THE WI NEWSLETTER 04/05

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 68

April 2005

SPRING
by: David Bates
WI 1951

Spring is in the breeze again,
Red kites are flying high.
Buds burst out on every twig.
I hear a songbird's cry.

Ol' man Winter's days are gone,
With branches blown and bare.
Instead a lovely maiden comes,
With flowers in her hair.

I pause and watch the winging birds
Upon their north bound flight.
I see majestic tulips stand
With nodding heads so bright.

Tadpoles in the quiet pond,
Robins in the trees,
Each tells the world in its own way,
That Spring is in the breeze.

David B. Bates

MY LOST CAKE SERVER
I have a couple of Oneida cake servers that disappeared from the picnic. I know no one would have taken them on purpose but they probably were in a cake or pie when the left overs were taken home. If you have one of them, will you please send it to me! They match a set I have in my home. I would really like to have them back. Thanks….

Just mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

I will even send you back your postage if you want! Thanks!

FRIENDS GATHER

Pictured above from left to right are Roy Feldman (WI 1956) and wife, standing is Don Sager (WI 1956) seated next is Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959), Babe Bisping Cashman (WI 1956) and Stu Cashman (NY) at a local Sarasota restaurant on Thursday evening before the picnic.

THANKS
The picnic was so much fun again this year. I especially enjoyed myself this year as so many volunteered to help. Roger Dean again led us in a spirited patriotic song and Rev. Jennings (formerly at the Nutter Fort Baptist Church) said grace before we ate. Carolyn Van Horn Dean and Roger worked the registration table until time to eat. We missed Bob and Barb Warren Williams who were unable to make it this year…the first picnic they have missed. They both volunteered to help and even contacted someone to take their place when they found out they wouldn’t be able to make it. Barb had an operation on her arm and thought she best take it easy. They were scheduled to work the first hour at the reception table so Bill Scholl filled in for them and then worked the second hour also. His wife Virginia chipped in to help Betty Miller and several other ladies who covered tables and arranged food. Sherry Greitzner Dial supplied table covering and led the women in this endeavor. Several women stepped up and helped with the food…I would never be able to name all of you. Sue Ellen Stalnaker Crawford (WI 1971) again supplied the hot dog chili this year. The Clarksburg hot dogs were delicious and very popular. Charlie Means volunteered to take the pictures this year and did such a marvelous job that I hope he will do it every year. Don Sager had the bull horn and huddled the classes into position for their pictures…..also a great job. Bud Collins and Bucky Tustin sold raffle tickets and talked many into buying tickets to help the WIN Scholarship. I can’t remember whose number was called first but she selected the beautiful basket made and donated by Sheri Greitzner Dial (WI 1956). Sandy Zickefoose Lindke won the hanging WV light and thought she had a perfect place for it in the new home she is building. Sheri Greitzner Dial won the clock shaped like West “By God” Virginia…..it is hanging and is working she reported. Thanks to Marolyn Tustin Jett who jumped in and helped just anyplace and everyplace. Many helped unload, clean up and reload our cars. Many, many others helped, I just can’t remember all the names…..but please know that I appreciated all you did. Thanks to all of you, I got to grab a bite to eat and see and speak to a lot of people. I still missed some of you but hopefully next year I will be able to visit some with you. This time I had the best time ever — took me 5 years but it was a wonderful day, with old friends in the beautiful park with the marvelous Florida weather.

Start planning…..I have already booked the park for the first Saturday in March 2006---that is March 4, 2006. And to prevent any confusion, I have reserved the pavilion for 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. So you can come after breakfast or for breakfast and spend the entire day! That should solve any confusion at the pavilion!

WI CLASSES 1939 TO 1949

Pictured above are Kathleen Blankenship Martin and Nelson Blankenship

NAMES
Names and / or addresses I am removing: Some of these names may have remained in my email list after I was notified that a change had been made. However; all of these addresses are now erased from my notification lists and files as they do not work. If you see someone you know or an address with which you are familiar, notify them that the address below has been cut as my email would not go thru to them. If they indeed have a new address, they can notify me and I will reinstate the address.

Dianasswiger@aol.com (I am almost positive this one was changed)
Brabbit61@msn.com (this one is Becky McClain Werner but it doesn’t work)
howwahwv@wmconnect.com
Linda-P-Stump@bankone.com this is Linda Stump (WI 1960)
Paltovilla@Dot.State.WV.US
Tblack@citynet.net
unruly@capecod.net (I think she changed her email and I just forgot to erase this old one)
mandrel@charter.net
maryPerkins@mchsi.com Linden Perkins (WI 1959)
Patnjim@swbell.net Patty Barman Hayden (WI 1960)

WI 1953-1954

Left to right is Bill Brassine, Ron Talkington, Alberta Malfregot Allen, Bill Stickler and Joe Boomer.

MEMORIES OF THE VICTORY POOL ROOM
submitted by: Herb Cottrill (WI '62)
herbc@vsba.org
The old Victory poolroom was located across the block from Bland's drug store. Victory is where my father taught me how to shoot pool. He would often play "pill pool" for hours on end at both the Victory and the Strand. The Victory had elevated seats and you could get your shoes shined and watch all the pool games. I can still remember the thickness of the smoke from cigarettes. It seemed that the tables were always taken and one had to wait to get a chance to play. Dad has his own pool cue and would keep it at the "pool hall" behind the bar. I can recall it came in a case and had to be put together each time he played.

JIM AND RUTH ANN

Pictured above are Jim Scolopio and Ruth Ann Castellana (WI 1988). These are both children of former WI staff members. They were at the Clarksburg picnic and really enjoyed themselves. We hope they attend again next year.

