIES
LET US NOT FORGET THOSE WHO SERVED
HERE AND OVERSEAS

(Please write your memories of WW II, Korean Conflict or Vietnam to Roleta1@aol.com)
submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontiernet.net
Hi, Roleta: When I was a sophomore at WI in a World History class, Mr. Showalter, the teacher, told us there was going to be a war and that we would be the ones fighting it. I have never forgotten those words nor him, as he was one of the very first casualties. He was severely wounded in North Africa. World War II was just getting started for the United States when he died.

Many of the boys I grew up with and went to school with were killed in World War II. My three brothers were in it, two in the Air Force and one in the 82nd Airborne and West Point.

I want to tell you about a good friend of mine who married my cousin after the war and that is Frank Gaylord. He graduated from WI in 1941. Frank and my brothers were close friends but I didn't get to know him well until he started dating my cousin, Mary Cornwell. Frank was in the 101st, a paratrooper who jumped on a cold snowy night into France, He was in the Battle of the Bulge, and lived to tell about it--well, he didn't talk much except to say he and a buddy were in a foxhole together trying to stay warm in one of the worst winters over there. (So was one of my brothers.) Anyway, Frank came home, went to college, married my cousin and eventually they made their home in Barre, Vermont. He opened his studio there as a sculptor and did very well. The Korean War veterans were demanding that there should be a memorial for that war. Several sculptors were competing for the honor. Frank presented his design before an elite committee and won. I was so surprised when the Clarksburg VA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and did not know that a Clarksburg boy, born and bred there, was the sculptor. I informed the Clarksburg newspaper and they interviewed Frank by telephone and ran a nice article about him and the Memorial. My sons and I attended the dedication with Frank and Mary on one of the hottest days in July there in Washington, D. C. If you haven't seen that Memorial, I can tell you it is absolutely amazing. What a gift to be able to do something like that. For Christmas this year, Frank gave me an album of his work. He had spent months putting it together and I shall treasure it always. With love to you, Roleta

Shared memory from: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontiernet.net
We are fast losing our World War II veterans and with them will go a lot of history. It is a shame as today's generation of kids is not learning the history of this country in school and they need to know it more than ever. Anyway, when I was teaching at West Virginia University, we would hire a woman on occasion as a temporary secretary. She and I became friends. Her husband, Carroll Chipps, was a top chef and a veteran of World War II. He was head of the Food Service for the entire University, and that included the Medical Center. Sometimes during the winter he would do a marvelous ice-carving in front of the Mountainlair that was almost unbelievable. When I was visiting at their home one evening, he told me a little about his experiences during the war. He was stationed in England and on his very first 3-day pass after arriving there, he went to London. He had just got off the bus and was walking down the street when a car with Military Police pulled up beside him and pulled him into the car. He said" Gee, fellows, I haven't done anything. I just got off the bus." They told him he was going somewhere for a few days and when he said he didn't have any clothes with him, they said "that is alright. We went to your barracks and have packed a few things for you." And do you know where he went? He was taken to Winston Churchill's home where the Allied leaders were meeting and that included President Roosevelt to do the cooking for them. Imagine that! He was supposed to have gone to Yalta, too, but something happened that he didn't get to go. While we were in Morgantown, my son Gregory was in school and Mr. Chipps gave him a job at the Medical Center serving trays to the patients. Any college kid needs some extra money, as you know, so this was a good experience. Love to you, Roleta.

submitted by: Brooke Beall (ND '58)
bbeall@bit.coop
I have not written anything for the Newsletter in some time. Reading some of the stories about WWII reminded me of my growing up in the Eastern Panhandle of WV during the war.

Unlike most of the people that read the Newsletter, I was not born in Clarksburg and did not move there until about a day before I was to begin school in the first grade at St. Mary's Grade School.

I was born in Hedgesville, WV and soon after my family moved to Hagerstown, MD. Like so many young families when my father left for the service, my mother moved back to her parent's home. I spent most of the first five and a half years of my life in my grandparent's home. I guess I must have really led a sheltered life during that time. I have very few memories that are unusual for a kid of my age growing up in the country. A few things that I do remember were mostly because my grandfather was both the Mayor of Hedgesville and the Air Raid Warden.

Some of the things that are vivid in my memory are the siren on the pole outside my grandparent's home, the white WWI air raid helmet, and sheets hanging at all the windows for the blackouts. From time to time my grandfather would don his helmet go outside and start the siren. Hedgesville is a very small town and I know the siren could be heard all over town. It was quite loud right outside the front door. These tests were normally performed at night. The white helmet was one of my favorite toys. I wore that helmet more than my grandfather. After the family moved to Clarksburg and we returned to Hedgesville for visits the first thing I would look for was that helmet. I remember it had a little red, white, and blue triangle on the front (see the attachment). Other tools of my grandfather's trade as the Mayor were a .45 caliber pistol and real pair of handcuffs. I suppose in many small towns, especially in WV, the Mayor was also the Police Chief. The gun was put away when children were in the house but not the handcuffs. What two better toys could a small boy ask for than a doughboy helmet and handcuffs?

Keep up the good work on the WI Newsletter.

Pictured above is a poster of the Civilian Defense Symbol

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
Falvaro33@aol.com
Fred and Lindsay Bloom, who was an original Ding a' Ling Sister on Dean Martin Show and also played VELDA on Mike Hammer Show. And also wife of Mayf Nutter, Bridgeport HS '59. Photo taken early 80's at Jamboree in the Hills, where Mayf was performing.

CARMICHAEL AUDITORIUM MEMORIES
submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@aol.com
In my Victory High School days, I tried to attend every W I - Victory basketball game held at the Carmichael Auditorium. None were held at the Victory gym because it was too small to handle the crowd. W I won almost every game. In the early years the state tournaments were held in the A B College gym and were started by Harry A. Stansberry in 1913. They were later moved to Morgantown and then in the seventies to Charleston. W I went to the state tournaments every year from 1915 to 1932 but never won a championship trophy. In 1927 they lost the final game to Fairmont West by a score of 20 to 18. In 1930 they lost the championship game to Hundred High School with the score being 30 to 24.

The Carmichael Auditorium was also used for boxing matches, one ring circuses, pro-basketball games and various other functions. William C. Moorehouse sponsored the local B F Goodrich pro basketball team in the early fifties. Their home games were played at the Carmichael and on a few occasions they played the Harlem Globetrotters. After the building was vacated for a few years, Salem College purchased it.

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@frontier.com
I find it strange that no one mentioned the big bands that played at the Carmichael. Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Ray Anthony and my mother got me the autograph of Harry James on a book of matches. I have lived across the 4th Street bridge and I would go and stand underneath the pull down fire escape and listen to the big band music. Being 8-9 years old I fell in love with the music especially the horn section. My dad took me in the early 50's to see the Globetrotters, when we got home, 3 of them were on the TV show, "I've Got a Secret".

As far as the circus, they would bring the elephants in on trains they would unload at the train station and walk the across the bridge. Once at the circus, I snuck into the dressing room of the famous tramp clown Emmit Kelly, anyway he said to me, "Get the hell out of here."

submitted by: Alex Julian Scott (ND '65)
alexisrscott@yahoo.com
What a great newsletter and the graphics were just wonderful....I enjoy reading it each month and am able to catch-up on WVU Sports (great section)...I was reading about the Carmichael Auditorium and my memory is also of the circus. My Dad used to walk home from the barbershop and my brother and I would be waiting, he would eat dinner and then off the three of us would go. I remember we got there a little late one time and got to walk up the ramp with the elephants-what a tremendous treat for a little girl...I think that is why I have always loved elephants. It is a memory I cherish.

Also, on walking to school-I thought in the '50's and '60's we all walked to school!!! At Central we had to pack a lunch and then when I went to Notre Dame they had a "cafeteria" and good, homemade food. I don't think it hurt any of us to walk to and from school. In high school I would walk from Beech Street to the library and meet my cousin, Diane (Secret) and we would walk the rest of the way together. My cousin Kathleen (Julian) would walk with us some too....I think almost everyone I met at ND was my cousin except, of course, my husband Francis....but we're probably related somewhere down the line!!!!

Thanks for the great job and for remaining dedicated to getting it out every month. God bless

submitted by: Eugene Jaumont (VHS '54)
VictoryHi54@aol.com
CORRECTION:

Roleta in 41 I believe was the only time Ringling Brothers was in Clarksburg at Nixon Plaza in Nutter Fort. The Circus was to have two shows that day in Nutter Fort, but because the train did not arrive in Clarksburg until late in the afternoon, and had to set the tents the first show was 6 PM and the last show was at 9 PM. The Circus paraded from Glen Elk were they unloaded the train through Clarksburg and all the way to Nutter Fort. My Mother and I and Jim Goldsmith waited all afternoon for the Circus to arrive.

