THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 43 March, 2003




A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO JUDY DAUGHERTY KIMLER FOR ALL THE COLOR SHE ADDS TO OUR WRITTEN MEMORIES! A SPECIAL THANKS TO JUDY AND LARRY FOR PUBLISHING THE NEWSLETTER ON THEIR WEBSITE:

From the editor and speaking for all the readers.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Remember this is not a commercial newspaper. Judy and I do not receive pay for our work. We don't even have a staff. Judy and I are the only staff. You, the readers, are the reporters. So please, overlook our errors.

I started the newsletter to keep my classmates connected. Judy joined me after the first month. Now, we are keeping a larger community of alumni and friends in contact. This newsletter has become a history of the schools, area and now the entire town of Clarksburg. I believe that the newsletter has renewed our pride in the town in which we were raised and lived. Roleta1@aol.com




CLAY B HITE

   


REMEMBERING MY FATHER:
submitted by: Emmalee Hite (daughter of Coach Clay B. Hite) (WI '60)
Emmalee@mailstation.com

Clay B. Hite was my Father, but I also remember him as Coach & Dean of Boys @ WI! When he was coaching I helped him sort the shoes and uniforms by size at the beginning of the season, we'd wash the towels on Sat after the Friday games & take the uniforms to Moyle-Stanton & Joyce for dry-cleaning. Sometimes, I got to eat hot dogs (after the team got all they wanted) that were "left-over" from the WI Mother's Concession Stand after the games. Occasional he'd let me sit at the end of the bench if I behaved (if not, he'd send me with "one of his looks" to my Mother in the stands); sometimes I helped him count the tickets and the gate receipts after the games. I remember the team carrying him off of the field/court after a big win!

When he retired from Coaching in 1951 after 30 years as Head Coach of all sports at WI (that was before Title IX), the Board of Education made him Dean of Boys and Athletic Director. Both duties he had had before, but not the official titles. At his retirement from coaching dinner the BOE announced that they were naming the community field that he had coached on and had been the general contractor for when it was built, Hite Field, in his honor. He was over-come with emotion & almost speechless which was unusual for most folks to see. The dinner was a sell-out and held at the Masonic Temple, which had the biggest dining hall in Clarksburg, and even then attendance was only open to his WI Lettermen because of space. He was an engineer by WVU education, but gave that up for his love of athletics and to help "engineer" character & discipline in "his boys". When he was posthumously inducted into the WV Sports Writers' Hall of Fame, I was proud & honored to accept on behalf of the family & WI!

Did you know that he designed the WI logo that is still being used by WI Middle School? Do you remember the slogan below the photo of him in his practice sweats that hung in the front hallway between the boys' & girls' locker rooms? "He Made Men From Boys"...that was so appropriate and the family has never known who the author was. Please let me know if you know! That photo is now in the WI Memorabilia Room at Robert C Byrd High School...if you haven't seen that room, stop the next time you're in Clarksburg & reminisce a while.

Mostly, to me he was my Dad, the one who carved the turkey at the dinner table on Thanksgiving & Christmas; the one who would pull me in my sled on a snowy night on S. 5th St.; the one who taught me about business by helping me with a lemonade stand on a hot summer afternoon as folks walked up the hill; he was the one who taught me how to swim at Lake Floyd (he told me that if I could swim there I could swim anywhere; he was right, of course...this is true of most of the things that we learned while growing up in Clarksburg. Before I could read, he'd read the "Sunday Funnies" aloud with me on his lap. He's the one who taught me how to ride my sister's (Mary Ann) big two-wheel bike, how to make homemade ice cream, what to say to the players before a game, "Good Luck!"

As many of you remember he died unexpectedly on Easter Morning in 1958 at the age of 62; during my Sophomore year at WI. I was born when my parents were in their 40s; and I sure thank them for that! His 1942 football team took up a collection (some of the guys gave their whole allowance as Joe Rokisky often reminds me) and bought me an engraved silver baby cup which I still keep polished & treasure very much.

After he died, it was really hard for me to go back to school where I passed his office often and where I had so many fond memories of him. But, thanks to the kindness of so many of you and the teachers & staff at WI, you helped to make a difficult time in my life a happy one, too. Thank YOU for that!


submitted by: Skip Bowie (WI '57)
Sbowie11140@aol.com

The first time I met Clay B. Hite was in Point "UN" Pleasant, WV in 1952. He was visiting his sister who lived across the street from the Episcopal Church. At that time I thought he was the biggest man I had ever seen in my life. However, after I got over his stature and we talked a while, I felt that he was a "neat" guy. He told me he was from Clarksburg and coached at Washington Irving? Two years later I was a freshman at Washington and Irving. He became the Dean of Men. Anthony Folio was the coach at that time.

When someone was not in class, he would call The Strand and Stonewall Billiards, after he called your house. I never found out where the girls hung out when they cut class.

He busted my chops several times. I will always remember Mr. Hite telling me, " Always play hard, play fair and respect the girls."

That was FIFTY years ago. Not much has changed since then.


submitted by: Herb Cottrill (WI '52)
Herbc@vsba.org

I graduated from WI in 1952 and was fortunate enough to be around my freshman, sophomore and junior years to play basketball when Coach Hite was there. We were always on the lookout after 10:00 pm for the black car (either a Buick or Hudson) that was driving around looking for those out after the basketball curfew. Clay B was the individual most influential on my future decisions in life. I coached high school basketball for 10 years and found that the coaching I received under Coach Hite (his organization, style, and fundamentals) has served me well the last 50 years.


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

I first met Coach Hite when he was my freshman PE teacher. I mentioned this to my Dad. He said, "That's "Mud' Hite. He was a big football hero when I was a freshman in 1919." I found the coach was an Honorable mention All American End in 1918 when he was the main receiver for All-American QB Erat "Rat" Rogers. I don't know where he started teaching, but he was at WI in the early twenties when my uncle graduated in 1925.

Arthur Upton and I were non-athletes so we were appointed sergeants. Arthur took roll, gave out equipment, I was the pool Sergeant who was in charge of those who chose to swim. The Coach supervised all of this, occasionally playing volleyball. In my junior year he needed football managers, so I signed on along with Russ Romano. I think football was coach's favorite sport, he really enjoyed working with the boys. He used to change into his practice clothes, take out his teeth (upper plate) and put in a whole package of Mail Pouch chewing tobacco, he was now ready to supervise football practice. He had a very loud voice which could easily be heard anywhere on the field. The type of football was "Woody Hayes-three yards-in- a- cloud- of-dust" variety.

I was at WI during the war years, and was always surprised at the number of "old" grads who came by to see the coach, some were on medical leave, and others on leave before shipping out. When he was not coaching he was friendly and easy to talk to; had a great sense of humor and was a nice guy. At the time I was a manager he lived in the Golf Plaza area and I lived in Broad Oaks, so he used to give me a ride to within a few blocks of home after practice, it saved me a long walk or bus ride. He retired during my freshman year at WVU. I heard a few years later that he died of a heart attack while driving home. He was a real gentleman who tried to help boys become better men.


submitted by: Nancy Mayer Capilla (WI '59)
Rcapilla@worldnet.att.net

I remember Coach Hite coming down to our house every Sat night and playing cards with my father and smoking big cigars.The house would smell for days...


