THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 36 August 2002

Ahhh... Summer



FROM THE EDITOR
PLEASE READ

I really enjoy doing this newsletter and sharing memories with you. However, the hardest chore of the month is when I send out the notices of the new newsletter being on line. The biggest problem is when some of you change internet services and don’t notify me. I get messages from AOL that the mail wasn’t delivered or certain addresses are incorrect. I send the notices out in groups of about 25 to 40 people, if one address in that group is not in working order, none in that group are delivered until I erase that name and re-send. Sometimes I go thru this 2 or 3 times for one group. If I re-send to a large group without waiting at least 5 minutes, AOL thinks I am sending SPAM. So AOL kicks me off line, and won’t let me back on until I call their 800 number and explain the problem and beg my way back on line. I had a terrible time with the July issue. That comcast.com (or net) changing to home or vise versa-I still haven’t got some correct…and when I switched to AOL 7.0, I had multiple address for some of you so you may have received the notification twice---I still don’t know how that happened. I was nearly 3 hours just sending out the July newsletter notifications. It would be a lot easier if you would keep me informed when you change your e-mail address so I can keep my records up to date. I know some of you don’t need the notification; however, if your name is erased from that group, you are out of touch for other notices that may be sent. TWO THINGS I ask, notify me of change of e-mail address or when you wish to be deleted from my records and the second, please sign all e-mails with your name, school and year.

Thanks.
Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com




NEW E MAIL ADDRESSES

Susanne Gabriel Arthur (WI '60) sgawmd@bellsouth.net
Wade Coffindaffer (WI '68) coffindaffer@wvbc.org
Jane Adams Barnes (VHS '57) WVGranny6@aol.com
Harry Kennedy (WI '59) dorisk@nfolink.com
Betty Tiano Rossana (WI '57) rossana312@aol.com
Al Fleming (WI '58) Agolfcrs@aol.com
Linda Humphries Hall (WI '61) Deflwyr1@aol.com
Bob Gordon (WI '73) RGordon1@SC.RR.Com
Carolyn Tustin Vitolo (WI '52) carovit@msn.com
Laura Colasante Buchanan (ND '60) Corkran315@hotmail.com
John Harrison (WI '56) Johnj@teays.net
Janet Cottrill Kownacke (WI '64) JKCottrill@aol.com
Margaret Anne Lowther Allen "MIM" (WI '44) Jla9625@cs.com


CORRECTION

Polly Costlow Dennison (WI '45)    Polly817911@cs.com


CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Evelyn Georgeadis Kitts (VHS '58)     Evies2262@aol.com

JimAshley (WI '62)       jashley4@cox.net

Lynn Corder (RW '54)    wvlynn@ma.rr.com





STUMP THE READERS

WE STUMPED YOU!!!!!

Only one reader wrote to the newsletter concerning the precious child pictured in the July issue. Here is what he wrote:

The time is up and not one soul was able to decide,
The “precious child” who stumped “you all” is just my “precious bride.”

By-Bill Meredith


THEN AND NOW

    


Yes, it is ----Roleta Smith Meredith. I was about 5 when this picture was taken. I wore my hair in French braids that my mother braided every morning, what a chore! For both of us! My hair hung down my back so far, I could sit on it. It was wonderful when they cut it off! I went to school in Wolf Summit the first 4 years then moved to Clarksburg. This may be the reason none of you recognized me. I am sure if the picture had been in color, many of you would have recognized my pale aqua eyes.

We had a request that we publish the childhood picture, the high school picture and a NOW picture so people might remember the precious child better. Please send your childhood picture, a high school picture and a current picture to Roleta1@aol.com. If you don’t have a scanner, contact me about mailing pictures to me, I will scan and return them immediately. We can get the graduation pictures out of the yearbooks 1955-1959 so you don’t have to supply them. Any other years, we would appreciate a copy. Thanks




STUMP THE READER FOR AUGUST


WHO IS THIS PRECIOUS CHILD?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com with your guesses. Remember incorrect guesses are not published.





BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST

3-42    Bill Berger (WI '60)    bbaa@mindspring.com
12-40    Carol Van Horn Dean (WI '58)    DBLU2@aol.com
17    Nancy Mayer Capilla (WI '59)    Rcapilla@worldnet.att.net
20    Bob Williams (WI '45)    Gembobfl@sunline.net
21    Sandy Lough Limbers (WI '57)    Limberses@cs.com
24-41    Ken McIe (WI '59)    KenMcIe@yahoo.com
25    Jeanne Bevan Cottrill (WI '55)    herbc@vsba.org



AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES


1    Mike and Gloria Caruso Shaffer (both WI '58)    
Mshaf26478@aol.com




Above is a picture of Sandy Lough Limbers and Steve Limbers , both graduates of 1957.
They will celebrate their wedding anniversary on August 20.
CONGRATULATIONS STEVE AND SANDY! Limberses@cs.com
Picture taken at the CLARKSBURG PICNIC held the first Saturday in March in Sarasota Florida.


