THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 50 October 2003





WHERE IS THE NEWSLETTER?

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

I left the north on September for a short visit in Florida. Upon arrival I discovered that my computer was unable to connect with AOL. I had forgotten to disconnect the phone line before leaving Florida earlier and with all of the storms and lightning, apparently the lightning came in through the phone cord and destroyed my modem. I spent the greater part of the time in Florida on the phone with AOL or Dell trying to correct the problem. If you have ever done this, you know how frustrating it can be. Seems most of my time was spent on hold! URGH! Anyway, it was never fixed---I have that to look forward to the next trip down! I did receive two different modem cards from Dell and after I installed them and even tried several ports---neither of them worked. Both have been returned. You see they were sending me generic parts. A nice lady in technical support told me the Item I needed, I then called the Sales Department. Not once—but two different times and I ordered the correct item---not only once but twice..as the first part was not right and again the same for the second part. Both were modems but not the one I had ordered. Both men in the sales division told me that they were sending me the part needed! More waiting and being transferred to other departments, etc. I paid extra for express delivery. I don’t even get that money back---and it was their fault! As you can see I am still mad about the entire situation and I am no longer even in Florida. I just get mad thinking about it. I am now back in Ohio and able to send you your newsletter. Thanks to many of you for your e-mails to me with concerns about my health and well being. I hope you enjoy this newsletter. IT IS ANOTHER GOOD ONE! But I feel that way nearly every month. You people really make it interesting!



CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC NOTICE—PLAN NOW!
MARCH 13, 2004
SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Plan now! Come and enjoy a WV hot dog in Florida. Come talk to old friends, see old neighbors, co-workers, classmates, schoolmates relatives, friends and even a special friend or two. There will be people there representing all of the Clarksburg High Schools and neighborhoods. And believe it or not, there are now families making the trek from different states to enjoy a mini family reunion in conjunction with the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC.

Come to Florida---We want to see you.

Pictures of some of our friends at the recent WI picnic in Clarksburg in August.









NAME, DATE AND SCHOOL

You will notice some e-mails published herein without credit to the writer, school or year. I know you are tired of me saying this but I just can not spend the time looking for a name in my listings. I now have six and a half pages (single spaced) of readers of the monthly WI NEWSLETTER. If you don’t sign it, I can’t give you credit and perhaps in the future I won’t even be able to publish the contribution. Please sign all e-mails with your name (maiden if it applies) school, and year. It certainly helps.



NEW E-MAIL ADDRESSES

Patty Boone Hamilton (WI '53) dhami65535@aol.com
Nancy Crane Jones (WI '48) njones@eohio.net
Bill Barker (WI '65) WTBARKER@webtv.net
Jenny Heston Carr (WI '64) Jencarr@aol.com
Keith Roach Jr. (WI '62) WVFord28@aol.com
John E Emrick (WI '53) CadilacJak54@aol.com
Greg Jaranko (WI '60) JPAdomitis@aol.com
Cheryl McClure (WI '64) mcheryl135@earthlink.net
Susan Beakes Madia (WI '64) JSMedia@aol.com
John R. Snider (WI '69) jsnider@archcoal.com


CHANGE OF E-MAIL ADDRESS

Susan Thresher (Winter Park H.S. '81) sucolay@earthlink.net
Sandy Iaquinta (WI '59) 12csi09@iolinc.net


CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?

If you change your email address or if you decide you aren’t going to be on line any longer, please put my name at the top of the list of those you will be notifying. I spend about 2 hours each month sitting here sending out emails in groups of 15. It will save me a lot of time if I can either delete your name or change your address before I try to send the notification. Thanks for helping. Roleta1@aol.com



WI CLASS OF 1959 TO HAVE REUNION

The Class of 1959 has a reunion committee hard at work planning a great week-end for July 16th and 17th, 2004---It will be the 45th reunion, I don’t know how that can be correct. Those people don’t look that old!

There were 13 of the classmates at the recent WI Summer reunion picnic held in Nutter Fort. Here is a picture of the ones who attended. Come see them and more at the CLARKSBURG PICNIC on March 13, 2004. Don’t forget to plan to be at the 45th Class Reunion. Contact Carolyn and Jerry Warne (wrmychsnut@aol.com), Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (mtmama41@msn.com), Charlie Burkhammer (cbhammer12@aol.com) or Roleta Meredith Roleta1@aol.com and I can deliver the message for you.

WITHOUT YOU THERE, HOW CAN IT BE A REUNION?






YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE

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

I went to an auction to purchase some old VICTORY year books.  (Total of 8 - 1921-22-23-24-25-26-27- and 1929} They also had four [4]  WI year books from the following years...1943-1923-1922.       I bought the WI year books for $8.00 each. I am willing to sell them for $8.00 each plus $2.00 postage or a total of $10.00. If anyone is interested in the WI yearbooks please contact me at my email address.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks Freddie for your efforts in helping us keep up with the Clarksburg area history: If you are interested in purchasing any of the aforementioned yearbooks, please contact Freddie Layman direct thru his email. Remember first come, first served.



LONGTIME MUSIC TEACHER RECEIVES STATE HONORS


OLGA STENGER HARDMAN

Three Harrison County music teachers were nominated for the West Virginia Music Educators Hall of Fame Award.

Olga Stenger Hardman (Victory 1946) (fsa00180@mail.wvnet.edu) was inducted into the West Virginia Music Educators Hall of Fame in 2001 at the All State Children’s Chorus Concert during the association’s annual conference.

Others nominated were Phil Wyatt, band director of Washington Irving Middle School; Cathy Walker, music teacher at Nutter Fort Intermediate School and Patty Moffett, music teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary. The three named music teachers (Phil Wyatt, Cathy Walker, and Patty Moffett) were all students of Mrs. Hardman when she taught at Central Junior High School during the late 60's and early 70's.  They are the teachers who nominated Olga Hardman to the WV Music Educators Board of Directors to be considered for admission to the Music Educators' Hall of Fame.

"Olga's career spanned 37 years in Harrison County Schools, both as a music teacher and the music supervisor."  "She continues to practice her profession in her private studio as a teacher of piano, voice, and solfege."  She is also a practicing church musician at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksburg."

  All three nominated had Mrs. Hardman as their instructor at Central Junior High School.

Olga began her teaching career in 1950 at the old Bristol High School. In 1951 she taught at Washington Irving and Central as music and vocal instructor.

Check out Olga’s web site— http://www.olgaswritings.com/

Reference Source: Clarksburg Exponent Telegram---Gail Marsh writer




PROM

submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67)
TerryMomma@aol.com



I am sending this picture to you on Paul Wyckoff's computer.  This is a picture of Virginia C. Robinson and Jack Frederick--This is from the prom of May, 1956.  This picture was given to Virginia by Don Brinkley and Bob Diggers.  Virginia was a commercial teacher in the late 40's and early 50's and then went to Hope Gas from where she retired.  She died earlier this year.  Mr. Frederick, of course, taught American History. 