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

I played football for WI head Coach Clay B.Hite in 1951. Since a kid, I have played around with magic-tricks and did a 2-hour big magic stage show for a morning assembly at WI. After that everyone was aware I liked magic, including Coach Hite. At football practice we were running plays from the playbook. On offense I blocked the defensive man in front of me. Coach Hite yelled at me. I couldn't understand why Coach asked us to run the same play. We did, I blocked the defensive man in front of me--again. Coach Hite yelled at me again. He asked me to get down again and get ready to run the play again...and asked me who I was to block on that play? I told him the man in front of me as I was doing. He came up to me and as I was bent over, he kicked me in the backside. Then asked me again who was I to block? I told him again the man in front of me. He kicked me again. I feebly told him that I was right. Coach Hite turned to assistant Coach Earl Orme and asked Coach Orme to please tell Cooper who he is to block on that play. Coach Orme put his hand to his face..smiled ..and through his fingers said.."Coach, Cooper is right, that is the man he blocks, then he stays in that position"--Coach Hite said "Oh-Oh" He then came over to me bent down and said to me.."Ok, John, now give me a couple kicks, you owe me!"--All the guys held their breath as I walked around behind Coach Hite drew back my leg and kicked him softly--two times. Coach Hite said.."Ok-John, I had it coming to me..now don't turn me into a rabbit, I am already acting like a jackass.!" Everyone laughed. The other guys never forgot that. I haven't either!


submitted by: Mike King (WI '61)
Tmichael43@aol.com

I have a Clay B. Hite story to pass along that happened when I was a freshman and Mr. Hite was Dean of Men. He was in charge of the sixth period study hall and one Friday I decided to skip it. Somehow I got caught before I could leave the building and was taken back to the study hall. Then Mr. Hite proceeded to lecture me about skipping classes and made me stand in the corner of the big room the rest of the period. I'll never forget this incident because it wasn't too long afterwards that Mr. Hite passed away, I believe while driving his automobile.




GETTING TO KNOW YOU

submitted by: Babe Bisping Cashman (WI '56)
Scashman@ucnsb.net

Roleta,
Well, here goes. You are asking for almost 50 years of good memories from me, and that's about what I have.

After graduating from WI in 1956, I entered West Virginia University, where I not only got a degree in dietetics, but a wonderful life partner as well. An old classmate from Morgan School, Tom Wetzel, introduced us.They were both from Niagara Falls, NY at the time. Stu and I were married in 1960 and moved to Detroit, Michigan the following year; Stu to work for Ford Motor Company and Babe to start a dietetics internship at Henry Ford Hospital. Both of these things were interrupted by a pregnancy and an invitation for Stu to spend two years with Uncle Sam at Fort Benning, Georgia. While we were there, two of our three children were born.

Upon our return to Michigan and FoMoCo, we were transferred to Utica, Michigan, where we remained for the next 34 years. I became a stay at home mom for the next 10 years until all three of our children were in school full time. During that time, I was active in Girl Scouts, both with our daughter and as a Senior Girl Scout Leader. Our youngest son thought he was a scout because he started attending meetings when he was under two years old. Both Stu and I became active in the community as well as volunteering with the local school district.

While in Michigan, we all learned to love the winter sports that were not available to us in WV. We also learned to love sailing. This was another thing that we really couldn't do in WV until after Tygart Lake was completed.

In 1974, I started a 19 year career as Food Service Director of a large area school district, servicing 36 schools. One of our children even went back to WVU for undergraduate work. The other two received their undergraduate degrees from Oakland University and the University of Michigan. Our two boys and their father all got MBA degrees from U of M.

In 1998, Stu retired from Ford and we moved to paradise where there would be no more snow or ice. Two of our children preceded us to Florida, so we get to see 5 of our 7 grandchildren fairly regularly. We still get back to Michigan 3 or 4 times a year so that our grandbabies up there will not forget us. However, we only go when there is no snow on the ground.

My mother, Myrtle Bisping, "Mrs. B", is still living in WV. She did sell her home on Rodney St. to a grandson, who is a lawyer in Clarksburg. She is now living in Elkins near my sister Nichy (WI class of '52). Mother will be 97 in March, 2003. She has been blessed with 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

My brother Jack (WI class of '52) is living in Richmond, KY. He is retired from the military and running a construction company, Permanent Builders, Inc. (same name as our father's company in Clarksburg).

My sister Nichy has lived in Elkins, WV since her husband retired from Public Health Service in 1981.

I still love to read (this love affair started at the Clarksburg Public Library where I started devouring books as soon as I was able to read). I also still sew, knit, and crochet. Florida is the perfect retirement spot for me because I love to swim, which I do almost every morning for exercise as well as for pleasure.

We both love company, and get quite a bit of it in Florida.

Well, Roleta, I don't know if this is my life in a nutshell or not. You know the senior moments start getting to us.

We are looking forward to the reunion in March.



A SLEDDING INCIDENT IN HARTLAND

submitted by: John E. Stealey III (WI '59)


The appearance in recent newsletters of childhood memories of prime winter sledding on Clarksburg streets, mostly on Lowndes Hill, has caused recollection of winter evenings on Hartland Avenue. No attempt will be exerted to recall the many individuals involved, but readers will know who they were.

Like many Clarksburg streets in the early 1950s, Hartland Avenue, descending to the West Fork River from Milford Street, was originally brick-paved. Its surface, which froze and became slick rapidly, provided excellent sledding. Later, asphaltic paving adversely affected glide velocity in light snow as it did not seem to freeze as quickly as brick.

Obviously, most sledding occurred after dark. Daytime coasting was rare because of the city street department’s efficiency in cindering the surface. Traffic was not a major problem because the number of cars was not of a scale of the modern age.

The usual launching point was the crest of the hill where Charter Street entered. Sledders usually took a run and jumped on the sled hurriedly placed down in front of their descent to the ground. The slide proceeded past Argonne Street on the left, the boardwalk to Traction Street on the right, across the bridge over the track, down across Verdun Street, between my home and the Lunsfords, to the river. At times, the start could be at the top of Charter Street between the Averills and the Cincis. This position was problematic as the speeding sled from steep, narrow Charter Street often could not navigate the sharp turn onto Hartland and would crash into the far curb.

One constant worry of sledders on the snowy evening was the feared and anticipated arrival of city cinder trucks. Hartland Avenue was on the City Lines, Hartland-Despard, bus route, and the city seemed to attend initially to these routes. The bus actually helped sledding conditions as it well-packed the snow. City trucks, using real cinders and no salt, had no mechanical spreaders. Two men stood in the tilting bed in the moving vehicle and rhythmically spread cinders with coal shovels in a sweeping motion every three or four feet.

One night, anticipating the arrival of the city cinder truck, by hearing it on adjoining hills, Hartland sledders decided to defeat the abrasive effort. They stacked sleds and other objects such as garbage cans across the road between Dr. Powell’s (the dentist) house and the mailbox and telephone pole at the foot of Charter Street. Sledders hid in the house shrubbery, behind the silver maple trees, and on the banktop and packed a supply of ice- and snowballs. When the truck arrived and stopped, the two spreaders jumped from the cab to move the obstruction. Immediately, a hail of missiles confronted them and struck them repeatedly and tellingly from close range. (One of the workers was Donald “Hotdog” Cowgill.) The spreaders and driver were not amused, but began negotiations, responding to calls “to go away.” The cinder crew retreated, promising to by-pass Hartland Avenue for the evening.

Perhaps this was an early lesson for all present about how to deal effectively with governmental employees. In any event, that night joyous victory propelled Hartland sledders down the slope.



SLEDDING

submitted by: Jeannie Greynolds Fultz (WI '56)
Bfultz@iolinc.net

I am a new reader of your newsletter. No one talked about sledding on Jarvis Street which landed one on Washington Avenue. There was Sandy Staley, Sandra Lantz, Boyd (Sonny) Warner and his brothers and cousins, the Diesons, Betty Ducouer and others. Anyone else remember?

I enjoyed reading your newsletter and look forward to getting more.

One more item, remember where Parson Souders was on the corner of Third and Main. That is the new City Hall and that's were I am still working in the Personnel Department. Thanks again.



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

Hi Roleta and Judy,

I would like to thank everyone for the February newsletter I just finished reading. It was so beautiful and moving, with more memories, at least for me. I lived 3 houses from Parker Fulton as a teenager and I graduated with Bobby in 1957. My brother was a good friend of his brother, Charlie. I also graduated with Arthur Mitchie and remember him so well. I saw him at our 25th reunion. For you readers out of town especially, another sad death at the end of the year was Nancy Straight Dunn. Nancy grew up on Buena Vista Ave. in Broad Oaks.

I am also wondering if anyone graduating from at the end of 1930's remembers Edgar "Mac" McDougal? He was my dad and my mom was Katie (Davis) McDougal from VHS.