THAT RECIPE
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
Remember a few years back when I ask for the words to “MaMa’s Little Baby Loves Shortin’, Shortin’, MaMa’s Little Baby Loves Shortin’ Bread?” Not only did we have the words but we had the recipe published also. For the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC Babe Bisping Cashman brought shortin’ bread that she made from the recipe! It was really delicious! It reminded me a lot of a lightly spiced cookie. She gave me one and I really enjoyed it.

We not only had the delicious WV (Clarksburg style) hot dogs at the picnic but we also had pepperoni rolls. Bill Bryan (RW 1957) brought little pepperoni bites---a wonderful treat! Thanks Bill. Then there were some other delicious pepperoni rolls that someone brought that had Hot Pepper Cheese in them---they were great too. I would love to have the recipe from both of you!

NOTRE DAME & ST. MARY’S

Pictured above are some of the Notre Dame graduates who attended the picnic on March 5, 2005 in Sarasota, Florida. Left to right is Floyd Suarez (ND 1949), Ed Terneus ((ND 1957), Liz Brumage Tustin (ND 1959), Boo Beall (ND 1958), Karen Marra Nelson (ND 1964), Jimmy Oliverio (ND 1962), Al Castellana (former WI Coach and graduate of St. Mary’s 1950), Carolyn Brunetti Spagnuolo (ND 1962)

TRIVIA PICTURE
submitted by: Lyle Corder (RW '54)
Wvlyle@aol.com
Roleta: Is it the New York Hat Shop on Pike St.? I work out at the YMCA with the longtime owner Angelo several days a week in Clarksburg. The pic is the New York Hat Shop. Angelo Alastanos owned the shop starting in 1952. A few doors away on the other side of the two pool halls, going west, was another shoe shop called Diamonds Shoe Shine and it was owned by Mr. Diamond. It was next to Manhattan Restaurant. It is not the shop in the picture.

submitted by: Jim Villers (VHS '57)
jvillers@NEWPORTBEACH.com
Photo is not that clear but: New York Hat Cleaners and Shoe Shine Parlor on Pike Street. The pictures you see behind the shoe shine stand were photos of athletes and famous celebrities including Sam Huff, Jerry West, Angelo Dundee, Sugar Ray Leonard, Hot Rod Hundley, Bobby Secret, Gene Donaldson, Farrah Fawcett and John Wayne to name a few.

I shined shoes there starting at probably age 11 or older making $1 a day plus tips.The owner at that time was Angelo Alastanos (Angelo is retired and still lives in Clarksburg) and the photo is of his brother Steve. Angelo had served in the United States Marine Corps. I always wanted to be a Marine and I am sure that Angelo was a very positive influence on me. Angelo returned home after serving in Korea and worked in Baltimore, Maryland as a bricklayer for a short while and then back to Clarksburg and took over the shop around late 1952. I think shining shoes helped build a work ethic at a young age and also build my arms and shoulders plus weight lifting that helped me when I played football at Victory. After high school I graduated from WVU and then joined the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi

submitted by: Jay Sharp (WI '59)
JSharp4740@aol.com
This is a picture of the New York shoe shop on Pike Street that was beside the Strand Pool Room. As I recall they shined shoes and blocked hats. This also brings to mind a trend in about 1954 or 55. If you were going to be cool, you had to have a cream colored hat that had a crease in the front. You also needed an anti-freeze jacket, dark charcoal pants and a pink shirt. I am sure lots of guys remember this.

submitted by: Jim Este (VHS '55)
Jeste35160@aol.com
The gentleman in the picture was Steve Alastanos and I believe the name of the shop was the New York Hat Shop. I knew Steve well as I stopped in to have my shoes or boots shined every week. I don't know if Steve is still alive but he was a fine man.

submitted by: Alex Sandonas Thwaites (WI '65)
ATHWAIT1@FAIRVIEW.ORG
What a great 'memory' picture! It is the shoeshine shop on Pike Street directly across from the public library and the Waldo Hotel. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it but do recollect many fond memories there. My father often visited this place as a close friend of his owned the business. He had his felt hats cleaned and blocked there as well as many shoes shined. I remember sitting in the tall leather chair along side of him and watching the attendants polish his shoes. They were great fun to watch as many put on a very exciting show of applying polish and shine.

Oh, how I wish I could remember the name of the place. It wasn't too far from the Candyland on the corner. By the way . . . does anyone remember the Easter eggs that were decorated by a creative individual who would sit at the window in the Candyland? All who passed by would marvel at her talent and creativity.

submitted by: Gladys Williams (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com
Pictured is the New York Hat Shop on Pike St. It was owned by Angelo Alastanos, a long time friend of my mother's family. That is Steve Alastanos in the picture. My father used to take me in the shop with him when he went in on Saturdays to get a shoe shine. My friend, Kurt Skasik, now has some of the chairs from the shoe shine shop in his basement family room.

submitted by: Rich Newbrough (BHS '55)
rich.newbrough@sympatico.ca
Yes, we get your newsletter up here in the great white North — (Canada) .... congratulations on an outstanding publication ... one that we look forward to each and every month.

The photo is one of two businesses, Diamond Shoe Shine Parlor or New York Hat Cleaners (which had a shoe shine stand). Both were located on Pike Street, New York Hat Cleaners directly opposite of the Waldo Hotel; Diamonds was on the same side of the street of the hotel. My choice is New York Hat Cleaners. The gentleman in the photo might be an Alastanos however, he was after my time...I shined shoes there during grades 6-7 at St. Mary's. On Saturdays, I received $1.25 for working from 7:30am to 9pm but during that time I got over six dollars in tips which was good money in those days. As I remember, the WI guys worked at Diamonds and the Victory and St.Mary's guys at New York Hat Cleaners. I do know that Sal Vespoint (my FSC buddy) worked at Diamonds.

In those days just about everyone had their shoes shined but alas, all good things come to an end with the advent of "bucks" suede and patent leather shoes. One positive thing I got out of this experience....when I reported to the Marine Corps, I was the best shoe shiner in my platoon!

