THE WI NEWSLETTER 06/01

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 77

January 2006

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

~author unknown~

HOW ABOUT THOSE ‘EERS?

THE CLARKSBURG PICNIC
The Annual Clarksburg Picnic is to take place on March 4, 2006 in Sarasota at Twin Lakes Park. This will be a lot of fun. This picnic is for anyone who ever lived in or around Clarksburg or wished they had! Some people have seen former employers, former employees, distant cousins, old boyfriends----it is a great picnic. So many people live in the states just south of West Virginia, so this is a way for all of them to get to see each other. A lot of people have retired to the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida and find it hard to return to WV for reunions. Besides, when you return to a class reunion, you only get to see those from the years celebrating the reunion…your class year and possibly the one before and after. However, at the Clarksburg Picnic, you can see graduates from every Clarksburg high school and the class from 1930’s to the 1990’s are often all represented.

What do you need to do? Just tell me you are coming to the picnic. You are asked to bring a covered dish to share and a few dollars to put in the pot to help cover the cost of the picnic.

MOTEL INFORMATION:
Many people schedule a trip to Florida around this week end. Some stay in motor homes (I can give you the name and phone number of a beautiful motor park near the picnic area)….some stay with friends or relatives. Several people always stay in motels. Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) and his brother Jim (WI 1956) along with their wives and several friends always book rooms at a Sarasota motel. The prices of their regular motel has increased so Fred checked around and found a very reasonable rate for the picnic week-end. However you must call and make your reservations right away! This price is set on early reservations and on the number of people who will book for the picnic. Please call now: Ask to speak to Stephanie and tell her you will be attending the Clarksburg, WV Picnic. The location is only about 1 mile from the picnic ground. Call The Country Inn and Suites on Clark Road and Gantt Rd….about ½ mile off I-75 and about 15 minutes from US 41. The cost is $119.00 (for a limited time only) . Call today 941-925-0631 and remember to email me and tell me you are going to attend. I need to know so I will know how much meat, place settings, etc to provide.

If you have any questions please write to me. More details in the next newsletter. Write Roleta1@aol.com.

QUILT

At the Clarksburg Picnic, on March 4, 2006, we will be raffling a beautiful quilt made by Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) as her way of helping raise money for the WIN Scholarship. Most of the squares were donated by people who also want to help with the raising of the funds. The tickets for the quilt cost 1 for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. You need not be present to win the quilt. Sue will ship it to the winner. So even if you can't attend the picnic, you may have a chance of winning the quilt. Just contact Sue for directions on how to purchase your tickets. moatsue@aol.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the picnic.

FEBRUARY IS OPEN MIKE MONTH
The subject for discussion for February is: Anything you wish to write about!

Has there been a subject discussed in the past and you wish you had written to the newsletter but just kept putting it off and then you felt it was too late to write?

Well, now is the time to write your thoughts to the newsletter. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

Thank you for participating and making this newsletter so popular.

GOOD NEWS TO BEGIN 2006
Charlie Means is home and doing great…He is back on the computer. Charlie graduated from WI in 1950 --- contact him at: CMeans@cfl.rr.com.

Phil and Janet Webb Wendt (WI 1956) are settled in Elkins and loving it. They made the move back to WV from Florida. They have had to shop for winter clothes as shorts just aren’t the mode of dress in 12 inches of snow.

SCHOLARSHIP
The following contributions were added to the WIN SCHOLARSHIP MMA Account in December:

SALE OF CD’S
SHARON (Dillmore) AND SKIP SMITH     WI 1958
VICTORY CLASS OF 1946
SALE OF CDs
LANCE MILLER (would have graduated in 1961 but Family moved to Florida)
       IN HONOR OF HIS PARENTS LANCE AND JEAN MILLER (Both WI graduates)
BANK INTEREST

The profit from these purchases were also added to the WIN Scholarship Bank account:
Purchases of WI Newsletter CDs were made by the following people:

JEAN WELLS HIMMEL     WI 1959
PATRICIA HARDMAN NICHOLSON     WI 1956
RONALD HARVEY     WI 1955

In the February WI Newsletter I will show the roster of all who have contributed to the WIN Scholarship. As promised, I will never show the amount you give. Remember, no amount is too big or too small. All gifts are appreciated and I know that no matter what you give, you are thinking of the future of a graduate from RC Byrd high school. A young person growing up in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

One Thousand dollars is a nice sum to receive from a scholarship if you are entering college these days.

Won’t you help? Send a check or money order made out to:
Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship

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

Thanks.

WI NEWSLETTER CD
The first 6 years of the WI Newsletter have been copied to a CD. This CD also contains the program which makes it work. All you have to do is insert the CD into your computer and follow the easy instructions and you are able to read all of the issues from the first 6 years of the newsletter.

After the cost of the raw CD and the cost of postage, the rest of the money is donated to the WIN scholarship fund. To date this sale has earned $700.00 for the Scholarship fund. The cost of the CD is $10.00.

The purchase may be made from Judy Daugherty Kimler—write to her today at JKimler@verizon.net.

THE VOTE SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN!
Many readers expressed themselves—here is one I liked.

My vote will always be Merry Christmas. 90+% of Americans celebrate Christmas so why do we pay attention to the whining of a very few? What happened to majority rules? If we deny him now he will deny us on judgment day. ---Name not used…

FROM Roleta Meredith: The vote and my opinion….
I told you that I would not use your name if you voted. However, I will use my name.
We had 76 votes for Merry Christmas and 2 for Happy Holidays. I was surprised more people didn’t vote! Silence in this world is not golden. There is no strength in the Silent Majority. There is however a Loud Minority. It is time for the Majority to Speak. Our freedom of speech and freedom of religion is in jeopardy. REMEMBER, IT IS NOT FREEDOM FROM RELIGION! Out of nearly 1,000 readers it is a shame that only 78 people felt the subject worth a vote. Happy Holiday can be Happy Halloween or Happy Fourth of July or Happy Vacation....but NOT a substitute for Merry Christmas or Happy Hanakuah. Out of respect to my Jewish friends I will wish them Happy Hanakuah just as I am sure they wish me a Merry Christmas...