Does anyone remember sled riding on Ross Hill in Broad Oaks? The boys that were strong enough could go to Haymond Highway turn right on O'Cello and go on to Harrison Street. In the summertime they would see who could ride their bike from Haymond Highway to the top of Ross Hill. The only winner I remember was Buddy Gregory, he was older and had more muscles than anyone else.

Have a happy day, everyone :) Bless you all!



submitted by: Diana Sue Cleavenger Swiger (WI '66)
MaMaswag6@aol.com

I have been exposed to your newsletter just recently. I'm absolutely devouring all of the information. You are doing a wonderful and memorable job. I also would like to be on your list of people to whom you send the newsletter. I now live at Red House, W. V. in Putnum County. I've lived here for over 20 years and like it real well. However, Clarksburg will always be home to me. I'm now divorced, raised 2 boys by myself and they are both doing real well. I have 4 grandchildren and I was just informed yesterday another one is on it's way. My birthday is 12-26-48.

Now for a memory about sledding. I grew up on Mulberry Ave. and the next street below is Locust Avenue. Between Locust Ave. and Pike Street there is a real steep hill called Gandy Street. The neighborhood kids spent many snowy days there. Why nobody ever was killed is beyond me! There was a used car lot at the bottom on the right. If we didn't turn into the car lot, we would have gone out into traffic on Pike Street. Now that would have been a traffic stopper!!

Anyway please keep this newsletter going and if you need a donation, money wise, please don't be too proud to ask for it. I would gladly pay for this service you seem to be providing free at this time.

Thanks again, Diana Sue Cleavenger Swiger




NEW YORK TRIP

submitted by: Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)
Dfisher4140@aol.com

I wanted to write in response to the New York trip. I didn't go that year because I guess I was too young but I did get to go with Ms. Dodd and I think Mrs. Moore when I was in eighth grade. I can't remember if it was in the Spring or not. Ms. Dodd was a good friend of my families but that's not why I got to go. As I remember, anyone in the eighth grade was allowed to go.

I can still remember most of that trip and it was a great time. We also stayed at the Picadilly Hotel which we gave our own little nickname. It was in Time Square or I guess right around the corner. Before we got to the hotel we saw a guy mugged and all of these adult theaters. We thought there had been a mistake. How could teachers take us to this kind of place let alone our parents give the OK. The next morning we went to breakfast at a diner around the corner. We were sitting in the front window when a dirty old street person came up to the window and smeared his face all over the glass. I don't know if I've ever been so grossed out. I can still see it. Needless to say, we didn't eat breakfast that day.

We went to see two plays: "Over the Rainbow" with Steve Lawrence and Edie Gormet (sp?) and "Cabaret". If anyone has seen "Cabaret" you can probably guess the only thing we were really interested in was how those women got the tassels to do that. It was certainly a learning experience. Oh yea, and we also climbed the Statue of Liberty, saw the Rocketts, Chinatown, United Nations, and took a really cold wet boat ride around the island. That's when I first learned to drink coffee. It was the only warm thing they had except the hot dogs. When we got back we were supposed to walk back to the hotel but a couple of us cheated and got a taxi with Ms. Dodd. I don't remember seeing Yankee Stadium but, then again, if we did I don't think it would have been important to me.

I still have the Statue of Liberty charm on my bracelet, which can still bring up many fun memories of that trip. There are way too many to put here and I still don't think my parents need to know everything. LOL

Although I remember very little of my first two trips to the theater I have grown up to be a real lover of the stage. Luckily, living in West Palm Beach, I've had the chance to see many more plays.

Thanks for the memories!!



BRIDGEPORT HILL



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@aol.com

Memories of Bridgeport Hill should make a nice subject. I remember when several people got maimed or killed on Bridgeport Hill because of the three lane-passing zone. Any one could pass going up the hill or coming down. Also during World War II a plane landed in the road just about below Crematory Hill

Here is a list of some businesses that were located on Rt.50 East towards Bridgeport starting at Minard's Spaghetti Inn and ending at the Green Parrot during the 1950's.

Allegheny Freight Lines
Bennets Grocery Store
Cadillac Club
Callison Construction Company
Carders Motel (later changed to Terrace Motel)
Cherry Hill Hatchery
Compton Insurance Agency
Cook Motor Lines
Dilley Motor Freight
Ellis Drive Inn Theatre/ Restaurant
Hill Top Curb Service
Jimmie Colombo Curb Service
Quinn-Cooper Cadillac Company (later known as Trickett Pontiac-Cadillac-Oldsmobile, Inc.)
Riss & Company Freight Lines
Rollins Market
Romano's Pizzeria
Simpson G.M.C. Garage
Tolley Engineering Company
Truck-O-Tel
Turners Hayloft
Twin Oaks Restaurant
West Virginia Motor Express, Inc.
W.H.A.R. Radio Station
Wilson's Parkette
Wilson Motor Company
WBOY SKY CASTLE
Wonder Bar

In the 1960's these businesses arrived on Bridgeport Hill

Air Brakes, Inc.
Auto Sales & Service Used Cars
Broughton's Farm Dairy, Inc.
Bus Bright's Esso
Clyde M. Shrum Contractor
Compton Bowling Lanes
Eazor Express
Ernie's Second Hand Store
Garden Fresh Market
Harry Green Chevrolet
Malone Electric and Machine Company
Mine Belt Service
Paramount Motor Sales
PicWay Shoe Mart
Polos Used Cars
Romano's Pizzeria
State Distributing Company
Town House Motor Lodge
W & W Service Center
Wilson Motor Company.



submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
name@server.com

The East Point plaza is the main stream of Bridgeport and Clarksburg. The past classmates of this area will remember the construction that started on the hill and now there is a small city. The names run from Super Wal-Mart to Lowes Super Store and Big Kmart. Other businesses include: Dennys, Ryan's Steak House, Pier One, Mac Donald's, Applebees, Panerra,Taco Bell, Arby's Roast Beef and many more stores. This is a big boost for the two cities. You are doing a great job with the newsletter. The fire at the Elks Club was a news item and the Temple next door still has the windows covered from the water and fire damage. The road to Meadowbrook will soon be a main road as the entrance to the FBI is there.




submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
Billmere@aol.com

My first memory of Bridgeport Hill was in the early 50's when one of my older sisters told of going to a place called the "Wonder Bar" after a prom. It was located atop Bridgeport Hill, far, far from our small town in Marion County.

Several years later I became very familiar with the "Hill" (both sides) as I made my frequent trips from Fairmont or Morgantown to see a young WI lady who lived in Stealey. Up old SR 73 to USR 50 then over the "Hill" to Clarksburg and Stealey. Then we'd retrace my route to end-up at "Friends," "The Green Parrot," "Ellis drive-in," "Twin Oaks," or some other spot over the "Hill." Before her curfew (midnight) it was back over the "Hill" to Stealey. Then back over again and down SR 73. Oh, do I know that "Hill." Most trips were easy. My best time, Stealey to Fairmont was 23 minutes. But in the winter, the "Hill" was "Hell."

I must have enjoyed the "Thrill of the Hill"; because I married the young lady from Stealey, and March 14 will be our 43rd anniversary. I still go back to the "Hill" when in the area. Wonder Bar has the best strip steak around and the Pete Dye golf course is one of my favorites. (Even though it is tough for me to get on.) Friends and The Green Parrot are gone, but they wouldn't be the same anyhow. I liked it all the way it was then. I visit there often in my memories. They can change the "Hill", but they can't change my memories.


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

It was a dangerous stretch of road at night due to the ability to drag race over the hill from Clarksburg to Bridgeport. Starting at Buss Bights garage, street rods, hot cars and drag racing was popular during that time. We all knew somebody who had a fast car. Most of the guys had a friend that had a street rod. Several W.I. and Victory classmates lost their lives on that stretch of road. All because of speeding and losing control of the car, being so young, and most of us had no fear! The Sky Castle was a popular hang out. Also, the drive inn was a place where we spent a lot of time. Did anyone ever tear off a speaker while driving out of the drive-in? For an unknown reason the Bridgeport girls had a huge crush on W.I. boys. I can remember they were always asking the W.I. guys to their parties.


