THE WI NEWSLETTER 02/04


THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 54 February 2004






NOTE TO THE READERS

If you wrote to the newsletter this month and you don’t see your email, it may appear in the March newsletter. I had to cut and save a few things for next month. This newsletter is a long one, but a good one and I don’t want anyone to get bored while reading.




THE WV HOT DOG CHILI SAUCE QUEEN


Pictured above at a recent Clarksburg Reunion Picnic is Sue Ellen Stalnaker Crawford (WI 1971)
and Doug Sutter (WI 1983), son of Steve and Melinda Mazza Sutter.


Sue Ellen cooks and provides the delicious hot dog chili sauce for the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic each year. The recipe is a big secret so don't even try to get it from her. She received the recipe many years ago from John McCray ("Zero") (WI 1969) who was a good friend of her first boyfriend, Bob Ross (WI 1969). Bob's grandmother (Maw Maw") cooked the chili for Lowell Drummond's Hamburger Mart.

After graduating from Washington Irving in 1971, Sue Ellen received her undergraduate degree from WVU. She then received her master's degree in Speech Pathology which she has been practicing for 28 years, 8 in WV and the last 20 in Sarasota, Florida.

Come join us at the picnic on March 13, 2004 and enjoy the WV hot dogs with the hot dog sauce made by our own "Chili Queen."



THREE FRIENDS FROM WI 1956 ENJOY THE PICNIC


Pictured above are Mary Sue Clark Spahr, John Harrison and Jim Alvaro as they enjoyed sharing memories at the 2003 picnic. Each one plans to be at the 2004 picnic.




THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC DETAILS
submitted by: Roleta


This picnic is for anyone who has ever lived in Clarksburg or married someone who has lived there. IT IS A CLARKSBURG REUNION! I have not advertised. The newsletter and word of mouth is our only advertisement. If you wish to put something in your neighborhood newspaper, please feel free to do so. The picnic will be March 13, 2004 from 11:00 until 4:00 pm. The location is the big pavilion at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Florida, same place as last year. From I-75 take Exit 205 (Clark Road) and go East. Twin Lakes Park is about 1 mile on the right side of Clark Road. Pull into the park entrance--look to your left and see all the people from Clarksburg gathering for some fun. (If you need further information---email Roleta1@aol.com).

You will need to bring, a table cloth, a covered dish, your own drink--NO ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED IN THE PARK-- You might wish to bring your camera and a lawn chair. However, there are plenty of picnic tables with benches attached. Three things you must not forget--YOU MUST notify me that you will be attending---(we don't want to run out of hot dogs) You must bring a dish to share. YOU MUST bring a few dollars to put in the hat to pay for the expenses of the picnic. I do this for the fun of it, I do not take any of the money for myself. You must make reservations. There is no date set for the response, I will check my email up until the last day.

Thanks Roleta1@aol.com



Pictured above are some 1958 classmates at the 2003 picnic




WI CLASS RING FOUND

EDITOR'S NOTE: I recently received a note from Jan Gipson of Texas concerning a ring she had found. I followed with a note to her asking a few details. Please read the following note. –Roleta

Dear Roleta:

My name is Jan and I live in Ft. Worth, Texas. ...I recently found a class ring from Washington Irving HS, 1948 class, with the initials RLD on the inside...I am trying to locate this lady to return the ring to her...do you have any idea who this person might be or how may I locate her?...This is an unusual story. I, too, lost my high school ring and would really like to have it back. I am a 1966 grad from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, TX with similar memories as you have in WV. I enjoyed reading your newsletter. I, too, love history. I found your alumni association and newsletter through the WI school website while searching. I have been looking for the owner for sometime.

I am not really sure that this WI school ring is from WV. Through website search, I found that there were two Washington Irving High Schools. One in New York City and the other in Clarksburg. I wrote the school in NY and some alumni members there without results. There is no identifying state on the ring. Let me describe the ring to you and perhaps you can tell me if it is from Clarksburg. The school emblem is really similar to your school's emblem...a torch and WI on the face of the ring....on the left side of the ring a bust of Washington Irving with the date of 19 under it...on the right side is a cornered engraving of an old school building with 48 under it...inside the gold ring... R.L.D is visible along with 10K.....there is no color of any sort on the ring...it appears to be about a size 7 lady's ring.

I have had a metal detector in the past but, did not find the ring in that way. Yes, I found it here in Ft. Worth. Interesting story ... my elderly dog was recovering from a stoke last summer and as she ambled across the yard of the house next door to our house, I followed close behind her. She was gaining strength but, still very wobbly. She "flopped" down near a huge old tree. I let her rest and then assisted her back up on her feet. I looked down in the dry soil near the base of the tree and saw what looked like a faint image of an old bottle cap...I "popped it" up and there was the ring encased in hard soil....after cleaning the ring, an almost new condition class ring appeared. The house next door was for sale at the time. I contacted the owners without results. My next research, if your alumni association or school cannot find the owner, will be through the city tax records of the house. There are also some old initials in the old concrete driveway with T.D. imprinted. I wonder if this is perhaps from the same family who owned the house many years ago. These houses were built in 1956.

If you could help me identify the ring from Clarksburg this would really help. It is possible that it could still be from NY. Did your school have a bust of Washington Irving on campus? The old girl's school in NY had a bust of the famed author.

This is an on going search. Oh, and by the way, my dog recovered from her stoke. Interesting story.

You have a great website and alumni association. Our high school here in Texas has nothing like this.

Sincerely,
Jan Gipson

EDITOR'S NOTE: I received this note re: a WI class ring that was found in Texas. I wrote to every reader from the Class of 1948 who is listed on my notification list. Nancy Crane Jones from the Class of 1948 wrote that the only person in the 1948 yearbook with the initials of RD was Ruth Davisson but it gave no middle initial in the yearbook. According to replies I received in my research, this is a class ring from WI located in Clarksburg.

IDENTITY FOUND



Pictured above is Ruth Lorraine Davisson (WI Class of 1948)

Ring belongs to Ruth Lorraine Davisson
Preparatory
"She always has time to smile; her eyes reveal her hidden laughter."
Cadman 1, 2, B Choir 1, 2; "Oh, Doctor"

..........Deceased.......

EDITOR'S NOTE: Does anyone have information about a relative of Ruth's? Jan and I would also like to know when Ruth lived in Texas and something about her life. Please write Roleta1@aol.com …thanks



BASKETBALL

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

Buzz Floyd's e-mail about basketball brought back many memories. Like Buzz (who, by the way, introduced me to my wife Roleta, & is my fraternity brother) basketball has always been my favorite sport. It started in the late 40's when I used to listen to Jack Fleming describe the wonderful plays by Jim Walthal, Eddie Beech, Clyde Green, Mark Workman, etc. of the Mountaineers. I was hooked.

I would spend hours on the mud court of the local playground pretending that I was attempting the winning shot to beat the New York team they always played at Madison Square Garden. I played grade school ball in a gym that had a ceiling about 15' high. Then I went on to Monongah HS to play in a gym that was built for a swimming pool. At this older age, I even recall the evenings when a large man who owned a Gulf Service Station in Worthington, WV (Just below Billy's Meadowbrook) bringing his son to watch us practice. He was only 4 or 5 years old then. Last night, I watched him lead the LSU Tigers to the national championship (BCS). Nick Saban has really come a long way from those days. Another WV success story!

Back to BB. I then had the pleasure of watching Jerry West & Co. at WVU & playing some inter mural ball with Bobby Joe Hart after he had played at Marshall, as I remember. And yes, watching Buzz cheer on the Mountaineers. I still love the sport, although not the brand of rough & tumble ball played in the NBA & some conferences today. Incidentally, we didn't win many basketball games in high school. However, I'll never forget Coach Jim Feltz's comment when we were getting blown out by Fairview with Ronnie Retton or Barrickville with Ed Helminski & the Guin brothers. He would always say "Don't worry boys, we'll get them back in football". And you know what, thinking back, we always did. Oh, to play one more quarter.



CLASSMATES OF 1961

Classmates of WI class of 1961. You have a website thanks to John Teter jteter@balmar.com

Check it out:    http://www.wihs1961.com/home.html

Roleta---

Take a look and you will see the reunion pictures from 1971, 1991 and 2001 with the names of the attendees listed below the picture.  To enlarge the pictures, simply double-click on the pic.  You will be amazed that some of US have not changed that much in the 40 years since we graduated from WI.

There is also a list of what I have on record as to what most of us are up to these days.  If you are on the list and the information is incorrect, please E-mail me corrected information to WIHS1961@AOL.COM and I will make the necessary corrections.

There are links at the bottom of each page to get to the following web sites:

The Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram    (for up-to-date Clarksburg happenings)
CLASSMATES.COM    (to which I belong and where I have found MANY MANY WI grads)
The WI NEWSLETTER    (created and maintained by Roleta Smith Meredith - 59)
Robert C. Byrd High School    (very interesting)
WHITEPAGES.COM    (which I was able to use to locate a lot of our MISSING)

I hope that you enjoy the web site and send ANY suggestions and/or corrections to me. jteter@balmar.com



WI GRAD WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Don Cinci (WI 1956) writes that Carl Besterman (WI 1956) is fighting a battle with lung cancer and would love to hear from some of his old friends. Please e-mail Carl at best@knology.net.

