THE WI NEWSLETTER 10/05

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 74

October 2005

ROAMIN'
I long to roam through the countryside
When the leaves come a tumblin' down;
And the Master Designer has beautified
His woods in a dazzling gown.

A shellbark is stained in a golden hue,
The maple's a mantle of red.
The glories of nature are on review
In the colors of leaves o'er head.

The woodlot at dawn is shrouded in fog,
A spider's web's pearly with dew.
I'll sit on an ancient moss covered log
And revive my soul with the view.

I'll walk with Him in the stillness,
Far from the hammering mills.
Away from the world and its illness,
I'll find …myself … in the hills.

David B. Bates WI 1951
Bates8806@aol.com

THANK YOU LETTERS
Judy and I wish to thank all of you who thanked us for 6 years of service to you through the WI Newsletter.

KATRINA
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who survived Katrina. We hope the repairs to your lives are made swiftly. I have heard from a former WI student and now a friend of mine through the WI Newsletter. Mary K. McDaniel Bellisario (WI ’65) is well and her family is okay too.

A HALLOWEEN REMEMBERED
submitted by: Blair Holden (WI ’64)
hold6670@bellsouth.net
The one place that I remember the most is Stealey Park. Always about 200 kids gathered there to do mischievous things to houses, of course I got caught and was taken to the police station. When I was asked my name, I responded do you want my real name (I do have a nickname of Chuck) they didn't think it was so funny. My parents didn't think so either. I was grounded for a long time.

HALLOWEEN PAST
submitted by: Dick Hanifan (WI '59)
RKHanifan@aol.com
Several years I decorated the garage. The kids would walk up the drive to the house. We gave out candy, apples and sometimes apple cider. Lots of fun! Now days in West Virginia many people decorate their front yard and house for Halloween just about as much as they decorate for Christmas.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
West Virginia lags behind its neighbors in the education of its citizens, and its people pay a heavy economic price as a result. For example, a survey recently published in The Charleston Gazette reveals that average per-capita income of college graduates is double that of those with only a high school diploma.

Education and hard work have always been the gateway to economic advancements. But in WV, few go to college, with only 8.9% achieving a bachelor’s degree, and 4.3% attaining an associates degree, compared to surrounding states (Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, August 29, 2003).

STATE and TOTAL ATTAINING DEGREES

MD........36.70%
NC........29.30%
PA........28.30%
OHIO.....27.00%
WV........19.10%
Above information taken from a pamphlet I received from FSU.

RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT HALLOWEEN
submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS ‘56)
Floyds4@cox.net
How did Halloween go from harassment of adults by children to harassment of children by adults?

My two year old granddaughter will go trick or treating for her first time or “Halloweening” as we called it in Clarksburg. But today’s kids are only going through the motions. House to house they go in perfect store bought costumes, parents in tow, only to get candy that the parents won’t allow them to eat.

In the late 40’s early 50’s Halloween was for about a week. The big night was preceded by costume parties, pranks, and a little early trick or treating. Neighbors were ready to give out candy for two or three nights in a row, not just on Halloween alone. Of course, not everyone was thus prepared so they paid the price. No treat? Then trick. Sorry. That’s just the way it is.

You’ve probably heard it said that a buzz worm will rattle before it strikes except when it strikes before it rattles? Well it was a little like that with us rotten 12 year olds in North View. Even if we got candy we still might honor the purveyor with a handful of hard corn thrown on their porch. They probably wouldn’t get their windows soaped though. That was reserved for the stingy ones.

It was a week when our parents allowed us to actually go out at night with our buds, not knowing that we were up to no good. Or maybe they did. My dad used to tell me about tipping outhouses and putting horse drawn buggies on someone’s roof; sans horse of course...well probably. So what we did was well justified...”daddy did worse stuff.”

Probably some of the worst things we did were to shoot out the old fashioned bare bulb street lights with BB guns, or to let the air out of tires. My mother always warned that the tire that you flattened could belong to a doctor, and he might not be able to respond to an urgent call. That was in the days of doctor’s house calls. Oh the guilt I still carry from that one.

The corn that I threw came from sweeping up the corn that had been thrown on our porch. Today’s kids don’t even know what ‘field’ corn is.

On the big night we would don a scary costume that we made ourselves and hit the neighborhood for candy with a pillow case for a sack. Few of us tricked anyone during that ritual. It was after the candy had all been handed out that we thought we’d prolong the night by terrorizing the neighbors. All good clean fun of course.

Then magically next day that scary pumpkin on the front porch turned into a pie.

It’s a good thing for those of you who have grown up that the ‘trick’ part has been mostly discontinued; but Halloween night I’m going in search of a buggy to put on an outhouse.

WEST VIRGINIA YEARBOOK ARCHIVE PUBLICITY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Read at the HCGS (Harrison County Genealogical Society) meeting June 4, 2004: The West Virginia School Yearbook Archive is now available for use by historical and genealogical researchers. The Archive is the largest and most comprehensive collection of West Virginia high school and college yearbooks ever assembled---anywhere. Currently, the Archive includes more than 1800 volumes and more yearbooks are added each week. Schools large and small, old and new from every county in the state are included. The Archive contains tens-of-thousands of named pictures of West Virginia students, teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards, and staff, as well as old buildings, from 1901 to the present.