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

BRIDGEPORT HILL WAS THE TRUE TEST OF ANY AUTOMOBILE IN THE LATE 40'S. Could you get over it at 50 mph? Even 60 mph? It was one of the few roads around with 3 lanes instead of two. Because of that many called it the "death trap" since it wasn't always clear who owned the middle lane and you certainly wouldn't consider slowing down once you got rolling. Most of us didn't have to go all the way up since we were only going as far as the Clique Club, the definitive Friday and Saturday night date place. There we had French fries in larger baskets and ordered "set-ups" which were a bowl of ice, glasses, and a bottle of some sort of mixer. We brought along the booze that the guy who looked the oldest would buy at the state liquor store. Lots of dancing to the jukebox. Guys without dates hung out at the bar that was just inside the entrance. These birds would watch the door and make clever remarks to all who entered. Once while in the Army in Texas I felt very homesick and called the Clique on a Saturday night. That way I could get my name called out over the PA system to sort of "link" me to the place. One of the Lahosset brothers who owned the place answered the phone, called out my name, and informed me that "he hasn't been here all evening" I was crushed, I hadn't been there for months.


submitted by: Jim Este (VHS '55)
jeste35160@aol.com

How well I remember old Bridgeport Hill. When we were not racing to see who could get to the top the fastest, we were at Wilson's Parkette enjoying a coke. I can remember things on both sides of the hill really well except don't remember what was past the Ellis.


submitted by: Bill Phillips (WI '60)
Captbill2001@aol.com

I remember stealing my dads Lincoln and taking it to Ellis. The state police used to sit across the road and catch us for drag racing. They knew my family and, of course, me. One time they said they would race me up the hill, if I won okay I could drive away. If they won they would take the car home. If they caught me again they would put me in jail. Don't find cops like that anymore! DJ Wayne Satterfield, went to NY to work. Remembering Bobby Wayne, where is he now?


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

BRIDGEPORT HILL MEMORIES:

I can remember the good, the bad and the UGLY.

The good was the many, many Saturday nights that my best friend and I double-dated. Often during intermission at the Bridgeport Civic Center, we would go to the PARKETTE for a snack and a drink, and while we were waiting for the "car-hop" to bring our orders, we would visit with our ladies of the time. Regarding the PARKETTE, my son and I went to Clarksburg a couple of years and when we stopped at PARKETTE to get some hoagies for dinner - THE PARKETTE WAS GONE! Where I had all of those before mentioned GOOD times. Luckily, I had to go down the hill to Spring Avenue to turn around to go to Twin Oaks and I found the NEW PARKETTE on the hill starting down in to Clarksburg.

The bad was the terrible accident that either took the lives of some of our fellow Hilltoppers or injured them tremendously. I can remember that the car, in which they were driving, hit a tractor trailer head on at an excessive rate of speed. I can also remember going out to the accident scene at some point shortly after the accident and there was STUFF thrown all over the hill. This was in the days before the expressway, and the accident happened right in the area of the PARKETTE.

The UGLY was the bad storms that we had that kept many of us from going over the hill, either to Twin Oaks, the Bridgeport Civic Center, Maple and/or Oral Lake for ice skating, or any other points of interest in the Bridgeport area.

My memories CARMICHAEL AUDITORIUM seem to focus on the WI basketball games, varsity and junior varsity games that were held there. I can remember many HEATED WI versus Victory basketball games held there. I assume that the building itself is still there.




CARMICHAEL AUDITORIUM

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

Does Carmichael Auditorium ring a bell for anyone? I remember going to the basketball games held there and the circus and dances too. Harry James band played there. And one of the Dorsey bands, maybe both? My father used to take me to boxing and wrestling matches there. Central Restaurant was where everyone went after a basketball game at the Carmichael located on 6th Street, behind the post office. W.I. played their basketball games there till the Armory was built.


submitted by: Bill Phillips (WI '60)
Captbill2001@aol.com

I jerked sodas at the Grand Pharmacy, next to Robinson Grand. A lady came in for coffee by herself. She asked the owner if I could escort her to the auditorium. It was a Democrat convention I believe. Her name was Mrs. Roosevelt. I remember watching the circus and the Globetrotters there.


submitted by: Lance Miller (would have been WI 1961 but moved to Florida)
Lancemillerjd@aol.com

As they say on the radio talk shows, "I'm a first time respondent, but a long-time reader" of the WI newsletter. You do such a fantastic job and the February issue was chock full of memories. Your prompt of Carmichael Auditorium brings up the following:

My earliest memories are season tickets to the WI basketball games, beginning at around age 5 and well before I entered WI. My father (also a WI Grad) and I were avid fans and sat on the floor right under the basket. Remember when all of the players had color knee pads to match their uniforms? In later years, I got to retrieve the balls during warm-ups and subsequently at WI was one of the managers for both the Freshman and JV teams. I can smell the hot popcorn from the concession stand to this day.

On Sundays, after church, I looked forward to going to semi-pro basketball games at Carmichael. The local team was ( I think) sponsored by B.F. Goodrich. They played a full schedule. There were also several regional high school tournaments held at the facility. The Harlem Globetrotters also made several appearances and who can forget the circus.


I lived on the corner of Lee Avenue and Chestnut Steet across from the Oddfellows Cemetery. When folks were talking about sledding, you haven't sledded until you went down the hill at the cemetery and dodged the tombstones.

Keep up the great work.


submitted by: Ron L Watkins Sr. (VHS '54)
Ronw@ticnet.com

I remember going to wrestling matches at the Carmichael Auditorium, when I was really young, I was standing outside of the Auditorium when the wrestler "Primo Camero" came walking up and he was the biggest person I had ever seen. He seemed at the time to be as big as the box office at the ramp where you went in. All the shows came there, the circus, and concerts it was the place to see the big acts of the day. If I remember teams like the Globetrotters playing there also.


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

Here is a vivid and frightening memory of the Carmichael Auditorium. When I was a junior (1955), we had a great basketball team that went to the state tournament in Huntington. I remember Jim Warren, Bob Clousson, Bob Hart, Ed Christie, Ron Grow and John Harrison, among others, on that team. Prior to one of the big games, everyone went to the Carmichael Auditorium very early to be sure of getting a seat. Alas, the doors were not yet open. As the crowd assembled on the enclosed entrance ramp, we became packed in like sardines. I remember feeling like I could not breathe and I definitely could not move more than an inch in any direction. The crowd began to sway and there was nothing anyone could do to keep from going with the flow. If anyone had fallen down, they would have been trampled or smothered to death. Apparently sensing impending danger or tragedy, the management opened the doors early and kids ran to get their seats. What a relief! I was reminded of this incident when several people died in similar circumstances at "THE WHO" concert in Cincinnati.

I remembered something else about the Carmichael Auditorium. There was a basketball player named Bevo Frances from the University of Rio Grande in Ohio. Their team played Salem College in the Carmichael Auditorium. Bevo had scored over 100 points in a game somewhere else that year. In this particular game, twins whose last name, I think, was Davis guarded him. They were blonde, short for basketball players, but very scrappy. They held Bevo to something like 50 points, but Rio Grande won anyway. Does anyone else remember seeing this game?


submitted by: Joseph Williams, Jr. (WI '56)
JoedocnWV@cs.com

Enjoyed your newsletter as usual, it always brings back a lot of good memories. I can remember in the late 40's and early 50's when all the big bands came to the auditorium. I would sneak in the balcony and watch and listen. I was very much interested in music, especially the drums. I am still a drummer today. Some of the bands I remember seeing: Gene Krupa, Louie Armstrong, Ray Anthony, Harry James, and many others. It was a wonderful time back then, and I have great memories. Also does anyone remember the semi-pro basketball team that played there every Sunday? I'm sure we can all remember going there to W I basketball games. It was a skating rink for a while, and now it is vacant. Also the mystery picture is VICTORY HIGH


submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
BobnAlong1@aol.com

The Carmichael Auditorium was on the west side of North Sixth Street, just before you crossed the Sixth Street Bridge. Before I was at WI, the Hilltopper basketball games were played there. (At least once there was a circus there, and other times there were Home Shows held. Big-name swing bands used to play there in the '40s, I'm told.) After that, they were played at the Colombian Club on what was then Water Street.