So it is and it should always be:

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY HANUKAH
Not to forget the new---HAPPY KAWANZAA

REMEMBERING ROY BEVER
submitted by: Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
st1pat@aol.com
I was really shocked to hear of the death of Roy Bever. I have followed that same route home to Dayton from Clarksburg for over 40 years. I think I know exactly how it must have happened & it could just as easily been me as Roy.

Roy played his football at WI the same year as I did at ND. As I recall we were both offensive centers & both played (I think) linebacker on defense. If you remember the all-county picture that was sent into the WI News by Jim Alvaro and Don Sager a couple of months ago I made it on offense & Roy made in on defense.

Later on Bill White & Roy invited me to WVU to visit them at Beta Theta Pi & they really showed me a great time & I got to see a lot of other people I knew from Clarksburg that were at WVU also. I remember that as if it were yesterday. That was unique that we all had the opportunity to know the people from other schools in our hometown & were friends.

I haven't seen a lot of you since then, but when I see your names in the newsletter I remember you as a friend. We are all getting to the age that we need to appreciate that even more now. I have a friend that went to his 40th college reunion 3 years ago & they told him to embrace your classmates now because statistics show that at your 40th college reunion, 9% of your class will have been deceased and by your 50th college reunion 50% of your class will be deceased. Those figures make me realize that when I see your names, I love all of you whether I knew you or not, because all of you made up Clarksburg & that community gave great gifts to me when I was there & after I left it lead me to a very successful life because of that special fabric that I received as a result of knowing special people like Roy Bever who represented all of you & me.

I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year & thank you for being my friend whether or not I ever had the opportunity to personally meet you.

God bless Roy Bever, his family & all of you.

CORRECTION
The cost to renovate the Robinson Grand Theater was $600,000. NOT $600.00 as I had typed in the December newsletter.

A VETERAN SAYS THANKS
submitted by: Philip G. McIntyre (WI '48)
PMCINTYRE@ec.rr.com
Thank you so much for sending me the November issue that honors our veterans. It was an exceptional presentation.

I don't know if you were aware of it but there are four McIntyre brothers on your roster. James Edward, Philip Gene, William David and Wesley Page. Wesley P was named after Dr. Page who delivered all four of us at home. The four of us had a combined total of 96 years of military service.

Recently had the opportunity to visit Clarksburg and spend a very special evening hosted by Barbara Tomara Tiano and attended by about 12 members of the class of 1948 and their spouses. Brought back a lot of memories.

Again, thanks for sending me the November issue.

FRIEND FROM THE 1959 CLASS MAKES CONTACT

Mike Nelson Radiusmannelson@aol.com

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE
Freddie Layman (VHS 1946) checks out yard sales, garage sales, estates sales and any other sales for memorabilia. He often finds yearbooks for sales. He buys them and resells them to any interested people for what he has invested and the cost of postage. He now has three [3] WI Year Books for sale at $12.00 each which includes postage. They are 1925, 1937 and 1940. He also has 4 Salem College yearbooks for sale. They are called “DIRIGO”. The books he has are from the years: 1923-1961-1966-1967. He will also sell them for $12.00 each including postage. Perhaps these books contain a parent or another relative.

Contact Freddie at FGL46VHS@aol.com.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE PLACES? SOME ARE INCORRECTLY LABLED
An article in my local newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel, this morning concerned a collection of depression-era photographs that are on display at the Library of Congress. It's also available online at: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fsachtml/fsowhome.html

Browsing through this site led me to six photos of the Clarksburg area taken in approximately 1939. You can find them at: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/f?fsaall:0:./temp/~ammem_EgwQ:

Interestingly, I immediately discovered at least two mistaken labels for the six photos. Obviously, there was no steel plant in Clarksburg, running or otherwise and, therefore, no steelworkers' houses. I'm sure it's one of Clarksburg's former glass factories but am not sure which one. It has a sign but I can't read it. I am fairly certain that the shoe store window belonged to a store on Main St. just west of the courthouse and that Peck Auto had become a Chevrolet dealership by the time I was a teenager (not sure of the name). The junk yard (erroneously labeled "Clarksburg, West Virginia Sign") is one of the several that used to be along Rt. 20 North, toward Shinnston. The other photo, labeled "City Limits" I believe might also be Rt. 20 N.

I thought you might like to call your readership's attention to these photos. I'm sure there are many who can accurately name the locations in each and I'd certainly like to know myself.

This is the first time I've written you, and I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank you and Judy and commend you on your efforts at keeping the newsletter as interesting as it always is. It's about my last link with Clarksburg and I certainly enjoy receiving it each month.

Bob Feltner
WI - class of '63

Please write to the WI NEWSLETTER with these corrections as I am sure the other readers will enjoy seeing your responses. Thanks….Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

MS. SHACKLEFORD
submitted by: Mary K. McDaniel Bellisario (WI '65)
Bayouduo_1@charter.net
Those Zaner-Bloser pens always hurt my finger. To this day I have a bump on my finger from holding those pens, and most subsequent writing utensils, as she taught us. Do you remember her chanting, "Swing, swing together! Merrily, merrily swing," when making ovals?

She also told our class not to put the pen/ink into our mouths because they were made of "mashed, sterilized silk worms." Can you believe it? A very pricey ingredient for ink!