31    Nancy Mayer (WI '59) and Robert Capilla (39 years!)    
Rcapilla@Worldnet.att.net


Congratulations and many more to all of you. Send your birthdates and anniversary dates to Gary Weiner (WI '60) cias@iolinc.net. Thank you Gary for volunteering to keep our records!




ICE CREAM ANYONE?

Where did you find your favorite ice cream in Clarksburg? Did your mother or grandmother make ice cream? Do you have a favorite ice cream recipe? Will you share it with us? I remember Rufus’ peanut butter flops…I have failed many times to make one. However, if you live or travel near Zanesville, Ohio, write to me and I can tell you where to find a Sundae that tastes like his peanut butter flops! I took a 1959 classmate there and she couldn’t believe her taste buds. Won’t you share your favorite? A couple more of my memories-- I remember sharing a pint of ice cream once in awhile with my family. What a treat when my father would come home with a pint of ice cream and take out the big butcher knife and cut the pint in fourths so each in the family had their fair share. My mother, who was a teacher, went to work in the summer in the offices of Montgomery Ward and my brother, who is about 5 years older than I, was often given the chore of overseeing me while she was at work. One day, mother left money for us to buy some bologna for lunch. Being kids with a different lunch in mind, we took that money, probably a quarter and bought a pint of ice cream. We ran home and my brother took out the big butcher knife and cut the pint in half and we ate it with a spoon right out of our half of the carton-no bowl-WOW what fun! Can you even buy a pint of ice cream today? Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com

Here is an ice cream memory from Carris House:

Roleta, here's a place I remembered the other day from my distant past in C-burg. At the West end of the Industrial Bridge (the Golf Plaza end) there was a place in the late 1940’s called "Russell's." It wasn't open very long. Russell's featured ice cream and offered a big wooden pig-type trough-type dish full of ice cream, syrup, and stuff sprinkled with candy corn. If you ate it all they gave you a badge that said, "I was a pig at Russell's" I wonder if anyone else remembers it?

Carris "Pinky" House (WI '51) carrisHH@aol.com.



POEMS NEEDED

Do you write poetry, do you have a poem I could use in the newsletter? Won’t you share? We would love to read your poetry. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL

Editor’s note: Thanks again to Freddie Layman (VHS 1946) fgl46vhs@aol.com for this trivia question, it certainly jogged a few old memories. If you have a trivia question, write the question and answer and send to Roleta1@aol.com.



submitted by: Carolyn White Rector (WI '59)
Crector1@aol.com

Chestnut Hills Grade School was known as Monticello. Some of my most vivid memories of that school were the oiled floors that I can still smell if I close my eyes. The wonderful hot lunches of Bessie Oliverio, who made everything from scratch, from homemade bread to peanut butter and honey balls. Being met at the top of Thorn Street by the safety patrol and marching in a line to school. Sandy Drummond and I being best friends and still are. But most importantly, my first grade teacher, Miss Nutter made me realize that I wanted to become a teacher and after spending my whole life in education, I thank her for leading me in that direction and never regret following her example.

Thanks for the memories



submitted by: Sue McNutt (WI '55)
Unruly@capecod.net

Dear Roleta - Well, once again your readers have pulled out an old memory. You and your group are amazing; at this rate you will have many pages of memories to put up on this site every month.

I did not know that Monticello School was now called Chestnut Hill School. In the late winter months of 1945, possibly Feb of 1946, I stood in line in front of the school waiting for Cecil J. Wagner to open the doors for us.

First grade was on the left inside the front door. Mr. Wagner had part of 5th and all of 6th on the right. Upstairs Mrs. Powell taught 3rd grade on the left and Miss Goldie Snyder had the room on the right. I began in Miss Snyder's room.

