THE WI NEWSLETTER 06/12



THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 154 June 2012






MEMORIES

submitted by: Becky Runner Hunt (WI '67)

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of the "memories" : One of my favorite memories is walking past the Court House on a Saturday afternoon with my girlfriends... hair in curlers, covered with a scarf hoping to catch our boyfriends sitting on the "wall" with their friends in anticipation of our dates that night. Possibly going to the Bridgeport Civic center for a dance.



submitted by: Donna Harper Lally (WI '67)

I am Donna Harper Lally (WI '67), pictured in the Thanksgiving 2011 issue of WI Newsletter. The picture was submitted by Vinnie Merendino, who lived next door to me on Denham St. I would love to have a copy of this photo of my childhood. I know Vinnie moved to California, but I do not know how to reach him to have him send it. Could you attach a copy to an email for me to download please?

My daughter discovered the WI Newsletter and picture and sent me the website. I love the Newsletter!

My sister, Juanita Harper Lunsford Bryan (WI '58) has mentioned that there is a Florida WI reunion but she had no details of when or where. Now, I can tell her so she could go.

My Mother, Violet Wright Harper (WI '38) celebrated her 94th birthday last Monday, April 30th. Mother's three brothers (now deceased) all attended WI; Uncle Bill's team picture was in the school hall when I attended there.

Thank you so very much for this Newsletter!
Donna Harper Lally

P.S. Class of '67 is having their 45th Reunion August 17 and 18 in Clarksburg. Looking forward to it!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I will publish any reunion advertising, news or pictures in the newsletter –just send them to Roleta1@aol.com.



submitted by: Mary Virginia (Duncan-Johnson) Wilke (WI '55)
Mwdusty1@aol.com

I just wanted to thank you again for the WI Newsletter each month! It is really unique & something to look forward to! Memories you asked for this past month:

Roller skating - There was a small hill on Gordon St, Bridgeport, where I was born & I learned to skate down the sidewalk there! Lots of fun until one day, I must have misjudged & fell & my head hit the pavement & so I had stitches. Still did not stop me from skating. I learned to ride my bike on that same strip of sidewalk with an older friend sitting on the back fender until I learned to balance. We didn't have trainer wheels on the bikes back then!

Bus rides - I have lots of memories of riding the bus. We moved when I was in the third grade & until the semester was over, they would put me on a bus to Bridgeport each day. It was very safe for children back then. My Uncle Scott Kelley managed the bus line. The longest trip I took on a bus was when I was thirteen and my brother Bob financed my Mom and I on a trip to Denver, CO to see him. (She refused to fly and her health wouldn't permit it) I have to tell you that I was a brat and slept most of the time except when we stopped and I got chocolate milkshakes and chicken salad sandwiches! I sure did enjoy CO though!

One of my biggest regrets was not attending proms! I was dating my first husband, Hugh Johnson, then and he had quit school so we could not go, at least that was his excuse, because he could not dance! But I have relived that time with my daughter, sons and grandchildren!

Collections - I have four! Bells from all over including a big dinner bell from MD. Music boxes. But my biggest collection of which I am much involved in, is photography. I have old pictures of my family & always new ones of the family which, thanks to God, keeps growing! My one son, Bob, asked me one day "why so many pictures?" Well, this helps preserve memories of all kinds & also, helps with my genealogy research, too.

Recipes - I collect recipe books from different organizations and even made one for my Order of the Eastern Star chapter a few years back! I collected recipes from my family and all the members of the Chapter and they sold so very fast and was a great money raiser for the Chapter. I really enjoyed doing that! I love cooking and really miss cooking for the family. We do have a lot of gatherings and that is when I really cook, but there is just me at home now so I cook enough for two meals most of the time.

Well, Roleta, I guess that is all for now. Again, let me thank you for the enjoyment of reading about WV & old friends.



submitted by: Carl Lyon (WI '42)
cvlyon@comcast.net

My name is Carl Lyon. I was nicknamed "blue;" I was born and raised in Stealey Heights. I attended Morgan School, Central Junior, and WI graduating in the class of 1942.

I thoroughly enjoy reading the WI newsletter and admire you and others who work so hard on it.

I have not written earlier because there have been so many subjects that interest me that I couldn't decide what to write about. In the hope that my comments will be useful here are a couple of anecdotes that occur to me inspired by the May newsletter.

Roller skates: McDowell Street is about as straight up as one will find even in WV. We used to saw off an old broomstick, go to the top of McDowell Street, sit on the broomstick, and ride our roller skates all the way down. When we reached the bottom we had worn off a bit of the stick. We could control the speed by forcing the stick down firmer on the sidewalk. What a thrill!

Telephones: For many years my dad worked at night as the B & O ticket agent. Because of that we were alone at night and mother had us memorize the telephone number of the police. It was 58. I don't think we ever called it. We, of course, had a party line.

B & O station: While attending WV Wesleyan, I got a summer night job as a baggage and mail porter at the Station. Our primary work was to load and unload baggage, milk cans, and other stuff on each train. As the junior person it was my job to clean the toilets each night. They were just a little short of gross. I was somewhat sensitive about doing this so when I would see anyone I knew I would try to disappear.

Duff Street Church: Iit is sad to see the church disappear. It was a short walk from our home and we went to Sunday school often. They had a youth organization called "Christian endeavor" that met each Sunday evening. My brother and I didn't enjoy it much but were required to go anyway. One preacher we had was Reverend Capehart. One of his sons (Jimm)y) was a very good basketball player for WI and later played for Cam Henderson at Marshall



NEW READERS

Becky Runner Hunt (WI '67) rebechu6@aol.com
Donna Harper Lally (WI '67) DonnaLally@aol.com
David Oliverio (RWHS '57) david.oliverio@att.net
Martha Alexander Smith (VHS '55) martha7781@att.net

CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESS

Cindy Miller Murphy (WI '74) cindylmurphy@comcast.net
Jim (WI '57) and Helen House Fleming (WI '59)
Please print our new email address		 fleming59@frontier.com



WHO IS IN THE PICTURE?



Front row: Sandy Drummond, Bonnie Smith, Carolyn White
2nd row: Bobbie Snider, Allen Alvarez
Back row: Becky Hollandsworth, ?, Ruth Ann Martin, Rosemary Grow, Jayne Rose, ?

submitted by: Terry Shorr (WI '58)

At first glance the picture looks like a Where's Waldo puzzle. Then I see that the "Waldo" is Allen Alvarez, surrounded by a dozen good looking women. Who else and where I don't know.


submitted by: Holly Furbee Berger (WI '59)

The picture looks like Lake Floyd beach to me.
From left to right - Becky, Carol, Ruth Ann Martin, Rosemary Grow, Sandra Drummond, Alan Alveraz, Bonnie Smith, Jayne Rose, young girl ??, Carolyn White - all were good friends and this brings back many wonderful memories.


submitted by: Ruth Ann Martin Hill (WI '59)

from left: Becky Hollandsworth, Carol Linda Caussin (incorrect spelling and may not even be her name) but I do recognize her face, Ruth Ann Martin, Rosemary Grow, Sandy Drummond, Bonnie Smith, Allen Alvarez, Jane Rose (Back right).