Thank you.




submitted by: Jack Emrick (WI '54)
CadilacJak54@aol.com

I think that this is a picture of the Tygart Dam located at Grafton,WV. It was either started or finished the year of my birth---1935. It was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. I have 16MM movies of it while under construction. They were taken by my father. I also have 16MM movies of Indy Roadsters running on the old half mile dirt track at Norwood Park in 1926 or 27. Among those cars was the 1926 winner of Louis Schnieder. I have been trying to locate someone with some old 16MM movies. I need some about 30 or 40 years old to practice running on a projector I was given. I have a copy kit to make videos from films, but since these films are 60 or more years old, I may only get one try to reproduce these. Any help would be greatly appreciated



submitted by: Roy W. Feldman (moved to Pittsburgh-would have been WI 1956-so in our newsletter he is listed with the Class of 1956)
RAE2406@aol.com

I moved to Pittsburgh Pa in 1950 and graduated in 1956, but have kept in touch with old friends from Broad Oaks over the years. My memories of my youth in Clarksburg with Jim Alvaro and the gang are always foremost in my mind. I am looking forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones.  I, Roy Feldman and my wife, Eileen Feldman will be attending the Clarksburg reunion in Sarasota on March 13.  I have been in touch with Jim Alvaro from Atlanta.  I attended Alta Vista Elementary School and Central Junior HS in Clarksburg.  I am most anxious to see old friends at the reunion.



submitted by: Pasco Altovilla (WI '61)
paltovilla@dot.state.wv.us

I would like to know if anyone here would have pictures or film of a school talent show at Central Junior High School, Clarksburg, WV from 1956 or 1957. Please let me know.

Pasco Altovilla, WI Class of 61.



submitted by: Billie Anne Cork Clevenger (WI '52)
ElegantLady3452

I am a graduate of W.I. with the class of 1952. I would like to receive the newsletter each month, if I may. Mary Ann Hite Williams sent me one a few months ago and someone sent my husband the January, 2004 newsletter. Fascinating! The one that I received a few months ago from Mary Ann enabled me to be in touch with Jeannie Peet (Trower) via the internet. Keep up the good work!

My class had its 50th reunion in 2002, as you know. It was wonderful! Everyone looked terrific and we had a great time reminiscing and getting re-acquainted. We are looking forward to our 55th in 2007. On a sad note, we have lost some beloved classmates this past year, notably Raymon Shields and our dear Dianna Tillman. Dianna was the glue that has held us together for the past 50 years, keeping us in touch and up to date on one another. She even held our casual but wonderful 45th reunion at her own home. Both she and Raymon are sadly missed.

Thank you for this undertaking of yours in starting and maintaining this newsletter.



submitted by: Mitch Davis (WI '61)
Madfolk@verizon.net

I just came across your WI newsletter. How great it was to go back and read all the issues from 2003. So many names and faces from so long ago. I don’t get back to C-burg very often, but WI and WVU are such great memories.

Thank you for all the effort you put into this labor of love. I look forward to future issues – and may all WI grads everywhere have a great 2004!



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

I feel terrible that I cannot remember more of Clarksburg. We only lived there 4 years, but many of my friends then are friends now. Mary Stump Harrel, and Louanna Furbee still keep in touch. We used to ride out at Cottrill's farm, and it was wonderful. Well, to be frank anytime I could ride a horse it was wonderful. We had many adventures together; the 3 of us and Judy Lough rode also. I still do ride, a ADHD thoroughbred mare, and a Warmblood gelding (don't ask).

My husband and I lived many years in Alaska where he worked for DOE, and I worked variously for Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (now NOAA), and DOE, then ran the Drug Abuse Prevention, Education, and Treatment programs for the state for many years. It was a wonderful experience. I was walking down the street in Nome, Ak. at noon, pitch dark, in the winter, and said, Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be in such a place. We were there when the Ak. pipeline was built, and watched the state go from a little backwater place to a big backwater place. Only joking!!! Drugs were a terrible problem on the pipeline, because alcohol was forbidden, and drugs were comparatively undetectable. There were stories of truck drivers hauling gallon jars of legal and illegal drugs to the ready market. In all of the years, and places I traveled, I never ran into a WI grad. By contrast my husband has encountered numerous former students from his school days in Japan.

There was a Tiano whose name appeared in the paper (good context) from Oahu. Does anyone know if he was from C'burg and worked for the state or fed Govt?

Thank you for doing this for us. I really appreciate having the chance to reunite even briefly with old friends each month.



submitted by: NancyJackson (WI '50)
DeeryIR@aol.com

I would like to hear from someone who knows the death date of my cousin Dana Miller-class of 1950. I believe he died in Charlotte, NC. Does anyone have his obituary?



submitted by: Tom Marshall (WI '59)
Marshall@rmu.edu

Thanks for another great newsletter. I especially enjoyed Chuck Thomas's article on Mike Snyder. We were all Phi Sigs together at WVU, and Chuck taught at Robert Morris briefly some years ago.



submitted by: Lori Hostuttler (WI '90)
lohostuttler@mail.wvu.edu

You are very sweet! I'm glad you enjoyed my letter. I'll admit I was a little unsure of the reception when I sent it. Thanks so much.

To follow up on a few of your observations...the cafeteria was part of the new gym addition that I think was built in 1985. My class was one of the first to use it. The cafeteria was upstairs above the locker rooms and accessible by doors in the back. I'm not sure where WI played basketball before the "Thunderdome." I think that they might have played at the Nathan Goff Armory. I know in the past they used the Carmichael building, but I don't think they were playing there while I was in junior high at Central. I will have to check on this. It is, probably in "Hail, Washington Irving."

Speaking of the armory, for the first 2 or 3 years I was at WI, we rode the band bus there after school Mon - Thurs for band practice during marching season. (I wish I could have gotten it over with in the morning!!) I think my senior year we started using the practice field next to Hite Field. We still had a bus even though it was close - but most people just caught a ride from a friend. While I was in school, we played football at Hite Field, which was very convenient for me because I lived in the Chestnut Hills neighborhood and could avoid traffic by walking to and from the games. We lined up to march in at Chestnut Hills Grade School.

I do hope that others are inspired to write! I will continue to send things as well! I am an innately sentimental person, but I do have to admit that I am starting to feel my age a bit, especially working on a college campus. I think that it is natural (and therapeutic :) to think back to the "good old days!"



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

Plaudits before I begin! I think you and Judy are continuing to do a great job at the newsletter. You are too modest when you say the writers are the ones due the credit. Thanks for the effort that you and Judy spend to give us that read THE WI NEWSLETTER great pleasure.

A couple of the articles in the January issue piqued my interest. To begin I read with great interest of Mary Stump Harrell's working at Tennessee Eastman Company in 1959. I always thought that Dick Rockenstein, class of 58, was the oldest WI grad to have made the trip to East Tennessee to work. I worked at Eastman beginning in 1965 until I retired in Dec 1999 (including a 17 year tour at Eastman's facility in Columbia, SC). I never ran into Mary Stump (Harrell) that I was aware. My sister, Elizabeth, class of 1956, remembers Mary Stump from her 'era'. Dick ('Rocky') and I knew each other from school and then work and surprisingly, my wife and I ran into he and his wife while we were honeymooning in Myrtle Beach. We still reminisce about that and other memories as we attend church together here in Kingsport. He is another avid reader of the newsletter.

I have lots of fond memories of the streetcars that ran across the top of the hill near where I grew up on Broaddus Ave. My mother used to warn my brother, sister and I about walking the 'tracks ' on a short-cut to town, especially after dark.

The second article was the note from John Cooper mentioning Jay Randolph. I remember him from broadcasting basketball games when I played at Carmichael among other games. While working in Columbia, SC, I saw him at times while attending sports events at USC. Turns out his son, I think, was attending SC's finest (on tennis scholarship, or was it golf?) and he was here visiting. I may have even been doing TV for a Gamecocks hoop game. Small world!



submitted by: Bob Swiger (WI '61)
RNSwiger@aol.com

Please include me in your e-mail list for your news letter. Great job on the newsletter, I find it very interesting.

I graduated from WI in 1961. Worked in banking in Charleston WV and Myrtle Beach, S.C. for 25 years and have developed, operated and owned golf courses since 1988. I attended WVU from 1962 to 1965 and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity along with many other Clarksburg and WI boys. I graduated from Morris Harvey College, now The University of Charleston.

I presently live in Leesburg, VA where I developed, managed and partially own the Gary Player designed Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club. We recently developed our second Northern Virginia golf course called Old Hickory Golf Club. I developed my first Gary Player golf course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1988, called Blackmoor Golf Club.

I have very fond memories of growing up in Clarksburg with my brother John, (WI 1954) and, sister, Eliza (WI 1956). We lived on Horner Ave, right behind the school and then Buckannon Ave in Golf Plaza. My Dad was manager of the Southern Pine Lumber Company. I played sports throughout my youth including baseball, football, basketball and track and received 9 varsity letters from WI. I had the pleasure of playing with a great WI team of 1960 (Bobby Secret and Gene Donaldson both high school All-Americans) Our 1961 team, which I Captained along with Jim Coffindaffer, unfortunately had a reverse season from that of 1960 with a 1-8-1 season. A long year. Our basketball team did much better but lost to Parkersburg in the Regionals. Dickie LaJune was our star player while Charlie McGlumphy, Bob Swats, Phil Williams and I were the other starters. In track we came in 3rd in the Mile Relay at the State meet in Charleston. I held the high jump record in the Big Ten Conference and at WI for 20 years. Today's athletes are much better trained and conditioned but don't play as many sports as we did. I think we had more fun!!!

I am very glad I graduated from WI and had such great teachers such as Miss Taylor for English (diagram sentences, I had a 54 on one diagraming test, the highest in the class), Miss Bauer for Speech (we formed the Tree Club in her class in 1960), Mr. Gudekunst sp??, Math, (scared me to death), Mrs Bauld, Latin ( flunked her Final three times, the same final), Coach Castellana, Football and Track coach and History teacher (I got an A and participated in the AC High School Bowl for history). My academic world was a gentleman's C's but I learned more than I thought.

Thanks for reminding me of the great times at WI and Clarksburg.



submitted by: Bill White (WI '56)
whitecw@sbcglobal.net

I graduated from WI with the class of 1956 and have become aware that you are doing wonderful things with reunion arrangements, newsletters and more. I would appreciate your including me on any list of recipients of information you might distribute so that I could make plans to participate. I look forward to hearing from you and to getting information about former classmates.

