THE WI NEWSLETTER 10/07


THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 98 October 2007






BLACKWATER CANYON
AUTUMN
By Margaret E. Sangster

When autumn flings her banners wide upon October air,
All nature seems to thank its God for making life so fair.
The hills go robed in amethyst; the trees are dressed in fire,
The very air seems thrilling with a passionless desire.

One somehow feels that God on high must love this season best,
He holds it as a mother holds her babe close to her breast.
The pressure of his hand is on all nature like a prayer-----
When autumn flings her banners wide upon October air.


EDITOR’S NOTE: God certainly holds West Virginia close to his breast especially shown during this time of year. I don’t think there is any prettier place on earth to be in autumn than in “THOSE WEST VIRGINIA HILLS”. Those who live there are very lucky to be able to enjoy the beautiful colors of autumn.



PAPER BOY

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

Thanks to all of you who wrote in response to my request for a salute to the newspaper boys in Clarksburg. Thank you for writing and Thank you for getting those newspapers delivered over the years. What gave me the idea for this subject? I recently read that most successful businessmen were former paper boys. I guess this is due to learning to be a self starter, how to manage money, how to collect that which is owed, etc.

I encourage you to take the time to read each letter….there are some very interesting stories told here! I laughed a lot and am sure you will too.

I invite you to read the interesting stories below:



submitted by: Vince Fragomene (WI '59)
vfragomene@maximsys.com

I had the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram route up and down East Pike street where all those really big houses were. I remember having to pick up my papers at the bottom of Pike where there was a large grocery store on the opposite corner (?).. My memories are not that clear, BUT I do remember riding my bike there from Glen Elk, and delivering early morning papers for at least two years! I think I was 12/13!! So somewhere around 1952-53… My wonderful dad would drive me in the really bad weather… AND I remember saving at least 500 dollars which I used when I entered WVU. I had some great “customers”, but then I remember a few people who lived on that street would not pay me for months… I could not believe it, based on what I thought was “Mansion Row” in Clarksburg.. Surely they could afford it! I remember the paper making me deliver even though they had not paid, and some never did!!

That paper route sure gave me some lessons in business that I did not realize then, would carry forward with me even today!!



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jteter@balmar.com

You can add my name to the NEWSPAPER CARRIERS of Clarksburg, but I do not remember what year I carried newspapers.

I can remember that my territory was Broaddus Avenue, College, Willison and “maybe” Mulberry.



submitted by: Fred Heflin (WI '53)
FRH147@aol.com

There have been some miscellaneous remembrances on being a paperboy in Clarksburg and some of the adventures that were encountered.

Being a paperboy became an important part of my growing up and certainly, at the very least provided a steady stream of spending money for me for a good many years. My late brother Richard (WI '47) took over a paper route in November 1942 and I became his "helper". The route covered Duff Street from Hall Street, up the hill to Morgan School, down Davis, Stealey Ave, North Ave. and back up Duff Street to the school. For the time, it was considered a good sized route, averaging about 150 to 160 evening customers and about 180 on Sunday morning. My brother was six years ahead of me, so was involved in many school activities that precluded his doing the route, which, of course, left the work to me. I took over the route and kept it until graduation from WI in 1953.......a lot of papers thrown (broke only two windows over that time).

During and immediately after WWII, a highlight of the year was at Christmas when Cecil Highland, owner of the Publishing Company and the Empire Bank would summon all of his carriers to Hughes Avenue and in a "ho ho" spirit would give each carrier a couple silver dollars, an orange and a box of chocolate covered cherries. I guess it got to expensive as he quit doing so shortly thereafter.

The down side of delivering papers was having to beat a quick path home every day to get the news out to all of my customers, who were waiting patiently on their porches. Therefore I wasn't able to participate in varsity athletics, i.e. football, basketball, etc. Not that I was that good, but it would have been fun. The up side was always having a little spending money in my pocket. That was fun too. Getting up early on Sunday mornings was a real pain. Didn't miss a customer and wasn't real late with the papers during the infamous snow storm of Thanksgiving 1950.

During these years I would usually have a "helper" to get the job done more quickly. Some of these stalwart souls were Richard Stalnaker, Joe Boomer, Virgil Highland, Calvin Wolfe and others........all WI'ers.

All in all, a good experience.



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

I was fortunate enough to have a "Paper Route" while attending elementary school. I delivered 185 Fairmont Times papers each morning and 25 West Virginian papers each evening. On Sunday, it was over 200 Times/West Virginians, plus about 50 Pittsburgh Press and Post/Gazette papers. My pay was $5.50 per week, which I was happy to receive. The papers were so heavy on Sundays that I had to borrow a wagon from a friend in order to deliver all of the papers. This was very interesting when the snow was several inches deep. The most frightening times on the route were when I had to climb between cars on a parked coal train to keep from being late with the deliveries and thus late for school. If the train had started while I was climbing between the cars, I would probably have fallen under the wheels and been killed. Fortunately, I survived these numerous stupid acts. I always put the papers on the porches of my customers. Now, my newspaper delivery man (No longer young boys) can't even hit my driveway with my daily paper. My how times have changed!



submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)
bmcintyre@ec.rr.com

In the 6th through 8th grade I was a newspaper carrier at Edgewood Addition while attending Adamston Grade School and Jr High. The most interesting parts of my route were taking a shortcut through the auto junkyard on Rt 19 north, owned by the Gallo family and hoping that their German Police dogs were on their chains, then down across the railroad tracks to the houses along the West Fork River where my Boy Scout Troop 15 friends George, Nick and Frank Liptak lived. The last paper I delivered each day was to the "mansion" of Mrs Morgan, also on the West Fork River. She made my rain/snow/sleet/heat efforts worthwhile because she always paid monthly in advance and added a healthy tip. I saved my paper route money to take the Greyhound bus up to Pittsburgh each summer to stay with my Aunt Marge on Centre Avenue near Forbes Field and go to lots of Pirates baseball games. I learned to hang around the opposing team's dugout for autographs (less competition) so in addition to most of the Pirates stars of the late 50s and early 60s, I have my Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews, Sandy Koufax and Stan Musial autographs on yellowed baseballs and scorecards. I still go back to Pittsburgh every summer for a weekend of games.



submitted by: Ron Watkins, Sr. (VHS '54)
ronw@tx.rr.com

I remember my first paper route was delivering the Clarksburg Exponent, (morning paper), we lived in Broad Oaks at the time and I used to pick up papers early morning at Stalnakers at the bridge and delivered up Hammond Hwy both sides to Alta Vista school.

When we moved to Adamston, I had the paper route on the hill, starting at Ray's snack bar, and going up the hill and doing the streets from one end to the other, it was one of the longest routes, and I remember one of my customers was Keith Bumgarder the county sheriff, who's son Rex played football for the Cleveland Browns, he was a hero to us kids when he came home to visit. Another customer was a very dear friend Ed "Fishhook" Reabrook, who had kids my age, and was a mentor and a friend to all of the kids in the area, when ever the paper was late customers would call Fishhooks house to see if I was there, and to get back to delivering. I remember my Dad, who worked with John, Elizabeth, and Bob Teters dad at the carbon, getting up on snowy Sundays when the papers where really big, and help me deliver, when the snow was real deep he walked in front of me to break a path.

I remember selling the Clarksburg News the weekly paper, I think it came out on Thursday and we had to buy out papers from the office, if I remember right it was upstairs over the Ritz Theater on Pike street. We then had to sell them to get our money back and make our profit. I remember I used to sell at the St. Mary's hospital on Main Street, and used to get rid of all my papers. If I had any left I would just go to the pool halls on Pike Street and get rid of the rest of them, any you had left was your profit.

I don't remember what the cost of the paper was for the Exponent Telegram, but most people paid pretty good, you had to collect door to door, with the card on the ring and the paper punch. We always collected on Saturday's it was a great learning experience.

I really enjoy your newsletter each month, even though I graduated from Victory in 1954, I just like the memories of Clarksburg. My wife and I will be back in Clarksburg late September for Granddaughters wedding, looking forward to seeing some "old" or should I say long time friends.

Keep up the great work, you bring back a lot of really great memories for those that are living far away.



submitted by: John Hollandsworth (WI '54)
such@mountain.net

My sister, Becky, forwarded me a copy of a recent newsletter and thought I should respond to your Newspaper Carrier request. I am a 1954 graduate of WI and grew up in the Arbutus Park area that became a part of Clarksburg while I lived there.

Newspaper Carrier? We were called Paper Boys when I delivered newspapers. I must have delivered newspapers off and on again for at least five or six years. At one time I delivered a free newspaper called the “Clarksburg News”. Later I believe they charged three cents a copy for it. At other times I delivered the morning paper “The Clarksburg Exponent” for awhile and then the evening paper “The Clarksburg Telegram”. The route always included Arbutus Park but grew over time to include Nixon Plaza, Buckhannon Pike, and the Heflin Heights area. At one time I was delivering 120 newspapers each evening. On Sunday mornings I had to have help because they would not all fit in my canvas carrier (and were probably heavier than I was). I remember going to each home every week and collecting for the past week’s papers. Most were ready to pay but there was always a few that would not be home (or answer the door), didn’t have the money, couldn’t find the card we always punched to show that they paid, or had some excuse. I do not remember the cost back then but I am sure it was less than a dollar for all 7 days of newspapers. The most memorable experience was delivering the newspapers on the Thanksgiving Weekend in 1950. There were times that I was walking through snow up to my shoulders. It was difficult but everyone received their newspaper as best as I remember.



submitted by: Sam Selario (WI '57)
SSelario@selarioagency.com

I delivered newspapers for the Exponent-Telegram in the Broad Oaks section of Clarksburg. I’m not sure of the years. But I delivered them for several years prior to graduating from WI in 1957.



submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
frankbsh@sbcglobal.net

I was one of many who had a newspaper route as one of their first jobs. I delivered the Clarksburg Telegram when it was the evening paper. My route was pretty much Monticello Avenue and ran from Main Street to the ice plant. At that time the newspaper was 35 cents a week. If you bought it individually it was 5 cents Monday thru Saturday and 15 cents on Sunday. It was a good day when you had an extra paper or two and could sell them. Most of my customers were good about paying and a few were good about giving a tip. The Christmas season was always good for tips. I even had a few that would give a dollar tip at Christmas. I didn't particularly like delivering the combined Sunday paper. Not only was it heavy but I had to get up early to deliver it. I still don't like getting up real early. The secret of being a good newspaper boy was knowing how to fold the paper so that it would stay together when you threw it and knowing where your customer wanted it to land. I don't think I could do it today but I sure knew how to fold them back then.

WOW! You and Judy are good newspaper girls. You have been delivering it to a large group of faithful readers for eight years. Thankfully, I have been reading it for most of those years and hope to be able to for a good many more. You bring back a lot of good memories of a special time in our lives. Bless you both.



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

I grew up on Mulberry Ave. We, my family, got our paper route from Keith Murphy, who also grew up on Mulberry. Keith gave it to my brothers, Ron and Paul, then when they gave it up, it fell to my sister, Margaret and I. When we gave it up , it fell to I believe Stephen and Cliff might have shared it. We had an older brother, Charles, but I don't remember him ever having it. I'm sure one of my siblings will correct me in another email if I've stated anything wrong in this email. Margaret and I delivered on Mulberry, Birch, Beech and probably some others, but as we get older our memory goes, I think. I can't remember how many customers we actually had. But it was a lot. I can remember our Mother going with us on Sunday morning to help us. The papers were especially heavy on Sundays. I also remember Margaret and I going over to Hazel Atlas to sell newspapers on Sunday morning when the 12:00 noon people got off work to sell the extras, so we could go to the movies on Sunday afternoon



submitted by: David Grimes (WI '53)
dgrimes@triad.rr.com

Yes, I delivered newspapers as a kid. On my route was the old hospital, I think it was Presbyterian. I'd order "extras" to sell room to room each morning. On the floor with new mothers, I'd boldly walk in to the rooms, asking if the lady would like to buy a newspaper (Exponent). They would have their "light" thing under the covers and would seem to be a bit embarrassed by a young guy barging in on them. Whenever I needed a little "walking around" money, I'd hit one or two customers who were behind in their weekly payments and collect the cash I'd need to go to the Clique Club for an evening of fun by the juke box music @ $.10 per song, as I recall - maybe $.25.