My guess would be Lake Floyd. Don't remember this at all. Wondering who had this picture. We must have all been working on a tan. None of us had our straps up on our shoulders.


submitted by: Beth Twigg Devericks (WI '59)
bedevericks@hotmail.com

I think Sandy Drummond, Bonnie Smith, Ruth Ann Martin, Rosemary Grow, Carolyn White these are the ones that I recognize.

Beth


submitted by: Jane Stout Galvin (WI '59)

I think that the photo was taken at Lake Floyd and some of the people in it are Sandra Drummond, Carolyn White, Bonnie Smith, Bobbie Snyder, Rosemary Grow, Ruth Ann Martin and Becky Hollingsworth.

I wonder where I was? Probably out at Oral Lake with Connie Bailey.



COLLECTIONS

Do you collect anything? Write and tell us about things you collect, perhaps someone else collects the same things….write about your collection to: Roleta1@aol.com

Here are some of the collections that people have shared with us.

submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)

I have collected several different things from time to time, mostly sports related, but somewhere along the way I started collecting old Kodak cameras. I started somewhat because I had a few, working for a subsidiary of Kodak, Eastman Chemical Co. Really got started in self defense as my wife frequented antique stores quite often and I browsed a bit and started finding old cameras, cheap. Once word got out that I had a collection they started showing up from friends and relatives. I was even given one at the Clarksburg picnic recently. We were at Bethany Beach in Delaware one summer antique shopping and I came across a stereo camera that I should have purchased, but at the time I had a limit as to what I would pay and this particular camera was way out of my range. I have regretted it ever since!

My family, mainly older son has a collection of Va Tech stuff, including a lot of my old stuff, but we won't mention that among all the WVU folks, will we? He also has some of my old WI athletic paraphernalia and, in fact, I owe you a photo or two which I will try to send when I finish this.

Many thanks for the great job you and Judy and others do with the newsletter, which incidentally did come to my E-mail account this month. This is great news as hopefully now it will not require me remembering to go find it!



submitted by: Anthony Bellotte (WI '57)



Tony and Jody Bellotte now live in Maryland but that is not where this adventure started. As a matter of fact we have three joint hobbies/collections, which we will discuss here in different orders of magnitude. In July 1990 Tony (known in Clarksburg as Anthony) was offered a position in England, about 40 miles north of London. And it was there that the addiction to Swarovski Crystal began. Records show that in December 1990 we traveled to a shop in Lakenheath, England. It was there we got our first glimpse of Swarovski Silver Crystal. On that day we purchased the Butterfly, Baby Seal, Swan and the Large Turtle. The dye was cast.

A review of the Swarovski product-listing booklet showed that there were clearly many pieces that we had yet to see. Thus we began to expand our search to other cities, first in England, then Great Britain (Includes England, Scotland, and Wales), and then throughout Europe, leaving no country unsearched. Every vacation while we lived in England for five years became a crystal hunt. On one trip we went to the Swarovski factory in Wattens, Austria and it was there that they were handed a complete list of the names of people who were secondary market dealers in different parts of the world. Lo and behold we discovered that people collected crystal in the United States as well. Until this time we did not know that there was a club dedicated to collecting Swarovski that reached worldwide.

There was one U.S. person on the list and that was a dealer named Wayne Klein in Pella, Iowa. It was there that several annual editions were located and purchased. Wayne became a source for many, hard to find items and also relayed the names of several other U.S Collectors. The next person we met in the U.S. was the wonderful Joyce Douglas, from NY. Joyce did a lot to complete the Bellotte Collection of candleholder pieces. This collection now has a pair of every type of candleholder, of both Euro and U.S. versions. There are a couple of pieces that are not even in the Swarovski Catalogs that were made as demos only and not meant to be sold. However, they slipped out the back door and into our cases by luck. To this day we put several hours a day into our addiction. One of our best stories took place in the little sleepy town of Stamford, England where a sales lady asked us if we wanted to buy an "ugly" bottle opener made of crystal. Hearts immediately began to thump as she went down into the old, dark cellar and returned with a Gold Beetle Bottle Opener, so new that it even had the little covers on each of the feet. We knew of these but had never really seen one, as they were quite old. Because these "ugly" pieces we not good sellers, she reduced the price to 30 pounds (about $50.00). Turns out she had eight of them buried down there in the seller so much to her amazement we offered to buy them all, (a real hay day for her) for $400.00. The good news for us was that they were going for $2,000.00 each on the secondary market and were very difficult, if not impossible, to find. So for our $400.00 investment we purchased $16,000 dollars worth of collectibles. All of which we traded for much more valuable pieces to people who could not get them at all. Of course two remain in our collection today.

Over the years there have been several incidents like that, just plain luck and of course knowledge of what you are buying and how to sell it at a profit. Our collection contains Silver Crystal, Selection Pieces, Crystal Colors, Crystal Memories, Trimlite, Giftware Suite, Julias Word, Zales, Cristolograms, Hat Pins, Ebeling & Reuss, The old SC Jewelry and Crystal Scent Pendants. In total the collection, after 22 years consists of 4,000 pieces. It only lacks 5 pieces to be complete, and we know where two of those are and are waiting on a response to our offer.

Although crystal collecting has been a wonderful pursuit, meeting new people who have a common passion for the beauty of crystal and sharing adventures with them, is high on our list of reasons why collecting Swarovski is fantastic. And the search continues.

By the way Tony had to build an addition onto the house to hold the 20 showcases full of crystal, with special lighting, museum benches, and alarms. And as our kids do not want to take it over because of the high insurance premiums, and we do not want to break the collection up and sell it, we are working with a lawyer now and two museums to donate where it will go in the future. It has been showcased on the Planet Luxury television program and is, as far as we know, the largest privately owned collection of Swarovski in the world. Valued at approximately 2M dollars. Now you see why the kids don't want the insurance premiums?

We are also into gardening and the garden can be seen on Facebook . It is still a work in progress this year. Jody made up all of the flower arrangements. We also love our dogs and they complete our circle of hobbies and collections. Any questions? bellotte3@aol.com.





TWO SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS CHOSEN

The 2012-2013 Scholarship winners have been chosen. Alissa M. Ford, graduating with the class of 2012 from RC Byrd, is the female recipient of the $3,000.00 scholarship. George Herrod has been chosen as the male recipient. Both have decided to attend Fairmont State University. The scholarships are given in two installments. The first installment of $1,500.00 will be given this month. The check is sent to each of their student financial accounts and is used to pay for educational needs. The second installment will be paid in December before their second semester begins.

Yes, some of the generous readers of the newsletter are giving back to our community by supporting the scholarship which helps 2 students each year with their first year financial obligations in college.

If you would like to be a part of this, please write your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

And mail it to

Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

The two chosen this year were very grateful for your gift.

REMEMBER----------TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

No amount is too big or too small. By all of us putting our money in one pot, we can manage to give a nice scholarship each year.

A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE RECEIPIENTS

Dear Mrs.Meredith,

I would like to thank you and the WI Newsletter for your gift of Education that your scholarship allows me to pursue.

I plan on attending Fairmont in the fall to pursue my Teaching degree.

Again let me thank you for your gift it will be put to good use.

Sincerely,
George M.Herrod



THE NEWSLETTER

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

In response to Pat Elder's letter in the last newsletter.

