THE WI NEWSLETTER 04/04

THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 56 April 2004




BECOME A PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

I believe I have come up with an idea where we can all join hands for the common good of someone else. This will be a way where you can give along with others to help the future of a young person from our hometown of Clarksburg. Every year Robert Byrd High School presents college scholarships to graduating seniors. The scholarship amounts start at $500.00. I think it would be wonderful if the readers of the WI Newsletter would all come together in this effort and make it possible to present a scholarship to a graduating senior. At the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic I presented this idea of the scholarship to those present. Many were very interested in becoming a part of this project. It is difficult for an individual to give a scholarship, but as a group we can accomplish this.

You can give any amount you wish. The more you give the better. Your gifts will remain anonymous. You may write a check for any amount, send a money order or any other way you wish to contribute. I will not publish the givers names or the amounts given. Maybe you would like to give a quarter for each year of your age, $1.00 for each month of the year, maybe $10.00 for each child you have or each grandchild. Save your pennies and give one amount on your birthday or in memory of your parents. Perhaps give $1.00 or $100.00 just to feel good about helping someone else. This will be an ongoing project for the readers of the newsletter---we may be able to give one or more scholarships each year. Wouldn’t that be wonderful???

The readers of the WI Newsletter will be able to have pride in this project as we will be coming together for a common purpose--- the future of someone from our hometown. Don’t you wish some people would have done something like this to help you when you graduated?

All the money collected at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC which took place in Florida on March 13, 2004 is now in a fund that will go toward the scholarship. Please contribute to be a part of this project.

Send your money to me at:
Roleta Smith Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Also, we need a name for the scholarship. Do you have any ideas? The name of the scholarship should represent all of the readers of the WI Newsletter. This scholarship will not be named to honor any person. Think of some clever name that will include all of the readers of the newsletter. There are people involved in this endeavor who graduated from a Clarksburg school as far back as 1931 and as recently as 1990.  This scholarship should be named something to reflect all who are willing to contribute to it's success.

I think this is a marvelous way for us to have a special purpose in our lives. Write your suggestions for a name to: Roleta1@aol.com

LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE



Pictured above are Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959) and hubby Bill Meredith (Monongah HS 1957) at the picnic celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary.



March 13, 2004 is a day that will live in my mind forever. What a wonderful turnout we had to help Bill and I celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. Very few present knew about us celebrating our anniversary. Our anniversary is the 14th of March. Wasn’t the picnic a wonderful thing for a couple to do for an anniversary? I worked about four days and didn’t sleep very well while preparing for the big event. On Saturday morning, at about 5:30 AM, I told Bill Happy Anniversary then I announced to him what I would like for him to do to help me. He never batted an eye but chipped in to help me try to make it a special day for all who attended. I had done the planning, the shopping and the packing of the van. I figured I was as prepared as I was ever going to be. I asked him if he would please register the people as they entered the picnic and try to make sure all present wore name tags. He did a great job…thanks, Bill.

Many thanks to all who showed up early at the picnic to help unload the van, cover tables and help get things organized. Also, thanks to those of you who helped reload the van after the picnic was over. Thanks to Sue Ellen Stalnaker Crawford (WI 1971) for making the hot dog sauce for me. Thanks to Sam White for the clever signs he put along the sidewalk…we enjoyed the memories! Thanks to Roger Dean (RW 1954) for leading us all in the song “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.” Roger has a beautiful voice. Thanks to Babe Bisping Cashman who again helped by telling people where to put what foods. A thank you goes to Carolyn White Rector who provided me with a bull horn so some of the people could hear me a little better—even though I have a “big” mouth it is hard to get over 200 people to hear me!

I hope all of you enjoyed the picnic. Every year I say I am not going to work as hard and have more time to visit with friends and meet the readers of the newsletter. But maybe it will happen next year. (tomorrow, tomorrow, etc.) I hope all of you understand---I am really not unfriendly—there is always so much to do, my mind was on a dozen things at one time when I was at the picnic. I wanted everything to go well for everyone.

A special thanks to husband Bill for putting up with me spending so many hours on the computer with my crazy ideas. First one being the newsletter, then the picnic to bring old friends in the Florida area together and now the scholarship fund. He has been so understanding about these things…won’t you please send him a thanks…those little words mean so much. (Billmere@aol.com)

Happy Anniversary, Bill.



Pictured above is Roger Dean (RW 1954) singing “America the Beautiful” to open the picnic.
On the right is Roleta Smith Meredith joining in the first verse.

Picture from Don Sager (WI 1956)




COMMENTS ABOUT THE PICNIC

submitted by: Joanne Westfall Tetrick (WI '52)
fragilegranny34@msn.com

It was so nice to finally meet the editor of the Newsletter in person at the picnic in Sarasota.  What a stellar job you did putting it all together.  The crowd was great, food superb, and the hot dog chili -- what can I say??  Kudos to Sue Ellen and she really could go into the hotdog business in sunny Florida!!

My classmates attending were:  George (Bill) Scholl and his wife Ginny; Catherine Tiano Mancina and husband, Joe; Deedie Swisher Souders and husband, Bill (Class of '46); and yours truly with my husband, Dick Tetrick (Class of '47)

The weather was sunny and windy and we hope to be able to attend again next year.  Thanks for all your hard work and devotion to keep us all "connected".




FOOTBALL

Pictured above are Jim Alvaro (WI 1956), Roy Smith (WI 1955) and Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) while at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC. All were “Football stars while at WI”! I am sure they were discussing that big game!

submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI '56)
thomasdrcr1@juno.com

Thanks for another great reunion.    I really enjoyed myself, and I'm already planning to attend the WI Summer Picnic Reunion at Nutterfort in August, and I will nudge some other people to attend also.

I briefly talked with your husband, Bill, about his basketball article in February.    And I wish I could have talked with you some, but it would be easier to talk to one of the "River City Irish Dancers" while he or she is performing on stage than to talk with you during one of your events.   You are one dynamic lady, Roleta!!!

On the other hand, we can all see that you are quite busy at the Reunion Picnic.   And I can guess that you did not have much time to have fun, but from what I could observe . . . everyone else had a GREAT time, and you are always given the credit.

And I'm glad you wrote back because I realized that I had forgotten to tell you that I walked up and reintroduced myself to your brother, Roy.  He seemed to be surprised that I remembered that he had been such an outstanding football player at WI approximately 49 years ago.    I hope the two of you got to spend some quite quality time together.



Bill hard at work registering the people as they arrived.
Looking over Bill's shoulder at the list is Barb Warren Williams (WI 1958).


submitted by: Chad Sinsel (WI '53)
ChadandNuala@aol.com

Jim and Kay Atkinson, Bob and Ann Bramham and me-self (you've got to forgive me, me being married to an Irish lass and all), my wife having bronchitis, didn't attend.  Any way, we had a great Friday night reunion with Sarah Stephenson and Martha Ann Jeffries (both Class of '55), both of whom are happily married, and (klutz reporter that I am), neither of who’s married name I acquired (pretty bad reporter, huh?). 

Anyway, we arrived at Twin Lakes Campground Pavilion around 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 13th. and registered!!  Among the first people we saw were Dick (WI '45) and Joanne (Westfall '52) Tetrick, both of whom looked GREAT!!   After we claimed a spot and stashed our legal beverages (Taboo in the State Park, but Bramham & Sinsel figured a way around this problem -  DON'T ASK!!),  we started to mingle.  The Class of '53 was well represented by six - Jim Atkinson, Bob Bramham,  Mary Sue Kerns Carr, Alberta Malfregeot Allen, Chad Sinsel and Sam White.  It was an amazing get-together!! 

The oldest alum there was Les Holdsworth (WI Class of '31), who was Senior VP of The Lowndes Bank when I went on the Board in 1977, and his son, Jack, who was WI Class of '49. 