More recently, the Carmichael Auditorium building has housed the Clarksburg branch of Salem College. That was in the late '80s and early '90s.

Incidentally, I believe the restaurant across from Blands that someone referred to was Hammond & Harper. But the Coffee Mill was a few doors down, just next to Matthew Brother's service station and parking lot.


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

Starting at a very early age, I remember attending the circus at Carmichael and watching the girls on those high ropes twirl around and around. Remember the parade each year when the Circus came to town/ Didn't it parade from the railroad station down to the Carmichael? I remember always standing in front of the Ritz or Candyland to get the best view. Weren't we blessed to have the Carmichael in which our high school basketball games could be held? It seemed the greatest to me--compared to where so many schools had to play their games. (The gym in their school.) Maybe the basketball players had a different view of the facilities. When in high school I was privileged to be asked to be an usher when Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt came to town to give a speech and "hype" her newly written book. I had an autographed copy for years but I must have gotten rid of it during some move in my life. Wonder if it would be valuable now? Oh well, I still have the memory!



MY BROTHER GEORGE

submitted by: Shari A. Josephs (WI '65)
No e-mail address--contact her through Roleta1@aol.com

My brother's name was George Sanborn Josephs. He graduated from WI in the mid 1950's. If he were still living, he would be 66 years old. George was born in Belgium and his mother was my father's sister so George was actually my first cousin. His parents died in World War II and details of their death are sketchy. Since George was Jewish, he was hidden by catholic nuns during the Nazi occupation of that area.

After the war, my aunt (another sister of my fathers) found George in an orphanage in Belgium. In 1947, when he was 10 years old, my parents brought him to this country and adopted George. If anyone his age or older should remember him - he was taught English at WI when he was 10 years old and was quite the "Hit" of the high school - he was adorable with his curly brown hair and French accent. My understanding is the students adopted him and took him everywhere with them. My mother told a story how one day the students drove him home and carried into the house tons of presents. He told them it was his birthday but, of course, it wasn't.

Unfortunately, George passed away when he was only 46 years old. He was living in Tucson, AZ and contracted a desert fever bacteria that infected his heart. I'm still very close to my sister-in-law and my niece and nephew.



BOOK REVIEW

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
Billmere@aol.com

I have always been interested in World War II history and enjoy reading books set in that time period, both fiction and non-fiction. A friend in Huntington recently recommended the "MEN AT WAR" series by W.E.B. Griffin. The series consists of four books covering the exploits of several young men just before and during WWII. These are historical novels, but are well researched and refer to many people, places and missions that were real. You'll read about the early history of what is now the C.I.A. and some of their clandestine operations in Africa and Europe. The books chronicle the lives of young military officers, leaving little to the imagination including their numerous sexual encounters. The reading was easy and the books were not difficult to read --a few pages at a time (my kind of reading.)

If this style of literature interests you, I hope you will enjoy;
"The Last Heroes"
"The Secret Warriors"
"The Soldier Spies"
"The Fighting Agents"

Here is a web site where you can read more about Mr Griffin and his books. http://www.webgriffin.com/




TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
FROM THE EDITOR
Below are some suggested topics for future newsletters. Send me your memories about the listed subjects or anything else you remember. I will chose a few topics for publication in each month's issue.

TOPIC: MARBLES

Marbles, marbles, marbles---Can you tell me the name of the marble factory in or around Clarksburg? Where was the factory located? Do you have some of those precious marbles? Why were marbles made in Clarksburg? Was there more than one marble factory in Clarksburg? WRITE: Roleta1@aol.com.

TOPIC: HAIR

I know there are a lot of HAIR stories out there among you readers --can't you send me some 'HAIR" memories? Did you have "Brillo hair after a perm? When you look at your old pictures do you laugh at your hairstyle? Or maybe an older brother or sister's? Share your stories--WRITE: Roleta1@aol.com.

TOPIC: KELLY MILLER HIGH SCHOOL

Where was it located? What was their team name, mascot and school colors? When did they quit attending school there? Did they play sports in the same league as the other schools? What happened to that school? Tell me some memories you have of it? WRITE: Roleta1@aol.com.

TOPIC: STONEWALL JACKSON HOTEL

What do you remember about the Stonewall Jackson Hotel? Send your memories to Roleta1@aol.com.




YEARBOOK REQUEST

submitted by: Ray Allen (WI '60)
Jara2@msn.com

Ray Allen would like to either purchase a 1959 and 1960 yearbook; or he wants to know if some kind soul will copy the senior pictures from those yearbooks and send them to him. He will pay for the photocopies and the postage necessary. Contact Ray at the e-mail address given to make arrangements…Thanks for you help




BLAND'S DRUG STORE

submitted by: Carris "Pinky" Harris (WI '51)
CarrisHH@aol.com

I remember going into Bland's via the back door and walking through the storeroom to get to the soda fountain area where I could always find someone I knew at a table or at the fountain bar. I remember Mr. Moore, Jimmy, and Sandy who kept the place going. Act up and you would loose your Blands privileges for a week or so. Their lemon drink was called "Emmon-Blend" or something like that.

There were always the "rail birds" who sat on the railing of the Old Post office next door on the corner. We used to sit out there and yell blurred greetings to the drivers of the cars going by. "Hi, Mr. Weerfeingergruf." They usually waved back. Great sport! The two places where my group always met each other were Blands and the Stonewall Billiards. Late night there was the Coffee Mill restaurant across the street.

Word was that Blands closed down the soda fountain when Mr. Moore said that just one straw slip hanging from the ceiling would be one too many. (Remember how you could wet the tip of the straw slipper and blow it up to stick on the ceiling?) Somebody did it and Mr. Moore was true to his word. Good bye soda fountain.



PRECIOUS CHILD FOR FEBRUARY

      


submitted by: Glenna Lee Phillips (WI '38)
Glp1312@webtv.net

The picture of the little girl in the February newsletter is Carol Van Horn Dean. She lived on Duncan Ave, when she was growing up. When she was going to Cosmetology school in Stuebenville, Ohio I met her when I was shopping. She came to visit us in Follansbee, WV and ended up living with us while she went to school. I have kept in touch with her for many years now, This summer she came to visit me in my home in New Philadelphia, Oh. It was such a pleasure to see her again. How our lives change over the years & we all seem to move around the country. She lives in South Caroline now. I'm in Ohio. It is still a small world.



submitted by: Anne Jones (WI '58)
Anannaj@aol.com

I believe the precious child is Carol Van Horn Dean. I had lost contact with her after high school, Class of '58 until I bought a cabin in the mountains of southwestern NC near the SC line. Since Carol and her family live near Greenville, SC, we have since reconnected and have even met for lunch. She is definitely one of the "good guys".



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

I believe that the picture is Carol VanHorn Dean. We were very good friends and still keep in contact. I used to go to her house and we would order about 10 pizzas and have them sent to the house across the street. Wasn't that an awful thing to do? I guess we thought back then that it was funny.



WHO IS OUR PRECIOUS CHILD FOR MARCH?



Do you recognize this precious child? Write your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember that I will protect you, I will not publish incorrect guesses!



THEATERS OF MY YOUTH

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

Roleta,

You have expressed a desire for some of us to write to you about some things we found of interest growing up in Clarksburg. Since hairstyles were somewhat limited for me because of a round head and a low hairline (flattops were out of the question), I decided to share with you my impressions of the movie theaters which I frequented quite often. You will recall that we had four theaters in town. The Orpheum Theater was on Main Street next to Heck's Newstand. The Moore's Opera House was on Fourth Street across the street and up a bit from Candyland. The Ritz Theater was on Pike Street next to the Library as I recall. Finally, there was the Robinson Grand Theater next to the Ritzy Lunch again on Pike Street.