Since I've been mildly hump shouldered all of my life, I blamed the heavy bag of newspapers I carried, though my Mother said that was a bunch of bull. Getting the occasional baseball glove or other promo item for signing up new customers was always fun.

If I had any left over "extras", I'd stand in front of James & Law on Main Street and try to sell them. I never quite understood why Mr. Gudekunst - math teacher at WI, would pass me by and go in to the store and buy a paper when my price was the same as theirs.

Most days, I'd spend the money I got selling extras by buying fresh donuts from the donut and bake store on Main Street. All in all, it was a very good experience -- one I'd repeat in a heartbeat.



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

You were asking for accounts of former "paper boys" in Clarksburg.

I delivered papers in Clarksburg long before most of your readers and contributors were born. I had an Exponent route and my brother Bud (Bob) had a Telegram route from about 1934 to 1938 or 9. Mine was out South Chestnut from Main Street to the Water Works. I averaged about fifty customers scattered along this distance. The charge to the customer was twenty cents a week. The Exponent didn't put out an edition on Monday morning and was combined with the Telegram on Sunday mornings.. Bob wasn't so lucky. The Telegram came out every day so he didn't have a day off. My papers were delivered to Strother's Store out near the old Monticello school about five each morning and I picked them up there and proceeded south on South Chestnut to the water works, hitting all the side streets in between. Back then to the store for the rest of the papers and back along South Chestnut and side streets to my last customer in an apartment building at Main Street. Took me about an hour and a half and then back home to get ready for school.

I "collected" on Saturday morning. Many of my customers worked at the "box factory" which paid every other week so that is when they paid me--forty cents every other week. I would then go down and pay my bill at the Exponent- Telegram distribution office. Sometimes I would have a little money left.

Bob's route started at the store and went up over Chestnut Hill and down into Pit Cairin ( where they built the new high school). He had about thirty customers and never knew when he'd get paid. That was a rough area in those days and Bob always had his very protective dog "Mugs" with him on the route. I often took Mugs with me, just for company.

Thurman McKinley (Turk) had the South Chestnut Telegram route which was much bigger than ours with about one hundred plus customers. I sometimes substituted for him and was glad I didn't have to do it every evening. I also subbed for George Graves who had the Telegram route in Glen Elk.

Each customer had two cards--one they kept and the other I kept on a ring which I carried with me. When a customer paid I punched his card and also mine to keep track of the payments. I never remember getting a tip or a gift except for an occasional Xmas card. It wasn't a very affluent neighborhood and I really didn't expect any. It was a source of income for a kid though, and income of any level was hard to come by in those times so routes were very much sought after and often bought and sold. I didn't sell mine but passed it along to my younger brother.

Both my brother and I also worked at times as route man helpers on the milk routes--I for a route man with Clarksburg Dairy and Bob for one with Imperial . -- this was usually from about three thirty or four in the morning to perhaps six on the residential route and in the summer we often worked the commercial routes as well from about eight till noon. For this we were paid about a quarter a trip but we could also have all the milk, orange drink, butter and cheese we wanted-- which pleased my mother no end. I also had two very lucrative lawn mowing jobs--one paid a whole dollar and the other fifty cents.. We also made a few cents hauling junk in our wagons to the junk yard in Glen Elk--clear across town for us. Anything for a few cents in those depression days.....so I joined the Army Air Corps--it paid twenty one dollars a month ( My wife just paid our grandson twenty dollars to do our lawn--took him a little over an hour)

Burt Spangler class of 1938 WI burtsbs@nccn.net Now living in Grass Valley CA-- an area that is pretty much like West Virgiinia--beautiful rolling hills and lots of trees--and great people for neighbors..



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

I had a morning paper route that was to be delivered before school. My route was on Monticello Ave and Clay Street and all streets connecting them. Some of the street names were, Maude, Jesse, Anderson, Flynn, Cove Ct., Webster, and Virginia. There were a few alleys I cannot remember. Also, I had the other side of the Elk ( "crick" ) creek, which were Water St., now known as E.B. Sanders Way, where Kelly Miller School was located, and Ben St. It was a good route but I had to sling some papers really hard to get the paper on the porches where the houses were high up on some hills. Those homes were located on Ben Street. Fortunately most of my homes were street level.

I remember carrying the cards on a ring when I collected the money and used a paper punch to punch the date out that the customer paid. I also remember I had trouble collecting from some because they just didn't have the money. Papers then were 5 cents if I remember.

One thing I really remember was that my father when he was young was a paper boy and he taught me a couple ways to fold the paper and ways of throwing them. You had to have a little skill to fold and throw them. I know they cannot fold the papers here where I live because the papers are so thick. They put them in plastic bags and toss them on the yard or driveway and sometimes the papers come out of the bags and scatter all over the place.

Several mornings when it was freezing outside, I would get up and the clock showed that I have overslept and if I had delivered the papers late I would be late for school. Well, my mother would come in and say not to worry because my Dad had already delivered them and was on his way to work at PPG. Can you imaging what a great feeling that was.

I am sure there were a lot of kids who graduated from WI who lived on one of the streets I mentioned and received the paper I delivered and maybe had a crack in a window or door screen where my aim was off. There were not many but enough that made me walk up and lay the paper on the porch.

Some of the experiences I had delivering papers, ice, and milk, I would not trade.



submitted by: Bob McNutt (WI '55)
unruly2@comcast.net

At the beginning of my freshman year at WI I was offered an opportunity to deliver the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram to part of Stealey, a job I continued for 4 years. This meant rising at 5:00 am every morning, a habit that has stayed with me to this day. After downing a glass of milk, I would go to the corner of Joseph and Duff Streets where the papers were dropped off for me. They were thin enough for all 120 to fit in the special canvas bag. With the strap over my shoulder and the bag resting on my hip I would go down Duff and up Hall streets with side jaunts on Pick and other streets all the way to Milford near the Stealey Methodist Church. Then up to Waverly Way and Euclid streets, down Ash and along Woodland, back to Joseph.

When the houses were close to the street, the papers could be delivered by rolling them into a tight cylinder and tossing them underhand. When the homes were up a couple of sets of steps or partly obscured by plantings, the papers could be folded into squares and tossed sidearm. This caused them to travel farther and even to curve around obstacles, saving me the time and trouble of climbing the steps. By and large, my customers were patient and kind. I am grateful to have known them.

Selective memory, that we all have, has allowed me to forget the miserable, cold rainy days that must have occurred. Instead, I remember cool dawns, quiet mornings, and walking through new fallen snow. Some sights, like a meteor streaking across the sky and ending in a star-burst, will never be forgotten.

After school there was another route. In the Hope Natural Gas building were many workers who had been transferred from Pittsburgh and 60 of them continued to subscribe to the Pittsburgh Press. As they were all inside one building, the delivery time was short and I never had to worry about the weather.

These jobs taught responsibility and service, gave me a good bit of exercise and provided for some of my college education.



submitted by: Bob Hall (WI '56)
rhall9171@charter.net

OK, OK, OK..............Great September Newsletter...................Thanks for all the time and effort you and Judy put into this monthly passion!

I was a paper boy in PK and Arbutus Park. In PK (Pennekinik! Sp) I had about 70 coal mining family customers. Weekly collections were made on Saturdays plus other days if money wasn't available. I don't remember ever having a customer saying "the check is in the mail"! Papers were picked up at a little store on Pike St. Where the Montpelier bridge crossed the tracks. I definitely remember customers complaining about late papers when a snow storm in 1950 over Thanksgiving weekend dumped 42" of snow on us. We had relatives from Ohio in for the holiday and they spent a week with us. Customer ID and payment cards were kept on a ring and punched (mine and theirs) when weekly payments were made..( it was 25 or 30 cents a week). I walked or rode my bike when making deliveries or collecting.

My Arbutus Park route was a little larger (110 to 120 customers). I had this route from 1952 to 1954 or 55. It was the evening route with a Sunday morning paper. I could handle the weekly paper on a bike but Sundays were heavier and I had to split-up routes if on bike or have a parent or brother drive a car while I tossed papers. Back then we folded papers and tossed to a porch or placed behind a screen door. I don't think plastic bags were invented yet...come to think of it, plastic wasn't around then! (none of this drive by and drop paper in a plastic bag in the yard or on the drive way like currently done in our neighborhood!). I've never seen my paper boy/girl and I send a check for $115 every 6 months to the main office. Not a very personable system!

I do remember getting gifts around Christmas time of extra cash when collecting. One lady on the route raised parakeets and parrots.............They would talk big time when I was collecting or sing songs! She must have spent a lot of time training them or maybe she just taught one and it taught the others....like some school teachers!

Some WI students on my route were Carolyn/Kay Lawson, Ann/Becky Hollingsworth, Bill/Pat Shaw, and Greg Myers. I'm sure there were others but I don't remember! Some of this route probably went to RW.

I did mail a check for the WIN program last week. This is really a worthwhile project and I am proud of you for taking this effort along with the newsletter. Thanks for all you do!



submitted by: Herb Cottrrill (WI '52)
herbc@vsba.org

I did not deliver newspapers; however, I did deliver mail every year during the Christmas holidays while attending Fairmont State College. On some of those days I felt like my toes and fingers were frozen. I would catch the bus, pick up my papers, and bundled from head to toe, trot off to bring those season greetings to the neighborhood. My route every year was Nutter Fort. There always appeared to be a number of dogs that liked to chase mail carriers. After being chased and nearly mauled by a number of dogs when I walked to the door, I decided the best way to deliver the mail was to stuff all the mail for a house with a dog in a neighbors mailbox. I never got any complaints and I was never chased by loose dogs after that. I have always wondered what ever happened to that mail.

PS: I really appreciate the WI newsletter. It seems like I always know someone who has written an article. Thanks again



submitted by: John R. Campbell (WI '55)
jrcpastor@earthlink.net

I carried the Clarksburg Telegram on a route that began at the corner of West Pike and Chestnut Streets and ultimately all of Mulberry Street and some of the side streets that fed into it. When I took over the route, there were 33 customers. When I surrendered the route to Keith Murphy, who was my substitute carrier, I had 110 customers and made a whopping $10.10 a week. Since I was delivering papers after school, I walked the route and then walked to my home on Duncan Avenue in Stealey.

I collected every other week and generally was able to collect all that was due. There was one family, however, that always had an excuse: "No change," "Daddy's not home and he has the money," "We'll pay you Monday." After listening to the excuses and still not getting paid, I walked past "Daddy" one Sunday morning. He yelled, "Where's my paper?" I yelled back, "Where's my money?" I kept on walking. Monday evening he paid his bill in full and I had no more problems with him.

One elderly lady lived alone in a large brick house on the right side of Mulberry Street. One evening when I threw the rolled up paper on her porch, it bounced and went through her screen door. She was livid! I checked the screen in the door and it was rusty and rotten. In fact, it crumbled when touched! The following Saturday, I purchased some screen and re-screened her entire door. She was most pleased and gave me an Episcopal Book of Prayer as a "reward." I still have the book.

Christmas was an interesting time for me. I received a significant number of tips (I no longer remember how much) and bags of home-made cookies and fudge. It was difficult to carry those bags and finish the route, but I managed. I think most of my customers knew that cookies were my weakness.