I'm going to tell you who I talked to, and, if I miss some people, it's certainly not intentional!!  First off was the Carlisle School crowd -  Bramham, Sinsel, Jean Greer, Judy Mitchie Hayes, (both WI '51) Susan Mitchie & Paul Klein.  Had a great conversation with Bill Souders ('46?) and his wife Deedee (Swisher - WI "52).  Lots of folks from my brother's (Doug, but most of you know him as Put) class (WI '56) - John Harrison, Jim Alvaro, Babe Bisping, Jim Warren, Al Hefner and his gorgeous wife Sandy (Drummond), your cousin, Rusty Rutan (WI '57, what a neat guy!!)  Bucky Tustin and Bobby (The Horse) Cloussin (both '55) Chloe Ann Evans Chipps ( '51) and her ornery husband, Jack, (Victory '50);  Al ('50) and Jeannie Brunetti ('52) Castellana, who were my neighbors on Temple Terrace when my kids were growing up; Bob Williams ('45) of Williams Jewelers, and Marvin ('45) and Betty Ann ('48) Miller. 

I know I've left out hundreds of people, but this was a representative group.. I would urge all of our classmates ('53), and anyone else who reads this Newsletter to come to Sarasota on March 5, 2005.  WHAT A GREAT TIME!!!


Pictured above are from left to right; Janet Larimer, (RW class of 49) wife of Dave Larimer (a famous football & basketball star from WI class of 50) No e-mail.; Ron Ogren WI Class of 50, e-mail Ogrenron@aol.com; and Marcie Means, (Victory Class of 49) wife of Charlie Means, WI Class of 50, e-mail cmeans@cfl.rr.com. having fun visiting at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC.




SEND A CARD:

Orlan C. Fowler, who is now a resident of the Heritage Nursing Facility, will turn 100 years old on the 13th of April. I talked to Dwight (who is 92) that Orlan loves cards. They are also having a celebration for his birthday at the Simpson Creek Baptist Church on April 3rd. But, I thought it would be nice if all who remember him send him cards for his 100th birthday. Who knows, he may just remember some of us. He really did have a wonderful memory and remembered most of his students, and even those families he sold World Book Encyclopedias to! He was an amazing man. So, I think it would be great if all of us sent him a card for this milestone!!

Thanks!!

The address is:
Orlan C. Fowler
c/o The Heritage
Route 4 Box 17
Bridgeport, WV 26330

Remember to sign your name to the card, the school and year. That way he may be able to recognize you.....




When you write to me for the newsletter---please sign each email with your name (maiden name if it applies) school and class year you graduated or would have graduated. For instance—if you went to grade school and Jr. Hi at Central, would have graduated with the class of 1959 but moved to Timbuktu before high school, still put down WI Class of 1959. If you quit school in your sophomore year but would have graduated from WI with the Class of 1958 (or whenever) still put down WI Class of 1958. You are considered by your friends to be a part of that class no matter the reason you weren’t there for graduation! Any questions? Write Roleta1@aol.com


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

Who is willing to admit to running down Main St. below the Presbyterian church and grabbing (borrowing) apples from in front of Krogers, to eat on the way home from school ? 



submitted by: Chuck Thomas (WI '56)
ThomasDRCR1@juno.com

Everyone from WI and Clarksburg should read 3-8-04 issue of TIME magazine about Mary Sue Clark Spahr’s son Tim, “an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in Cambridge, Mass. . . .” (The article by Michael D. Lemonick appears in the Space section on page 69 and is entitled “Chicken Little Alert [:] For one night it looked as if a killer asteroid was about to hit—but Earth’s number isn’t up yet.”)

Mary Sue, (WI 1956) your classmates as well as other WI and Clarksburg friends are proud of you and your scientific son!!! If Hollywood makes a film of your son Tim’s adventure with the rogue asteroid back in January, have you decided who you will want to play his mother? Congratulations to your astronomer son, Dr.Tim Spahr, to you, and to your husband, Phil, who played more than a small part in this real-life story of national recognition and success.



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

If you have any pictures of people at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC please send me a copy for use in the newsletters. I didn’t get a picture of every group and I was too busy to take pictures during the picnic. Thanks



submitted by: Marcia DeMarco (Bridgeport '77)
MDWYANT@aol.com

My name is Marcia DeMarco. I'm Francine Willison-Perry's sister.........and cousin to the many Oliverio's from Clarksburg. I'd like to be added to your newsletter.

I was born and raised in Clarksburg went to St. Mary's, Carlysle, and Linden grade schools and Central Junior High. In 1974 we moved to Bridgeport because the state road demolished our house at 223 E. Pke St. for the new road....very sad. Yes, my family had the East End Lunch restaurant!! I've recently moved to San Francisco to be with my sister......5 months!! I'm working for UCSF University of California San Francisco as an administrator. I still have a home in Morgantown where I've lived since 1987. Let me know if I can give you any other bio info on myself.

I wanted to thank you for putting my Uncle Neil Sappington in this edition.......so good to see his face!!! And my cousin Vinnie Oliverio!!!

We’re a big clan.......I'm looking forward to the next issue.....instead of having my sister read it to me!!

Thanks and keep up the great work. Marcia DeMarco



submitted by: Bill Strickler (WI '53)
StricklerB@aol.com

Last spring when our class was beginning to look forward to our 50th reunion Marian McDonald Hiller got many of us started writing "personal updates" that could be shared through the Internet prior to the reunion. Things went a little slow, but eventually we got about 20 prepared before the reunion.

Just as important, we also collected a lot of e-mail addresses for our classmates, collected more at the reunion and then have collected even more after the reunion. I now have nearly 50 valid addresses of classmates in my address book. I am a little reluctant to share the addresses to be published on a website without each person's permission, but I would be happy to be the intermediary between anyone looking for the e-mail address of a member of the class of '53. That way I do not invade anyone's privacy. Just e-mail me and I will forward the request if I have an address for that person.

But back to last spring!!! Chad Sinsel told me about this terrific WI/Clarksburg website and recommended that I look at it. I energized a search engine for Washington Irving High School and got several "hits". I finally narrowed them down to OUR Washington Irving and looked at the website. It did not live up to the billing that Chad had given it. I was disappointed and gave up on it. But throughout the summer, and on, I kept hearing people mention the website. Being a bit slow, I eventually realized that I must not be looking at the same website everyone else is. They were talking about things I had not seen on the site I visited. Finally, Cadilac Jak Emrick e-mailed me the proper link and I have been hooked ever since. I have sent the link to your site to all on my mailing list. I hope to see many of them signing up for your notification in the April edition. You can sure put me on your notification list.

Thanks for all your efforts, they are appreciated by all of us.



submitted by: Betty Latstetter Burke (WI '58)
ejaneburke2000@yahoo.com

Hi Roleta and Bill,
I want to thank you for getting the reunion picnic together. I know it's a lot of work, but it certainly meant a lot to those of us who were there. Seeing those we went to school with so many years ago was deeply moving, and how wonderful of you to make it possible! Thanks also for the newsletter--a very special gift, bringing back so many memories--and sharing them with old classmates is a real blessing. I am grateful to be a part of it. 



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

My cousin Linda stopped by today on her way to Tampa and we were discussing the newsletter. She said she wrote last month and asked to be added but that she didn't get the March copy. I told her I didn't see her name on the new addresses. She is on vacation and doesn't know if she will have access to a computer or not. She asked me, to ask you, to please add her to the mailing list for April. Linda Oliverio Kolosky WI '60 AXLIN@aol.com. Her brother Vinnie was also pictured in the 1977 semi-pro team picture in the March edition. I will definitely keep Victor in my prayers. I'm sure they got it all and these shots and blood tests and all that they give you are just par for the course. So try not to worry, if at all possible. Take care and thanks a bunch for the great newsletter.



submitted by: Marianna Waroblak (WI '56)
mariannaw2001@yahoo.com

I just now opened and copied the March newsletter.  I think I mentioned before that I couldn't come to the picnic because I would have just returned from a month in Mexico with my Spanish class. I looked at the newsletter in Mexico, but I like to make copies.  I also send everything that has to do with Chuck Thomas to him because, he tells me, for some reason he cannot download it.  I shall send this one to him also, because he was the precious child.  I certainly got the connection when I looked closely, but sometimes I cannot recognize the people.  Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I wish so much I could have come to the picnic.  I hope my schedule will allow it next year.  Some of my very good friends were there this time.  I thought of you all on Saturday evening and again yesterday.  I am still catching up at school on the academics today (Monday) because I had not been here for so long.  Now, I can officially begin my 2 weeks of Spring Break.  You see, otherwise, it would have been a perfect time to come. I think it surely was a success with 180 people planning to attend.  It will get bigger and better, don't you think?  I hope it was the success that you envisioned and I will try to make it next year.  I will still teach for yet another year, so it does depend on the schedule.

