THE WI NEWSLETTER 01/08

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 101

January 2008

STEWART GETS WEST VIRGINIA JOB

By BOB BAUM,
Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Bill Stewart was promoted to head coach of West Virginia on Thursday, hours after leading the Mountaineers to a stunning victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Stewart was introduced in the morning as he and his team were preparing to return home. He was appointed interim coach in mid-December after Rich Rodriguez bolted for Michigan.

Stewart's five-year contract will pay $800,000 a year with incentives. Rodriguez signed a seven-year deal in August worth almost $2 million a year.

"Last night, we saw all the characteristics of a head football coach - leadership, loyalty, courage," athletic director Ed Pastilong said less than 12 hours after the 48-28 victory by the No. 11 Mountaineers.

The hotel ballroom was packed with boosters, players and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin.

"I'm West Virginia born, West Virginia bred, a West Virginian all my life, really," Stewart said when introduced.

Stewart said late Wednesday he hadn't even been interviewed for the job.

"I don't have a lot of experience in these negotiations and things. That's my agent right down there," he said, pointing to his wife, Karen.

Stewart had the backing of the team, including Pat White. The quarterback began stumping for Stewart on the field after running for 150 yards and throwing for 176 and two touchdowns in the victory over the No. 3 Sooners.

"He deserves it," White said. "A great man. A great coach. All the players respect him and all the players love him. You couldn't ask for a better man to lead us to victory today."

"He obtained this position the old fashioned way - he earned it," Pastilong said. "Billy led us to our biggest football victory in the school's history against Oklahoma. And he, his coaching staff and his support staff are outstanding Mountaineers, leading us through a tough time. Our future is bright, and we look forward to even more success under Coach Stewart's leadership."

WVU president Mike Garrison said Stewart fully appreciates the school.

"At this university, loyalty and trust are important," Garrison said. "We know we now have a coach who truly values the opportunity to work as the head football coach at West Virginia University."

Fullback Owen Schmitt, who scored on a 57-yard run, called Stewart the "glue" that kept the No. 11 Mountaineers together during a rocky month.

"We're a family," Schmitt said. "That's why we prevailed."

The 55-year-old Stewart earned $139,000 this year in his position that also included coaching tight ends and fullbacks and being the special teams coordinator. He came to West Virginia as quarterbacks coach in January 2000 after two seasons as offensive coordinator in the Canadian Football League.

Don Nehlen, the retired Mountaineers coach who hired Stewart, was glad his former assistant had landed the job.

"He's just such a good person and the kids love him," Nehlen said. "It's such a good fit with the program."

A message left for Rodriguez early Thursday was not immediately returned.

Stewart was head coach at VMI from 1994-96, compiling an 8-25 record. He also had stints as an assistant at Salem College, North Carolina, Marshall, William & Mary, Navy, Arizona State and Air Force.

Stewart was a captain for Fairmont State, which won the West Virginia Conference championship in 1974. He began his coaching career at Fairmont as a student assistant coach.

WVU FOOTBALL VIDEO
This is a wonderful video and we hope everyone will watch it and share some of the best moments in WVU Football history! http://youtube.com/watch?v=zn6MBv8eOQQ

CHRISTMAS WREATHS
submitted by: Jim Parsons (WI '62)
Jimparsons2@hotmail.com
Roleta; I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed all 100 issues of the newsletter. I've tried most of the Hot Dog Chili recipes, many of the cookie recipes and last month, was able to send a wreath to my brother Larry's grave in Grafton because of information you included in your newsletter. I don't get to Clarksburg very often but the items you include monthly keep my childhood alive and help me realize how very fortunate I was to be able to live and grow in the hills. Have a great Holiday and Thanks!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Next Christmas Jean and I will try to provide the same service to you readers. I hope that we can have wreaths laid not only on your veteran relative or friend’s graves but any loved one you wish to remember at Christmas.