Pat, that was a great article you put in the May newsletter. You know, I get the same response when I tell friends about the growth of the newsletter. They cannot believe it. I tell them how it has brought some of us together who attended the same grade school. They say they don't even keep up with their college buddies let alone their grade, Jr high, and high school friends. I also tell them what keeps this newsletter so successful is the hard work of Roleta, Bill, and Judy. But I also tell them they couldn't do it without the input from the readers. I know it drives them crazy putting this together every month but we need to drive them as crazy as we can. They love the craziness. I always love your articles. I shouldn't even read your articles, because of the way you treated Sager and I in Sarasota at the hotel over the Clarksburg Reunion week-end. I do forgive you, though I don't know about Sager. We got to keep the newsletter going strong.

Your ole pal????



submitted by: Anne Harter Corbett (would have been 1957)
rcorbett7218@charter.net

I found you again!!! I looked forward every month to the newsletter and all of a sudden it was gone. It appeared on my e-mail again today. Thank you.

My grandfather was in the first graduating class of WI in 1915, there may have been 25 graduates then. His name was Alfred Nutter. (no relation to the teacher named Miss Nutter). I would have been a 1957 grad, had my family not moved away.

I am so sorry to see Towers and now Central Jr. just GONE. I have so many friends and memories from then. I haven't been to Clarksburg for a number of years, but the last time I was there, the arcade was gone. I walked home from school thru there every day. Progress I guess.

You were asking if we remembered skates that fit on your shoes, I still have my skate key that tightened them up. We used to skate down Horner Ave. Eliza Swiger lived on the corner and we skated from her house to the next corner. I had many scrapes on my knees from skating as the sidewalks were not exactly level.

I have a question for someone----- is the old house that used to be Jefferson Davis's house still there. It had a stone wall around the front, catta corner to a hotel, (can't remember the name). I always thought I wanted to live there, but then later heard it was haunted, if you believe in that sort of thing. Probably should have been a historical house, but no doubt its gone too. Just asking????????????????????

Thank you guys for all you do, I know it isn't easy, but so many good things come from the newsletter in keeping up. Great Job!!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have a hard time sending our notification letter to people who have charter.net as their carrier. I am surprised you received the notice but hopefully charter fixed their problem and you and others will now be able to receive the monthly newsletter notification letter that I write.



submitted by: Anthony Bellotte (WI '57)

I am amazed every time I receive and read one of these newsletters. For all involved, Roleta, Judy and Dave, who sends me the monthly notification), etc, etc I want to say thank you and please keep them coming. This is getting to be a historical publication known to hundreds of people. I even forward it to some of my friends who are not West Virginians and they are amazed by its longevity and content. Again thanks to all involved and thinking about writing an article myself for the next edition. It will probably be boring but who would expect more? Thanks



submitted by: David Oliverio (RW '57)
david.oliverio@att.net

Roleta,
My name is David Oliverio. I am a grad of RWHS 57 and F-state College 62. Your newsletter was fwd to me by another RW grad. I thoroughly enjoyed what was going on in C-burg and the other grads from surrounding schools. I probably was friends with more people from WI than RW. I have lost track of them since moving to Augusta, Ga. in 2000.

Thanks in advance,



submitted by: Martha Alexander Smith (VHS '55)
martha7781@att.net

Roleta,
Thank-you for a wonderful trip down memory lane

I am a 1955 grad. of VHS. I worked at Parsons-Souders in the ladies sports wear with Joann Johnson Hart.

I had the opportunity to visit with Clayce several times at the Antique Show here in Columbus.

Thanks Again
Martha, Now in New Albany Ohio



submitted by: Carol Gottlieb Rovinsky (WI '65)

I would like to say in the next issue of the WI newsletter:

"The letter from Pat Elder - ND '57 - was fabulous. So much so that even though I don't have anything specific to contribute to next month's newsletter, I wanted to let him and the staff of the WI newsletter that it resonated with me. I hope it did with others as well.

EDITORS NOTE: This was forwarded to me by Dave Kuhl who is one of the volunteers who help me send out the monthly notices when the newsletter is on line and ready to read. Apparently Carol did find something to write about for this month's newsletter after all…see elsewhere in the newsletter



submitted by: Evan "Stumpie Bice" (WI '62)
ebice@ma.rr.com

Please add my name to your mailing list

Evan "Stumpie" Bice 1962

Does anyone know about Betsy Dilmore who lived on Buckhannon Avenue

Thanks for the good work

Thank you

THE DEADLINE FOR THE NEWSLETTER
IS
THE 24TH OF EACH MONTH
SO
WRITE TO ME BEFORE THE
24TH!
ROLETA1@AOL.COM



TELEPHONES

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

The mystery picture in April's newsletter is Lowndes Bank with Parson Souders next door. I worked at Lowndes Bank for two years after I graduated from WI in 1958. In fact, I worked there part-time before I graduated. Patty Harper's dad was vice president of the bank and he hired me. I left the bank when Larry & I were married in 1960 and we moved to Morgantown and lived there while he attended WVU.

Your question about telephone numbers sure brought back some memories. My dad worked for the C & P Telephone Company. I think one of the perks was having a private line. The first number I remember was 699 and an operator would answer. Later it was 44173 when they changed to the dial system. My grandparents lived near Jane Lew and they had a party line. When I was a child our visits could be pretty boring. My aunt (she still lived there and was only 4 years older than me) and I would pass the time listening in on conversations. It was great fun!! Not much else to do on a Sunday afternoon. Of course, I didn't know any of the people that we were listening to but JoAnn did. Some of them were their neighbors. I remember wishing we could have a party line.



GIVING

Remember the old saying "It is better to give than receive"? I agree because when you give something, you get a warm feeling that lasts for a long time.

Here are the names of the people who gave to the WIN Scholarship this month:

David and Mary Anderson
Mary Sue Clark Spahr
Carl V. Lyon
Herb Cashdollar

Thank you for your generosity. The children who receive the scholarship each year certainly do appreciate your gift.



WHO ARE THESE GUYS?



picture submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

The above picture was taken in 1955 of the Knights of Columbus Little League baseball team.

The names are on the back of the picture, but I am not sure that they are in the same order as the players as they sit on the bleachers.

It would be interesting to see if any of the above remember these guys like I do, and I could tell you who is who, but we should see if anyone else tries to name them.

Write guesses to Roleta1@aol.com.



BOB TETER'S LETTER SWEATER

submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)

My brother once told me to send this but I have procrastinated until now. The letter sweater pic is self explanatory I hope. The shadow box contains Football Banquet Programs, my 1957 letter, and the 1959 WI team of my senior year and a pic of my dad when he played football at Bridgeport whenever. Glad to share.


The 1957 sweater was the first I earned for varsity sports at WI. Fall of 1957 football season would have been my sophomore year. You have to remember that way back then we had real freshman teams and junior varsity teams, on which I participated. Bob Secret was a notable exception to this as he made varsity in his freshman year on 'the hill'. I really do not remember what was required to earn the letter other than making the team. It may have required some minimal participation.