Thanks very much.



submitted by: Carolyn Spagnuolo (NDHS '62)
Cspag315@aol.com

I would like to thank Nancy Kirkpatrick Gaines for saying that Tomaro's had the best pepperoni rolls. I totally agree because I guess I can be partial being that the business was original started by my grandfather and passed down to my family from my mother to my brother who passed away a few years ago.  My brother Sam Brunett who attended WI in the 50's which many of you probably knew him modernized the business and made it bigger and better through the years.  It is still in total operation which is now being run by my sister-in-law. 



submitted by: Sharon Greitzner Dial (WI '56)
Luman4804@aol.com

You mentioned Ridenour's Store and also Allman Brother's Store!!  Gee, I lived next door to the Ridenour's and caught the school bus there in front of his store!   We moved to 136 Euclid Av my freshman year, I believe.  And, before we moved there, we lived at 421 Stealey Ave. (lower Stealey as it was later called) and shopped at Allman Brother's Store and the big plus was stopping at Kelly's Store on corner of Duff St. near the main Milford St. for bubble gum, candy bar or whatever with $.05 and traveling the alley road to get there because here was a very, very long grapevine swing that always beckoned to me to swing out over the deep ravine a few times.  Yup, Salt Rising Bread was the by-word at our home, for sure!!  I can still taste it, too, yummmmmmm!!  I was always most delighted when I got sent to the store.




NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Bill White (WI '56) whitecw@sbcglobal.net
Pasco Altovilla (WI '61) paltovilla@dot.state.wv.us
Mitch Davis (WI '61) Madfolk@verizon.net
NancyJackson (WI '50) DeeryIR@aol.com
Jim White (WI '72) BKCavguy@aol.com
Bob Kramer (WI '65) Slimedawgg@aol.com
Greg Jaranko (WI '60) JPAdomitis@aol.com
Bob Swiger (WI '61) RNSwiger@aol.com
Bob Bramham (WI '53) TwiceDollarBob@aol.com
Donald R. Bennett (WI '54) dbennett5@neo.rr.com
Sue Robinson Pierson (WI '65) njsusieq@aol.com
Pat Hardman Nicholson (WI '56) Hwpan@prodigy.net
John McCuskey (WI '65) amccuskey@msn.net
Jody Buffington Aud (WI '77) jbuffaud@comcast.net
Roy W. Feldman (moved to Pittsburgh
would have been WI '56 so in our newsletter
he is listed with the Class of '56)		 RAE2406@aol.com
Jack See (Clarksburg-WBOY-TV
Reporter 1960-1968) 		Jasee@charter.net


CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESSES

Anne Pears (WI '58)
Was: AnannaJ@aol.com
Now: anannaj@ixpres.com

Jim Gill (VHS '59)
Was: jgill@msn.com
Now: jgill1225@earthlink.net

Sargent McQuillan (WI '57)
Was: Sargent827@aol.com
Now: Sargent827@sbcglobal.net

Don Cinci (WI '56)
Was: doncinci@aol.com
Now:doncinci@bellsouth.net

Judith Zabeau Shepherd (NDHS '62)
Was: jzshepherd@aol.com
Now: Judithshepherd@sbglobal.net

Cynthia Molle Oates (WI '58)
Was: caoates@nfis.com
Now: caoates@pennswoods.net

Bob Hall (WI '56)
Was: rhall9171@aol.com
Now: rhall9171@charter.net


NAMES BEING DROPPED FROM MY LIST

Again this month, my AOL service was cut off while I was sending out the notification about the newsletter. After a long talk and much pleading, giving all sorts of information and promising that I was not sending un-requested information (SPAM) over the internet, the service was reconnected and I was back on line. The gal at AOL said that my screen name had been used to send out 27 emails to over 1,000 people. She wanted to know if this was correct…I said it sounds right to me. Anyway, the trouble always seems to occur when an address bounces back to me telling me the mail was undeliverable. So I will again beg you, if you change your email address or if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please notify me.

I am dropping the following names unless I receive a request to reinstate them on the list.

CHRIS WRINKLES (VHS 1970)) CHRISWINKLS@AOL.COM
BECKY HIGHLAND HAUN (WI 1958) BECAHAUN@JPS.NET
DINO COLOMBO BIGFOOTPOND@VERIZON.NET
ELIZABETH SWIGER LAYTON (WI 1961) LAYTONEK@AOL.COM
MARTIN DANLEY (WI 1973) RCRDAN@WESTCO.NET
ROCCO S. MURIAL (NDHS 1965) RSMURIAL@HOME.COM
BILL BAKER (WI 1960) WTBAKER@WETV.NET


It may be that some of these names are still valid but were just experiencing networking trouble when I was sending out the notification, if you know any of these people. Please inform them that their name has been removed, if they wish to be reinstated in my listings, they should notify me.

PLEASE INCLUDE ON ALL EMAIL TO ME---YOUR NAME, SCHOOL AND YEAR YOU EITHER GRADUATED OR WOULD HAVE GRADUATED.

Even though we may correspond often, I just can not remember details of all the people, it makes it much easier for me if you send this information so I don't have to write you each time and ask for it. I can no longer look it up on my printed report which is carefully maintained by my good buddy Bob Davis (WI 1959)--Thanks a million Bob….




AIRPORT DRAG RACING

submitted by: Greg Jaranko (WI '60)
JPAdomitis@aol.com

You asked about drag racing at Benedum airport.

I remember Nick Alvaro as the man to beat. He built and drove his own vehicle. He once got 3rd gear right on the speed tape and flipped the tape so it didn't record his winning speed! There were new ('55 to '58 especially) Chivies with 3/4 and full race cams, '40 Fords with 283 Chevy engines, dual exhausts, Lakers, pin stripping and as Anthony Julian once said, with dual overhead fan belts. I use that one to this day. Many of those cars were driven around town daily. I remember the first automatic that was hot. It was the top of the line Fury. Everyone wondered why he would buy an automatic? Then they saw him get rubber in second gear going down hill on Main St. Wow! We were impressed! He was tough to beat. I don't know if he ever was! Most of the drag racing took place Stoplight to Stop Light! The phrase was " I'll race you title for title". And "Try to touch the dash while I am in 1st gear".

Those were the days of "Pooter" Clovis, the local, DJ playing "Hey Cobella" as the hopeful local hit, Long before Ray got on the Air Ways. (Well, a couple of years anyway).

Cars were important status symbols then in a different way than they are now. Muscle cars were a must just to get you to school and work. Now they are exotic! Ask Barry.

Most of the names of the owners of those cars I don't know. They were older than I was and I just looked at them and wished. Much like looking at the cars that George Barris built and Dean Jeffries painted. Oh. Those were the days!



submitted by: Barry Mazza (WI '58)
Mutzy07@aol.com

I just read the newsletter; it's really cool to read about all the old stuff around the Berg. Seeing photos of the Arcade and the bank took me right back to my childhood walking around the town as a youngster. I can remember standing in line forever with my mother to get into one of the stores that had nylons. I could not stand it but the reward was a coke or sundae on the way home at the little drug store on Pike Street, [can't recall the name].

Concerning the drags, for sure I remember them, as short lived as they were. I really remember that some of the guys really worked hard and long to make this event happen. I think some of the Centipede guys were the ones who really spear headed it.

We went to the first one, our little crew members of our own Club called the "CRANKS". We really didn't have any cars that were worth much and most drove their old man's every day car but, we were into it and that's want counted at the time.

I remember I attended with Gary Carpenter, Dean Henry, Bill "Willy" Zahnhauser. I can't remember who else but, I can tell you it was an "event" in our minds. It seems almost unreal that it was to happen.

I thought that this really wealthy guy who had a Chrysler 300 would mop up on the rest of the cars, but his big buck car was not that fast. Also everyone was surprised that Buren Garten's little 55 Chevy was really fast and was one of the hard runners. I think Nick Alvaro had his Chrysler powered roadster there [which was rare because he never drove it]. All in all it was a great day for Clarksburg "hot rodders" and I was thrilled to be there.

One of our club guys was John Hart. He of course had the funds to build a car to drag race with. He had just gotten a new 1957 Ford that was equipped with the factory hot rod engine. Well the car didn't run fast enough and he had some "secret" mods performed but it was real hush, hush. As I recall he took the "mystery" Ford to the drag that day and ran it a few times. During one of the runs as I remember the engine blew up and that was that. Everyone was sort of shocked that the car was done for and how fast it happened. Sort of like a rocket blowing up in flight. Just another part of my memories of the drag race's that day.

Like I said I never had a car that would be a good drag car at that time. I had my old "Flaming 40" which had a pretty lame flat head engine at the time and was a dog. However we like to think we were real "hot rodders" and it was great to ride to different drive inns and "profile" through the parking lots. Pretty much what we saw later in the movies about the era.

Later on in life I moved on into some serious drag type cars and found out quick that you needed lots and lots of cash to stay with it, so I went to the street where it was cheaper and you lasted longer.

Good subject...........the drags, interesting to see what others write in.

YOURS, BARRY MAZZA STILL A MOTOR HEAD



REUNION PLANS

submitted by: Carolyn Reynolds Burnside (WI '52)
Crburnside985@cs.com

As always I'm enjoying your monthly efforts. The alumni foundation has activities that you could mention.

The first is Alumni Night on February 6 at the RCB gym, honoring basketball players (male and female) and cheerleaders from WI, R-W and Kelly Miller. This is a big basketball game with Liberty.

The R-W Class of 1967 Reunion Committee will have its annual Sock Hop at the R-W gym on Saturday, February 8, starting at 8 P.M. A live band will play 50s/60s music. The cost is $20 a person with proceeds funding a scholarship to an RCB senior.