Some memories - 4-H Club, learning to use a treadle sewing machine, having lunch at the add-on lunchroom on bad days, so I did not have to walk home in heavy snow or rain, phys ed consisted of marching around the perimeter of the room: Miss Snyder did a lot with crafts; West Virginia History with the little paper back pamphlets, some kind of big art project with cloth-covered cardboard dolls, I believe they were called Sun-bonnet Sues, an old fashioned parents night pageant held in Miss Powell's room where there was a stage (we recited poetry, performed a rousing group rendition of "God Bless America: and probably some other patriotic numbers). To fourth graders and probably all the kids who appeared, it equaled Carnegie Hall. The history books contained chapters on Gutzon Borglum, Jane Adams, and Luther Burbank. (Please let me know if you remember any other of these people, my husband and I are competing to see who can remember the most).

My favorite was Mr. Wagner. His duties were principal, teacher of 5th and 6th grades, he answered the phone out in the hall whenever it rang, collected the lunch money, kept our group on track and got us ready for Central. I will always be in his debt for allowing me to miss first period reading to go into town for a piano lesson. He also did his best to amend my behavior, but you may notice that my e-mail address begins with "unruly".

The school library was about six shelf feet of old books. My favorite was one about Toby Tyler and the circus. The floors were unfinished dark boards. The rooms were lit by two hanging frosted glass globes; the seating was the book box (desk) bolted to the floor with a seat that folded up and down. Several of the kids were bussed in from Mt Clare and outlying areas. My best friends were Suzanne Thorpe (who learned an amazing amount about sewing and later worked for Philadelphia Electric Company while her husband attended medical school) and Carole Lee Miller, who disappeared from our radar screen. She was a beautiful girl; I wonder where she went. Monticello school served its students as well as possible with the resources it was given. The teachers worked hard and I believe, cared about us. Is it too late to say "thanks"?



ABOVE PICTURE FROM: Judy Noe Ashland (ND '57) jujubee40@aol.com

Editor’s note: Below are the names of some of those pictured…do you recognize others? Write to Judy and tell her who else you think you can recognize….

Here goes as memory serves:
1st row: Judy Noe, J. W.Oliverio, Dotty Tichnal, Billy Van Voorhis, ?, Joseph Marino, Sarah Marino, ?
2nd row: ?, Betty Murphy, ? , ?, Billy Wagner, ?
3rd row:Jeannie Burgess, Mack Rollins,?, ?, ?, Donnie Carmichael, Bobby Henline
4th row: ?,?,?, Tykie Oliverio, ?

Sorry I can't remember more names, but all these faces are very familiar to me. Mack Rollins was my first "love". I was in the 4th grade in this picture and that was the year I was promoted to the 6th grade. Some of the kids from 6th grade I remember are: Donna Kay King (many years later I taught with her at Victory), Charlotte Kiddy, Danny Stout, Bobby Frey, Skip Martin, Arnold Prunty . Most of these kids went on to Central Junior High and I would imagine, on to WI. To those of us who attended Monticello, do any of you remember Bessie Oliverio, the fantastic cook, Cecil Wagner, our wonderful principal, Mrs Powell, 3rd. grade teacher, Mrs. Caufield and Mrs. Shackleford, writing and music teachers who visited the school monthly? Do you recall the flip top desks and the ink wells? How about the mental math drills? Boy, did I ever hate those drills! I still don't like math! How about Strother’s Store?

A bittersweet memory: In third grade, Mrs. Powell would send us to the board to compete on math problems. I always did well. On this particular day, Betty Murphy and I were the last two at the board. We did several problems and completed them correctly at the same time. The next problem, she finished a second before me and even though I had the correct answer, she won. I was crushed!!!!!!!!!! There was no consoling me, as I was sure that since I had the correct answer, I had also won. It was a hard lesson to learn.

I don't know why the school was named Monticello. It was located on Frederick St, a street away from Hite Field.

Great memories !!!!!!
Judy

PS: Can you believe I remember the dress I was wearing in the picture?



submitted by: Jim Hovey (WI '62)
Jhovey@mdot.state.md.us

I don't know how you do it Roleta! Every edition of the newsletter gets better and better. The time and effort you are using to compile and present this information is appreciated so much by WI Alumni in the hinterlands. Thank you so much! Now down to business. As a 1954 graduate of Chestnut Hills Grade School I knew, of course, that it was Monticello Grade School before it became CHGS. As for the sandwich debate, even though I think of a Twin Oaks Hoagie almost daily, the Satellite Drive In (owned by John Madia's Dad?) had a Hoagie that was different - but just as good. By the way, my wife and I are trying the various posted hot dog chili recipes almost every weekend. I'll report our favorite after we have gone through them all!