The 1959 team was then my senior year and we were pretty good thanks to some of my teammates being such outstanding athletes, namely Bob Secret, Gene Donaldson and John McFarlin. The only game we lost was to Parkersburg and remember they had more students in their senior class than we had in our entire school, if I remember correctly. They were sort of our nemesis in both football and basketball as I am reminded whenever I see Mike Dyer, who was part of that team. At any rate, those were the best of times and I enjoyed being a small part of it. The pictures I am glad to see at our son's home when we visit. He collects various family sports history items in addition to his Va Tech collection. In the collage is featured my father who also played football.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We would be so happy to see a picture of you in your uniform or a picture of your team and tell us about your memories of participating in sports at your high school. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.



YESTERYEAR PHOTOS OF CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Jack Emrick (WI '54)




MORE PICTURES FROM JACK WILL BE IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS



WHITE SQUIRELS AND BEAUTIFUL GARDENS
AND WHERE ARE THOSE WEAVER TWINS?

submitted by: Lynne Schatz (formerly, Marcia Lynne Fox) (WI '63)
lLSchatz@CROWN-CHICAGO.com

It's always great reading the newsletter – thanks SO much for all the effort you and Judy make in putting it together.

Dave McCue's mention of the albino squirrels made me chuckle. Once upon a time – say, late 50s/early 60s, there was a large outdoor squirrel cage in the (seriously spacious) back yard of the Louis Johnson residence. Someone opened the cage and released the squirrels – motive unknown, possibly sympathy for caged animals, possibly mischief. Although the Weaver twins were suspected, the actual culprit(s) remained unknown. And, yes, the released squirrels remained in the area, Goff Plaza-Broad Oaks, for years. Wonder where the Weaver twins are now. They were such handsome kids and very lively!

The Johnson property was really, really lovely. In those days, no one thought anything of wandering the grounds as the Johnsons lived nearly all the time in Washington. DC. In those pre-air-conditioning times, it was a treat to run through the large lawn sprinklers on a hot summer day. There was a full-time housekeeper – possibly other staff as well. At Halloween, trick-or-treaters were allowed to take a treat from a large silver tray brought to the door. There were two fish ponds, one a rustic sort nestled in shrubbery on one side of the house and the other a formal pool. It amazed me that the carp – well, very large goldfish – survived the West Virginia winters. Only later did I learn that they were koi. There was also a beautiful playhouse in back, which the housekeeper let me use occasionally. Alas, I never saw more of the inside of the house than the entry hall but always imagined it to be very grand throughout.



To Bill:

Thank you so much for publishing the article about Fielding Yost, who became a coaching and sports legend at the University of Michigan in the first half of the 20th Century. I did not know of this West Virginian's remarkable story. I was particularly drawn to his career at the University of Michigan.

I live in a retirement community in Florida and there are quite a few University of Michigan alumni and friends living here. Once they discover that I am from West Virginia (displayed on my golf club head covers) some tend to want to hold me personally responsible for sending Rich Rodriquez to coach at the University of Michigan.

Your article provides me considerable cover. I have made a copy, highlighted pertinent parts for a quick read by those who bring up the subject and placed it in my golf bag for their perusal. This does not totally satisfy the die-hards, but perhaps they only hold me half responsible. When I remind them of the John Beilein acquisition, that tempers the blame even more.

Thanks,

Bill Strickler, WI, 1953
Kingwood, WV and Leesburg, FL

Reply To Bill:

I'm glad you enjoyed the article. As I mentioned, most people have never heard of "Hurry Up" Yost, but he was a legend in the early 20th century. I think it is really ironic that he and Rich Rod grew up just a few miles apart, but in different eras.

I've dealt with Michigan fans for most of my life, having lived in Columbus, OH for 45 years. They can be tough customers. Just for fun, the next time they complain about Rodriquez, ask them who recruited the current U of M players. Had he been able to finish the last two years of his contract, who knows what he might have done. Wouldn't it be something if Arizona and Michigan played in a future Rose Bowl, while Rod was at the helm in Tucson? I'd love to see that one.

Thanks for writing.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


COACH BILL STEWART

I, along with the rest of the college football world, was shocked and deeply saddened to hear today that Bill Stewart had passed away. He was only 59 years old, about a month from his 60th birthday, far too young to leave us.

Was he a great football coach? Probably not. But, he was "what the doctor ordered" for WVU before and during the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. He held the program together, when it could have disintegrated after Rich Rod abandoned the team to go to Michigan. Every Mountaineer fan should be eternally grateful to him for that. However, he lost favor during his three years at the helm as head coach. The fans and, as it ended up, the new AD wanted more, so he lost the only job he ever really wanted.

His last year of life had to have been difficult. They tell us he suffered a heart attack while playing golf. Medically speaking, I'm sure that is true. But, if you remember, not too many months ago, I wrote of the death of another former football coach ,who was fired from his dream job. They said Joe Paterno died of lung cancer, but we all know he died of a broken heart. In my opinion, Coach Stewart probably suffered the same fate.

As Don Nehlen said and I fully agree, Bill Stewart was a great Mountaineer. Montani semper liberi. Rest in peace, Coach.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



REGRETS

submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)

One and only one regret from high school.and you might guess it has to do with sports. Likely there are scholastic things I might have done better, but that is not really a regret as much as a failing. We all certainly had the opportunity to do academically as much as we were willing to attempt.

Ah, but the regret is that we did not have a high school baseball team. Baseball was a huge interest of mine and the opportunity to play at the high school level did not exist at WI. To play baseball required trying out for Babe Ruth and American Legion teams. Babe Ruth League accommodated most all that gave it a try, but American Legion was one team for the entire Clarksburg area and was more difficult, at least for me, to give it a whirl. Seems there was a break of a year age requirement wise from Babe Ruth to American Legion ball and that allowed the interest and perhaps the skill level to wane a bit. The interest level was just not the same as I expect it would have been had the team been all good ole WI guys! Ah, but so it was!

A regret related to things not done during these formative years, but only indirectly related to WI was the piano lessons I failed to take advantage of as a youth. Next door on Broaddus Avenue was, of all things, a piano teacher, Mr. Eggleston. Never did I give him a try, mostly due to sports being a higher priority. Now that I am older and wiser and love music, I do regret not taking advantage of that opportunity. I admire those with marvelous music skills and/or talent that I did not foster as I might have. I do however, encourage my grands to take every advantage to develop some sort of music skill as that will provide for many opportunities later in life to participate in same, i.e., church choir, etc.



submitted by: Carol Gottlieb Rovinsky (WI '65)

You asked in this month's newsletter : "What was the one thing while you were in high school you regret not doing?" Well, I don't have an answer to any regrets that I did NOT do. However, my one regret for what I DID do was this:

One weekend evening - my junior or senior year, a bunch of girls went out to the diner on Bridgeport Hill. Possibly included were Nancy Swiger & Susie Wysong among others.

On the way into the diner I admired a pink ceramic piggy bank on display on a column near the entrance. On the way out, one of the girls reminded me that I had admired it and I STOLE IT ! THERE - I said it. I wish that I had drunk something other than coffee so I'd have some reasonable excuse. But, of course, they did not serve alcohol.

I never considered stealing anything again from the shame of having done that. A few years later my mother sent it to me at Michigan State. It arrived totally broken. I felt I deserved it.