Money earned from that route, along with funds saved from other jobs, helped me pay for my first year at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Thanks for editing the newsletter. It is fun to see names of persons I grew up with or went to school with during my years in Clarksburg.



submitted by: Bob Davis (WI '59)
RAD29063@aol.com

I first started delivering papers when I was in the 4th grade, helping Tommy Steck deliver his route on Monticello Avenue, Clay, Denham, etc. We would play football sometimes after delivering papers with the McGee boys.

Later, I took over the Telegram route for the hill where my family lived and parts of Haymond Hwy., Water St., and parts of the next hill. I had the route over 6 years. The papers for the 80 customers were delivered to Rossano’s store on the corner of Haymond Hwy. and Harrison St. The customers stayed the same for years, very few people moved, not the same as today.

The paper cost 35 cents a week, 5 cents a daily copy or 15 cents for Sunday. The worst day was Sunday and you had to split the route in two or three sections. I would start collecting on Friday night and finish on Saturday. One customer always paid me 70 pennies. If everybody paid, I would make about $7 a week, but that never happened. A few customers moved away without paying, but not very often.

Sometimes, I would stop at Stalnaker’s confectionery or Rossano’s and get a drink, Lotta Cola (16 oz.) or Frostie Root Beer. Usually a dog would follow me on the route. The dogs twice saved me from getting in a fight with several guys in a car. The dog growled at them and they left.

My first deliveries were the homes on Haymond Hwy and Water Street--many of the houses were about 25 steps above the street. Then I would head up the holler and climb the steps (60 or more) to Floyd St. After delivering Floyd and Lynn streets, I had to climb the 50+ steps to Shuttlesworth St. and deliver the five streets on the hill where I lived.

They mostly were wonderful customers, they would invite me inside when it was customers would give me a $1 – totaled about $10 a year, but that was enough. The Publishing Company would give each of us a silver dollar—still have them.

I remember breaking glass twice, both were storm doors. I told the customers and offered to pay but they didn’t charge me. My customers also helped me when I sold doughnuts for the Boy Scouts. I also collected wrappers off Good Luck margarine and several customers saved the wrappers for me, which gave me a few prizes. I was one of the top sellers in high school as a junior selling stationary and a senior selling magazines because some of my customers purchased to help me and WI. The paper route also got me other jobs – cutting grass and even one painting job. Over all, delivering papers was a good experience.



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

So, did you read all the letters? Did you notice the 3 different letters sent about one newspaper route? One carrier told who he gave his route to and then a family of carriers told about who they received their route from….and the guy in the middle was Keith Murphy. Amazing! Thanks to each of you for joining us in this salute!

Do you remember your paperboy? Write and tell me if you do!

Here is my story!

I was a paper carrier for a short time…I don’t know if this really counts but…..When my son was in middle school, he decided he would be a paper boy for the evening newspaper to a group of apartments which had recently been built at the edge of our neighborhood. The problem occurred when he decided to go out for football and made the team. The newspapers had to be delivered and I was trying to be a “Super Mom” …so, .he drew me a map, gave me the apt. numbers, etc…but the directions made little sense to me (or anyone else I could talk into going with me on my temporary route). One evening I stood in the court yard of the complex looking first at the paper and then at the 6 buildings. I was totally lost. A young man came out on his second floor apartment, realized the problem and started pointing to doors where he thought maybe he had seen a newspaper lying. I threw some close to doors where I thought maybe the newspapers belonged. Well, this went on several weeks until the end of football and my son took over again. However, when he collected in December several of the people gave him tips to give to me. That is my entire experience delivering newspapers.



submitted by: Dick Brumage (ND '61)
micdic324@sbcglobal.net

This brings back some great memories. I carried the Pittsburg Press newspaper when I was 10 and 11 years old. My route was St Mary's Hospital, Washington Ave and a few around Broadway. I would leave school at St Mary's grade school and walk to the hospital. The papers were on the front steps. My dad had to go with me on Sunday; because the papers were too heavy. I put the papers in my wagon. The great thing about delivering the Press was they had contests. If you obtained so many new customers, you could win prizes. The best prize was at the age of 10 I got to go from Pittsburg to Niagara Falls on a train. My parents drove me to Pittsburg to catch the train with all paper carriers who won the contest and chaperones. I remember meeting John Christie on that train. We also won tickets to Pirate games at the old Forbes field. They had a huge Christmas party at The Syrian Mosque. I have many nice memories concerning bringing newspapers to the sick and their visiting families.



submitted by: Bob Turner (WI '58)
roberteturner007@comcast.net

I delivered the Clarksburg Morning paper for 3 years in Stealey. 100+ papers every morning and almost 160 on Sunday's.

ONE FUNNY STORY: One morning the steers from up in the hills got loose and pinned me in the store storm door for 30-40 minutes till a car came by and scared them away. Many cold and rainy winter mornings, my worst home was all the way at the end of a street next to the woods and 1/2 mile from the last house and dark no street lights lots of woods. Needless to say I skipped it many times till they finally canceled. I will never forget Miss Johnson, my 7th or 8th grade teacher always came to the door on Saturday mornings (Collection Day) in her sheer night gown.

On Sundays Allen Hefner & I stopped at the restaurant on Milford Street (across from the now Vet Clinic) we ate a very hearty breakfast almost every Sunday morning so we would not have to go to Sunday School or Church at Stealey Methodist..



submitted by: Charlie Means (WI '50)
CMEANS@cfl.rr.com

I delivered papers starting as a helper for Martha Jo Little's (Class of 50 WI) brother (can't remember his first name). He lived down the street from me on Sycamore St. On Sunday morning I had to wake him up by pulling on a rope hanging out an upper window tied to his foot. Then to the Manhattan Restaurant for coffee and doughnuts. I'm thinking that this is around 1945. The paper was 30 cents a week including Sunday.

When I took the route by myself I had 132 papers (why do I remember that number) which for a 12 year old, was quite a load, especially on Thursday and Sunday. I picked up the papers at the Exponent-Telegram office, first papers to Birch and Beach then to Sycamore, Baltimore Ave., Coleman Ave. then the last paper to the watch box at the Hazel Atlas.

I can remember the terrible floods down on Baltimore Ave. There was many times I did not collect a week or two from families that had been wiped out and could not afford it. My Dad helped me pay my bill at the paper office more than once. He worked at the Hazel Atlas with many of those guys.

One other time I come down with a bad case of hives. My hands and feet were so swollen I couldn't walk. On a Sunday morning my Dad took the collection cards I used and delivered the papers that way. You can imagine the surprise from those people that knew him when he comes delivering the paper. He heard about that for years.

A couple of years of that and I quit the paper and went to work at the Ritz theatre as an usher



submitted by: Jeanne Walters Webster (WI '59)
Jeanwbstr@aol.com

In response to your request for who delivered newspapers in Clarksburg: I remember that Johnny Christie (Spelling?) (WI-59) delivered newspapers. My Dad was one of his customers. All I can remember about it was that my Dad used to say that Johnny was the best Newspaper Boy we ever had. If the weather was wet, Johnny would walk up to the porch and put the paper in our mailbox so it would not get wet. He delivered our paper the whole time we lived on Fairview Avenue in Stealey.



submitted by: Walt Cleavenger (RW '52)
cleavy1@verizon.net

I delivered newspapers when I was in Junior high at Broadway.I was born and raised in Broadway. The only thing that comes to mind is when I was chased by a dog and I fell and the dog didn't bite me.



submitted by: Joy Gregorie Stalnaker (WI '59)
joy1941@frontiernet.net

Regarding newspaper carriers: my brother, Jene Gregoire, carried the morning paper one winter. I don't remember where his route was but I do know that Mr. Gudekunst was one of his customers! Jene went to WI through his junior year. Mom, Jene and our step-dad moved to Akron right after our class graduated in 1959. Jene graduated from Green High School there. He continued to play football there as he had at W.I. He ended up going to Akron U for awhile on a football scholarship before deciding college wasn't for him. He's still a big football fan!

He's not "into" computers, so he doesn't read the newsletters.





EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is one about delivering newspapers during the big snow of 1950.

submitted by: Pat Elder (ND '57)
st1pat@aol.com

After 57 years things get a little fuzzy for me, but this is my best recollection: I think it was over Thanksgiving weekend on a Saturday. We lived at the top of a very steep hill on Pearlman Ave. in the hills of North View. WVU was playing a game that afternoon and we were faithfully listening to it on the radio. Outside it began to snow really large flakes and lots of them. It was quickly covering up those coal black cinders that were the surface of our street, and, yes, the same ones that I still carry around in my knees and elbows in 2007 today. When the game ended everyone grabbed their Flyer sleds and hit the hill at the same time. We built the big bonfire and stayed late that night.

Sunday morning, everyone got up early to shovel a single pathway in the street in front of their house. It was almost as though each house in most of Northview had a tunnel up to their home. After that I decided to go down to check if the newspapers had been delivered to my pickup point. My dad said he would come along to help me. We delivered about 135 heavy papers that morning, finishing up after noon. Both of us were just whipped! Most of my route was backtracking. We only missed one person. He lived two blocks down an alley and no one had shoveled a path there. We had been home about fifteen minutes, when this person called, complaining that we missed him. He was chewing on me pretty hard when my dad figured it out and asked me if that was the guy that hadn't paid me yet for over two months. Dad took the phone away from me and if you remember the scene in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" when Jimmy Stewart yelled at the teacher over the phone for his little girl Tutu getting cold at school and catching a bad cold--well, it was worse than that!! I just remember how close I felt to my dad that day. I was a pretty ornery kid in North View and he disciplined me with his Army belt quite often, but on this day he was my true buddy. I really slept well that night.

What great memories!! Roleta & Judy started this paper 9 years ago & without them, I would probably never have recalled that warm day in my life. THANKS TO YOU BOTH



submitted by: Marcia Young Fletcher (WI '64)
myfletcher@cox.net

My brother, Wendell Young, WI class of 1963, had a newspaper route in Hartland when he was in junior high and high school, delivering the Clarksburg Telegram. When he turned 16 he got a "real" job during the summers at the Carnation milk plant. Not wanting to give up the paper route for the rest of the year, he turned it over to me for two summers. Delivering the evening paper Monday through Saturday was no problem for me to handle on my own, but on Sunday mornings my dad would go with me. I don't know whether his motivation was to help his daughter or make sure I finished in time for Sunday School at the Stealey Methodist Church.



submitted by: Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58)
rwilliams@roverusa.com

I have to say that I delivered newspaper for my brother Jim Warren while he played sports in high school. It was a nice route which went out Duncan, King Street, Joseph St., Stealey Ave., Duff St. There was another street but can't remember the name. One night I was babysitting and got home in the middle of the night and I went ahead and delivered the papers before I went home. You would not do that in this day and age. I remember the Hemsworth apartment on Duff St. and I would always try and throw the paper up to the top floor. I got nice tips from people but of course my brother Jim would claim it to be his.



submitted by: Bob Williams (WI '45)
rwilliams45@gmail.com

For several years when I lived on Rosemont Ave. in Broad Oaks in the 40s, I delivered the Pittsburgh Press to many homes on Buckhannon Ave., Spring St., and on Main Street, Stanley Ave. & Concord St. in Goff Plaza. It was always a chore at that time delivering the Sunday edition because of the weight. I can recall when the paper was very light I would put them in my bag and roller skate part of the route.

Many years later after I was married and lived on Carpenter Street in Stealey, my son David had a Pittsburgh Press route in Stealey and on Sunday we would load the papers in the back seat of our little VW and deliver them. Every Sunday we would go to the Manhattan Restaurant on Pike St. and buy the best pecan roll in Clarksburg before our last delivery to Ed & Jean Byard, our very best friends where Jean would warm the roll and we all enjoyed it together. These are especially fond memories!



submitted by: Kitty Wells Ray (WI '63)
kitty4900@hotmail.com

Although I did not have a paper route of my own, I tagged along with a neighborhood boy who did (George Skinner, I think). As I remember, the stack of newspapers was left at a little store at the foot of 8th Street adjacent to the corner of Hornor Avenue and Chestnut Street near the Sacred Heart Home, currently The Genesis Center. We rolled each paper, folding the rolled part into itself as tightly as possible so we could toss a paper to the porch of each house without having to climb the steps. (I also remember climbing the steps with some regularity when the paper missed the porch!) Surely there were houses on the lower side of the street, but I only seem to remember those on the upper side, far above the sidewalk.