As to my trip to Mexico, I had a wonderful, wonderful time.  We did so many things.  I had a driver this time.  I am actually thinking about doing a business with him to tour adults when I retire. Perhaps I'll sit and tell about my trip which might be print worthy and perhaps see if there's interest in my conducting small trips of the sort for adults.  I'd even teach some Spanish classes to help with the language.  I'll try to do that over this break. 

Hope all is well with you.  Take care.



submitted by: Mary Beth Riddle Sterling (VHS '58)
marybwv@ma.rr.com

I am Mary Beth (Riddle) Sterling, live in Fairmont, WV and am a '58 grad of VHS. I would like to receive your newsletter.  I grew up on Birch St. (near Beech St.), Mulberry, College, and Broaddus-- and recognize many of the names in your letter. I could never get to Sarasota for the reunion, but do enjoy reading about everyone and going over old memories. 

Thanks for the memories.  Mary Beth (some kids called me Mary B.)



submitted by: Mary Beth Jeranko Hilburn (WI '55)
MaryBeth_Hilburn/HOLUALOA/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

I know that Miss Nutter didn't have a wig.  I looked down at her scalp when she was scolding me for something, and I saw scabs on her head where she had scratched it. Poor Ms. Bauer!!!  We were in a play, and she got mad at all of us, sent us home, for what we thought was the demise of the play.  No more.  We were all relieved.  The next day she went right on with her expectations about rehearsals as if she had never said a word!!!  Very confusing for us.

Who was our jr. English teacher?  Very proper and prim and a wonderful teacher.  Reading all of your memories is great.  

Thanks.



submitted by: Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
aslindke@worldnet.att.net

I enjoyed the newsletter. I graduated in 1956 and married Gene Thomas class of 54. We have 4 children, 10 grandkids and 2 great grandkids. Gene passed away 23 years ago. I am now married to Albert Lindke a general motors retiree from Michigan. We have lived in Naples, Fl. for 18 years. I have been the security manager for a very upscale high rise for 13 years and have no plans to retire. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me.   Sorry we could not attend the picnic this year, but we are looking forward to next year.



submitted by: Billie Anne Cork Clevenger (WI '52)
ElegantLady3452@aol.com

I have received the WI newsletter twice from friends but I would like to be added to your mailing list to receive it on a regular basis.  It is so wonderful to read and enjoy all the old memories!  You are doing a great service to all WI graduates and I commend you for it.  Keep up the good work!



submitted by: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)
mshaffer@ma.rr.com

I am interested in obtaining WI yearbooks for the years 55, 56 and 57.




WI CLASS OF 1931 REPRESENTED AT THE PICNIC

Pictured above enjoying the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC are the two oldest attendees. Vernice Kesler age 93 and Leslie Holdsworth (WI 1931). These were two spry young chicks. Never say OLD!




GENE WENTZ

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

Gene Wentz (WI 1947) lolgen@wmconnect.com is a resident of Deltona, Florida. Gene and wife Lola planned to attend the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC but were unable to come to the west coast due to the arrival of unsuspected company. Gene is a vocalist who has appeared for several years in Miami, New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and many other cities. He was the opening act at many clubs for many big name stars. He has sung on television, radio and night clubs. Gene sent me one of his CD’s. Good music, Gene. Thanks.



DON’T FORGET



Attending the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC from the WI Class of 1959 are:
Roleta Smith Meredith, Bob Rector, Carolyn White Rector, Bill Fowler, Clara Jason Davis, Sallie Holden Day, Dick Frush, Fred Alvaro, Jane Stout Galvin, Larry Martino, (I don’t know this person), Sandy Drummond Heffner.




CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Hank Ross (WI '59) is now   rross1@ma.rr.com

Mike Snyder (WI '57)   mefastwater@yahoo.com

Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)   mshaffer@ma.rr.com

Brad Fenton (ND '59 )   Corbin65@adelphia.net

Fred Alvaro (WI '59) is back to   Falvaro33@aol.com

Gladys Williams (WI '71)   gwill1004@aol.com

Dino Colombo (WI '53)   dcolombodr@ma.rr.com

Bill Brassine (WI '54)   BrassineW@aol.com

Judy Zabeau Shepherd (ND '58)   jzshepherd@aol.com


NEW E MAIL ADDRESS


Bill Strickler (WI '53) StricklerB@aol.com
Richard Gloss (WI '65) rgloss@sc.rr.com
Justin Jerry Hustead (WI '63) JJHustead@aol.com
Mary Beth Riddle Sterling (VHS '58) marybwv@ma.rr.com
Jane Ross (WI '53) meezer83@msn.com
Isa Lambert (WI '40) isa.lambert@verizon.net
George Scholl (WI '52) georgegin@juno.com
Norma Jean Simon Stern (VHS '50) nstern@tampabay.rr.com
Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74) fish6564@bellsouth.net
Holly Hill  (WI '64) Holly.hill@att.net
Beverly Morris Hissong (WI '58) wrhisson@smsd.org
Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56) aslindke@worldnet.att.net
Alberta Malfregot Allen (WI '53) mdf6362@aol.com
Dale Allen (VHS '50) mdf6362@aol.com
Bill Brassine (WI '54) BrassineW@aol.com
Betty Latstetter Burke (WI '58) ejaneburke2000@yahoo.com
Sara Stephenson Laber (WI '55) laber@worldnet.att.net
Judy Holden Cork (WI '62) JHCork@earthlink.com
Ron Gainer (WI '52) rongainer@scia.net
Shirley Kopp Gainer (WI '52) rongainer@scia.net
John Olivero (WI '57) jtoliverio@earthlink.net
Doc Smith (WI '54) msmith2313@aol.com
Linda Holden Suter (WI '65) LSuter@bellsouth.net
Gene Wentz (WI '47) lolgen@wmconnect.com
Brenda Kroll Wolfe (ND '59) brendawolfe@hotmail.com
Linda Oliverio Kolosky (WI '60) AXLIN@aol.com
Melinda Mazza Sutter (WI '64) librarian2@comcast.net
Billie Anne Cork Clevenger (WI '52) ElegantLady3452@aol.com
Sharon Tiano Secret (ND '63) SharonTS@aol.com
Marcia De Marco (Bridgeport '77) MDWyant@aol.com




LOOK WHAT I FOUND



Pictured above are Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959) and Sherri Greitzner Dial (WI 1956) Luman4804@aol.com at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC…thanks Sherri…




MARIE’S ZINNIAS

submitted by: Judy Noe Ashland (ND '57)
Jujubee40@aol.com

Life had always been hard for Marie. Born into a poor family, she was married at young age to a cold, indifferent man. Working tirelessly, she raised their 4 sons and 5 daughters. They never had much; she longed to own her own home. Her prayers were answered in her later years. Her son generously built them a small house on his property near his own home. She reveled in the pure pleasure of having something to call her own. Furnished modestly, the little house came to life with her loving care. The floors shimmered, gauzy white curtains danced at the windows, an old, weathered "Home Sweet Home" sign hung proudly in the bedroom. The back porch was just large enough for a swing which she often shared with her grandchildren.