I am sending the picture for the 1967 class reunion in a separate email.  If you don't get it, let us know.



submitted by: Susan Collett Thresher (Winter Park H.S 1981)
sucolay@earthlink.net

Hi Roleta,
I never went to high school in West Virginia. My mother's family is from Clarksburg. My mother is Susan Michie Miller, WI class of 1954. She doesn't have a computer, so if anyone recognizes her, they can email me and I will get it to her.

We enjoy your website because it brings back many memories for her!



submitted by: Catherine Custer Burke (WI '52)
Krbur@aol.com

The WI band in front of Livingston's Shoes on Main Street reminds me of buying shoes in Clarksburg as a child. I wonder if anyone recalls the shoe store that had this wonderful big x-ray machine.  You put the new shoes on then stood up and stepped into the machine.  Then you (and your mother and the shoe clerk) peered down through the top to see how the bones of your feet fit in the new shoes.   Can you imagine that today?



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

I have already heard today from a reader of my bits that appeared in the September newsletter. A great letter again!--I will try to send something again for your approval to use whatever. The way you put it all together is terrific. If it was in printed booklet form, it would be a delightful color-illustrated magazine publication -- and also with those photos!

I missed the local Clarksburg WI get-together Picnic-- again! –OH, WOW--not next year!

I also notice I probably made the error in saying Central Jr. "is not there now," but it is TOWERS that has been torn down, and Central Jr.remains.

The newsletter is full to the brim with facts and figures that have always eluded me, now furnished by many to round out the full complete picture of a place, time or person that I have wondered about that is the real value of your letter... so much to me personally! --"Nostalgia" I hate that word. But, those wonderful "daze" when we had not yet reached 20-our "teen-age"...--were indeed 1/4 of our life...or 1/2..or ....(?)--so why indeed were not those early years spent going to WI, living in Clarksburg, or visiting downtown on Friday or Saturday nights going to the movies, to the Carmichael Auditorium for the basketball games, Hite field for a football game, as we had no TVs with no terrorist, bombings, planes flying into our buildings.....very much part of our then wonderful fun life? --- Again, the current "issue" is great stuff!



submitted by: John E Emrick (WI '53)
CadilacJak54@aol.com

Just a note to let you know I'd like to be notified. My e-mail is CadilacJak54@aol.com. I go to the reunion of both 53 (my original class) and 54 (the class I graduated with). My name is John E. Emrick but I'm known as "Jack". I still live in Clarksburg . I'm a retired glassworker.....31 years at the old Hazel-Atlas plant under 5 different companies. It finally closed on my birthday, Nov 1, 1987. I worked 10 more years at Louie Glass Co. in Weston, WV. Retired from there on June 1, 1998. I really appreciate what you are doing. Thanks again



submitted by: Lawrence Kinney (WI '51)
djkinney@dnet.net

Hi Roleta,
Does anybody remember the Circus coming to town on railroad cars? They would unload behind the old Brewery on E. Pike St. My Dad & I would get up early & go down & watch them unload, using Elephants & Horses to pull the wagons off the flat cars. It was exciting for a 7 or 8 year old kid.

  Keep up the good work.



MY SCHOOL “DAZE”

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



First grade was in 1934. I was 5 years old when I entered Hepzibah Grade School. This came about because my 6th birthday was not until the following December. My first principal was John L. Kirkpatrick. When I was in the 3rd grade he resigned to become a policeman in Ohio. My 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Ruth McIntyre, was appointed principal.

In my 5th grade I attended a two room wooden school building that housed the 6th grade also. I was there for almost five months while a new addition was being built on Hepzibah Grade School for 5th and 6th grades. The wooden school building was known as McIntyre School. There was no indoor plumbing. There were two outside privies, one for the girls and one for the boys. Each separate room was heated by a #1 Burnside Stove. On the back porch was a well pump. We were required to carry a collapsible aluminum container for drinking purposes.

My grade school did not have a cafeteria. If you were unable to go home for lunch (bus students) then you had to carry a lunch sack. From November to March the homeroom mothers furnished home made vegetable soup on Wednesdays only. I was promoted to 7th grade in May of 1940. I then attended Adamston Jr. High School. Adamston did not have a gym so we practiced basketball at Victory. It also did not have a cafeteria. After graduating from Adamston in May of 1943, it was on to VICTORY!

World War II was going full blast now. We had scrap paper drives and went to farms to collect milk pods for use in making parachutes. I graduated from VICTORY High School, May 28, 1946. In all my 12 years of schooling, I had to ride a bus to school.



"RAFTING THE GAULEY" (or -YOU DID WHAT?)

Pictured above –on left side of raft –second in is Bill Meredith, 3rd from front on the left is Roleta Smith Meredith. On the right from the front---second in is Gene Day and third in is Sallie Holden Day….Notice all the rest are young jocks!

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah 1957—Roleta’s husband)
billmere@aol.com