I hadn’t thought of this for years. Thanks for asking!



submitted by: Jerry Winerman (WI '57)
gerjery@sbcglobal.net

I think I had the most unique paper route of all. It was all in the Hope Gas Building. I “toiled” on my route trudging from desk to desk (in rain, snow and sleet) delivering papers to my loyal customers. I delivered the Pittsburgh Press. The big problem was I made very little money, so I gave it up after a year or so.



submitted by: David Bates (WI '51)
bates8806@sbcglobal.net

Roleta, I challenge any of the other paperboys to top this 'un. Bobby Cotter called me "Bar hunter" at our 50th reunion.

My father taught me to hunt at an early age. I was also a deadly shot with a sling shot as proved by the rabbits I occasionally brought home for supper upon completion of my paper route.

But nothing prepared me for what happened at the end of my work at the last house on 9th Street up behind the Sacred Heart Children's Home on a late winter Sunday morning.

I saw a large, very large black dog pawing through a pile of trash. I picked up a good sized throwing rock and my aim was true. The "dog" stood up on it's hind legs, pawed the air and let out a growl. OOOOOOH SH**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A bear.

A little history here: As I found out later, the last time a bear had been sighted in Harrison County was far more than fifty years earlier.

My legs did their duty and I didn't slow down for a second look. I ran the full length of Horner Avenue, not slowing down until I was safely sitting at my own kitchen table. I told the whole family.No one believed me. Dad told us all not to repeat this "tale" outside the house.

The next morning I hadn't walked more than a car's length into the school when a bunch of kids came out with, "Good morning 'bar' hunter" and then collapsed in hysterical laughter. My brother, Dick, had told Jack Brasseur, who, as it turned out, told every breathing soul within a several mile radius. The next week was pure hell. The Telegram piled on with a front page teasing article about what its carriers went through get the papers delivered.

About two weeks later, a blessed two or three inches of snow fell. Guess what showed up. Yep, you got it, BEAR TRACKS, on Horner and adjoining streets. I called the paper to send out a photographer. I don't think they ever did. Enough people saw the tracks and quit letting pets out after dark that the whole issue died as quickly, though no way as noisily as it started. I never got an apology from a da** soul (except my father). P.S. No one else ever saw the bear (or would admit that they did).



submitted by: John (Jay) Oliverio (WI '57)
jtoliverio@bellsouth.net

You requested newspaper memories from newspaper carriers in Clarksburg. I delivered The Telegraph (evening paper) for 9 years.

What an experience growing up in Clarksburg, especially the Chestnut Hills area. I first started delivering newspapers to two customers when I was in the second grade. My oldest brother, Frank (WI 1950 grad) also had a paper route. He would bring papers home from his route and I would deliver them. It was a new section so there were very few homes and it took about 2 years before more homes were built. The two customers grew to 25 customers and then to 100 customers soon after.

Customers paid weekly, first it was .25 cents and then .35 cents or $1.40 month. What a bargain compared to today's prices. I don't remember what profits I made on each paper but I always had enough money in my pocket to enjoy whatever I wanted. Of course, wants were different in those days. A movie, candy bar and coke were probably .25 cents in the good old days. Most customers gave me an extra bonus on Christmas, usually .50 cents and it was very much appreciated.

I had several customers who lived on a steep hill and with many steps to their homes. I just walked across their lawns instead of going up and down. At the time It seemed like 100 steps to me! One customer would not let me walk across his lawn so I had to walk up and down his steps and put his paper behind his storm door. You guessed it, this customer never gave me a tip.

My wife, Thresa and I just returned to Clarksburg for my 50th reunion and drove all around the area. My old paper route still looks the same. The houses and lawns are well kept after 60 years. Boy, where have those years gone.



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

I did indeed carry the evening Telegram newspaper in my teens as I was going to WI...in the Clarksburg Spring Hill, Country Club addition area, where I was born, and lived (and do yet today). I had a big black cat, he was a beautiful easy going wonderful pet, very muscular animal that walked along with me all over the route at least 2-3 miles each evening. I didn't need a trusty big dog, I had "Sparkie". My parents would not allow pets in the house. Sparkie froze and died one terrible snowy cold night where he had crawled under the barn to keep warm. I found him the next day in the white snow. His big black tail sticking out was the only reason I found him. The next couple weeks were very sad on those deliveries!

How many delivered The GRIT weekly newspaper? I did and it was a great paper. People loved it and I believe where the Telegram was 3-4-cents - GRIT was 5-cents. Although the papers had to be delivered in all kinds of weather, the main trouble was not dogs, kids,or other angry animals, but the adults ..that would say on collection day.."I really don't have the money today, I'll have it tomorrow..or next week..!" There were more funny excuses than what is told to the cops when pulled over for speeding..!

You might use these pics of the newspaper bags I used.





submitted by: Roger Dean (RW '56) Broadway Junior High School
Dblu2@aol.com

My route consisted of 76 customers and spread over 3 1/2 miles. It took me 2 hours to deliver the Exponent Telegram papers. My commission was 2 cents per copy.

I always looked forward to getting to the Mancos Grocery Store so I could get a RC and a Moon pie.




FELISHA IS A SPECIAL GIRL

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

My sister Nancy was working at Greenville Memorial Hospital in pediatrics where Felisha was patient. Felisha fell victim to a house fire. Five members of her family perished in the fire which included her grandfather, mother, 2 sisters and a brother. Felisha and her sister had been put on life support. Life support was turned off, her sister died but Felisha rallied. Felisha had been in the hospital nearly a year and was ready to be discharged, but had no place to go. None of her biological family could care for her, so I recommended the Mentor Program where I was working and she came to me by referral.

Felisha came to live with Roger and me in 1993 at the age of 6. As a result of the fire, she suffers from anoxic brain injury, smoke inhalation and cerebral palsy. She could not speak the first year or sit alone. The tragedy left her in an infantile state. Consistent occupational and physical therapy for many years and loving care has enabled her to relearn to talk, write with her left hand (her hands were severely burned) and graduate from high school on the honor roll and with an occupational diploma. We adopted Felisha in 1998.

Felisha’s senior class of 2006 voted her Prom Queen. She attended both proms with escorts. Ware Shoals High School made provisions for her aide at school to assist her on her senior class trip to the Bahamas.

Felisha enjoys her new job with Walgreens as a greeter and takes her job very seriously. Her friend was talking to her on the job and Felisha quickly said, “Karen, you’re going to get me fired.” Another time I was going to show her a birthday card I had found for her grandfather as I was leaving the store and she said “I’ll look at that when I get home.” Felisha is a fighter. A loveable and amazing little girl.

FELISHA DEAN
By Danielle Darby for the Index Journal




She’s only 20, and her small frame epitomizes the saying “smiles are contagious.”

She’s the first person you see when you walk into Walgreen’s on the Highway 72 bypass, and she sits there smiling, waiting to happily greet you.

Felisha Dean, a Ware Shoals High School graduate, used to work at the Burton Center, where she dismantled disposable cameras.

“I wanted to be a store greeter because I thought it would be fun,” Dean said. There aren’t many jobs available to Dean these days, as she’s confined to a wheelchair, but thanks to Walgreens and Dean’s neighbor, she now has a job that she loves.

“It was scary at first, but my friend showed me how,” she said. “Sometimes I’m confused because I have to watch two doors, but I’m learning how to greet people when they come in, and most people are happy.” “I see a lot of smiles,” she added. What she doesn’t know is they’re smiling because of her bright personality.

The Walgreens greeter might seem quiet, but when you get her talking about her favorite country music star, Alan Jackson, she’s quick to divulge what she thinks.

According to Dean’s manager, William Minger, she’s worked there about 3-1/ to 4 weeks. And so far he’s received positive reactions. “I had one woman in tears, and another called and wanted to commend the supervisor,” Minger said.

So far Walgreens is the first drug store of its kind to hire handicapped employees, and “it’s proactive from a corporate level,” Minger said. It all started more than 2 years ago, when the vice president of Walgreens, whose son is autistic, challenged the chain to hire people with disabilities. His goal, according to Minger, is to have 1,000 handicapped employees throughout the distribution centers.




THE 2007 SCHOLARSHIP RECEPIENTS WRITE US AN UPDATE

Jacqueline Manley wrote to me recently…..(in case you don’t remember, she is a 2007 graduate from RC Byrd HS and received the $2,000.00 WIN Scholarship) Here is her note:

Hi,
I just finished my first week at school and I absolutely love it . My major is Communication Studies and I’m taking 17 hours.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday I have 4 classes.
11:00 Sociology
12:00 Public Speaking & Rhetoric
1:00 Humanities – Civilization
2:00 Spanish 101

Then Tuesday and Thursday I have 2 classes.
11:30 Fit/Well (it’s sort of like a gym class and it’s required to graduate)
1:00 Humanities – Biblical Revelation

The humanities classes are required here at Grove City to graduate. They deal with the Bible and the life and times of Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about them just tell me and I’ll email you the course description and stuff.



From Joel Crano, WIN Scholarship winner in 2007.

School is going really well. My classes this semester are pretty easy. Sorry I haven’t been able to get on here much and talk. School and golf take up so much time and I barely have time to do anything else. I made the golf team and I am the first freshman walk on to start the first tournament. Last weekend we had a tournament in Parkersburg at Woodridge Country Club (we tied for 3rd out of 23 teams) and South Hills Country Club (we finished 1st out of 13 teams). On Friday and Saturday I played as first alternate and I shot 78 on Friday and 75 on Saturday. My scores averaged better than the fourth and fifth man so on Sunday and Monday I started at South Hills. I shot 79 on Sunday, 74 on Monday and we won that tournament by 1 stroke. So I am pretty excited about playing golf as a freshman and helping out the team. I want to tell you again, thank you for all your help and support, it really means a lot to me.



WESTON STATE HOSPITAL

submitted by: Joy Gregorie Stalnaker (WI '59)
joy1941@frontiernet.net

The famous, or infamous, Weston State Hospital was sold at public auction last week for $1.5 million to a man in Morgantown. The sale must yet be affirmed by Governor Manchin. We don't yet know what he plans to do with it. He has indicated that he will keep the historic building!



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

Pro football was not that big in the 30's and 40's. We used to listen to the Steelers on the radio, but it was not that interesting.

I spent many afternoons at Hite Field as one of the managers of the team in '47 and '48. The facilities were not much, poor lighting, holes in the wall and when I first started at WI the field had no lighting so there were no night games. I think around '46 they installed lights so we had some night games.

I was pretty busy during most games so I did not see a lot of the half time stuff. I remember a player's mother's club was organized in the mid '40s to raise money to pay for the big banquet at the end of the season. The ladies sold hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas and had a profitable operation. Team fathers built the building from donated lumber. I have no idea where the other money came from.When I was by the field several years ago it looked good, the old buildings were gone and it looked like they had a modern facility.

During basketball season the football lettermen acted as ushers at Carmichael Auditorium, so we got in free. We only had three cheer leaders, no pom pom squad or other groups. Games feature much more entertainment now. The band performed at half time much as it does now.



submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
Falvaro33@aol.com

EDITOR’S NOTE:These newspaper articles were clipped from a 1954 newspaper.

ALVARO HURLS NO HITTER IN LITTLE LEAGUE

No hit and one hit games were turned in by Little League pitchers last night as Moose and Rusco kept up their two team fight for first place.