Members of your organization are invited to review the list of yearbooks and order a reproduction of the picture of your ancestor or family member. You may access the Archive web site at http://home.ntelos.net/~hightown and click on "list" to view the schools and years contained in the collection. If you wish to order pictures (or have questions about costs and availability) you may contact the Archive administrator at hightown@htcnet.org. The yearbook picture will be reproduced (enlarged if necessary), and printed on photographic paper. The resulting high quality reproduction will be mailed directly to the address you provide.

Please distribute this announcement to anyone interested in this research. This letter was dated March 15, 2004

TRIVIA PICTURE
The trivia picture for September was Weber’s Florist. I remember the pretty flower arrangements in the windows.

NOTE FROM JUDY: Several people mentioned they thought that Weber's is now a tobacco shop. As you can see in the above picture it is.

submitted by: Diana Cleavenger Swiger (WI ’66)
Mamaswag6@aol.com
I believe it's a Weber’s Florist near the VFW and across the street from the old Davis Funeral Home on Pike Street.

submitted by: Wayne White (WI ’60)
waynepawco@verizon.net
This is the former Webbers flowers business which was in the city for many years. They had the best flowers and window displays of any other flower shop in the area. They always have good products and great service. They were located across street from the former Davis funeral home which has now moved to Nutter Fort area. This flower shop is now history just like other business in Clarksburg, but I can remember the good service they gave.

submitted by: Dennis Mazza (WI ’64)
WVCRAZYMOUNTY@aol.com
The first homecoming I went to was with Donna Basile, she was from Michigan, it was held at the Waldo Hotel....I believe Gerard Folio was playing with the Prodicals(?) or Lincoln Lords ?....Too far back to remember...I know that Chuck Collins, Mike Coles, and several others that I can't remember right now was in the group. I had to be driven to the dance, since I was not old enough to drive yet...I can't remember who we were playing. I'm sure it wasn't RW since they were the first game of the year.....

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
IcedTeaDee@aol.com
I'm pretty sure it is Weber Flower Shop on Pike Street next to the Robinson Grand - have no idea what it is today. For many years I used them to order arrangements for my mother's grave. So much better than using Teleflorist Service.

submitted by: Elaine Zabeau Norteman (ND ’62)
name@server.com
I am searching my memory and if I am not mistaken it looks like Weber's Florist. This was the best flower shop in Clarksburg in the earlier years and I remember my neighbor Diane Tillman worked there for a time. That has been so long ago and it doesn't quite look the same but that is my guess. Thank you, John, for jarring the mind!

submitted by: Steve Griffith (ND ’60)
SGriff2393@aol.com
That is a picture of the "old" Weber's Florist building.

I can only remember being in there a couple of times in my lifetime, but they had a good reputation.

It is now a tobacco shop with a drive-through window (I believe).

When I stop and think of all the businesses that were mainstays of my youth, and now no longer exist, I wonder if progress is really good. I guess it is for trivia, nostalgia, and memories.

submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI ’52)
Fragilegranny 34@msn.com
That used to be the BEST florist in town!! It was Weber's Florist. Sad to see Clarksburg disappearing before our eyes! Corsages always meant more if the box said "Weber's". My husband, Dick Tetrick, WI '47 used to deliver flowers for a little extra spending money. Nice memory

submitted by: Rick Wilson (WI '61)
wilsonmaple@msn.com
Mystery pix is Webers. I've purchased or wired many a flower from there and continued to do so right up to the day of its closing. It was also my mother's favorite shop, from the delivery end of course. Remember long stem roses at $10/doz.? Tiffy does.

submitted by: Bill Phillips (would have been WI ’60 but moved to Elkins)
CAPTBILL2001@aol.com
This is the old Weber’s Florist, on W. Pike St. a couple doors East of the Robinson Grand Theatre, it was owned by Bill Weber. As I moved across the country I always used them for what ever purpose. Later it became a tobacco shop.

submitted by: Mary Gaile Thompson Barr (WI ’64)
LLakesidestudio@aol.com
This use to be Weber Florist --- the best florist in Clarksburg ---- almost all the flowers for dances, proms, and weddings, including mine came from Webers, and my Wedding was at Methodist Temple which was featured in last months Quiz. They use to have gorgeous window displays. I think it closed about two years ago.

submitted by: John Cooper (WI ’51)
Mysto99@aol.com
The mystery picture has to be Weber's Florist on Pike street near Robinson Grand Theatre (now the Rose Garden Theatre-now setting idle, with nothing taking place there, awww.. for shame, Mr. Larosa!)........I have ordered many flowers from Weber's for friends/relatives deceased then at the local funeral home......or patients in the local hospital..---and truly--I am sorry I missed the local 2005 WI get-together Picnic here this year, .again my loss! I was out of town for the weekend...and I did look forward to attending...!!! (I am sure everyone missed me..-ha) Understand that everyone had a great time..again!!! - As the ole' saying goes.".Wait 'till next year..! " ---

submitted by: John Emerick (WI ’53)
CadilacJak54@aol.com
Hi Roleta,
This is a picture of the Weber Flower Shop on Pike St. It is situated just 2 doors East of the Robinson Grand Theater which has since been re-named The Rose Garden Theater.

To the left of the picture you can see the house that sits between the shop and the theater. When I was a first grader at Carlisle I had extremely bad eyesight. After going to some other eye doctors that put drops in my eyes and caused me to fall up steps and over curbs, my Aunt Carrie McKinney (the one that I wrote about in the earlier piece about the Submarine Restaurant) suggested that my mother should go to Doctor Charles Wilson, an optometrist. His office and I believe also his residence was located in the house which can barely be seen on the left of the Weber’s shop. He said the "coke bottle bottoms" that I was wearing were entirely too strong, and that the problem was my right eye was a "lazy eye" and was causing the other eye to be overworked resulting in it being about 20/100 and the right about 20/250.