My first white water rafting experience took place about eight years ago. I had never been white water rafting but had always thought it would probably be a lot of fun. Gene Day (husband of Sallie Holden Day—WI 1959) who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan had talked to me a few times about us getting together and going to West Virginia to do some rafting. After a lot of discussion, we finally agreed to a date and made reservations with a rafting company to go down the lower Gauley River in the fall. It seems the Gauley River is not normally high enough to accommodate rafters except in the fall of the year when they lower the pool behind the Summersville Dam to the winter level. White water rafting is then available for a few weeks and rumor has it that some of the best white water rafting in the east is located in this area. Why we chose the Gauley as opposed to one a little more mild, like the Cheat or the New River, is beyond me. We were probably just stupid or didn’t know any better. Gene and Sallie Holden Day, my wife, Roleta, and I headed for Beckley, WV to spend the night in a motel and be up bright and early the next morning to do our thing on the Gauley River. We were oblivious to the rain that began falling on our way to WV and really didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that a hurricane had recently cleared the coast of NC and had been the cause of the rain that we were now seeing. After settling into the motel, we had dinner and headed out to the locations of the Rivers Company which was going to take us rafting the next day. We discovered that there was much to see and hear at the rafting headquarters. There was a bar where people gathered to celebrate the return from a successful trip down the Gauley. Many of the rafters were gathered next door where movies were shown of their trip down the Gauley. It was at this point that the girls seemed to be a little concerned about making our first rafting trip. We saw films of people turning over and being swept downstream in a rush. Roleta talked to several of the women who were present at the viewing and ask them about their experiences. They questioned her about whether or not this was her first trip. And when she said YES, they cautioned her not to go! Several of the people there had various scrapes and bruises from their rafting experience. This only served to heighten the excitement for Gene and me but seemed to frighten the girls even more. Unknown to Gene and me, the women, later that evening, made a pact that if it was raining and cloudy in the morning, they wouldn’t go. But if it was sunny, that meant that God wanted them to go, and they would. But as luck would have it, as the sun rose the next morning, the sky was a beautiful blue. We went on our way. Once we arrived at the base camp, we were outfitted with the necessary helmets and were issued life jackets, and all the other equipment that they deemed necessary for a successful run. Sallie and Roleta decided to rent wet suits as they thought it would be a cool day. We got on the buses which proceeded to take us to the river. When we arrived, each group was assigned a raft and a guide who sat in the back of the raft and shouted instructions. The water was somewhat high and as we proceeded down the river, we realized that the rainfall from the hurricane had really created a monster for us. But, there was no turning back. It was fun, but also frightening to ride what was supposed to be class 3, 4 and I believe 5 rapids. However, with the higher water they had turned into 6, 7 and 8 rapids to us, even though I don’t think there are such ratings. After several tough rapids, Sallie tried to talk the guide into going to the bank of the river and she would walk back to the base camp. The guide of course refused. Suddenly, we came upon a huge rapid that had a large rock in the middle. Our guide tried to steer us to the right to get away from the rock. Unfortunately, the left side of the raft caught the rock and tipped our raft. Gene was on the left side of the raft and came right over top of me, knocking me into the water. All of the occupants of the raft except one young lady (who was studying to be a rafting guide and had made the trip several times) and the guide went into the water. I was swept under the raft, for what seemed like an eternity. I was unable to get out from under it due to the turbulence of the water. I am a very good swimmer, but that made no difference. The force of the water just would not allow me to get out from under the raft. Finally when my breath was about gone, I was able to grab the side of the raft, get out from under it, get to the surface and get a breath of air. The young lady in the raft saw me and immediately grabbed my life jacket and fell backwards which brought me up into the raft. The rest of the people from our raft were now downstream and being rescued by other rafts from our rafting company and other rafting companies. Roleta’s first reaction when falling into the water was to look for a rock to swim to and hold onto, but screams from others reminded her to get away from the rocks and turn her feet downstream. The rocks are where there are undertows, which would take her under, and trap her there—which would result in her drowning. Eventually we all got back into the proper raft and proceeded on down the river and finished the trip. What a relief, when we made the final turn and rode the rafts to shore. Up the bank we went, and were greeted by several washtubs full of beer and soft drinks. This was a welcome comfort after the fiasco we had just experienced. We started drinking the liquid refreshments and it seemed like an hour before the busses arrived to pick us up. Tired, thirsty, frightened people can drink a lot of liquid in an hour. It all seemed innocent enough until we had ridden the bus for the first half-hour back to base camp with no stopping and no restrooms available. There were about 50 people on that converted school bus who were very, very uncomfortable and begging for an emergency stop. The driver didn’t seem to hear the pleas. When we arrived back to base camp, all of us rushed to the restrooms to relieve ourselves of the liquids consumed at the end of our trip. All in all, it was an exciting day but one which I wouldn’t want to repeat! But, I did return the next year with Gene, his nephew and my son, Victor. For some reason the girls didn’t want to go again! Nothing exciting happened on that trip but it certainly satisfied my desire for anymore white water rafting.

Roleta’s comments on the above article: (or some of my points of view) Not to correct my husband but—As I saw it, the entire trip was very scary. We had to sign a wavier to not hold the rafting company responsible for any injury or death --that was pretty uncomfortable. Many mortal thoughts enter ones mind at that point. We were required to attend a survival film. This was to teach us how to survive if we fell in the rushing water. We had to wear hard helmets and life preserves for the entire trip. Bill mentioned the wet suits. Sallie wondered how we would possibly be able to go to the bathroom if need be. I told her we would be wet anyway so we could just wet our pants! We had a big laugh from that. However, even though we were on this trip several hours, going to the bathroom never entered my mind until on that bus back to the point of origin. Each major rapid had a nice name like--"The Hell Hole," or "Devil's Playroom."…Sweet things! We were the oldest people on this trip! All of the people around us were young, fit individuals. They were firemen and their athletic wives or policemen out for a weekend of macho-scares! One thing I found funny, when we arrived at the bank of the river at the beginning of our trip, one of these burly young women asked me if I thought I was up to this trip. Of course, not to be put down, I said, ”Hey, if Meryl Streep can do it in River Runs Wild…or whatever that movie was, I can do it” After our raft completed the first big rapid…all of the gals in the raft with that woman yelled, “Hey Meryl, you okay?” I laughed and said, “Yep, I made it!”

I can say I did that! Check rafting white water off my list of life's experiences and move on now. No more scary adventures for me! Cruising the Mediterrian Sea sounds like a nice adventure sometime in the future. All that takes is money!



WHITE WATER RAFTING

submitted by: Mary Beth Jeranko Hilburn (WI '55)
Hifarm@hawaii.rr.com

My husband and I went white water rafting in Alaska in the 1980's when he would leave the farm for a few months break to his old stomping grounds as a ranger in one of the national parks. He worked at Denali (McKinley), Glacier Bay and out at Katmai. We went down the Nenana, (near Denali) seeing moose and sheep (wild). It was a sunny day, unusual for Denali, and the water was just right. I can't remember being afraid, but have a terrific lack of imagination about what could happen if... so that probably saved me.

My son called from Ca. and said rappelling is on your life list of adventures, so let's go. We rappeled down into a cave, very exciting, and such fun I wanted to do it again. The next day we went rafting down the Russian River, and I was thrown out of the boat going through a rapid. The training served me well, and I was picked up wet but unharmed.

I am not sure I would do it now. The Grand Canyon was on my life list too, but it has not seemed so urgent lately. I walked down into it, but have never made the river trip.

Thanks for the newsletter. It is so interesting to hear what happened to people whom I knew at the most important time of life...high school. It was great to hear from Elise Andre. She was such a talented musician in high school, and very smart!!! Aloha



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

About white water rafting in West Virginia: About 1986, my wife, and son, and I took a white water trip down the New River. We’ve rafted here in the west on the Yellowstone, and the Green, but I think the New was our favorite. It may be called the “New”, but it is one of the world’s oldest rivers. We made our reservations in advance, as we were planning our trip “back east”, with Appalachian Wild waters’ offices in Rowlesburg http://www.awrafts.com/.

After a visit to Clarksburg, we met up with our guides at their location in Fayetteville. After a short bus ride, we put in above Thornton. We then rafted down through the New River Gorge, passed under the famous New River Gorge Bridge, and took the rafts out downstream from the bridge, where the buses picked us up again for the ride back to Fayetteville, where we purchased our “I Knew The New” souvenir t-shirts.

Our guide was a pretty girl from Pennsylvania who, although very slender, had muscles in her arms and legs, from paddling, that many of the guys wished they could match. It was only a day trip, but we had lots of fun. My son, Ashley (I’m a “Gone with the Wind” fan), and I got to jump out and float, feet first of course, through one of the rapids, which was really a thrill. Carol stayed with the boat while visions of insurance money danced in her head. Later, we got to go ashore, and dive off of “Jump Rock”, which is just downstream from “Snake Rock”. As we floated by Snake Rock, we were amazed at all the snakes that had crawled out on it to sun themselves. There were dozens of them, and no one knows why they choose that particular rock. Don’t think any of them were poisonous, but it’s still a sight I’ll never forget.