She was scary.

submitted by: Chuck Thomas (Wl ’56)
DrCRThomas@lcsys.net
NOOOOOO MOOOOOORE OOOOOOVALS!!! I hated ovals and push-pulls from the very first day I encountered those petty, penmanship punishments at Towers Grade School. And when Mrs. Shackleford visited our writing classes during the winter and spring to motivate us to qualify for our “Zaner-Blosser Writing Certificates,” I hated those seemingly senseless, endless exercises even more.

Pedagogically, I can understand in retrospect the advantages of every child developing his or her eye-hand coordination, but I can still remember personally how writing with the flat, underside of my wrist resting on the top surface of my ancient wooden desk was both unnatural and uncomfortable. Mrs. Shackleford lauded lucid penmanship but neglected to mention that a portion of those unable to write legibly would be later relegated to become medical doctors, writing endless scribbled prescriptions and earning much higher incomes than most of the people at Zaner-Blosser themselves.

Ironically, I became a university English professor, and besides teaching literature, I did teach business writing, technical writing, creative writing, and English composition. However, I still tend to be highly critical of the heavy emphasis during my early education on conformity and the regurgitation of memorized facts instead of encouraging students to develop academic verbal and analytical skills to help them explore their respective intellectual thought processes.

To summarize, the basic purpose of learning to write and to understand how to use language and grammar correctly should always be to express significant ideas. Intellectual content should always take precedence over the conforming appearance of penmanship.

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
Ignoring the ovals (which I also wonder what good they were) I must say that I have never regretted Ms. Shackleford and what we learned from her. My handwriting is still pretty nice (I am often told by others) even though the fingers are getting a little stiff. My children never received such training and their handwriting shows it. I don’t think Bill received it either in Marion County Schools as his hand writing is different and due to engineering school he usually prints. I can remember when my children still lived at home, during December when we would receive Christmas cards they could look at many cards we received and recognize that were from an old classmate of mine. It does seem that the girls retained this training more than the boys.

My parents were both teachers and taught the Zaner Blosser style of writing. They both had lovely handwriting. For many years my father was asked to write names on certificates and diplomas in his hometown. However, with age and several mini strokes his handwriting started to get very shaky and he was embarrassed about something he had once done with pride.

When preparing for our move from Ohio to Florida I went through many boxes and papers which had belonged to my parents. In one box I found a certificate with many stickers which were placed on it one by one over many years. These stickers indicated that my mother had completed that years’ requirements for certification to teach Zaner-Blosser penmanship. Both Ms. Schakleford and the superintendent signed this certificate. I am sorry that I can’t copy that paper and share with you but it is packed away in some box and stored in a rented storage space.

Do the Harrison County West Virginia elementary students still receive handwriting instruction in the Zaner Blosser style of writing? Does the county provide a traveling teacher ie: Miss Shackleford who visits the schools? Do the students still practice the ovals? I often catch myself doodling (particularly while on the phone) and the ovals are a favorite doodle of mine. Remember to hold the hand so the finger nails rub across the paper and the entire forearm floats just above the paper…..

ALMA SHACKLEFORD (Penmanship Instructor)
submitted by: Freddie Layman
FGL46VHs@aol.com
Miss Shackleford started out as teacher at the old Fairground Graded School in 1924. In 1932 she became penmanship instructor for Harrison County Schools. At the time she lived at 657 Locust Avenue. This job originated for the first time for the school year of 1928. Miss Ida M. Gordan was the first person hired for this job. In 1936 Miss Shackleford moved to the Jones Apartments at 219 Walsh Ave. In 1942 she moved again to 132 Washington Ave. Not satisfied with this location, she moved to the Enraw Apratments located on West Pike Street where she lived until her death. I best remember her as soon as she started our lesson she would say, “ Children get your little motors running.” She was very gifted as she could write with both her left and right hands and make those perfect circles. Being dedicated to her profession she never married. She retired May of 1961 and died in 1985. Her replacement was Frances Eib Bonnert.

DECEMBER TRIVIA PICTURE
submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
According to my Clarksburg City Directory of 1948 the Sinclair Service Station was located on the intersection of Washington Ave and So Third St just around the corner from John Harrison's house and down the street from Stonewall Billiards. It actually sat between Lee St, which is the street WI was located on, and Washington Ave. It was called Auto Trading Co. Sinclair Station No. 2. Address, 242 So Third St..

Nusbaum Apartments was located just cross So Third St. from the Station.

submitted by: Ron Harvey (WI '55)
w4rrh@charter.net
We think that this was the Sinclair station at that corner of Main and Chestnut. My sister's boy friend, Ken Stacy, used to buy a lot of gas there. My sister was Joan Harvey. She and Ken did marry and presently live in Colorado

submitted by: Don Marple (WI '53)
dmarple@bellsouth.net
Roleta,

I think this is a picture of the gas station on Third Street, between Washington and Lee Streets. (If it's the one I think it is, it is on the corner of Washington and Third, across from the Courthouse and behind the Union National Bank, where my Father worked.)

My memory of this is the time when Benny Randolph, who lived on Lee Street -- just up the hill -- came in and asked for ten cents worth of regular gas, just enough to get him home, and was mad as anything when the attendant pumped ten cents worth of high test into the car.

Thank you so much for keeping my memories alive -- even when my guesses are wrong, they remain.

submitted by: Alex Thwaites (WI '65)
ATHWAIT1@Fairview.org
I believe this is the gas station on corner of Third Street and Washington Avenue that eventually became Gabbert's Filing Station, owned by the Gabbert family. They had several boys who ran the station along with their father. It was full service station providing car washes (by hand, no drive through) car repairs, oil changes, full service gas fill-ups (they cleaned all the car windows), and parking for vehicles behind and to the left of building. The family also acquired the property on Lee and Holden Avenues for more parking space. That property now houses a government complex . . . I think!! This was truly a full-service station with attendants who delivered ultimate customer service six days a week.