CHRISTMAS WREATHS BEING LAID IN ARLINGTON, VA
OUR DAY AT ARLINGTON
submitted by: Jean Colasante Thomas (ND '61) submitted by: Laura Colasante Buchanan (ND '61)

Several years ago, my friends and I decided that instead of gifts, we would each do something special in each other's names for Christmas. This year, my sister and I decided that our gift would not only be wreaths for the graves at Arlington, but we would also make the trip to Arlington to distribute them and decorate the graves ourselves. Every year the Worcester Wreath Company from Maine donates wreaths for this occasion. This year they not only doubled their own amount to 10,000 wreaths, but also allowed others to donate and buy wreaths to be delivered to Arlington. So, on Dec. 14 I flew to my sister's and we arrived promptly at Arlington at 8:30 am on the 15th. What a sight, more than 600 volunteers, representatives of the military, a police and motorcycle escort and two tractor trailer truckload of wreaths that had traveled for a week from Maine - stopping along the way at Veteran Cemeteries to do wreath laying in all states the caravan passed through. What a sight - seeing a completely empty section of Arlington suddenly come alive with people and wreaths. Laura and I made it a point to seek out graves that were meaningful to the friends whose name we donated them in - either from the state they were from or from the last name of the deceased. Along the way, we met and exchanged stories with so many of the wreath laying volunteers. Amazingly, it only took less than 2 hours for all of the wreaths to be distributed. At that time we went in a group to the Kennedy Grave site, the USS Maine Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for formal wreath layings. It was a day of such emotion, especially when we were walking back to our car where there was a private wreath laying ceremony for the recent deaths from Iraq. To see parents wrapped in blankets, on lawn chairs writing letters and cutting out pictures and Christmas cards for their loved ones was overwhelming. It made us both realize how really blessed we are and what the true meaning of Christmas really is.

To any of you who might not know what to do for Christmas next year, consider donating your time and making the trip to Arlington. You won't be sorry and even though it took me 16 hours of being delayed in Philly due to a snow storm the next day to get home, it was worth every minute of it. If you can't make it to Arlington, consider donating a wreath to the Wreaths Across America project - or better yet place a wreath on the grave of a loved one of your own.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year that is filled with Peace and Love.

One of two trucks filled with wreaths.

Wreaths starting to be laid on empty graves.

Me with a wreath for all my Clarksburg friends.

Jeanne placing a wreath on the grave of a West Virginia Soldier.

Placing a wreath with one of two trucks that brought the 10,000 plus wreaths.

Laura placing a wreath on a West Virginia grave.

A completed look on December 15, 2007.

A grieving mother spending the day with her son.

A FEW PICTURES OF WREATHS LAID ON GRAVES
IN AND AROUND CLARKSBURG AND GRAFTON AREA
BY READERS OF THE WI NEWSLETTER
submitted by: Jean Colasante Thomas (ND '61)
thomas4two@mac.com
NOTE FROM ROLETA: There were 30 wreaths ordered and placed! I think that was great for the first year. Next year perhaps we can get a florist to work with us again and we will try to get people to buy wreaths for someone---a veteran or a loved one or just a grave. Wouldn't that be nice---a jolly view to see wreaths with red bows brightening up a graveyard. Wouldn't it be nice to see the wreaths and red bows on a lot of those graves in that big graveyard over there on Kelly Hill that you can see from RT 50? I think that is where it is ---anyway the one you can see on the way to downtown from out at Bridgeport Hill....

Another wreath in Holy Cross Cemetery, His daughters went to Notre Dame.

This is the wreath on my step-dad's grave.

SPRING

No matter the condition of the weather where you live….remember Spring is coming!

CLARKSBURG PICNIC
With thoughts of spring comes the planning for the CLARKSBURG PICNIC in Sarasota, Florida on March 1, 2008. Same location as before. I will provide directions and details to you when I receive your reservations for the picnic. Sarasota is no more than 3 to 4 hours drive from nearly every place in Florida…give yourself a treat—make the drive, come see the Clarksburg people…renew those old friendships…..Several people come to Sarasota for 2 or 3 days and stay in rented motel rooms…they have a great time….