I’d do that trip again in a heartbeat, but would still like to try some of the other rivers in West Virginia, like the Cheat or the Gauley. Although we live only 30 miles from the mighty Colorado, and fish there sometimes, the white water part of it is about four hours away, and we have never rafted it since the shortest trip is three days. We kind of think that one day on the river is usually all the floating we want to do at one time, although sleeping under the stars is a great way to go…except near Snake Rock.

I hope you never stop doing the newsletter. It really helps us misplaced, displaced, hillbillies keep in touch with home.



submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
Frank.bush@legacynet.com

Hi Roleta,
Great job as always. Glad to see that more and more people are making their contribution payments.

From your list of subjects for future issues thought I'd tell you about my first experience with white water rafting. While we don't have the white water rivers of West Virginia, we have some pretty good ones in Northern California.

My first white water experience wasn't on some of our toughies but on the class 2 - 3 Cache Creek. About a year after I came to work for this company there was an company white water weekend. It sounded like it would be fun learning how to white water kayak, spend an outdoor weekend with my wife, camping overnight, and having the meals prepared by our "guides". Little did I know what I was getting into.

Our group met our guides and loaded our camping gear in trucks. We then climbed into old school buses for the trip to the headwaters. The trip along logging trails on top of mountains of a national forest reminded me of some of the mining roads of West Virginia. After we got to our destination we were given paddles, life vests, a tandem inflatable kayak and minimal instruction. Must be pretty easy. No one seemed concerned about danger. Little did I know that not all the danger came from the river. My wife was in the front of the kayak and I was in the back. So off we go down the river trying to learn how to handle the paddles and steer the kayak.

Well this first day became a lesson in how to communicate or more like how not to communicate. I would say paddle left meaning to steer left and she would paddle on the left side which would send us off to the right. No biggie in the calm stretches but not good shooting the rapids. Or I would say let's drift awhile (the person in the back is the power rower) and as soon as we would start to turn she would start paddling to straighten us out. During the course of our trip down the river we got stuck on a rock. In our efforts to get us and the kayak off the rock I got thrown out and ended up floating down the river with only my hat showing. Luckily the "guides" who we didn't see again until dinner time had explained how to float down stream feet first and head above water. I was really okay just waiting until the river slowed down so I could touch bottom or come to a calm section.

However all my wife could see is my hat which looked like it was on the water. She was worried that I was drowning and she was trying to maneuver the kayak by herself. These little "mishaps/mistakes" lasted until we reached our overnight campsite. Luckily it was in the middle of nowhere. We were upset with our experience, not happy with each other, and would have got in our car and gone home if it was available. It definitely was a trial of our marriage and the ability to communicate. We discussed our kayaking frustration that night as we tried to get to sleep as our younger co-workers danced into the night with margaritas and disco (dating myself) music.

The next morning we made a pact to start over and make the best of the rest of the run. Surprisingly, we were coordinated and had no problems and were feeling pretty good with ourselves but we still had the last rapid to face - Big Mother. As we approached it we discussed chickening out and doing a portage, but said we had to prove to ourselves that we really did know what we were doing. So we entered the first rapid and the kayak is caught by the river shooting us to speeds we hadn't experience the day before or that morning. Taking our new found experience we called out to each other the correct moves to make to avoid the hazards and pretty soon we were shooting out into the calm pool at the bottom. After a big YES and a high five we paddled over to the take out place and gave our equipment back to the "guides".

We have never gone on the Cache Creek again or done the company trip but we enjoyed it so much that we now have a tandem hard shell and two inflatable single kayaks. We have even introduced our grandkids to white water rafting and they are hooked also. All I can say is if you haven't tried it you have to give it a try. Just make sure you go with an outfit that truly guides you and gives you good instruction.



AHHH, PIZZA

submitted by: best@knology.net

The subject Pizza: I can't recall how old I was, but I do remember the place. Romano's out on Bridgeport Rd. As far as I was concerned, it was the best. A bunch of us would go at least once a week and Al, the son, would always put extra ingredients on the Pizza. True, the pizza always had so much cheese that it would stick to the roof of your mouth. That is one of my fondest memories of Bridgeport Hill.



WISH TO BE TAKEN OFF THIS LIST
If you wish to have your name removed from the notification list about the WI Newsletter, please write to Roleta1@aol.com.



PRECIOUS CHILD

    


submitted by: Sandy Iaquinta (WI '59)
12csi09@iolinc.net

Roleta--where on earth did you ever find that picture of me??? I think I was in the first or second grade then. The newsletter I just finished reading was fantastic. You're one hell of a gal! I know it must take a lot of time and energy. Thanks so much. By the way that is a photo of Ritzy Lunch owned by Anthony Selario. His father started it way back in the 50's. Best hot dogs in town and now home to Bikers on Thursday ( I believe ) nights.

My new e-mail is 12csi09@iolinc.net. Thanks again.

NOTE FROM JUDY: I have our 1st and 2nd grade pictures from Pierpont. So, if you went to school with me BEWARE you could be next!!!


submitted by: Patty Terrill Stealey (WI '59)
PStealey@shepherd.edu

That has got to be Sandy Iaquinta. We were best buddies through high school. As you know WI students brought a brown bag lunch to school since it was before the days of cafeteria or hot lunch provided in the school system. Sandy's mom used to scramble eggs and put them on Italian bread for her lunch. My mom was the peanut butter or lunchmeat sandwich fixer. I liked to trade Sandy for half of her sandwich or all of it if she wanted to make the trade. I thought I got the best end of that deal.

You and Judy are doing a great job with the newsletter. Do not stop.


submitted by: Bob Davis (WI '59)
RAD29063@aol.com

Sandy probably still looks the same. I met her in the 7th grade at Central. I hope my memory is correct but Sandy and I were in Mrs. Riffee's home room. Sandy was in charge one day and I am not sure what all occurred, but I do remember Sandy throwing an eraser at Billy Junkins! I do not remember if she hit him or missed. Have her tell the story.


submitted by: Susan Beakes Madia (WI '64)
JSMedia@aol.com

She must be Sandra Iaquinta.  Not sure what class she graduated with.  She is Richard and Debbie Iaquinta's older sister.  Lived in Chestnut Hills, is related to me by marriage and was my neighbor growing up.


submitted by: Sam Iaquinta (WI '54)
SamiqIII@aol.co

THIS IS NOT FAIR SINCE I AM HER BROTHER. I JUST WANTED YOU KNOW THAT I READ THE NEWSLETTER. GREAT JOB.


submitted by: Mary Jo Marchio Godfrey (WI '60)
GodfreyM@brevard.k12.fl.us

The child picture is Sandy Iaquinta, class of 1958, I think.

I worked at Pierpont Elementary as secretary for five years.

I left there because they were closing the school and went to WI to work as secretary. I have a really good picture of Pierpont. I will dig through my pictures and submit it for the next newsletter.