Thanks Again!



submitted by: Judy Noe Ashland (ND '57)
JuJuBee40@aol.com

Roleta,

At last--- one I am pretty sure I know! I attended Monticello Grade School from 1947 to 1952. It was located on Frederick St. A two story brick building, with a center hall and a lunchroom in the back. Mr Cecil Wagner was our principal. I even have an old class photograph I treasure. I remember a lot of kids who attended Monticello--- Danny Stout, who lived across the street from the school, Mack Rollins, Eleanor Kuhl, Bobby Henderson., Jeannie Burgiss, Dick Wagner, so many more. I wrote an article about our fantastic cook, Bessie Oliverio and the unforgettable food she used to prepare. I lived on Thorn St and could see the school from the backyard. We could have gotten to school by walking through the field, but we weren't allowed…….

Great memories !!!





HAVE YOU MADE YOUR RESERVATIONS?
LAST NOTICE
WI ALUMNI DAY TO BE HELD IN CLARKSBURG, WV
I hope you have made your plans to attend the 2nd annual WI ALUMNI DAY to be held on Saturday, August 24, 2002 at the Nutterfort Park in Clarksburg. Time 11:30 am until you leave. I hope all who live near or in Clarksburg will plan to attend. Come on over to the park and bring a friend, relative or the spouse. Let’s show Clarksburg that we WI Alumni are still kicking up some Fun! Don’t forget your memories and memorabilia of your school years. Bring a camera-there may be some there that you haven’t seen in years and maybe won’t see again for several more years.

This isn’t just a get together for one class, it is for ALL ALUMNI. Come see an old neighbor-boyfriend, girlfriend, pal, a friend’s mother or father….who knows who you will find there????? We will spend the afternoon in the shade eating, trading stories, laughing and getting reacquainted. It doesn’t take a lot of work on your part --- bring a covered dish, your own drink and some money to put in the “hat” when it is passed around to help cover the cost of the pavilion rental and expenses for supplies. COME ONE-COME ALL!

If you have any questions, comments or wish to make your reservations --- contact Joy Gregorie Stalnaker at hcpd@hackerscreek.com.


A GROUP OF 1959 CLASSMATES GATHERED AT THE 2001 WI ALUMNI PICNIC




submitted by: Al Fleming (WI '58)
Agolfcrs@aol.com

HI ROLETA,

This is the first time i have read this great newsletter. You do a fantastic job. Looking forward to more scoop...........



submitted by: Elaine Fowler Bowling (WI '59)
Zarvon@aol.com

Dear Roleta,

I am writing a few lines to let you know what is going on with my family and a few other things. I am Elaine Marie (Fowler) Bowling, Class of 1959 at WI. I married B. Carlisle Bowling of Keystone, McDowell County, WV on August 14, 1965, so our 37th anniversary will be coming up very soon. I was also surprised that my birthday (May 21) was not listed in the May edition. Mother nature is creeping on up there as I was 61.

I enjoyed the Orlan Fowler information, especially since my father (Leonard William Fowler) and Orlan were first cousins. Orlan is such a wonderful human and so interesting to talk to, especially on family history. That of course makes Bill Fowler and I first cousins once removed. I had the pleasure of speaking with Orlan at my mother's (Thelma Pearl "Peggy" Evans Fowler Tucker) funeral. Mom was the head cook at Towers School for many years.

We are still living in Ormond Beach, Florida with our 32 year old son, Kyle Z. Bowling. The whole family works in our family business, BELLEVUE FLORIST and GIFTS in Flagler Beach, FL only five doors from the ocean. We have owned and operated that business since 1980.

My husband had a very unfortunate happening on May 26 when he broke his right femur (upper leg) in two places, merely turning over in bed. We knew that he had severe degenerative arthritis in both knees and severe osteoarthritis, but the obvious osteoporosis was a completely new wrinkle. He had surgery on May 28 and was in the hospital in traction until June 14. He was moved to a Nursing Home/Rehabilitation Facility to learn to walk on his left leg only as the right fractures were so severe that he can put no weight on the right leg for 6 to nine months. Since he is a heavy person, they fear for the left leg breaking also so he is basically going to be totally bed bound for the whole time. They are sending him back home on Friday July 12, just six days shy of his 59th birthday on the 18th. It is a very bitter pill for him to swallow especially after having been so active up to this point. Hopefully all will turn out for the best, but a little prayer would not hurt. We miss him in the business. M son and I are now working to do his work and ours too. So as you see I have my work is cut out for me.