All you need to do to attend and have a great time is to make your reservation, then on the day of the picnic bring a covered dish to share and your own drink….that’s it!

If you are coming from out of town and wish to make a motel reservation, Fred Alvaro has checked out the prices of some hotels.

He writes: I checked with the following:

Holiday Inn Express 941-924-9400 I talked with Janelle (group sales)

Country Inn and Suites 941-925-0631 I talked with Kelly and she is going to hold a group of rooms under “The Clarksburg, WV Gang”. She said they just call in and mention that and she will book individually. I told her that you will be calling for your reservation. The ones who stayed there before (2005) really liked it.

Both are $129 and Country Inn is closer to park and newer. Make your reservations for : Feb 29th- March 2nd and receive the group rates. If you want more information about the hotels and where people are staying…write to Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) falvaro33@aol.com

Please write to Roleta1@aol.com to make your reservations for the picnic and any other information you may need. You may also call me at 941-342-0030.

CHRISTMAS CARDS
Bob Davis (who takes care of the names, schools, year of graduation and the emails of each person on my notification list) wrote emails to each person on the notification list and encouraged each to send Judy and I a card. This project started out as a surprise but we became aware of it and I started looking forward to the mail each day to hear from the readers. Thanks to the 63 people who sent me Christmas cards in the mail—some had nice notes of appreciation and some had checks for the WIN Scholarship.

THANKS FROM JUDY, TOO
I would also like to thank everyone for the cards. I wish I could find the words to express exactly how much I appreciated them. I was overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. It is a pleasure to work with Roleta and everyone else who sends me pictures and ideas for future newsletters.

Again THANKS and I will try to live up to your praise.

PEANUTBUTTER COOKIES
By the way, in the November newsletter we ran a recipe for peanut butter cookies from Barbara Boreman. She is correct----they are great! They are easy! It is quick! It is nearly mess free! Makes about 18 cookies--------just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth of a few people! May friends are making them, my grandchildren have made them and even been creative with them. My son’s family made the cookies and instead of touching the top with the fork, they placed a Hershey’s kiss on top…..delicious!

Remember they don’t take flower or baking powder or salt! They are quick. It is a chewy cookie. To get the recipe, go back to the November issue. You can go to the bottom of any newsletter you have on your screen, click on ARCHIVES and then click on November.

SCHOLARSHIP
December 2007 brought out the generosity of many people. There was a record number of people sending gifts to the WIN Scholarship: Those who sent checks were:

Jean Wells Himmel (WI 1959)

Mary Harrell

Anna Walsh Williams (WI 1971)

Carolyn H. Wilson

Linda Stevenson

L. Kay Connor

Jane Heitz

John Teter (WI 1961)

Jo Hinkle (RW 1949) (widow of Dick Hinkle WI 1948)

Sharon Greitzner Dial (WI 1956)

Bud Collins (WI 1955)

Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI 1956)

Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)

Margaret Cleavenger Maiocco—Sun City West, AZ (WI 1965)
Diana Cleavenger Swiger—Red House, WV (WI 1966)
Clifford Cleavenger—Bristol, Salem (WI 1970)
Stephen Cleavenger (WI 1972)

NOTE: These 4 checks came in the same envelope with a note saying: AS FORMER GRADUATES/STUDENTS OF WI WE FIND THIS A VERY WORTHY CAUSE AND KNOW CURRENT STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT GREATLY FROM EVERYONE’S EFFORTS.

Thanks to these 17 people who know that some gifts keep on giving. As I have heard it called, “GIVING FORWARD”. These gifts will keep on giving for many years to come.

If you would like to join us in supporting the WIN Scholarships please write your check or money order to:

Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship

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

Thank you!

WI NEWSLETTER CD
submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
jkmiler@verizon.net
Readers who wish to read all 8 yrs, 96 issues, of the newsletter can order a CD from me. The 5 issues not included can still be viewed on line in the ARCHIVE. The CD's are $10 apiece. When I receive your check and your mailing address I will mail the CD to you. Proceeds over and above the cost of manufacturing, shipping and handling will go to the WIN Scholarship. If you wish to order a CD you can contact me at jkimler@verizon.net for my address.

