THE WI NEWSLETTER 11/03

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 51

November 2003

WISH
We wish you a great Thanksgiving. May you have a happy and healthy day with friends and loved ones. We hope that your blessings this past year were plenty. May your cornucopia overflow with the bounty of your life. We count our readers among our many blessings.

From: The WI Newsletter Staff: Roleta Smith Meredith and Judy Daugherty Kimler

DO YOU KNOW?
Why is there a new bridge on Bridgeport hill?

Why was Bridgeport named Bridgeport?

Does the Parkette still have the best onion rings in the world? Or who do you think had the best?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

MYSTERY PICTURE FOR OCTOBER
submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com
Thanks to so many of you who wrote to me about the October trivia picture. Most guessed that it was a hospital but not all remembered which one it was. When you stop and think, isn’t it amazing that Clarksburg had 3 hospitals? The correct answer to the October trivia picture is the VA hospital. Only correct answers are published. Even then, correct guesses were not printed here if they were not accompanied with any other text. There is a limit to space so if you want your letter published, better write something along with your guess. LOL

submitted by: Cindy Miller Murphy (WI '74)
clmurphy@gwinnettpl.org
My guess is the Veteran’s Hospital. I always saw the other side because we lived on Liberty Avenue, just across the river. We used to sit on our boat dock and wave to the patients who walked down to the river, probably for a smoke. My dad was a patient there several times. In my freshman or sophomore year, Jim Murdoch joined the WI kids. His dad was the director of the VA. I have long since lost track of him.

In 1995 when my father died, I found out that his first wife (a closely held family secret – hidden from the kids) was a nurse at the VA Hospital. I went to visit her, Shirley Greynolds, and found out that she and my dad remained friends for years. Her daughters Marjorie (maybe ’75 or ’76) and Charlene Lipinski (’74) graduated from WI. As you can tell, the VA has lots of memories for me. When I was in C-burg in May, I went over and saw a beautiful Hospice Garden and building construction.

Does anyone know anything about Mrs. Morris, the WI librarian? I believe she had a daughter Missy and lived up Temple Terrace or John Street way.

submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@aol.com
The local Veterans Hospital is the trivia photo for November. This hospital is situated on 75 acres of land which was formerly owned by W. Brent Maxwell. The cost to build said hospital was approx. $6,500.500.00. The State Road Commission had to build two bridges to connect the hospital land. One bridge was built connecting Rt. 25 (Mt. Clare Road) and the other bridge connecting Rt. 19 (Milford Street Extension).On April 1, 1948 the ground breaking ceremonies were held for the new hospital. Twenty nine housing units were constructed on the hospital grounds mostly to be used for resident doctors. It was designated to be a 200 bed surgical and general medical hospital serving veterans in 35 WV counties. Veterans were also accepted from parts of PA, OH and MD.The dedication ceremonies were held on Dec. 17, 1950. On Oct. 13, 2003 ground breaking ceremonies were held to construct a veterans nursing facility.

submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '64)
Bobnalong1@aol.com
The mystery photo for October is what we always called the Veterans Hospital, which was built and opened in the early 1950s. The full name of it now is the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. There was an expansion to the hospital added several years ago.

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
It surprised me that no one wrote in to the newsletter that a parent worked on the building of the hospital. Now that I have moved away from Clarksburg, I never think of the VA hospital without remembering one time long ago when Judy Daugherty Kimler’s parents were bringing her to my house. I lived on Milford Street and it was difficult to stop along the street to drop off a child. Judy’s father drove down to the bridge which went to the VA hospital to make a turn and come back up Milford to drop Judy off on the sidewalk side of the street. When Mr. Daugherty made the turn, the door of the car flew open and Mrs. Daugherty almost fell out of the car…this was before seat belts. Also, I thought someone would have a memory of the park or parking there (after dark)????

submitted by: Dick Hinkle (WI '48)
rhinkle@worldnet.att.net
Roleta: Your mystery picture is of the Veteran's Hospital which was constructed on a portion of the Nate Goff Farm. Mr. Goff used to use this (island) to let horses run wild. Us Stealey kids used to sneak across the West Fork River and try to catch and ride them. I'm not sure of the construction date but I seem to remember that is was in the late forties.

submitted by: Alex Sandonas Thwaites (WI '65)
Alex13741@cs.com
I guess the picture is of the VA Hospital. No memories but pure pleasure in knowing that this ol' brain can still function and take a good guess occasionally and be right. I'm surprised because I really was guessing. One thing I do recall is that the grounds and buildings were always so well maintained that it was a pleasure to drive around the area.

Thanks again, Roleta, for the memories!

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
ceTeeDee@aol.com
OK Roleta,Is it the VA Hospital? Now that I am thinking back, I believe St. Mary's Hospital was more of a red brick building, wasn't it? So, I am going with the VA

submitted by: Stephen Chapnick (WI '60)
schapnick@core.com
The picture is the Veterns Administration Hospital which I can remember when it was built. Since we lived in Stealey at 118 Euclid Avenue, I use to walk to the Hospital to play tennis or picnic at the picnic grounds. I can remember many good times there with my friends--Barry Friedlander (WI 1960) and Gary Weiner (WI 1960) as well as my cousin Barry Rosenthal (WI 1963) who lived in Chestnut Hills. A very good friend of my parents, a Dr. Klien who was a dentist practiced at the Hospital. Also, my friend Scott Kagan who lived down the street from me for about 10 years before Carol London's (WI 1964) family bought the house used to walk with me to the Hospital to see his father who was a doctor on the staff. The picture brought back fond memories of an era long gone by, where the hustle and bustle of today's life style did not exist. Looking back, life was good then and one had time to smell the flowers and dream of the future.

By the way, I am now retired as of 2000 from my last position as business manager of a medium sized school district here in the Cleveland area. My wife Roselyn of 33 years retired from 25 years of teaching in the City of Cleveland in 1996. She beat me to the retirement finish line. I look back and wonder how I ever got up every day at 7 am to go to work and spend 8 hours on the job--I do not miss the day to day activity of work life do in part to my extremely good fortune in selecting the appropriate investments from Old Man DOW.