Last year the foundation presented sixteen scholarships and hopes to have more this year. The Scholarship Banquet will be April 19 --- I'll tell you more later.




IF I COULD SEND VALENTINES TO ANY TWO WI WOMEN . . .

submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI ’56)
THOMASDRCR1@juno.com


Chuck Thomas - 1960 WVU

True, I am single . . . and still searching for that special good-looking woman who can’t see very well, but if I could send two special belated valentines, they would not be intended as a romantic gestures. Instead, they would be to thank the two most important women in my life after I barely graduated from WI.

Fast-forwarding-and I do mean fast-forwarding-although I later became a university professor of English, from the first grade on in Towers, I was never too interested in school. In the second grade, I remember having to learn about auxiliary verbs and quickly deciding they weren’t helping me, nor was I actually interested in anything else. An urchin at heart, school bored me. For some unknown reason, mid-way in the fourth grade at Towers, I began to really excel, and all my grades became outstanding . . . until midway in the fifth grade. At that point, however, I got into an extremely heated argument with my fifth grade teacher and said to myself: “Hey, I’m out of here! I’m going to drop out of school . . . mentally. From now on, school will just be a place for me to play!”

And play . . . I did!!! The only time I really got interested academically in school was in Mrs. Hattie Smith’s seventh grade math class. I kept it a big secret, but I remember doing every problem in the math book and falling in love with word problems-particularly finance problems-and enjoying her small book entitled MENTAL MATHEMATICS. Starting out in the second to the worst row in the 8-row class, I think I was the third or fourth best student in the class by the end of the year-i.e., sitting in the best row only 2 or 3 seats from the best student.

But I played in all my other classes at Central and WI. Sardonic, cynical, and iconoclastic- excelled only at creating chaos in my classes. Never actually challenged intellectually, I ended up in my graduating class of 176 (?) students and 146 ranked places in a four-way tie for 139th place and, incidentally, pretty well rested. (I attribute the four-way tie to my competitiveness.) Bored all the way though school, I had only one major goal from the eighth grade on-e.g., to become the wildest WI grad who ever partied at WVU-after hearing spell-binding wild tales about WVU from Jim Atkinson (WI ’53). And based upon my worthless days at WI and carousing nights while in high school, I think I was pretty much on target as a serious contender for the unofficial, slightly pejorative title.

I went to the Marine Corps for two years right after WI, entering a private, receiving two meritorious promotions, and then being promoted to sergeant right before I got out. Oddly enough, I did excel in the Marine Corps from 1956-58.

On the social front, I did pledge one of the wildest fraternities on the WVU campus-the Phi Sigs. But at my first fraternity party-a drunken Viking party-I overheard Martha Lou Morrison (WI ’58), who did not even drink, ask her date, “Do you know Chuck Thomas?” He replied: “Not really. We just pledged together a few days ago.” And Martha said words to the following effect: “Well, I went to high school with Chuck, and I don’t know what he is likely to do, but I will guarantee you it will be off the wall and quite creative. Chuck is absolutely wild!!! Just watch him!” Her remarks-though certainly not meant to be hurtful to me-embarrassed me so much, I completely stopped drinking and gave up my party-guy goals. I’m probably one of the few frat guys at WVU who actually drank ten times more in high school than in college. On the other hand, I still deeply appreciate Martha’s unknowing, accidental guidance in my life.

On the academic front, I knew enough when I got to WVU that if I wanted to stay for more than one semester-and the odds were that I would fail-I would have to attend my classes and study. (Having played all through WI, I had no study skills whatsoever.) My freshman schedule required that I attend American Lit 2, a course taught by Professor Mary Catherine Buswell, who grew up in Stealey on the corner of Milford Street and Waverly Way, just across from where the old Stealey Tourist home once stood. Initially, I was rather bored by the literature class until one day Professor Buswell began to discuss an argument between two American philosophers: Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Listening intently, I learned that Thoreau’s argument contained the same points that my argument had years earlier with my fifth grade teacher. From that point on, I mentally dropped back in school, graduating in American literature in only three years in 1961 with double minors in history and political science, holding three part-time jobs simultaneously to pay for all of my own college expenses.

Following my first undergraduate degree, I completed my first masters in English literature, a second masters in special education, and later my doctorate. My fifth degree was a summa cum laude (highest honors) B. S. degree in finance-which I completed because of my great interest in Mrs. Hattie Smith’s seventh grade math and because I was interested in investing. (For Scottish people-and I’m 75 % Scottish-a finance degree is sort of like a black belt in karate.)

As a few of you already know, I became a college and university professor for 36 ½ years, was presented a “Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching” by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the late 1970s, wrote two college textbooks, 23 plays, numerous short stories and poems, and various articles. In addition, at California University of Pennsylvania, my colleagues elected me president of the University Faculty Union and official spokesperson for the faculty for 7 two-year terms. Currently, an Emeritus Professor of English, I live 50 minutes south of Pittsburgh and 90 minutes from Clarksburg.

Wherever you are, Martha Lou Morrison and Professor Mary Catherine Buswell, the two of you and Henry David Thoreau changed my life!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!



HISTORY SECTION

Read this section and learn about:

TYGART

submitted by: Mike Snyder (WI '57)
mesfastwater@hotmail.com

In answer to your query about the origins of the name Tygart: the Tygart (Valley) River originates from springs near the top of Cheat Mountain. In 1753-54, at the outbreak of the French and Indian War, Indians massacred the Files (Foyle) family at the site of the present day Beverly. One son escaped and warned David Tygart and his family to flee, which they did. Only Tygart's name was left behind. My fourth great-grandfather, John Snider, only a youngster, was captured by Indians about the same time in what is now southern Pennsylvania. He was released after nine years of captivity and settled land where the Indians camped with their young captive just on the (West) Virginia side of the present Mason-Dixon line in Monongalia County. It was a dangerous time and place.



submitted by: Jeanne Walters Webster (WI '59)
hillbilly@rivnet.net

In response your question about the Tygart name in the January 2004 news letter. I found this bit of information: "David Tygart and Robert Files (or Foyle) were the first settlers in the now-known county of Randolph (and the present state of West Virginia). They arrived in 1753 (or 1754). Files cabin was built near the present site of Beverly and Tygart's cabin was two miles north. The Tygart River and Valley are named in honor of David Tygart and Files Creek is named for Robert Files. That winter, Indians attacked the Files' cabin and killed him, his wife and five of his six children. One of his sons was not in the cabin at the time of the attack and escaped. He fled to Tygart's cabin to warn him of the Indians' presence and intentions. They all immediately left the county for good. Eighteen years passed before the next settlers arrived."

The river itself:
"Tygart River, c.160 mi/257 km long, E W.Va.; source at Randolph-Pocahontas co. line; flows N past Elkins, then NNW past Belington and Philippi, through Tygart Lake reservoir (State Park), past Grafton, and through Valley Falls State Park; joins the W. Fork River at Fairmont to form the Monongahela River. Locally referred to as Tygart Valley River”.

Thanks again for all the work you do in publishing the Newsletter



submitted by: Jack See (WBOY-TV reporter 1960-1968) Now living in Parkersburg
WVasee@charter.net

Hi, Roleta. I worked in Clarksburg 1960-68 at WBOY-TV. My oldest son Bob See, graduated WI, 1966. In your Jan. newsletter, you asked about the origin of "Tygart."

Here's an excerpt from a story I found on the internet, titled "A more complete History of Randolph County"

"Two of the earliest settlement families in the Beverly area were the Robert Files and David Tygart families in 1753. The Files family settled where Files Creek meets the Tygart Valley River and built a log cabin. The Tygart family located a short distance up the valley. In the fall of 1754 a Files boy returned home to find his family being killed by Native Americans and the home place being burned. He fled to the Tygart's home and the pioneers fled. For the duration of the French and Indian wars no other settlers arrived in the area. By 1768 some settlers returned but they were few."

I would assume "Tygart Valley" (and river) derived from the Tygart family who settled there.

Here's the web address for the complete story: http://www.richmountain.org/beverly/bevhist2.htm



GRAFTON DAM COMMENTS CONTINUE

submitted by: Bob Kramer (WI '65)
Slimedawgg@aol.com

This is a picture of the new Grafton dam, In later years there was a water plant built to treat the Taylor County water supply. Please add me to your e-mail list.

Thank you



submitted by: Pam & Jim Brown (WI ’60 and ‘57)
Jb1obx@aol.com

The December trivia picture is a view of the dam on the Tygart Valley River about a mile or so south of downtown Grafton, WV. It was built between 1935 and 1938 and is the tallest (largest) concrete dam east of the Mississippi River. This view is from the west side of the dam looking east to the area of the Visitor’s center and the State Park. The park is pretty much the same as it was when we were in school in the fifties. There is now a small lodge and a few cabins but the main activities are boating, water skiing, etc. Unfortunately, the season is short – May to September since the principal mission of the dam is flood control rather than recreation.

Also, we should dispel a couple of myths about the dam.
1. Although there were a number of accidental deaths during the project, (one account says at least ten) no workmen were encapsulated in the concrete during construction despite a persistent claim to the contrary by some locals.
2. The water has never even reached the top of the spillway (the lower level of concrete with the rounded cap in the center of the structure), much less gone over it as is shown in the picture (which is a rendering – not a photograph.) It came within a few feet of the top during the flood of November 1985 (less than ten feet as I recall) but it did not make it.

Pam and I live about half a mile beyond the lake beyond the hill at the right hand edge of the picture. We bought the property in 1966 and except for the two years we spent in Wytheville, Virginia, have lived there since that time. When the leaves are off the trees in the winter as they are now, we can see the water of the lake from our front door but I would not classify that as being lakefront property.



submitted by: Gary Robey (WI '57)
garcar928@cableone.net

Roleta, you and Judy do such a wonderful job of stirring memories with your newsletter.  You both have become quite the publishers.  We are all proud of you and your work and look forward to receiving it every month.