Note the small white clapboard structure to the right of the station. This was the local YMCA where Saturday night dances were held as well as a variety of other activities throughout the week. Their director, believe her name was Mrs. Knight, visited my family's restaurant just across the street at 227 South Third Street. Across from the YMCA was the city jail. The old white clapboard building was eventually replaced by a modern and up-to-date facility for the YMCA.

submitted by: John Harrison (WI '56)
johnj@teays.net
The Sinclair gas station stood on the corner of Third St and Washington St. This had to have been taken prior to the mid fifties as the station was later an ESSO, owned by the Gabbert family. There was a black attendant who worked evenings there and he had the prettiest cars I have ever seen... red Ford convertibles with the spare in a special compartment on the rear bumper. The station later expanded their parking lot on the old John W. Davis property and I lived on Holden St across the street.

In 1957 my brother loaned me his '57 Chevy and as I turned the corner off Holden St, I got stuck in traffic between the Gabberts two parking lots.... I saw the vehicle start from the far end of the parking lot near Hickman street and start down through the lot. All I could do was sit and watch as the boy driving the car, plowed into the side of my brother's car... Thanks for the memory... I have been trying to forget.. Thanks anyway, and Merry Christmas...

submitted by: Ron Ogren (WI '50)
RNOgren@aol.com
Again, a great news letter and letters, well done by so many contributors, and put together by so few! Thanks!

Before I get to the Picture, you asked about the use of "Christmas" or "Holiday". I'll always be a "Christmas" person, so God bless your little heart for asking!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

About that picture: Looks to me like it's the Gabbert's gas station and parking lot which was just about across from the Stonewall Poolroom. It was owned by Walt with three sons, Jake, Kemper and another whose name escapes me. I don't remember the name of the street either, maybe 2nd St. I worked there parking cars and pumping gas for several months after graduation and before entering the Air Force in February 1951.

It was near the center of town and many important people would park there cars there. They had a lower lot and an upper lot with a speaker system from the station to the upper lot to cut the "run and get time". Many times we'd recognize a customer approaching in the distance and the person who saw him first would run for the car hoping to have it parked with the door open for him and hope to receive a nice tip. Many times it didn't work like that: We'd get the car and be waiting , only to find out that the customer had ducked into the poolroom instead! Walt, Jake, Kemper Gabbert and all of us would get a good laugh.

We pumped a lot of gas and got a small bonus if we could do well in "selling " the gas to the parking customers. One important gentleman had a new 1951 Packard with an automatic clutch which depressed by itself when you took your foot off the gas as if to change gears. It was fun to drive, but the owner was cigar smoker who had a bad habit of chewing off the ends of the cigar and spitting the tips out the window. But most of the residue didn't go out the window so that the dash board and window sill were peppered with dry tobacco bits and juice. The car smelled very badly, so we flipped a coin to see who got stuck with getting Auggie's car! But he was good tipper.

I went back for a HS reunion in 1955, I think, and got a lube job at "the Station"; Walt Gabbert saw my retreaded tires on my 1950 Mercury and gave me the dickens for being so cheap and taking chances by using them. That was all I could afford at the time. It was a fun place to work and paid pretty well for the time.

JANUARY TRIVIA PICTURE

PICTURE SUBMITTED BY FREDDIE LAYMAN VHS '46
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. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

PRECIOUS CHILD FOR DECEMBER

submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
Falvaro33@aol.com
The precious child for December is definitely our '59 classmate Bob Davis, who lived atop the hill in Broad Oaks area. Have gone to school with Bob since grade school at Alta Vista.

submitted by: Bob Griffith (WI '54)
Regr635@wmconnect.com
That good looking and serious looking little guy just has to be Bob Davis. We worked together for years, camped together when our kids were small. I always said he taught me how to camp for the first trip in the camper was with Bob and his family.

submitted by: Janet White Davis (WI '60)
Rad29063@aol.com
I married this precious child in 1961 he is my husband of 44 years, Bob Davis. We dated 4 years before marrying and yet were still what we would consider young to be married today, 18 and 19. We have 2 children - Randy, who lives in Nashville, TN and Sherri who lives in Irmo, SC, 3 grandchildren, Patrick (14) and Emily (11) Davis and Hannah Hudkins (4). Bob's parents were Paul and Freda (Lynch) Davis and they both graduated from WI High School.

BOB AND JANET WHITE DAVIS

submitted by: Ken McIe (WI '59)
kenmcie@yahoo.com
Here's one I know.

I went to school with Bobby Davis for 12 years! Alta Vista, Central and then up to hill to WI. We were playmates on top of the hill and the south end of Harrision Street. He lived up the street on Bryan Avenue (I think). My sister Cheryl Lynn McCartney (nee McIe) played with his sister ('nother hopeful guess: Barbara).

We graduated together on 5/28/1959. Then, we parted ways. We were in the Navy during the same period of time. I was in Turkey. Bob may have been on a ship.

I consider myself a good friend (now from afar) of Bobby.

Thanks for making me use my gray cells.

PRECIOUS CHILD FOR JANUARY 2006

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.

NOTE: We once again are about to run out of pictures for our PRECIOUS CHILD section of the newsletter. Do you have a picture of someone or of yourself that you could loan us? You can copy the picture, and send it via email or mail. Judy can also copy the picture and send it back to you. We would also appreciate a picture of the same person later in life, either a high school picture or something of that type. Please write to Judy Daugherty Kimler at jkimler@verizon.net for her home address and instructions on how to send the picture….or just email the picture directly to her at her email address. This has been a very popular section of the newsletter and I am sure there are many more people who have not been pictured. Thank you for helping us keep this newsletter alive over 6 years.