A TELEPHONE CALL
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Roleta1@aol.com
You can never imagine my surprise in early December when I received a call from a very well spoken mannerly young man whom I had never met. He said we usually communicate via the computer but he was on Christmas break from Fairmont State and his email service wasn’t working well. The young man was Joel Crano (Robert C. Byrd High School 2007). He was one of the two who received our WIN Scholarship. He told me that he wanted to tell all of those who have donated to the scholarship that he wished them each a Very Merry Christmas. He said that he wanted those who had given to know how important the scholarship was to him and he hoped that the WI Newsletter scholarship would continue as it was very important to the people graduating from high school. He told me that he had all A’s and one B for the first semester.

Joel Crano made the golf team and was looking forward to their next match.

I was very surprised because this was the first recipient who had ever called to personally say thanks. I have received many messages of thanks before but never one this personal. I am proud of Joel as I know each of you who have worked for or given to the WIN Scholarship.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This was a note I received from Fairmont State College re: Joel Crano receiving the WIN Scholarship.

Ms. Meredith,

Thank you for the generous gift (THE WIN Scholarship) that you have awarded Joel Crano. We have applied ½ of the amount to his fall semester. The additional ½ will be awarded in December for the start of the spring semester.

We again thank you for assisting Fairmont State students.

George Yanchak
Assistant Director for Financial Aid and Scholarships
Fairmont State University

submitted by: Louanna Furbee

Dear Roleta and Judy,
Just a quick note to you - neither of whom I've met, I believe - to let you know that your efforts with the WI Newsletter have brought such pleasure to me ever since Mary Stump e-mailed me about it and sent a link. You perform such a service for what I sometimes think of as "West Virginia in Diaspora" or "West Virginia Unwillingly Expat Community," of whom there are many. I count myself among them. It is not that Missouri and Latin America haven't been good to me, but like many of us, it is hard for me to get back to West Virginia. And when we do arrive home, our families and many of our friends are not in evidence. The place and the people still exist for us in the Internet ether due to your efforts. You can never know how much that means. With every best wish and hope you enjoy all the blessings of the season.

submitted by: Cliff Judy (WI '54)
judy278@msn.com

I am a WI grad of 1954--long ago. I got your email address a couple years ago from my friend, Jim Alvaro, and emailed you a couple times re getting my name added to your newsletter mailing list. It never has happened, so again I'm asking that you add my name so I can receive the newsletter whenever it is produced. In the meantime, what is the website address for the newsletter so I can catch up on the latest news? Would appreciate having that information.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Also, please say "hi" to your brother, Roy, for me. I played football with him at WI.

Many thanks for your efforts on the newsletter. I'm looking forward to getting "plugged in" again.

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

You have no reason to know me other than you have been kind enough to reprint some of my ramblings about what it was like in Clarksburg and WIHS as a boy. Thank you so much for allowing all of us to have a format to express our memories and renew acquaintances. Just to day I received an e-mail from a former classmate who passed on a greeting from my old football coach, Al Castellano. This former classmate and I had gone to school together since the first grade thru High School. I wonder how many of us realize how lucky we are that so many of us have known each other for almost 60 years. We may not write or keep in touch but your newsletter serves that purpose. My old classmate will always be in my memory as past of that wonderful mosaic called life.

Congratulations on 100 and thanks again.

TRIVIA PICTURE FOR DECEMBER 2007
submitted by: Larry Taylor (WI '72)
ltaylor@sigecom.net
It looks like the James and Law Book Store. I remember getting school supplies there and the creaky wood floors even then.

submitted by: Catherine Custer Burke (WI '52)
katiecbur@verizon.net
As many will recognize, the mystery picture is James & Law. It was without a doubt the finest bookstore in the state of West Virginia.

I am sure many readers will recall being part of the very large crowd purchasing our school supplies at the beginning of each school year.

James & Law Co. was the distributor for school textbooks for the entire state of West Virginia or at least a large part of it.