By the way, I attended Morgan Grade School for the first three years before going on to St. Mary's. I had many friends who went on to WI.

Thank you again for your untiring efforts, although your readers went to various high schools, your publication has bonded all of us together.

Keep up the excellent newsletter and I am betting the next 50,000 readers will come quicker than the first.

submitted by: Alexis Julian Scott (ND '65)
arscott@access.k12.wv.us
This is the New York Hat Shop on Pike Street. The man standing in the picture is Mr. Alastanos and he still lives on Mulberry Avenue. He still shines shoes for a few people.

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
JPulice@msn.com
The mystery picture is the New York Hat Shop on Pike Street. It is no longer in business. I worked there in the 8th and 9th grades. Shoe shines were 15 cents but went up to 20 cents while I worked there. They also cleaned and blocked hats. Angelo Alastanos was the owner. I made a few bucks a day for shining shoes. Top pay was about 75 cents an hour. I’d love to know how many times I cleaned that marble on the shoe shine stand.

I met a lot of wonderful guys while working there. Most of them were from Summit Park. One in particular is Jim Smith (VHS 1962) a great friend of mine yet today. We later graduated to the State Road Department working together as part of the paint crew. He later became a CPA and CEO of Precision Coil. He also could have become a professional bowler

submitted by: Anna Williams Walsh (WI '71)
Abanana53@aol.com
The picture shown is of Angelo Alastanos's Hat/Shoe Shine Shop. The man in the picture is his brother Steve. Their family has been friends of our family for years. The Alastanos's all grew up in Summit Park with my mother's family, the Miller's. They are all of Greek decent. I recently just saw some of the chairs from the shoe shine shop in Kurt Skasik's family room. His family had One Hour Martinizing Cleaners (now Skasik's) on Pike St. near the shoe shine shop. Thanks for the memories.

RW REPRESENTED

RW had a better turnout this year….the message about the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic is spreading from one end of Florida to the other and from one end of Clarksburg to the other also!

Those pictured are left to right—Ken Nesselrotte (1956), Bill Bryan (1957), Roger Dean (1956), Peggy Love Bryant (1956), Lynn Corder (1954), Jean Moodispaugh Corder (1957), Ron Love, JoAnn Wolfe and John Malone.

TRIVIA PICTURE FOR APRIL

Write to me and guess the identity of this place. Include your name, school and year….also include a memory. Due to space I will not print any incorrect guesses or guesses without a memory or story included. Write Roleta1@aol.com.

SAM AND AL

Pictured above is Sam Scolapio a graduate of VHS 1949 but later a principal of WI. Al Castellana a grad of St. Mary’s in 1950 and later coach and teacher at WI. They were enjoying the sun and fun in Florida at the Clarksburg Reunion Picnic. Coach has attended the picnic several times. This was the first year that Sam attended, I hope he will return many more times.

MORE INPUT ABOUT THE BIG 10!
submitted by: Bud Smith (WI '55)
bud.smith@verizon.net
Roleta, Sorry I missed the Big Ten question. I don't remember all of the school nicknames. But here is a little history of the Big Ten. The Big Ten was a North Central WV High School Conference. As of the 1954/55 season there were only nine teams. I don't know if there ever was a 10 school conference before this date.

1. WI Big Ten and City
2. Victory Big Ten and City
3. Morgantown
4. Grafton
5. Fairmont East
6. Fairmont West There was some controversy about this team and they where banned from play for a period of time. They came back into the Conference in 1954
8. Buckhannon
9. Shinnston

Weston and Bridgeport where added later. Victory later became Liberty, RW and WI combined and became R C Byrd.

The '54 season WI team was co-champs with Shinnston that year. Morgantown (Mud Bowl Hite Field) beat us and we beat Shinnston.

WI CLASS OF 1956

Pictured above are left to right Bernie Cohen, Don Cinci, Bob Hall, Marianna Waroblak Coey, Roy Feldman, Mary Sue Clark Spahr, Babe Bisping Cashman, Sandra Zickefoose Lindke, Sherry Greitzner Dial, Don Sager, Mary Ann Baily, Marolyn Tustin Jett, Augie Malfregeot…..all missed Jim and Sonja Alvaro who were unable to make the picnic this year. Jim promises he will be there next year.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

Mary Rose Grimes (WI '75)	mraxton13@aol.com
Kay Childers Martin (WI '78)	semartin@iolinc.net
Joe Garcia (ND '65)	JJG333@aol.com
Nancy C. Downey Starett (WI '53)	ncdstarett@yahoo.com
Frank Criss (RW '59)	cfrankc2@aol.com
Jeff Douglas (WI '79)	mountainstorm@earthlink.net
Ronelda Wilson (RW '59)	roneldaw@aol.com
Wanda Williams Mapes (WI '49)	wmapes@ntelos.net
Jerry Weinerman (WI '57)	gerjer@adelphia.net
LaVercia B Walker Ashley (WI '65)	lashley1@juno.com
Jane Poulicos Faust (WI '66)	janefaust48@aol.com
Mary E Tucker (WI '56)	spankytuk@aol.com

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Bob Williams (WI '45)	rwilliams@roverusa.com
Barb Warren Williams (WI '58)	bjwilliams@roverusa.com
Dick Fitch (WI '56)	fitch1@ktc.com
Bill Bowie (WI 62)	from bill26301@yahoo.com to Bowiech4@aol.com
George Cinci (WI '60)	GCinci@msn.com
Otto Matheny (VHS '53)	gomtampa@hotmail.com
Elizabeth Brumage Tustin (ND '59)	Liztustin@netscape.com
Mary Stump Harrel (WI '55)	Harrellms2003@yahoo.com