My only son Billy and his wife Jackie (another school teacher) just had twins (boy and girl) on January 31, 2003. Their family is now complete. Billy is a project manager at the GE Lighting Division here in Cleveland having at the tender age of 29 received 2 promotions to date. Well that is all -- keep up the good work --I enjoy the newsletter immensely.

submitted by: Bryan McIntyre
bmcintyre@ec.rr.com
That's the VA Hospital. My dad Tom McIntyre was hired as Chief of Plant Operations when the hospital opened around 1950 and worked in that capacity till he retired in the late 1970s. He was in charge of the boiler plant and the fire department....yes, the VA had 2 fire engines. He also ran the furnace where they burned up all the used materials from the hospital (you can imagine what some of those things were...hint...think surgeries).

submitted by: Bill Gardner (WI '42)
BDGD2335@aol.com
I realize that the picture in the October newsletter is of the Veterans Hospital. Don't know if you will accept seconds on the game. I was never in Veterans but I will never forget my stay in St. Mary's. I was only 13 years old and needless to say, a very bad time in my life.

submitted by: Jim White (WI '72)
BKCavguy@aol.com
I just found your newsletter. It is great! I am a 1972 graduate of WI. Unfortunately, I've lost track of just about everyone. I live in West Palm Beach, FL. Please add me to your newsletter list.The trivia picture is, I believe, of the VA hospital at Riverbend Park.

submitted by: Jerry Warne (WI '59)
Wrmychsnut@aol.com
Roleta,
I believe that the trivia picture is the VA Hospital in Clarksburg, I can remember when the " BELAIRS" from the class of 1959 entertained the patients there one holiday season.We can get a good laugh from that now but they thought that we were wonderful. LOL LOL

submitted by: Walter "Sonny" Talkington (WI '56)
sonny57@talking @aol.com
The picture is VA Hospital on road between Mt Clair Rd and Milord St. RT19. It was built sometime in the 50's'
Good job on the news letter.
Have good times at open reunions. Keep up all the good work, on all the things you do for all of us

A RECENT NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
by: Bill Byrd of the “TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN”

CLARKSBURG—West Virginia’s first long term care nursing home for veterans will open in the spring of 2005, state officials said.The 120- bed facility, which will be built next to the Louis A Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center here, will include 30 beds for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease. Gov. Bob Wise said the home is a priority for his administration.“There may be deficits, there may be budget shortfalls, there may be rain, there may be floods, there may be tumultuous times, but we’re going to build this nursing home,” he said to cheers at Monday’s groundbreaking. Wise also singled out Larry A. Lynch, director of the state’s Division of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd, and U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollahan for their support. West Virginia is one of three states without a long-term care nursing home for its veterans. The idea for one dates back at least to the mid 1900s.The cost of the $25 million, three story home is being paid for with a grant from the federal VA and a fund created by the Legislature, The VA is picking up 65 % of the construction costs, while proceeds from a special account in the WV Lottery will pay the state’s 35% match.

TRIVIA PICTURE FOR NOVEMBER

Do you want to play our little Trivia Game? Can you guess the correct answer to WHAT IS IN THIS PICTURE? Send your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. I would really like for you to include some memory of the place…..it makes for more interesting reading. I don’t publish incorrect guesses and often I will give you a second chance to get the correct answer. I try to write an answer to each incorrect guess—Now, all you have to do is click on my underlined email address and your mail form should appear on the screen so you can type your guess right now….after you send the email the newsletter will still be on your screen.

TRAVEL DOWN MEMORY LANE
Remember that 1957 Chevy? Remember those times? Here is a website that will refresh some of those memories. Just click on the underlined blue letters and travel back in time. Turn up your sound and enjoy a little “OLD” Rock song! http://www.wgbc.org/57chevy.htm

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
11     Ruth Jean Werner Davis (WI '59)   RockwellRJO@aol.com
17     Becky McClain Werner (WI '60)   MrZip60@aol.com
20     Ron Werner (WI '59)   MrZip60@aol.com
22     Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58)   BarbWilliams@swfla.rr.co

October 17 Fred Alvaro (WI '59)   FAlvaro33@aol.com------Happy Belated Birthday

Write to Gary Weimer and tell him your birthday and your anniversary. He keeps a record and sends them to the newsletter monthly. Write Gary at cias@iolinc.net

DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOL
submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah '56)
billmere@aol.com
As I did not attend school in Harrison County, I can't address the degree of discipline there. However, at Monongah High School, it was very strict. Principal Paul Michael was the ultimate judge & jury on all matters. It seems that in those days, the principal of the local school was the most respected citizen of the community. Very few students or parents ever questioned his (or her) authority.

As an example, early in my senior year, someone stuffed toilet paper into all of the commodes in the boy’s restroom and by flushing them, flooded the restroom. He was probably hoping for a day off school. But to everyone's surprise, Mr. Michael called all of the boys to the gym. All of the seniors were lined-up on the gym floor. The underclassmen were in the few seats in our small gym, or stood around the perimeter. He announced the problem with the restroom and advised us that the culprit must have been a freshman, since this was the first time this had ever happened. He further stated that he would not close the school. If we needed a restroom, we would have to go outside and find a spot on our own. Furthermore, he told the seniors that if it happened again, they would have hell to pay. However, he said that if a senior knew who caused the problem or ever saw anyone stuffing toilet paper in the commodes in the future, he had permission to beat the daylights out of him with absolutely no consequences. Needless to say, there were no more problems with the restroom.

It is too bad we can't have some of that kind of discipline today. A principal recently told me that today the parents are more of a problem than the students. Incidentally, I recently read a column in The Fairmont Times that according to an old newspaper that Fred Layman (VHS) purchased at an auction, Marion County had 155 schools in 1933. Today there are 33 schools. Hard to believe isn't it? Maybe Fred can tell us what the figures are for Harrison County in the same time periods.

submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
Frank.Bush@Legacynet.com
Roleta
Really enjoyed this month's newsletter. Here it is only 9:45am and I'm hungry for a West Virginia hot dog. Glad I wasn't with you on the trip down the Gauley or it might have been my last rafting experience.