ROLLER SKATES

submitted by: Mary Sue Spahr (WI '56)

Oh how I did love to skate. I got a pair of skates, probably for something like my 9th birthday, and I zipped all over Broad Oaks on those skates. I remember we had to wear a rather solid shoe so we could tighten the skates with the skate key. Tennis shoes wouldn't work because they were way too soft. I'm surprised I didn't kill myself or at least lose the skin from both knees going down Tyler Avenue, but I quickly learned how to slow myself down by turning around or running off into someone's grass.

We also skated at the skating rink as frequently as we could for several years around the time I was nine until I was 13 or so. I fell and broke my arm, but even that didn't deter me for very long.

I decided when I was about 55 that I needed more exercise than I was getting so I renewed my interest in skating. Starting then I skated for several more years before I decided that falling an breaking an arm, leg or hip wasn't an experience I wanted at the age of 60. Now I take some of my grandchildren skating on Fridays or Saturdays in the winter. It's a great winter activity and they love it. I have been tempted to rent a pair of skates and see if I can still stand up on them, but so far my better judgment has ruled.



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

Boy do I remember the steel wheel roller skates. I would roller skate up and down Monticello Ave and Haymond Hwy in Broad Oaks all summer long. A good friend of mine, Tommy "Hotty" Hostutler, who lived just across the street from my house would meet me in the mornings and we would skate a few hours every day. You had to have special soles on your shoes or the skates would come flying off and dragged by the leather ankle strap attached to the skates. I usually had the skate key on a string and put around my neck. I frequently had my skates come off and if I didn't have the skate key with me, I would have to push and skate on one skate until I got home to use the key. I remember how loud those skates were when skating on the uneven concrete sidewalks. You could hear us coming from a mile away. They were a lot of fun. With my weight, I wore out a couple pair skates a summer. I cannot imagine what the kids would think if they had to wear the steel wheel skates compared to what they are skating with now.



submitted by: Billie Kittle Fox (WI '61)

I know you need articles to keep the newsletter going. I really enjoy it but do not write often, so I am making up for it this month. You asked about the sidewalk skates and who most influenced our careers, and our teaching experiences. I can speak to all of these.

First the sidewalk skates: I had a pair of the metal sidewalk skates that attached to your shoes with clamps. The clamps were tightened down with a skate key which you hung around your neck on a piece of string or a shoelace so it wouldn't get lost. When I had those skates, I lived on Chestnut Street across from the city park known as the "Water Works Park". I guess I never knew it had a real name when I was a kid. Cathy Henline lived down the street from me and we would skate up and down for hours between my house and her house. When I was in the 5th grade, we moved to 5th Street behind WI. The sidewalk skating was pretty much over for me, since that is a really steep hill. (My son actually rode a skate board down it in later years, to his regret.)

From sidewalk skates, we graduated to shoe skates to use at the rink in Norwood. My first skates came from a shoe shop in the "Arcade Building". I would walk through the arcade to get down town from my house and covet those skates every day until I finally received them for Christmas one year. The rink in Norwood, I think it was or is a furniture store now, was upstairs and was "THE" place to be on a Friday night when we were in junior high.

When I was earning my bachelor degree, I needed a phys ed credit and took a roller skate dance class to satisfy it. I still love to roller skate and go with my grandchildren once in a while.



submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)

I do remember the strap on skates which were for use on the streets of the old neighborhood. They were to be strapped onto whatever kind of shoes one was wearing. They were kind of hard on shoes because of the metal clips to hold onto one's shoes. They frequently came undone due especially to my size 13 shoes. Pebbles in the road were a great hazard as they would stop the wheels and down one would go to scrape knees and such. Then off to the house for some mercurochrome or iodine for the wound. Skating in a rink was much preferred!



submitted by: Jackie Hays Lafferty (VHS '54)
Grannieof15@aol.com

Yes, yes, yes!!! Nostalgia!!! I sure did own a pair of these!! (I also owned a scooter, a bicycle, and stilts (that my daddy made for me). I got pretty good on the skates, after a few scraped knees, shins or elbows, and various bruises. I even learned to turn around on them when I reached the corner. I always went barefoot (still do around the house), but there was no way to keep skates on while barefoot. To wear skates, shoes with a sole was a must. They had to be clamped to the sole of the shoe and tightened with a special key. My uncle worked shift work at Adamston Flat Glass, and although I could tighten my skates myself when he wasn't available, when he was home, I just couldn't get them tight enough. I had to have him tighten them for me. He lived across the street and down one block. Of course, I had to have permission from mother to cross the street, and it was always more fun to stay on that side of the street to skate. The sidewalk on my side of the street wasn't all the way down the block. There was a space about half way down the block where there was no side walk for about twenty feet, so I could go further on the other side of the street. At least, that was a good excuse. Then, in my teen years, I graduated to shoe skates and went to the Roller Drome in Nutter Fort where I met my late husband who was much better skater than I.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jateter@aol.com

I do indeed remember having roller skates that looked just like what you have pictured in the latest newsletter. I can remember putting those skates on and using the "skate key" to make sure that the front "locks" were firmly in place so that they stayed on. Living on Broaddus Avenue and on a hill brought opportunities galore to we skaters, however; I think that most of my skating was done on Willison, where it was flatter and a lot safer.

I also spent a lot of time at the roller rink in Nutter Fort during my growing up days. I do remember that I was a very accomplished skater, and never remember getting injured while skating at the roller rink and/or in and around Broaddus Avenue.

It would be interesting to know where those skates are today, as I do not remember ever throwing them out and they were not there when we packed my mother's house up a few years ago





THINGS I REMEMBER FROM THE 40'S AND 50'S

EDITOR'S NOTE: Can you make a list of things you remember? Won't you please send the memories to me at: Roleta1@aol.com.

Here are a few from one reader---let me see your list!

submitted by: Nancy Van Horn Stunger (WI '54)
nas336@charter.net

Using coupons to get sugar and shoes.
Sitting at the card table playing dominos and rolling cigarettes for my parents
Picnics with 60 to 70 relatives in Weston with many tables full of delicious food.
I remember remarking to someone standing beside me how good the roast beef tasted…she replied, "That's ground hog"!
Sororities at WI. There was Lambda and Delta Iota Delta.
The initiation of crawling thru wet newspaper with cooked spaghetti everywhere and having to eat a raw oyster.




MORGANTOWN YOU'VE CHANGED

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)

Very clever video showing historic stills of the campus at the actual sites as they are today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPSTKKWrVi4&feature=youtu.be






REMEMBER TO DISPLAY THE FLAG ON FLAG DAY
JUNE 14, 2012



THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOESN'T FLY


Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB. Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide. This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants, with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.



TOPICS OF INTEREST

IN RESPONSE TO MY SUGGESTION FOR DISCUSSION:

What was your career? Where was it? When was it? What or who influenced you to go into your profession?

Please write to: Roleta1@aol.com

HERE ARE A FEW LETTERS FROM SOME THOUGHTFUL READERS.

submitted by: Chris Wyatt (WI '71)
cwyatt@frontier.com

Yes, I do have a career in education. I received my degree in secondary education in Chemistry and general Science in 1975 from WVU. After that I got certified in Biology. I got a Masters in Educational Computing from Univ. of Charleston in 1990. I did my student teaching at Bridgeport under Mr. French Friend. He was a great Chemistry teacher too. I taught at Elkins Jr. High, Elkins Middle School and Harman School before retiring in 2009. Through those years I taught Science 7,8 & 9, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry II, Zoology, Anatomy, and Environmental Science as well as some computer classes.