Alvaro twirled the hitless masterpiece, defeating Cities Service, 12-0. He fanned 12 along the route. Sirriani and Barlow each had four hits to lead the winners at the plate. Moose now owns a 9-3 record, two games behind Rusco.

Workingman was Bucky Wolfe’s one-hit victim as Rusco grabbed a 4-2 triumph. Secret and Bias banged two hits apiece as the loop-leaders upped their seasonal mark to 11-1. Bennett got Workingman’s only hit, a third inning single.

MOOSE HOLDS INSIDE LEAD

Clarksburg Moose and Bridgeport gained second victories without defeat in Inside and Outside Little League competition last night.

The Moose nine tied Rusco for first place by disposing of Clearlite, 10-4 as two home runs aided Alvaro in marking up the decision. Salfia and Ayoob poked the circuit clouts, the latter coming with the bases loaded. Steve Lynch turned in a sparkling defensive performance for the Moose.

Bridgeport was carried to eight innings before scoring three runs to overcome Shinnston Moose, 10-9. The count was deadlocked at 6-6 at the end of regulation play and -7 after the first extra frame. Wright stuck around to pick up the Bridgeport victory and added three hits to also provide the big stickwork. McDougal punched four consecutive hits, including a home run for Shinnston. In a third Little League contest, the Knights of Columbus knocked off Cities Service, 13-11.

MOOSE HANDED FOURTH DEFEAT BY CLEARLITE

Clarksburg’s Moose team in the Little League yesterday suffered it’s fourth defeat in a game at Jaycee Field as the Clearlite nine took a 5-4 victory. Alvaro went for the Moose and Davis hurled for the winners. Both hurlers allowed six hits, but the Clearlite team bunched theirs to get the victory.



WHERE DID ALL THOSE SPORTS TROPHIES
THAT WERE IN WI AND RW SCHOOL TROPHY CASES GO?

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

In May 23, 2007, Bill and I visited R.C. Byrd High School to be present when the $2,000.00 WIN Scholarship was presented to the two students. While sitting in the teacher’s lounge one of the principals ask Bill and me if we would like to take a walk down the hall as he had something he thought I would like to see. He told us that when the school were consolidated that the school didn’t have a personality. The kids were being brought in from two different schools and there was a fear that they wouldn’t feel connected to the new school. So to make their old schools a part of the new school, two rooms were built to accommodate memorabilia from their school. Each school has a small room where things from the past connected to that school are displayed. Each room is at least 12 feet high, a nice size, filled from top to bottom, fronted on the hall side with glass walls and a locked glass door. The principal called the maintenance man to unlock the door for me so that I could take some pictures and share with you. Pictured below is a sample of what is displayed there. Also, in one room are a few trophies, etc from Kelly Miller, I thought I got a picture of them too but when downloading my pictures from my camera to the computer I noticed they were missing. I thought this area so interesting. I am sure if you are in Clarksburg, and wish to go to R.C. Byrd High School to see these rooms, they will welcome you. You must of course go to the office to check in and register, and tell them the purpose for your visit to the school. Perhaps you will see a trophy presented to a team from the years you were in high school, or a uniform like the one you wore while participating in the extra curricular activity, or maybe a picture of a teacher or coach you had while in school. It was very well presented and I thought it was very unique. So if you were wondering where that precious trophies are today. Now you know the rest of the story. But can someone tell me where are all those pictures that used to line the walls along the hallways in the boy’s locker section of WI?

If you recognize anything pictured and remember being a part of winning that trophy or wearing that uniform, etc….please write to Roleta1@aol.com for the SPORTS section of the newsletter.


Pictured above is Teddy Roosevelt and some of the memorabilia from RW High School I am sure many of the readers from RW will recognize things pictured. Remember any of these?



Pictured on the left is Doug Hogue (The last basketball coach at RW High School. The winningest coach in the history of RW.) Middle picture is Larry Snider, (last baseball coach at RW HS). On the right is a picture of Roger Gorby, (the winningest football coach in the history of RW). I bet you RW grads are proud of these men!



Woodrow Wilson surrounded by trophies and sports memorabilia from RW high school.


Then there is a room for WI and their trophies:


Do you see your trophy? Do you recognize anything pictured? Remember those nice band uniforms? They have a wonderful selection of trophies on display.




Perhaps you can copy and enlarge the pictures above and see the names on the trophies. There is also a table in one of the rooms on which is displayed some things from Kelly Miller High School. I am sure I took a picture but when I got home and tried to copy it from the camera to the computer---it wasn’t there. Sorry.



ATTENDING RUNIONS

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

Class of '77 Reunion

Roleta,
I'm writing this from the business center at the Hampton Inn in Bridgeport. I'm in town for my 30th reunion tonight. I was in charge of putting it together and I've been saddened by the lack of response -- mostly from people WHO LIVE HERE!

We had a graduating class of 165 and I was able to get about 18 to attend. People are coming from New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, but the majority can't find the time to come from across town. Why is that?

I read a comment from someone who wrote in your newsletter that they might be embarrassed to come -- I feel they should be embarrassed NOT to come. Just remember -- if you don't come, we're going to talk bad about you or at the very least make up stories about what happened to you! (No, just kidding!!!) We really did miss all of those people who were close but chose to do other things. And, over the years, we've lost a few people to driving accidents, cancer and other illnesses. I just hope people will start to realize that there are only so many chances to see and re-connect with people who (in MANY cases) shared my world for 12 years from kindergarten to high school.

We've already made the decision to combine our next reunion with two other classes next time. I'm looking forward to that one every bit as much as I am looking forward to the one this evening! Anyone out there reading this from my class who didn't make it this year -- hope to see you in FOUR years!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to the members of the WI Class of 1977 for the nice contribution they sent to the WIN Scholarship.



submitted by: Keith Roach, Jr. (WI '62)
WVFord28@aol.com

From the last newsletter I read this:

I ONLY WISH that SOMEBODY could figure out why the CLARKSBURG RESIDENTS (and that area) are the ones that do not attend their class reunions. Is it because they are embarrassed that they are still in CLARKSBURG – they do not need to be embarrassed; they should be PROUD that they have been able to survive in CLARKSBURG. I have always wondered why some locals do not attend, and GLAD THAT SOME LOCALS DO ATTEND.

I have been thinking about this statement for a few long days.

In the past I have talked to former classmates that have attended one or more reunions or have not attended any of them. From those that went to one the answer was the same as those that never attended any reunion. The following is the response of them and me.

Many of those in my class of 62 were obnoxious, arrogant, with ego's higher than the school on the hill and completely oblivious to many classmates in school and at reunions. The above statement that questions that some do not attend because they are still in Clarksburg is a perfect example of this. In all honesty I had never given thought that some would not attend because of embarrassment as to where they have chosen to live. It saddens me that this a reason for not attending.



Rebuttal to the above letter---from Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com


The reason so many of us travel hundreds and some come thousands of miles to attend a reunion is to see EVERYONE from our class. To see the other "kids", to see our town, our neighborhood and to remember the good times we had growing up in that special place we still often refer to as home. I am sure if the jobs had been there when we were looking for work, many of us would have preferred to stay in Clarksburg or at least WV. After all, that is where all of our friends were, where our family was, where we felt secure, comfortable and were familiar with our surroundings.

Oh, sure, when you return to a reunion, some people are still pompous but you know, that is the way that person is, was, and always will be--they can't help it, they grew up that way. Probably they were and are insecure and it is a wall to protect them, perhaps there was something in their early childhood that caused them to be this way....they aren't being obnoxious to a select few that they don't like----they aren’t picking on you-----they are just obnoxious! ...And just like high school, when you return to a reunion, you don't have to stand and talk to them. You can't punish yourself because of a few! Don’t let a few keep you from enjoying your reunion. Don’t let them make you miss the opportunity to see old friends….that is part of you, your background, your memories and the way your personality was formed. My goodness, the fun I have with the other 95% of those attending a reunion certainly out weighs the few uncomfortable minutes spent with those who bother me. And no matter who you are, you aren’t possibly going to like everyone and everyone isn’t going to like you---THAT IS LIFE. My advice, go to a reunion, go to a class party, the Clarksburg Picnic in Sarasota, FL. or the WI picnic, go with the thought in mind that you are going to have a great time, make it a good time, look for the good in others, if you go with a positive attitude, you will enjoy yourself!



REMEMBERING PRECIOUS CHILD

submitted by: David Grimes (WI '53)
dgrimes@triad.rr.com

As I read and scanned the latest newsletter, I came upon the August two "precious child" photos. To my utter amazement, there was my wonderful sister, Mary Alice Grimes.

I presume you are aware that she died about 8 years ago after a long bout with Alzheimer's Disease. She truly was a precious child, having graduated from WI as valedictorian in 1949 and then went on to graduate from Florida Southern with high honors - I think Summa Cum Laude. Or, maybe it was Magna Cum -- whatever.

I miss her but still have her younger sister, Ruthanne Grimes Herold, as a living sister.

Thanks for kindling fond memories.



NOVEMBER 2007 TRIVIA PICTURE


Do you recognize the place pictured above? Write to me and tell me your guess to the name and/or location. You must include a memory of some sort about the location in order for your letter to be published here. Write to Roleta1@aol.com. You can click on my email address and write your memory right now. Then when you send the letter to me, you will be returned to your issue of the October WI Newsletter.




submitted by: Bob Swiger (WI '61)
bobswiger@raspberryfalls.com

Sorry I am late with the answer and memory of the Clarksburg Baptist Church. I was baptized in that church as was my father, Robert (Bob) Newlon Swiger. We were members up to the time of his death in 1961, a few weeks before I graduated from WI. I also played basketball in the new section (now about 50 years old) but I didn't dance there. No one could dance there because it was against the rules of the church. Although CBC was not Southern Baptist I do remember we were not allowed to have dances there.

I don't remember the name of the jewelry store (Caplin's?) but I do remember my Mother in the 1950's and probably before, dressing up and putting on her little white gloves, fox stole, handbag and fashionable hat of the day and walking downtown to shop for the day. Mother never learned to drive but we lived close enough, at one time, for her to walk to town. She would spend the day walking and shopping through Parson-Sounders, Watts-Souder-Lear (sp?), Melets Men Store (pick up something for my Dad?), Loar & White (sp?) and finish with browsing through the three dime stores. She always stopped at one of the downtown drug stores for a cherry or vanilla coke before she came home that is if she hadn't already had lunch at the "submarine" in Parsons". That was my Mothers form of entertainment and exercise as it was for a lot of women in those days.

I caught a bus, like the one shown in the picture, to Jackson Park in Despard for my first Little League baseball practice. I was 8 years old and my Dad wrote the name Despard on a piece of paper so I wouldn't get on the wrong bus. I stood up on the bus with my hand on the buzzer cord all the way from the courthouse to Jackson Park. I was afraid I wouldn't get off at the right place. When I got to the Park, all I saw was an old, four door car, packed full of kids of every color and a Blackman at the wheel. Coach Elder (use to work for the telephone company and a wonderful man and coach) was the coach of the Elks Little League team, the first year Little League was in Clarksburg. Gene Donaldson, Anthony Minard and others that I can't remember were on that team. Someone must have forgotten to tell us that schools and society was still segregated back then. Can you imagine telling a 8 year old boy today that if he wants to play on a baseball team he had to walk downtown, catch a bus and meet strangers who would be his teammates and coach. We all piled into Coach Elder's old car and drove to Bridgeport for a practice game with a new team in Bridgeport. By this time I knew I was being kidnapped and would never see my parents again since my Dad had told me he would pick me up after practice at Jackson Park, not Bridgeport. Somehow he found me in Bridgeport without any panic on anybodies part.

If anyone reads this who was on that team please let me hear from you



submitted by: Larry Jett (RW '56)
jetterman@ca.rr.com

I, for one, appreciate getting your newsletter. As a matter of fact, several of us talked about you during one of our summer vacations!