The store still exists today but is changed.

submitted by: Joyce Ogren Devine (WI '45)
Jodyvine@aol.com
It has been many years since I have been in Clarksburg but to me it looks like the "Book Store" It was my first experience with purchasing my own books to use for school. I remember my mother always reminded my brothers and I to take good care of them so we could get top money when we traded them in at the end of the school year. She also said we could have that money. Well I have waited a few days thinking that I might remember the name of the"Book Store" but it just won't come. So at least I tried, I really am enjoying the WI Newsletter more each month. .

submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
SKeith1514@aol.com
This is the James and Law book store... on Main Street. The place where we waited in long lines outside to enter multiple confusing crisscrossing lines inside to but a ream of writing paper and two arms full of books for the new school year... They also had great stationary and gifts... Cardboard and poster paints for your school projects...

When reading the "History of Harrison County" you find James and Law were instrumental in the founding of our town... Gives you a little different slant on everything.. Great book, you know, I'm sure.

Also many of us knew the James Children, Carolyn for one... brilliant girl. God Bless all our fellow Clarksburgers! We are so lucky!

I have been reading only and not writing... thinking but not getting it on computer for you.

You guys are the best! I am making a new year's res. to do better by the letter.....xoxo

submitted by: Lynn Hornor Keith (would have been WI '66)
Blhk2@aol.com
I recognize the front of James and Law and always loved going to get my school books there in the fall. They wrapped all the purchases in brown paper from a big roll and tied the package with string. It was a wonderful store and a great place to go with "birthday money."

submitted by: Carolyn Hornor Wilson (WI '60)
(was part of that class for grades 9 & 10 – then went away to school)
chw10@gv.psu.edu
I feel quite sure that the picture on the right is James & Law. I worked there part of a summer and especially when the school books came in.

submitted by: Ted Wolfe (WI '74)
Wolfetm95@aol.com
This one is easy. James and Law. That's where you got your school supplies, and, in High school, books, although I always tried to get used ones from someone else. Its still in business. I'm sure it doesn't have the big back to school rush it had back in the sixties when I remember being in there to get things like Goldenrod pads, Zaner-Bloser pens, Number Builders and Word Builders. (These are really Towers grade school memories and not WI though.)

submitted by: Anna Walsh (WI '71)
abanana53@verizon.net
I believe the building to be The James and Law Building. We would go there to get our school supplies and books. The lines would be out the door. Students today don't realize how fortunate they are to have the county supply books and materials needed for their classes.

submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontiernet.net
Roleta, the trivia picture looks like James and Law Book Store, a store that has been around for ages. Charles W. Brown managed it for years and he and his wife, Maude, were members of Central Christian Church. In fact, he was instrumental in organizing that church when he a young man and new to the Clarksburg area. Anyway, Maude was my Sunday School teacher at Central Christian when I was a child . They had no children and for some reason she liked me and would have me help her with different tasks connected to our class and when I was a teen-ager I spent a lot of time with her and Charlie. He was a great reader of books and on Sunday afternoons we would read Shakespeare aloud, whatever I happened to be studying in high school. Seems to me it was Maude Yoak who used to assign Shakespeare and we had to memorize different sections---the more we memorized, the higher our grade!!! Imagine kids doing that now!. Great job with the Christmas newsletter.

submitted by: Cheryl Corder McClure (WI '64)
mcheryl135@earthlink.net
I think it is James and Law ! I really loved that store My best friend and still is Jan Warner Bozarth & I would go in at the beginning of a school year and they would wrap our books and what ever was on our list up in brown paper, we really felt important. My family always used James n Law they were nice people to do business with. Boy I miss Clarksburg. Thanks for keeping everyone in touch Roleta.