The Shriners Circus always played at the Carmichael in the early years and later on played at Hite field.

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Elizabeth Teter Akin (WI '56)
libakin@aol.com
Picture was taken Dec 3, 1955, in Madge Dowd's office at the Robinson Grand Theater. The person on the left is Aldo Ray, an actor whose filmography in the 1950's included "Miss Sadie Thompson" with Rita Hayworth, "Battle Cry" with a cast of thousands, "We're No Angels" with Bogart and Ustinov, and "Three Stripes in the Sun" with Dick York and Chuck Conners. His signature was his voice, gravely and sexy. Ray was making a "personal appearance" to promote one of two films and I really can't be sure which. I have always believed it was "Angels" because I recall being disappointed that it wasn't Bogie who came to Clarksburg. However I saw somewhere a photo of the theater with a poster for "Stripes." Both films were released in 1955, "Stripes" being the earlier release. It is possible I was just wishing it was promoting the Bogie film. I am (was?!?) the young lady. I worked at the candy counter at the theater at the time, and my uncle, Harry Lang, was married then to Dorothy Robinson Lang, daughter of Claude Robinson, and majority owner of the theater at that time. Dorothy and Madge arranged the meeting. Harry took the photo, and, being an amateur photographer with his own dark room, made many copies for me, most of which exclude the gentleman on the left. While that customized version appears more "intimate," I chose to send this version hoping someone may be sure of who the policeman is. I think it was John Toryak. It has been so long ago, I tend to confuse names for once familiar faces.

Was I thrilled? I think so. I was smiling ear to ear!! Mr. Ray was very sweet and good humored, and generous to a high school junior from Clarksburg.

Aldo Ray continued to act in movies and on TV through the 1980's, and I continued to follow his career. He died at age 64 in 1991.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I remember being at that theater when Aldo Ray made his public appearance. I remember that I squeezed his triceps…LOL You were lucky to get your picture taken with him.

THE EMERALDS ABOUT 1961
submitted by: Mike King (WI '61)
TMichael43@aol.com
re: picture in last month's newsletter of The Emeralds

Tom....I believe the singers first name was Steve. You also forgot to mention Marvin McIntire on the far right who played bass in the band. Enjoyed this group many Saturday nights at Billie's Meadowbrook.

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER SCHOOL?
submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JATETER@aol.com
For your "Other than school" request, I can remember playing baseball; going to baseball games; going to carnivals; going to Ohio to see relatives, friends and loved ones; and going to Audra State Park for the day. All of these activities were normally a family gathering, unless my brother (Bob) was playing a baseball game one place and I was playing at another location. I am not sure how my dad got us both to the games, as we only had one car.

I also remember going to dances; going to the movies at the downtown Clarksburg theaters; and going to the drive-in movies (I can only remember going to the Ellis Drive In); going to Stealey Playground to play basketball; going out on Davisson Run Road to visit and do things with my best friend (Bill Post) around his house out there.

I can remember playing games with all of the neighborhood kids on Broaddus Avenue, College Street and Willison. We would play at the corner of Broaddus and Willison and play late into the night. Games such as KICK THE CAN; HIDE AND GO SEEK; FOOTBALL. Football was a family thing that the Teter family used to indulge in when all of the kids and grandkids got to Clarksburg over the Christmas holidays.

On the sadder side: I can remember every Memorial Day we (as a family) would go around to all of the cemeteries where family, friends and/or loved ones were buried and placing flowers on graves. I remember this as being more than a one day thing, as some of the cemeteries we went to were way out in the country.

submitted by: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)
nmimiphyllis@aol.com
Hi Roleta:
Thanks again to you and Judy for the great newsletter!

My group didn't have practices or rehearsals much after school, but there were several places where we liked to go hang out. We would sometimes go to Bland's Drug Store (They had booths back in the fifties).

Hagan's was also a great place to hang out and just talk for awhile. As long as you behaved, no one gave you a hard time and it was just a nice place to go. We liked to see who was there and find out what was going on for the evening. We also congregated, talked, and played the jukebox at Central Restaurant and sometimes The Coffee Mill. No organized activities, just get togethers after school to compare notes and make plans for the rest of the afternoon or evening. Such good times!!

In the mornings we sometimes met at Roger's Drug Store. They also had booths and let us sit and talk for a few minutes before we had to go up the hill and beat the first bell. Those were the days. My grandchildren have asked me about my high school days, and as I talk about my memories, they have often said "I wish I had been a teenager in the fifties." I think that says it all. They realize we had it pretty darn good!

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
When the last Super Bowl game was in Tampa, FL which was in 2009. There was a big party give by NetJets. Bill and I went with some of our friends. There were many famous people there but I recognized Evander Holyfield and asked if I could have a picture taken with him.

FIRST CAR ACCIDENT
(I thought this would stir a lot of memories)

GUESS NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER HAD AN ACCIDENT?
submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JATETER@aol.com
I can remember my first accident, just like it was yesterday.

My parents had sent me to Kroger's to buy some things and when I left Kroger's, I went out the back way and up the street to Locust Avenue. When I got to the STOP SIGN, and went to push the brake to stop the car on the hill - LO AND BEHOLD - the brake pedal went all of the way to the floor and the car started going backwards. YES, there just happened to be a car behind me and I hit it pretty hard, doing damage to both cars. More damage was done to the other car as I was in a rather sturdy car, and the back of the car did a lot of damage to the car that I hit. I cannot tell you what my father had to say to me because I am not sure who all reads your newsletter, but just let me tell you - I was not allowed to drive that car again for a long time. NOR, did I even want to.

The only other accident that I can remember having was a single-car; no impact; no harm; accident as I was going from Broaddus Avenue onto the Expressway and decided to see how fast that car (an Oldsmobile) would go. Well, it went fast enough to turn around and put me in the medium strip, but since I did not hit anything, I just restarted the car and drove on. Nobody even knew about that second accident until several years later. Like (maybe) 5 - 6 years ago.

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
JAlvaro@aol.com
Sitting here in southern Georgia watching the sleet fall on 6 inches of snow, I thought this would be a nice time to contribute to the newsletter.

My first car accident happened in 1957 on a Friday evening coming back from Buckhannon. I was a freshman at WV Wesleyan college. I knew why I was coming back to Clarksburg on Fri evening and the reason was that I was bringing all my dirty clothes home for mom to wash. I do not remember why it was so late. I was on what I believe is RT 20 on the Blue Moon Stretch near where Bell Meadows Golf Course is now located. I was listening to the radio and "Over the Mountain" by Johnny and Joe was playing. Before the song was finished, I fell asleep and ran off the road. I took down about 10 fence posts joined together by barbed wire and ended up hitting and stopping at a post of a billboard. I sat there for a while and the song ended. I was thinking I was listening to Over the Mountain and thanking God I didn't go over one. The only scratch I got was the barbed wire getting out of the car. Here it is was about midnight and I started to hitchhike to Broad Oaks. I expected to walk most of the way before a car would be coming along. The first car that came down the road saw my wrecked car and picked me up. He took me all the way home. Next morning I called my Uncle Tony who had a body shop to ask what to do. He sent out a wrecker and my cousin Nick Alvaro took me to the scene of the accident. Now it was day light and I could see the fence I knocked down belong to a house sitting about couple hundred yards off the main road. I told Nick that I wanted to go see the people and let them know what I had done. They invited me in and we talked and I found out they were grandparents of kids I knew from WI. Come to find out, (I think I remember this correct), they were the grandparents of Sue White WI ' 55 and her sister Paula White who graduated a couple years earlier. They were so nice and told me they were glad that I had stopped in and happy I was not hurt. Told me to forget about it. Now I don't think I am superstitious, but whenever I hear "Over the Mountain" by Johnny and Joe, I turn it off. That is not superstitious, is it?

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: David Saucer (WI '51)
dsaucer@gmail.com

"Duke & Pilgrim" This picture was taken in the desert just outside Moab, Utah a few years ago. The red rocks desert area around Moab was used by many producers of major western films and still is today. When we visit Moab, our favorite place to stay is the Apache Motel. It is dated and a bit ragged around the edges but it is the place John Wayne always lived during location filming. Since the "Duke" has been gone for several years now, you may have surmised this is not a live photo. However, John Wayne was/is my favorite western hero so I am happy to have shot this photo next to his full size cutout. enjoy.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

Jay Graham (WI '65)	jay.a.graham@gsk.com
Dede "Short" King (WI '94)	KING4189@aol.com
Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)	marolyn@jettlag.com
Andrea Rowe Ritter (VHS '59)	andrea.ritter@frontier.com
Ron Thorne (VHS '54)	ronthorne@mchsi.com or ronaldthorne@hotmail.com

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Judy Zabeau Shepherd (ND '58)
jzshepherd@aol.com
I have a picture of myself and my husband around 1972 pictured below with Colonel Sanders. Like you, I met Duke Ellington in Las Vegas but didn't get a picture with him.

TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE
submitted by: Bernie Cohen (WI '56)
bernardlajune@aol.com
Some friends sent me a picture of the Tree of Life synagogue being torn down. The whole front of the building was destroyed. By now it is down. It was a sad sight for me and my family. I grew up attending Tree of Life and my brother and parents devoted many days to praying and playing there. The community shrunk as the children, like me, left town for other places. The Synagogue finally was put up for sale and was on the block for 3 years. It didn't sell so the Masonic Temple bought it and had it torn down. It was too expensive to leave in place, they had no choice. The building was made of hand made bricks and was a historic building and many hours of labor went into building this structure. I still get in to Clarksburg once in a while to visit a plant I have there and it will be very sad going past that Tree of Life site. By the way, that Synagogue served people from Elkins, Fairmont, Grafton and many other nearby towns besides Clarksburg. Thanks,

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Fred Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com
The most famous person with whom I had my picture taken was West Virginia's US Senator Robert C. Byrd. The occasion was taken at the dedication of the new FBI complex Center. This event occurred on Thursday, May 29, 1996. On May 24, 1997, I received a person phone call from Senator Byrd to make sure I had received his invitation by mail.

Pictured above is a copy of the invitation which Freddie received and a copy of the front of the program at the dedication of the FBI Center. In 1991, the FBI purchased 986 acres of land in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on which to construct the home of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. This Division serves as the FBI's focal point for criminal justice information services.

Construction of the approximate 500,000 square foot Main Office Building was completed in July 1995. It contains a 600 seat cafeteria, a 500 seat auditorium, and aria for visitors and employees. The Data Center, which is part of the Main Office Building, will house the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System and the National Crime Information Center 2000 system.

Also included in the complex is a Visitors Center, a Service Center, the Central Utilities Plant, and the Lasting Impressions Child Development Center.

NOTE: Above information is taken from a page in the original program for the dedication.

submitted by: Mary K. McDaniel Bellisario (WI '65)
bayouduo@bellsouth.net

Slidell, Louisiana

While I studied music (years of piano, clarinet and eventually opera), my professional training was in Journalism at WVU. In that field, I have worked initially in Pittsburgh, PA, then Tokyo, Japan, then Washington, D.C., and finally here for the New Orleans newspaper. (Enjoyed "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" from that same "January Jingles" article!)

My beginning with classical music was at Central Jr. High, with that excellent music teacher, Mrs. Lowther. When she played Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherezade" for us first semester, I was hooked. It's still one of my favorites. Currently I am in my fourth term as an elected School Board Member, which occupies almost all my time.

Our system has 54 schools, over 36,000 students and over 7,000 employees. 52 of those schools were impacted by Hurricane Katrina; two of them, including a high school, were totally destroyed. Though it has been five years, we are still rebuilding our community and school system from Katrina, the eye of which passed right through my subdivision. Wonderful side note to Katrina: Fellow W. I. '65 classmate Sue Robinson and her husband, Red Cross volunteers from New Jersey, came to Slidell to help after Katrina. Amazingly we linked up and got together for a brief lunch here! What a way to renew old friendships!

I will try to read and respond to your excellent newsletter more often.

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

SNOWBALLS LEAD TO MARRIAGE-----funny!

I was amused when I read in the December newsletter Betty Latstetter Burke's memories of Mr. Sheets who was once principal at Morgan School. She recalled the time she and a couple of friends reported a culprit who had thrown snowballs at them. Mr. Sheets paddled the boy the next morning after listening to each version of the incident.

I am one of the friends she mentioned who married the culprit, Larry O'Grady. Betty wondered if Mr. Sheets knew that we eventually got married. He knew because Larry and I saw him one day in Melet's where he worked part-time. I still remember the big smile on his face when we told him about our approaching wedding. He, too, remembered the snowball incident.

Larry still claims he was throwing snowballs at a telephone pole. Funny though, the telephone poles were on the other side of the street!!!

submitted by: Marcia Booth (WI '65)
marciabooth05@yahoo.com

Just a passing note on the Carmichael Auditorium. I remember some of the WI games there. I think by 1965, WI played most of its home games at the Armory.

After School activities in the 1960's

WI had lots of clubs in the 1960's. I remember playing bridge after school a couple of times per month.

Sometimes, the Hilltopper newspaper would require late work. Also, the yearbook needed more time than just Fifth Period provided.

Band had marching practice in the fall about 8am. Most of us got to the practice field early. The band guys loved to play football. It was supposed to be "touch", but tackles were plentiful. At that time, the guys could not be in the band and play football. I think that rule may have changed in the 1970's.

Hite Field

I have lots of great memories of the WI football games at Hite Field. When I was in Junior High, Bobby Secret and Gene Libsomb were on the WI team that won all their games except the one with Parkersburg High. What a crowd came out to see those games!

submitted by: Sherry Greitzner Dial (WI '56)
Luman4804@aol.com

Of course, where else would we go but to the Stealey Playground??? It had everything when we were growing up!!

First car accident was with our new 1965 Red LeSabre Buick in Ft. Lauderdale with our two young girls in the back seat headed for the beach on a hot summer day. This little old lady pulled right across traffic and right in front of me. Fortunately there were no injuries!

After school in the Junior and Senior Years it was hang out at Blands, Rogers and Central. Where else!!! And they were all right by the bus stop, too!!

submitted by: Edward (Eddie) Evans (WI '63)
Evansplus1@aol.com

I have, for the first time, read your newsletter re : W.I. and Clarksburg. Please add me to your email address. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the entries.

submitted by: Patty Hickman Cravey (WI '61)
robandpatc@aol.com

As I read the remarks about the Carmichael Auditorium I noticed no one mentioned when they had a skating rink there. That was what I did on the weekends, especially Friday and Saturday evening after the one in Nutter Fort closed down. My dad would drive me to the auditorium. It was a great time but it didn't last very long.

As for walking to school, I remember walking the swinging bridge between Monticello and Water Street and then up the hill. There was some days when we would walk all the way out Monticello, up Main and then on up the hill to school. I, like Barbara, remember going to school even when others couldn't make it and yes it was very cold somedays. There was usually a group of us that walked together. Patty and Judy Mason, Peggy and Sheila Dennison, My sister Helen Hickman and myself.

My parents would give me the bus money but I saved that to go skating on and that is the reason I walked to school so often.

So many memories.

submitted by: Mary K. Bellisario, Slidell, LA (WI '65)
bayouduo@bellsouth.net

As always, I enjoy the W.I. Newsletter.

I was interested in the "Jingles" in the most recent edition, and particularly the following line from Steve Goff, regarding "Stranger in Paradise."

"The song originated from the 1953 musical Kismet. Bennett's version reached number 2, and at the same time The Four Aces took it to #3. Here are links to both arrangements."

As I recall, "Stranger in Paradise," and almost every other song in the Broadway play (later movie) "Kismet" originated much earlier - in the late 1800's, when the Russian composer Borodin wrote his "Prince Igor" suite, containing the "Polovsian Dances." (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!) Each of those dances became a hit song in the play "Kismet." I bet that would have really surprised Borodin, who was simply basing his compositions on obscure peasant dances in eastern Russia.

Thanks for the links; I enjoyed hearing "Stranger in Paradise" again!

EDITOR'S NOTE--- This was sent to me a few months ago but got overlooked in my mail box. Sorry…..

submitted by: Billie Anne Clevenger (WI '62)
IamBlessed3452@aol.com

Yes, I did receive both the October and November WI Newsletters. Thank you - I do so appreciate all that you do to send these to us. My local classmates and I meet for lunch at Raymon's Restaurant in Clarksburg on the first Wednesday of each month. Today there were only three of us, but at times we have had as many as thirteen. Interest wanes on rainy or snowy days! However, some of us persevere and are like the renowned mail carriers - which I am no doubt misquoting - "Neither rain nor snow nor dark of night shall keep these couriers from their appointed rounds!!" However, our "rounds" are not "appointed", we just love to get together and reminisce about those "good 'ole days" and look at pictures of those days and sometimes of our grandchildren - or even our dogs - or horses - or husbands - it's all good! "All the sugar is at the bottom of the cup" - which I suppose refers to the joys of old age! Yes, there is still "joy" for those of us who have passed middle age and are in the final phases of our lives. There are lots of blessings to be counted and that is what the joy is all about!