In those days, it was believed that if the eye wasn't made to work and carry it's share of the vision load it would atrophy and become blind (which is now known to be untrue). The correction for the problem was a one hour reading session each day with a super-dark amethyst shield over the left eyepiece on my eyeglasses. These were the war years, and my mom found books for me that had stories of war with print about 1/2 inch high. I can remember how I resisted those sessions and would sometimes hide outside because I didn't want to come in and read. By the time I reached 7th grade my left eye was 20/20 and the right was about 20/50 or 60. It was still a lazy eye in that it was prone to turning to the outside or left while the right eye looked straight ahead and became more pronounced with fatigue. My eye is still lazy today, and of course I am wearing glasses with tri-focal lenses. I do not have a focal plane anywhere. In other words, everything is out of focus without glasses no matter if it is near or far. What, you say, does that have to do with Weber’s Flower Shop? Absolutely nothing, but it gave me a chance to take a nostalgia trip, and maybe some other reader will remember Dr. Charles Wilson and enjoy walking along with me..

I think that I am in error when I said that the shop is 2 doors from the theater. I think that there is a shop next to the theater, the house and then the flower shop. This shop was for many years the location of the Bel-Tone Hearing Aid center. I believe that the late E. James "Mums" Olean was the proprietor during the 50's and early 60's. Jim was on the city council at different times during his lifetime. He served as both Mayor and Vice Mayor, as well as Councilman.

submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS ’46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com
The latest trivia photo is of the former Weber’s Flower Shop formerly located at 440 W. Pike Street. It was established in 1911 by the Weber Family and at the time was located at 411 W. Main Street. It later moved to 429 W. Pike Street in the first floor of the Jarvis Apartment Building, The owners then were Edith L. and Wilhelm H. :Bill” Weber. After her death, “Bill” became the sole owner. The stores motto was “FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS”. After Mr. Weber retired, Butch and Shelly Swisher became the new owners. The store ceased operating early this year and the property was purchased by our local V.F. W. Post 573. In the summer of 2005 they leased it to a tobacco shop known as “Butts and Ashes”.

TRIVIA PICTURE FOR OCTOBER

Do you recognize the place pictured above? Write to me with your guess and a memory. Remember I only print correct guesses with a memory included.

VISIT TO CLARKSBURG
Bill and I visited Clarksburg for about an hour in September and were happy to see many changes there. The town is getting a facelift. Several buildings are being replaced and some have been restored. A couple intersections on Main Street have new brick inserts in the street. All in all things seem to be looking up….and the hot dogs at Ritzy’s hot dog stand are as good as ever!

HALLOWEEN STORY
submitted by: Pat Elder (ND ’57)
St1Pat@aol.com
When I lived in Northview, I had always heard the story of pooping in the bag, setting it on fire in front of the door, ringing the doorbell. Then watching the person come out and try to stomp out the fire by stepping on it only to cause a big untidy mess! One of our adult neighbors, Mr. Cottrill, was always getting on my case about various little things I did. AHA, he would be the perfect one to try this little gimmick on!! I planned and plotted--this was going to be so good to get him back. The big night came and I took a big ole stinky bag onto his porch, carefully lit the match and shebang, it took off great. I went across the street to watch after I rang the doorbell. This was sure to be a gas. Mr. Cottrill was a tall, lanky guy. He came speeding out of the house without breaking stride he side kicked the bag clear off the porch and continued running down the steps right after me. I started running for my life--I couldn't believe how fast he was! He caught me half way down the block, grabbed me by the collar, led me back to scrub his porch down and get rid of the mess that was left after the bag burned up. He gave me a lecture on respect for my neighbors, but he never did tell my parents about it--thank goodness. That was one Halloween I'll never forget

LETTER TO WI GRADUATES:

Dear WI Grads and Friends,

My name is Mary Rose Grimes Axton WI Class of 1975 and an active member of the RCBHS Athletic and Academic Boosters Club. This year we are sponsoring a major fund raiser to support the students at Robert C Byrd High School. We are selling chances for a 2006 Saturn Ion to be awarded on May 24, 2006 at the Senior Honors Assembly. Ticket are $10.00 a piece or 3 for $25.00. If anyone is interested in purchasing a ticket you can email me at mraxton13@aol.com or call me at home 304-622-1461. The RCB Boosters Club sponsors athletic teams as well as academics.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,
Mary Rose Axton

HALLOWEEN
submitted by: Tom Marshall (WI '59)
marshall@rmu.edu
When I was in Morgan School, on Halloween Bill Pursglove (Pursglove Coal), who lived on Waverly Way, adjoining the Stealey Tourist home, opened his large garage for a Halloween party. Parents and kids were invited (the parent had drinks and the kids had cider). After we were done trick-or-treating we went to the garage to duck for apples, play games, and watch movies. Bill had a movie camera set up to show us cartoons and shorts. I remember seeing Disney's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for the first time at one of the parties. Everyone had a grand time and went home to dream of Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, Brom Bones, and the Headless Horesman.