I don't want this to be the trite "How did you spend your summer vacation" five paragraph essay; however, we did have a great one. As a matter of fact, I toyed with the notion of writing an essay for your newsletter, but I trashed the idea because I am certain that most of your readers would not be interested--even though the summer was great and some of your readers knew the people involved.

The first part of the summer was spent in China. Because I have a degree in Chinese (I read, write, and speak it fluently), getting around was not difficult, we were able to see some very interesting places, and my wife (through my language skills) was able to get good prices on jewelry.

The highlight of the summer, though, was seeing former classmates from R-W, all from the class of 1956.

Ron Lewis, who was Mr. Everything in high school, was my closest friend while we were at R-W. However, we decided to go different directions after high school. As a result, we did not maintain communication throughout the years. We met again at our fiftieth class reunion last October and were able to pick up right where we left off fifty years ago. I think that I started the conversation with: "As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted.." Since that time, we have chatted on the telephone and through emails.

Our wives cannot see how the two of us were friends! On the surface we have nothing in common. In spite of this, he invited us to visit his second home on the Tennessee-North Carolina. (He lives in Jacksonville, FL.) To add spice to the stew, he invited Eleanor Postlewait Green, who was the most outstanding (in every respect) female in our class. She is/was intelligent, charming, beautiful, talented, and kind. Eleanor and her husband (truly her equal) live in Charlotte, NC. This is the first time that the three of us have been together since graduation from high school, and we relished the time together.

Life has been kind to the three of us, so we had no trouble communicating and sharing ideas. As a result of having an exception time, Eleanor wants to entertain us at her home in Charlotte next summer. (Aside: Eleanor is on your mailing list; now I must send you Ron Lewis' address so that you can add him--he felt left out when we brought up the newsletter!) Eleanor, through her church and profession, has enriched the lives of many people throughout the world.

After we left Ron mountain's home (which is miles off of any road), we headed for Charleston, West Virginia, for another mini-reunion for some of the Class of 1956, R-W. Buck Flynn and I worked at the dime store together during our senior year, but I never saw him again until last year right before the reunion. At the reunion last October, he invited some of us to get together during this summer.

In high school, I was also friends with Vincent Leasburg, but, running-true-to-form, I never maintained contact with him either after high school. He and Buck lived on the same street in Nutter Fort, so they knew each other pre-first grade. Now he lives in St. Mary’s, which is not too far from Buck's home, and they see each other on occasion.

Vincent Leasburg and Eugene Kieffer (also Class of 1956) joined the Navy right after graduation, so they have kept in contact with each. As a result, he joined us for the mini-reunion in Charleston.

Buck's wife is really a charmer. She put forth a great deal of effort to entertain all of us with charm and West Virginia good manners. (In addition to teaching at a university, I have worked at a ghost writer for many years, and Buck's wife is my biggest fan. As a matter of fact, I recently won--second place--a national writing contest, and we used some of the money to finance the trip to North Carolina and West Virginia.)

Los Angeles is my home--and has been since 1967. I went to graduate school here and in Northern California. Going back to West Virginia, after all of these years, was refreshing. I have dedicated my life to civil rights, the problems of the ghetto, and the woes of the mentally ill. I (really "we") was able to kick back without worrying about being politically correct or hurting someone's feeling. I was able to laugh and be laughed at. Everyone in the groups did West Virginia (and Nutter Fort) proud.

Each of us (the people whom I visited) have changed a great deal since graduation 1956, yet we were able to put aside our differences and enjoy each other's company, ideas, and contributions to making the world a better place. Thomas Wolfe was not talking about West Virginia when you said, "You can't go home again."



submitted by: Barbara Boreman (WI '55)
Ladylake@tds.net

It has been brought to my attention that you have not been able to send me the WI newsletter!

My email address has always been-------Ladylake@tds.net

Keep sending the newsletter. Really enjoy it.

Thanks for all your effort and time spent on it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Barbara---thanks for writing….I will put you back on the newsletter notification list.



Submitted on:July 26th by: Diane Cork Sullivan (WI '52)
n1tdf@hotmail.com

I received an e-mail from Caroline Burnside with your Newsletter attached. I would like to read it each month. First of all the picture was a very very old picture of the Clarksburg Baptist Church. I started Sunday School in the house that was not in the picture -- at 6th and Traders Ave. The class met upstairs & it was nursery. They had a sand box in the middle of the floor and I remember having such fun. Nancy Andre Hatten was also in my class. There were probably others, but our mothers were friends then. I lived all my life at 351 Washington Ave., in CKB, graduated from WI in 1952 and have really never lived in Clarksburg, but maybe a year since then. Now I live in the Boston area. I believe I have lived a very sheltered life. There was a playground in my area up on top of the hill at 7th Street. I did love to go there, but it was such a long way for me. I was not allowed to go very often. I was there attending to business matters last Sept. for 3 glorious weeks. I had not been there since Memorial Day weekend 2002 to my 50th class reunion. I could go on -- thank you for asking about the church.

Oh, it was so nice to see the picture of Ann Humphries ---- I knew her when she was a very little girl on Washington Ave along with her sister Linda and brother Bob.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I am sorry that I missed these 2 letters….but remember I told you that July was a very difficult month for me to do the newsletter….so I hope all is forgiven…I found these among my files.



Submitted on July 25, 2007 by: Willard “Bud” Wheelock (WI '60)
hawkewoode708@yahoo.com

(Bud was too late for the August newsletter and I missed putting it in the September issue.)

I believe this is an old picture of the Clarksburg Baptist Church across from the downtown post office. This was before they built the modern addition on 6th Street. They recently completed another addition after buying and demolishing the funeral home between the church and the Maxwell mansion. It is in the same style as the original building and a real work of art by the masons who erected it. It is worth a drive to see it.

I hate to miss the picnic Aug 25th (first one in years) but we will be in Gloucester, Mass that whole week.

Hey, no apologies necessary for the August newsletter! It was great as always!

Last but not least I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend Gary Weiner. I have been out of town a lot and don't get the local paper any more. It is hard to even watch the local news on TV as it seems every day we are getting more like the "big city" with the violence & drugs.

best regards,
"Bud" Wheelock
Now retired after 36 years in education!



PRECIOUS CHILDREN FOR NOVEMBER 2007



Do you want to play our game? Just guess the identities of the children pictured above and include a memory of them. I will not print an incorrect guess. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com




NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES


Maryella Muscari Flowers (WI '52) jflowers1@earthlink.net
Judy Murray Gain (WI '57) judellbug@aol.com
Sharon Orme Wilfong (WI '59) swilfng@cinci.rr.com
Nancy Tonkin (WI '72) Nancy.Tonkin@wvtmg.com
Dan Stalnaker (WI '68) daneman@copper.net
John Hollandsworth (WI '54) such@mountain.net
Diane Cork Sullivan (WI '52) n1tdf@hotmail.com
Sam Selario (WI '57) sselario@selarioagency.com
Sandy LeBrun-Evans (Sandra Harrison - WI '65) Imagesbylebrun
Jill Borror Ruziska (RW '61) jill@ma.rr.com
Karol and John Wilson (WI '65) tygart@verizon.net
Joe Van Voorhis (WI '65) JOGVV@AOL.COM
Marcia Young Fletcher (WI '64) myfletcher@cox.net
Eleanor Kuhl (WI '57) ekuhl@frontier.net
Carol Gottlieb Rovinsky (WI '65) carolcaz@bellsouth.net


EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

Gloria Rosenthal Plevin (WI '52) gloriaplevin@roadrunner.com
Linda Nutter Gimmel (WI '66) lgimmel@bcbankinc.com
Rose Lee Bellotte Hamrick (ND '61) princessrose43@comcast.net
Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58) gemdandy@htwc.bizt
Bob Williams (WI '45) gembob@htwc.biz
Nancy Ann Jackson (WI '50) WV32@verizon.net
June Skidmore Yates (WI '52) JuneYates@webtv.net
Mary Elizabeth Snead (WI '60) was: auntmerts@earthlink.net
is now: auntmerts@bellsouth.net
Bob Turner (WI '58) was: bobt@embarqmail.com
is now: roberteturner007@comcast.net


The following is a good email address and I am returning her to the notification list.

Barbara Boreman (WI 1955)    Ladylake@tds.net




NEXT MONTH

HIGH SCHOOL SORORITIES are one of the subjects we will be featuring in the November WI Newsletter. Do you have any memories of rush, pledging, sorority dances, money raisers, activities, meetings or anything about your sorority? Please write to Roleta1@aol.com.

THANKS: Next month we give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received. We would like to hear about why you are giving thanks this year, or about your Thanksgiving traditions, favorite foods, memories of the holiday, what you do on Thanksgiving day….these are a few subjects to jog your memory…now share with us, won’t you? Help me make the November a nice Thanksgiving one…..Judy always comes up with beautiful graphics but I can’t write all of your stories….. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

SPORTS: If you do or did participate in a sport we would like to hear from you in this sports section. If you are a sports fan we would like to hear from you about your team. If you are interested in sports write about it. Due to the length of the newsletter some months, I have to keep some things sent to me for another month’s issue.



TRIVIA PICTURE FOR SEPTEMBER

submitted by: Don Sager (Broad Oaks, Alta Vista, CJHS, WI ’56, WVU)
dks@davtv.com

The trivia photo is Caplan’s Jewelers. This was a very up-scale store during my childhood. I cannot remember my parents buying anything in the store but I do remember my mother taking our mantle clock in for repair. And all of us used to look in the windows. Especially those who were “going steady”. Naturally, the Caplan’s lived in BROAD OAKS on the top side of Haymond Highway opposite Tyler. Susan Caplan was my friend and in my class from Alta Vista thru WI ’56. She did not attend our 50th Reunion last year but she has resided in Cincinnati for a number of years. Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, see below:



The photo shows a key ring/watch fob which was given to the male graduates of WI (at least the ’56 class or it could have been an award, I forget) by Caplan’s Jewelers and the box showing their logo. Inside it said “14k gold plated genuine French enamel”.



submitted by: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)
BAP5555@aol.com

Trivia picture is Caplan's Jewelry Store. Oh, fond memories of walking down off the hill to eat at Murphy's. Always looking at all the jewelry in the store. With my first income tax refund I bought my first watch there. Also, we purchased our wedding rings there. The store is gone and I have gone to Weston to have my jewelry cleaned.



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

I believe the Trivia Picture for Sept 2007 is Caplan's Jewelers, located across from the Harrison County Courthouse. I remember it well because before and after we left the movie theatre, which we went to almost every Sat., my Dad would take my brother Fred and I over to look at the displays in the window. They would have moving displays that they changed periodically. They were of little trains, elves, Leprechauns, Christmas themes, etc.. I have always wondered what happened to all those displays. Susan Caplan, whose father owned Caplan's Jewelry Store and also from BROAD OAKS, attended Alta Vista Grade School and is one of the ole gang who currently keep in touch. I wonder where Susan is today. That trivia picture really brought back some happy memories.



submitted by: Bill Bowie (WI '62)
whbowie@mac.com

Nice meeting you at the picnic. Thanks so much for your efforts in putting out a grand newsletter.

The trivia picture this month is Caplan's Jewelers which remained in business for many years. Bob Caplan and I graduated together and remain best of friends. He is now managing a jewelry store at the Meadowbrook Mall at Bridgeport. When we were young, Bob's parents were always there to help us and put up with us. They were (as is the whole family) great people. Bob later assumed the reigns of the business and was active in downtown activities.

The store was much more than a place to purchase all of our jewelry needs from high school through young adulthood up to and including wedding rings. You could always depend on Caplan's having the top of the line in whatever you might be looking for. It was also a place where friends would hang out and keep in touch. I must admit when my office was just around the corner while I was working for the gas company, I would go in and spend time (hide) with Bob and whoever might show up.