Each summer, the husband planted and tended a large vegetable garden, but Marie had something very different in mind. She carefully sprinkled tiny seeds along two concrete walls. As though she had willed it to happen, a burst of glorious color sprang from the cool brown earth. Row after row, the flowers emerged, lifting their proud heads to the blue sky, as if in prayer. Marie tended them  as she had her children, tirelessly, lovingly. Her son and his family were treated to the myriad of color for many years. Each year as Marie once again sowed the zinnia seeds, her granddaughter would ask why she didn't plant other flowers. Marie would reply that God especially loved zinnias. The young girl spent much time with her grandmother whom she loved beyond words.

After Marie's death, there were no more zinnias. The husband she left behind spent his remaining years in a nursing home. The young girl grew up, married and raised children of her own. But, the memory of Marie's soft blue eyes, gentle ways and unconditional love were always in the granddaughter's heart and mind.

I know this to be true as I am Marie's granddaughter and I still love zinnias.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I hope you enjoy reading the writings that Judy Noe Ashland contributes to the newsletter. If you have a comment about her writings, please write to Roleta1@aol.com.

If Judy’s story made you think of your grandmother, would you please write a little story about your grandmother. May is the month for Mother’s Day…let’s honor our grandmother’s this year in the May newsletter. Write to me about your grandmother. Thanks, Roleta



FRIENDS GET TOGETHER IN DAYTONA BEACH

submitted by: Melinda Mazza Sutter (WI '64)
librarian2@comcast.net



Jenny Heston Carr's family has a great beach house in Daytona . A couple of months ago, a few of us got together for Sherry Hutchinson Keith's birthday. We had a blast. Here are a couple of pictures.

Two women are Sherry Hutchison Keith (64) and Jenny Heston Carr (64)
Four women are: Markey Simpson who now goes by Markey Bee (64) Vicki Limbers (67) Jenny Heston Carr (64) Melinda Mazza Sutter (64)




WEEKLY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Bill Brassine (WI '54)
BrassineW@aol.com

Clarksburg's WEEKLY newspaper was THE CLARKSBURG NEWS. I do not know the year of its beginning or the year of its end. I delivered it in the late 1940's. My route was Elm St., Carr Ave., part of E Main St., Clay St., Monticello Ave. and all the streets surrounding those. The paper was delivered and  appeared on the newsstands on Thursdays. It was owned and edited by Mr. H.G. Rawn (not positive of the spelling of his last name), the papers were printed in southwest Penn. and brought to Clarksburg on Wednesday nights. The office was in the Ritz Theater Building on W.Pike St. Mr. Rawn also had a local news radio broadcast. He and his wife lived on Webster St. and he walked to work every day. I'm not sure that he owned a car at that time. He was  a  very nice man in his "mid years" when I knew him.



submitted by: George Scholl (WI '52)
georgegin@juno.com

I want to thank you for doing a great job on the Clarksburg Reunion. This was my first one and I hope not my last. I met several old friends and neighbors of whom I had lost track.

As for the Clarksburg Weekly newspaper, it was the Clarksburg News owned by H. G. Rawlings, I think, not sure of the spelling of his name. Offices were in the Ritz theater building. I delivered this paper in parts of Broad Oaks around Quincy St. hill and 'the other hill", Harrison St. until I started delivering the daily Exponent.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Boy that BROAD OAKS gang must have been something! Does it still exist in Broad Oaks? I noticed Broad Oaks Gang on some of the name tags at the CLARKSBURG PICNIC….Don Sager was one in particular.



submitted by: Hank Ross (WI '59)
RRoss1@ma.rr.com

March trivia about Clarksburg's Weekly newspaper called the Clarksburg News.
At one time it was owned and operated by H Rahwn who lived on Dale Ave close to where I grew up. He later relocated to a 5TH  ST apartment.
He retired and sold the business and it was operated a few more years before finally closing.



submitted by: Rex Zickefoose (WI '59)
REXZICKEFOOSE@peoplepc.com

Clarksburg News is the name of the weekly newspaper.. I delivered it for a while. Also, I delivered the Telegram in Hartland.



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

A great local  weekly newspaper, especially in the 1940's....remembering the  "Yehudia" column when all the high school kids, (especially the girls) wanted mentioned  about their new boyfriend that was "crazy about them" .. Such stuff as --"now who is  that good looking young guy with black hair  that is  seen around that  little blonde at Victory  carrying her books..?"--and---"the telephone line is  certainly busy every night  from  that football player from WI that keeps that RW cheerleader up late with  those personal private line  calls--good thing that isn't a party line kids..!"---and oh-yeah--...and  the girls..they even planted such stories themselves... (ha) Finally  published by --"John(?)"--who had it printed in Uniontown, Pa and  gave up  when the advertising  started to dry up with competition from  new local TV-stations  and more radio stations going on the air. ......And the MARCH issue--..Another Great newsletter



submitted by: Dave Nichols (WI '55)
DNicholsii@aol.com

You asked about a weekly newspaper in Clarksburg. It was The Clarksburg News. Mr. H. G. Rawn was the publisher. I don’t know if he was the owner but he gave me that impression. He interviewed me once to be editor. I was finishing a degree in journalism at WVU at the time and became acquainted with Mr. Rawn while studying his newspaper for a college project. He was aligned with a group of progressives in Clarksburg, people who challenged the status quo. The paper was their voice for change



submitted by: Leslie Holdsworth (WI '49)
lholdswo@tampabay.rr.com

H. G. Rahn was the publisher "or owner?" of the Clarksburg News and his offices were upstairs above the Ritz Theater and beside the library.  I was hired as their first statement courier.  Mr. Rahn was dismayed at the cost of postage to bill his advertisers, and because most of them were right down town, he hired me, a local Pike Street ragamuffin, to hand deliver the envelopes to his debtors individually and in person.  I think  this was about 1940-42-43 era.  I delivered some papers to local establishments during the week and the statements on Saturday at the end of the month.  After one summer they told me they wouldn't need me anymore.  I think they went back to mailing everything.  

I later worked for the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram as a Sunday Edition Stuffer and I had a paper route for about a year in 1945.  Dad and I are looking forward to seeing you at the Picnic on the 13th.  Thanks for all you do!



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

I can't even swear we are talking about the same newspaper.  Perhaps, we both learned something.  Mr. Sheldon, my ex-husband, and I became good friends back in the 60's.  Our hangout was Martin's Grill which is also located across the street from the old Pierpont school.  He and his wife would come in there and eat once in a while.  I'll share just a little bit more with you.  I do know the Sheldon's had children.  Never did meet them.  They never visited their parents.  When John died, Edith did not even notify them their father had died.  About 6 months later, one of the siblings contacted them and during the conversation they asked about their Dad and this is when they found out he had passed away.  They were upset, but she explained to them, they never came to visit when he was alive, so why when he had died.  Sorry for bending your ear.



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46VHs@aol.com

The weekly newspaper published in Clarksburg was known as The Clarksburg News. The first edition was published in Clarksburg in 1894. It ceased publication in 1900. The newspaper was revised again in 1945 with the first edition dated October 20th. Their first office location was at 404 W. Pike Street next to the Ritz Theatre Building. H.G.. Rhawn was the publisher. In 1954 the office was moved to 203 W. Main Street in the Ogden Building. Then the office relocated to the Arcade Building in early 1957. They then moved to 163 W. Pike Street. In 1961 they moved to 208 N. 4th Street. The last edition of the Clarksburg News was published around 1962.

The employees were as follows:
H.G. Rhawn—Editor/Manager;
Vivian Dennison—circulation News;
Janet Summers—Advertising Manager




THOSE ATTENDING THE PICNIC


As much as we tried, there were people who slipped by us and didn’t get registered at the picnic. Of course they were welcome to be there but it made it difficult to complete the list so some names are missing from the list. This is the list of those who registered. I believe we had about 210 present at the picnic.