NOTRE DAME CLASS OF 1958 HOLDS REUNION

The Notre Dame High School Class of 1958 held a reunion August 12-14 at the Bridgeport Country Club. A casual get-together for classmates, spouses and friends was held August 12. On August 13, a dinner and dance was held with “Jumpin Johnny” John Coughlin providing entertainment. The weekend concluded with a liturgy on August 14 at Immaculate Conception Church followed by breakfast at the Holiday Inn. The next reunion is planned for August 2008.

Pictured from left, first row: Gloria (Tiano) Smith, Constance Joy (Minard) Presutti, Judy (Zabeau) Shepherd, Margaret Jean (Reymond) Mrazik, Rosanne (Malfregeot) Oliverio, Nancy (McGann) Renzelli, Alba (LoBianco) Capozzi, Rose Angela (Moran) Lubert, Rosalind (Maiocco) DeMicco.

Second Row: Cecilia (Kniska) Davish, Brooke Beall, Mike Hanley, Louis Mazzie, Louis Oliverio, Mike Frey, and Harriette (Coughlin) Hatfield. Attending but not pictured was classmate Mary Kay (Romano) DeMicco and friends of the class Mike and Becky Fresa.

THE BEST HALLOWEEN TREATS
submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com
Halloween for me was an exciting holiday. For Halloween I usually dressed as a bum and wore some of my daddy's old clothes as my disguise for Halloween. But then, one year I remember dressing up like an angel. Sandy Creighton's mother made my wings. I walked all over Stealey trick-or-treating. It was safe in those days. There were a couple of homes that you didn't want to miss where they gave out special treats. The Milsteads gave candy bars or nickels and Mrs. Tutwiler made popcorn balls. The word got out fast. My mother enjoyed dressing up for Halloween too and would greet the goblins at the door. I remember throwing confetti on porches. After the excitement was over and we returned home, we'd drink hot chocolate and eat our favorite candies first.

OBITUTARY FOR MR. SENSE
I received this obituary recently and thought all of you should read it.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense.

Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap and was awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

HALLOWEEN REMEMBERED
submitted by: John Teter (WI ’61)
jteter@balmar.com
My Halloween memories take me back to the days when we used to go trick-or-treating 3 nights instead of just the one that kids today are allowed to do. We would go to the Stealey area the first night as we always thought that Stealey was a more prominent area for GOOD TREATS; the second night we would do the Lee Avenue territory, up the hill towards Chestnut Hills until we were too tired to go any more. The third night we would make the rounds closest to Broaddus Avenue where my parents lived and encompassing the Mulberry / Locust / Sycamore areas as well.

The main thing that I can remember is that we NEVER went thru our candy looking for TRICKS that the homeowners played on us. Today it seems like you are always hearing some bad experience this kid had in this area and/or that kid had in that area. I do not remember having that DISTRUST during my days of trick-or-treating like kids do today (actually like PARENTS do today).

I can remember going to Halloween PARTIES when I was growing up; getting all dressed up in a costume that my mother could make for me. I remember one year, I went as a PIRATE with a girl that went as a PRINCESS. THAT was not a pretty evening, as I can remember her CRYING and crying and CRYING when she saw that I was dressed as a pirate, but her mother made her go to the party with me ANYWAY! I wish that I could remember who the girl was, but I cannot.

NEXT MONTH WE WILL DISCUSS SCHOOL BAND
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL BAND
IN GRADE SCHOOL, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL?
Send your memories to: Roleta1@aol.com. If you have pictures of your band or you in your band uniform send it to me also. Let’s see how the uniforms changed over the years. Tell us about your band leader, what instrument you played, why you picked that instrument to learn, contests, parades, etc.

Email your pictures to me or mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

RAFFLE
There will be a raffle at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICINC to be held on March 4, 2006 in Sarasota, Florida. I am looking for more prizes for the raffle. If you would like to donate an item to be raffled, please contact me at Roleta1@aol.com. Remember all money from the raffle is donated to the WIN Scholarship. All proceeds over and above the expenses for this picnic are donated to the WIN Scholarship also.

Pictured above is the quilt which will be raffled off at the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC to be held on March 4, 2006 in Sarasota, Florida.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT
The deadline is almost here!
Don’t forget to send your quilt square to Sue Selby Moats. Contact her at moatsue@aol.com for directions on how to mail the square. You don’t have to quilt it….just piece it together. The deadline is November 1, 2005. If you wish to purchase a raffle ticket, please contact Sue at the above email address. Sue came up with this wonderful way to earn money for the WIN Scholarship, she is doing a lot of work to that a child from Clarksburg can receive a scholarship to college. Do you have an idea of a way you can do the same? Contact me.

Above is Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) moatsue@aol.com. Sue is making the quilt for the raffle. Contact Sue to purchase your raffle tickets. Also contact her to donate a square for the quilt!

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came
The chestnuts, oaks, and maples,
And leaves of every name.
The sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

By George Cooper

MILITARY SALUTE
I am preparing the military salute to be coming your way in November, if you, a relative or someone you know served this country in the armed forces, please send me the name and branch of service. It would also be nice to have the person’s rank and if they served in the war please list which one also. I would also like to receive a story about the time served. This includes reserves as these people volunteered to serve, were trained and were ready when to serve if called. Send to me at: Roleta1@aol.com. Nancy was unable to finish this job so I am doing it now.