Great store and a part of the heritage of the former downtown in Clarksburg.



submitted by: Frank Martino (WI '60)
Frank@autonetig.com

The name of the jewelry store was Caplan’s. Bobby Caplan, I believe WI class of 63, ran the store after his dad died. When I was a Junior at WI, I bought a "friendship" ring there to give to a special gal from the freshman class. I had completely forgotten about it until the trivia question was asked. Thanks for stirring up a great, fond memory.



submitted by: Linda Nutter Gimmel (WI '66)
lgimmel@bcbankinc.com

The picture is Caplan’s Jewelers. Nearly every piece of “good jewelry” I have came from there. I grew up on Worley Ave. in Broad Oaks and the Caplan’s lived on Haymond Highway. Later, the Caplan’s son Bob ran the store. My wedding rings came from there and it was “the place” to have things repaired. It closed several years ago and Bob Caplan manages a jewelry store at the Meadowbrook Mall now. Great Memories!!



submitted by: Mary Virginia Duncan Wilke (WI '55)
Mwdusty1@aol.com

I believe that is a picture of Caplin's Jewelry store. I remember buying our wedding rings there, only plain gold ones, but we were so proud. I believe that is also where we purchased our WI rings through that store. Unfortunately, my WI ring was stolen a few years ago in a house robbery.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I lost my class ring in 1963. We lived in an apartment in Columbus, Ohio and I laid my ring on the mantel over the fireplace. There was a large crack where the mantel sat away from the wall……I couldn’t retrieve it. I wonder if it is still back there? I think of it often and wish I had it.



submitted by: Sandra Rice (wife of Russ Rice WI '65)
Sandra.rice@magellen.aero

I used to work for the Clarksburg Police Department and spent my lunch hour looking at the jewelry. (It was a small shop, but it was very nice).



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

I believe that at one time the jewelry store was called Roger’s. If my memory serves me correctly, Caplan's moved from Pike Street to Main Street at this location. Caplan's was originally near the Workingman's Store on that side of Pike Street. They moved to the store on Main when the opportunity arose. We knew the Caplan family well. It is the kind of thing I would remember. Susan Caplan was one of my good childhood friends from Broad Oaks.



submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
waynepawco@verizon.net

This is Caplans Jewelry Store---was in busines for a long time. I purchased a clock in this store for my parents as a Christmas present. They had a very nice store and very good items with quality for sale. There is a Caplans Jewelry Store in Weston which is owned by a member of the family but not as large as the one that was on Main Street in Clarksburg.



submitted by: Deb Yorgensen (Parkersburg Catholic '69)
dyorgensen@netpnt.com

I don't know what it is now or if it is even still there. But is was Caplan’s Jewelry store on Main Street. My former husband, Randy Queen, was a good friend of Bobby and Sherri.



submitted by: Kay Corathers Connor (WI '61)
Kay.Connor@gst.com

I believe that this was Caplan’s Jewelry Store. My Grandmother, Esta Smith Corathers, was good friends with the Caplans. I visited the store with her often when I was in elementary and Jr. High school. Grandma Esty especially appreciated the fact that the Caplans always gave her a ride to town when she was working as a Practical Nurse.



submitted by: RBGainer, MD (“Brooks”) (WI '61)
GRbgainer@aol.com

It is Caplan's Jewelry Store. Bob Caplan was a year behind us as I remember. I think he now has a store in Weston.Looked a few times, but never bought anything that I remember.



submitted by: Phyliss Alton Nichols (WI '57)
nmimiphyllis@yahoo.com

Great Newsletter. Thanks. I think the trivia picture is Caplan's Jewelers. My Mom and Dad did their jewelry and small appliance shopping there. When I graduated in 1957 my father was laid off from the Carbon, and I remember so well how I would look in the store window and admire a gold cross that I wanted very badly. I knew that right at the time, my parents could not afford it, so I didn't make a big deal out of it. However, on graduation night my mother handed me a blue velvet jewelry box, and in it was my gold cross. I wore it that night!! I loved Caplan's windows, looking at potential engagement rings and and all the pretty things they had. My parents bought a Sunbeam toaster there that is still working to this day, and It was purchased sometime in the middle fifties.

Thanks again for a great Newsletter



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

The Trivia Picture is Caplan's Jewelry Store. Bobby Caplan later ran the store. Bobby Caplan was I believe 3 yrs or so ahead of me. Bobby, Pete Bowie we played racquetball at the Y. Bobby helped sponsor a couple of Racquetball Tournaments I put on at the Y. Bobby was also a big sponsor for the early WV Run, that Pete Bowie and Carl Hatfield use to put on.



submitted by: Donna Harrison Trickett (WI '78)
Dancers2mom@aol.com

I believe it was Caplan's Jewelers. I can remember riding my Schwinn bicycle downtown and getting my ears pierced, against my mother's wishes, there in the early '70's. I had begged and begged to get them pierced and my mom kept saying no. Being my father's daughter, I saved up my babysitting money, had them pierced, rode home on my bicycle, pulled back my long hair and proudly showed off my newly pierced ears! Things do come full circle. Much to my chagrin, my eldest daughter, Kristen, had her belly button pierced after she turned 18 this year!

Keep up the good work on the newsletter!



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@aol.com

The October trivia photo is the former Caplan’s Jewelry Store that was located at 310 W. Main Street. Caplan’s Jewelry was first located at 318 W. Pike Street opening up in 1914. The owner was Henry A. Caplan. His sons that I knew were William, Howard and Fred. There was also another son, Irvin and a daughter named Irene. William Caplan joined his father in the early thirties at the jewelry store. Howard and Fred became local attorneys. William took over the store after his father retired. In 1973 the store was relocated on 310 W. Main Street at the former location of Wells-Haymaker Drug Store. William’s son, Robert, became manager when his father retired. Howard never married and passed away several years ago. Fred and his wife, Miriam, moved to Charleston when he became a member of the WV State Supreme Court. After his retirement from the bench the family decided to still live in Charleston. The stores motto was “Serving you with quality merchandise”. The store closed in downtown Clarksburg in late 1977. There is still a Caplan’s Jewelry Store located in Weston, WV but I’m not sure they are a relative of the Clarksburg Jewelry family.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Freddie Layman wrote me this note---I thought I would share it with you as some of you may know the sales clerk he mentioned.

When I retired 20 years ago, my retirement gift was an expensive watch from Caplan’s. Sure has been a good watch as it still keeps B & O Time. The long time clerk was Maxine Phillips and she stayed until the store closed.
c


“A MILLION WAYS TO SAVE THE WORLD:

Stanley Tucci, wrote this statement in “A Million Ways to Save the World.” In two small paragraphs, he spelled out exactly how to do it: “Let no child live in poverty. Let no child live without shelter----Let no child be uneducated….Let no child be unloved.”

I agree with his statements….obviously many of you are now agreeing with my passion to help educate some graduates from RC Byrd High School---(which are students from our former schools---WI and RW).

This month we received the following gifts to add to the WIN Scholarship account.

Jody Buffington Aud (WI 1977) sent a personal gift to the Scholarship.

Bob Hall (WI 1956) Thanks.

Jerry Winerman (WI 1957) continues to support education by contributing

Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI 1959) Gave a gift of cash and has raised $796.00 for the WIN Scholarship by making and selling CD’s of the past newsletters.

Those who recently purchased CD's are: Al Starkey (WI 1960), Beverly Ellis O’Grady (WI 1958), Pat Elder (ND 1957), Diana Cleavenger Swiger (WI 1966), Bobbie Snider Prochello (WI 1959).

Frank Muscari (WI 1957) knows the importance of higher education and gave me a cash gift at the WI Picnic in August.

Reunion Group from the Class of 1977 sent a nice gift to the WIN Scholarship….thanks to all of you who contributed.

Wish to join in the GOOD FEELING of helping educate children from Clarksburg? Join us in our PASSION…. Send your check or money order gift to me….Make out the check to:

Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship (NOTE: both names must appear on check)

Mail to:
Roleta Meredith
c/o Meredith Brothers, Inc.
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

I am having mail transfer problems again so please send mail to my office in Columbus, Ohio.

THANKS FOR CARING ENOUGH TO SHARE WITH OTHERS




SON SERVING IN IRAQ

submitted by: Lyle Corder (RW '57)
Wvlyle@aol.com

I have noticed a few military pics in the Newsletter. Here is one of our son Lt. Col. Lyle Todd Corder; he is currently stationed in Iraq. He is the one on the right!





WORLD WAR II

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

What do you remember about World War II? I don’t mean the history of WW II, for that we can read a book. I mean how were you or your family affected? The United States was involved in the war for over 4 years. The people of the US did a lot of sacrificing for the war effort. Perhaps this is something you remember. Perhaps you or someone in your family served their country during the war. Perhaps you remember the little flags that women put in the window with a star on it to signify that one in that house was serving? Do you remember ration stamps? How about saving certain things for the effort? Anything you remember will be interesting to those who don’t remember this period of time. I may keep your letters until I get several and can do a special issue one month of memories of WW II.

Thanks to Burt Spangler WI 1938 for this suggestion. Write to Roleta1@aol.com and tell me some of your memories about the war period. Thanks

NOTICE: Your PBS network is now running a series on WW II. ("THE WAR") Check your television guide for the time in your area. This television program will help you remember and then you can share some of your personal experiences with the readers by writing to Roleta1@aol.com


THANK YOU

submitted by: Frank Martino (WI '60)
fjmartino@comcast.net

I don't write often but I want you to know that I read every issue and truly appreciate hearing about classmates and friends from WI and surrounding areas. I had the most wonderful time growing up in Clarksburg and I am thankful for the memories that your newsletter brings to mind. I've been in Florida for the last 20 years and love living here but nothing can compare to the growing up in a village like atmosphere enjoyed by all who were born and spent their youth in Clarksburg. I personally want to thank you, Judy and all of those responsible for keeping this newsletter coming. I hope that I will be able to thank you in person at the get together in Sarasota next year. Keep up the good work and know that your work is appreciated.



RECIPES

Do you have a quick, good, family tested recipe that you can share with us? We all love to eat and some love to cook. Won’t you share a recipe with us? I am not interested in a recipe that you find in a cook book…..I only want recipes that you have made and enjoy. Thanks…Roleta1@aol.com

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

For several years I have managed to put together "The Ugly Duckling Cake" that my mother use to make especially at the Easter Season, and bring it to the March's Sarasota-Clarksburg Picnic. Needless to say, it disappears in seconds, sooooo thought I would share this one!!

"THE UGLY DUCKLING CAKE"

Ingredients:
1 box Lemon Cake Mix, Plain
1 box Instant Lemon Pudding, small
1 16 oz. can Fruit Cocktail, including the juice
4 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1 cup coconut

BEAT 2 minutes.
POUR into lightly greased & floured 13 x 9 pan, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup brown sugar on top of the batter.
BAKE 325 for 45 minutes. When cake is about done have ready:
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 stick butter
BOIL 2 minutes then stir in 1 1/2 cup coconut.
POUR this mixture over hot cake.

Yup, one more!!

This one's to die for!!

PULLED PORK:

Ingredients:
3 lbs. lean pork
1 very large onion, preferably a Vidalia as it is sweeter
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 cup beef stock (1 beef bullion cube dissolved into 1 cup water)
1 large bottle ketsup, 24 oz.
1 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
4 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

In a crock pot on high, cook meat, stock, onion, salt and pepper for 5 hours and then simmer on low overnight. In the morning, and after it cools a bit, shred meat.

In between time, mix the rest of the ingredients together & refrigerate. ADD to the meat. Let stand for 6-8 hours in the refrigerator.