FRIENDS TOGETHER AGAIN

SCHOLARSHIP
Have you taken advantage of this great coming together of people from Clarksburg? Wouldn’t you like to join the others who have given money to the WIN SCHOLARSHIP to help a child from Clarksburg (RC BYRD HS graduate) have an easier time with college expenses? Come be a part of the sound we are making as we are shouting together in unison that “WE CARE” about the youth of the town where we spent our youth! Make your voice heard! Write your donation check to:

Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Donations in March 2005:

MARTHA SELLERS CORNELIUS   WI 1960
SHARON WENDLER JACOBSON    WI 1960
CAROLYN TUSTIN VITOLO    WI 1952   in memory of her mother Dory Tustin
MARY BAILY DONATO    WI 1956
ROY FELDMAN    WI 1956
SKIP AND SHARON (DILLMORE) SMITH   WI 1958
SANDY ZICKEFOOSE LINDKE   WI 1956
MARY NICEWARNER TUCKER    WI 1956   in memory of her brother: “Coach” Philip Nicewarner (WI 1948) and former principal of Bridgeport Junior High School.
JOHN TIMBERLAKE, JR.   WI 1948   in memory of his father John G. Timberlake and his uncle William “Ad” Timberlake (WI 1923)
CHARLOTTE TOMES TRENT   Bridgeport 1959
and BOB “MEATBALL” TRENT WI 1955

1958 GRADS AT THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC

Left to right : Skip Smith, Sharon Dillmore Smith, Carol Van Horn Dean, Linda Blankenship Stevenson, Martha Kinney Kessler, and Tom Lee.

WOODTAGGERS
submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
SKeith1514@aol.com
And what about the WOODTAGGERS?

In the class of 1960 there was a tremendous game of woodtag that went on during class changes in the hall, before and after school. With someone being "IT" and trying to tag kids before they could "touch wood". Like the outdoor game, only inside WI! It was the seniors only and they did not play during class, so whoever was tagged "IT" before class began stayed that way for at least 40 minutes and then escaped out into the hall to an unsuspecting prey.

When Senior Assembly came around, these same guys who included several of the football team did a riotous routine dressed as a chorus line of beauties. Some with bulging calf muscles, some with lanky limbs attempting high-kicks in unison, It laid us out! Saving the greatest visual for last as the music neared it's end, they all turned around and lifted their short skirts to reveal the 11 x 12 inch paper on each posterior spelling out the infamous WOODTAGGERS!

I don't believe this has ever been topped! Kids talked about it and them for years... they were legend, those eleven! Who can name them all?

Fun times at WI!

VICTORY CLASSES OF 1950 AND BEFORE

Back row: l-r, Sam Scolopio (1949), Dale Allen (1950), Ronnie Williams (1950), and Jack Chips (1951)
Front row: l-r: lady in yellow ??, Alice Walker Hall, Patty Smith Shingleton (1950), Ernestine Smith Dutchess, Norma Simon Stern (1950), Argyle Shingleton (1949).

VICTORY CLASS OF 1951 AND AFTER

Sorry, I don’t know any of those pictured.

MYSTERY CHILD

EDITOR’S NOTE: Even though the following guess was incorrect I am publishing it. I know Mary Sue was joking and I thought it was so clever that I wrote and ask her if I could publish her email: Hope you also get a chuckle from it!

submitted by: Mary Sue Spahr (WI '56)
MSSpahr@aol.com
Since you tricked us with Clay B. Hite, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this is Lillie Mae Bauer.

No one guessed the Precious Child for March…it was none other than Sherry Greitzner Dial (WI 1956). I didn't have a NOW picture of Sherry, but you can see her in the CLASS OF 1956 picture from the picnic.

CLASS OF 1955

Back row: Bud Collins, Buck Tustin, Bob Clousson
Front row: Sara Stephenson, Sandra Morrison and Martha Jeffries.

PRECIOUS CHILD FOR APRIL

Can you recognize this child? Write your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember, I will not print any incorrect guesses or guesses without a memory or story included.

Come on, play the game with us!

DRIVER’S TEST
submitted by: Jody Buffington Aud (WI '77)
buffaud@comcast.net
You asked about some discussion about taking a drivers test. More than taking the test, I remember my father (Ulysses Buffington, an old Victory graduate) teaching me to drive on back roads toward Shinnston in our very large Chrysler New Yorker. He told me if I could drive on that road I could drive on any road. Today I live outside of Baltimore, MD and I still prefer driving on the back roads than on the Interstate. Many of them remind me of that road….though I am now convinced there are NO roads in the country as narrow as WV back roads!

submitted by: Trudy Shearer Ware (ND '62)
ohsewneat@webtv.net
Roleta, I enjoy your newsletters so much, thought I would make my little contribution. Driving tests were so different when I took mine, now you drive around the building and get your license. We had to drive to Shinnston, and drive around the football field. First of all, I took my test in my Dad's 1959 Dodge Sierra Station Wagon. It didn't have a shift on the column or the floor. It was a "push button". I had practiced at Jane Lew, driving up and down the alley in front of my Grandmother's house. They set up 4 bamboo poles. My task was to get between them without knocking them down. Impossible for me!!

The day had arrived to take my test. My Mother chattering all the way, as if I wasn't nervous enough. Then, this very intimidating trooper gets in. I was petrified! He said, "Drive down to the road and turn up by the field." did...Then, we pulled up in front of the dreadful 4 Posts. Time to show him my parking skills, he looked over at me. "What did that sign say?!" "Stop?" "You didn't." My heart sank. Surely I was going to fail... along with probably getting a ticket for running a stop sign. He told me to proceed with my parking. Ok, what did I have to loose, I was probably going to get a ticket and fail too. What the heck! I pulled up, turned the wheel, backed in and pulled up about 6 inches. I stopped. I waited. He opened the door. Looked down. Closed the door. I waited. He looked at me with the biggest grin I have ever seen! "You couldn't have parked any better if you had measured it with a yard stick. You are 1/2" from the curb! Congratulations!!" I was in shock. I still didn't know if I had passed or was going to get a ticket. I completed the course, pulled back to the highway...and stopped... then pulled in and waited to see if I had passed or failed... and waited for my ticket. I Passed! And no ticket!