These movie houses were as different as night and day. First, the Orpheum, which only charged seventeen cents for admission was on the low scale of entertainment for the city and country residents. They showed B westerns and the Bowery Boys with the likes of Slip Mahoney, Satch, Danny, Whitey, and the rest. As a kid with a limited income, I enjoyed many a Saturday afternoon watching double features and the latest serial with Buster Crabbe. Incidentally, this was the first place I ever worked. At the ripe old age of ten or twelve, I showed up after the ticket office closed and took the money for the day up the street to the night deposit at the bank. It’s a wonder someone didn’t rob me. To tell the truth, I would not feel safe doing that today, although, at the time, for free admission and free popcorn that was a dream come true. I had to quit the job because I developed a sty on my eye from watching too many movies.

The Moore's Opera House was similar to the Orpheum, although it was much larger. Remember that it was the largest indoor auditorium in Clarksburg. It served as the location of the trial for Harry Powers, the Quiet Dell murderer. Incidentally, Maynard V. Duckworth’s father was County Sheriff at the time of the trial and Mr. Duckworth spoke of that time with us in General Science class a time or two. The bill of fare at Moores was a step up from the Orpheum. They showed westerns and did have the likes of Lash LaRue, Wild Bill Elliot, and the Red Ryder, but their stock and trade were the mysteries and what is now referred to as something like film noir, if that is spelled closely. Again, admission price was seventeen cents for children and thirty-five cents for adults. I should mention that on Saturday night both the Orpheum and Moores Opera house would play a type of bingo called Lucky. They would stop the movies and raise the house lights and bring out a large board with envelopes at the bottom. Each letter of Lucky would have money in it. As numbers were called out from on stage, persons in the audience would call out lucky if they had a winner, up, down, across or corner to corner. Right in the middle of the board was a free space. I remember one time I won a $5.00 prize and they gave it to me in change in an envelope.

I can see that I have rambled on and on and still have not come to the other two theaters. I guess I could stop here and continue at a later time if you like. I do have other experiences, first date, first kiss in the balcony and other little memories. Perhaps it would be better if someone else were to share some memories of the Ritz and the Robinson Grand. I appreciate just getting to do this little bit



MARCH BIRTHDAYS


5 Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59) jkimler@ezwv.com

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

10 Mary Elizabeth Weaver Snead (WI '60) Auntmerts@earthlink.net

12 Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56) Floyds@lvcm.com

16 Irvin A. Miller (WI '60) Irvinamiller@aol.com


MARCH ANNIVERSARIES


14 Roleta Smith (WI '59) Meredith and Bill Meredith (Monongah '57) Roleta1@aol.com

24 Sharyn Cottrill (WI '59) McGahan and Jim McGahan (Grafton '56) Mtmama@iolinc.netm





FEBRUARY TRIVIA PICTURE

ADAMSTON ELEMENTARY - OLD VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL

submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
fgl46vhs@aol.com

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

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

Also, due to the incompleteness of the building, the school was only able to have a small band consisting of a director and six members. There was a glee club organized but only a few songs were sung because being the first year music had not had a proper chance.

Two years of sewing was offered in the new school at that time and was known as domestic science. The domestic science class was considered the most useful subject taught at Victory. Years later the title was changed to home economics. Victory also had a cafeteria and the girls in the domestic science class made lunches.

When Victory High School first opened its doors for the first time it was a four-year high school. As the years went by the Freshman Class was discontinued because of the ever-increasing number of upper classmen.

Over 7,400 students graduated from Victory during its survival. Roughly 230 teachers served on the faculty along with seven permanent principals. There were two state basketball championships won. The first was the 1933 team coached by Farley Bell and the second team coached by Howard "Doc" Hutson won in 1941. Seventeen students lost their lives in the armed services during WW II.

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



submitted by: Ron Watkins, Sr. (VHS '54)
Ronw@ticnet.com



This is Dear old Victory High School, which I think is now the Adamston Elementary School. I spent many great moments there from 1950-54. We are getting ready very soon to have our 50th reunion and the Class of Victory 54 meets for a dinner the 2nd Monday of each month at the Eat N Park Restaurant at 6PM. My wife and I were visiting Clarksburg from Texas once when they had the meeting and it was really a great time. I saw people I hadn't seen for over 45 years, (they all had gotten old but me) ha. I have attached a couple of pictures if you would like to use them. The one with the two thin guys was made in 1960 on the front lawn, and shows Ed "Fishook" Reabrook, and myself with a bicycle built for 4. (The Telegram ran a picture of this bike on Friday, June 15th 2001.)



The second picture is one of me when I visited "The Wall" on my last visit. The Wall, started by Victory Grad Freddie Layman, is still going strong.

Keep up the great work, it is always a pleasure to read your newsletter each month and revisit some of the good old days.

(EDITOR'S NOTE--anyone interested in the VICTORY wall--contact Freddie Layman at fgl46vhs@aol.com.)



submitted by: Stumpie Bice (WI '62)
Ronw@ticnet.com

The picture looks like our cross town rival, Victory High School. I remember the big game between the two schools being played on Veterans Day after the parade in "downtown" Clarksburg.



submitted by: Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)
Dfisher4140@aol.com

Is it Victory High School? Or as my dad would say, " Vitry." I also want to tell you how much I appreciate all of the work that goes into the newsletter. I think I'm probably one of the youngest to read it but I have sent it on to my classmates. Even though we may be a bit younger it's amazing how we have so many of the same memories.



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR MARCH 2003



Do you recognize this picture? Please write to me with your guesses, remember I don't print incorrect guesses. I even give you a chance to make a second guess that makes it more fun for you. Include a memory for the next newsletter. Write to me now-- Roleta1@aol.com.



SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

Re: R-W, WI, KM, RCB Alumni & Friends Foundation, Inc.

Our 2nd annual Scholarship Banquet is Monday, April 7, 2003 @ Robert C. Byrd High School Cafeteria.

Social begins @ 5:30 PM & Dinner @ 6:30 PM. Cost is $10/person.

RSVP by March 21, 2003 to: Patty Britton, Harrison County Magnet Programs, One Eagle Way, Clarksburg, WV 26301 or (304) 624-3240.

Since you're a Life Member you should be getting your invitation soon. Last year we presented 7 $500 scholarships; this year we think we will have 12 to present; so we're growing! Membership is $15/year or $200 for Life Membership & recognition on the Life Member Plaque inside the entrance of Robert C. Byrd High School. We welcome those willing to donate a $500 Scholarship and the donor may specify the criteria for the scholarship; donors automatically become Life Members. The Scholarship Banquet is open to the public; a person doesn't have to be a member or donor to attend the Banquet; proceeds from the Banquet benefit the Scholarship Fund.



NEW E-MAIL ADDRESSES


Linda Perri Cowgill (WND '60) LACowgill@aol.com
Jim Este (VHS '55) jeste35160@aol.com
Jeannie Greynolds Fultz (WI '56) Bfultz@iolinc.net
Larry Ruland (WI '59) bruland2000@yahoo.com
Marvin "Doc" Smith (WI '54) Msmith2313@aol.com
Donna Harrison Trickett (WI '78) Dancers2mom@aol.com
Vic Gentilozzi (WI '55) Vic@iolinc.net
Myrt (Bolton) Smith (WI '57) Msmith2313@aol.com
Judy Heaberlin (WI '56) jlemaster@wlgore.com
Frank and Nancy Meligan (WI ?) fnnmel@atlantic.net
Otto Matheny (VHS ?) gotampa@aol.com
Martha Kinney Kessler (WI '58) MKKesler@aol.com
Duane Daniels (VHS '49) VictoryHi49@webtv.net
Randy Weekley (WI '67) weekleys@juno.com
Carolyn Lawson Bailey (WI '56) carbail@msn.com
Doug Bailey (WI '56) carbail@msn.com
Jean Smouse King (WI '58) Eking@gcnetmail.net
Bob Siron (WI '66) Siron1947@aol.com
Susan Michie Miller (WI '54) sucolay@bellsouth.net
Catherine Tiano Macina (WI '52) CatMan114@aol.com
Patricia Tiano Oakes (WI '55) PaOakes@aol.com
Kitty Wysong Cobb (WI '62) jacinnh@aol.com
Joe Mancina (VHS '51) JAMancina114@aol.com
Mirth Spangler (WI '40) mirthlspangler@msn.com
Diana Sue Cleavenger Swiger (WI '66) MaMaswag6@aol.com
Margaret Cleavenger Maiocco (WI '65) jmaioccojr@sbcglobal.net


CHANGE OF ADDRESS


Jim Gill (VHS '59) jgill@msn.com
Kate Holder Gill (VHS '57) jgill@msn.com
Sam Iaquinta (WI '54) SamIqIII@aol.com






submitted by: Jean Smouse King (WI '58)
Eking@gcnetmail.net
As always, a terrific newsletter! So many fabulous memories, traditions, etc. that most of us have long forgotten.





submitted by: Sargent McQuillan (WI '57)
Sargent827@aol.com

WI played their basketball games there; Prom dances were held there and I won a Samsonite suitcase at the Sr. Prom.