HEAT to serve.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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

I don't have an exact recipe, but I do know the ingredients that my mother put into her cooked dressing. She would start with two egg yolks, add some vinegar and sugar, salt and a bit of pepper and some milk. She would cook gently in a double boiler so the mixture wouldn't curdle while stirring it constantly. At some point she would add about a tsp. of yellow mustard. She would cook it until the eggs thickened the mixture and then she would let it cool to room temperature. When it was cool enough, she would correct the seasonings then add a little Kraft salad dressing to make it creamy. Mother always put the dressing in the refrigerator to cool before putting it on the potato salad.

The main ingredients in her potato salad were potatoes, boiled eggs, onion and celery. Sometimes she would add sweet pickles and sometimes she'd add olives. She did not usually put pickles and olives both in the same salad.



submitted by: Kay Cottrill (WI '70)
CottrillK@uhcwv.org

This is such a basic recipe but really tasty -- I think you will enjoy . Every time I make it the memories just flow. This was my Mother’s – Katy’s dressing.

You will need:
1 ½ cup of mayonnaise
¼ cup of pickle juice (sweet gherkin juice)
¼ t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
**can add dill weed to taste
1 Bottle with cover (My Mother used an empty peanut butter jar)

Combine above with fork until mixed well, place contents in jar and shake, shake, shake, until well blended. It may take a while.

KATY’S POTATO SALAD

8 medium potatoes cooked to near done - cut in bite size pieces
8 hard boiled eggs chopped
1 medium onion chopped
5 T. Gherkin pickles chopped in small pieces
Add dressing and mix.

The salad may incorporate the dressing after it sits a while, just add extra mayo or pickle juice to your taste and proper consistency.

BON APPETITE’



submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56) ~~~ and wife Kitty
dks@davtv.com

Kitty has been sharing this recipe around Sun City. Here in South Carolina, we are in barbeque country. It really is simple and delicious.  

PULLED PORK -  

8-9 lb. Pork Butt
1/2 cup yellow mustard

Dry Rub:  3 T Brown Sugar
3 T Paprika
1 1/2 T Garlic Powder
1 1/2 T Black Pepper
1 1/2 t Salt  

Mix together the dry rub. Pat pork dry. Brush 1/2 of the mustard on one side of the roast. Then sprinkle 1/2 of rub on. Turn roast over, repeat.

Place pork in oven in foil-lined pan on lowest rack. Cook at 250 degrees for 11-12 hours.

Remove from oven. Let pork set until cool enough to handle. Approx 1 hr. Then the pork can be separated with two forks.

Meanwhile scrape pan drippings into saucepan. Add 1 cup water, 1/2 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce and bring to simmer.

Add to pulled pork and ready for sandwiches or the plate.  

Now for the simple part-----She has been making this in the crock pot. Instead of putting it in the oven, put the pork in a crock pot for 10 to 12 hours on low. Take out roast. Add water and barbecue sauce to the crock pot. Return pulled pork to the crock pot. Now ready to eat or take to a picnic.



submitted by: Mary Virginia Duncan Wilke (WI '55)
Mwdusty1@aol.com

Many thanks for the wonderful newsletter each month!  It is quite enjoyable & I look forward to receiving it.  You do a tremendous job!!

A couple of years ago, I compiled a recipe book for my Eastern Star Chapter as a fund raiser & gathered so many wonderful recipes from family & friends.  It was quite successful.  Among the many recipes were the following:

SEVEN MINUTE FROSTING:

2 egg whites
1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 1/2 T. corn syrup
1/3 c. cold water

Combine ingredients & beat 1 minute before placing in double boiler.  Cook exactly 7 minutes; continue beating while cooking.   

TOMATO SOUP CAKE:

2 regular cans tomato soup
2 c. white sugar
4 Tbsp. butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. baking soda in 8 Tbsp. water
2 c. raisins
2 c. walnuts
3 c. flour

Mix the tomato soup (without any water added), sugar & butter. Blend in eggs, spices & baking soda in water. Stir in the raisins, nuts & flour until well mixed. Bake in 13 x 9 pan or two layer pans at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

ICING:

2 1/2  c. powdered sugar 1  3 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 Tbsp. butter

Mix the icing ingredients well & spread over the cake.

MEAT BALLS:

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. tomato juice
1/2 to 1 c. cracker meal
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced

Mix ingredients, adding salt & pepper to taste & make into small balls & brown in some olive oil.  Add to spaghetti sauce.

Keep up the good work!


OBITUARIES

KEN MC IE
WI CLASS OF 1959



Kenneth B. McIe, age 66, died Thursday evening September 6, 2007 in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Phila. He was born in Clarksburg, WV the son of the late Virgil McIe, Sr. and Margaret McIe Golladay (nee Fetty). He served in the Navy for 23 years retiring in 1980 as a Petty Officer First Class.

After retiring from the Navy he moved to Scotland where he lived for 16 years, then he retired to the United States in 1996. He was a 1959 graduate of Washington Irving High School, Clarksburg, WV.

He is survived by his beloved wife Margaret M. McIe (nee Cleghorn), his sons: James A. McIe (Connie) of Lakeland, GA and Kevin McIe at home. Grandfather of Connor, Keiron, Maeghan at home in Lakeland, GA, one sister Cheryl McCartney of Mechanicsville, VA, 4 nieces, 1 nephew and many cousins. Brother-in-law of James Cleghorn and many Scottish friends.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Virgil H. McIe, Jr. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 in the North Wales Baptist Church, 136 Shearer St, North Wales, PA 19454. Friends may call at the Shelly-Dinan Funeral Home, 24 E Main St. Lansdale on Friday evening Sept. 14 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and at the church on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.


JIM DUMIRE

(Jim went to Alta Vista, then Central Jr. and the last 4 years at RW. His parents moved to Seneca Drive. Arbutus Park as it was sometimes called.)

Rev. James Richard Dumire, 65, of South Charleston, WV went home to be with the Lord, August 1, 2007, at his home.

He was born on January 6, 1942 in Clarksburg, WV. He was a 1960 Roosevelt- Wilson graduate and held a BA degree from West Liberty College and also a MCOS degree from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, N.C. James was a minister with 22 years of service with the United Methodist Conference of West Virginia. He had 30 years in radio and television broadcasting. He was a member of the New Cumberland Lodge #22 AF & AM.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Gordon and Julia Edith Cheuvront Dumire.

Surviving is his loving wife, the Rev. Eileen Glime Dumire, daughters: Sandra Dumire of Dunbar WV and Jeana Clermont of Dunn N.C.; stepsons: Emmett, Eric and Everett Schneider all of Morgantown, WV; granddaughter Sheridan Clermont and his beloved dog, Sadie.

NOTE: Bob Davis was asked to speak at Jim Dumire’s funeral.

JIM DUMIRE

Jim asked me to talk a little about him but I am not sure I can do it as I am an emotional person. I have known him for about 63 years—many good memories of Jim. We started school together in the first grade at Alta Vista (1947-48) and were members of the School Patrol Boy and on the basketball team—not sure if we won any games or not. I gave pictures of some of these memories to Jim’s family. Also, we were in the Cub Scouts and our parents helped out there.

I remember that once and only once we went out into their garage and smoked some Raleigh cigarettes that were in Glen’s (his Dad) car. Jim knew more than I about smoking and he tried to inhale—and got sick. I didn’t get sick—no smokers in my home. I remember our Moms making hot chocolate for us on a cold Halloween evening.

I went with Jim to St. George, WV, in the boonies--to his grandparents. We had a great meal and then we walked around—drank spring water coming out of the hill, looked for snakes, but luckily, didn’t find any.

We went to Catechism classes led by Rev. Lloyd Myers. We learned a lot from him and we loved him. We were baptized and became members of Broad Oaks Methodist church.

Jim moved when he was about 13, but we kept in contact. He went to RW and I went to WI. Jim later worked for radio station WHAR in Clarksburg and I visited him on the job several evenings—about 325 steps (more or less) up to the station.

Every time I talked to Jim, he was up beat as he knew he had a win/win situation—staying here with his family here on earth or joining his heavenly family. Jim wanted to spread the gospel to everyone and wanted all to accept Jesus as Lord and savior. I know he is looking down and now is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior—nothing would please Jim more. Jim knew he was going home--he looked forward to this final trip.

Psalm 73:26 & 28-- My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart forever. But for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge. Psalm 49:15-- But God will redeem my life from the grave, he will surely take me to himself.

Isaiah 25: 8 & 9: The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. Surely this is our God, we trusted in Him and He saved us. This is the Lord, let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.

Jim, my brother in Christ, I know that when you entered Heaven’s gate, Jesus and your family greeted you and said, “Welcome home!!”


MARY GAILE BARR

BRIDGEPORT — Mary Gaile Barr, 60, of Oral Lake Road, Bridgeport, passed away Saturday afternoon February 3, 2007, in Ruby Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born in Clarksburg on November 7, 1946, the only child of Betty L. Singleton Thompson, who survives in Clarksburg, and the late James W. Thompson.

Also surviving are two sons James Barr and his wife Melissa, Oral Lake Road, and Jeff Barr, Boca Raton, FL. her grandson, James Logan Barr; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Gaile and Wilsie Singleton, and her paternal grandparents, Homer and Mary Thompson.

Mary Gaile was a 1964 graduate of Washington Irving High School and WV Wesleyan College. She was a homemaker and a Methodist.


DR. WILLIAM C. BABER

Dr. William “Doc” C. Baber, age 98 of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life at 11:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, at his residence. He was born in Richwood, WV, on July 15, 1909, a son of the late Jesse Thompson Baber and Opal (Arnett) Baber Campbell. His wife, whom he married on Sept. 9, 1934, Madge Elizabeth (Smith) Baber, preceded him in death on Feb. 27, 2000.

Beloved by his family and survived by several nieces and nephews, Thomas Baber, Pamela Baber Schultz, Robert Miley, Charles Miley, Betty Miley Owings, Barbara Holloman, Jack Reinmuth; great-nieces and nephews, Shelley Miley Miller, Timothy Miley, Douglas Miley, Gregory Miley, Kimberly Miley Jones, Cara Miley Hall, Benjamin Owings, Sarah Owings Graff, Dan Holloman, Laura Holloman, Carlyn Reinmuth, Jean Reinmuth and David Shultz.

He was preceded in death by a son, William “Bill” C. Baber II, two brothers, Thompson “Tom” Baber and L. Harding Baber and a nephew, Stewart Baber.

Dr. Baber was a member of the Stealey United Methodist Church. He was the oldest member of the Clarksburg Kiwanis Club, having been a member for 72 years, joining Sept. 10, 1935, and served as president in 1949.

Dr. Baber was a podiatrist with his practice in downtown Clarksburg.

He was a member of the Clarksburg Lions Club, Sunny Croft Country Club, American Contract Bridge League, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Post No. 482 and the Clarksburg Masonic Lodge No. 155, A.F.&A.M.


PHILIP MAXWELL SMITH

WORTHINGTON, Ohio — Philip Maxwell Smith, of Westerville, OH, passed away September 16, 2007.

Born October 4, 1928, in Clarksburg, W.Va., to Keith Ramsey Smith and Ethel (Durrett) Smith, Philip graduated from Washington Irving High School, Class of 1946, and received his BBA and MBA from the University of Michigan.

In 1952 he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force, serving in Limestone, ME. Philip was employed by the General Electric Company for 19 years and TRW for 17 years in various managerial accounting positions.

He is survived by his wife of 50 plus years, Marcia Dalton Smith of Westerville; daughters, Holly Thomas (Thomas J. Thomas) of King George, VA, Robin Bertucci of Genoa City, WI, and Katie Fell (Douglas A. Fell) of Lewis Center, OH; granddaughters, Lisa Thomas (Andy Bowman), Samantha Bertucci, and Stephanie Bertucci; grandsons, Kevin Thomas, Adam Fell, and Philip Ryan Fell.

He was predeceased by a son, Philip Dalton Smith.

Our Thanks to the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram for permission given to use parts of their published obituaries.






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