You asked about punishments. I can't remember the PE teacher/coach at Central but I can remember his form of punishment. If you remember the bleachers in the gym they kind of looked like the letter Z backwards when you looked at them from the end. If you were going to get punished you bent over and placed your head so it was under one of the bleacher seats. When you got the smack on the rear you reactively moved forward and up getting a smack on the head. Didn't take many of those to cause you to wise up.

PRECIOUS CHILDREN FOR OCTOBER

No one guessed the identity of the girls in the picture in the October newsletter. The girls are: Carol Bates (WI '63); Barbara Moore (WI '63); and Beverly Moore (WI '67).

Barbara Moore Losh (WI '63) sent them in along with the following note: I don't have a recent photo of Carol Ann Bates. I believe she lives in Ohio but haven't heard from her in about 4 years. The last known e-mail address for Carol was litel3081@aol.com and her married name is Carol Bates Mowery.

PRECIOUS CHILD FOR NOVEMBER

Do you recognize this precious child? 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.

STONEWALL JACKSON STATUE

The statue is located on the Harrison County Court House Square.

submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com
The unveiling of the statue of Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson and his horse named “Black Jack” was held on the courthouse plaza, Sunday May 10, 1953 which was also Mothers Day and the 90th anniversary of his death.The statue was sculptured by Charles Keck of New York City. The statue base was designed by William H. Grant of Clarksburg. The statue was unveiled by Thomas Jackson Shafner, great-great grandson of General Jackson. The Stonewall Jackson High School Band of Charleston was selected to provide the music as were several local bands.

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@ms.com
My best memory of the Stonewall Jackson monument was one time someone painted the horse’s private parts RED!

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
I can only remember not liking that statue. I have often wondered why the leaders of Clarksburg thought enough of Stonewall to honor him but not enough to honor him well! He couldn’t have been that small and that horse could not have been that little! I think I read someplace that the horse is only ¾ the size of an actual horse and that he is only ½ the size. Does anyone know if I remember correctly? Don’t you think it is all just too small? I think it is almost like a mini action figure. Wonder why the leaders back in the early 1950’s who made this decision didn’t realize that the statue was going to be there for many, many more years, so do it right? I wish some rich person would make a mark for himself/herself by donating money and having that statue built in full size. Are there any rich people out there that would like their name to go down in history and be remembered for centuries to come?

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Patty Rogers Hood (WI '50)	TWOPSNPOD@msn.com
Leonard Joe Trupo (VHS '48)	JoeTrupo@aol.com
J. Burnell Lynch (WI '49)	burnelllynch@prodigy.net
John R. Snider (WI '69)	JhnSndr3@aol.com
Gary Ludwick (WI '84)	ludwickg@soc.mil
Karen Griffith Askins (WI '60)	angelid@msn.com
Sharon Greitzner Dial (WI '56)	Luman4804@aol.com
Dave McMunn (WI '57) and Sandy Conwell McMunn (WI '56)	dmcmunn@wvlawyers.com
Ann McMunn Watson (WI '53)	annwatson@smco.us
Melvin C Muntzing (WI '58)	mmuntzing@ma.rr.com
Judy Coyne Shepherd (WI '57)	shep7420@comcast.net
Jim White (WI '72)	BKCavguy@aol.com
Ina Swiger (WI '81)	imswi86@netzero.com
Francine Willison-Perry (WI '64)	FrancineWP@aol.com

NOTE: FRANCINE wrote that she wanted to receive notification of the newsletter…..if any of you write her regularly, tell her I can not send her any email as she has me blocked out!

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Mike and Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)	Mshaffer@ma.rr.com
Corbin Fenton (ND '59)	corbin64@adelphia.net
Jay Sharp (WI '59)	WTBARKER@webtv.net
Gary Robey and Carol Grow Robey (WI '57)	garcar928@cableone.net
Dolores Costlow Wall (WI '58)	kidneybean7@aol.com
Betty Carr Krambeck (WI '57)	kram-bet@comcast.net

SOMETHING FUNNY!
submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com
Recently when riding back to Ohio from the WVU/VaTech game (YEAH, MOUNTAINEERS) –my son was driving south on US RT 50. We passed a sign that stated “DOWNTOWN SALEM NEXT EXIT” –We got a laugh—a true oxymoron--is there a downtown Salem?

submitted by: Nancy Crane Jones (WI '48)
njones@eohio.net

Dear Roleta:
Enjoyed the newsletter. What a wonderful thing, you are doing. I hope you know, just how much this is appreciated. I feel like I personally know everyone who has written to you, as we all had the same experiences, joys and problems. WI was a wonderful place for all of us. Keep up the good work.

submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
SKeith1514@aol.com

When I was in Junior High, Barry Mazza had just left for college. I was friends with his little sister, Melinda. I can still recall his Candyapple Red Hot Rod. Was it a 30's model Ford Coupe? Just behind the big right fender was written "Cherry Bomb", I think. I never really knew Barry but I was there where he was absent and remember the Whirlitzer in the rec-room still held some of his favorites; "Over the Mountain" by Johnnie and Joe, "Little Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon, "Talk to Me" by Little Willie John, and "Great Balls of Fire", by Jerry Lee Lewis. Whatever it was ... his COOL still haunted the house. It is great to see he has kept the faith.

submitted by: Dolores Costlow Wall (WI '58)
Kidneybean7@aol.com

I have changed my screen name because of excess junk mail. I am now Kidneybean7@aol.com.

Please change this in your address book.

submitted by: Mary Ann Baily Donato (WI '56)
mimadonato@yahoo.com

Hi Roleta,
I have some pictures I want to send for the newsletter but can’t send them on the internet so I’d like your address so that I can mail them. Can’t begin to tell you how much I love the newsletter but I know you have heard this before. I hopefully will get something written for it this month.

I have been working at the Shelburne museum all summer and have been so busy. We are closing in three weeks and then I’ll have more time. Also, my husband and I are planning to attend the picnic next March in Florida. Please send info about rec. motel, when people arrive and when they usually leave, etc. Will look forward to finally meeeting you in person, as well as Judy. I’d like her address too, as I have something I want to send.