RE: Eleanor Roosevelt at Carmichael Auditorium

submitted by: Bill Phillips (woulda/shoulda been but moved WI 1960)
CAPTBILL2001@aol.com

Hi,
I am just reading the newsletter. Saw there that you were at Carmichael Auditorium when Eleanor Roosevelt came there to speak. Well, she came into The Grand Pharmacy for a cup of coffee before. I was jerking sodas for Bob Conrad the owner at that time, think I was 13. She asked Bob if I could escort her to the Auditorium. I did and stayed with her till it was over. Something's you just don't forget.

A PRAYER REQUEST
Please pray for Joe Charles (Bridgeport HS 1955) as he is undergoing treatment for lung cancer. You can email he or his wife, Barb, at charlesbarbjo@aol.com

UPDATE ON JOE
submitted by: Barb Charles
charlesbarbjo@aol.com
Saw the Surgeon today. He explained surgery to us. The tumor has not shrunk as much as he had hoped, so if he does surgery will have to remove the whole lung. He thinks that is probably the best option, but he didn't push it, or try to sell it.

He will get the Stress test scheduled and also a Carotid sonogram. No decisions will be made until after the Pet Scan, as far as I know.

It's something that Joe has to think about, and only he can make that decision. Just wanted all to be aware of what we are looking at.

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Bob Williams (WI '45) and
Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58)
bjwilliams94@gmail.com
From 1983 to 1993, Bob and Barbara were working for the International Marketing Co., Independent Jewelers Organization in Westport, CT. We conducted buying shows for member jewelers from the United States, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Twice a year we conducted buying shows for those members and had quite a few national personality speakers including Johnny Bench, Bruce Jenner, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle and Joe Theismann.

The most noteworthy speaker was former President Ronald Reagan at our buying show in Palm Springs, CA. Our staff was privileged to talk with him after his address with the secret service all around and have our picture taken with him. Former President Reagan was a true gentlemen and our staff was honored to have him as our guest speaker.

Above picture taken in 1990.

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Bill May Lt. Col, US Army, Retired (WI '63) (Edith Kline's very lucky husband)
billmayflorida@yahoo.com
The Jan 2011 WI Newsletter was great as always. Thank you so much for your wonderful and tireless work.

You asked for pictures of any of us with famous folks, so here goes. In 1987 and 1988 on my last assignment before I retired from the Army, I was the Commanding Officer of the Airborne Electronics Research Activity at the Naval Air Engineering Center at Lakehurst, NJ, which incidentally, is where the Hindenburg crashed on May 6, 1937. My living quarters were about 75 meters directly across the street from the site where it crashed. My offices were located in one of the huge wooden airship/blimp hangars (which are the largest freestanding wooden structures in the world) and I had a bunch of helicopters and airplanes that I was responsible for that my unit used for flight testing new aviation electronics equipment for the Army. Edie, Daniel and I loved it there and it was one of our better assignments.

Vice President George H.W. Bush was meeting with someone in New Jersey and landed at the base one day in what was then "Air Force Two". I believe it was in early 1988. I had the largest parking ramp on the base for aircraft so his remained on my ramp while he was in the area. Since I was the senior Army Officer on the base, I was asked to greet him with the two senior Naval Officers assigned there as he got off the plane. I found him to be very personable, easy to talk to, and actually had a lot of questions regarding why an Army Officer like me was at a Navy base. Of course, I told him that I was sent there by the Pentagon to straighten it out since our Navy friends were having problems. I was joking obviously, but he had a wonderful sense of humor and seemed to enjoy the "bantering" back and forth between his fellow Naval pilots and me, the only Army pilot in the lineup. (I was also the best pilot in the lineup).

About a week later, I got the picture from his office in the mail and have cherished it since.

PRINCIPALS
submitted by: Ed Christie (WI '56)
echristie38@yahoo.com
Roleta: Thanks for another great newsletter.
Orie B. McConkey was the principal at Clarksburg HS then WIHS when it opened in 1918. He was succeeded by Principal Kenneth Cubbon. Mr Cubbon was there when I was a freshman, in 1952.

Mr. McConkey was highly regarded and was credited with the success and high regard held by WI at that time. We lived on 7th Street, 2 doors down until we moved next door. I remember several things about that move. It was a hard job as we moved uphill. But the day was saved by our outstanding staff. Ron Chartrand, Paul Clayton. Paul attempted to pick up our Amana, upright freezer. It was too much for him. Paul hated defeat. We had to get my Dad to force him to give up. Dad had some kind of moving article-- special for the large heavy items. Mike Tricot and maybe John Harrison and possibly others. Also, I remember my brother, Chuck (Choo-Choo) 4/5 years old, going next door to play with "Mer McConkey" then you would see them together down on hands and knees tending to Mr. McConkey's plants and flowers. Mr McConkey was thought to be very strict, no nonsense, straight laced. Chuck brought out a softer gentle sort of man.

There are a lot of great memories for me of Clarksburg, WIHS, Bridgeport Junior High, Towers, Morgan and Maple Lake. Mostly I remember so many wonderful people, great friends. Many to whom I have talked to in the past year. We are very fortunate to have grown up in Clarksburg. I do not have to say why! Everyone knows. Te amo.

submitted by: Anthony Bellotte (WI '57)
abellotte@aol.com
I don't know if you will find this fit to print or not, and I will understand if you decide not to.

I graduated in the class of 57 and did play football and throw the shot on the track teams. As for grades they were good in my freshman year but as I got to know more and more people and learn some bad habits, like beer and cigarettes my grades dropped as well. But you never know how a person will turn out all in all. For example I took Spanish in my Senior year and I made a D. I went into the Navy right after graduation and they gave me a language aptitude test and I passed it with flying colors. They sent me to The Naval Intelligence School were I underwent a 19 week, very intensive emersion class in Spanish. I graduated number one in my Class and I am fluent in that language today. I went back to WI to speak some Spanish with my teacher only to have her tell me she did not speak the language only taught it. But she did speak French. She asked how I learned Spanish and I told her, "You taught it to me." She thought that was great.

Later the Navy wanted me in the Intelligence field and they sent an Agent to the School to interview with Mr. Cubbon. Of course they interviewed many different people and I did have to also take a polygraph test, and I still do to this date, at least once every five years. Just out of curiosity I filed a FOIA, Freedom of Information Act request, wanted to know what various people had said about me. All were good except for Mr. Cubbon who told a lot of untruths, distortions, and did his best to keep me from getting a Security Job with the Navy. I still have copies of those transcripts - word for word. Basically, he said I would never amount to anything and intimated that I was on my way to prison.

Well, the Navy then financed my BA at the University of Maryland for four years where I finished with a 3.6 average. I put my life on the line during the Cuban Blockade, ready to die for my country as we sailed toward the Russian Ships carrying missiles bound for Cuba. Fortunately they turned around and we all lived to tell the tale. I was honorable discharged from the Navy in 1963 and was promptly hired by the National Security Agency, with a full Clearance still in tact, and worked there for 30 more years. During this period I was sent to Portuguese Language School where I learned Portuguese to add to my English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese collection. I also speak a little Greek, having lived there for 18 months, German, and Russian. The National Security Agency promoted me quickly and then sent me to Central Michigan University for my MBA, which I earned with a 3.7 Average. From there on to Lockheed Martin where I rose from Proposal Writer to Vice President. I also worked for a few other companies after that.

Mind you, since the age of 19 I have maintained a security clearance at the highest levels of government, still do and am running my own Intelligence Consulting Co.

I am 72 and my only crime has been a speeding ticket, so Mr. Cubbon, in spite of your horrible judgment of character and individual potential you were wrong - but I have long since forgiven you and if you have passed away, may God Bless you.

FEMALE PRINCIPAL AT VICTORY
LUCY M. BAILEY
submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com

My principal at Victory High School was Lucy M. Bailey. She started teaching in Lewis County in 1917. She transferred to Victory in 1924 to teach English. In 1937 she became principal at Victory High School and was the only high school female principal in Harrison County at that time. In fact she was one of the few in the state. Miss Bailey died in a Charlottesville hospital March 30,1950 at age 55 following a brief illness. At the time of her death she resided on Valley Street in Salem.

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56)
forwvu@sc.rr.com
Pictured below are Don and Kitty Sager, chatting with Joe Garagiola at a Dayton Mortgage Bankers Convention in the 80's.

THE WALDO HOTEL
submitted by: Doris Walters Webster (WI '59)
jeanwbstr@aol.com
Jeanne wrote this to me in 2005. It has been in one of my files. But in this newsletter, nothing is ever late, right? This note tells us some interesting facts about the Waldo.