2004 CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC

Allen, Dale (VHS 1950) & Alberta (Malfregot) (WI 1953) mdf6362@aol.com

Allen, Tom (WI 1957) & Beverly dta23@yahoo.com

Alvaro, Fred (WI 1959) & Karen (Poe) (Bridgeport 1959) falvaro33@aol.com

Alvaro, Jim (WI 1956) & Sonja (Grossa) (Bridgeport 1958) jalvaro@aol.com

Atkinson, Kay and Jim (WI 1953)

Baggett, JoEllen (Duling) (WI 1952) and B.J. Baggett - I don’t know if they attended

Berger, Bill (WI 1960) bbaa@mindspring.com - Don’t think he attended

Berger, Ernie (St.Mary’s 1950) - not sure if he attended

Boreman, Barbara (WI 1955) - don’t know if she attended

Branham, Ann and Bob (WI 1953) Twice Dollar Bob@aol.com

Brassine, Bill (WI 1954) and Carol (Routzhan) BrassineW@aol.com

Brown, Jim (WI 1957) and Pam (Wolfe) Kb1obx@aol.com

Brown, Tiffany (Souders) (WI 1984) and Jeff Brown
Daughter Megan Brown 8-1/2 and Dylan Brown 2-1/2

Burke, Betty (Latstetter) (WI 1958) ejaneburke2000@yahoo.com

Burton, Jalon (Smith) (born in Clarksburg---Roleta’s sister)

Campbell JoAnn (RW 1950) lwolfe3@tampabay.rr.com

Carr, Dink and Mary Sue (Kerns) (WI 1953) Msd532@aol.com

Carroll, Richard and Ester - attended but I didn’t get any further information on them

Cashman, Stu and Babe (Bisping) (WI 1956) schashman@ucnsb.net

Castellana, Coach Al and Jeannie

Castellana, Ruth Ann (WI 1988?)

Chipps, Chloe Ann (Evans) (WI 1951)

Chipps, Jack (VHS 1949)

Christensen, Don and Liz - didn’t get any further information

Cline, Don (WI 1956)

Cline, Paul (WI 1951) and Diane (Venice, Florida 484-6086)

Clousson, Bob (WI 1955) and Darlene bobdarclo@yahoo.com

Cohen, Bernie (WI 1956) and LaJune Bernard LaJune@aol.com

Collins, Kay and Bud (WI 1955) KEMils@aol.com

Cork, Judy (Holden) (WI 1962) JHCork@earthlink.com

Cowgill, Linda (Perri) (ND 1960) LACowgill@aol.com

Crawford, Sue Ellen (Stalnaker) (WI 1971) - the chili cook!!!!

Cristlip, Bill (VHS) and Peggy (Dennison) (WI 1958)

Cross, Nancy (Spring) (WI 1956)

Cunningham, Delbert (Lost Creek 1945) and Barbara (Sinsel) (WI 1948) speartwin@hotmail.com

Davis, Jim and Clara (Jason) (WI 1959) claraandjim@aol.com

Day, Gene and Sallie (Holden) (WI 1959) Breakers122@aol.com

Dean, Roger (RW) and Carol (Van Horn) (WI 1958) dblu2@aol.com

Dennison, Vivian 378-4395 (Sun n’ Fun-Sarasota)

Dial, Sherry Greitzner (WI 1956) Luman@aol.com

Donato, Mike and Mary Ann (WI 1956) mmdonato23@aol.com

Drummond, Mickey (WI 1960) and Donna - don’t have email address

Dunn, Ralph (Bridgeport 1961) and Joyce (VHS 1960)

Elliott, Rusty and Marty (WI 1957) Rustye@earthlink.net

Feldman, Eileen and Roy (WI 1956) RAE2406@aol.com

Fowler, Bill (WI 1959) and Becky (Stalnaker) (WI 1960) Wlfraf5@aol.com

Fox, Bice (Bridgeport 1959) and Brenda (WI 1961)

Frush, Dick (WI 1960) and wife Karen frushfamily@aol.com

Gainer, Ron (WI 1952) and Shirley (Kopp) (WI 1952) rongainer@scia.net

Garcia, Dick (Bridgeport 1955) and Connie (Jones) (St. Albans 1956)

Galvin, Jane (Stout) (WI 1959) jognjsg@aol.com

Gentilozzi, Vic (WI 1955) Vic@iolinc.net

Glaser, Whitney (Shields) wglaser@yahoo.com and Sarah

Greer, Jean (WI 1951)

Harrison, Ann and John (WI 1956) johnh@teays.net

Hayes, Susan (Richardson) daughter of Judy Hayes (WI 1978)

Heffner, Allen (WI 1956) and Sandy (Drummond) (WI 1959)

Hinkle, Dick (WI 1948) and Joan (RW 1949) rlhinkle@worldnet.att.net

Holdsworth, Leslie (WI 1931) worked many years at Lowndes Bank as VP

Holdsworth, Leslie (WI 1949) lholdswo@tampabay.rr.com

Holt, Jeanne S. (WI 1940)

Jett, John (Pennsboro HS 1953) and Marolyn (Tustin) (WI 1956) majett@atlantic.net

Johnson, Sandra (Price) (WI 1957) and John - Ellenton, Florida

Kesler, Martha (Kinney) (WI 1958) MKKesler@aol.com
And Mother Vernice Kinney age 92

Kopp, Bob (1956) and Sandy (Price) (WI 1957)

Laber, Sara (Stephenson) (WI 1955) laber@worldnet.att.net

Labossiere, Stephanie (Miller) (WI 1971) - daughter of Marvin and Betty Miller

Lambert, Joe

Larimer, Janet and David (WI 1950) Bradenton, FL

Lee, Tommy (WI 1958) and Marilyn (Hurst) (WI 1962) Tel3@aol.com

Love, Roy (RW 1954) and guest Nancy RLove17783@aol.com

Lynch, Nancy and Burnell (WI 1949) burnelllynch@prodigy.net

Malfregeot, Augie (WI 1956) admasa@onearrow.net

Malone, John (RW 1951)

Malone, Pansy (Dodridge Co. HS 1956)

Mancina, Joe (VHS 1951)

Mancina, Catherine (Tiano) (WI 1952)

Marano, Connie (WI 1961) and Ross

Martino, Larry (WI 1959) MJSPoppy@aol.com

Martino, Frank S. (WI 1965) Larry’s brother

Martino, Louis (WI 1961) Larry’s brother

McDonald, Frank (WI 1958) Mcdjeep@aol.com

McFarlin, John (WI 1960) and Ginny

Means, Charlie (WI 1960) and Marcie (Fernandez) (VHS 1949) cmeans@cfl.rr.com

Michie, Judy (WI 1951)

Miller, Betty (Beverlin) (WI 1948) and Marvin (WI 1945) betts08@comcast.net plus 3 guests

Miller, Susan (Michie) (WI 1954)

Morse, Janet (Molle) (WI 1954) and Bill jmorse@lcia.com

Moore, Dav and Vicki Limbers (WI 1967)

Natcher, Bob and Deloris “Dee” (Boone) (WI 1956) Bode5@comcast.net

Ogren, Ron (WI 1950) and Sharon (WI 1950) ogrenron@aol.com

Olivero, Carmine (VHS 1949) and Mary (ND 1959)

Olivero, Jim (ND 1962)

Olivero, John (WI 1957) and Theresa (Abruzzio) jtoliverio@earthlink.net

Pansing, Harriet (Murphy) (WI 1957) hpansing@earthlink.net

Plattos, Kendra (White) (WI 1962) and guest

Pratt, Jean (Duffield) (WI 1948)

Rector, Carolyn (White) (WI 1959) and Bob (WI 1959) BCRector@comcast.net

Rice, Martha (Jeffries) (WI 1955) Lonoma@aol.com

Rutan, Rusty (WI 1957) and Dotty (Taggart) (WI 1958) dottyrutan@yahoo.com

Sager, Don (WI 1956) and Kitty dks@davtv.com

Scholl, George (WI 1952) and Virginia (Godfrey) (Weston 1953) georgegin@juno.com

Schwartz, Myron and Mere (Gurson) (WI 1957) Marmer1@comcast.net

Secret, Pete (ND 1964)