For some reason my October newsletter is not on my computer. I don’t know what happened but if you did one would you check and see if it was sent to me? Mary Stump’s story brought back so many memories. It’s wonderful the away people remember so many things and you and Judy should know just how much happiness you have brought to so many of us. West Virginia certainly is a special place and we were so fortunate to have grown up there.

Enough of my rambling. I’ll send something for the newsletter soon but wanted to write so that I could send my pictures to you also. Happy fall,

EDITOR’S NOTE: If anyone wished to send anything to Judy or I, please write to me via email for mailing addresses. Thanks—Roleta1@aol.com.

OPEN LETTER TO BILL VAN VORHIS

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

I'm sorry, but I went to Pierpont Grade School too, and my first and second grade teachers were both Mrs. Gifford, and not Mrs. Griffin. Thank you

submitted by: Joyce Ogren Devine (WI '45)
jodyvine@aol.com

I really enjoy reading the newsletter. Tonight I have read the Oct. Issue and also this (darn) dear computer let me read the Sept. Issue. Thank you for putting my note in about trying to find some compatible people from my class of 1945. I also want to thank you for the caring ways you handle the death notices. The teachers all seem to be younger than me, that are dying in W.VA. Must be they eat too little fish. (Just read another article about the healthy Greek people who eat Salads, fruit and lots of fish)

I loved to visit the hills and had some wonderful trips through the state. Would you believe that Black Water Falls and its recreation area was one of my husband’s favorite places after I introduced him to the area. We spent many happy wonderful weekends there. We also enjoyed going down the river to Wheeling and Liberty to buy beautiful glass wedding presents for our friends. I remembered just lately that at one time it took nine hours to drive from Jamestown NY to Clarksburg. Some time in the 1960's, the Rt 79 from Erie Pa. to Pittsburg was completed and we could leave Jamestown at 3:00 p.m. Get to Wheeling before 7, locate a motel for the night, buy our tickets for the late Show at WWVA. And have dinner in the little restaurant across from the theatre and watch the earlier evening show let out. We had no problem with getting a motel for the night.

A leisurely drive back to New York State on Sunday with maybe a stop at Liberty for lunch where the restaurant on the main street had a special of stuffed pork chops and peanut butter pie with mile high meringue would complete our escape to "Wild Wonderful West Virginia".

Guess I better sign off for this time. Thank you again for your dedication to this newsletter

submitted by: Judy McDougal Siders (WI '57)
SIDERS_JUDY@HOTMAIL.COM

Hi Roleta,
Glad to hear all is well except for the computer. I do love my newsletter. Keeps me in touch with all the people, places and memories I have always held so dear to my heart. How many people remember grade school dance teacher, Mr. Buttafusco? Oh my, what a catastrophe for me! (like spelling that word)! Have a happy day everyone

submitted by: Bill Losh (RW '54)
ncbl@charter.net

Roleta;
Congratulations on your fourth year of producing the WI Newsletter. It is always outstanding and Barbara (WI '63) and I look forward to the new issue every month. It seems there is just no end to the memories shared by your readers about those wonderful, early years in the Clarksburg area. The '50's and '60's were exciting times for all of us.

For the past few years, Roosevelt-Wilson grads have hosted a winter "Prexie Party" in Florida. Last February we had old friends from WI, Victory, Notre Dame, and Bridgeport join us and it turned out to be a real example of what those "school days memories" can do. The restaurant manager recalled that we "came for dinner and stayed 5 hours"!

We're doing it again on February 7-8, 2004 at Dead River Vic's in Tavares, Florida--same place as 2003--and we welcome our friends from all the other schools. I hope anyone interested in attending our "4th annual" party will contact me via email so they can receive the schedule of events. We must have attendance reservations by early December.

Thanks again for the great Newsletter.

submitted by: Marianna Waroblak Coey (WI '56)
Marriannaw2001@yahoo.com

Dear Roleta,
I have been trying to write to you for the longest time, but we are right in the beginning of school and it is so hectic and so very busy. We start school with a backpacking trip in the high San Juan mountains adjacent to our school and we hike 40 miles in 3 days and 2 half days. Most of the trip is about 12,000 feet altitude. Very strenuous and I'm not getting any younger. I pride myself on the fact that I can still do it, and this time, did it in sturdy sandals to save my toenails from cramming into the ends of the boots on the down hills. We are about to do our second backpack in Southern Utah in a week. Of course, the elevation is not the challenge. We are hiking in Pariah canyon - a distance of 38 miles. We have to first hike all at once through a narrow "slot" canyon in case of Flash Floods. During the entire hike, we are walking in water and quick mud in the riverbed of the Pariah River. We conclude our hike at the site of an old Morman settlement on the Colorado River prior to its entrance into the Grand Canyon.

I wanted to write because I stumbled onto a very interesting West Virginia story. We have a student here at my school (COLORADO TIMBERLINE ACADEMY) who comes from Colorado Springs. He came last year after the Christmas holidays and he is now a junior. A very sophisticated kid. During his interview to come to our school, with his dad present, it was mentioned that there was a West Virginia connection in the family. Not only, West (by God), but Clarksburg! Dan, my husband and director, brought that to my attention and I was curious about it. So I asked Charlie. The kid's name, by the way, is Charlie Milo. He told me that he thought his grandma was from Clarksburg.

This year, the students arrived on August 31. In the hallway of our little school, everyone was gathered before dinner, many of them looking at the new photographs I had posted as a reflection of my trip to France with students last May. Chuck Milo, Charlie's dad, approached me with his mother. She wanted to meet me because, by this time, she had heard that I was from Clarksburg. What a delightful woman! She went by the name of Toots and attended Victory High School. She told me that she was raised by her aunt and that they lived in Glen Elk in an apartment above the Coca Cola plant. She mentioned many relatives in Clarksburg - many cousins. One cousin had an Italian bakery. (I wish now that I had written down some of the names.) Some of the names she mentioned as relatives are: Columbo, Iaquinta and Tiano. I'm very familiar with these Clarksburg names. We talked about the Italian bakeries and reminisced about pepperoni rolls. (Oddly enough, in your most recent newsletter, there was a bit about the origin of the pepperoni roll, so indigenous to Clarksburg.) I would assume that Mr. Milo was also from Clarksburg. She lives now in Phoenix and was, for many years, a teacher of gifted children there. She has revisited Clarksburg and loves to attend the Italian Heritage Festival.