Which brings me to the last about the Grafton Dam.  My grandfather, (deceased at 96 years of age), had the contract to cut all the timbers needed to construct the dam.  A little background, Clyde R. Lyon was a good man; hard working and the leader of his family after his dad abandoned them many years ago. Things were very hard and a struggle to put food on the table in the times he was a young boy of 14 years. He worked with his dad before that job in the timber business, hauling by mule teams huge logs out of the forests when one day his dad just walked away from work and was never heard from again.

Well, being the oldest and with the knowledge of timber he had acquired from his father he kept the work going and eventually set up a sawmill.  He got a Model A, put it on blocks, (hillbilly, lol), and had a saddle maker put together about a 12" wide leather belt like they used in mines to run equipment.  At the other end was a wooden table with a huge saw blade mounted underneath and gears on an spindle.  When he cut timbers trim he started the old Model A, shifted it into gear, put a weight on the gas pedal and away he went cutting timbers all day as needed. 

It was not a unique way to do things back in the early 1900's on small farms and in businesses; however that is the way he got the job and saw it through until the frame work was all made and used to support the rough structure until the dam was in place.

As times changed he went into the mines and retired from there at 65 years of age.  Not done with the Model A after the Dam though, he moved the car to his farm in Lumberport and used the saw to cut all the wood for his two story home he build all by himself over several years while working in the mines.  From the basement walls, where they lived until the structure on top was livable to the roof he made and put together every floor joists and all the hardwood floors from wood on that small farm.

What wonderful memories I have of him, he was quite gentle, yet strong good man and teacher for me.  He never missed church no matter the weather nor a baseball game on a Sunday afternoon in Lumberport, watching his son play then later years taking me to the local games.

  I know this is a lot to make a memory of the dam come alive for me so please feel free to edit as much as you need if you wish to use any of it.  I just wanted to share it with you and Judy since you enjoy our heritage and history.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you Gary for sharing this information about your grandfather. I have been amazed that none of the readers wrote about having a relative who worked on the dam, you are the first. Roleta




SMELLS GENERATE MEMORIES

submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI '58)
Dblu2@aol.com

I'm still having a good laugh about the smell of salt rising bread. Last time I made it for my family, they made me promise never to bake it again. I still have my aunts favorite recipe, if anyone is interested.

Just read Mike Snyder's write up and responded to it. He was my neighbor in Stealey and his mother taught me how to knit and crochet. He lived beside the Milstead's and I'm still in touch with them. Bill lives in the Charlottesville, Va area and Susan Namy lives in Ft Worth, Tx.



submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
MYSTO99@aol.com

Yep, when going to WI during my teen years..our home was heated by gas space stoves...and-- that great warm Coal Fire in the Living-Dining Room out at Country Club Addition-Spring Hill--.Clarksburg. I loved it, I would get my "lessons" in the evening during the winter months in front of that warm place, and I would read the comic books and listen to the radio, our only form of home-entertainment, before PC's and TV.... yes--we had the big coal piled up in a combination "garage-coal house" a number of yards from the house. We had to haul it in, in "coal-buckets" ..and carry out the ashes and put on the gardens.. and the fire went all day and was "banked" at night so it would keep the hot coals to start up again easily in the early morning cool hours. It was very much part of my life..(hahaha) --and you struck a familiar chord, as I am sure others will remember this part of life back in the 40's and 50's..... as a student while going to WI. And--I am sure it was not very healthy breathing the smoke....you couldn't keep it from forming dark areas covering corners of the room



submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI ’56)
THOMASDRCR1@juno.com

Your article about the smell of homemade bread touched two cords with me. First, my mother baked bread, biscuits, rolls, and many other things. Your comments evoked many nice memories.

Second, you mentioned Allmans' Grocery Store. We lived on the Hill, and my mother was an ultra traditional mother and housewife, which in her day was not an objectionable term. She didn't drive, and she didn't walk to town or to the neighborhood stores located on South Fifth Street. For some reason, my mother always ordered her groceries over the phone from Allmans' Grocery Store in Stealey--almost 15 minutes away by car. Just your mentioning that one name brought back another virtually forgotten memory.



SALT RISING BREAD

submitted by: Kay Lawson Adair (WI '58)
kladair1@aol.com

My Father's business was in the Arcade for many years and I, too, remember that wonderful bakery and her Salt Rising Bread. I didn't like the taste or the smell back then and wouldn't eat it but that changed later in life and it made great toast.

This recipe came from the Clarksburg paper many years ago.

In evening--Peel a medium sized potato. Grate in bowl. Add 2 heaping Tbs. cornmeal; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp sugar. Pour 1 pint boiling water over mixture and mix well. Pour in a quart jar or bigger. Set the jar in a vessel of very warm water with water deep enough to equal the depth of the jar. Set container over a pilot light on stove where it will keep very warm.

Next morning, there should be a head on the top of the liquid. (if not, it is no good, throw away).

Pour liquid into a bowl adding 1/2 tsp. soda. Mix in flour (about 2 1/2 Cups) to make a batter. Set again in warm place. When light and spongy, put about 9 Cups flour in a large bowl. To 1 pt. hot water, add 2 Tbs. sugar; 1 Tsp. salt and 1/2 Cup lard. Add to flour and mix well. Add the sponge and mix well. If needed, add more flour to make a medium stiff dough. Knead well. Makes 2 nice size loaves of bread. Place in well greased pans, let rise until double in size. Bake about 40 minutes in moderate oven.

I have not tried this, so there are no guarantees.

You really do a great job on this newsletter.



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


In response to the request for a Salt Rising Bread recipe, this one is from the Clarksburg Telegram many years ago. The newspaper ran a popular daily feature "FAMILY FAVORITES Contributed Recipes from Central West Virginia Homemakers". They add, "This Salt Rising Bread recipe is once again being re-published in answer to the many requests made by Telegram Readers."

First Ingredients:

2 Irish potatoes
¼ tsp.baking soda
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons white corn meal.

Second Step

1 pint sweet milk scalded
3 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

Use enough flour, all purpose, to suit mixture

The day before baking the bread, at noon, place in a quart jar, 2 potatoes sliced very thin, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons white corn meal, ¼ tsp baking soda. Then add 2 cups boiling water. Cover with plastic cover and set in a very warm place overnight.

The next morning, a foam should have risen to the top of the jar. Pour a cup of liquid only from the jar into a large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons sugar, a pinch of soda, 1 pint sweet milk scalded. Add enough flour to make the mixture similar to a paste. Set aside in a warm place until it is double in size. Then add, shortening, beating it into a mixture, salt, and flour a little at a time. Remove mixture to a place to be kneaded. Knead until similar to other light breads. Put in greased pans, about half full, and let rise to top of pans. Bake in 375 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes.




JANUARY TRIVIA PICTURE

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

This is the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on East Pike Street. I'm not Catholic, but does anyone else remember going to the beautiful May Processions in that church? The girls were all dressed in white and the boys in their finest attire. It was quite memorable.



submitted by: Deedie Swisher Souders (WI '52)

Mystery Picture

The Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, located at 124 E Pike St on the corner of Maple Av. The adjoining street is Meigs Av.

Looking back in history to the 1850's you will find it was an important area in the city. The Catholic community and the new immigrants settled in and around the church.

Then during the Civil War period, 1863, The Mosby's Battery group set up their camp at the "Corral" in the east end of the city. This was the Union Army battalion that was to watch over the West Fork River and to watch for the Confederate Army. They were located between Oak St and Park Av just a block from the church. REF: "HARRISON COUNTY 76" BY THE BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE "1976" page 14.

Having been born and raised in the area, I have always admired the architectural design of the church.

My parents lived on Park Av when I was born and then two years later in 1936, they built a house on Meigs Av (which was in the middle of the "CORRAL"). At this time most of the boys and girls went to St Mary's H.S. and their grade school was in a lovely gray Victorian home beside the church. In the early 1940's, as a young girl. I remember they had a "MAY DAY" on the lawn beside the church. All the little girls, who were dressed in their Sunday dresses, danced around a colorful pole with lots of different ribbons which they weaved in and out of and up and down the pole.

Later when I was in Jr High my parents allowed me to go to the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. It was truly a beautiful service in a large cathedral filled with soft music, lots of candles and soft lights. It made a real impression on me. At that time it was in all in Latin, so I am sorry so say, I didn't understand a thing they said. But, I did enjoy looking at the lovely interior architecture. In those days the nuns still dressed in those long black or white gowns. This to me, made then look like angels when they walked down the long aisle to the altar.

It looks like I still admire those black and white colors.

NOTE FROM JUDY: Deedie also sent some pictures of the St Mary's/Notre Dame reunion but, as Roleta said in her opening note, there wasn't room for them in this newsletter. They will be in an upcoming issue.



submitted by: Barbara Sutton Elder (WI '57)
Bse6@webtv.net

My guess would be the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Pike Street. My Aunt Ann attended church there and I occasionally would go with her to Christmas Eve Mass.



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

The photo for this month is the Immaculate Conception Church on Pike Street. Located next door is Notre Dame High School. Had any number of friends growing up that went there. Also remember playing basketball in their gym on numerous occasions. Had some help from older sister on this one!



submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
Waynepawco@aol.com

This is the Roman Catholic Church located in Clarksburg. It is called Immaculate Conception (or St. Mary's) and is located at 126 Pike Street. The mass times are Saturday 6:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The church is a landmark in Clarksburg. Located next to the church is Notre Dame High School. This was a well constructed church.



submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
IcedTeaDee@aol.com

I sure do recognize this one, it's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Pike Street in East End. It's the church where I was baptized, received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation there.