WINTER
The bloom is off the roses,
Jack Frost is nipping noses,
The book of Autumn closes,
Winter's near.

The snowflakes tumble down,
And give the earth a gown,
To cover leaves so brown,
Winter's here.

The snowdrifts start a risin'
To meet a gray horizon,
The weather's agonizin',
Winter's drear.

A crocus lifts its head
From 'neath its snowy bed,
And Spring, no tear will shed
On Winter's bier.

David B. Bates WI 1951

THIS AND THAT MAIL
EVERYONE READING THIS NEWSLETTER SHOULD READ EACH OF THESE LETTERS
submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '57)
jalvaro@aol.com

You both ARE idiots for doing the Newsletter but thank God for idiots like you both. I know there are a lot of idiots who read the Newsletter like myself that couldn't do the Newsletter. If you idiots stop writing the Newsletter you would disappoint a lot of us idiots. You would be surprised how many people called me in the last couple of days and wondered if I have received the Newsletter yet. See Roleta, if you and Judy, idiots as you call yourselves, would stop doing this, how many of us idiots would you disappoint? So I hope you all don't get smart enough to stop. Of course that is not going to happen with you Roleta because you still have Bill around.

I hope you know I am just kidding about all of this but it is my crazy way to say thanks to you both and to let you know the Newsletter just keeps getting better and better.

Have a great Holiday Season

Love to you both,

submitted by: Jeanne Thomas (ND '61)
Thomas4two@aol.com

I just hope you know how much most of us appreciate all the work you do. I was not a graduate of WI but friends with a many of the kids who went there. Through both those friends and others from ND who get the newsletter, this has been a great year for me. I have been reunited with classmates and friends whom I have not seen since graduation in 1961. As my husband and I travel a lot, we have had the opportunity to see many of them in Calif., Virginia, DC., Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and WV. A group of us are planning to meet in Clarksburg this summer - all thanks to you and Judy.

Thanks again and have a great day,

PS - Love the quilt - sending money for chances today.

BELOW IS A LETTER FROM LANNY WHO WROTE TO CATCH UP ON A YEAR OF THOUGHTS AND PAST SUBJECTS

submitted by: Lance "Lanny" Miller would have been class of 1961
Lancemillerjd@aol.com

Dear Roleta:
First, let me thank you and Judy for your "labor of love" that brings back so many memories for so many of us who were fortunate to spend our school years in Clarksburg. I can honestly say that I look forward to the first of the month for the very next edition of the newsletter.

Next, let me echo your thoughts about not skimming through the publication just to read memories from folks we know. I did this and, upon reviewing some past issues from the archives, find I'm very embarrassed to have missed the Precious Child from April of 2005. It was Sherry Greitzner Dial (WI 1956). Sherry and her family were best friends of my family and it was Sherry who gave me my nickname of "Lanny". How foolish I was not to have noticed her photo. I will be more attentive in the future.

Although I don't have a contribution about a particular theme, I do have some random snippets I've been collecting over the past year on a potpourri of subjects. So, with apologies to those better organized than me, here goes:

Count me among the Main Street Grocery alums who worked the cash register and helped Phil Hooper deliver goods to customers whom Joe Pulice allowed to run monthly bills. I also was a captain of the schoolboy patrol with my station kitty-cornered from Main Street Grocery.

While attending Pierpont Grade School I remember:
Walking home for lunch every day except on my Dad's payday, when I would meet my Mom and Dad for lunch in town at Murphy's five and dime store.

At Christmas time the excitement of getting out of school and finding someone distributing toy catalogs from area department stores.

After school, going to White's Drug Store to peruse the latest bubble gum cards that included baseball and football players as well as autos and military airplanes. Trading cards was a fun past-time.

The Demolay Clubhouse under the Masonic Temple was a wonderful place to hone one's pool and ping pong skills. "Pledges" were sent out to fetch such goodies as pepperoni rolls. My friends knew they were one up on me when we gathered at a corner pizza parlor and we split the price of the pizza...and all I ate was the pepperoni.

Had two paper routes, evening (Telegraph) and morning (Exponent), the latter which I understand was the largest in the city. Started behind WI, went thorough all the hilly streets and worked its way down Washington, across Chestnut winding up at the corner of Lee Avenue and Dodge Court. Made for some good calf muscles, which I have to this day. After the morning route it was off to WI marching band practice before school started.

Hot dogs were my weakness, ranging all the way from the 8 cents variety out by St. Mary's school to 15 cents at Murphy's restaurant just down the street from my home at Lee Avenue and Chestnut. There's still nothing like a West Virginia hotdog.

Having grown up on Lee Avenue, as a youngster I would watch the WI band members on their way to Hite Field for football games and dream of someday being in the Hilltopper band just like my cousin Loel "Teke" Rexroad, whom I idolized. That dream came true as I played baritone for Henry Mayer until I transferred from WI to move to Florida.

Best guy friends in high school were Chris Hill, Mitch Davis, Larry Gottlieb, David Morrison and my buddies on the JV Basketball and Varsity Track teams, for whom I was the manager.