However, this is the best part and, I might add, a true tribute to "them West Virginia Hills." Toots said to me: I can still sing, THOSE WEST VIRGINIA HILLS (how majestic and so grand...). Simultaneously and together we burst into song and sang the whole thing right then and there in front of lots of people with gaping jaws - in a tiny, private boarding school in Colorado adjacent to very big mountains. A very far cry from those coveted and beautiful “WEST VIRGINIA HILLS”.

The following day, the Milos were still hanging about as we were having orientation for our upcoming backpacking trip. Your newsletter arrived on that day, September 1 - just like clockwork. I was able to copy it for the Milos to enjoy. I hope you will gain a new subscriber.

Use what you want from this. I think it's a good story. I still haven't forgotten about my autobiography (in a manner of speaking) for you. It's a question of the time to sit down and do it. Could you provide me with your address? I bet I'd have more luck typing it at home and sending it to you. Let me know.

Take care, Marianna

submitted by: Joe Malone (WI '52)
JMalone934@aol.com

Roleta
Just another "kudo" for your efforts. Yours is truly a labor of love. While most of your contributors are younger than I am I still enjoy scanning their offerings.

My wife and I drive across country each year (from CA) to spend time with my sister at Lake Floyd around the July 4th celebrations. Our children and grandchildren fly east and join us for that specific week. Along with my sister's children and grandchildren, we usually collect close to 20 people. It gives my "Coleeforneea" (Arnold-speak) kids some appreciation for their WV connections. Last year I bought and remodeled a house at the Lake that was originally built in 1940 by Paula and Sue White's (WI - 53-54?) maternal grandparents. I plan to spend most of next summer there.

In keeping with the "ecumenical" flavor of your newsletter, I recently bought a membership in the Friends of RCB High School Alumni Foundation which is open to all three former high school's alumni (WI;RW;KM). They award a number of $500 scholarships annually to new graduates of RCB. I did the research and think it is worthwhile. Unfortunately, I have misplaced their literature, but either Emma Lee Hite or Carolyn Reynolds - Burnside can provide you with the appropriate information. It is also a good place to make donations "in lieu of flowers" in the name of a deceased classmate.

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
submitted by: Bob Stealey (WI '61)
Bobnalong1@aol.com
This month, we'll feature the hits that were popular in the spring and summer of 1967. If you graduated from WI in '67 or were beginning the '67-68 school year, you may recall these tunes:

--- 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - Harper's Bizarre
--- A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procul Harem
--- Light My Fire - The Doors
--- New York Mining Disaster of 1941 - The Bee Gees
--- Up, Up & Away - The Fifth Dimension
--- Tracks of My Tears - Johnny Rivers
--- Standin' in the Shadows of Love - The Four Tops
--- Windy - The Association
--- Somethin' Stupid - Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
--- Jackson - Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood
--- Groovin' - The Rascals
--- Ode to Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry
--- I'm a Believer - The Monkees
--- Happy Together - The Turtles
--- To Sir With Love - Lulu
--- The Letter - The Boxtops
--- Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead - Can't recall artist
--- Marianne - The Four Seasons
--- Heroes & Villains - The Beach Boys
--- All You Need is Love/Baby You're a Rich Man - The Beatles
--- Incense and Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock
--- The Rain, The Park & Other Things - The Cowsills
--- Never My Love - The Association
--- To Love Somebody - The Bee Gees
--- How Can I Be Sure? - The Rascals
--- Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinos
--- You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet - Blues Magoos
--- Reflections - The Supremes

Roleta, these are just a few of the songs I recall from that spring-to-fall time period of '67. Anyone who has any others from that time could send them in, if you'd want to add them.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I hope that Bob’s monthly contribution to the newsletter has stirred some memories for you, if so please write to me about your memories of the music of your day. Roleta1@aol.com.

J.T. FLAHERTY
submitted by: Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
St1Pat@aol.com
On September 27, 2003 the combined classes of St. Mary’s High School 1924 thru 1955 and the first two classes of Notre Dame High School 1956 and 1957 had a reunion at Via Veneto in Bridgeport. One part of the program was reserved for our NDHS Class of ’57 to present a large oil portrait of our coach to NDHS to hang in the main entrance of the school next to the trophy case. J.T. Flaherty was the last coach at St. Mary’s and the first coach at Notre Dame.

J.T. was born in 1917 in Clarksburg about the same time as my mother, Margaret E. Dolan. They went to St. Mary’s together, during the depression years. J.T.’s father had a coal mine accident and lost his leg and as a result of that J.T. laid out of high school and worked to support his parents and three brothers. My mom told me that I didn’t know the meaning of “Poor” unless I knew J.T. then. They took up collections in their class to buy him shoes and clothes because he didn’t have any. By the time J.T. was 20 years old he went back and got his high school diploma. After that he enrolled in the United States Army. J.T. served in the Ninth Infantry Division in the European Theater. He drove a tank through the Battle of the Bulge. After WWII he came home to work at “The Carbon”. He entered Salem College on the GI Bill and graduated in 1949. While he was in school he worked under Coach Tony Folio and Coach John Scott at St. Mary’s. When Coach Folio went to W.I.H.S., J.T. was his successor. He became head coach in football, basketball, and baseball until he moved on to Delone Catholic H.S. in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania in 1958.

J.T. had married Winifred Pope from North View in February 1951. During their time in Clarksburg, and then in Pennsylvania they had nine children together, 5 girls and 4 boys. The boys all became coaches. Their son, Pat Flaherty, is the tight ends coach of the Chicago Bears. Tom coached at Glenville State and the other two as high school coaches in the central Pennsylvania area. Coach J.T. Flaherty passed away in 1978 but not before he won a couple of state championships, several conference champs and was named to the South Central Sports Hall of Fame and the Adams County Sports Hall of Fame. The football stadium in McSherrystown, PA is named “The J.T. Flaherty Field”. Senator Robert C. Byrd sent him a letter of recommendation acknowledging his ultimate success in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and for being a native of W.VA.