Shields, Carolyn and daughter Whitney Glaser wglaser@yahoo.com

Sinsel, Nuala and Chad (WI 1953) chadandnuala@aol.com

Smith, Howard “Bud” (WI 1955) bud.smith@verizon.net

Smith, Marvin “Doc” (WI 1954) and Myrt (Bulton) (WI 1956) msmith2313@aol.com

Smith, Roy (WI 1955) and Gwenn

Smith, Sharon (Dillmore) and Skip (WI 1958) shanangels@aol.com

Souders, Bill (WI 1946) and Deedie (Swisher) (WI 1962) DeedieDesigns@aol.com

Spagnuolo, Carolyn (Burnetti) (WI 1962) Cspag315@aol.com

Spahr, Phil and Mary Sue (Clark) (WI 1956) msspahr@aol.com

Spring, Bert and Caroll (Duffield) (WI 1961) Bspring507@aol.com

Sutter, Steve (WI 1964)

Suter, Linda Holden (WI 1965) LSuter@bellsouth.net

Suarez, Floyd (Bridgeport 1947) and Patt (VHS 1954)

Switzer, Sondra (Morrison) (WI 1955)

Tetrick, Dick (WI 1947) and Joanne (Westfall) - thru Barb Warren

Thomas, Chuck (WI 1956) THOMASDRCR1@juno.com

Thresher, Susan (Collett) (Winter Park, FL 1981) Sucolay@aol.com
with mother

Thresher, Russ (Grand Froks, ND 1974)

Turner, Ann and Bob (WI 1958) bobturner@mayactv.net

Tustin, Buck (WI 1955) and Elizabeth (Brumange) (ND 1959) orpacu@hotmail.com

Urson, John (WI 1944) and Ruth (Bridgeport HS 1943) JarYou@aol.com

Warren, Tannis and Jim (WI 1956) TannisWarren@hotmail.com

Wendt, Phil and Janet (Webb) (WI 1956) phijetwen@msn.com

Wentz, Gene (WI 1947) and Lola lolgen@wmconnect.com - (Deltona, Fl.)

Westfall, Joanne (WI 1952) and Jerry - thru Barb Warren

White, Jim (WI 1958) and Carolyn whitej@PABJI.com

White, Sam (WI 1953) jmbokodok@comcast.net

Williams, Bob (WI 1946) and Barb (Warren) (WI 1958) barbwilliams@swfl.rr.com

Williams, Ronnie (VHS 1950) and wife Sofia

Williams, Mitzy (Brinkley) (WI 1960) mitzy992@comcast.net and guest

Wolfe, Brenda (Kroll) (Notre Dame 1959) brendawolfe@hotmail.com

+ 3 guests of Ralph Williams
   2 guests of Allen Heffner

If I missed anyone else, please let me know




“REMEMBERING” FOR NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER

Tell me about STUDY HALL. Where did it take place? What did you do there? Did you study, skip out, go to the library, cause trouble, write letters, read magazines? How strict was the teacher in charge? How many students do you think could sit in each study hall at WI? Did the school ever start having co-ed study halls? If so when?

Write your memories and comments to: Roleta1@aol.com Remember to sign all e-mail to me with your name, school and class. If you write to me and don’t wish it to be published, please note that also!

Next month I will share with you the WI FOOTBALL MOTHER’S HOT DOG CHILI RECIPES that were submitted. Also, the words to the song SHORTNIN BREAD and a recipe for shortnin bread….



BATTY OLD FOOL WINS MARATHON

submitted by: Marty Elliott (WI '57)
rustye@earthlink.net

Since the old fool just turned 65 he wanted to run a marathon to prove that he was not totally over the hill. He was apprehensive about running in a “real” marathon because they might close the race course before he finished. At 65 he might get lost on a closed course or even worse, he might forget why he was even there. He might suffer from dehydration or other health problems and the ambulance would be gone. The fool’s solution was simple; he would run a single man marathon within his own neighborhood - Middleton Plantation of Edisto Island, SC. He would win his race and wouldn’t run the risk of getting lost. He accomplished his goal in 6 hours flat and upon telling his wife of his feat; her response was that she now had proof of what she had suspected for years - “the old fool’s batty!”

Marty (WI 1957) and Rusty Elliott are former residents of the Clarksburg, WV, area and now reside on Edisto Island, SC and Prospect Harbor, ME. They are members of the Sub5 Track Club of Brewer, ME.


TRAINS

submitted by: Rex Zickefoose (WI '59)
REXZICKEFOOSE@peoplepc.com

You remember that I lived right by the tracks in Hartland. I remember when those big trains would come in to drop off cars at Bailey Glass and the box factory they came by the house and shook the place like an earth quake. We used to jump on those slow trains over on the other side of the river and ride to west end too. Wonder we didn't get mashed. Judy Noe Ashland must be a professional writer. I felt like I was standing by that track. I still love trains. I always say I am going to build a model of the B&O train system in and around C-burg of the 50's and west thru Salem and W. Union.



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com

Speaking of trains Roleta, I have a very good friend whose name I will not mention (but I will bet anything that all of my buddies back then and some who read the Newsletter will know the person I am speaking of), had some interesting connections with trains.

I went to spend the afternoon with him as I have on several occasions and what he showed me that day would have qualified as WMD. We went to the railroad tracks not far from his house and we sat down and he methodically took some small pieces of pipe out from a rag wrapped neatly around the pieces. There was a 1/2" to 3/4" (inside diameter) pipe about 20" long and it was threaded on one end. He then pulled out a cap that would screw over the long pipe which had a small whole in the end. Then out of his pocket he pulled out a cherry bomb firecracker. He put the fuse of the cherry bomb through the hole in the pipe and screwed the cap on the end of the pipe. Then he took out a small steel ball put it down the pipe and put paper in the end to keep the steel ball from falling out. Now I wondered what in the heck he was going to do with this. He said "just watch buddy boy". Well around the corner came an engine pulling a bunch of empty coal cars. He put the pipe down resting on a small log and aimed it at the cars. He then lit the fuse and timed it perfect, as I am sure he had done many times before, and started running without letting me know what he was going to do. By the time I got turned around and started running I heard BOOM and I will be damned if that cherry bomb didn't explode and sent that steel ball down the long pipe and went through the side of the coal car. I couldn't hear for hours except for him laughing at me. Apparently we are still buddies because he tells me he still likes me.

Judy's story also brought back memories. When I would visit my grandmother, who lived in Hepzibah about 40 feet from the railroad tracks, as a little boy (I know guys I was never little), we would listen for the steam engine blow his whistle letting everyone know he is pulling away from the tipple heading our way. We had time to run out in the front yard, which we swept with a broom, and would wave at the engineer. At the same time we would cup our hands and catch the soot that would fall from above. We also would inhale the smoke at the same time. We had a taste of sulfur if I remember right. Now that was the kind of fun I had when I was young. Wasn't quite as much fun as my buddy with the "Cannon".

Maybe I can come up with some other stories about my buddy that can be printed.



Pictured above are Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959), Roy Smith (WI 1955) Jalon Smith Burton and Bill Meredith. All gathered in Sarasota, Florida for the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC and to have a little family reunion.



submitted by: Sarge McQuillan (WI '57)
sargent827@sbglobal.net

I remember the 100 car coal trains going behind our house in Reynoldsville. We would go out and "run along side" the train, grab a ladder and ride the train to Wolf Summit and jump off. Only trouble was that the return trip was on foot via the railroad tracks. Great fun was had by all. I remember doing this to pick up a crate of Grapefruits from Florida and taking the bus home; saved a nickel for candy. Those were the days, 100 loaded coal cars, three engines pulling and two engines pushing.