The Waldo Hotel has a deep and rich history in Harrison County. Completed in 1904, the Waldo Hotel was once the social center of Clarksburg. In its day, it was a gathering place for parties, weddings, civic meetings and social events. It was known as West Virginia's most luxurious hotel, and people rode the train from miles around to experience its atmosphere and southern tradition. A study is underway to determine the best reuse for the renovated facility, which offers 100,000 square feet at the gateway to Glen Elk, a warehouse district rich with ethnic history."

EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter was sent to me in 2005. So we need to know the current status of the hotel. Has the Waldo been updated or torn down? Am I correct; was there a bowling alley in the basement of the Waldo with a direct entrance from the side street? Where did visitors to the hotel park their cars? Did a valet park the cars? If so where? Was there a grand ball room on the top floor? Were the steps really made of marble? We want to know? Do you remember anything about the hotel? Write Roleta1@aol.com

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
submitted by: Stephan P. Beatty (WI '73)
stephan.beatty.bkd.94@aya.yale.edu
In March or April of 1963, a photo appeared in either the weekday or Sunday edition of the Clarksburg paper in which I appeared alongside of Abigal Van Buren of "Dear Abby" fame. It was taken in the physiotherapy room of the Easter Seals clinic. I believe the picture consisted of Mrs. Van Buren, Harry Dean, the physical therapist for the clinic, a child who was being treated and I standing next to Abby. I'd just completed my treatment and was getting ready to go back to school when I got swept up in "Abby's" wake. I vaguely recall that "Dear Abby" was in town to speak to a meeting of the Clarksburg Service League, assuming that's the correct name. I no longer have that photo, but the Exponent-Telegram ought to be able to dig one out of its morgue. I do have a photo taken with Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa, but that's hardly an uncommon phenomenon in the Episcopal Church.

PICTURED WITH A FAMOUS PERSON
Pictured below are Fred and Mary Alvaro (parents of Jim, Fred and Larry) with Hank Arron.

RITZY LUNCH, ROBINSON GRAND AND THE GRAND PHARMACY

Pictured above is Joe Selario, owner of the Ritzy Lunch at the time the picture was taken. He is shown with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses. The year was 1955. The Ritzy Lunch opened for business around 1948. Playing at the Robinson Grand Theatre was a motion picture based on the novel "Night of The Hunter" written by Dave Grubb a WI graduate. The Grand Pharmacy was operated by Robert Conrad, Frank Paladina and Mrs. Mattie Harrison.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Are any of these people still alive? Can you tell us something about them? The Ritzy Lunch is still open but is it still owned by the same person? The Robinson Grand Theatre is closed but I understand it underwent a lot of renovations and is still used for special events, is this true? The Pharmacy building is there but I believe it is empty, is that true? Write your answers to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember the lucky people who never left Clarksburg know these answers but some who left years ago, still see Clarksburg the way it was when they left.

THE RUN TO MARCH
Comments from the Sports editor: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com
We have some interesting letters this month. The subjects vary from college to high school football, from the Big Ten to the Little Ten conferences and from Bill Stewart to Bevo Francis. There is a little bit of something for everyone.

A lot has happened since last month's newsletter. Of the most interest to WVU fans was the firing of Rich Rodriquez by the U. of Michigan. My thought was that if he won at least seven games, he would have a chance to stay another year. He won seven games, but got blown out in the bowl game. It was the worst defeat ever in a bowl for Michigan and it cost Rich Ro his job.

Will he get another job? Of course he will. Will it be at a major program? Probably not, this time. I don't expect him to coach in 2011, unless it is as an assistant. His staff at U. of M. has gone elsewhere, two of them to Pitt. I'm sure this story is far from over.

The WVU women continue to play very well. They start the meat of their Big East schedule now, so things will soon get very interesting. Let's hope they can avoid injuries to key players.

Football recruiting is in full swing. It is worth noting that we will have a QB from Texas on the roster for next year. Could we see many more recruits from Texas in the future?

Huggins' BB team had a four game winning streak until they ran into a hot Marshall team in Charleston last weekend, falling 75-71. This team continues to be a mystery. They are not really good shooters, but beat Purdue by just being tough. I feel they really miss having some of this year's recruits. Not one is left to play on the team, since Noah Cottrill has left school and Kevin Noreen is out with an injury. I can't ever remember a team that lost all of their recruiting class during the season.

After today's sloppy win against South Florida, they stand at 13-5. There are 12 regular season games left. I can't see them winning more than half of these at best. If they do this, they end at 19 wins going into the Big East tournament. A win or two in the tourney puts them in the Big Dance. Less than 6 more wins and a poor showing in the Big East and it is "Wait 'til next year".

Several people sent this link to me, which is a tour of Bob Huggins' home in Morgantown. For those of you who haven't seen it, enjoy.

http://www.wvillustrated.com/wvubasketball/story/id/685

To Bill:

I think my father wanted a boy when I was born, but I am a female! I thought Stewart being coach for WV football was awesome. But, no one seemed to give him any praise at all. I now live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio and want to say two things. First, O-H-I-O State won the Sugar Bowl last night and, needless to say, the town hasn't; settled down yet! Nothing gave me a charge like hearing the news about Rodriquez being fired by Michigan. It was almost as neat as the win against the Razorbacks. So, as you see, I still root for both teams like Roleta does.

Barbara Sutton Elder, Reynoldsburg, OH, W I 1957

Reply To Barbara:

I agree that Bill Stewart really never got the "love" of the WVU fans. He seems like a great guy and is a loyal West Virginian, but many question his coaching ability. His sideline presence bothers some people. I remember when John Cooper coached Ohio State. John was a "good old boy" from Tennessee. He won a lot of games, but didn't fit the mold for an OSU coach. I see a lot of that in Stewart and WVU. Maybe it was the way he was hired. Regardless, he has one more year and I, for one, would love to see him win them all. I watched the Sugar Bowl and still think Terrelle Pryor needs some work before going to the NFL. It was a great win for the Buckeyes.

As for Rich Ro (not Rod, since he has no "D"), probably most WVU fans feel a little better, now that he has left the U of M. I can't help but wonder if he now thinks he made a mistake leaving the Mountaineers. I wonder where he will land.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

I saw Bob Secret's comment about having a 30-0 lead over Cammie Lewis and Morgantown high School. When I read his comment on the score being against Parkersburg High School, I knew that was inaccurate. W-I only beat Parkersburg twice in football, to my knowledge, about 1926 and about 1948. I was at the W-I / Morgantown game, as well as the Parkersburg game to which he was referring, when he was at W-I.

When he was there, PHS beat W-I 12-7 in 1959. That was W-I's only loss that year. Jim Alvaro mentioned Bevo Francis. Bevo Francis played for Rio Grande (OH) College. He scored over 100 points in a game on two occasions. Danny Heater of Burnsville High School still has the US High School record, with 135 points against Widen High School.

Wilt Chamberlin scored 100 points at Hershey, PA, for the NBA Record. Frank Selvy scored 100 points against Newberry College in 1954. Paul Popovich scored 62 points against St. Augustine of Grafton, WV. In the NBA, Jerry West got 63 points in a game. Kobe Bryant got 81. Rod Hundley holds the WVU record with 54 points against Furman. Jerry's high for WVU was 44 against Tennessee.

Ron Cleavenger, W I 1963

Reply To Ron:

If you will look at the January Sports, you will see that Bob mentioned that W I was up on Morgantown HS and he wished it had been Parkersburg.

I remember Bevo Francis, who put Rio Grande on the map long before Bob Evans, Danny Heater (My father-in-law knew his family well) and Paul Popovich of Flemington HS. I don't remember St. Augustine HS in Grafton. They must not have played football.

Both players and teams used to score more points. I wonder why? Probably better defenses today. When I played, you were fouling if you touched an opposing player. Today, you can almost tackle them and get away with it. Plus, not to mention the fact that no one dribbles anymore. Everyone "palms" the ball and walking is commonplace in the NBA. I would love to see a game "called" under the old rules.

Thanks for the stats.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Here are a few responses to questions you have posed in past WI newsletters.

RW tried to join the Big Ten after the 1959 season (when they won the AA state championship). The vote was (according to the Fairmont Times) 7-for and 3-against their joining. Unfortunately, they needed eight votes to get in. Fairmont West (Sr.), Grafton and Buckhannon-Upshur voted against them. The concern was that a AA school added to the schedule would make it harder to qualify for the State Championship game. (Since only #1 and #2 played back then.)

Bridgeport had also tried to join in 1955, after they won the Class B State Championship. I don't know what the vote was then, but they weren't accepted either.