Best Wishes to all of the Newsletter readers. You do a fine job with it, Roleta.



submitted by: Janet Cottrill Kownacke (WI '64)
JKCottrill@aol.com

Roleta,

Your name was given to me by Charlie Burkhammer. I graduated from WI ('64) with his wife. I would like to be added to your newsletter mailing list. Thanks to it I was able to get in touch with someone I had been looking for.

Thanks a lot, Roleta.



submitted by: Harry Kennedy (WI '59)
dorisk@nfolink.com

Roleta, I was pleased to learn that there was a newsletter for graduates of WI to read and catch up on those we knew in high school. I retired in 1997 as part owner and funeral director at the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home in Clarksburg, remarried and moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio. I have enjoyed being able to live a much less hectic, busy life doing what I want to do, when I want to. My wife is a school teacher and we continue to be busy raising her 17 year old daughter who will be a Senior in high school this year. It has truly been a new experience for me dealing with a teenager.

I would like for you to add my name to your list to get the newsletter. I received a copy from a former classmate, Linda Blankenship Stevenson, who works with my other stepdaughter, a nurse, in High Point, NC. ( Small world, isn't it? They discovered they had some common ground when my stepdaughter mentioned that I was from Clarksburg.)

The picture you had to be identified in the July issue was of the Clarksburg Country Club.

I really enjoyed the July issue of the newsletter. It was very informative.

We would hope to be able to attend the class reunion in 2004 for the class of 1959.



submitted by: Betty Tiano Rossana (WI '57)
Rossana312@aol.com

Roleta, this is the first time I have seen this site. It is great!!!!!!. I hope to see more of my classmates of "57" to get on this site.



submitted by: Carolyn Tustin Vitolo (WI '52)
Carovit@msn.com

Dear Roleta,

My sister, Marolyn (Tustin) Jett WI '56, requested you send the newsletter to me, as she was visiting. I enjoyed it so much. Thank you . I am new to the internet. I would like to register and also receive the newsletter monthly.



submitted by: Polly Costlow Dennison (WI '45)
Polly817911@cs.com

Dear Roleta,

Another great issue! Somehow, my e-mail address in the list of new e-mail addresses was entered as polly817011@cs.com and it should have been polly817911@cs.com. I am hoping to hear from some of the graduates of the 1945 and 1946 classes concerning the proposed 2004 reunion, so could you please put a correction in the next newsletter.

Thanks again for the work you do keeping all of us in touch. I really enjoy the newsletter.



submitted by: Judy McDougal Siders (WI '57)
Siders_judy@msn.com

Thank you and Judy for the wonderful July newsletter!!! In this great and wonderful land of ours we are blessed with freedom and strength, character and love, spirit and pride. These can never be destroyed, they are not man made materials, they are in our hearts and minds. Lest we never forget bless THE AMERICAN CREED. Have a wonderful July 4, 2002 everyone. Have a Happy Day :)



submitted by: Sandra Iaquinta (WI '59)
Sandyiq@iolinc.net

Roleta-I just finished reading that wonderful newsletter. You have done such a fantastic job. Thank you so much for bringing back so many great memories. I am going to forward this to my sister Debby in Alabama and my brother Sammy in Punta Gorda. I am sure they would like to look up some old friends also. Happy Fourth and will see you at the picnic.



submitted by: Linda Humphries Hall (WI '61)
Deflwyr1@aol.com

Roleta, My husband, Dick Hall and I, are graduates of WI. He was in 1960 and I was in 1961. We are in Parkersburg, WV. He is a lawyer associated with the firm, Spilman,Thomas and Battle ( Charleston, WV) and I am a research chemist with DuPont in Parkersburg. We love your newsletters!!!! We have no family in Clarksburg any more and love receiving your newsletters to keep up with local news. We got acquainted with this newsletter through John Teter when I attended the 1961 reunion last year. Keep it up, we love your newsletter! We get notified about the newsletter through John but in case his news letter stops, please include us on your list.



submitted by: Steve Griffith (ND '60)
Sgriff2393@aol.com

Roleta,

I don't know how you do it, but you keep surpassing your previous month's work. Congratulations! That is real job security. Now, if we could just find a source of monetary remuneration for you



submitted by: Laura Colasante Buchanan (ND '60)
Corkran315@hotmail.com

My name is Laura Colasante Buchanan. I am a 1960 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg and just read a copy of your July newsletter. I just wanted to write to let you know how much I enjoyed it and to congratulate you on a great job. I recognized the names of so many people that I hadn't seen, heard of, or even thought of in over 40 years. Hello to everyone.