The only sad thing is, several years ago they got the idea to update the inside of the church - changed the altar and painted over the glorious ceiling that was there when I was a child. It's still a great church, just wish they would have kept the interior intact as it was originally built



submitted by: Erma Lynn Loria Uhle (WI '59)
Ermauhle@aol.com

Roleta, the picture in the newsletter is the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. One of my best memories is of the Pure Ice Cream Shop that was across the street and for 5 cents you got a very large scoop of different flavored ice creams. My worst memory was that my brother's (Frank Loria) funeral was held there because it was largest Catholic Church in town and there was still standing room only and people standing down the steps of the church.

Again thanks to you and Judy for doing a wonderful job with the newsletter.



submitted by: Steve Griffith (NDHS '60)
sgriff2393@aol.com

Having been a Notre Dame student to not recognize the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church would be a sin.....one that I won't commit. I started out in first grade (1948) at St. Mary's School in the old St. Joseph's Academy building which sat just west of the church. At that time just the first and second grades were in that building and third through 12th grades were in the St. Mary's building.

Back to the church.....I took first communion there, was confirmed there, and was an altar boy there from fifth through 12th grade. We had to learn Latin at that time as Mass was celebrated in Latin.

Later, much later, Sherri and I were married in that church and our sons, Jason (WIHS '88) and Sean (WIHS '91) were baptized there. We attend services there to this date. There have been many changes, redecorating, and a number of Pastors over the years.

At some point in time, and I do not remember when, but I am sure it was more than forty years ago, my mother, Ruth Keeley Griffith, her sisters, Mary and Helen, and their brother, John Paul Keeley, Jr., purchased and donated the Tabernacle (which adorns the main altar to this date) in memory of their parents, John and Mary Alice (Kearney) Keeley.

When the church was founded and when it was rebuilt, the Irish were the predominate members of the parish.




submitted by: Pat Hardman Nicholson (WI '56)
Hwnpan@prodigy.net

Hi my name is Pat Hardman Nicholson a graduate of WI in the class of 1956. I am a first time reader of your newsletter that was sent to me by a fellow graduate. The picture is of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church at 124 E. Pike St. Clarksburg just above the Catholic high school. I grew up close to it. I enjoyed the newsletter. Thanks



submitted by: Diana Cleavenger Swiger (WI '66)
Mamaswag6@aol.com

I believe this is the Catholic church in East End. I used to go to church with Susie or Karen Shaffer after we had been to the St. Mary's hospital delivering papers. I went several times with them, but I did not understand any of the words. This was when it was done in Latin. I just copied what ever they did. Susie and Karen went to Notre Dame. By the way, St. Mary's Hospital had the best Dutch Apple Pie in their cafeteria. I love your newsletter. Look forward to it each month.



submitted by: Linda Spelsberg Wolfe (WI '58)
Wolfopolis@AOL.COM

The picture in the newsletter is the Catholic Church on Pike Street. That church gave me a lot of peace and comfort as a 7 or 8 year old. As a non-Catholic I know now that my Greek-Orthodox friend Themie and I shouldn't have even gone in there but for some reason we did.

And there was a priest who was very kind to us, explained the candles and let us light a couple, telling us to pray for someone we loved, especially if they had died. I don't know how often we went in, but we often sat and just absorbed the quiet, peaceful atmosphere. We at least knew to be quiet and were respectful of those who were sitting in the pews praying.



submitted by: David Noe (WI '65)
DBN4par@aol.com

This month's picture is the Immaculate Conception Church. How could I forget, I was an altar boy there for 6 years. Not only that, but I received my First Communion and Confirmation rites there. It was/is an historic site in Clarksburg. Some of my friends and I would frequent the other's churches to get an idea of different faiths and ceremonies. A highlight was Immaculate Conception because of it's size and ornate interior.



submitted by: Alex Thwaites (WI '65)
Alex13741@cs.com

I'm currently reading the January newsletter and just came across the picture of the month, it is the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church located on East Pike Street in Clarksburg.

On an another trip down memory lane I will insert the following! Across the street from the church was a restaurant known as the Candyland Ice Cream Shop. It was the "relocated" Candyland after the original shop (formerly located on corner of Pike Street and 4th Avenue) closed. The family who owned that establishment were family friends of my family and lived nearby. They wanted to continue their business and felt the location was a good one as it was closer to their home. Unfortunately, due to the lack of businesses in the area and all the downtown foot traffic, it soon failed and their doors were closed. Their original location at 4th and Pike was very well known by so many of us as it was on the way to the Ritz and Robinson Grand Theaters, as well as the public library. Their business is reminiscent of the old fashioned ice cream shop atmosphere. Does anyone recall the person who created and decorated Easter eggs in one of the shop windows every year?

Thanks again, Roleta, for your efforts to keep us all connected by your newsletter and thought provoking commentary. My very best wishes to you "and your staff" for a Happy New Year.



submitted by: Jim White (WI '72)
Bkcavguy@aol.com

I grew up in East End, so all my friends went to St Mary's & Notre Dame. I was only in there a few times when I was a kid. After I got my Funeral Directors license, I worked at Tucker Allen Funeral Home in Bridgeport and we did a few funerals there. (Carrying a casket up and down all those steps in the snow was, to say the least, exciting.)



submitted by: Anna Williams Welch (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com

This is the Immaculate Conception Church on Pike St. The last two years my sister Anna, my mother and I have attended The Lessons and Carols Program there. The Madricals, The Larry Parsons Chorale, and the Chanticleer Children's Chorus all perform. It is the most spiritual program of the season.



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

The trivia picture is of St. Mary's Catholic Church on Pike Street beside Notre Dame High School. I remember standing up for my best friend Paula Brausser Riley when she got married just out of high school. It was the first time I ever was in a catholic wedding..



submitted by: Carol Spagnuolo (NDHS '62)
Cspag315@aol.com

That is the Immaculate Conception Church on Pike St. When I was in Notre Dame High School the nuns made us attend masses there every week so I have a lot of memories which I will never forget. It was originally an Irish oriented parish but when they tore down the old St John's Church on Water Street all of the Italian families had to transfer there.



submitted by: Claire Nicewarner Conley (WI '50)
Tomconlou@aol.com

The picture of the month is St. Mary’s Church. I was married in a Methodist Church in Annapolis, Maryland but when my husband Tom, came back from the Korean War we said our vows again at St. Mary’s. Are there any Catholics that remember Father Flannigan?



submitted by: Sargent McQuillan (WI '57)
Sargent827@sbcglobal.net.

Picture is of the Immaculate Conception Church.

I was an altar boy there for many years. I still have the altar boy "Latin response" card. I was taught to be an altar boy there by a Belgian Priest, Latin with a French accent was tough. I served many masses, funerals, and weddings. We each got $5.00 for doing weddings. Seniority was important in getting the weddings. I hated high masses and special novena services (seniority), long stints of kneeling and the incense still smells bad.

As altar boys (no ladies at this time) we had our own robe and white vestment top which my mother washed and ironed after each church function. Mgsr. O'Brien (tough -- but nice; he may be watching) purchased slippers for all altar servers to wear. We were like the Guards at Buckingham Palace; neat--clean--uniformed, and did not talk, move or do anything that you were not supposed to do.

I can remember being so sick kneeling at a novena, wanting to lie down and die, stayed the course and avoided Mgsr. O'Briens wrath.

I remember going to the rectory with my parents to see Mgsr. O'Brien to get "permission" to leave St. Mary’s grade School to go to Central J.H. and later WI. He said no. Another Priest friend of ours finally gave my parents permission for me to attend "Public" school.

Mgsr. O'Brien, if you’re still watching: I'm still a practicing catholic as are my wife & children.

Amen.



submitted by: Sharon Greitzner Dial (WI '56)
Luman4804@aol.com

Trivia Picture For January, 2004

This is, but of course, the beautiful Catholic Church on Pike Street, downtown Clarksburg. I was only in this magnificent church one time and it was for high mass with Babe Rose Urso who talked Toby Singleton and me into going with her one Sunday morning. As I sat inside on the pew, I remember the awe-stricken wonder of such a glorious church and the total feeling of reverence that enveloped me and kept me spellbound by the ceremonial service that was to ever be kept as a part of me.



submitted by: Greg Jaranko (WI '60)
JPAdomitis@aol.com

Picture is of The Saint Mary's Church on Pike St. This picture should elicit many responses. I was not a member but I do remember being invited to many a Midnight Mass there. It all began in junior high at Central. I made so many wonderful friends at Central who went on to WI with me and many that went on to Notre Dame. It sounds as though we parted ways, but we didn't. The friendships continued. There was no high school animosity or rivalry that I can remember. I do remember being told by a basketball official during a JV game, that if Dave Patsy and I didn't quit fouling each other so vigorously he was going to expel us both from the game. We were just buddies having a good time. The ref just didn't understand.

The surrounding area is full of good memories. There was ice cream, hotdogs, and beer a block or two up the street. A little further was the gas station that Mike Maguire bought. On and on, but you were asking about the church. It is a beautiful church. I have no idea when it was built, or how many yards of concrete were poured or even if any artisans from other countries or our neighborhoods were involved. I am sure I will soon learn it all from the next newsletter.

Thank you for the opportunity to remember and to learn. This is great fun.



submitted by: Bob Bramham (WI '53)
TwiceDollarBob@aol.com

The January trivia picture is a no brainer. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on the corner of Pike street and Maple Ave. My mother, sister, and I were members. My dad was a Baptist so he stayed away. We lived on Oak Street just two blocks east of the church.

On the subject of churches, I can't be sure of the year, but probably 1950 or maybe 1951, I saw a red glow in the night sky in the direction of town, so I headed towards town on Pike Street past the Catholic Church, and by the time I got to Monticello Ave. I thought at first the Gore Hotel was burning, but it was the Methodist Church on the corner of Pike and 2nd street. It had been a beautiful church, and of course it was totally destroyed.