NEW ADDRESSES

Kimberly Ludwick Wildt (WI ’77)	kwildt@sc.rr.com
Nancie Graham Blehschmidt (WI ’56)	dde76ng@adelphia.net
C. D. (Dick) Albright (WI ’47)	CAlbri1119@aol.com
Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI ’56)	sjlindke@wmconnect.com
Dennis Mazza (WI ’64)	WvUMaZzA@aol.com
Toni Singleton (WI ’77)	cburg59@msn.com
Judy Coffman Dunham (WI ’57)	JudyorBill@aol.com
Susie Newbrough Young (VHS ’56)	Youngfamily68@aol.com
Judy Hudkins Phair (WI '56)	LPhair9507@charter.net
Paul Rector (WI '58)	hawkeyes_2@msn.com

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Shari Josephs Collins (WI ’65)	was: bcollins@uswa.org is: sjoseph4@columbus.rr.com
Ina and Mike Swiger (WI '59)	grouchygourd@aol.com
Gladys Williams (WI ’71)	gwill1004@ma.rr.com
Rex Zickefoose (WI '59)	rexzickefoose@hrea.coop
Carol Grow Robey and Gary Robey (WI ’57)	GARCAR928@msn.com
Randy Moodispaugh (WI '59)	moodispaugh@verizon.net
Jim Gill (VHS '59)	jgil1225@yahoo.com

HALLOWEEN STORY
submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
I stayed home and studied my home work Roleta but I will list some of the things the other people did while I was home.

1. They soaped windows.
2. Stuck car horns.
3.They put garbage in brown paper bags and put them on porches and lit them with a match and rang the door bell. When the people came out of the house and saw the bag on fire they had to stomp the fire out and got the hot garbage on the feet, shoes, or bedroom slippers.
4. They unbolted fire hydrants and put them in the middle of the street enclosed in cardboard boxes.

Those are just a few things some of the gang told me they did on Halloween night.

If I can think of anything more they told me I will let you know. I am sure my brother Fred could tell you a lot more.

CONTRIBUTIONS THIS MONTH TO THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
Allen Alvarez (WI 1958)

Gerald Winnerman (WI 1957)

Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI 1952)

A special thanks to these three people for their continued support of the WIN Scholarship.

If you want to get involved in helping a young person from Clarksburg get a big step toward a successful future, please contribute to the WIN Scholarship!

Make out your check to:
Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship

and mail contributions to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

I now have the WIN Scholarship in a money market account so it is receiving better interest.

CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
SKeith1514@aol.com
When my friends and I attended Central Junior High, we all, not only memorized the Gettysburg Address and a poem of our choice from a major poet and recited these in front of the class, we read Evangaline everyday in class for what seemed like years, under a copy of the Classic painting of The Angelus ringing the workers to prayer in their field.

But above this I remember Mrs. Lowther, our music teacher, whose husband was the principal. She was a lovely dark-haired woman, rather classic in her navy-blue sheath dresses, low-heel pumps and pageboy hair. She conducted and directed a choir, and if you "tried out" and were accepted, you wound up singing "This Old Man...he played one..." from the Inn of the 6th Happiness with Ingrid Bergman and "High Hopes", a Sinatra hit. Later that year on a snowy night at Christmastime at one of the Country Clubs in the area, dressed in a green choir robe, with a bright red bow, standing on risers shaped like a tree, with one of our minion dressed in white at the very top, representing the angel, we serenaded grownups by singing Christmas Carols. It was great fun!

Mrs. Lowther also introduced us to classical music composers and some of their works. We all learned to love, or at least recognize, among others, Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore and it's Anvil Chorus, and attended, during school hours, a real opera who's title I've forgotten at the old Moore's Opera House on 4th Street. It must have been a zoo that day. Here we were hearing an opera where most of us had recently been scared to death by the melting makeup of Lon Chaney in The Curse of the Werewolf .. because the Moore's Opera House had been reduced to showing horror movies by the late '50's. The dark and mysteriously ornate carvings and claret red velvet floors, curtains and seats lent themselves to these presentations so well. CREEPY!

Our 7th grade year, we had the privilege of having probably the most inspired teacher, Ms.Cavender, for girls' gym class, no less. She envisioned us doing The Nutcracker Suite at Christmas for our parents on the never-used stage in the auditorium at Central. Again we tried out and were selected for our parts, costumes were designed and made by moms who sewed, backdrops and scenery by moms, dads and relatives... And we did put on a most marvelous version of that classic.. I still remember some of the players and parts. Patty Murphy, Jane Rose and I were Russians.. Melinda Mazza was a Soldier, Janet Fankhouser and Carol Morrison were sugarplum fairies, Shirley Dillmore was a dancing flower. Was Carol Ann Posey the mouse? Anyway, you get the picture.. Such work, such a sense of accomplishment! Such a riot..

I have not meant to leave out Mrs. Fergeson, our art teacher, or home economics where I was first challenged to sew.. though not ever successful there, I finally have learned.

Well, thank you, you wonderful teachers who expanded our little minds and gave us a curiosity about the world of Fine Arts which continues to this day!

As we all know, we were truly blessed to grow up where we did, when we did!

NEWSLETTERS
Judy Daugherty Kimler thought up a way to earn money for the WIN Scholarship account. She has made a CD of the first 5 years of the WI Newsletters. She contributes, to the WIN Scholarship, all the money over and above the cost of the blank CD and the shipping charges. You may purchase a CD by contacting her at: jkimler@verizon.net. The cost of the CD is $10.00. Many people send more than the $10.00 and all of that goes to the WIN Scholarship bank account also. The CD is programmed so that all you do is pop it in your computer and follow the directions. It is very easy to use and many of you have purchased a CD and said how much you have enjoyed it.