The Little Ten Conference had different membership at different times. For the 1952/1953 school year, (before the Tri-Valley Conference formed), it consisted of Lost Creek, Belington, Bridgeport, Philippi, Bristol, Lumberport, St. Marys, Flemington, Unidis, Jane Lew, Salem and Wallace, (Lost Creek didn't have a football team after the 20's and I don't know that Flemington ever had one.)

The larger schools dropped out for the 1953 football season to form the Tri-Valley Conference, and by 1956 the football schools in the Little Ten were Burnsville, Bristol, Jane Lew, Lumberport, Unidis, and Wallace.

Ted Wolfe, WI 1974

Reply To Ted:

Thanks for your informative letter. We have discussed the Big Ten Conference several times in past newsletters and your added information is very interesting. I've mentioned before that after Fairmont Sr. HS (West) was expelled or withdrew over the Bill Leskovar eligibility controversy, the conference became the Big Nine. They later rejoined. I was sure R W tried to join, but didn't know the details. I'm sure it was difficult for R W fans to understand, but those voting against their admission to the conference made sense in their reasoning. It was VERY difficult to get into a state championship game in those days. Thanks for clearing up the Little Ten for us. It's hard to imagine that of all the schools mentioned; only Bridgeport remains in existence.

Finally, if Bridgeport won a Class "B" state championship in 1955, it must have been in basketball, because according to my memory and yearbooks, Monongah won both the state football (Class B) and baseball (Class A/B) championships that year.

Thanks again for a great letter.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Playing for WI, practicing and playing games on the WI field, had its drawbacks, but we didn't know it. We were as happy as pigs in slop, just to have made the team. It was not a guarantee that you would make the team, just because you went out for football. If I remember correctly, when I was a freshman, there was a list posted on the bulletin board of those who either made the team or didn't make the team. I cannot remember which. I do know there were close to 100 who tried out for football. I remember the freshman had to furnish their own practice jerseys. We would practice twice a day and when we left for home after the second practice, our uniforms were soaking wet. At the early morning practice the next day, our socks, jocks, under shirt and jersey were dried out and they were so stiff, you could stand them up in a corner.. At the end of the week, we carried them home for our Moms to wash. This went on during spring practices. I walked to school every day of the year. During spring practices, I would walk to school every morning from Broad Oaks. Every evening after school, I would walk from WI High to the WI Field to practice. After practice I would shower, dress, and then walk up the hill to Chestnut St., down to Washington Ave., take Washington Ave. to Water Street, cross the swinging bridge to Monticello Ave. and to Haymond Hwy., where I lived. I did this every morning and afternoon during practices. If it was time for me to take home the stuff to be washed, I took everything but the football pads. It didn't bother us to do that. It was the way of football life at WI.

With all of the knee problems that I have had, I would have been better off carrying a band instrument home.

Oh, I guess it was worth it. I met some wonderful guys playing football and still keep in touch with a lot of them.

Jim Alvaro WI 1956

Reply To Jim:

I know I've written about this before, but your letter brings back a lot of memories of practicing football in high school. 100 boys going out for football was common then. We had 105 one year out of 150 boys in the school. Two years ago, North Marion only had 28 boys practicing by season's end. There is so much more for young people to do now, plus many kids specialize in only one sport. We played them all.

Taking dirty clothes home for washing was the only way to avoid wearing stiff and "stinking" practice garb. However, everyone didn't do it. You are right that almost everyone walked to and from school and practice. Very few cars were around.

I know you wouldn't give up your football days for anything. Remember, if you never do anything, you will have nothing to remember and talk about when you get old. I wonder when we are going to get old? Maybe next year.

As always, thanks Jim for stirring up the old times for us.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

A REAL MOUNTAINEER FAN!

Bill Meredith at a WVU game in 2010.

SUBJECTS FOR YOUR COMMENTS FOR NEXT MONTH ARE:
1. Who will win the Super Bowl?

2. Have you ever attended a Super Bowl? Tell us about it.

3. Will this WVU basketball team ever get it together?

4. Who do you think will be in the Final Four?

Send your letters and comments to Bill at billmere@aol.com

GO STEELERS !!!

FEBRUARY "VALEN TUNES"
submitted by: Steve Gofff (WI '72)
sgoff53@hotmail.com
On Valentine's Day, February 2003, I found myself back in the halls of Washington Irving for a full day. I had moved back to Clarksburg in '02 to tend to my mother and in an attempt to supplement my income I had finished the course work to become a substitute teacher. The only task left was six hours of formal classroom observation which brought me back to WI for a day of witnessing life at the now, middle school facility. I was there to observe 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, in their natural scholastic environment.

Oh the memories that day provoked. The halls seemed narrower, the classroom desks smaller, and the hall lockers tiny. But the hustle and bustle between classes seemed about the same as during my time on the hill, from 1968-'72. Now I should also mention that this visit took place not just on Valentine's Day, but on a Friday, so that last day of the school week, the TGIF vibe was at work as well. Actually, it was more like a juvenile zoo at times. Let's recap what was going on with those kids that day. It was Valentine's Day so they were imbibing not just the puberty/hormone/romance, junior high school potion that was on tap, but adding to it loads and loads of sugar thanks to dealers like Mr. Hershey, and his "kisses", and Mr. Necco, and his "candy hearts". "Me thinks" this crew also had some Red Bull as a chaser. And did I mention, if was FRIDAY?

For me a couple of things happened that day. I recalled fondly high school Valentine's Days of flirting, going steady, getting and giving cards and notes. The exchange of little heart shaped candies that expressed a range of sentiments from "LUV U" to "LOSER". As I watched those youngsters that day, I also recalled, not so fondly, days of getting dumped, unrequited love, and a back up supply of Clearasil to ward off the attack of too much 2/14 chocolate. I could see the kids who were in "love" coupling by lockers, and the kids who had to act like it didn't matter, goofing on love birds when they passed in the hall. Been there, felt that! Both sides of the equation.

I hope this Valentine's Day finds you, my alumni brother and sisters, just where you want to be. If you're in love, I hope you stay in love. If you're without love, I hope you find the right love. If you're on your own, I hope you're comfortable in your own skin. But whatever state you're in...do not take grief from anyone! Hey...I hear some songs. (Oh by the way...I can't say the day of observation scared me off, but I never took up the subbing trade.)

Here's my Valentine to all of you, courtesy of one of my absolutely favorite bands and singers, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. This song was originally recorded by Aretha Franklin. Thanks to my sweet wife Beth, WI Class of '70, for being my Valentine.

"Without Love"...Southside Johnny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2hlCA44FhY

These songs were on all the charts in February's of years gone by. I hope they make you smile and generate happy memories.

1949..."I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm"...Les Brown & his Orchestra. Popular song written in 1937 by Irving Berlin. It was introduced in On the Avenue (1937) by Dick Powell and Alice Faye. Brown's instrumental version became a million-seller and Billboard top ten song in February of 1949. My Billboard book refers to it as "the last great instrumental hit of the big band era". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2O8gzeGSfg

1952..."Anytime"...Eddie Fisher. This got up to #2 for Mr. Fisher. The song was written in 1921, and Eddy Arnold had a #1 country hit with it in 1948. Here are links to both versions so you can compare two crooners who both answer to "Ed".

Fisher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFVpH1OlS0Q

Arnold. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0IxWNyHacY&feature=fvw

1955... "Pledging My Love...Johnny Ace...On Christmas day, 1954, between sets of a show in Houston, TX, a drunken Johnny Ace was waving around a pistol back stage. His actions rightfully freighted his fellow entertainers, and to quell their fears he pointed the gun at himself to show them it wasn't loaded. It was. This validated version negates the popular telling that he died playing Russian roulette. Regardless, what a senseless death for a talented performer. This song was released immediately after the shooting and reached #17 on the national charts and was #1 on the juke box and rhythm and blues charts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_eOiTwtoQ

1958..."Short Shorts"...The Royal Teens. Oh man! This was a key record in my older sister's 45 collection, and I swear, even at just 4 years old, I loved it when her 15 and 16 year old girl friends came over to sing and dance to this record. Guess what they'd be wearing? Before the miniskirt, and before hot pants, this was a fashion craze that had people gawkin' and talkin'. Hey Roleta, how about a request for pictures of this fashion trend? I'm for it. The song reached #3 nationally. The band was from New Jersey and a member, Bob Gaudio, went on to form the Four Seasons. That's him on piano. I love this video. Is that a "Jersey girl", or what?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYKlYA77ZI4&feature=related