And lastly,at the class of '61's 30th Reunion, I recall the look on several of the gals' faces as I entered the room and them frantically leafing through the pages of the senior yearbook, looking for my photo. Of course, it wasn't there as I had moved to Florida in 1959. What fun! I look forward to attending the 45th Reunion this year with my wife. Thanks for allowing me to ramble and also your good work, which is deeply appreciated.

submitted by: Paula Chicarell Adams (WI '69)
padams@dynamicmedia.net

My name is Paula Chicarell Adams. I was born in Clarksburg in 1969, but moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1972. I just stumbled on your newsletter online and I would love to be added to your mailing list. My dad would too. He graduated from St. Mary’s in 1955. His name is Paul Chicarell chicie55@netzero.com. I sent him the link to your December newsletter so he may contact you directly.

submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
Frank.Bush@Legacynet.com

Merry Christmas to you and Bill and Best Wishes for a prosperous 2006. The December newsletter brought back some old memories. I remember my father giving me a quarter to go to the movies on Saturdays. Since the Orpheum Theater, home of westerns and serials, cost seventeen cents it would become my mission to get two more cents so I would have a dime for candy. No way would I be spending any of it for bus fare. At that time a dime would buy you more spice drops than you could eat during the show so you had some to throw. The picture of the Robinson Grand marquee for "The Greatest Show on Earth" also brought back memories. I was in the sixth grade and the circus was playing at the Carmichael auditorium at the same time. They were letting us out of class to go to the circus but not the movie. I figured if I just said I was going to the circus it really wasn't a fib that the circus I was going to see was playing at the Robinson Grand. I never did find out how Mr. Wagner, sixth grade teacher and principal of Alta Vista, found out but he did. Needless to say that was some punishment but it was worth it to see the movie. As for my response when asked if I'm from the South I always have an answer that was posted at the city limits. We are too far North to be Rebel and too far South to be Yankee. This was on the sign proclaiming Clarksburg as an All American City.

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

You "girls" did a wonderful job on the December Newsletter. I really do appreciate the time you devote to putting this together every month. Thanks you so much and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Yes, lets keep Merry Christmas, no Merry Holidays.

If the boys were scared to death of being sent to Pruntytown, this girl was afraid of being sent to the Salem Home for Girls. We used to travel "old Rte 19" to my uncle's farm in Harrisville, WV and we went right by there. The yellow brick institutional home itself was up at the top of the hill, but the bottom land was where they had their gardens. I would see those girls "in dresses" hoeing corn, potatoes and what ever else was planted. I wanted no part of that. So when I was threatened to be sent there, I sure changed my attitude in a hurry. It wasn't until later years I found out these girls were orphans, not unruly girls.

I believe the December picture is the Sinclair gas station at the corner of 5th and Pike, across from the First Baptist Church. That's where my folks used to buy all their gas for our 1932 Oldsmobile.

submitted by: Willard F. "Bud" Wheelock (WI '60)
hawkewoode708@yahoo.com

Hi!
First of all, I wanted to wish you and yours the best holiday season ever! Secondly, thanks for the Vets Tribute-it was superb! It was great seeing how many of the folks I went to school with were "brothers-in-arms".

In response to the January topic- I didn't know it at the time, but Ms. Shackleford was a distant relative of my family. I never looked forward to writing sessions, because first of all I was a member of the dreaded minority of left-handed people. I still can't understand that as minority group we are not getting money or favors from the government. Teachers tried to get us to switch hands, to no avail. Someone remembered that the Latin word for left was "sinister"-did that mean we were evil? I never got one of those writing certificates, needless to say. The only one of my teachers who really ran out of patience with me was my fourth grade teacher at Pierpont, Ms. Weaver. She held me over at lunch one day and worked out on me with the "board of education" - one of those marvelous weapons with the holes in it so you could hear it coming. I'm surprised she didn't kill me with it because the harder she hit, the harder I laughed. Not smart. I guess I won as my handwriting is still lousy. Only difference is I found out I am ambidextrous. Oh, I found out why you did the infamous ovals-so that if you become a teacher, as I did, you can make real cool zeroes in the grade book!

Best regards & God Bless!

submitted by: Jody Buffington Aud (WI ’77)
jbuffaud@comcast.net

While it happened so long before I was born, I have always been fascinated by the Harry Powers story. My grandfather, Alva E “Jack” Bryant, worked for the Sheriff’s department when Powers was brought to the jail. There was a picture taken of him (with several other officers) locking Powers up. The photograph was put into the History of Harrison County written about 35 years ago.

Your stories about the Robinson Grand Theatre….well, I have more than I can possibly remember. The last owner, Madge Dowds, introduced my mother and father to each other. Every year, she would give my sisters and I a year’s pass to the theatre so we could go whenever we wanted to. No doubt, my mother found it an excellent babysitting tool for me on Saturday afternoons! Stewart (who someone in your newsletter referred to as looking like an undertaker) I admit used to frighten me a bit too. I think it was because I knew if I acted up in the theatre, he’d be the first to call my mother and tell her. More than once, though, he’d come searching through the lines of people trying to get in to see a new film and he’d pull me and my friends out and put us through the front of the line. Sometimes, it was embarrassing, but I didn’t complain too much! When I was in high school, my father produced summer theatre at the Robinson Grand. He would invite students from all of the high schools to participate – to be in the play, to build sets, work backstage. I spent at least 5 summers there and met people from other high schools that I never would have met otherwise. To this day, I keep in touch with several of those people.

Finally, I recently learned a bit of trivia related to West Virginia. I had always grown up believing that the Mason Dixon line somehow figured into the Civil War – delineating the North from the South. Of course, I could never quite reconcile that with the fact that West Virginia was a northern sympathizer and yet we were south of the MDL. It turns out that the line was drawn to settle a land dispute between William Penn (who along with one of my ancestors, settled and name Pennsylvania) and Lord Calvert of Maryland. When the north-south line was drawn to separate Maryland from Delaware, they had to start from what later would be found to be an erroneous spot, but the boundary line was never changed. If it had been, Philadelphia would now be in Maryland!