Those who bought CD’s this past month and contributed to the WIN Scholarship are:

Ken Winters (WI 1965)
Frank Muscari (WI 1957)—thank you for the extra donation Frank.

NAME THAT TUNE
This month Nancy Starett has sent us the notes to a song for you to remember. Send your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com.

Here we go!
Name That Tune

Do you have some you can contribute to me for the game?

submitted by: Jim Brown (WI ’57)
Jb1obx@aol.com

Does anyone recall where Jimmy Colombo's restaurant was in the Clarksburg area?

He closed it and moved to Parkersburg in 1954 and opened one there. (Still open) I recall hearing about it but that was before my age group had wheels and until then, unless your parents took you, the only places you knew were in your neighborhood or between there and town.

submitted by: Kimberly Ludwick Wildt (WI ’77)
kwildt@sc.rr.com

I hated that I had to miss the reunion. I really appreciated the list of names. I graduated in 1977 from WI, so I did recognize 2 names. Hey, Denny and Jim---you rock---hope it was fun.

Denny, doubt if you have a clue who I am, but ML Henderson, D Skidmore and I crashed one of your parties on Clay St.

Jim, are you still in FL? Hope you have had "Happy New Year's" ever since 1980.

submitted by: Nancie Graham Blehschmidt (WI ’56)
De76ng@adelphia.net

Recently found out about your newsletter from Mary Ellen (Killingsworth) Shacat. Such an ambitious endeavor - congratulations.

Retired from WVU Health Science Center in 1999 and I live in Morgantown. Married to Ed Blehschmidt - soon to celebrate 30th anniversary.

TRAVELING READERS
submitted by: Elaine Zabeau Norteman (ND '62)
enorteman@adelphia.net

Dear Roleta,
After reading of your trip to the Mediterranean it brought back our summer memories as well. Our cruise was this past July with Celebrity aboard the Millenium leaving Barcelona, Spain. Our itinerary was Villefranche (Nice, St. Paul Eze, Monte Carlo & Monaco), France; on to Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy; then to Civitavecchie (Rome), Italy; Naples (Pompeii, Amalfi Coast), Italy; Valletta, Malta; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and finally Venice, Italy.

My husband, Chuck, always says "We're in the last quarter of the ballgame so we'd better do these things while we can". And he is right. There was a lot of walking and could become strenuous for some people.

If you think old is old in this country, try visiting Rome or Venice ... now that is really old and oh, so beautiful! I am becoming a real "nut" for history the more we travel. It is so hard to even imagine the wealth back in those times...gold decorating so many buildings! It was surreal. However, there were many servants as well. You really walk back in time; times that you read about in school days and never thought you would ever experience being there. It makes you appreciate what you have and where you are in the scheme of things and to note...what is really important in life.

My favorite was Santorini, Greece and I think that is because I am a more casual living person and more laid back, so to speak. When in Santorini, that is the feeling I had and loved it. I am attaching a couple of pictures that I thought you might like to see.

When I speak of the really important things in life....it is friendships and caring about your fellow man.. that to me is what is most important in life and that is what you two are all about each month when you spend the time compiling the newsletter. Keep it up!

CLASS OF 1961 REUNION
Dear Classmates,
At our 40th Reunion it was voted to have a 45th Reunion.

The 1961 WI Reunion Committee held our first meeting to prepare for our 45th. The Committee Members attending were STEVE TORYAK, MIKE KING, JIM GALLO, LIZ LAYTON, CHARLENE LEON. Additionally, several from out of town attended this meeting: BILLIE KITTLE, CAROL GREYNOLDS, BOB SWATS & JOHN TETER. Others that are interested in helping are welcome to attend the next meeting on September, 24th at PANERAS at 9:00 a.m.

The date decided on for the reunion is July 21 & 22, 2006. The location is the VILLAGE SQUARE Conference Center where many changes have taken place.

We hope to have an agenda that will keep you busy & entertained. We would like your input for activities that you would enjoy. Friday will be the social gathering. Saturday morning there will be golfing and also activities planned for non-golfers from 11:00 to 3:00. Saturday evening will be the dinner and dance.

Future notices will be sent as we finalize arrangements. Anyone wanting to help let us know.

Please provide JOHN TETER with your e-mail address. His e-mail address is either: JATETER@AOL.COM or JTETER@BALMAR.COM.

Contacts: LIZ LAYTON 304-622-4755, CHARLENE LEON 304-623-3962, BARBARA THOMAS 304-622-4256 or JOHN TETER by e-mail.

We would appreciate an RSVP by e-mail or phone call if you already know you will or will not be attending. That way if you are sure you won't be attending, we will not continue to send updates.

We are still missing 4 classmates: CONNIE KITTLE, TOBY WISE, JIM SMITH & PAT TAYLOR.

Clarksburg is in the demolishing mode, so you need to visit before all the buildings you remember are gone.

We hope you are interested and able to attend on these dates.