1961..."Calcutta"...Lawrence Welk. This was Welk's only top 10 hit and it was numero uno for two weeks. Proof positive of the nose dive the rock and roll charts took after Elvis went in the Army. This is a wonderful video though with great dancing, and a lovely crowd of "older" folks enjoying themselves, in the early 1960's. Or as Mr. Welk might intone, "wunerful, wunerful". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oZ1cP1bxx0

1965..."This Diamond Ring"...Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Well, ya know, love doesn't always work out, and Jerry's son Gary, and his Playboys have that covered with this sad story of a guy stuck with a diamond ring. It was number one in the country for two weeks in February of 1965. It's got some interesting back story in that one of the writers was Al Kooper, who later formed the first version of Blood, Sweat, and Tears; and the keyboard player and producer was Leon Russell, who later put Joe Cocker on the map and had some solo hits of his own in the '70's. A couple of years ago the current version of GL and the Playboys played the WV Italian Heritage festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9_yhmyKk70

1969..."Everyday People"...Sly and the Family Stone. There is a lot to like in the Sly Stone songbook, but if I had to choose just one of his songs, this would be it. This was number one for 4 weeks, two in February and two in March of 1969. So on and so on, and scoo-be-do-be-dobe... with just the right amount of cow bell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- hcgoLojOVo&feature=related

1972..."Day After Day"...Badfinger. This very under rated band recorded for the Beatles' Apple label and George Harrison played some of the slide guitar parts on the studio version of this record. That version also includes excellent piano parts from, once again, Leon Russell. This is a pretty good live, shot on a TV soundstage version, with just the 4 band members. Check out Pete Ham and his strong pop vocals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6N3hPY9gLs&feature=related

1974..."You're Sixteen"...Ringo Starr. Speaking of the Beatles... This was originally a minor hit for Johnny Burnette in 1960. Mr. Starkey took it up to #1 for a week in January and it stayed in the top 10 for the entire month of February, 1974. This live version comes from a 1992 all star performance. Look closely and you'll spot Burton Cummings on piano (of the Guess Who), Nils Lofgren (now in Springsteen's band), Todd Rundgren, Dave Edmonds, and Timothy Schmidt and Joe Walsh from the Eagles. Rock on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upytFIvcMJY

1977..."New Kid in Town"...The Eagles. Speaking of the Eagles...Here's an excellent sounding and high def. live version. This was number one, the last week of February, 1977. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIr0z84Usg

1979..."Lotta Love"...Nicolette Larson. This got up as high as #8 and was written by Neil Young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXfROqR_p1A

1983..."Shame On The Moon"...Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. A number 2 smash for the Bobster, with Glenn Frey of the Eagles singing background. It was written by one of my favorite song writers, Rodney Crowell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsnZMee16lk

1986..."Living in America"...James Brown. " Good gawd! Hit me! To the bridge! Oww!" The Godfather of Soul's last top 10 national hit was a sizzler. It was featured in Rocky IV (actually the best thing in the movie) and is a true celebration of living in the greatest country on earth, the USA. James Brown, RIP, with your bad self. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHqUipinDyw

Keep those emails coming,

DOO WOP OLDIES QUIZ
Thirty great memories about music that caused our parents and teachers grief!
Take the quiz and see how you score as a true ''Oldies Fan.''
Write down your answers and check them against the answers at the end.

(Answers Below)

Don't cheat, now !

1. When did ''Little Suzie'' finally wake up?
(a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock
(b) The movie's over, it's 3 o'clock
(c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock

2. ''Rock Around The Clock'' was used in what movie?
(a) Rebel Without A Cause
(b) Blackboard Jungle
(c) The Wild Ones

3. What's missing from a Rock & Roll standpoint? Earth _____
(a) Angel
(b) Mother
(c) Worm

4. ''I found my thrill . . ..'' where?
(a) Kansas City
(b) Heartbreak Hotel
(c) Blueberry Hill

5. ''Please turn on your magic beam,_______ ___ bring me a dream,'':
(a) Mr. Sandman
(b) Earth Angel
(c) Dream Lover

6. For which label did Elvis Presley first record?
(a) Atlantic
(b) RCA
(c) Sun

7.. He asked, ''Why's everybody always pickin' on me?'' Who was he?
(a) Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
(b) Charlie Brown
(c) Buster Brown

8. In Bobby Darin's ''Mack The Knife,'' the one with the knife, was named:
(a) MacHeath
(b) MacCloud
(c) MacNamara

9. Name the song with ''A-wop bop a-loo bop a-lop bam boom.''
(a) Good Golly, Miss Molly
(b) Be-Bop-A-Lula
(c) Tutti Fruitti

10. Who is generally given credit for originating the term ''Rock And Roll''?
(a) Dick Clark
(b) Wolfman Jack
(c) Alan Freed

11. In 1957, he left the music business to become a preacher:
(a) Little Richard
(b) Frankie Lymon
(c) Tony Orlando

12. Paul Anka's ''Puppy Love'' is written to what star?
(a) Brenda Lee
(b) Connie Francis
(c) Annette Funicello

13. The Everly Brothers are . .. ..
(a) Pete and Dick
(b) Don and Phil
(c) Bob and Bill

14. The Big Bopper's real name was:
(a) Jiles P. Richardson
(b) Roy Harold Scherer Jr.
(c) Marion Michael Morrison

15. In 1959, Berry Gordy, Jr., started a small record company called...
(a) Decca
(b) Cameo
(c) Motown

16. Edd Brynes had a hit with ''Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb''.. What TV show was he on?
(a) 77 Sunset Strip
(b) Hawaiian Eye
(c) Surfside Six

17. In 1960 Bobby Darin married:
(a) Carol Lynley
(b) Sandra Dee
(c) Natalie Wood

18. They were a one hit wonder with ''Book Of Love'':
(a) The Penguins
(b) The Monotones
(c) The Moonglows

19. The Everly Brothers sang a song called ''Till I ______ You.''
(a) Loved
(b) Kissed
(c) Met

20. Chuck Berry sang ''Oh,_______ ____, why can't you be true?''
(a) Suzie Q
(b) Peggy Sue
(c) Maybelline

21. ''Wooly_____ __''
(a) Mammouth
(b) Bully
(c) Pully

22. ''I'm like a one-eyed cat .. . ."
(a) can't go into town no more
(b) sleepin' on a cold hard floor
(c) peepin' in a seafood store

23. ''Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do . . . . ......''
(a) cause there ain't no answer for a life without booze
(b) cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
(c) cause my car's gassed up and I'm ready to cruise

24. ''They often call me Speedo, but my real name is . .. ..... . .''
(a) Mr. Earl
(b) Jackie Pearl
(c) Milton Berle

25. ''You're my Fanny and nobody else's .......''
(a) girl
(b) butt
(c) love

26. ''I want you to play with my . . ''
(a) heart
(b) dreams
(c) ding a ling

27. ''Be Bop A Lula .....''
(a) she's got the rabies
(b) she's my baby.
(c) she loves me, maybe

28. ''Fine Love, Fine Kissing ...''
(a) right here
(b) fifty cents
(c) just for you

29. ''He wore black denim trousers and . . ..''
(a) a pink carnation
(b) pink leotards
(c) motorcycle boots

30. ''I got a gal named . . ..''
(a) Jenny Zamboni
(b) Gerri Mahoney
(c) Boney Maroney

Answers:

1 (c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock
2. (b) Blackboard Jungle
3 (a) Angel
4. (c) Blueberry Hill
5. (a) Mr. Sandman
6. (c) Sun
7. (b) Charlie Brown
8. (a) Mac Heath
9. (c) Tutti Fruitti
10. (c) Alan Freed
11. (a) Little Richard
12. (c) Annette Funicello
13. (b) Don and Phil
14. (a) Jiles P. Richardson
15. (c) Motown
16. (a) 77 Sunset Strip
17. (b) Sandra Dee
18. (b) The Monotones
19. (b) Kissed
20. (c) Maybelline
21. (b) Bully
22. (c) peepin' in a seafood store
23. (b) cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
24. (a) Mr. Earl
25. (b) butt
26. (c) ding a ling
27. (b) she's my baby
28. (a) right here
29. (c) motorcycle boots
30. (c) Boney Maroney

SUBJECTS TO DISCUSS:
1. Most of us had parents who lived during the great depression or were affected by it in some ways. During our youth, money was scarce. (It still is but it doesn't seem to the degree that it was back then). Tell us about some of the memories you have of things your parents did to stretch their money. Perhaps some of these way could be used by some of us again. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

2. This month, Jim Alvaro wrote in about taking his football practice clothes home on Fridays for his mother to wash. This reminded me that back then, most moms were stay at home moms… they had a regular routine. Mondays was wash day. If he took his clothes home on Friday, his mother had to wash them over the week-end so he could have clean practice clothes for Monday practice. Today if a boy had to bring his clothes home, it is easy for him to throw them in the automatic washer and then in the dryer. When we were young, it wasn't easy to do the washing….I am sure then all mothers probably had a wringer washer and had to hang the clothes on the line to dry. Do you have a memory of your mother and wash day that you can share with us? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

3. Also, if mother's had to wash the practice clothes, who washed the team uniforms? Where were they kept? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

4. We all had to take physical education class (gym class, as we called it). Some of the things required by the gym teachers seemed silly to us then. What are some of the things you remember that were silly requirements in gym class? Write and share your memories Roleta1@aol.com.