Hope your readers enjoy that piece of history!

submitted by: Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)

Thank you for all your time consuming hard work. You, and Judy do a wonderful job. The veteran’s memorial writing was terrific. If people were omitted from the list and information was not correct i will take some of the responsibility. Because I am one of the guilty who did not read the information request from you. My first husband and father of my 4 children was GeneThomas, WI 54, who served 5 years in the Navy. He was still a member of the reserves when he passed away 25 years ago. I think the December trivia photo might be Gabberts gas station and parking which is located behind the courthouse. Jim Gabbert graduated from Victory high school and was married to Carol Costlow WI 55. The last I heard he was a WV state trooper in the southern part of the state.

MY vote is for MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! BEST WISHES FOR ALL.

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

The dairy next to Towers Grade School was the "Clarksburg Dairy"..they also sold to the kids those orange-ade type drinks and lemonades in those weird short fat bottles! I was drinking one and did not finish it and made the big mistake 2nd day at Towers School of lugging it along with me as I entered Towers. The principal, (Mrs.Robinson.?) grabbed it away from me and yelled "you can't bring that COLORED WATER in here and you should not be drinking that STUFF anyway!"--.......... Yep!--another great Newsletter and lots of things and facts and so much interesting Reading! ------and----The special on the students that served in the armed forces was superb!......

I thought I sent you info that I produced the HARRY POWERS Murder Case local play--- at the Clarksburg Art Center production back-in 1986--- locally. Got the urge from the old newspapers my dad had left me. I turned out a big beautiful real-collectors show-program we sold and offered at the performances for $1..that would bring in some good $$ bucks on eBay now..!--(haha)--lots of great photos, facts, etc. and I did taped interviews at the time we did the show..of local descendants-relatives-spouses of main real characters that were a part of that event when it happened.., -now they too are deceased. We did 18- sold -out performances, with all local performers, and quit after a couple main players became ill with Flu and one of the actor's mother died The late Mike Simon (Weather man at WBOY-TV)--played Powers, he did a great job...we did not tell anyone who was playing Powers,....no one knew until the first performance! The publicity that Bob Stealey gave us in the local newspaper was great, and the TV and TV-cable publicity matched it since the local cable TV-manager was playing a part also,...finally we taped the final performance and it was shown on our local TV-Cable... ... ..it was unbelievable...the local interest was just hard to believe! ---About 10-years ago, we did the performance again, taking it into the Harrison Court House ..and a weekend at the Lewis Country Court House to great success. ... Both times I played the part of the police chief from out of town that tracked down Powers to Clarksburg.... I had the fun scene--- "making Powers confess"-- that included knocking Mike (Powers) Simons around, then afterwards always backstage he begged me to take it easy on him -next time..! (hohoho)....If I can--- around here somewhere I will find the poster we used, (I did the art work)--- I will send it to you e-Mail

The HARRY POWERS Play was held at the former Art Center, Goff Plaza... there is a Hardees there now...the "theatre-seating area" was not that large, but it did sell out 18-times.. and was the thing to do..to attend that show! Truly, tickets were hard to get, and many people and friends were driving me crazy asking me to get tickets for them, which was difficult at times. I was cussed out more than once. The local interest from the publicity in the newspaper with special photos feature stories from those that remembered,.... The chair turned up at the Lumberport Feed Store that Powers sat in on the Moores Opera House theatre stage, rare photos of the event turned up that people had put away for years,... we used 2 of the actual old stand-up telephones reporters used to call in their news flashes of the trial my dad collected since he worked for the telephone company at the time...., etc.etc... .it was unbelievable! Ask anyone that was around here and may have gone to see it,or followed the play's progress in the local media will tell you it was really hard to believe how popular that local play really was! !!!---(haha)--I just have not had the time to find the poster of the play we used so to send you that promised photo e-Mail ...I will...!---.The holidays have me hopping.

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

Miss Shackelford taught me to write, having a difficult time because I was left handed. They finally realized that left handed people were human too. When I left Carslile School we put together a book of left handed writings and presented them to Miss S. I saw her last in a nursing home in Salem in 1985.

Some facts about WV veterans: In WWII WV had more people in uniform than any state in proportion to population and bought more War bonds than any state in proportion to population. In the Korean War, 801 West Virginians were KIA, more than any state.

A recent book, "Born Fighting", by James Webb, gives a good account of those of Celtic descent in the eastern highlands of WV, VA, NC, TENN.

A good friend, Robert Lee George, was a LT. in the USAF who went down at sea off Okinawa in 1954. His family moved as he was to come to WI the following year.

submitted by: Sue Brice Smith (WI '53)
ssbsmith74@hotmail.com

Roleta, I have been absent from Clarksburg since I graduated in 1953. Through reunions and your work I have gained a real interest in my growing up place. May say thank both of you for all the time and effort you take each month to keep everyone of us informed of the old and the new. Merry, Merry Christmas.

submitted by: Janet Lemasters Gorrell (WI '66)
jangorr@yahoo.com

I lived on Harrison St. when I was in WI--right next to Joe's Dairy Bar. My bedroom was in the front of the house and I could hear the conversations of all those boys that sat on the wall and stood in the street in front of Joe's. It was wonderful and a good WI memory. Joe did make good milk shakes and served them in metal containers with a cone-shaped paper liner. Remember? I also can't bring myself to type on the computer in small letters --I think because of learning to type at WI and it just doesn't look right!! WI was a good school and Clarksburg was a fun place to live during those high school years.