Thanks for all your hard work getting this together.


submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)
Bteter@chartertn.net

My guess is Sandy Iaquinta. That whole family was neighbors growing up on Broaddus Avenue and College Street. They lived on College if memory serves me right. There were two brothers that I remember Sammy and Richard. Sammy was older and Richard, younger. Many memories of 'Kick the Can', Trapper, and other games we played into the nights.



PRECIOUS CHILDREN FOR OCTOBER 2003



Do you recognize these precious children? Write your guess and a memory to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember, I don’t publish incorrect guesses. Please sign all email with your name (include maiden name if that applies), school and year you did or would have graduated….thanks



CORRECTION ABOUT AN OBIT

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

FIRST OF ALL, the September issue of the newsletter is AWESOME. I am glad that you were able to use the picture, along with the names, from the class of 61. I am already looking forward to more pictures as there were some names of people on the list that you provided that I did not know were at the picnic. SECOND OF ALL, the NANCY LOWTHER that you have listed in the OBITUARY section DID NOT graduate from WI in 1961. The Nancy Lowther that passed away recently was in the class of 1962. I met with the Nancy Lowther that graduated in 1961 when I was in C-burg (again) over the Labor Day weekend for the Italian Festival and she is alive and well and living in Florida. The class of 61 Nancy is also thinking that she may be attending the Florida picnic, which my brother and sister and I may do as well. When I first got the news regarding a NANCY LOWTHER passing away (from my sister) I questioned a couple of items that was listed in the obituary. SO, I sent my classmate Nancy, an E-mail which she responded to telling me that she had just returned from a 5 mile jog. GOOD newsletter.



COOKBOOK POEM

submitted by: David Bevan (WI '61)
Dabevan@445@hotmail.com

Well summer is over, vacation is now a memory, the sun tan has faded, and the W I picnic was great. For vacation this summer, our family rented a house on a North Carolina beach and while touring the area I purchased a cook book compiled by the congregation of Ann Street United Methodist Church of Beaufort, North Carolina. As I sat in the rocker on the front porch and listened to the sound created by the repetition of the waves, and watched the sun set behind the water I flipped through the pages of the cookbook and found something I certainly didn’t expect - a poem.

LET ME GIVE

I do not know how long I'll live
But while I live, Lord, let me give
Some comforts to someone in need
By smile or nod-kind word or deed

And let me do what e'er I can
To ease things for my fellow man
I want naught but to do my part
To "lift" a tired or weary heart,

To change folks' frowns to smiles again
Then I will not have lived in vain
And I'll not care how long I'll live
If I can give - and give- and give.




FIRST KISS AND FIRST DATE

submitted by: Judy Allen Scharle (WI - would have been class of 1962, but we moved away in 1961!)
Jscharle@aol.com

What a great newsletter, Roleta! You are to be commended for keeping it up for four years. You put in more hours than we know, I'm sure!

You asked about our first dates. I was in the 6th grade at Carlisle Elementary School, 12 years old. Phillip Marstiller invited me to the movies. Because I lived farther from the theater than he, and because we were walking, I had to go to his house and meet him out front. We rode the bus home, and he walked me to my house. What movie did we see? I have no idea! I just remember being all ga-ga about going out with a BOY!

You also asked about our first kiss! When I was a student at Central Junior High School, I lived on Elm Street. Down the street to the left was a swinging bridge which many of us surely remember! Also down the street from me lived one of our local heartthrobs, Junior Waugh! I'm not sure what event brought out our being together on the bridge, but nonetheless we were! He kissed me! I walked home three feet off the ground. I do remember that.



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

In the seventh grade, I went steady for one week and then broke it off because I could not stand the pressure!!! I had my first kiss while going steady with her. It was a special kiss!




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

While at the WI Picnic in August a gal asked me to try this “FIRST KISS, FIRST DATE” subject for the newsletter. I ran it, but she didn’t write to me. Not even when I wrote and ask her specifically for her response. Maybe she was embarrassed. Maybe several others of you were also. That was so long ago, it seems it happened to another person—at least to me when I remember things from my past it seems as though I am floating in the air looking down on the other me (in this instance a little girl). I started thinking about my experience with that first kiss—the all meaning one—I remember it well.

The one right after “spin the bottle”. The one that makes you stop and say “WOW, NOW, THAT WAS A KISS?” I really and truly don’t remember his name. (Seems like Jim something but I’m not sure.) I remember I was in the 8th grade at Central.—(But I was mature for an 8th grader—sound familiar?) A neighbor of mine was going to St. Mary’s H.S. She was about 3 years older than I. She was dating a senior boy from Victory. I was with her at her brother’s house babysitting his kids. The boyfriend came over with a very good looking friend of his. After a while, she went to the front porch with her boyfriend, leaving me and this “older man” …. probably a senior at Victory –alone in the living room. We were talking, kidding around and then the kissing started. Nothing but innocent kissing happened but it was “GROWN UP” style kissing-- Hugging, holding, soft talking, and kissing and kissing and more kissing….. Believe me, after that I knew what a good kiss was all about

EDITOR’S NOTE: Now if you remember your first kiss or first date and want to contribute to the newsletter, send your contribution to Roleta1@aol.com. I will run this article from time to time---no time limit on this one!



GIRL'S SPORTS TEAM MEMBERS SOUGHT

submitted by: Anna Walsh (WI '71)
Abanana53@aol.com



We are wanting to locate all former W.I. Girl's Sports Team members who played for Ruth Clevenger. Please send your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address to: Anna Walsh, 1210 VanBuren St., Clarksburg, WV 26301 or Gladys Walsh Williams, Rt. 1, Box 270, Clarksburg, WV 26301.



SEPTEMBER TRIVIA PICTURE

RITZY LUNCH

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

The trivia picture in September's newsletter is the Ritzy Lunch at W. Pike and 6th Street, home of some of the best hot dogs in the world. The chili must be an old family secret, because Pete Fragale, at D & P Restaurant in Edgewood (?), is a cousin to the Ritzy Lunch owner, and I never miss having a couple of his hot dogs also, whenever I'm in Clarksburg. One thing though, I would never ruin a good hot dog with coleslaw.

Here's a website about Ritzy Lunch's hot dogs. http://www.hollyeats.com/RitzyLunch.htm


submitted by: Dick Hinkle (WI '48)
rlhinkle@worldnet.att.net

How well I and many others in the class of "48 know this place. It is the home of the best hot dog obtainable in WV. Jack Tribett 48", Art Babbitt 46" and myself set in the last booth in this establishment to join the Marine Corp., and at our last reunion (the 55th) most of our class went there to enjoy hot dogs. The present owner has turned it into a bikers hangout on one night of the week. I would recommend every one to stop in at the "RITZY LUNCH".


submitted by: Wilma Allman (WI '53)
WAllman103@aol.com

We just had our 50th reunion and everyone had a really good time. This is a picture of the Ritzy Lunch. They still make the best hot dogs in town. I stopped there a couple of days ago and I love to watch the girl make the hot dogs. She is very fast. I asked her if she had any idea how many hot dogs she had made since working there (she has been there some time) and she said it had to be in the thousands.