Folly Romano Basile SMHS ’54 and wife of Tom Basile was the artist commissioned to paint the oil of our Coach J.T. Flaherty and did a wonderful job on it. Folly had J.T. in History and Civics classes and Phys. Ed. She knew him well and the quality of the portrait reflected that. We also announced that the class of 1957 is going to create a SMHS – NDHS Hall of Fame to be named “Irish Legends” during this coming year and it is our ’57 class suggestion that J.T. Flaherty be inducted in the first year of operation into the Sports Hall of Fame. Mary Rose Hendricks is setting this up.

J.T.’s sons, Mike and Tom, and their spouses were on hand Saturday evening with their mother Winnifred who is 79 years old now to witness the donation, and on hand again on Sunday morning at NDHS at a smaller ceremony to “Hang the Portrait”. It was truly a great feeling to pay honor to our ole’ coach J.T. Flaherty.

The quality of the family members that attended gave testimony to the great moral fiber that J.T. left behind!

CORRESPONDENCE CLUB
submitted by: Carol Van Horn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com
I was in the Correspondence club 2 years. Chrystl Skalnik of Vienna, Austria was my pen pal. I still have the letters, bracelet, postcards and her photograph. Chrystl spent a holiday in Paris, France and sent me a postcard of the Eiffel Tower. She was well educated, a few years older than me and a beautiful scribe, however, the thin, airmail stationery makes her letters very difficult to read.

BEAR DAWG
submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI ’56)
THOMASDRCR1@juno.com
Early in the fall, I drove deep into a remote part of the Cook Forest region of western Pennsylvania called Scotch Hill, then down a twisting labyrinth of old forest roads in Clarion County to the two-story 28½ ’ x 40’ cedar wood vacation retreat of my WI classmate Mike Tricot and his family. Amid the initial greeting confusion by my old friend Mike, Margaret, his wife, and Frank, his older son, I spied an elongated, extremely small, skinny white toy poodle, yelping for attention but retreating hastily when I turned and tried to make friends. Dogs are often afraid of semi-ugly people, so I accepted the fact that Mike’s hesitant, trembling, small poodle simply wanted to keep his distance.

During my visit, Mike and I talked endlessly about our various pre-Harrison Ford youthful adventures and pranks with our urchin confederates, about growing up on the Hill, and about attending Towers, Central, and WI together. However, around 9:30 PM that same fall Monday, the diminutive white toy poodle suddenly raised his head alertly, emitting a low serious growl, then pouncing off the couch, and yapping as it moved commandingly towards the crudely hewn front door of the mountain dwelling.

The miniature canine had gained our attention as he stood his ground barking warnings through the door to the outside enemy. Was anything out there? What was it?

As the tension mounted, we all simultaneously heard a thud outside on the porch. The poodle intensified his canine alarm to us, barking vociferously in Dog, the same language of Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and Old Yeller: “ATTENTION, ATTENTION—this is NOT a test; this is NOT a test; this is the REAL thing. There is SOMETHING out there!!!”

When we cautiously opened the door, the wee dog bolted outside, dashing off the porch and bounding down the rustic unpaved driveway surrounded on each side by huge old forest trees and vegetation. We carefully followed. “IT’S A BEAR!!!”—Mike’s son Frank yelled as he shined his spotlight towards a section of huge trees.

“I don’t see it,” I said. “It’s too dark. Where is it?”

“There . . . about halfway down the driveway on the left . . . behind that big tree.” I still couldn’t see anything until Frank’s spotlight reflected the black bear’s demonic eyes peering out from beside the big tree.” Mike ran inside to retrieve his rifle from the house and quickly returned.

The teeny dog’s form was a bit out of sight in the dense ground vegetation below the spotlight’s beam, but his yapping threats continued resonating in the dark, moonless night air. Taking no chances with the noisy dog, the 40”-45” black bear scurried up the tree and then cautiously moved back down, repeating this behavior several times. Frightened by the impending danger to her small pet, Mike’s wife tried to call back the small 9 month-old dog. Also greatly concerned, we all joined in to call the wee warrior back to safety before the bear grabbed him or swatted him like the four-legged gnat—by comparison—he was. But armed only with his canine courage and territorial indignation, the gutsy dog continued to issue his yapping treats. I seriously feared for the tiny dog’s life, and I envisioned the trauma that Mike’s wife, Margaret, would experience at the potential savage mutilation and loss of her little dog.

Intermittently, the white poodle would put his protective confrontation on pause and then momentarily return to us, but none of us could quite grab his collar before he charged the treed bear again with renewed energy, yapping another round of canine epithets to convey his furry Braveheart’s ire towards his much larger foe.

In a matter of perhaps less than a half-hour, this wee white poodle had changed himself from a yappy, insecure, trembling lap dog into a mighty canine warrior, proving the old saying attributed to President Eisenhower in 1956:
“It’s not the size of the dog in a fight—it’s the size of the fight in the dog!!!”
By luck, the last time when the small dog came back to our safety zone near the porch, I was able to grab the feisty poodle by the collar and turn him over to Margaret. The teeny dog now safe, my friend Mike carefully aimed his rifle and fired a shot at the tree safely above the bear’s head—not to hit the treed animal but so the explosive sound and bullet’s impact would frighten the intruding black bear away from the Tricot home and property. It worked. In seemingly a nanosecond, the bear jumped from the tree and crashed through the dark woods to a safer place.

I wanted to share this short account of Mike’s miniature pet—Bear Dawg—and his dog’s unbelievably enormous courage. Everyone who reads this short account of the small dog’s bravery should be impressed—especially if he or she owns a dog. Bear Dawg’s heroic actions prove that dogs, in general, have more good qualities than bad ones. First, dogs are excellent at guarding homes and are tremendously protective of their human families and others they love. Second, dogs are more loyal, devoted, and appreciative than most children. Third, unlike children as they get older, dogs are not likely to bring home mates that the human family members will not like. Fourth, dogs do not tie up the phone, play rap music on boom boxes, run up VISA or Master Card bills, and/or require expensive college educations. On the other hand, to be fair toward kids, even the most errant children are not likely to embarrass a family by making love on the front lawn.