SORORITIES IN HIGH SCHOOL
submitted by: Shari Josephs Collins (WI '65)
sjoseph4@columbus.rr.com
Here's my Lambda memory. The members of Lambda voted not to let me join. I remember being devastated - I don't know what the reason(s) was - probably because I didn't wear the cool Villager Clothes brand which was "the label" at that time (60's) and which I understand they now sell at Kohls Department Store. Thankfully I can afford upscale stores now and don't have to shop at Kohls; but perhaps some of those same "blackballers" can only afford Kohls and are still buying Villager. If you wait long enough, you get sweet revenge. I have to keep this short because I can't find my David Yurman which I want to wear with my new Vera Wang. I've written this in jest but the fact that I was "voted down" is true and I remember being hurt.

Hopefully private social clubs of this type are no longer around because they do nothing for the self-esteem of a teenager who is not included - teens have enough social issues to deal with in the 21st century.

P.S. I bought my new Hoover at Kohls. It sucks - no pun intended.

WONDERING!!!!
submitted by: Joy Gregorie Stalnaker (WI '59)
joy@hackerscreek.com
Wonder if there are any other newsletters out there for a whole town's / county's high schools?

NEW READERS

Paula Chicarell Adams (WI '69)	padams@dynamicmedia.net
Paul Chicarell (WI '55)	chicie55@netzero.com
Eloise Joan Harvey Stacy (WI '53)	eloise@bresnan.net
Dahrie Christiansen Hayman (WI '64)	haymandj@manpower.usmc.mil
Susanne Gabriel Arthur (WI '60)	susanne@soozie.com
Janet Lemasters Gorrell (WI '66)	jangorr@yahoo.com
Marcia DeMarco (Bridgeport HS '77)	marciadwv@aol.com
Mike Nelson (WI '59)	Radiusmannelson@aol.com
Janet Lemasters Gorrell (WI '66)	jangorr@yahoo.com

EMAIL CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Gerry and Jerry Winerman (WI '57)	gerjerry@sbcglobal.net
Joe & Shirley Williams	Joeandshirlw@aol.com NOTE:shirl not shirl
Bill Bowie (WI '62)	whbowie@gmail.com
Dahrie Christiansen Hayman (WI '64)	dhayman2@cfl.rr.com

OBITUARIES
LIMBERS, JR., HAL W.
Hal W. “Slug” Limbers, Jr., age 89 a life long resident of Clarksburg departed this life Wed., Dec. 7, 2005 at his residence. He was born in Clarksburg, WV on Feb. 26, 1916, a son of the late H. W. Limbers and Maude (Norman) Limbers. His wife, Gayle (Christie) Limbers, preceded him in death on Nov. 10, 1988.

Surviving are a son, Stephen H. Limbers & his wife, M. Sandra Lough Limbers, Wilmington, DE, one daughter, Vicki Limbers Moore & her husband, David R. Moore, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, one sister, Betty Cox, Clarksburg, WV, three grandsons, Jeffrey S. Limbers & his companion, Sherry Hable, Kevin C. Limbers & his wife, Jenny and Timothy L. Limbers, three great grandchildren, Ryan J. Limbers, Shannon K. Limbers and Justin M. Limbers and a special friend, Ina Grace Wolfe, who has provided invaluable companionship during his latter years of his life.

Mr. Limbers was preceded in death by a sister,Virginia Waugaman and a brother, Herbert Limbers. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg.

Mr. Limbers retired from P. P. G. as a Glass Cutter with 42 years service.

He served his country in the army during World War II as a combat veteran under General Patton..

RUBY R. LAROSA
CLARKSBURG — Ruby R. Larosa, 93, of Crestview Terrace, Bridgeport, formerly of Bridgeport Manor for 18 years, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2005, in the Meadowview Manor Nursing Home.

Mrs. Larosa was retired from United Hospital Center, where she was employed in the Payroll Department as a payroll clerk.

She was born on February 26, 1912, in Grafton, a daughter of the late William and Minnie Hoffman Carder.

Surviving are two sons, Gene Larosa and his wife, Betty, Bridgeport, and Tom Carder and his wife Megan, Stowe, Vermont; one daughter, Mrs. Michael (Becky) Fresa, Bridgeport; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, William Carder Jr., Media, Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by one sister, Willa Howard.

Mrs. Larosa was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church. She was also a SMC Club member in Fairmont since 1936.

LUCILLE BYRD CARPENTER
Lucille Byrd Carpenter died in Charlotte, N.C., on December 12, 2005.

She was a former resident of Clarksburg, WV, Boynton Beach, FL, and Port St. Lucie, FL.

Mrs. Carpenter was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harold A. Carpenter, her son, William Gary Carpenter, her brother, David Byrd, and a sister, Natalie Riley.

Mrs. Carpenter is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janie and Ed Ramberger; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Ruth Radcliff of Boynton Beach, FL, and Esther Sebastian of Nutter Fort, WV; and many nieces and nephews.

JOHN E. CASTO
John E. Casto, 75, of Brookside Acres, Shinnston, WV, departed this life at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, 2005. Born on November 5, 1930, in Moundsville, WV, he was a son of the late E. Hugh “Pop” Casto and Verna Margaret (Powell) Casto.

He is survived by his long-time companion, Ruth Ann Brown.

Survivors also include four children, John M. Casto of Clarksburg, WV, David J. Casto and his wife Brenda of Clarksburg, WV, Steven H. Casto and his wife Debbie of Quiet Dell, WV, and Cindy Casto of Spring Hill, FL. Also surviving are five grandchildren and one sister, Ruth (Casto) Riefer of Fairmont, WV.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ellen (Casto) Bennett.

Mr. Casto was a taxidermist, having owned and operated The Casto Co. in Clarksburg, WV. He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1948. He was a member of the Vincent Memorial United Methodist Church and Trout Unlimited, and enjoyed fly fishing and gardening.

Our thanks to the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram for allowing us to reprint these obituaries. Remember, I don’t have time to look at newspaper or research for obituaries. If you think enough of the deceased to send me the obituary, I will try to print it.

Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index