One of the subjects for this month was "First Date." I had my first date when I was a sophomore. It was in the winter and that day it snowed a lot. My dad told me that I was going to have to call my date and tell him I could not go. I was mortified, but the telephone rang and I found out that he was not allowed to drive because of the snow. The next week-end we went to a basketball game at the Old Carmichael building and the rest is history. On September 2, David and I celebrated our anniversary of 47 years together. How he ever put up with me I don't know because I used to get very nervous and would throw up every time we went out. His dad told me once after we were married that when he first knew me that I did not eat enough to keep a bird alive and that now I could eat them out of house and home (LOL).

Really enjoy the newsletter. Keep up the good work.


submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
Bobnalong1@aol.com

The picture shows the Ritzy Lunch today. At one time in the '50s or very early '60s there was a drug store, the Grand Pharmacy. Also, at the very corner of W. Pike and N. Sixth streets there was a Romano's Pizza business. Today, it houses H&R Block. Romano's also had a location on the right side of Bridgeport Hill, heading toward Bridgeport. 'Don't know if this was the exact location of the Grand Pharmacy, but that's my ventured answer.


submitted by: Bob Davis (WI '59)
RAD29063@aol.com

I started at the Clarksburg Post Office in October 1963. All new Postal employees were substitutes and worked very odd hours. We would work from 5 am to 11 am and then 5 pm to 11 pm the same day. Sometimes we had very little notice and had to eat in a hurry as we only had 1/2 hour. We would call Ritzy lunch and order spaghetti--Joe Selario would have it ready for us.

I went on the midnight shift during the 70s. John Oldaker and I would quit at 7:30 am and go to Ritzy Lunch and eat hot dogs. (No, this was not breakfast as we had worked all night!) Then Tommy Hartman would come over at 8:00 and we would eat a few more hot dogs with him--he paid for them most of the time. Later, I worked day and then management and ate often at Ritzy Lunch. John Selario was now the owner. Of course, we knew each other very well as he did most employees.

I ate many meals there until I transferred to Columbia, SC in 1986. I remember coming back to Clarksburg in 2001 and had to be downtown at about noon, so I decided to stop by Ritzy Lunch. As I walked in, I saw John very busy working, facing the other direction--making hot dogs. I had no more sat down than John spoke up--"Haven't seen you for a long time, Bobby!" I don't know how he seen me but he did and he didn't forget me even though I had not been at Ritzy Lunch for about 15 years!

The hot dogs were still the same and I ate too many! I will go there again when I can make it back to Clarksburg and get the Ritzy Lunch hot dogs and visit with John.

PS--You can see part of the third floor and roof of the Post Office building in the picture.


submitted by: Dave Kulina (WI '61)
Kulina@mteer.com

I believe that is a picture of the Ritzy Lunch located a few doors down from the Robinson Grand Theater on Pike Street, the old Federal Court House and Post Office building is in the background. Most of us got our draft notices from that building from a little old lady who ran the draft office located there. She marched us to the bus station where we boarded a bus that took us to Fairmont for our physicals and induction into the U.S. military. The Ritzy Lunch had really good hot dogs and was a popular spot for lunch. An Italian American gentleman was the owner, his son helped out. They also had good spaghetti and meatball dinners and of course beer.


submitted by: Evelyn Brown Harper (VHS '62)
WhipHarp@aol.com

The September Trivia Picture is Ritzy Lunch.....famous for its delicious hot dogs! Several of our former Clarksburg friends make the Ritzy their first stop when visiting home. Ritzy Lunch caters to everyone from bikers to bankers. The only hot dogs better than the Ritzy were the ones at the Chestnut in North View. Bessie Gilbert was the owner. However, the Chestnut is no longer a restaurant, and the Ritzy Lunch has endured.....complete with the old wooden booths. Their lunch special (two hot dogs, fries, and a drink) can't be beat.


submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com

My guess at the Trivia Picture for September is RITZY LUNCH located on Pike Street, close to the Robinson Grand and the Clarksburg Post Office. IF I am correct, this picture brings back a lot of memories for me as at some point in my YOUNG life, I was friends with one of the sons of the owners. If I remember correctly, the son's name was Anthony Selario. He and I used to play inside the storage area located in the upper floor of the restaurant. I can remember playing for a while and then drinking a HOT soda, which is something that I could absolutely NOT do at this stage in my life. When I was in for the WI picnic on August 23rd, I noticed that there was a sign on the front door of the Ritzy lunch that said "GONE FISHIN". When I was back in Clarksburg for the Italian Festival over Labor Day, the sign was STILL on the front door. I can remember Ritzy Lunch having WONDERFUL HOTDOGS. It has been several years (probably 6 years) since I have had a Ritzy Lunch hot dog, but it was as good then as I can remember it being when I was growing up.

AGAIN, good newsletter.


submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio(WI '67)
TerryMomma@aol.com

This is none other than Ritzy Lunch--always famous for it's hot dogs--now the site of biker's night on Thursday's. The truck belongs to State Distributing--owned by my sister-in-law--Dianne Fazio Urchak--the mother of two other WI graduates--Jocelyn Wilson and Ed Wilson. You can usually find Ed here on Thursday nights.



OCTOBER TRIVIA PICTURE



If you recognize the above picture, send your memory and guess to Roleta1@aol.com --please always include name, school and year you did or would have graduated … thanks



QUESTION ANSWERED

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com

To the person inquiring about Ron Forsythe from the class of 61 at the WI PICNIC in Clarksburg on August 23rd, It has been researched and Ron is alive as far as the reunion committee for the class of 61 knows and John Teter AND I have his address in case you would like to get in touch with him. Just write to Roleta1@aol.com OR JATeter@aol.com, and we will send you the info. Sorry about the incorrect information given at the picnic.



CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH BAND

submitted by: Bob Williams (WI '45)
Bwilliams@swfl.rr.com


THIS PICTURE SENT BY BOB WILLIAMS (WI '45)

Recognize any of the people in this picture? Ann Romine is one of the two majorettes. —write to Bob with your guesses.



MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
Bobnalong1@aol.com

Just thought I'd send to you another "Hits for the Times" list for your next WI newsletter. This time, I think we'll go back to the spring/summer of 1962 -- for the folks who were at WI then and for anyone else who may have wondered some time when a certain song was in the Top 40.

Here we go:

"Roses are Red" -- Bobby Vinton
"Palisades Park" -- Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon
"I Gave My Heart to the Junkman" -- Patti LaBelle
"Soldier Boy" -- The Shirelles
"Good Luck Charm" -- Elvis Presley
"Stranger on the Shore" (instrumental solo) -- Mr. Acker Bilk
"I Can't Stop Loving You" -- Ray Charles
"Johnny Angel" -- Shelley Fabares
"Johnny Get Angry" -- Joanie Summers
"The Loco-Motion" -- Little Eva
"West of the Wall" -- Toni Fisher
"Sharing You" -- Bobby Vee
"Rinky Dink" (organ solo) -- Dave (Baby) Cortez
"Lovers Who Wander" -- Dion (DeMucci)
"Everybody Loves Me (But You)" -- Brenda Lee
"I Know Some Things About Love" -- The Orlons
"Two Lovers" -- Mary Wells
"Old Rivers" -- Walter Brennan
"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" -- Neil Sedaka
"Make It Easy on Yourself" -- Jerry Butler
"Playboy" -- The Marvelettes


EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you remember any of these songs? Remember where you heard them? Remember who you were with when you first heard them? Have any memories of any of these songs at all? You know, sometimes you hear an old song and it brings back a certain memory. Write your memory to Roleta1@aol.com...thanks Let’s hear some response for all of this work that Bob Stealey is doing and contributing each month. I how you enjoy reading the list, so write!