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

When I was 4 years of age, my father moved the family to Harrison County so he could become a principal of a school. We lived in Wolf Summit until I was 9 years of age. The little house which we rented was probably less than 500 yards from a railroad track. I remember that everything in that house shook when the trains passed by the house. It felt as though the beds danced across the linoleum floors. Remembering it, I have to smile. However, I don’t think my mother thought it too much fun to have to clean up that filthy coal soot that came in around the doors and windows. I remember several times that the engine of the train would be parked in front of our house and the engineer would give me some money to run to the store to buy him ice cream or a candy bar…of course, I got to get myself one also. Back then we were never warned about not speaking to strangers. My brother often jumped the train and rode down the track a ways, possibly to the next town or up the tracks toward Clarksburg. I can remember the little depot and the way Clyde McKinney hung the mail bag out on a rack to be picked up by someone on a passing train and also a mail bag being dropped off on the side of the tracks at the same time. If Wolf Summit had a depot, did people board the train there also? I remember going to Clarksburg to board the train. Were there depots in every small town along the tracks? Did the trains stop regularly at each depot? Didn’t it then take forever to get anyplace by train? Or were the depots just for the mail drop offs, the switching on and off of cars and the telegraph machine? Can you answer these questions? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.




MY SHORT-TERM OEDIPUS COMPLEX

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

For the record, I was the third child born to my parents. My brother, Robert, had been born 19 years before me, and my sister, Dollena—named after our maternal Scottish grandmother but she preferred to be called Dee—had been 17 years older and a senior at WI when I was born. I do have distinct memories of both my brother and sister in later years, but I can’t remember them so clearly in my preschool years. For the most part, they were gone when I was little—my brother married, working in the Tulsa area, then in the Marine Corps during WW2 and my sister away at college, then married to Jack Moore, her Navy officer husband, a WI grad, and later Victory coach.

The next event I recall quite vividly, however, was my brief Oedipus complex. At four, I did not love my Jocasta in the extreme Freudian sense of the term, but I did seem to relate better to my mother than to my father and generally preferred her company. My mother made me cookies. My father only ate those cookies and her other desserts. He read between four and five hours in the evenings after a hard day’s work as a glass cutter at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass, then-located in Stonewood He had been 44 when I was born; my mother, 40.

One summer Sunday, my chance to forcefully dethrone my father surfaced—not at a crossroads outside Ancient Thebes—but after my father had returned from church and was sitting on the front porch glider calmly reading the Sunday newspaper. Going inside to retrieve my wooden ruler from my private office (the crawl space formed between the backside of the couch and the living room wall where I hoarded all of the junk mail delivered to our home by the mailman), I returned outside afterwards to do the deed, my weapon, the 12” wooden ruler, in hand.

Standing quietly in front of him while he sat reading, I observed that my father—completely absorbed in the open newspaper—did not see me. His right ankle resting on his left knee, he was unaware that the bottom of his polished leather shoe was a perfect target for my ruler attack. Plan A: (1) Strike hard and quick. (2) Have it out with this man and let him know of his demoted position in the household. And how appropriate that I should declare my love for my mother and my irritation—and at times, childish resentment—for my father with a ruler. With this one successful strategic strike, I would become the ruler—not of Thebes but of my household. WHA-A-A-P-P-P!!!!!!!

The forceful impact of the sudden smack and apparent sting of the solidly connecting ruler startled my father and quickly introduced me to what is called Plan B in our American culture. My sire, or procreator, tossing his newspaper asunder into the air, literally jumped into an upright attacking position. My father only had two moods—extremely calm or insane with the intent to kill or seriously maim. I had to get out of there—and quick! I had pushed the wrong button. I hadn’t noticed it on the bottom of his right shoe. I ran inside and through the living room, dining room, and into the kitchen, hoping to find help from the then-love of my life, my mother. But she not only did not protect me or support me, but when I attempted to wedge my small, four-year-old body behind a standing dish cabinet, my mother told my father where I was hiding.

The spanking I got from my highly enraged father while my mother watched and did absolutely nothing to stop his paternal retaliation pretty much ended any serious love affair that I might have ever had with my Jocasta or at least toned it down and significantly redefined its boundaries.

My Oedipus complex was short-termed—and definitely over. In retrospect . . . to my father, the Laius character in this story of childhood arrogance and rivalry, I should have clearly said—“I got your message about who is the boss in the family!” . . . and to my mother, the female figure in this tale—I should have declared: “Sayonara, Jocasta!!!”

I’ve often wondered over the years when reflecting upon my preschool days of impish and defiant behavior—followed by progressively worse misconduct and more creative misdeeds in grade school, junior high, and then high school—had I been the first born child instead of the third, would my parents have still had the other two?



Pictured above are a the people from the WI Class of 1957 enjoying a few laughs at the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic in Florida. They are left to right:
Jim  Brown, Myrtle Bolton Smith, Marty Elliot, Rusty Rutan, Mere Gurson Schwartz, Tom Allen, Harriet Murphy Pansing, John (Jay) Oliverio



TEACHERS

submitted by: Carris “Pinky” House (WI '51)
carrishh@aol.com

I was in Mrs. Melody's 5th period Latin I class (in 1949 or so), and am not proud of the way we students picked on her.  Poor thing should have retired years before. We poured cheap perfume on the wooden floors in the classroom, (Evening in Paris at about 50 cents a bottle.) We spilled dry navy beans and buckshot (b-b's) on her floor.  We would make knocking noises on her desk and told her that "someone was in there" after which she would take a peek in the drawer. We were really vicious, looking back now at all of the "funny" stuff we did.  I remember some of the kids in the class: Bob Cotter (whose mother worked "the night shift in the mines") , Ann Hart (who brought the bag of beans), Rusty Sloan (now Lt.General Maxwell Sloan, Ret.)  Bill Bernard (who lit a cigarette in class) May Helen Melody rest in peace, we put her through hell enough in her classroom.



Pictured above are some of the people from RW who were at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC in Sarasota, Florida. John Malone (RW 1951), Roger Dean (RW 1954), Joan Hinkle (RW 1949), and Roy Love (RW 1954).




PRECIOUS CHILD FOR MARCH

    

Only one person recognized that the precious boy pictured in the March issue of the WI Newsletter was Barry Mazza (WI Class of 1958) Mutzy007@aol.com

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

This young man is Barry Mazza. The picture was taken at a birthday party he was attending for my sister Sandy Iaquinta (WI 1959).




PICTURES

I do not have a picture of the people from Victory, or ND/St. Mary’s who were present at the picnic. And I must apologize; I didn’t get a picture of the people from Bridgeport. I will be printing more pictures in upcoming newsletters as I receive them from you readers. Thanks. Send pictures to Roleta1@aol.com.




PRECIOUS CHILD FOR APRIL



Do you recognize this child? If so, make their day, write to me, identify the child and something about the person. Write Roleta1@aol.com.


WI CLASS OF 1958 AT THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC



Pictured above are: It is like this.  Tommy Lee, Betty Latstetter Burke, Barbara Warren Williams, Martha Kesler, Bob Turner, Dottie Taggart Rutan, Carol Van Horn Dean, Skip Smith, Sharon Dillmore Smith, and Jim White


1958 ALERT

submitted by: Beverly Morris Hissong (WI '58)
wrhisson@smsd.org

Several  of the members of the class of 1958 are wanting to see old friends at a reunion during Labor Day weekend of 2004. If interested, please E-Mail Beverly Morris Hissong at wrhisson@smsd.org.  We just want to know whether it would be feasible to begin definite plans in order to make it all a reality.  


MARCH TRIVIA PICTURE



Picture from Cindy L. Murphy (WI '74)
clmurphy@gwinnettpl.org


submitted by: Stumpie Bice (WI '62)
Evansbice@aol.com

The mystery picture is the Nathan Goff home, which was on Main Street. I worked for CNG for over 32 years and was lucky enough to go through the home, before it was torn down. The wood work, fire places, book cases and the rest of the home were just unbelievable. A real loss to our local history, but it had become very run down because of the lack of funds to maintain it in a proper way.