After retiring I substitute in Randolph County. During this time I spent almost a whole school year teaching Math at Harman. That entangled Math 6,7 & 8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Trigonometry. I also taught Algebra I for the better part of a year at Elkins High School. And this past year I taught Biology, Zoology, and Physical Science at Elkins High School... Right now I am finishing out the year for a young lady that had a baby. I have 7th grade English.

My WIHS Science teachers inspired me a lot. I had Mr. Heckart for Biology. He would always explain any question I had. I had Mrs. Fisher for Chemistry. (Jimbo's Mom). And Mr. Duckworth for Physics. What an amazing group of teachers. Mrs. Williams was also a great Algebra II teacher.

I remember when I signed my contract with Randolph County, shortly after, Christine McCuskey asked me about my job prospects. I told her Randolph Co. She got upset that Harrison County didn't try to recruit me. I got a phone call for a job the next week. But I had already signed on with Randolph.

Things have changed quite a bit in education through the years. We went from the old typewriters and the purple ditto sheets (remember we used to smell these?) to computers.



submitted by: Billie Little Fox (WI '61)
bxdx@yahoo.com

The teacher that most influenced my career when I was in high school was Ms. Hollins. I took bookkeeping from her my senior year. She would probably roll over in her grave if she knew I am a CPA now. I was never her best student, but she was kind and always took time to tell me why we were doing something not just to do it or that is how it is. I did not start to college right out of high school. I was married a few weeks before graduation and had three children. When my marriage ended after 16 years, I decided I needed an education to support myself and my kids. So, I started to college when I was 34 and took one class at a time. Of course, the first class I took was accounting and I loved it. Ms Hollins would have been proud. I aced all of my accounting classes. My youngest daughter was 10 when I started to college, and she received her associate degree the year before I got mine. (One class at a time, raising 3 kids, and working full time, made college a real challenge.) I went on to receive my bachelor degree three years later, took my CPA exam, and finally received my Masters of Accountancy in 2001.

All this brings me to my teaching experience. I retired from American Express in 2005. Before I retired, I started dabbling in teaching part time at the college level. I taught for a couple of years at Western International University and now have been teaching at Paradise Valley Community College here in Phoenix for the last five years. I really enjoy teaching and the interaction with the students. However, I can tell you, that these guys would never make it with the teachers we had back in "the day". They all expect to be the exception to the rule. (They want more than the allotted time for their homework, they want to be excused from class with no consequences for any reason. Like, it's Valentine's Day and my boyfriend is in town.) They expect everything to be easy for them. (They want the computer to do all the work without needing to program it.) And they don't care about learning the actual material; they just want the grade so they can move on. I think there are several reasons for these attitudes. One, I think the parents of many of these students are more interested in their own life than the life of the student when they are in elementary and high school. There is no discipline in the schools now. I remember getting paddled in elementary school for some infraction. I don't even remember what it was now, but I do remember that I was also in trouble at home. There is none of that any more. I even had a parent call me, at the college level, to plead the case for my giving her daughter a zero on a project she cheated on. And, there are no consequences for their academic failures. (Thanks to No Child Left Behind) The teachers in elementary school cannot fail them unless the parents agree to hold them back. And after all that ranting, I still love teaching. The few sparks of learning that shine through are worth all the effort on my part.

Thanks again for keeping the newsletter going.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jateter@aol.com

I should title this article "Career Influence on what I did not want to do". My father, Aunt and brother all worked at the Union Carbon plant in Anmore; my father for 25 + years; my Aunt for 30 + years; and my brother for 5 years on a co-op scholarship. The summer after my one year at Fairmont State College, I went to work for Sutter Roofing not for sure where the work would be and/or what I would be doing as I had had no experience doing any type of roofing work. WELL, the work turned out to be at the Carbon and it was in the DIRTIEST, FILTHIEST, BLACKEST section of the Carbon and after work every day, I would come home looking PITCH BLACK. That three months with Sutter Roofing and at the Carbon set my career in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF EVER GETTING THAT DIRTY AGAIN IN MY LIFE. I came to the Washington, D.C. area in 1962 and started my "career" in computer programming which is what I was doing up until a year ago. I am now working as an accountant, which is sort of funny, as I did not go back to Fairmont State because of my career study plan there - ACCOUNTING, which I decided was not for me in 1962.



IN RESPONSE TO MY SUGGESTION FOR DISCUSSION:

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not all of us played sports, many of us were in the band. What about a topic on memories of being in the band? This could include band camp, performing at away games & home games, parades, 8:00 AM rehearsals on the practice field on cold late fall mornings, friends made as a result of being in the band, etc. Write to Roleta1@aol.com

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)

As you mentioned in the last newsletter, many of us played sports, while others were in the band. I don't know whether any school ever required a student to do one or the other, but having attended a small school, I was fortunate to have done both, often on the same day. Our home football field did not have lights, so every game there was played in the afternoon. If you were not a starter on the team and were a band member, you were required to march in the band at halftime in your football uniform. If it was a special show, all players, starters or not, marched. Many people don't believe me when I tell them that, but it was true. We had very good football teams and an excellent band, so it took a lot of co-operation between the coaches and the band director, but we got it done.

Obviously, that was a unique band experience, but my most memorable one took place in Huntington, WV, at the state band festival. I had only been in the band a few months and had never marched in a parade. Boy, was I in for a big surprise! The parade at the state festival had to be at least 3 to 4 miles long. Of course, I didn't play a trumpet or a clarinet, I played the bass horn, also known as a sousaphone. You can't imagine how difficult it was to carry that horn for that distance, while keeping in step to a drum beat the entire way. To say that I was sore the next day would be a huge understatement. I was sure the march had ruined me for life and I would never be able to have children. It took several days before I felt close to normal.

I know all of you football players have gone through the two-a-days in the hot August sun, like I did and hated every minute of them. But, compared to that parade, they were a piece of cake. So, the next time you wonder if those band members were tough enough to block, tackle and put in the work to play football, remember that tall, skinny kid lugging that heavy sousaphone down the streets of Huntington and you'll have your answer.



MYSTERY PICTURE FOR JULY



Can you identify our mystery picture for July? Correct answers with a memory enclosed will be printed in the next newsletter. Write to Roleta1@aol.com and see if your guess is correct.



LAST MONTH'S MYSTERY PICTURE


A LITTLE INFO ON MCNICOL POTTERY

The backstamps use began in 1931
Signed McNicol China Clarksburg, W Va 109
D E McNicol Pottery
1892-1920s East Liverpool, Ohio
1920s moved to Clarksburg, W Va

The company built a large additional plant in Clarksburg, in 1914, which specialized in hotel ware for a wide variety of institutional, and concentrated production there after 1927. Abe Weistrop purchased McNicol in the late 50s or early 1960s. George Martin became a partner c. 1966.

The D. E. McNicol Pottery Co of West Virginia was located on Water St in Norwood, which later became Stonewood. Also known as McNicol China Co, it was next to the Pittsburgh Plate Glass plant and contained 7 kilns. The firm was most famous for its calendar and souvenir plates. McNicol china was used quite often in restaurants, thus known as restaurantware.