DAYS I WILL REMEMBER
submitted by: Keith Roach (WI '63)
WVFord28@aol.com
Days I will remember
And I will remember them well
One is the day the towers fell
People ran and ran so not to die
Dust and debris filled the sky
The human cost we must endear
Emotions ran high and many had fear
We were upset and rightly so
That the people we loved so dear
Were never to be with us another year
It brings a tear, it brings a tear
And I will remember them well
One is the day gulf coast fell
Wind and water filled the sky
People ran and walked so not to die
Wind and water filled the sky
Wading water to higher ground
Could not drive, water all around
Surviving in houses, on roof tops
Waiting for choppers in the sky
No food or water
Just waiting for the chopper
We were upset and rightly so
That the people we loved so dear
Were never to be with us another year
And I will remember them well
9/11 and 8/29
Will be remembered for all of time.

FAVORITE TEACHER
submitted by: Jim Ashley (WI '62)
jashley4@cox.net
I'm not sure how many votes Mr. Gudekunst will be getting from other people, but I have always looked to him as the root of my (however limited) life's successes.

I had sailed through all my math courses prior to entering WI with only minimal attention to things like studying and classroom effort. Math was easy and I had a lot of arrogance with my ability to do well in the subject.

Then came Mr. Gudekunst and the struggle to get my grades above a C- in algebra. The next year, in plane geometry, we went into open warfare with each other. He was kind enough to give me one D- in a grading period where I did nothing, but then failed me for the rest of the year.

When I repeated plane geometry the next year (from another teacher), I realized just how good a teacher Mr. Gudekunst was and also had one of those moments that our parents all dreamed of when I realized I was pretty much wasting my academic opportunities.

A year later, I had to go on bended knee to Mr. Gudekunst to ask for permission to take advanced algebra from him. I'm fairly certain that most people would not consider C+'s for the year a raging success, but it meant a lot to me and it meant even more that Mr. Gudekunst congratulated me at year's end for my effort.

After college, when I had to take a test called the Federal Service Entrance Exam (FSEE) to get into a professional civil service career path, it turned out that the math portion of the test was a walk in the park for anyone who had survived "Gus's" classes (and that between Mrs. Howard's vocabulary tests and Miss Bailey's grammar tests, the English portions were equally easy). I remember walking out of that exam saying "Thank you; thank you" to Mr. Gudekunst and my English teachers that day.

My personal belief is that in today's environment of "self esteem" and the need to have half of the graduates end up with 4.0 (or higher) averages in order to qualify as one of the dozens of valedictorians in each class, that Mr. Gudekunst would either be sued into submission or hounded out of his position for either his grading scale that seemed to run from B to D for almost everyone or his gruff manner.

For me, however, I will never forget how valuable a lesson it was to find that initial failure can lead to eventual success if you just take the time to learn from those failures.

(thank goodness for summer school, eh?)

submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI '52)
Fragilegranny34@msn.com
When I think of special teachers, two come quickly to mind--Mrs. McClung in second grade and Mrs. Micheaux in fifth grade at Morgan School. They were young and made school a fun place to be. Obviously, we learned lots, without the benefit of teacher assistants. As I recall there were probably 48-50 students per class. We were well behaved (well, I did my share of talking) and had respect for all the teachers. It was such a wonderful school and many friendships were formed in that school. Thanks,

submitted by: Bernice King McHenry (WI '52)
BerniceMcHenry@aol.com
It was in the days before Kindergarten. We all went home for lunch, and walked both ways, but my First Grade teacher, Rosanell Chestnut, opened the wonderful world of words for me. She taught us to READ!. And I got my first library card at the Clarksburg Public Library.

Or... was it Jules Michaux? In Fifth grade, at Morgan School, she dealt with all that was going on in the world during those WW2 years, and taught us to value ourselves, and our learning. Later, when I became a teacher in the Harrison County System, she was a supervising teacher, and delighted in telling my students, that she had once been my teacher. Smiles all around!

Or was the favorite teacher Mary Matthews in Sixth grade? She had returned to the US after being a missionary in China. As with all “favorite' "teachers, she valued each student, and took care in making sure we were ready for the world of Junior High School. I remember working on a special project, which ran over into 'after-school' time, and she took me to "Ruth's Corner' for dinner. (Of course, after she checked with my mother!)

It seems that there were many teachers in my school history who cared, and formed values we carry with us today.

PRECIOUS CHILD

submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Teterick (WI ’52)
Fragilegranny34@msn.com
For some reason, I think that the precious child might be "Bobby" Turner. I went all through school with his older brother, Tom. If it is Bobby, I saw him at the Sarasota reunion in 2004 and he looked great.

submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI ’58)
DBLU2@aol.com
That cute little first grader is Bobby Turner. Miss Lucy Thomas was our teacher. Bobby and I were in the same classes at Morgan School our first six years. He had energy plus. I still chuckle when I think about the time in our sixth grade class (Mrs. Pierpoint's room) when Bobby demonstrated for the class how his mother put on her girdle and had the class giggling.

submitted by: Paul Rector (WI ’58)
hawkeyes_2@msn.com
At first glance, it appears to be Bob Turner from our Morgan grade school pictures. We went all thru school together. I believe his father was owner/manager of Hartland Planning Mill.

submitted by: JoAnne Drummond Marlette (WI ’58)
MarletteJ@uhcwv.org
The boy in the picture is Bob Turner. I went to school with him from the very beginning of grade school up thru high. He was a very nice young man.

Also wanted to say you and Judy are doing a wonderful job on the WI newsletter. I really enjoy reading it and remembering the good old days on the hill. Those were great times and wonderful memories. Thanks again!