Cheers!

submitted by: Linda Nutter Gimmel (WI '66)
lgimmel@bcbankinc.com
I believe it to be the James and Law building. If so, I can remember standing in line all the way around the corner of what was then Union National Bank waiting for my turn to purchase my “school supplies” every year. When I was a senior I was hired to work “school week” and thought my week would never end. Everyone had to buy supplies there as we didn’t have the Wal-Mart’s of today with the supply lists already posted. We didn’t know what we needed until the first day of school. I was in the building not too long ago to get bulletin board border designs for our Christmas bulletin board for the bank I work at in Fairmont. I knew just where to find it!! Thanks for a great job on the newsletter and Happy New Year.

submitted by: Mary Ann Wood (WI '72)
maryannw@insassoc.com
I believe that's a picture of James & Law. I remember going there to get my school books when I was in grade school. My aunt, Virginia Wood, worked there for many years. While they had books on the first floor, they had art supplies and a gift shop on the third floor.

submitted by: Jane Phillips Heitz (WI '70)
janeh@wvimb.org
I would like to submit the name of James & Law as the picture of the month. I remember the joy of going in to James & Law to purchase our supplies for school.

I want to thank you for your accomplishments of “100” issues of the newsletter. I have only been on your list for about a year, but I enjoy reading all of the articles.

Keep up the good work.

submitted by: Jody Buffington Aud (WI '77)
jody.aud@priogroup.com
The trivia picture is of James and Law. I remember going there every year to get our schools supplies. To this day I LOVE to go into stationery stores and buy new pens, paper, etc. But, I can’t think of any store that I loved as much as this one. With all of the “big box” supply stores out there today, the intimacy of this store will always stand out in my mind. I can remember they would set up tables down the middle aisle and you walked through “selecting” your books as you went, depending upon what grade you were in.

My sister, Suzanne Buffington Berman (WI, Class of ’74), has always loved Zaner-Bloser pens. If you remember those, they were a very special shaped pen that you used to do your penmanship exercises. Up until very recently, she kept ordering them from James and Law and would always show them off when we visited!

We were in Clarksburg over Labor Day this year and I was delighted to see that the store is still open.

submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)
waynepawco@verizon.net
This is the James & Law company, located at 217 West Main Streeet in downtown Clarksburg--It has been in business for many years and is a main stay in the city, When you had to purchase your school books they supplied every student---I remember standing in line just to purchase books for school, and they had the largest inventory so every one had to go there....was quite an ordeal...They still do a fair business even if Clarksburg is about finished with retail stores as all have went to the malls or East Point...They also have a large warehouse located in Glen Elk which has a large copy supply business and service...

submitted by: Jim Selario (WI '67)
jselario@mail.wvdsl.net
You went from way too hard last month to way too easy this month with the trivia picture. The picture is of James & Law in downtown Clarksburg. Anyone who went to public school in Harrison County surely remembers standing in line to get school supplies at James & Law. That is my memory, waiting in line to get into the store to pick up my school supplies. The wait drove home the reality that it was, indeed, that time of year - the beginning of a new school year.

I still live in the area and have my office in downtown Clarksburg. I often stop in James & Law to buy office supplies. The people there are always very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.

submitted by: Steve Beatty (WI '73)
njspb1@verizon.net
The photo is of the James & Law book store on Main Street. I remember buying school books there in high school. My brother Mike '68 worked there before he was drafted into the military in 1970. They served as the buyer for all text books in the state of West Virginia at one time. I enjoyed the store a lot browsing for books for myself or as Christmas gifts, and you could always find what you needed for a classroom project there.

Thanks for the reminder.

submitted by: Rick Wilson (WI '61)
skwrealtor@msn.com
As usual a fantastic news letter and unarguably the best tie most of us have to wonderful times.

I should "rescue" myself because I still live in the area. Well, actually I came back after living in upstate NY and Northern Pa for many years.

It's impossible to see a picture of James & Law without smelling glue, fresh paper, crayons and newly printed pages of numerous books that we had to provide for ourselves "way back when." I certainly remember the long lines of kids on the first half day of school waiting to get our Zaner Blosser pens, ink and stuff. By the time I entered Towers the Scripts ink bottles wouldn't fit the wells anymore, but we knew what they were for... ah yes, fingers and pigtails, preferably with an opened bottle skewed somewhat into the hole.