B.F. Goodrich Tiremen (AAU Basketball team) also played games there. From there we went to VFW for dancing 25 cents entrance charge or to Romano's Pizza on Bridgeport Hill for pizza. Caterpillar Tractor Co. had a large warehouse at the bottom of the hill close to Minard's spaghetti house. Garden Fresh Mkt. was just east of Minard's.

On top of Bridgeport Hill, secondary road was a nightclub which may still be there. In the wintertime you had to "get a run" to make it over the hill.

The Hill was the dividing point between Clarksburg & the snobs in Bridgeport; always a "tough" spot to go to for dancing at the Bender Rec. Center. Roy Bever, Marty Elliott, Andy Hamilton (Rest His Soul) always went as a group. Bever was the chick magnet and we were wallflowers.

Do you remember:
Going to Benedum Airport with a date to watch "The Submarines Come In? Billy's Meadowbrook where Sam Huff cleaned out the place in a fight while at WVU? Public Transportation was "Hitchhiking?" Red Head gas was 25 cents a gallon. with redeemable coupons for gifts! Remember Ryder's Grocery behind WI? Miss Taylor and diagramming sentences and underling parts of speech with crayons? Teachers: Duckworth, Dumire (scrapbook with all bugs, trees, etc., pasted in it), Andre (I still remember that it is cheaper to dig up asphalt roads than concrete, and that is why most roads are made of asphalt). Virginia Nutter (Latin, why did I take it?) Anyone remember the Orphanage on Hickman St/Chestnut? Harriet Murphy's fathers Ice Cream parlor? I must be bored or you hit a button tonight.





submitted by: David Nichols (WI '55)
Dnicholsii@aol.com

Thanks again for your good work. You ask for more input. Here's a memory. Back in the mid-40's Christ Episcopal Church in Clarksburg had a boys' choir. In order to get enough voices they recruited boys from all over town on recommendation of choir leaders in the elementary schools. I was recruited from Carlisle School. There may have been 20 or so of us in the choir. We were paid 25 cents each time we practiced on Wednesdays and for each Sunday service. In those days 50 cents a week was a hefty stipend. Also, Christ Episcopal had a basketball gym above the practice rooms, which we were allowed to use. This was more than enough to keep us coming. Besides, for those of us who were not Episcopalians, the experience was quite novel. The choirmaster, Mr. Beckett, was a perfectionist and I like to think that the churchgoers got their money's worth on Sundays, because we sang our hearts out. But he wanted sopranos only and when our VOICES CHANGED in a few years we were excused. By the age of 12 we were HASBEENS. This experience had a long-term effect on me. Thirty years or so later when I was confirmed in the EPISCOPAL CHURCH by the BISHOP OF VIRGINIA, I related my disappointment at having been dumped by his church when I was a mere boy. The Bishop graciously apologized and accepted me with these words, "Welcome back my bass son, from West by God Virginia." With those words I knew I had come to the right place. Here was a church with a sense of humor.





submitted by: Donna Harrison Trickett (WI '78)
Dancers2mom@aol.com

Hi! I'm a 1978 graduate of WIHS and my uncle, John Harrison, showed the newsletter to me today. Would you please add my name to your mailing list?





submitted by: MaryAnn Baily Donato (WI '56)
Mmdonato23@aol.com

Hi Roleta, I've been meaning to write all month but have been busy freezing up here in the north country. Yesterday it was 20 below. Even the skiers are finding it a little on the chilly side. I loved reading all the articles.

The precious child looks familiar but I can't place her. Will be anxiously waiting to hear.

By the way, I was born in Elyria, Ohio so I'm partial to Ohio State too. We actually saw the Rose Bowl game when they played Arizona and won. If we ever meet, I'll tell you a story about that time in Pasadena.

I seem to have lost the mystery picture but I think it is of Bland's Drug Store. What wonderful memories! I can't believe the people put up with us as we all crammed into the booths day after day for years on end it seemed. Nothing could beat those vanilla cokes.

Have you read the book called, "Hail, Washington Irving" by Carolyn Reynolds Burnside? It really tells the story and makes one even prouder to be a WI graduate.

Someone asked, "What do people do on New Years Eve?" Well, here in Burlington we have FIRST NIGHT and it is so much fun. We start at 12 noon and the activities go until 12 midnight when the fireworks start down on the waterfront on Lake Champlain. Its usually cold and snowy but all the children, families, and merrymakers make it warm with their merrymaking. There is no alcohol on the streets and everyone still has loads of fun. The shows are all free for the price of a First Night Button $12.00. Several churches serve dinners and this makes it affordable for families. A wonderful way to welcome in the New Year.

I'm sorry that again this year we won't be able to make the picnic but we will be thinking of you all. Maybe, next year we will make it.

Also, I forgot to tell you that my birthday is December 8th. The hour is late and this is all probably too late for the newsletter but I wanted to enclose the words to a hymn that we sang in church on Sunday. At this unsettled time in our country and the world it seems all the more meaningful:

"This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands a-far and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country's skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine; but other lands have sunlight too, and clover and skies are everywhere as blue as mine. O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine."

This seemed to express how I'm feeling right now so I thought I'd share it.

Again, thanks for all the reaching out that you do. It really has brought our WI and Clarksburg community together and I know it's much appreciated by all.





submitted by: Judith Allen Hutson (WI '52/53)
Judithahutson@webtv.net

Read the Newsletter and was glad to be included. Was wishing you could check and see if there were any out there that belonged to the Amateur Little Theatre Group in Clarksburg in 1952 and 1953. I belonged to this group and had a great time appearing at the Veterans Hospital and various places around Clarksburg. I remember Steve Limbers was also a member. Clarksburg has always had a special place in my heart, mainly because it was the place I lived that I loved the most. It took me 40 years to get home again, but I finally made it 3 years ago. Would truly like to hear from anyone that knew me, Judy Allen, or even my parent's -Kate Allen, or Leonard Allen. Thanks for including me in your newsletter - will not give up until I hear from someone that remembers me - surely I couldn't be that unforgettable.





submitted by: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)
Mshaf26478@ol.com

I have several things all jumbled together to write to you for the newsletter. As I think of it I have to write it down or I forget. Anyone else have that problem? I did read somewhere that as long as we know the year, the president and where we live we are OK, but I am getting off of the subject.

First: Is that cute as Christmas little doll Carol Van Horn (WI '58)? If it is, it was really my husband (Mike Shaffer WI '58) that recognized her, so I must give him the credit.

Does anyone from the class of '58 remember the Senior Class Trip to New York City on the train? I remember going, but can't remember what we did or what we saw. Maybe someone from my class can help with that. I would also like to see more letters from the Class of '58.

I remember Blands, Candyland and also the little store that Harriet Murhpy's (WI '57) father owned. I had to go straight home after school, so I never got to hang out at any of these places.

Remember the wooden walk on Chestnut Street that we would use every time we walked to a football game? And, we walked from all over--no rides from Mom or Dad and no driving our own car. It was also very dark, but we never thought anything about that.