In 1967, the business became the McNicol-Martin China Co. Operations ceased c. 1969.

submitted by: Mary Sue Spahr (WI '56)

I'm going to take a wild guess that this is the McNicol Pottery Company in Nutter Fort. Our next door neighbors, a married couple, both worked there until they retired. The lady, Pearl Majesky, painted the lines on plates, cuts, saucers, etc. She used to give us rejects which my mother integrated into her everyday dishes.



REMEMBER YOUR WEST VIRGINIA HISTORY?

JUNE 20, 2012 IS WEST VIRGINIA DAY.





NDHS WEBSITE UP DATED

submitted by: Brooke Beall (NDHS '58)

Our Notre Dame High School Class of 1958 Web page has been updated. Follow the link below.

http://ndhsclassof1958.weebly.com/




REUNION NEWS

The WIHS Class of 1957 invites classmates to its 55th Reunion

The one-night event will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012

It will begin at 6:00 pm at the Bridgeport Conference Center.

The location is adjacent to the Wingate Motel at I-79 Exit 124

There will be Dine-around Stations and a Cash Bar. Dress is casual

The cost is $22.00 per person

A block of rooms with a discounted rate has been reserved at the adjacent motel until July 27, 2012

at the Wingate by Wyndham - Group Code CGWI57

Phone 304-808-1000

NOTE: the Annual WI Picnic will be the next day beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The location of the Picnic is the same as the past several years

Veteran's Park adjacent to Veteran's Hospital South of Clarksburg off US Rt. 19.

For more information or a registration form, contact Jim Brown at jbrown@gabrown.com

Phone 304.290.6368

Or c/o G. A. Brown & Son, Inc.

215 Mill Street

Fairmont, WV 26554

Please register by August 1, 2012.




REUNION..........."THE GATHERING"........................WEBSITE...............
THE-GATHERING-2012

OK Gang, here is the official information trail! Details (such as where to send your money) are posted on the website THE-GATHERING-2012. We will be concentrating on the classes of 63, 64, 65, and 66. We are extending an open invitation to the classes of 62 and 67 since they both have reunions scheduled around the same time frame. The cost will be $50 per person and will include both nights.

FRIDAY AUGUST 24th...6 pm to ?? at Maple Lake. We will have a meet and greet Social. Pizza, set ups and music will be provided. BYOB if desired. Who knows where we will go from there later?

SATURDAY AUGUST 25th...5 pm to 12+ at Bridgeport Country Club. Happy hour (cash bar is available throughout the evening) and hors d'oeuvres, followed by pictures, dinner, entertainment and music for dancing will be provided for a fun filled evening.

Different activities for Saturday afternoon are being worked. Tours of WI and RCBHS will be available if anyone wants to do this. Golfing could probably be worked out if some of you golfers want to take that on. The annual WI picnic is also that Saturday as is the Pasta Cook Off for the Italian Heritage Festival so there will be plenty to do for those interested. So come on out and meet old friends for good times.




GRADE SCHOOL BANKING

submitted by: Joy Gregorie DeFazio (WI '59)

Roleta & Judy,

I put these on FB's Clarksburg Friends site – but thought they would also be great for the newsletter.







OBITUARIES

RONALD WILFORD TALKINGTON

Ronald Wilford Talkington, 76, of St. Albans died May 3, 2012. He was the eldest child of the late Wilford Clayton and Evelyn Francis Talkington of Clarksburg. His three siblings preceded him in death: Francis Elaine Bostic and Barry Clayton and James Dale Talkington.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Courtney Ann Wheeler Burks Talkington. Also surviving are his three children, Steven, Cheryl and Andrew Talkington; his grandchildren, Anthony, Garrett, Samuel, Luke, David, Sophie, and John. In addition, Ron had an extended family of four stepchildren, Ross Burks, Mark Burks, Kimberly Rymer, and Deborah Burks, and their respective families.

He graduated from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg. An advocate of higher education, he received degrees from West Virginia Wesleyan, Northwestern Garrett Theological Seminary and Yale University.

He was an ordained minister for the United Methodist Conference, fulfilling many appointments throughout West Virginia, and a special appointment to the staff of the Ecumenical Institute in Chicago, Ill.

From 1976 until his retirement, he worked in mental health as a clinician or administrator. The majority of his career was spent within the Shawnee Hills Community Mental Health- Mental Retardation Center, Inc. He was the CEO of Seneca Mental Health, Inc. in Summersville, administrator of the mental health unit at St. Joseph's Hospital, Parkersburg.

His last 14 years of employment were as a counselor in Threshold, a residential substance abuse treatment program within Shawnee Hills.

Ron loved living life!

The family sends special thanks to John MacCallum, M.D., Bashir Sankari, M.D. and staff, Amedysis, Dave Gurley and his students, and everyone at Hubbard Hospice House West.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Hansford Senior Center in St. Albans.



KENNETH C. CLIFTON

MOUNT POCONO, Pa. — Kenneth C. Clifton of Thornhurst, Pa., passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

Born on July 20, 1939, in Erie, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Hylbert and Nell (Woodburn) E. Clifton of Good Hope, WV.

He was the husband of Julianne (Henry) Clifton of Bridgeport, WV.

During Kenneth's school years, he was an active participant in Little League baseball, high school and college baseball and also participated with a community softball league during the mid-1960s.

During his college years, he worked several summers at West Virginia University's 4-H Camp at Jackson's Mill.

Kenneth is a graduate at Unidis High School (1957) and graduated Salem College in 1961. He received his Masters from Glassboro State Teacher's College (Rowan University) in New Jersey. From 1960 to 1964, Kenneth was employed as a teacher with the Mineral County Schools at Fort Ashby, WV. In 1964, he joined the Glassboro Public Schools of New Jersey, retiring as an Administrator (Assistant Principal at the Intermediate School and High School) with 38 years of service.

Kenneth learned farming at their family 40-acre farm in Good Hope, WV. While residing in NJ, Kenneth continued his love for farming at Clayton for 30 years; he was a member of the Williamstown Lions Club and President through 1972-74; throughout his 42 years residing in NJ, he enjoyed playing the game of golf, as well as at their vacation timeshare, Chalet Hi at Basye, VA.

The Cliftons have retired to the Pocono Mountains area of Pa.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, a granddaughter and great-grandson, a brother, Sam (wife Shirley) of St. Petersburg, FL; a sister, Betty Sue (husband Dur) of Talbott, TN; one nephew; five nieces; eight great-nephews; and two great-nieces.

NOTE FROM Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959): His wife is Julianne Henry, she graduated from Bridgeport '59 and some times would be off when we were in school and she would come to school with me as a guest...he played baseball with a lot of the local kids...Unidis was in West Milford and is now South Harrison High School... he played school, Little League, American Legion and college ball around here.... He graduated in 57 from Unidis and went to Salem on a scholarship... his father and mother were well known also in this area... his father was "Stiffy" Clifton the Parole Officer for Harrison County and his mother worked at Grants.... for years...she was a beautiful lady both inside and out.... I met Kenny at the Unidis prom when I was a sophomore at WI and went with a family friends son, that was stranger than HELL.... he told the people that he had a date for the prom and they couldn't believe it...so when we got to the Waldo Hotel, where they were having their prom, everyone was down in the lobby to see him come in with a date...I could have crawled under the rug!!! My mother forced me to go with him and believe me that was the last time she ever hooked me up with a "friend's'" son on a date .... when all was said and done I did have a wonderful time and met a lot of good friends and relatives and we all keep in touch still. I think a lot of guys will remember him from his baseball days and that is why I sent you this obituary and his picture.