To this day I have never been able to park any vehicle as well as I did that day. Thank goodness for Parking Lots!!

WI CLASS OF 1957

Pictured above from left to right are:
Back row---Tom Allen, Jim Brown, David Hutson.
Front row: Harriet Murphy, Mere Gurson Schwartz, Marty Elliot, Jerry Weinerman, Bobby Dennison.

submitted by: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI '58)
mshaffer@ma.rr.com
You asked about driving test experiences, well here is mine.

I took my test my Sr. year and I used my husband's car (boyfriend at the time). It was a Ford and did not have power steering.

If everyone remembers the State Police gave the test on Washington Avenue. They normally blocked the street to make it one way, but this day they had forgotten to do that.

As I waited my turn, I watched the boy before me "jerk and jump" away from the curb. As soon as he got out into the street the policeman got out and failed him. That really gave me confidence.

Then it was my turn. I got away from the curb and drove up Washington, to 5th Street to Lee to 3rd and back to Washington. OK so far. Now it is time to park. I pull up and start to back into the spot and cars are going both ways. I backed into the pole behind the car and then I start forward and hit the pole in front of me. The policeman said he told me when I had hit the one in back that there was also one in front, but I did not hear him. He then took the wheel and helped me straighten the car--remember no power steering

I figured I had had it, but surprise of surprises he passed me. It was my lucky day.

submitted by: Joyce Mc Donald Hoskins (WI '61)
)WVJoyce@aol.com

How I Finally Pass the Driving Test
January 2, 1960, I turned 16, and got my little green book to study for my learner’s permit. I passed on the first try. My dad had a 1957 Ford Fairlane Convertible, black and white, with that snazzy gold strip across the sides. I wanted to drive it. My mom couldn’t drive so she wanted me to drive it, too.

Dad took me out on some country roads and I mastered the basics, but I had trouble parking. On Sunday afternoons, my boyfriend would take me to the Kroger parking lot and set up boxes and attempt to teach me parallel parking. Putting the top down helped, but it was winter, so I had to learn with the top up. Finally, after pulling in and out, and smashing only a few boxes we thought I was ready.

I think the problem was the state trooper’s foot was too small. If the officer could put his foot between the wheel and curb you failed. Flat out failed! No second chances. I failed.

More boxes, more practice, and hopefully, I would have better luck next time. I didn’t. I failed again. Mom decided since Dad had not succeeded in teaching her to drive, he had failed at teaching me too. She forked out the money for professional lessons. I could already drive okay, but the teacher took me out as if I had never been on the road before and taught me all over again. When we got to the parking, I showed him I could do it. The problem was I wasn’t perfect every time. I got it right about six out of ten. When I got up to eight out of ten, the teacher went with me to take the test. I never got to the parking part this time. I hit a parked car. Failed again!

By this time I got nervous even thinking about taking the test. I was ready to give up, but my brother’s girlfriend came to the rescue by pointing out that you did not have to take the test in Clarksburg. The route you took in Clarksburg was notoriously difficult because of the narrow streets, steep hills, and numerous stop signs. There were nearby smaller towns where the test was not as hard. I rejoiced when I realized I didn’t have to face the same officers I had failed in front of three times.

I prepared carefully for my test. My hair was bleached and tinted ‘Sandra Dee’ blond, and curled into the popular bubble style. I picked the shortest skirt from my closet, and carefully applied my makeup, including the green eye shadow I usually saved for evenings. I prayed for a warm spring day, and planned on having the top down. Off we went. I can’t remember the name of the town, but it wasn’t far, and we arrived early in the afternoon. One officer and a receptionist were alone in the office. Perfect. I walked in front of the officer, in my high heels to the car, sat down in the driver’s seat, extended my leg and changed from heels to flats. I smiled my best smile, but realized it didn’t matter as his eyes never left my legs. I looked at his feet. Hurray! Huge feet! I passed.

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
So many people mentioned taking their driver’s test in Shinnston. When did they stop giving the test in Clarksburg or did one have a choice? I took mine in Clarksburg and I remember parallel parking behind the courthouse or jail….What narrow little streets. I passed first time. I took my test in my Dad’s big long Salmon and gray colored Dodge I think it was called an Arizona—is that possible? Real long car, fins on the back and pushbutton starter on the dashboard. The newest thing! I still love cars with big long fins in the back. If I get a second life on earth, I hope to own a blue Cadillac convertible with the big fins in the back—what year would that have been 56, 57, 58 or 59? I remember learning to drive first on Davidson’s Run Road…..Drive about 5 miles forward then in reverse for ½ to 1 mile…repeat, etc. Dodge potholes in the road….see how far I could drive without hitting holes---Are you kidding me Dad? “Nope”, he said, “you will be a better driver because of these exercises.” That sounds just like a teacher doesn’t it?

submitted by: Jack Emrick (WI '53)
CadilacJak54@aol.com
When I turned 16 my dad did me the biggest favor that a father could have done for his child. HE SOLD HIS CAR! ! ! You can probably imagine that at the time, I didn't really think that he had done me a favor. However, as I think about it in retrospect, I realize that he probably saved me from getting into a lot of mischief. In the 50's very few of the teens in high school had cars to drive on a regular basis.

I can remember hitch-hiking to Lake Floyd almost every day in the summer. Dave Earp, a friend from the class of 51, had a car, and would come into Blands Drugstore and say," Anyone need a ride to the lake?” I would say," I do.” He would put his hand out, palm up, and say, "I need a quarter from 2 guys, and then we can go.” Gas was 25, or 28 cents a gallon then, and that would get us there and back.