Hail to Bear Dawg, Canine King of Clarion County . . . and hail to all dogs!!! And if you now have or ever had a dog—courageous, worthless, aberrant or otherwise—I would enjoy hearing from you. If you don’t use e-mail, please write:

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks, Chuck for sharing this cute story. Hope others of you have stories you will share! Write Roleta1@aol.com.

HURRICANE ISABEL
submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JTeter@balmar.com
I now MUST take my hat off to the people that have been through a HURRICANE, and I CANNOT IMAGINE what it would be like to go through one of a greater nature that what I have now experienced THANKS to HURRICANE ISABEL.

Isabel decided to pay the Northern Virginia area a visit on September 18th, and it took a direct path over my house in Alexandria, or at least it seemed like it was targeted on my house. By the time it came through this area, it had been downgraded to (I think) a category 2, and it was still awful. Our electricity went out at anywhere between 5:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and SOME electricity has come back in bits and pieces over the last week. My office in Falls Church,Virginia had the electricity restored around 1:30 on Friday; my electricity at home came back on at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning; and some areas around here are STILL without electricity. We also lost water pressure during the storm, and were without water until 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The only KNOWN damage that we have with our house is a couple of shingles on the front portion of our roof were overturned, but hopefully they will be fixed today.

What I found when I went to the grocery store was that there were NO "C" and "D" batteries to be found ANYWHERE, and ICE was soon to follow in the steps of the non-existence category. BOTTLED WATER was a hard item to find, and I amazingly found bottled water at an Office Depot.

Some areas, like North Beach, Maryland and some of the Maryland suburbs outsideof Washington, D.C. are still without electricity.

AND THEN, on September 25th, we had a normal STORM that came through this area causing heavy FLOODING, and knocking out more electricity - YES, it got my electricity - but the electricity that went out at 4:30 Monday morning was back on by 4:30 that same afternoon.

AS I SAID IN MY OPENING COMMENT, I cannot imagine going through a HURRICANE with a category of ANYTHING higher than a 2. Floyd and Agnes must have been devastating to those that got hit by them.

WHAT A WEATHER YEAR: During the winter we had 38 inches of snow on the ground at some times, and Garrett County Maryland had 56 inches of snow during that same time; then to have a hurricane come INLAND as far as Isabel did; then the storm causing HIGH WATER.

DO HOPE THAT ALL READERS OF THE WI NEWSLETTER, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR FRIENDS AND THEIR LOVED ONES SURVIVED THE HURRICANE.

A CUTE ONE
EDITOR’S NOTE: You may have seen this a few times but just incase—here it is –forwarded to me from Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64) SKeith1514@aol.com:

WEST "BY GOD" VIRGINIA
Subj: As You enter West Virginia....

As you enter West Virginia, the following list of rules applies to each person as they enter West Virginia.
Learn 'em...remember 'em !

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road," and I drive a pickup truck because I need to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. They are pigs and cattle. That's what they smell like to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-64 goes east and west... pick a direction.

4. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

5. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of deer are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time

6. Yeah, we eat catfish and crawdads. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

7. The "Opener! " refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

8. We open doors for women. That is applied to everyone, regardless of age.

9. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.

10. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meat, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper and Pace Picante Sauce.

11. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck and have long hair.

12. High school football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

13. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.

14. Universities? Try Marshall. They come outta there with an education plus love for God and country. And they still wave at passing pickups when they come for the holidays.

OUR NEW HOME
submitted by: Carol Vanhorn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com
HOUSE BLESSING IN SOUTH CAROLINA
A ‘House Blessing’ celebration was held at the home of Roger, Carol and Felisha Dean, 117 Mariners Cove Road, Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 3:00PM. The Dean’s are new residents in the Plantation Point community of Hodges. The Rev. Gil Gilfillin of Christ Episcopal Church, Greenville, delivered the eulogy. Roger presented a scripture reading and sang “Bless This House” accompanied by Bob Powell, retired organist of Christ Episcopal Church, Greenville. Family members, friends, neighbors and guests who attended the occasion were: Jean Dean, Pam and Jim Hight, Steve and Tina Moore, Claude & Audriene Moore, Breana, Miriah, Eddie & Betty Foldes, Barbara Bolt, Bob & Nancy Powell, Kelly Dean, Angie Carter, Nina Davis, Periene Oeland, Loretta & Martin Darby, Jack & Brenda McKay, Kristen, Jesse & Jack Michael, Margi Dean, Mark Michael, Betty Till, Francis Knapp, Vera Fowler, Janice Reeder, Sue Jones, Mary Griffin, Diane and Ray Clifton, Gloria Reynolds, Jean Greenway, Susan Wash, John & Mary Dean, Rev. Gil Gilfillin, Lisa Bonifice, Kevin Bonifice, Josh Brooks, Kenny Havalin, Lisa Hensley, Glenn, Janice, Jaime Dean, Craig Lance and the mayor of Ware Shoals, Mr. George Rush. Nina Davis and Kelly Dean assisted the barbeque dinner following the service.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Carol and Roger finished their new home. I have seen pictures and it is lovely. It is on a river with their own dock and boat just a few steps out the backdoor. A wonderful new home, Congratulations!

WEST VIRGINIA SITE TO VISIT
Submitted to the newsletter by: Boo Beall (ND '56)

http:www.takemehomewv.com

THE DATE OF THE PICNIC WILL BE MARCH 13, 2004 IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA AND ALL PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED IN CLARKSBURG ARE WELCOME ... EVEN IF YOU JUST VISITED THERE SOMETIME IN YOUR LIFE, YOU ARE WELCOME TOO!

WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN DECEMBER?
submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com
Do you have a family tradition? Do you give gifts to a lot of people? Do you honor a traditional religious holiday? What holiday and how? There are many people who observe traditions during December other than Christmas. If you are one of those, please share with us. If you observe Christmas, why don’t you share your preparations with us? Have you carried on a family tradition that has gone on for many generations? As a youngster did you hang a stocking in anticipation to a visit from Santa? Are there still stockings hung in your living room? Are the stockings still filled on Christmas eve? Do you open gifts on Christmas eve or morning? Do you stay at your home, do people come to your home to celebrate or do you go someplace else? I hope you will share some of these things with other readers for the December issue. Write Roleta1@aol.com .

I am really surprised that no one wrote to me about THANKSGIVING! For many years my family always went to my mother’s house for Thanksgiving. All the family who could make it spent the day there. All the females—no matter age helped in someway to prepare and clean up after the feast.

After my mother’s death, I carried on this tradition for many years….often feeding 15 for dinner. However, after one Thanksgiving meal a few years ago, I discovered that I was really sick, I had worked my self too hard. I had done all of the shopping, preparing the house, tables, most of the food and was left to do the cleaning up afterward. I found that I wasn’t thankful and wasn’t happy with the situation at all. So I quit having a big meal for everyone at my home. I went to my sister’s house in Tenn. that next year and broke the tradition. After that, I often went to my place in Florida and celebrated Thanksgiving with 4 to 6 of us at the dinner table and my husband started helping me clean up afterwards.

If I am in Ohio, we join my son and his family for an afternoon movie at the theater while the bird is in the oven, then we all join (with our covered dish offerings) at his home for a lovely dinner which he has prepared.

I am again THANKFUL for the blessings that I have received this past year.

SUBJECT TO REMEMBER
Remember and write to me about the favorite Christmas gift you ever received.

The favorite gift you ever gave.

Your Favorite Christmas memory.

A good Christmas story.

I know it is only November and you are thinking, “How can I think about Christmas and it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet?” Well, I am think about it and it isn’t even Halloween when I am preparing this newsletter….So stretch that gray matter a little… It is simple, just think and write….I will edit, correct spelling and punctuation to the best of my ability. The important thing is for you to contribute to the newsletter. WITHOUT CONTRIBUTIONS THERE IS NO NEWSLETTER.

Please write and help me make this a great December issue. Roleta1@aol.com

BEST DANCE PARTNER
submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI "64)
SKeith1514@aol.com
It has been on my mind for some time how much I miss dancing. Dancing in couples, slow and fast was the favorite thing for our crowd. We literally lived for the Friday night dances at the VFW on Pike Street, (lovingly referred to as the Friday Night Fights), even the band was optional, sometimes we just brought records. Ha!! Ha!! Then we begged our parents to take us to the Bridgeport Civic Center on Saturday nights, where the older crowd went and where the Sax player never removed his "shades". And in between, we would watch American Bandstand every day after school searching for our favorite regulars (mine was Carmen) even Clarksburg WBOY had a dance party on TV (We were on it once) and dance to the kitchen, dance in our bedrooms when we had slumber parties , and we were always together (about 9 of us girls) .

In the late 50's all the guys in junior high and high school in Clarksburg and everywhere COULD definitely dance! I guess it was a survival skill where dating was concerned. Some even took it too far. Remember the WOODTAGGERS Class of '60? But the best dance partner, and it was a personal preference was Jimmy "Butch" Harrison! It was such a happy thing when he would finally get around to asking for a dance. He could really slow dance, called the Strand (we jokingly called it the Stand, because that was all you did really). He could dip, if he felt like it. AND he could really Slop (distance cousin to the Shag) and Cha Cha. He was so COOL, He was tall and thin with wavy black hair, brown eyes. He had a slight slouch when he stood and this was very much his dance style too. We made a great dance couple. One song I do remember dancing with him to was Earl Garner 's" EBB TIDE" Just the greatest time!

I wished that song would last forever. You know, we never really dated we were just each other's favorite dance partner. From what I hear Butch died in the early 70's, he had a sister Natalie and ran around with Charlie McGlumphy and Robert Maxwell in the Powerwagon. But those are other stories.

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI "62)
jpulice@aol.com
My favorite Dance partner was Teresa Romano ( the Very Best)!!! favorite movie Splendor in the Grass... Favorite movies were at Ellis Drive Inn.....From the Back seat!!!!!!!!!!!! If you could see out of the fogged up windows!!!!!!!!!!!

TRUE CONFESSIONS
THAT FIRST GREAT KISS
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
Seems I never mentioned my first “great” kiss (kisses) to my husband. We got a laugh out of it when he read the October newsletter and he started kidding me about it. I told him that the early training from an “older man” was what made me such a great kisser and such a good judge of kisses! He didn’t seem to buy that, I guess I just never thought he would be interested in my early kisses before I met him. Either I should have remembered and told him first or I should have not told the readers? Which was best? Which would you recommend?

FIRST KISS
submitted by: Carl Besterman (WI '56)
best@knology.net
I have forgotten a lot as a senior citizen, but not the first kiss.
I was invited to a Birthday party, Susan Kaplan, and I had been smitten by a pretty blond.
She sat on my lap in the back yard and we kiss, kiss, and more kisses.
I wonder if she remembers that? Like to read her side of the story.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Carl, I am sure she remembers…..I hope more of you remember, surely you haven’t forgotten THAT KISS. Write and tell us, we would love to hear of your experience. Of course we don’t need a name if you don’t wish to share it!

OBITUARY
MR. CLARENCE S. BAXTER JR.
Mr. Clarence S. Baxter Jr., age 56, of North 24th Street, Clarksburg, WV, died October 13, 2003, at the Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Salem following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, December 12, 1946, a son of the late Clarence S. Baxter Sr. and Jennie J. Mancuso Baxter.

Surviving are one brother, Frank William "Jerry" Baxter, Laurel Park, Clarksburg, WV; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Robert Elliott, Lost Creek, WV. Mr. Baxter was also preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Anthony Baxter, January 24, 2001.

Clarence was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and a former member of the Clarksburg Jaycees. He had been the owner and operator of "The Cloverleaf" in North View for years and had for the past several years been employed by the Clarksburg Country Club as a custodian.

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