While I am going on about fires, the West End Feed Store, which stood by the bridge at Milford and Pike Streets also burned. My girlfriend at the time Patty Fesler lived on Fairview just off Milford St near the Canteen Restaurant. We walked out on the bridge and along with a whole bunch of other people watched that building go up in smoke. I believe that was in the summer or maybe fall of 1958.

That's all for now, I sure enjoy the newsletters keep cranking them out!



submitted by: Jeanne Walters Webster (WI '59)
hillbilly@rivnet.net

The January Trivia Picture is of the (St. Mary's) Immaculate Conception Church on Pike Street. I used to attend mass there with my Grandmother, Maude (Sumter) Walters (granddaughter of General Sumter of Civil War fame).

I have found a little history of the church which I would like to share:

"Clarksburg before 1864 was one of the "missions" cared for by priests coming intermittently from places as far as Brownsville, Pa., Cumberland, Preston County and Weston. This latter place took Clarksburg as its mission. Later it became evident that the Catholic population was growing. A priest came from Weston once a month and celebrated Mass in private homes. Finally it was decided that the time had come to establish Clarksburg as a parish, with a resident priest. Father Daniel O'Connor, who was the pastor at Weston, resigned and was appointed pastor of Clarksburg."

"The new pastor set himself immediately to the task of building a church. Property was purchased from Major James Jackson on the East Side of Elk Creek. The actual site chosen for the church was on the junction of Pike and the present Sandy Boulevard."

"The bricks used in the building were made on the grounds to the number of two hundred thousand. Begun in 1864, the Church was completed and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the Title of her Immaculate Conception, August 5, 1865. The total cash for grounds and Church did not exceed $12,000.00. This was a goodly sum in those days, contributed by workers who were few and poorly paid. It is Father O'Connor's boost as well as his tribute to the generosity of the parishioners that the debt was liquidated within a year."

I got the information from the internet, http://www.parishic.com/HISTORY.html which tells a brief history of the Catholic Church in Clarksburg.



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

Immaculate Conception Church...Established 1864

Immaculate Conception Church is the oldest Catholic Church in Clarksburg and one of the oldest and largest in the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. In 1850 the western portion of Virginia became the Diocese of Wheeling. Bishop Richard Whelan, who was bishop of Richmond, became the first bishop of the newly formed diocese that consisted of five churches - in Wheeling, Wythesville, Summersville, Howesville, and Weston. At that time Clarksburg was a "mission" , cared for by traveling priests. As the Catholic population grew here, a priest came once a month from the church in Weston and celebrated Mass in various private homes. In 1864, Bishop Whelan decided it was time to establish a parish in Clarksburg. He named Father Daniel O'Connor, the Pastor of Weston, to be the first pastor.

Father O'Connor immediately began making plans to build a church. This first Catholic Church in Clarksburg, located at the junction of East Pike Street and Sandy Boulevard, was completed August 5, 1865. Father O'Connor was pastor here for a period of thirty-nine years until his death in 1903. He was succeeded by Father John P. Reynolds who served from 1903 to 1912.

At that time, 1912, Father Patrick McDermott, was appointed our third pastor and began a long and fruitful ministry until 1944 when he was fatally injured by a truck as he walked to church for morning Mass. In 1917, the church building was condemned as unsafe and had to be abandoned. Parishioners attending Mass in the auditorium of the parish school, St. Mary's. Under Father McDermott's leadership, construction of the new church at the corner of East Pike Street and Maple Avenue started in 1924. Designed by Edward Weber, a noted Pittsburgh architect, the beautiful Romanesque style structure was dedicated October 18, 1925.

A major restoration and renovation of the church interior got underway July 25, 1977 and was completed on November 3, 1977 with a rededication celebration. The parish now has a membership of over 3,000

This information is from a pamphlet available at the church.



FEBRUARY TRIVIA PICTURE



Do you recognize this site? Write your guess and memory to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember, I don’t print incorrect guesses (don’t want to embarrass you) and I don’t print guesses without a memory included!




PRECIOUS CHILD FOR JANUARY



The PRECIOUS CHILD for January was Bonnie Smith, WI 1959


PRECIOUS CHILD FOR FEBRUARY



Do you recognize the person pictured above? Send your guesses and a little something about the person to: Roleta1@aol.com. I will not print incorrect guesses and I will not print your guess if you do not include something about the person pictured.



WE ARE JOGGING THE MEMORIES

WE ARE CLEANING OUT THOSE COBWEBS

WE ARE SHARING MANY MEMORIES



EARLY RADIO IN CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Burt Spangler (WI '38)
burtsbs@nccn.net

I'm not sure what radio station was the oldest in Harrison County, but I grew up with WBLK, in Clarksburg--not only grew up with the station but was part of the WBLK "gang" for the latter part of my WI days and for a year or so after, until I joined the Army Air Corps.

WBLK studios were located upstairs over the Robinson Grand Theater and the transmitter was over somewhere in Glen Elk. There was quite a group who either worked or volunteered at the station. There was Don McQuarter (spelling is questionable), Charlie Snowden, Bob Short, Arnold Silvert, on staff and several of us including Davis Grubb (the author), Christine Merindino, who were part of the "on the air" crew. There were others whose names I can't recall who were part of the effort. The only one I keep in touch with is Bob Short (WI-38) who after an illustrious career in broadcasting now lives with his wife Linda in Florida.

WBLK opened at 7 AM and was on the air until midnight. We carried very little network and it was mostly live broadcasting--records and transcription disks. We had never heard of "disk jockeys"--We were "Radio Announcers"--and took it seriously--Grammar mistakes were not tolerated, and there was no kidding around on the air. There were few "personal plugs". About the only time our names were aired was at sign on or sign off. We did some local production however, airing some original live local radio dramas, written by Davis Grubb, the parts were played by various staff or guest actors. This was sustaining--no commercial sponsors. The main advertisers that I remember were Boluva Watch, and a few local businesses like Tony's Meat Market, which sponsored a Man on the Street segment at noon each weekday. We did quite a bit of sports coverage including the Clarksburg Pure Oilers pro basketball games each Sunday afternoon in season. There was a half-hour news segment at ten thirty each evening.

The station was owned at that time by the Clarksburg Publishing Company which also owned and published the two local newspapers--the Exponent (AM) and Telegram (PM). WBLK was pretty well listened to in town, though suffering competition from WMMN in Fairmont (Senator Neeley's station), KDKA in Pittsburgh, WLW in Cincinnati and a couple of other clear channel stations in other cities. This was well before boom boxes and miniature battery radios so most listening was done at home or in cars.

It is sure amusing to read about the things the younger ones find nostalgic --things that weren't even there when I was growing up. There was no statue of Jackson at the courthouse --there was no Veteran's Hospital--the Arcade Building was the main pedestrian route from WI to down town --The airport was just being built while I was in high school --Bridgeport hill was where every one tested their cars to see if they would make it in high gear.

I went to Monticello grade school (out South Chestnut Street). The last time I was there and drove past it had been renamed "Chestnut Hills Elementary". It wasn't in Chestnut Hills which was the up-hill area east of South Chestnut--a single loop of road with a couple of isolated houses--The school was on one of the side streets west of Chestnut, and certainly not on the hill. Ken Cubbins was the principal and sixth grade teacher there. He was later principal at WI after Orie McConkey, who was our principal. It was Washington Irving Stadium and Clay B Hite was the coach at WI, assisted by Tony Oliverio.

Social life in the summer usually centered around something or other at one of the lakes although we did swim at the improvised pool area below the dam in Hartland. We weren't allowed to swim above the dam. There was a bridge across the river then. There was no sewer plant--waste went directly into the West Fork river untreated.

Interurban cars went from Clarksburg to Fairmont and to Weston. Glen Elk was mostly Italian, though we had some great Italian families in our area--the Famias, Oliverios and Polices. Black Kids went to Kelly Miller--many Catholic kids to St. Marys--a few kids were bussed in to WI from rural areas like Mt Clare, but every one else walked or rode in on the street car to down town and walked up the hill. I walked from Lynch Street, only about ten blocks. Very few had cars or drove to school--there was no parking lot and not much room on the street. Where the new school is now was a depressed area of old mine houses occupied by squatters and transients, called Pit Carin. I understand that many of the old homes were torn down, including the one my grandparents, and later my uncle and cousins, lived in. The house we lived in was on Lynch Street and was vacant and falling down the last time I was there. I wonder what it looks like there now. Maybe one of your readers can give me a report. I look forward to your monthly newsletter. Thanks for doing it.

Really enjoy reading about what went on after my Clarksburg days-- For "us" old timers? The radio announcer in me....Burt



submitted by: Jon Darnall (WI '53)
jondarnall@dslextreme.com

Since every one chickened out on the "starter pistol crime" I thought I'd jog your memories on how many participated in the dances on the runway at Benedum Airport where we lifted the security chains, drove and parked our cars in a circle by the hanger, then turned all the radios to WHAR and danced?



submitted by: Buzzy Floyd Buzzy Floyd
Floyds4@cox.net

In conferring with Jack See, former WBOY-AM/TV personality, Program Director, and all around good guy, we concluded that the first radio station in Clarksburg was probably not a commercial station…probably experimental...but, was purportedly broadcast from the home of former WBOY-TV/Radio Chief Engineer, Harry Brown, way back in the 1920’s. At least that was the story that we remembered being told back in the late 50’s early ‘60s. If I remember right, both Harry Brown, and John Peters told me the story.

Jack, now employed at WLTP in Parkersburg, has done some research into the matter, and found this web site, http://members.aol.com/jeff99500/, as well as the following information about what was probably the first full-time commercial station, the station most of us remember as WBLK. Jack also says that there was a WHAK that went on the air in July, 1922, and was owned and operated by Robert’s Hardware. WHAK may have been commercial, but it doesn’t sound like it lasted long.