PRECIOUS CHILD FOR OCTOBER
NOTE: We will soon run out of childhood pictures. If you have a picture you can share, please contact Judy at Jkimler@verizon.net. We appreciate a childhood picture, a high school picture and a current picture if possible. If not, we are getting desperate so we will take any of the above. Thanks

Do you recognize this person? Please send your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember, I don’t print incorrect guesses! Include a memory of the person.

OBITUARIES
ORLAN CLARE FOWLER
Mr. ORLAN CLARE FOWLER, 101 years of age, of Bridgeport, WV, died on Monday, September 12, 2005, at the Heritage Nursing Home, Bridgeport, WV.

He was born April 13, 1904, in Wallace, WV, the son of the late Wirt and Gertie May Swentzel Fowler. Mr. Fowler was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Currey Fowler, in 1998.

Mr. Fowler is survived by a son, William Fowler and wife Becky of Orlando, Florida; two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Fowler was also preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Fowler, and a brother, John Fowler.

Mr. Fowler retired from teaching in 1958. He began his teaching career on a temporary certificate in the Minor School. He later transferred to Gregory's Run School in Wilsonburg, WV, in 1924. In 1926, he taught at Isaac Creek and in 1927-1942 he taught math and physical education in Clarksburg at Central Junior High School. In 1943, he became principal of the Sardis Junior High and Elementary grades and then in 1945-1958, he was the principal at the Norwood Junior High. After retiring, he worked for Field Enterprises Educational Association.

Mr. Fowler graduated from Salem College in 1932. During summer sessions he attended the University of Michigan, University of Maine, University of Denver and the University of Colorado. He received his master's degree from the University of Kentucky in 1939.

Mr. Fowler was a past president of the Harrison County Educators Association, a past president of the Harrison County Classroom Teachers Association, a past president of the West Virginia Elementary Principals Association, a vice president of the National Elementary Principals Association and a past president of the West Virginia School Boards Association.

Mr. Fowler was a member of the Simpson Creek Baptist Church. At the church, he served as a member and past president of the Deacons Board. He was an 80-year member of the Late Lodge No. 63, A.F.&A.M., in Bridgeport. He was Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1944 and later served the lodge as Treasurer. He was later named Treasurer Emeritus.

He was a past president of the Clarksburg Lions Club and has served the Lions Club for over 50 years. The past several years he was a member of the Bridgeport Lions Club. Mr. Fowler was a member of the board for the United Way of Harrison County, a board member of the Clarksburg Parks and Recreation and was a member of the Harrison County Board of Education for 12 years. He served as president of the Board of Education for one term. He was a member of the Silver-Haired Legislature and served for four years as Senate president.

CHARLES EUGENE “ICKY” KYLE

Charles Eugene "Icky" Kyle, age 76, of Maple Lake, Bridgeport, passed away September 10, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born August 14, 1929, in Clarksburg, a son of the late Samuel Boyles Kyle and the late Caddie Edgell Kyle.

Charles is survived by his wife Norma Jean "Jeannie" Kyle, whom he married November 7, 1949. Also surviving are six children, Jeri Sue Beezel and her husband Mike, of Dunbar, Charles E. "Chuck" Kyle, Jr., of Clarksburg, Kathryn Christopher and her husband Stan, of Fairmont, Judy Barnes and her companion Nelson Kincaid, of Weston, Tim Kyle and his wife DeeDee, of Clarksburg, and Sandy Boice and her husband Bill, of Grafton; and 13 grandchildren

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by one brother, Sam B. Kyle, II and one sister, Mary Margaret Puterbaugh.

Charles graduated from Washington-Irving High School, class of 1947, and attended Fairmont State College for over two years, majoring in physical education with the desire to become a coach.

Charles retired in 1988 after 35 years of service as a lineman and cable splicer for C & P Telephone and Verizon. He attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. He was also a member of the Maple Lake Club for over 30 years.

MARY RUTH DUCKWORTH FINDLEY
Mrs. Ruth Findley, age 89, a resident of Morning Pointe, Athens, TN (formerly of Ryder Avenue, Clarksburg, WV), passed away September 18, 2005 at the NHC of Athens, TN.

She was born in Clarksburg, WV, October 15, 1915, a daughter of the late Clarence A. and Ketah P. McCartney Duckworth.

Her husband, Edwin Lynn Findley, preceded her in death on May 3, 1994.

Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Dr. George Cinci, Athens, TN; two granddaughters and grandsons-in-law and four great grandsons

Mrs. Findley was also preceded in death by a brother, Maynard V. Duckworth.

A native and longtime resident of Clarksburg, she was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and attended Fairmont State College. While her husband served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Mrs. Findley lived in Norfolk, VA, but returned to Clarksburg in 1945 and remained at her home until April 2005. Her love of music, gardening and children filled her life.

She was a lifelong member of the Clarksburg Baptist Church, where she played piano for the men's and children's Sunday school classes and vacation Bible school for many years, as well as playing piano for many other functions in the Clarksburg area. She was a member of Dr. Thomas' Sunday School Class, the American Baptist Women and the flower committee of the church. She was a charter member and had served as secretary of the Stealey Terrace Garden Club. She was a member of the Clarksburg YWCA. She had taught kindergarten for many years at Broad Oaks United Methodist Church, and also worked at Lowndes Bank.

CARL E. MCDONALD, JR.
Carl E. McDonald, Jr., 62, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Clarksburg, W.Va., died Sunday, September 10th, 2005. Carl was a graduate of Washington Irving with the Class of 1961.

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