To Leon Andre WI '46: When I graduated from WI in 1958, we still had the girl's locker room and the boy's locker room. Girls had their study hall and boys theirs. If I remember correctly, one hallway was for only girl's lockers and another hallway was only boy's lockers. Also, we had one set of steps for girls and another set of steps for boys. When did they stop all of that?

When I mention these things to my granddaughter, who will be 16 in March, she gets a really weird look on her face--like what planet are you from? (Oops, ended a sentence with a preposition and I vividly remember from one of my English classes that you DID NOT end a sentence with a preposition. Has that changed also?)

I went to St. Mary's Grade School and recognize a lot of the names of the people that are writing that graduated from Notre Dame. The letter from Roberta Brassine brought that to mind.

I could go on and on with a lot of fragmented memories, but I think I had better stop for now and will write again another time.





submitted by: Marvin "Doc" Smith (WI '54) AND Myrt (Bolton) Smith (WI '57)
MSmith2313@aol.com

Dear Roleta,
Both my husband and I are WI graduates. We would like to receive the "Newsletter". Skip and Sharon Smith forwarded the Feb 03 issue to us. Enjoyed reading the current issue and all the back issues. It was wonderful to read about our classmates.

Keep up the good work,




submitted by: Judy Heaberlin (WI '56)
Jlemaster@wlgore.com


I am Judy Heaberlin class of 1956. My brothers and sisters graduated from WI - brother Jim - class of '55 and my sister Jane - class of '58 and younger brother Jan in the late 60's. I know people from all of these classes. I live in North East, MD.

Enjoy your newsletter and I have fond memories of Blands Drug Store, sledding in Hartland, Hallowing in Stealey, ridding my bike passed Doug Bailey's house (my true love in 8th grade - but he married Carolyn) Hotdogs, hotdogs, and more hotdogs and of course Salt Rising Bread. I hear from Mariana Waroblock, Sharon Greitzner, Marilyn Tustin, Jim Alvaro and recently, I received an e-mail from John Harrison. I hope to make the next reunion.




submitted by: Carolyn Lawson Bailey (WI '56)
carbail@msn.com


Hi Roleta,
We are just receiving our first newsletter via Ross Allen. We meaning Carolyn Lawson Bailey and Doug Bailey, class of 56. Such fun to read. Probably late, but the drugstore picture is Bland's on Pike St. where we used to go after school for chocolate (Doug memory) and lemon cokes. We have recently moved to Winston-Salem, NC after 24 years in Memphis where Doug was the Rector of a large Episcopal Church in the heart of downtown. He has recently joined the faculty of Wake Forest University Divinity School to begin a new program in Urban Ministry. He is also a consultant across the country in Urban Ministry and issues facing churches today and he is the Director of a non profit which produces a national conference in Washington each year and is about to add a second conference on the West Coast in 2004.

We have stayed in touch with Jim Alvaro throughout all these years. His sister in law and brother in law Bobbie and Dave Ferraro lived in Memphis so we often connected. We were back in Clarksburg last Sept. for a brief visit. Had not been back in 9 years. I was wonderful to connect with Lucy and Paul McWhorter and Martha Blair Norris (a classmate and good friend in high school whom I had not seen since graduation).

My sister Kay Lawson Adair keeps me current on much news and tells me about how very much she enjoys the Fla. reunion each year. It must be a blast.

Please add us to your list and thanks for all your good work.



‘1948 W I CLASS REUNION’

Dear Classmates,
Can you believe it has been 55 years since we walked across the stage at Washington Irving High School and received that fabulous diploma stating we were now officially GRADUATES… Your reunion committee is working to create another exciting opportunity to renew old high school friendships. Please mark your calendar and help make this a special occasion for us all.

ACTIVITIES

RECEPTION and REGISTRATION -
TIME: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. or so, Friday, 27 June 2003
PLACE: Bridgeport Country Club just past the Bridgeport Mall

DINNER and PICTURE
TIME: 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 28 June 2003, GROUP PICTURE
TIME: 7:00 p.m., Saturday, SIT-DOWN DINNER
PLACE: Bridgeport Country Club

COSTS
Friday and Saturday….. 50 dollars per person
Friday only…..10 dollars per person
( cash bar each night)

Please return your check made payable to ‘1948 W I Class Reunion’ and the enclosed dinner order form as soon as possible to Tom Long, 466 Legion St., Morgantown, WV, 26505. We need this to make our reservations, purchase our decorations, order food, etc.




The Clarksburg Picnic took place Saturday March1, 2003. This is now an annual event that takes place the first Saturday in March in Sarasota. Fun was had by all 150+ people who attend. We had 82 graduates from WI, 4 from Notre Dame, 5 from Bridgeport, 4 from RW, 11 from Victory, and the rest were spouses and guests.

Allen Alvarez (WI '58) came from the Daytona Beach area, he brought "Ruby's Dairy Queen" recipe for hot dog sauce and he stood and put the weiners in the buns for people. You could tell he was raised in the restaurant business and he knew what he was doing. Sue Ellen Stalnaker Crawford (WI 1971) made hot dog sauce from "The Hamburger Mart" recipe. Everyone was delighted with the Clarksburg hot dogs!

The food was marvelous and the weather turned into a beautiful Florida day. Memories were discussed, pictures were shared, and the laughing was non-stop. I received requests for the recipes for some of the dishes: the corn salad that was made with the summer squash, the pink dessert with pineapple and other fruits, and a sweet potato dish with nuts on top. I hope each of you will share your recipes in the newsletter. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

Expenditures for the 2003 picnic were $285.13. Balance on hand from 2002 was $263.69. A deficit of $21.44. Total collected at the 2003 picnic was $653.00. Balance on hand is $631.56.

Fun was had by all and I hope more of you are able to attend next year.


Pictured l to r are: Bill Gardner and Bob Williams.


Pictured are: l to right...LaJune Cohen, Marvin Miller and Bernie Cohen with his back to the camera.




OBITUARIES

DAVID 'BUTCH' CUNNINGHAM (WI '55)

David "Butch" Cunningham, 65, of Holiday, Florida, passed away February 2, 2003, in Tarpon Springs. He was born in West Union, WV, son of the late Dale and June Cunningham.

He is survived by his wife Jean; a son, David of Howe, Texas; two daughters, Becky Cunningham and Margaret Radetski, both of New Port Richey. Also surviving are two stepsons, Dale and Lynn Stephan, both of Marco Island; a stepdaughter, Gabrielle Wood, Bellaire; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Jo Etta Clovis of Clarksburg.

Butch graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1955 and moved to Florida in 1964.



ALFRED N. HENSHAW (WI '50)

Alfred Neil Henshaw, age 70, died February 3, 2003, at Clarksburg, WV.He was born January 2, 1933, the son of the late Samuel and Blanche Henshaw of Nutter For.

Surviving are two daughters, Alicia Petsos, Rochester, NY and Candy East, Palmyra, NY; two sons, Neil of Florida and Michael of Clarksburg.

He graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1950.

He was retired from Xerox Company of New York. He was a veteran of the Army Special Forces, serving In Korea. He was also employed by Sun Oil Company as a Merchant Marine.



LUCILLE MARTIN DANLEY (WI '32)

Lucille Martin Danley, 88, (WI '32) died February 8, 2003 following an extended illness. Mrs. Danley was born in Brown, July 23, 1914, a daughter of the late Stanley and Malzena Ash Martin.She was married to Harry J. Danley, who preceded her in death.

Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Richard Martin Danley (WI '74) and his wife, Cindy, Fairmont; two daughters and sons-in-law, Geraldine "Gerry" Bennett (WI '52) and her husband, Jim, Vienna, Virginia, and Harriet Van Voorhis (WI '58) and her husband, Bill (WI '58), Morgantown; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Danley was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school at St. Paul United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the WCTU, United Methodist Women, formerly the Women's Society, the YWCA, and several church organizations.

Obituary excerpts from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram



LETTER OF APPRECIATION

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to everyone who prayed for Terry, and to all who sent such beautiful cards and notes. I was truly blessed by the outpouring of sympathy and love from so many. God Bless All Of You.

Sincerely,
Rosemary Grow Warne (WI 1959)






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