OBITUARIES
ROXANNE RENEE FLANIGAN (LIBERTY HS 1983)
Roxanne Renee Flanigan, 45, of Clarksburg, died early Friday morning, January 7, 2011, at Fairmont General Hospital following a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was born August 8, 1965, in Zanesville, OH, a daughter of the late Russell David Roberts and Phyllis Louise Besser Roberts, who survives in Clarksburg.

She was graduated from Liberty High School with the Class of 1983 and worked as service manager for Stuart-McMunn for several years.

FRANCES NELL REED (VICTORY HS)
Frances Nell Reed, age 66, of Clarksburg, departed this life Saturday, January 8, 2011, at her residence surrounded by her family following a brief illness.

She was born February 6, 1944, a daughter of the late Orval Denver Riley and Donzella Lou Mollahan Riley. Her husband, Harold Lee Reed, preceded her in death in 2005.

CHRISTOPHER ERIC WILSON (LIBERTY HS 1987)
Christopher Eric Wilson, age 40, of Elkins, WV, formerly of Oakboro, NC, departed this life on January 11, 2011.

Christopher was born in Clarksburg, WV, on January 28, 1970, a son of Donald Eugene "Gene" Wilson of Lake Floyd and the late Patricia "Pat" Faye Wiseman Wilson. He was co-owner of Wilson Wilderness Landscaping.

LEONARD J. MADIA (VICTORY)
Leonard J. Madia, 81, of St. Albans, formerly of Clarksburg, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2010, in CAMC Putnam after a long illness.

Leonard "Lindy" Madia was born April 28, 1929, in Bethlehem, WV, to the late Constance and Dominic Madia. After high school graduation he joined the Coast Guard and served four years.

ELIZABETH HONOR KETTERING (WI)
Mrs. Kettering passed away on December 18, 2010, at her residence. Mrs. Kettering was born to Paul and Mary H. Hornor. She married James R. Kettering, who preceded her in death.

She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg and Denison University in Granville, OH.

She is survived by her son, James R. (Rebecca) Kettering Jr. and her daughter, Ann Hornor Kettering (Charles McClain) Covington She had seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom survive. Her sister, Mary Virginia Hornor Tharp of Bridgeport, also survives.

In addition to her husband and her parents, her brother, Paul A. Hornor, preceded her in death.

PAUL SAMUEL EMBRY (WI 1962)
Paul Samuel Embry, 66, of Shadow Hills, passed away, January 1, 2011, at United Hospital Center, Bridgeport, following a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Paul M. Embry and Julia Folio Embry. His wife, Sharon Lea Richards Embry, whom he married March 8, 1980, resides in Shadow Hills. Surviving are his three children, Jessica Embry, Patrick (Megan), and Paul W. Embry.

TIMOTHY DUANE (Timmy) LUCENTE (VICTORY 1972)
Timothy Duane "Timmy" Lucente, age 56, of Summit Park, WV died on January 13, 2011, following a brief illness. Timmy was the son of the late Tony "Tubby" Lucente and Sara Agatha Reader Lucente. He is survived by his wife, Traci Donnel Cochran Lucente.

Timmy is also survived by his son, Timothy D. "T.J." Lucente of Clarksburg; his daughter, Lisa Ann Casto of Clarksburg; five grandchildren,; one stepson, Aron Golden of Clarksburg; one stepdaughter, Casey Golden of Clarksburg; two brothers, Frank (Cindy) Lucente, and Tony (Kathy) Lucente; one sister, Deborah Lucente

In addition to his parents, Timmy was preceded in death by his first wife, Debra Lucente; two uncles, Frank Lucente Jr. and John Lucente; and two aunts, Katie Papsibero and Margaret Jane Lucente. He grew up in Summit Park, where he was the former chief of Summit Park Volunteer Fire Department. Timmy was a 1972 graduate of Victory High School, where he played football. He was the owner of the Loop for over 20 years and was a former member of the Harrison County Emergency Squad

GORDON DAVID BLAND, SR. (RW)
Gordon David Bland Sr., 65, of Bond Street, Clarksburg, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 4, 2011, in the United Hospital Center.

He was born in Harrison County on December 3, 1945, a son of the late Gordon and Oleta Marie Lewis Bland.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia P. Swiger Bland, whom he married April 17, 1999.

He enjoyed collecting stamps and showing his 1941 Oldsmobile Coup at car shows. He was a graduate of R-W High School.

MAXINE WILMOTH
Maxine Wilmoth, 91, of Clarksburg, passed away December 1, 2010, following an extended illness.

She and was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Charlotte "Lottie" Black Lefkowitz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Wilmoth. Mrs. Wilmoth is survived by one daughter, Barbara Ann Falkenstine and one granddaughter. She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Harvey Falkenstine, and five brothers and sisters, David Lefkowitz, Willard Lefkowitz, Bernice McCauley, Selby Lefkowitz and Seymore Lefkowitz.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilmoth at one time owned and ran the Clay Street Market. Mrs. Wilmoth then went to work for many years as a salesperson at Freidlanders. For the past 18 years, she volunteered at the Harrison County Senior Citizen Center.

ELIZABETH "LIBBY" WRIGHT
August 6, 1934 – June 13, 2010.
Libby Wright of Englewood, died at home on June 13, 2010 after a tenacious battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Guy, four children: Mike (Janet) of Novi, MI; Dave (Tracey) of Plymouth, MI; MaryAnn (Bob) of Milwaukee, WI, and Jan of Antioch, CA. Survivors also include four grandchildren: Caroline, Sara, Eddie and Mark.

Libby grew up in Clarksburg, W Va., and graduated from West Virginia University. She and Guy made their home in Dearborn, MI where they raised their children and she was a full-time mom. They retired to Florida in 1990 where she was active with the Englewood "YMCA", bridge club, friends and her family.

DAVID LEE LOCKETT (Victory)
David Lee Lockett, 60 years of age, died on January 17, 2011, at his residence in Hepzibah, WV. The youngest son and youngest child (10th) of the late Linkton, Senior and Laura Fenderson Lockett, of Hepzibah, WV.

He attended public schools in Clarksburg, where he graduated from Victory High School and was a veteran of the Marine Corps. He retired after 30-plus years as a Master Printer from the Hope Gas Company. His parents, two sisters, Anna Pearl Miller, Mattie Lee Radden, and two brothers, Samuel and Linkton Lockett Jr., preceded him in death. David leaves behind, three sisters, Barbara T. (Grady) Hull, Mae Bowman,and Velma J. Forge; two brothers, Charles E. (Olivia) Lockett and Thomas E. (Mae) Lockett; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

CHARLES EDWARD REICH, I (BRIDGEPORT H.S.)
Charles Edward Reich I, (74) died on January 19, 2011 due to complications from an auto accident. He was the son of late Allen Granberry Thurman Reich and Virginia Mae Loar. His first wife, Margret Josephine Reich, preceded him in death on October 10, 1999. His second wife, Dae Anne Chilcote Reich, whom he married May 28, 2000, resides in Lost Creek.

He was a Lieutenant with the Clarksburg Police Department, having retired with 28 years of service. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, having enjoyed attending their annual Christmas party each year. Charles was a dedicated member of the Faith Christian Fellowship.

Charles had four sons, Charles Edward (Anna) Reich I, Douglas Michael (Cecil Marie) Reich, James Allen "Chip" (Tina) Reich and Andrew Mark (Tiffany) Reich: three daughters, Sherry Darlene (Arthur "Bud") Devereux, Karen Lynn Reich (Doug) Denholm, and Betsy Ann (Jim) Copenhaver; three stepsons, Paul Eric (Karen) Miller, Matthew Lloyd (Debra) Mille, and Thomas L. Palmer of Clarksburg; one stepdaughter, Lydia D. (Edward) Ellis and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. One brother, Thurman (Sara) Reich; two sisters, Violet (George) Stackpole and Bettye Detamore.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Mr. Reich was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Swiger and Grace Ferguson; and three brothers, John, James and Perry "Junior" Ferguson.

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