You might be interested to know that my mother is living with me. She will be 90 this year and is a 1930 graduate of WI. She was an athletic letter winner and she still proudly wears her high school ring and has her yearbook. She tells the stories of her days at WI to anyone who will listen and she always gets angry when she tells people how the name of the school was changed. She is very sharp of mind and has many memories of WI.

We were in Clarksburg last weekend for our "Class of '60 turns 60" birthday party. It was a lot of fun being with my classmates. I even saw Bobby Secret for the first time in over 40 years. Many of my dear friends from St. John's Church went to WI so to all of you I send a fond hello.

Thanks for sharing many memories with all of us who went to school in Clarksburg.



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

Good Morning Roleta,

We are so impressed with the outstanding job you and Judy are doing with the monthly newsletter and we want to send this little note to let you know how much you are appreciated.... It gives us such pleasure to read about our friends and classmates each month... It seems that your talents are exposed in so many ways... ( The graphics, news, and down to earth feelings of those who submit their stories).... someone said that it brings back old memories and again reminds of some of the things that slipped our minds. We are truly grateful for your constant hard work and dedication to this letter each month.... " Thank You" seems like such a little phrase but it means so much more for all the dedication you put into our letter each month....



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com

Hi Roleta: As usual a very nice monthly W-I newsletter. I had the pleasure of working with the late Paul Ellison on the Harrison County Emergency Squad for ten [10] years. [1971-1981] He was a very talented person especially with two-way radios. Don't think it was ever mentioned but he drove a bus for Reynolds Transportation on their Buckhannon/Elkins route.



submitted by: Harriet Murphy Pansing (WI '57)
Hpansing@earthlink.net

Hi, you certainly are to be commended for all the work that you are doing for the WI alumnus. I see a number of messages from my classmates and am looking forward to seeing a number of them August 24.



submitted by: Betty Jo Nichols Laine (WI '49)
BettyLaine@aol.com

Lake Floyd was a wonderful place to have lived as a teenager. It holds many happy memories to me ... the hot dogs and small, glass bottle cokes from the store, dances on Friday nights, bridge during the week afternoons on the porch, rocking chairs, Halls Run, 4th of July, ping pong...I could go on for a long time. Thanks for the happy memories brought back to life.



submitted by: John Harrison (WI '56)
Johnj@teays.net

Dear Roleta,
I had dinner with Joe Williams (56) and his lovely wife Shirley (58) I think, this past week and they were telling me about your newsletter. Having sent it to me, and having read it, I think it is great. I would very much like to be a part of the news distribution and would be pleased if you would add me to your mailing list. My name is John Harrison and I lived on Holden Street, just a few blocks from WI. I could walk to school in about three minutes and I think I was tardy more than anyone else in school. Clay B. Hite, then Dean of Men, would call me about every morning to see if I was still in bed and would ask that I get to school. Thanks for the memories. Oh, by the way, I graduated from WI in 56. My brother Bob graduated in 52 and my Dad graduated in about 30.



submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI '56)
Thomasdrcr1@juno.com

Roleta--

Boo (aka Brooke Beall) gave me your email address. Boo, one of my former South Seventh Street friends when I grew up, just e mailed me tonight. I graduated from WI in 1956--barely. Boo mentioned that you graduated in 1959.

I sometimes facetiously tell people I became a University English professor and completed five academic degrees to spite my high school teachers, but that is only partially true. I taught at California University since 1965 . . . just in case you have any cousins or relatives who might have attended that University.

Your relatives would know me as Dr. C. R. Thomas--a professor of English.

I'm not an expert on the Net, but I'd appreciate your WI NEWSLETTER website address.

I commend you for all the hard work and energy you have expended to run the WI NEWSLETTER.

While at California University of Pennsylvania (located between Washington, PA, and Uniontown, PA) I was elected for seven two-year terms as the University Faculty Union president. Therefore, I know all too well that communicating with 350 faculty members by a printed newsletter is tough, so your WI NEWSLETTER, which goes to many more people, must be an exponentially difficult job.

I'm not sure if you would remember me from WI. I was usually creating some type of disturbance. In truth, I was perhaps a little too social, so I might have known some of the people you grew up with. I think I was about the only one in my neighborhood--the Hill above WI--who made it a point to visit people in other neighborhoods.

Thank you, Roleta!!!



JULY TRIVIA PICTURE

submitted by: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI '56)
MSSpahr@aol.com

Roleta, Thanks for another great newsletter. Also, thanks for the notes about Mr. Corder, a truly wonderful person.