Jack says that the BLK in WBLK stands for Bruce Lee Kennedy, wife of owner, John A. Kennedy. By the way, in the following FCC records, C.P. stands for “Construction Permit”, which is what the Commission issues to a station when approving a request to install, change, or modify, a transmitter, antenna, etc

The WEXP call shown below apparently was never used. The station apparently went on the air as WBLK in April 1937. The Mar. 15, 1937, issue of Broadcasting reported WBLK would probably go on the air "late this month" and the May 1 issue reports WBLK went on the air "last month."

From the FCC microfiche files, January 2, 1995.

WPQZ

4/25/36 Application made for a new station on 1370kc with 100 watts, Daytime,at Clarksburg WV.

7/2/36 Granted a C.P. for 1370kc with 100 watts, daytime.

5/4/37 Date first licensed. The licensee was The Exponent Co., Clarksburg, WV. The first listed call letters were WEXP. They were granted 1370kc, 100 watts, daytime.

9/4/36 The call letters changed to WBLK.

9/14/37 Granted mod. of lic. for 1370kc, 100 watts, unlimited, eff. 10/26/37.

3/20/39 Granted a C.P. for 1370kc, 100 watts, 250 watts LS, unlimited. License to cover the C.P. granted 5/31/39.

8/8/39 Granted a mod. of lic. for 1370kc, 250 watts, unlimited.

3/4/41 Vol. assign. of lic. to Charleston Broadcasting Co., eff. 4/8/41.

3/24/41 Under NARBA, they were granted 1400kc, 250 watts, unlim.

1/23/47 Vol. assign. of lic. to News Publishing Co., eff. 2/1/47, on condition that C.P. for WOPK is surrendered for cancellation, which it was on 2/1/47.

11/6/50 Vol. assign. of lic. to Ohio Valley Broadcasting Co., eff. 11/30/50.

4/5/57 Vol. transfer of cont. of lic. corp. from News Publishing Co. to WSTV, Inc., eff. 5/10/57.

7/15/57 The call letters changed to WBOY.

7/23/57 Vol. assign. of lic. to WSTV, Inc., eff. 8/1/57.

3/29/61 Granted a C.P. for 1400kc, 250 watts, 1kw LS, unlimited. License to cover the C.P. granted 7/26/62.

11/8/61 Vol. transfer of cont. of lic. corp. to United Printers and Publishers (Incorporated), eff. 1/25/62.

8/27/62 Vol. mod. of lic. to change the name of the licensee to Rust Craft Broadcasting Co.

3/20/64 Vol. assign. of lic. to Northern West Virginia Radio Broadcasting Co., eff. 7/10/64.

12/16/69 Vol. transfer of cont. of lic. corp. from Fortnightly Corp. to Marion R. Ascoli, et al, eff. 12/29/69.

8/12/76 Vol. assign. of lic. to WBBN Broadcasting Co., eff. 9/30/76.

10/1/76 The call letters changed to WBBN.

2/20/80 Vol. assign. of lic. to Allegheny Broadcasting Co., eff. 3/30/80.

3/31/80 The call letters changed to WPQZ.



QUESTION:
Did Clarksburg ever have a pro football team?
Do you know the name of the team or the year they played professional football in Clarksburg?




BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

submitted by: Margaret Snow Crocker (WI '49)
marorgeo@aol.com

Our son sent a book for my husband to read. He read it, passed it around and each person who reads it says it is one of the best books they have read. It was written by John C. Waugh. He writes that he was born and raised in Clarksburg. The book is called "The Class Of 1846, From West Point to Appomattox: Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan and their Brothers". We were wondering if anyone has heard of this author. He tells about Stonewall Jackson as if he knew him personally.



submitted by: Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
St1Pat@aol.com

Roleta, I just finished a terrific book entitled "An End to Evil ", by David Frum and Richard Pearle. It is about the terrorist nations and Islam. It should be required reading for everyone in the country and the entire free world. It is about $28.00 and is worth every penny of it.




HELP NEEDED FINDING PEOPLE

submitted by: Dian Gantz Hurley (WI '46)
WIHSClassof1946@aol.com

The WIHS classes of 1945 and 1946 are planning a reunion. It will take place on April 23 and 24, 2004 at Via Veneta. (Graduates will remember it as the old Green Acres Supper Club on the road between Anmoore and Bridgeport.) Registration will be on Friday, April 23rd at 7 PM. The classes of 1945 and 1946 have lost contact with the following classmates. Some recently, some a long time ago. But, thought having them in the newsletter would be of some benefit. Anyone having information about any of these classmates can contact WIHSClassof1946@aol.com or CornieDee@aol.com

Here is our list:

ANNA IRENE BOYLES WELCH,
MARY LOU COLLINS DEVILBISS,
GARNET ELOISE CROSS NYE,
DOROTHY DAHOUT O'MALLEY (lived 2014 Riverglen Forrest Dr., Kingwood TX in 1995),
JAMES LEWIS DENNIS,
PATRICIA JEAN HUFFMAN,
DOROTHY JANET SHAW,
JOHN E. SWICK,
MYRL VANSCOY,
PATRICIA ANN WILSON,
CHARLES MOOREHEAD,
GLADYS BRAGG SCHIAVI,
PATRICIA VORE KOHLER,
BETTY JO LAWSON WICKHOFER

Just sorry we did not think of this sooner! Thank you so much for all the hard work you do on the newsletter, it is a joy to have someone with your talent and energy taking care of such a worth while project!




OBITUARIES

WALTER JOSEPH LOVER

Walter Lover, age 84 of Mulberry Ave, Clarksburg died December 26, 2003 at his home. He was born in Clarksburg in 1919, a son of the late Joseph Lover and Gertrude (Stewart) Lover. His wife, Vivian (Zannino) Lover survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Rose Ann Shuttleworth, Clarksburg, WV and Walda Jo Taylor. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Jordan Lover.

Mr. Lover was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was the owner of the Roush's Fruit Market for twenty years until retiring in 1979. He was the captain of Washington Irving basketball team in 1939 when they were the state champions



EVERETT BURTON 'BUD' STANLEY

Everett Burton "Bud" Stanley, age 75, Clarksburg, WV, died on Dec. 24, 2003. He was born in Nutter Fort, WV, on March 15, 1928, a son of the late Leslie Edward Stanley and Irene Elizabeth (Simons) Stanley. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy (Boram) Stanley, three sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Yvonne Stanley, Pittsburgh, PA, Bruce Eric and Melissa Stanley, Raleigh, N.C., Jeffrey Wayne and Pam Stanley, Morgantown, WV; one daughter and son-in-law, Leslie S. and David Plants, Weston, WV.

Bud graduated from WI in 1946 and from WVU School of Pharmacy in 1951. He practiced pharmacy for 46 years and was a former partner in Bland's Drug Store, Town & Country Drug Store and The Village Pharmacy.

Bud loved playing baseball and softball. He enjoyed golfing with many friends especially with his late brother-in-law, Ed Toompas. He held season tickets to the Mountaineer football and basketball games. Bud was a loving, dedicated husband, a fantastic father, a caring pharmacist and a friend without equal.



JOSEPH "COACH" A. MARRA

Joseph A. Marra, 82, of 1406 N. 20th St. Clarksburg, died, Jan. 2, 2004. He was born June 13, 1921, at Clarksburg, a son of the late Fran and Barbara Marra.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Lopez Marra, whom he married on Aug. 19th, 1948, and one daughter, Barbara Rose Marra Mr. Marra was a graduate of WI. Due to WWII, he had to leave his studies at Glenville State College. He served more than two years in the European Theatre of Operations with the Eighth Air force. He then returned to Glenville State, where he earned his teaching degree and excelled in football.

Mr. Marra coached football and basketball at Ansted High School, Fayette County, W.Va., for several years. During the 1957-58 season, he coached the basketball team to victory at the State Championship Class B tournament, which enabled him to hold the record for the most consecutive wins for a basketball team in West Virginia. He won 48 consecutive games.

Mr. Marra also coached basketball at Shinnston High School and returned to his alma mater in 1963, where he coached football, basketball and track, later serving as athletic director and retiring as assistant principal. He came out of retirement to serve as principal at Notre Dame High School for two years and later served as the golf coach. He ended his teaching/coaching career by serving over 36 years with the Harrison County school system.

Mr. Marra was a member of St. James Catholic Church.



CONSTANCE ANN LEROY CARPINO

Constance Ann LeRoy Carpino of Lorain, Ohio, formerly of Clarksburg, WV, died Sunday, December 28th in Elyria Memorial Hospital, Elyria Ohio.

She was born April, 1921 in Clarksburg, WV, daughter of Tony and Maria Josephine Pulice Leroy. On February 14, 1942 she married A. F. Carpino of West, WV. He died in Elyria on October 21, 2001. Mrs. Carpino was a 1939 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School.

She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Elyria.

Thanks to The Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram for permission to use excepts from their Obituary Column.



OXYMORON

DEFINITION: A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined.

EXAMPLE: "Oxymoron" - Removing the Ten Commandments from the courthouse while making people in court swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God ... while your hand is on the Bible




UPCOMING NEWSLETTER SUBJECTS

How many grade schools do you think there were in Harrison County in the 40’s and 50’s? Name some of them.
How many are there now in the county?
School lunches
Describe how your teachers dressed
Name some of your favorite stores in downtown Clarksburg. Where did you like to shop?

Pick a subject and write to me at Roleta1@aol.com




MY STAFF

FROM THE EDITOR

Many of you keep referring to my staff. There are 3 people on my staff. I do the written word. Judy places the pictures and puts it on her website (a most important factor in the newsletter). Bob Davis, WI 1959, is a vital part of my monthly work, he keeps my e-mail addresses up to date and as correct as is possible with the volume we now have.

I couldn’t do the newsletter without any of you …we are the staff; however,

YOU ARE THE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS.






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