KEN AND JULI CLIFTON



DAVID TIPPER

David L. Tipper, age 79, died at the United Hospital Center Transitional Care, Bridgeport, W.Va.

He was the son of the late Emmett David Tipper and Mildred Virginia (Gray) Tipper Toothman.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Wandalee (Hyre) Tipper, a daughter, Melinda Lee McClure and her husband William Lawrence, three grandchildren, a great-grandchild.

He also was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Ina May Tipper and David B. Tipper, maternal grandparents, Ocie E. Gray and Pearle L. Gray, and a brother, Donald Paige Tipper.

Mr. Tipper graduated from Victory High School in the Class of 1950. He worked for Hazel Atlas, starting in 1950, and retired from Newell in 1987 with 37 years' service.



WALTER B. "JACK" GOODWIN

Walter B. "Jack" Goodwin, beloved husband and father, died April 29, 2012, in Worthington, Ohio, of complications of Alzheimer's disease and age. He was 91. He will be forever remembered for his hard work and dedication to his family and country.

One of six children, Goodwin was born to Otto and Laura Goodwin on April 21, 1921, near Bridgeport, W.Va., where he lived practically his entire life. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, including on Iwo Jima and during the occupation of Japan. A graduate of Bridgeport High School, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees from West Virginia University and passed on his love of the university to his sons. Goodwin worked as both an industrial-arts teacher and a farmer, with particular devotion to his 500-acre farm near Bridgeport.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy M. Goodwin, in 2010, and leaves two sons, Barry, of Gahanna, Ohio, and Danny, of Worthington, Ohio; two daughters-in-law, Rose Powers Goodwin and Karen Hatfield Goodwin; and three granddaughters, Jill Goodwin, of Huntington, W.Va., Megan Goodwin, of Gahanna, Ohio, and Madeline Goodwin, of Worthington, Ohio.

Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be celebrated in the funeral home on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 1 p.m. with Reverend Steven E. Dorsey presiding. The interment will follow in Bridgeport Cemetery, Bridgeport, WV.

Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.

The Goodwin family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV.



GERTRUDE MARGARET HEASTER

Mrs. Gertrude Margaret Heaster, age 89, of Colonial Place, Elkins, WV, (formerly of Kentucky Avenue, Nutter Fort, WV) died April 30, 2012, at the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center in Elkins, WV.

She was the daughter of the late Roy A. Welch and Naomi Dawson Welch.

Her husband, Fred Ernest Heaster, whom she married August 17, 1941, preceded her in death March 26, 2002.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Gary Tokarcik, and Connie and Paul Jones, Methvan, New Zealand; and three grandchildren.

Mrs. Heaster was also preceded in death by four brothers, Noah Welch, Leonard Welch, Earsel Welch and Freeman Welch and a sister, Marie Welch.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Mrs. Heaster was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School Class of 1940. She had been an active member of Vincent Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Methodist Women of the Church and a former member of the Queen Esther Chapter 11, Order of Eastern Star and had been a homemaker.



BRENDA SUE MARKS MCFARLAND

Brenda Sue Marks McFarland, 52, of Bridgeport, passed away on Friday, April 27, 2012, at her residence.

She was born in Clarksburg on March 2, 1960, a daughter of Nancy Turoczy Marks, who survives in Bridgeport and the late Robert Gene Marks.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sisters, Patty Martin, Bridgeport, and Marilyn Knox and her husband Bill..

Brenda was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, and she worked at Sam's Club. She was Catholic.



ARO NAVARINI

Aro Navarini, 90, of Baltimore, MD (formerly of 130 Kelly Street, Clarksburg, WV) passed away on Monday, May 7, 2012, following an extended illness.

He was born November 3, 1921, in Clarksburg, WV, the son of the late Fortunato Navarini and Maria Bregantini Navarini. He left Clarksburg, WV, in 1950 having lived and worked in Baltimore, MD, for 62 years.

Surviving are one brother, Reno Navarini, Clarksburg, WV; two nieces and two nephews

Mr. Navarini was also preceded in death by two sisters, Etta Navarini and Esther Navarini.

Aro attended Washington Irving High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 83rd Division 329 Field Artillery Battalion. He was in the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. He was an assembly line worker for General Motors Corporation with 30 years of service, retiring in 1981. Aro was an avid Baltimore Ravens football fan.



BETTY E. KIRBY

Mrs. Betty E. Kirby, 86, of Route 5, Box 575 (Kirby Hill), Clarksburg, WV, passed, May 17, 2012, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV, following an extended illness.

She was born August 26, 1925, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of the late James Luther Deem and Nellie Margaret Scott Deem.

Her husband, Alonzo Harold "Lonnie" Kirby preceded her in death.

Surviving her are one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Rhonda Kirby, Good Hope, WV; one daughter, Margaret K. "Peg" Holmes, Nutter Fort, WV; one sister, Jimmie Lou Utter, Clarksburg, WV; four grandchildren.

Mrs. Kirby was also preceded in death by one brother, William Deem, and one sister, Ona Gae Pratt.

Betty was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1943. She was a member of the West Milford United Methodist Church. She was a member and past matron of the Good Hope Chapter 109, Order of the Eastern Star, and a past member of the Mall Walkers. She was a past employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C., during World War II. She had served as a secretary for the Harrison County Board of Education at West Milford Elementary School for 25 years, retiring in 1989.



JAMES BRADLEY "BRAD" PAYNE

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Mr. James Bradley "Brad" Payne, 43, a resident of Thomasville, died Monday morning, May 21, 2012, in the Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro.

He was born October 17, 1968, in Charleston, West Virginia, a son of James L. Payne and Judy A. Payne (Judy Aspy Payne WI 1959).

He earned degrees in Computer Science and Accounting from High Point University. Brad was an Accountant with James L. Payne, CPA.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank L. and Ruby E. Payne of Charleston, West Virginia, and Arthur R. and Freda D. Aspy of Plantation, Florida.

Surviving are his parents, James and Judy Payne of Thomasville; a sister, Suzanne L. Payne of Surrey, United Kingdom; aunts, Janet P. Tipton and husband Don of Chesterfield, Virginia, Judy P. Carrington and friend Gary Meeker of Louisville, Kentucky, and Joyce E. Molloy, widow of Michael, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; cousins, Bryan C. Tipton of Richmond, Virginia, Chris A. Tipton and wife Meg of Pittsford, New York, Frank B. Carrington and wife Pam of Atlanta, Georgia, Ashley Cotton and husband Mike of Madison, Conn., Stephanie Adolph and husband Rich and their children of Gig Harbor, Washington.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 25, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 108 Salem Street, Thomasville, with Rev. Henry Sink officiating.

A visitation and reception will be held immediately following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Brad's memory be sent to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 108 Salem Street, Thomasville, N.C. 27360 or to Cooperative Community Ministry, P.O. Box 1841, Thomasville, N.C. 27361.

Brad's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the physicians and staff of Wesley Long Hospital for their love and support and the excellent care Brad received.





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