WHAR

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
jkimler@ezwv.com

  


Last month several people mentioned WHAR 1340. I found these 2 rock music surveys on the Internet. They are dated July 28, 1969 and October 5, 1969. The July 28th survey has "In The Year 2525" by Zegar & Evans as the number one song for the week. There is an ad for Royal Crown Cola. "Smart girls take home RC". The October 5th survey has "Jean" by Oliver as the number one song for the week. There is a PSA for The United Way.

Both mention 1340's Fun Lovin' Five: Al Newton, Mike Simons, Don Reynolds, Bobby Edwards, and Frank Karroll or John Ward.

Other artists featured on the charts include Lou Christie, Motherload, Cuff Links, Smith, Ryders, Elvis Presley, Beatles, Royals, Turtles, Lemon Pipers, Cowsills, Underground Sunshine, Ray Stevens, Jackie DeShannon, Mama Cass, Beach Boys, Plastic Ono Band, Young Bloods, Brooklyn Bridge, Iron Butterfly, Desmond Decker, Wilson Pickett, Box Tops, Myrth, Classics 4, and Johnny Rivers.



CLASS OF 1967 NEEDS TO FIND THESE PEOPLE

submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67)
TerryMomma @aol.com

I would like to report on the reunion the class of '67 had Aug 15th & 16th. We had about 83 classmates attending during the two day event. It was held at the Clarksburg Country Club & included a tour of WI and RCB for those who were interested. It was a great time of renewing friendships and connecting with people we hadn't seen in 36 years. Paul Wyckoff headed our committee and deserves a lot of credit for promoting it & having things go off without a hitch--we told him he could get a job as a reunion planner!!

There are still a few classmates we never found so will be working on those for the next reunion. This one was so much fun, we are going to try to have a class activity every three months.

Any help would be appreciated--The ones we haven't been able to find are: Sandy Ash Lewis, Jean Barbour, Linda Bartlett laPalm, Carol Carter, Gary Detamore, Diane Duncan, Jim Eneix, Linda Fulton, Carla Gidley, Sandra Holbert, Karen Inks, John Keenan, Donna Leach, Lyndia McDaniels, Margaret Merendino Zirrolli, William Morgan, Marilyn Murphy, Crystal Phares, Chris Schellenbeg Shaw, Vincent Scott, Carolyn Swiger Wahomaa, Carol Toothman, Linda Barrett West, Candice Wilson, John Wyer, Celeste Zickefoose.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Class Reunion’s are a lot of fun. I have never heard from one person who said they hated their class reunion and would never attend another. I hope that each and every one of you will return to your class reunion when it is held. Classmates of 1959—your class reunion is in July 2004, if you want information about it—write to Roleta1@aol.com. I can get someone to contact you who will be able to answer any questions.



PIERPONT GRADE SCHOOL

submitted by: Harriett Danley Van Voorhis (WI '58)
Bill.VanVoorhis@mail.wvu.edu

Let me begin by saying that I am very sorry that Bill and I missed the W.I. picnic in Clarksburg. We had waited since last spring for 3 or 4 DRY days strung together, to stain our deck. Unfortunately, the first of those days fell on the day of the picnic. Not knowing when, or if , there would be more, we jumped on the chance to get the job done.

For some reason, the trivia picture in the August newsletter did not come through on my computer, or I would have recognized my alma mater, Pierpont Grade School. I have very fond memories of the teachers and my 6 years there.

In the first grade, my teacher was Miss Weekly, who got married at the end of the school year. She married the brother-in-law of my second grade teacher and became Mrs. Griffin no.2. My second grade teacher was already Mrs. Griffin—Confusing? My third grade teacher was Mrs. Devito (she was kind of scary), the fourth grade was Mrs. Weaver (a real sweetheart), the fifth was Mrs. Riley (another sweetheart), and the sixth grade teacher was also the principal, Miss Whalen (she was strange and eventually ended up in the state mental hospital in Weston.

Anyway, I think you asked for punishments we received while in school. When I was in the first grade, I picked some flowers on the way to school to give to my teacher. The owner of the property must have seen me because when I got to school, I was sent to the principal’s office. There was a HUGE paddle lying on her desk (at least, it seemed huge to me)! Much to my relief, the paddle stayed on the desk, and I was only given a lecture about picking flowers that don’t belong to you. In the third grade, Mrs. Devito made me stand in the corner for whistling in class. That’s the extent of my punishments—nothing serious, but since I remember them as if they happened yesterday, they must have left a mark!

In the sixth grade, Miss Whalen sent me to town nearly every day to “run errands” for her. At the time, I loved it! Now I wonder how I ever learned anything in her class!

There was another strange happening during my years at Pierpont. In the first grade, I sat next to a girl, (she shall remain nameless) who wet her pants everyday. Miss Weekly had me stand with her on the floor furnace in the hall until they dried. To this day, I don’t understand why she needed my company to accomplish the task at hand!



NEWSLETTER SUBJECTS

For the November issue:

Thanksgiving vacation from school.
Thanksgiving family get together.
Thanksgiving meal.
Stonewall Jackson monument. (Send your memory of the monument—or your opinion of the monument)

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

For future newsletters:

Punishments handed down to students—funny or severe.

Your first high school football game…did you play football in school? Were you a cheerleader? Did you participate in the band? Were you one of the sideline coaches? Did you attend the games to be with friends? Were you in that group that sold refreshments?— We want to share your memories of your first time at that big HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME!

Your neighborhood:

Best friends and how you spent your time together.
Chemistry class and that big accident.
Name the dime stores in Clarksburg and which one you liked the best!
Parades in Clarksburg.

Where did you buy your clothes for school? Did you sew and make clothes? Did your mother make your clothes? Did you get hand me downs from an older sibling or a friend? Were you guys allowed to wear jeans to high school? Were gals allowed to wear slacks or jeans to school?

At WI –what was the Correspondence Club? I see it took 2 pictures to get everyone’s picture in the yearbook. I am in one of those pictures, but I don’t remember what the purpose of the club happened to be! Do you?

Home economics class…did you take Home Ec? I don’t think this was required except in junior high school.

Industrial Arts…were all boy’s required to take this class or was that just in Junior High School?