I finished high school and then went into the U.S.Marine Corps and came out in 56; got married and enrolled at Fairmont State; went a semester; dropped out of school; got hired at Hazel-Atlas; separated from my wife; met the girl who was to become my second wife; finally using my dad's '53 Chevrolet Bel Air with automatic transmission to take and pass my drivers test. I divorced and then 2 months later married again, and she had a '55 Chevy 150 (the no-frills model) with standard transmission. So, I guess that you might say that I married my first car.

1959 GRADS HAD FUN AT THE PICNIC

Pictured left to right is: Phil Vandevender, Carolyn White Rector, Max Lantz, Clara Jason Davis, Jay Sharp, Roleta Smith Meredith, Bill Fowler—missing this year for the first time in 5 years was Fred Alvaro and Sallie Holden Day…I have heard that both said they will be there next year.

SUBJECTS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
Write your memories of one of the following to me: Roleta1@aol.com

Remember to write about each different subject in a separate email to me. I will no longer divide up and separate subjects which are all written in the same email. One subject per letter to me please! I am trying to make the newsletter a little easier for me and a lot friendlier for you! Write: Roleta1@aol.com.

Junior High School

Name and describe the first car you owned—Not Mom’s and Dad’s but the first one you purchased….Now come on, you couldn’t have forgotten that one!

Home Economics Classes in school---What year did you sew? What did you make? When did you cook? Do you have a recipe? Who taught you home economics in junior high school and who in high school?

Name your favorite movie---not today but when you were in high school…..I want to hear from people from every year! Also which was your favorite theater?

Do you remember being punished in school—if so why? What teacher punished you and how were you punished?

BRIDGEPORT

Pictured (left to right) above are Joe Charles (1955), Sally Altman (1958) & Bill Altman (1956)

Classes of 1950, 1951 and 1952

Pictured above from RIGHT to LEFT is Charles Means, Ron Ogren, Dave Larimer, in the middle of the back row in the print shirt is Bill Scholl

MONONGAH, BRIDGEPORT AND SHINNSTON

Man in back left standing is Bill Meredith (Monongah 1957),even though Bill is from another county (and very proud of it—especially Monongah!) Bill deserves to be pictured for all the support he gives me during the picnic time and when I am working so much on the newsletter……many hours. And by the way, Thanks Bill from the editor for 45 years of wedded bliss on March 14!! Thanks Bill.

Others pictured are: (From Left) Angie Watson (Carvell) from Bridgeport; Liz Christensen (Carvell) from University Park, FL; Esther Carroll (Carvell) of Clearwater and Buffalo NY; Patti McCauley (Moore) present address unknown; Bob Watson, Bridgeport; Mary Lou Spagnuolo (Moore) address unknown; Manuel Spagnuolo, husband of Mary Lou.

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

It was great seeing the familiar faces and some new faces at the picnic. I didn’t even meet some of you who were there but please know that I want to shake your hand next year. Tell your friends, relatives and neighbors about the fun we have at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC. See you next year. Roleta

submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)
ma5388@earthlink.net

Hi Roleta!
Well you did it again!!! A wonderful, successful reunion!! Wow, what a great time we all had!!! Just not enough time to talk to everyone, but I must have talked ENOUGH as I was HOARSE on Sunday morning!

Just read the newsletter this afternoon and saw that some were in attendance that I did not see or know were there and I even helped with the registration. I read your message about needing me to help register AFTER I returned home on Saturday night after picnic. We left here early on Friday morning and didn't check messages before we left. When I saw that Bill needed help I asked you if it was OK if I offered to help him, not knowing you were shorthanded.

Hoping that Barbara Warren Williams is improving. She has sure had a bad year.

I am certainly tired and I am sure you and Bill must be. Bucky and Liz left this morning back to Clarksburg. Sounds like they are headed back into cold and snow. They said they literally "slid" out of their driveway in Stealey last Wednesday morning when they left.

Take care and rest up and know you all did a terrific job AGAIN!!

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

Two pictures struck a chord with my fading mind.

The 1954/55 basketball team: I remember most of the names before I looked at the list. Many of those guys were from Stealey or played at the Stealey Playground. One of them several years ago gave me a speeding ticket in the Wheeling area.

Bob Cloussen one particular summer would regularly choose me on his team: I take the Little Guy he can really hit those "set Shots".

Anybody know what a SET Shot is ?

The mystery picture is one of 3 places that used to knock my feet off the shoe posts. I was way too little to reach them or be able to put any weight on my feet to hold them in place while my shoes were being stroked by those big brushes. But I loved the feel of it and my bright shiney "Buster Browns "

Any body remember "Buster Brown"?
I live in a shoe!
That's my dog Tige
he lives there too!

Well, I just had some fun. I hope you did too.

submitted by: Margaret Fran Barrett (WI '50)
flmom1cat4@juno.com

Memories

Does anyone remember eating "Railroad Candy"? There used to be family in Clarksburg that made this candy by hand crafting it. It was a vanilla flavored fine coconut made into small 4" rolls and individually wrapped. I used to buy up a stock of it when my family still lived there and I would make a trip to Clarksburg to visit, but in later years I couldn't find it. It was sure good candy if you like coconut.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Anyone have this recipe that they can share with the readers? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

submitted by: Bill Altman (Bridgeport '56)
and Sally Gainer Altman (Bridgeport '58)
SGAltman@aol.com

Thanks for a great day and a terrific job of organizing the Clarksburg-Sarasota reunion.

Bill and I were in the minority, but we did connect with lots of people and even one of our neighbors at Maple Lake who has a house there and one in Ft. Lauderdale.

Please keep us on your list for next time and if you have a site for the WI newsletter or where I can get the names of all the people who are here in Sarasota, I would appreciate it. Don't want to make work for you, but there may be a way for me to access it. My friend Connie Bramer gets your newsletter on the computer and shares it with our friend Susie Whiteman who graduated in 1956 from WI--she was officially Bernice Long.