I think the mystery picture this month is the pool and the clubhouse at the Clarksburg Country Club. I tried to learn to swim there, but I had no better luck than I had anywhere else. Swimming is one of the few things in my life that has defeated me. I just could not/cannot do it.



submitted by: Steve Griffith (ND '60)
Sgriff2393@aol.com

Roleta, I believe that picture is a little before my time, even though I turned 60 today, but still recognizable as the old club house at the Clarksburg Country Club. The pool that replaced the one in this picture is the one I grew up with, and it has been replaced. I have many fond memories from the early 50's into the 90's, but I haven't been there since my father passed away in 1996.

PS - Our class reunion was a great success. We truly have a real "family" feeling as a class. We plan on another in two years.



submitted by: Barb Warren Williams (WI '58)
Barbwilliams@swfla.rr.com

I think the picture is of the Clarksburg Country Club. I have never been in it but have driven by it.




AUGUST TRIVIA PICTURE



Do you recognize this picture? Write and tell me what you think it is, and any memory you have about it. Remember, I don’t publish incorrect guesses---I want to protect the readers! Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



A PRAYER - OLD BUT SO APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY

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

Classmates, Dr. Burl Randolph wrote this for me. It was the Blessing he gave at a Shrine Club Dinner in 1987.... I think you’ll enjoy it.

I have planted a seed and have gathered its fruit, so I know what faith is.... I have sat by a waterfall and listened to the mummer of the trees, so I know what peace is.... I have watched a child run to her mother’s out stretched arms, so I know what love is.... I have witnessed the miracle of birth and the mystery of death.... I have seen the beauty of spring, the fruition of summer, the bountiful harvest of autumn and the quiet repose of winter, so I know what life is.... And because I have perceived all these things, I know what God is.... Our heavenly Father, walk beside us through life’s journey. Guide our footsteps along the paths thou would have us trod. Grant peace to our Nation and to this world. But if that peace must come through sacrifice, help us to make those sacrifices that will further thy Kingdom....Grant us vision to see, wisdom to know, and courage to do thy will on earth as it is in heaven. These things we ask. AMEN




MR. COPLIN CORDER
A THANK YOU FROM HIS SON

submitted by: Lynn Corder (RW '54)
WVLynn@aol.com

Hi Roleta:

I enjoyed reading your July newsletter and I want to thank you for having dads' picture in the letter. Also, thanks to all those who took time to send in the nice comments about him. It is nice to know that he had a positive influence on some of his students and that there are those that after all these years still remember him.



REMEMBERING A GREAT SANDWICH

submitted by: Pinky House (WI '51)
CarrisHH@aol.com

Roleta, Aside from world famous chili dogs, there were other sandwiches which I recall from the 40's and the 50's. There used to be several small pharmacies in the middle of town that had luncheonettes. On Third Street was Mercer's, along with Harbert's on Fourth Street, made a hot grilled ham salad sandwich with cold lettuce. I still make this sandwich at home and everyone who tries it likes it. Since ham salad is not a staple here in the West I make my own from scratch. On Main Street across from the Courthouse was Wells and Haymaker's which made an egg and olive salad sandwich which was great. (And I don't like olives.)

For after midnight dining there was the Royal Cafe in Glen Elk. They made outstanding Italian sausage and Italian meatball sandwiches on sliced Italian bread with peppers. Dave's Restaurant in Nutter Fort still makes this sandwich called "Dave's Delight." Ask them to grill it for you. The Canteen by the Stealey bridge used to make a good version which they called the Giovanni. I think the Canteen is gone now.

Anyway, it would be fun to meet the old after-dates gang at the Royal Cafe (gone) one more time for great sandwiches and conversation.

Editor’s note: Don’t you remember your favorite sandwich? Was it Mom’s? Was it in a restaurant? We want to enjoy that memory with you. Please write and share…




SPORTS EDITORIAL

Editor’s note: I enjoyed this article so I wrote to The Dominion Post to get permission to share it with you. I am sure you will enjoy it too. Mr. Hertzel did a terrific job. The story originally appeared in The Dominion Post, and appears here by permission and the courtesy of The Dominion Post.