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

This is a picture of the old Goff house next to the Clarksburg Fire Station on Main Street.  Looking left is the old Hope Gas Building. The gas company purchased the property and the some time later demolished.  The historical society was very upset the gas company demolished the house.



submitted by: Debbie Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)
fish6564@bellsouth.net

I know I know this house but I'm not sure if it's the one I'm thinking.  I don't know who lived there but isn't it on the corner of Main St. and Maple Ave.  It was all boarded up when I was young.  If this is the house the wall in front got higher and higher as you walked down Main St. towards town.  I walked by it every day on my way to WI.  When I was younger some of my friends and I sat on the wall and threw crushed up grapes at the cars going by.  A man in a convertible drove by and we got the grapes right in his car.  He turned his car around and came after us.  I'll never forget how scared I was.  He never caught us but I'd hate to think what he would've done to us if he had.  We didn't do that anymore.  My Mom said it's still all boarded up.  We always told stories of it being haunted.  I hope the ghosts that lived there are living more peacefully than when we were around.



submitted by: Mike Shaffer (WI '58)
Mshaffer@ma.rr.com

The “Trivia Picture for Mach” is the Goff family home on West Main Street in Clarksburg. I spent 32 years in the CNG/Hope Gas building located next to the Goff house. Most of the time I was located on the Goff side of the building and watched the house and outbuilding become a dilapidated group of three buildings. The Goff family, in a sense, abandoned the property but maintained ownership. The City turned its back on the conditions and let the buildings fall down. CNG, over the years, acquired partial ownership of the property at times the Goff heirs were willing to sell. Around 1993 or 1994 CNG acquired 100% ownership and embarked on an intensive study to determine if the buildings could be saved. The two back buildings (carriage, servant’s quarters) were beyond repair and were razed. The main house was in such poor condition that it was impossible to justify the cost of repair. The decision was made by CNG management to tear the main house down and reclaim the ground with a park like design for the employees. My office was located on the west side of the CNG building giving me a front row seat to the razing of the house.

The main house was built like a fort. The roof had given out many years ago, but the brick walls were many bricks thick and did not yield to the wrecking ball without a fight. It was disheartening to watch the old house come down. Clarksburg and the Goff family let the grand old house come to the wrecking ball attack and now the old Post Office/City Hall is headed to the same death.



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR APRIL



If you recognize this picture (or if you think you do) write to me and give me your guess. I won’t publish incorrect answers. Come on, play our little game! Write Roleta1@aol.com.




PROM EXPERIENCE

submitted by: Francine Willison-Perry (WI '64)
FrancineWP@aol.com

Martha Pulice, Holly Hill, Nancy Pollock and I for some reason, which I now can't remember, seemed to be responsible for making Chinese fortune cookies for our junior prom. It had a Japanese theme and we had a little bridge to simulate our theme in the Stonewall Jackson ballroom. Why we had decided to make Chinese fortune cookies for a Japanese theme is beyond me and I'm sure shows our ignorance of all things Asian. Also none of us had ever seen a fortune cookie so when we followed the recipe and tried to make them, they turned out looking like toilet seats. They were very tough and people had to pound them on the table to get to the fortunes which we had faithfully typed on paper and cut into little strips and put in the center of each cookie. We made the dough at my house and we stationed ourselves around in my kitchen (which was large) and we threw the dough to each other as the way to knead it. We had the greatest time throwing that dough around until my Uncle Paul came in and told us to stop before we broke everything in the kitchen. No wonder that dough was impregnable. The fortune's we made up were things like "You will meet a girl with corsage" or "You will dance with a boy in a tuxedo." I'm sure, or at least I hope, we had some that were a little more imaginative than that but that's all I can remember now. I just remember watching people the night of the prom slamming their fortune cookies on the table trying to open them. I don't know why we were in charge of this prom or why picked a Japanese theme. If anyone remembers, refresh my memory.

Somehow my friends and I always ended up doing the strangest things under the auspices of "community service." Like the time Holly Hill and I were responsible for building the bonfire for the big WI/Victory game of '64. Neither of us had a clue about how to build a bonfire but build one we did. I am still trying to figure out how we always got into these situations.

For our senior prom I remember going to the after festivities at the Nathan Golf Armory. I think that Carol Bauld and Braden Swaney, Holly Hill and Bill Yoke, and some other couples came over to my house afterwards and my parents cooked breakfast for us. The next day we went to Moats Falls which must have been the tradition at that time. Our parents participated in all of this. Even though we were allowed to stay out all night, they were the chaperones in charge at the Armory and they were there when we got home. It was a different time then. You had to work much harder to get into trouble.


PROM

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

The month of May is also time for high school proms. Did you attend the prom? If not, do you remember what you did that evening? If you went to the prom, tell me about your prom date. Was it fun or a disaster? Where did they hold your prom? Did you go about after the prom? I have published several prom pictures but I would like to see more of them…Have a prom picture? Scan it and send it to me or if you don’t have a scanner, contact Judy Daugherty Kimler at jkimler@ezwv.com and she will give you instructions on how to send her the picture, she will scan it and return it to you ASAP.




OBITUTARIES

LEONARD L. "LARRY" MARTINO

Leonard L. “Larry” Martino, 92, of Mulberry Avenue, Clarksburg, died Sunday, February 22, 2004 at his residence. Mr. Martino was retired from Rolland Glass where he was employed as a break off man with 40 years of service. He was born in Clarksburg, July 23, 1911, a son of the late Frank and Rose Guarascio Martino.

Twice married he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo Talerico Martino, and also his second wife, Josephine Muscatell Martino. Surviving are three sons, Larry Martino, Jr., Clarksburg; Louis Martino, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Frank "Tyke" Martino, Clarksburg; one daughter, Mrs. Mary Virginia Annese and son-in-law, Flease, Bridgeport; 10 grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Josephine Rogers and brother-in-law Joe., Clarksburg; and one sister-in-law, Mrs. David (Margaret) Martino.

Mr. Martino was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was a United States Navy Veteran having served during WWII stationed in Guam.



MARY AILENE MORGAN FOLIO

Mary was age 81 when she passed away at the UHC Hospital. She was the daughter of the late William Arthur Morgan and Gladys Mae Montgomery Morgan. Her husband, John J. Folio whom she married Sept. 21, 1941 preceded her death in 1966. One daughter JoAnn and several grandchildren survive. Mary Morgan Folio graduated from Washing Irving High School in 1940.



CHARLES DANIEL RILEY III

Charles Daniel Riley III, age 46, of 447 Hornor Ave., Clarksburg, WV, died Saturday, March 6, 2004, in the Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, Fla., following injuries from a motorcycle accident.

He was born in Clarksburg on September 28, 1957, a son of Charles Daniel Riley II of Clarksburg and the late Natalie I. (Byrd) Riley.

Also surviving are three sons, Shawn Riley, Stonewood, WV, Justin Riley, Stonewood, WV, and Jason Riley, Clarksburg, WV; a daughter, Crystal Riley, Clarksburg, WV; three sisters, Diane Fitzpatrick, Gaithersburg, Md., Reverend Kathryn Ambler, Clarksburg, WV, and Janet Souders, Pickerington, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

He served his country and retired from the Navy with 20 years' service. Dan was employed with Bombardier Air Service in Bridgeport as a crew chief of aviation maintenance. Dan loved life and loved people around him. He was a biker, enjoyed line dancing, was often found socializing at his favorite eating places around Clarksburg.

He gave special attention to "bonding" with his children. Dan was a helper, fixer, good listener and genuine friend to many.

Obituaries are excerpts from The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram.



CLASS OF 1956



Pictured above are members of the Class of 1956 who attended the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC. Jim Alvaro and Don Sager did a lot of work contacting people whose email address they had and who they knew were in the area and they convinced them to attend. This class had the largest representation.

Those pictured are:
(l to r)  Dokie Boone Natcher, R. Dean-RW, Sherry Greitzner Dial, Roy Feldman, Janet Webb Wendt, Don Cinci, Marolyn Tustin Jett, Mary Sue Clark Spahr, Babe Bisping Cashman, Chuck Thomas, John Harrison, Jim Warren, Mary Ann Bailey Donato, Bernie Cohen, Don Sager, Augie Malfregeot, Jim Alvaro.

This class had the largest attendance from any one class. I think this was accomplished by a lot of work done by Jim Alvaro and Don Sager



THOUGH WE TRAVEL THE WORLD OVER TO FIND THE BEAUTIFUL, WE MUST CARRY IT WITH US, OR WE FIND IT NOT……ralph waldo emerson




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