Thanks again for all of your hard work and effort.

submitted by: Jeff Douglas (WI '79)
mountainstorm@earthlink.net

Will you please add me to your newsletter list. Your latest newsletter had a picture of my Uncle Jim (Jim Heaberlin) at the reunion and again in the 54-55 basketball picture! I have very fond memories of Clarksburg, Washington Irving and West Virginia. Although I’m far away, my kids will certainly know their WV heritage!

It’s amazing that I went to the same high school as my parents …. Don Douglas and Judy Heaberlin. Do you know them?

I was reading the December newsletter. I also went to Harbert’s Drug store while I was attending Central Jr HS. The vanilla cokes were the best!

Thank you again for putting this together!

submitted by: Ronelda Wilson (RW '59)
roneldaw@aol.com

Hi! I was recently referred to your website by a former WI graduate. I am a graduate of R-W in the class of '59. I just want you to know how much I enjoyed reading the newsletter and remembering the places and things from the different articles that I hadn't thought of for years. Please add my name to your newsletter list and please keep up with your exceptionally good work.

submitted by: Chuck Wilson (WI '67)
cwilson@aviall.com

I played for The Workingman's Store Little League Baseball Team for 3 yrs. We practiced at Clearlite Field in North View when I was 10 yrs. old. My last two years we practiced at Coleman Park, on Baltimore Ave. past Hazel Atlas. My Coaches were Arron Gillespi and Roger Johnson. I lived in Glen Elk, I remember one day I ran to the store and missed the coach when he came by and I walked to Clearlite Field for practice.

I went to Central Junior High, I had Ms Hattie Smith as a homeroom teacher in the seventh grade and Mrs. Williams as my homeroom teacher in the eighth. Mr. Corder was my shop teacher in the seventh and Mr. Hall was my shop teacher in the eighth, those two sure could swing a mean paddle. Coach Bond coached both Football & Basketball.

I remember going to G. C. Murphy's for lunch, eating at the Hot Dog Stand and drinking a Root beer. No place to sit, you would stand, eat and look at the magazines.

I can still smell the popcorn in the hall at Central. Mr. Marshall was the janitor and he would fire up the corn for lunch time, nickel a bag.

I took my driving test at Shinnston, in a '65 Tempest owned by John McCusky. John was our Track Capt. he would let me drive his car around the parking lot of Hite Field after practice, then we took off one afternoon down to Shinnston. I just got in before the Jr. License Law went into effect.

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

There were no organized athletics in the 30s and 40s around Clarksburg. Some Boy Scout troops had a limited amount. Mostly the kids in the neighborhood organized themselves. Who ever had the ball called the shots. Any vacant lot became a playing field. Touch football and prisoner’s base were played in the street as there was not much traffic, many families did not own cars. In the part of Broad Oaks where I lived there were several vacant lots, but the one I remember best was on the corner of Spring and Harrison. There was a fair amount of open space and it was fairly level with two or three huge oak trees around the edge. We played football, baseball and softball in season and according to who had the ball. For basketball we hung a backboard at the corner of St. Clair and Spring under a street light. We got our share of cuts and bruises, sprains, jammed fingers, etc. I do not remember anyone being badly hurt. Most of this would not be allowed today, we had no law suits and the utility companies did not object to us using the light poles. One of those trees blew down in a big storm in the early 40s. When they cut it up we counted 500 or so rings. We figured the tree was a sapling when Columbus discovered America!!

As to pets, I had dogs, cats and chickens. The main cat was a blue medium hair Persian who kept the neighborhood supplied with kittens, few cats or dogs were spayed at that time. I can only remember several people having Irish setters, Chows and a few German shepherds, but I am not sure they were pure bred. The first registered dog I can remember was an English bulldog belonging to Tom Kennedy. Most people had mutts, which, in my opinion, make better pets.

The drivers test was one that we all sweated out. My Dad was with me in the family car, a 1936 Dodge sedan. I passed on my first try.

My wife, daughter and I took the polio serum at a local school in 1959. It was two drops of serum on a sugar cube.

WIPING OUT POLIO
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
The year was 1955 and it was April. Once again families were dreading the oncoming of warm temperatures. For the past decades with the arrival of the warm weather came the disease, polio which struck so many in the United States but mostly singled out the children.

Doctors were at their wits end as to what was causing this disease, how people contracted it and most of all they had no cure. In the summer of 1952, nearly 58,000 Americans contracted polio.

At the University of Pittsburgh, Jonas Salk a 40 year old physician had been working on a polio vaccine for many years. Many tests were conducted on volunteers. But in April 1954 the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP—now known as the March of Dimes) finally gave its approval to try the vaccine on 1.8 million children in 44 states. The study was conducted that spring and summer and the results were collected in the fall. On April 12, 1955—ten years to the day after the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt—the results were announced. “The vaccine works. It is safe, effective and potent.”

The year after the vaccine was approved polio cases in the US were cut in half, the following year of 1957; it was cut by another two thirds. In 1961 only 1,312 American children contracted polio, a 98% improvement over the epidemic of just 9 years earlier. Now the Salk vaccine is a standard part of the childhood vaccine regimen.

Reference source: The article “Conquering Polio” by Jeffery Kluger in the April 2005 issue of The Smithsonian magazine.

THAT ALL AMERICAN K9
submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com
My family had several dogs during my tenure of living on Broaddus Avenue in Clarksburg, and from what I can remember, most (if not all) of those dogs were BEAGLES. My dad used to do a lot of hunting and the beagles were the best RABBIT-HUNTING dogs at that time. I can remember the name of one of the dogs (Nancy), so that must have been my favorite. I do not remember whether my brother and/or sister paid much attention to any of the dogs, but I sure did. It will be interesting to see if you hear from either on of them on this issue.

WI 1960

Pictured above are members of the Class of 1960 who gathered to share memories at the Clarksburg Reunion PICNIC.