Suggested subjects for future newsletters from Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI 1964):

Favorite Dance Partner,
High School Sorority
School newspaper
Going steady
School clubs
School paper
Local dances
Favorite movies

I would like to hear from you about any of these subjects. Please send any pertinent pictures—we can make a feature for the newsletter. Do you have any suggestions for future newsletter articles? Will we run out of articles? Not if you send your memory to Roleta1@aol.com.

   


APOLOGIZE

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

I should have thought last month to ask you about your Halloween memories. Well, I forgot. I guess working on the September issue and finishing it up around the 25th of August, I just didn’t think ahead that the next issue I would be working on would be the October issue. However, I will take a sec and say.

”TRICK OR TREAT! SMELL MY FEET, GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT!”




OBITUARIES


JOHN FOLIO III
Wonder Bar Steak House owner

John "GeGe" Folio III, 49, of Wonder Bar Road, Clarksburg, died suddenly Sunday, August 23, 2003, at his residence. Mr. Folio was the owner of Wonder Bar Steak House.

He was born in Clarksburg, March 8, 1954, a son of the late John and Betty Lee Morgan Folio Jr. He is survived by one daughter, Anne-Marie Folio, Clarksburg; one sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Dominick "Mickey" (Debbie) Cherubino, Bridgeport.

Mr. Folio was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and received his business degree from Fairmont State College. He was a member of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Folio was also a member of the National Skydiving Association for 26 years, with over 600 jumps, one of which was the New River Gorge Bridge. He taught skydiving in Kingwood, Fairmont and Hawaii. He was a rated twin engine and jet engine airplane pilot and flew gliders for Soaring Hawaii. Mr. Folio was a certified scuba diver and loved white water rafting. He was a certified EMT.

His favorite quote was "The most dangerous part of flying is the drive to and from the airport." Mr. Folio was a very dedicated father and businessman.



LORETTA M. STUART

Loretta M. Stuart, 77 years of age, died on Saturday, September 6, 2003, at her residence. She was born July 21, 1926, in Holbrook, Ritchie County, WV, the daughter of the late Benjamin Marvin Britton and Ernestine Hinzman Britton, who survives in Clarksburg, WV. Her husband, Edward Lee Stuart, preceded Mrs. Stuart in death. Mrs. Stuart is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Marsha L. Stuart of Bridgeport, WV, and Sylvia G. and Terry Warner of Maple Lake, Bridgeport, WV.

Mrs. Stuart was a 1945 graduate of Washington Irving High School. She was a member of the Queen Esther Chapter 11, Order of the Eastern Star -- initiated March 10, 1949, and the Tefnet Court 87, Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America, Inc. She attended the Bridgeport Presbyterian Church.



RAYMOND SHIELDS

Raymond Salvatore A Shields, 69 years of age died July 29, 2003 in Clarksburg, WV. He was born in 1934 to the late Russell Shields and Concetta Cava Shields.

Surviving are one brother Robert “Timbuck” Shields of Bridgeport, WV and one sister, Eleanor Alessi of Steubenville, Ohio.

Shields was employed by the WV Department of highways for 20 years. He helped out at Twin Oaks Restaurant and Secret Furniture. He was owner and operator of the Purple Tree in Glen Elk for over 11 years, Jewel Bowling Lanes and most recently Raymon’s restaurant.



FRANCES UPTON CUSTER

Frances Upton Custer, age 95, formerly of Maplewood Drive and Waverly Way, Clarksburg, WV, died at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2003, in The Heritage of Bridgeport following an extended illness.

She was born in Wolf Summit, WV, on March 12, 1908, a daughter of the late Abram VanGorder Upton and Bertha (Holden) Upton.

Her husband, Paul W. Custer, preceded her in death on May 20, 1976. She was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur V.G. Upton, and two sisters, Helen Upton and Gladys Merryman. Mrs. Custer was a member of the Stealey United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Victory High School in 1926 and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College before graduating from Fairmont State College. Mrs. Custer was an elementary school teacher, retiring from Harrison County Schools.



STEPHEN S. KEITH



Stephen S. Keith, 53, of Bristol, Harrison County, WV, departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Mr. Keith was born on Sept. 19, 1949, at Clarksburg, WV. He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School of Clarksburg with the Class of 1968 and then joined the U.S. Army and served as a medic during the Vietnam era. He later worked for Brockway Glass of Clarksburg, served as a deputy sheriff in Ritchie County and was employed for 16 years with A & M Communications of New Jersey as a lineman.

He is survived by his parents, Lewis Sherwood and Laura M. "Mazie" Lamb Keith of Halls Run near Lake Floyd in Harrison County, WV; brothers, Gary Keith, Clarksburg, WV, and Mike Keith, Mineral Wells, WV; a sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Robert Hall, Washington, WV.



JOHN E. DAVIS

John E. Davis, 71 years of age, of Rt. 3 (Corbin Branch) Bridgeport, WV, died on, September 18, 2003. He was born April 12, 1932, in Flinderation, WV, the son of the late Ulysses S. and Irene Lunsford Davis Shaw.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, Helen J. Davis; one son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Vicki Davis of Maple Lake community; three daughters and two sons-in law, Brenda and Richard Quinn of Winchester, VA, Lisa Bowman of Corbin Branch and her fiancé Ralph Testerman, and Gail and Jay Garber of Brushy Fork.He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Arden Davis.

Mr. Davis was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Clarksburg, WV. He retired with 30 years of service in the Aviation Department for the Consolidated Gas Company. He was a licensed A and P mechanic and previously worked for Aero-Mech in Bridgeport, WV. He was currently the owner of the Mountain State Car Wash in Bridgeport, WV.



DR. HUGH MICHAEL BROWN, M.D.

Dr. Hugh Michael Brown, M.D., age 77 died at 3:10 a.m. , September 26, 2003.He was born in Columbus, OH, August 4, 1926, a son of the late Paul W. and Glade Freeman Brown. Twice married, Dr. Brown was preceded in death by his first wife, D. Anne Nutter Brown, September 2, 1988.

His second wife, Phillis Fittro Brown, whom he married April 7, 1990, survives. Dr. Brown's family moved from Columbus, OH, to Clarksburg, WV, where he graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1944, from West Virginia University in pre-med in 1949 and from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, in 1953. Dr. Brown served an internship at Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, from 1953 to 1954, and he served a residency in internal medicine at the same hospital from 1954 until 1957. He practiced his specialty, internal medicine, in Baltimore, MD, from 1957 until 1962, at which time he returned to Clarksburg, WV.

Dr. Brown was licensed to practice medicine in West Virginia in 1962 and he was elected to membership in the Harrison County Medical Society in that same year. He served that organization as a member of the board of directors in 1966, as treasurer in 1967, as secretary in 1968, as president-elect in 1969, and as president in 1970. He is a member of the West Virginia State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He was a member of the medical staff of the old St. Mary's and Union Protestant hospitals and the United Hospital Center of Clarksburg.

During World War II, from 1944 until 1945, Dr. Brown served with the rank of technical sergeant, fourth grade, in the U.S. Army at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, in the Coding Department. He had joined the Army to help pay for his medical school. .

Obituary excerpts from The Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram.







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