WEST VIRGINIA STANDING TALL IN ROUNDBALL

written by: BOB HERTZEL


OK, America, go ahead, make fun of us. You know how you view us: overweight, toothless, shoeless trailer trash from West Virginia. Go ahead, have your fun, because today, we couldn't care less. We rule the world ... the basketball world, that is. Know how you've spent your last week or so watching the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Jersey Nets playing in the National Basketball Association finals? Guess who built those two teams? A couple of guys named West and Thorn. Went to the same school at about the same time. Which school? West Virginia University. What's that? You say Rod Thorn is from Princeton, not WVU? Read it wrong, Bucco. He grew up in Princeton, W.Va., right here in almost heaven. He could have gone to Princeton -- the school -- seeing as he had an A average and was considering going to medical school at Duke, only to succumb to the lure of the NBA. Both Rod Thorn and Jerry West are born, bred and raised West Virginians, and last time we looked they had their teeth, were still in shape in their 60s, wore better shoes than you wear and live in anything but a trailer. And they know something about putting a team together. West built the Lakers dynasty, and Thorn in two years turned the New Jersey Nets into a title contender. Truth is, for a league that last saw a player from WVU two decades ago, the NBA has a strong West Virginia influence. Three of the final four teams in the playoffs -- the Lakers, the Nets and the Boston Celtics -- were run by West Virginians. Chris Wallace, of Buckhannon, is the general manager of the Celtics and Jim O'Brien, a former coach at Wheeling Jesuit, is their coach. O'Brien, in fact, was an assistant at Wheeling Jesuit when a kid named John Beilein was a senior. Today Beilein is coaching WVU. Toss in Hot Rod Hundley, perhaps the best known "local" broadcaster in the league, and you kind of wonder when an NBA franchise will be awarded to Charleston. It's possible to say no state has had a greater influence on the NBA than West Virginia, considering what West did for it as a player and executive and as the model for the league's logo; Thorn as a player, coach, general manager, vice president in charge of discipline and now a team president; and Wallace and O'Brien in returning the Celtics to the playoffs after Rick Pitino had torn apart the league's greatest dynasty. But in the end, it is West whose influence has endured the longest, and now he's coming out of retirement to try to build the Memphis Grizzlies from the bottom up.If Wallace paired Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker with the Celtics and Thorn found the secret ingredient the Nets lacked in Jason Kidd, it was West, when running the Lakers, who put Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant together, then brought Phil Jackson in to control their egos. Think of that for a moment. West found a way to unite the two best players -- and no apologies are offered here to anyone -- with the best coach, resulting not only in three consecutive NBA titles, but also in a mismatched sweep for the third one.Not bad for a guy they used to call Zeke From Cabin Creek ... but not to his face.So go ahead, America, have your fun at our expense but, when you are through, remember this: We rule your city game.



OBITUTARIES


UNA JARVIS

Miss Jarvis was a graduate of West Virginia University, where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Home Economics Education. She proudly served her country during WWII as a W.A.V.E. She was a home economics teacher at Washington Irving High School where she taught until retirement in 1973.

Miss Jarvis had many interests and activities in the Clarksburg community. She was an accomplished bridge player and was an active member of the Senior Citizens Center. She was a member of the Stealey United Methodist Church and was honored by the VA Hospital for her 2,400 hours of volunteer service.



VITO CONTENTO

Vito Contento, 63 years old, of 148 Asia Street, Hazard, Kentucky, and formerly of Clarksburg, WV, died Sunday, July 14, in Hazard, Kentucky. He was born on December 8, 1938, in Clarksburg, WV, the son of the late Angelo Contento and Antonetta Allegretto Contento.

He is survived by his former wife, Marilyn Spencer, and a companion, Cheryl Leabo of Hazard, Kentucky.

Survivors include: One son, Vito Angelo Contento of Kansas City, Missouri; two daughters, Angela Adams and her husband, Jeff, of Carlisle, Ohio, Antoinette Marie Contento of Hazard, Kentucky; one brother, Jack Contento of Clarksburg, WV; one sister, Mary Bernard of Clarksburg, WV; two granddaughters, Rebecca Adams and Brandy Adams.

Mr. Contento was a graduate of Victory High School, and Fairmont State College, where he obtained a master's degree in social services. A veteran of the United States Army, having served in Korea. A former member of St. James Catholic Church of North View.

EXCERPTS FROM THE CLARKSBURG EXPONENT TELEGRAM




THE DOLLAR BILL

Editor’s note: This was sent to me via e-mail. I don’t know who researched this or who wrote it. I am sorry I can not give credit to the creator of it. I found it very interesting and thought you would enjoy it.

Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design.

This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.

If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.

If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people."

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much too ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.




THIS NEWSLETTER

Without you contributing, there is no newsletter. I hope you will write and share some memories with us this month. Roleta1@aol.com







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