Front row kneeling: Left to right: Pam Brown, Sharon Elliot VanDevender, Mary Jo Marchio Godfrey, Sharon Wendler Jacobson.

Back row left to right: second from left: Mary Ann Felts Lantz, Annabelle Lee, Dick Frush, Becky Stalnaker Fowler, Mick Drummond, John McFarlin and Bill Berger.

WI CLASS OF 1961 THRU 1971

Left to Right: Back row: SueEllen Stalnaker Crawford (in black top) (WI 1971); Front Row: In pink sweater is Marilyn Hurst Lee (WI 1962); Vicki Limbers Moore (WI 1967) in lime green top; Patty Nixon (blond with white shirt in front row next to lady in yellow shirt); Rose Bosley McGee white shirt with picture of light house, and Keith Nixon in red stripped shirt.

BASEBALL
submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com
I can remember playing LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL for a few years, alongside my brother Bob for some of those years. We played all over West Virginia, but I can recall a lot about some of the games that we played at Veterans Park. Most notably of which was the first year that I played little league, I was looking for my first HOME RUN of my "career" in a game against Rotary, when I hit the ball to the furthest part of the field ONLY to have the center field catch the ball HANGING OVER THE FENCE I was rewarded with many home runs over the next few years, but THAT one was the ONE that got away.

I also remember playing a game (I think down in the Salem area) where I thought that the field we were playing in was a COW PASTURE. There was no fences, except for the backstop, and I had one or two home runs because I hit the ball over the outfielders heads and by the time they got to the ball I was around to home plate. Behind the outfielders was a creek, and once the ball went over the creek bank, the umpire determined that it was a home run. The team that I was playing on (The Knights of Columbus) lost the game, and it was probably my fault because I did not know that we were down to our last out and our last at bat when the smallest player on our team came up to bat. The coach could not substitute another player for him, because we had played several extra innings and there were no more players to put in his place. I was SO TIRED that I did not even try to steal home, to tie the game. SO, we lost - MY FAULT! I can remember somebody saying "nice game" to me after the game and my dad getting ON MY CASE, because my response back was "YEH". I heard about THAT RESPONSE for a long time from my dad.

I can also remember going to games where the ALVARO brothers were playing, some of which I participated as well. AND, Paul Popovich from Hepzibah!

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE PICNIC

The caption says it all! Thanks Charlie Means.

OBITUTARIES
VIRGINIA BARBARA FRAGOMENE
Virginia Barbara Fragomene, 96, passed away in Charleston on March 9, 2005.

She was born in Clarksburg on September 24, 1908, and lived there until 1992. Since then, she resided at Sweetbriar in Dunbar, WV. She was a 1927 graduate of Washington Irving High School.

Her family would like her remembered as an extraordinary lady who strongly supported and helped all of her family without complaint throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orlan, in 1980 after 40 years of marriage. They have two sons, Frank, of South Charleston, WV, and Vincent, who lives in San Diego, CA. She has three grandchildren.

Virginia was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Loria of Clarksburg. She was preceded in death by her brothers

FRANK A. ANANIA
Mr. Frank A. Anania, age 77, of Clarksburg, W.Va., passed away on Friday, March 11, 2005. He was born in Reynoldsville, W.Va., Nov. 2, 1927, a son of the late Dominick Anania and "Daisy" Marano Anania.

Surviving are his wife for over 50 years, Betty Jean Ash Anania, whom he married Nov. 12, 1954, one son, James T. "Jim" Anania, Lancaster, Ca., three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and David Paterson, Teresa and Tom Nicholas, all of Clarksburg, W.Va., and Tammy and Brad McCarty, Salem, W.Va., six brothers and spouses, Russell J. and Pauline Anania, Peter and Betty Anania, Samuel Anania and Anthony "Tony" Anania, all of Youngstown, Ohio, Thomas and Glenna Anania, Cincinnati, Ohio, and John R. and Iona Anania, Orlando, Fla., two sisters and a brother-in-law, Victoria Anania, Columbiana, Ohio, and Nancy and James Tolbert, Yardley, Pa., and 11 grandchildren.

He was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1946. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a glassworker for over 40 years, having started at Hazel-Atlas and retiring from Anchor Hocking Glass in November of 1987.

JAMES ROBERT 'LIL RED' GREYNOLDS
James Robert "Lil Red" Greynolds, age 61, of Clarksburg, passed away March 16, 2005.. He was born May 18, 1943, in Clarksburg, a son of the late William Greynolds and the late Aretta Patterson Greynolds Coberly.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys Sinclair Greynolds, with whom he recently celebrated 42 years of marriage. The couple were married on December 10, 1962.

Additionally, he is survived by two sons, James "Jaimie" Greynolds Jr. and his wife Brenda, and Michael W. Greynolds, all of Clarksburg; 1 brother, Tom Greynolds of Shiloh, NJ; two sisters, Patty Sanders of Clarksburg and Carol Huffman and her husband Eddie of Shiloh, NJ; and four grandchildren.

A 1961 graduate of Victory High School, Mr. Greynolds was employed as a truck driver with Elmer Brake and Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, retiring after 25 years of service.

Mr. Greynolds was a part of the "Hardee's Retirees' Group," with both the early and the late groups. He was an honorary member of the Summit Park Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Believers Family Fellowship in Clarksburg.

MARION JEAN MEREDITH RIDDLE
Jeannie died March 26, 2005 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born in Fairmont, WV, the daughter of the late Charlie and Jane Meredith of Monongah, WV. Jeannie was a sister to Bill Meredith.

Jean was a graduate of Monongah High School in 1955, attended Fairmont State College, trained in medical technology in Binghamton, NY, and was the former owner of the Community Medical Laboratory in Titusville, FL.

She is survived by a stepdaughter, Phyllis Riddle Bierbaum, three bothers and two sisters.

Some of the above obits are excerpts taken from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram.

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