As a kid I wasn't aware of the lucrative contracts James & Law had with the Harrison Co. Board of Education. I think they still have them, but the five floors of books, engineering supplies, and even slide rules are just former vestiges of past glory. Looks like they're down to two floors for the public these days. The elevator is the same. Anyway they're one of the few business left downtown so may they always prosper.

submitted by: Lib Akin (WI '56)
libakin@aol.com
The landmark building is James and Law. What a wonderful place that was and maybe still is. I know the gift shop is gone. I expect the water fountain that had absolutely the coldest water anyone ever tasted is gone as well. I remember going in there just to get a drink of that water! Of course we bought our school books and supplies there, including reams of Dana Mill paper. In the fall of 1956, I worked there during the back to school rush, and what fun that was. I remember that among the books (other than the school books) that were accessible to those of us working behind that long counter was the much celebrated, and to us, taboo, Kinsey Report. Of course, most of it was too scientific for us to understand. That didn't stop some from skimming through the pages. The other memory associated with James and Law was beautifully sheer Eaton's stationery I bought there to write love letters on when I was in college.

submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@AOL.COM
The December trivia photo is of the James & Law Book Store located at 217 W. Main Street. This store opened in 1903 and was known as James- Shepherd Co.

It was first located in the Waldo Hotel Building. A few years later Mr. Shepherd sold his interest out to E.W. James, Sr. and then Mr. A.S. Law, a former book store owner since 1899, became a partner with Mr. James. In 1910 the store relocated to its present location on Main Street. In 1912 they began handling state adopted text books for 35 Northern Counties. Two years later they furnished all WV counties. At one time they had a warehouse in Charleston, WV. Many years later when the Horner-Gaylord building became vacant in Glen Elk they purchased it for their new warehouse. This is the largest store of its kind in WV. It was quite a sight to see on the first day of school, mostly WI students, standing in line waiting to purchase their books for the coming school year. This line some times formed way back to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel entrance. Students could also purchase used books at Nussbaum’s Store directly across from the courthouse.

submitted by: Gladys Williams (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com
The picture is of James & Law on Main St. in Clarksburg. When I was in grade school, we would go stand in line all the way out on the sidewalk to purchase school books and supplies. Students are very fortunate to have their textbooks paid for by the Levy now.

submitted by: Anne Byrnside Davis (WI '52)
Annbyrn@ma.rr.com
This is the James and law building on Main St. My memory is standing in line to buy my textbooks-that sure does date me.

submitted by: Tim Cork (WI '62)
tpcork@bellsouth.net
I haven't been to Clarksburg since 2003 when my mother died and I'm sure there has been a lot of changes since I have been downtown. However, my guess would be these pictures are of the old James & Law Book Store. I remember standing in line each year, prior to school starting, with a list of particular text books, pen, pencils and notebook paper to purchase. The store had a certain smell that I can't get out of my mind today. I also recall, that they didn't put your purchases in a bag, but would reel off a sheet of brown wrapping paper and wrap your purchase like a Christmas present bound with string. When you got home, you laid everything out to make sure you were ready for the first day at school. This seems like it was yesterday.

The picture below is what the store looked like when I was a kid.

submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI '52)
fragilegranny@ma.rr.com
That certainly looks like James and Law. We would stand in line forever to buy school supplies. If there were new textbooks out--James and Law was the only place you could buy them......

submitted by: Bill May (WI '63)
billmayflorida@yahoo.com
The trivia picture looks like James & Law, the bookstore/office supply store on Main Street. If I had actually read any of the textbooks that my parents bought me there, it would have made college a lot easier.

submitted by: Kay Lawson Adair (WI '58)
Kladair1@aol.com
I looked at that picture over and over and finally realized it is the building that James and Law is in or should say was in.. I don't know if they are still in business. I worked there in my Junior and Senior year selling books before school started. It was quite a social scene and great fun.

submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
frankbsh@sbcglobal.net
December's trivia picture was and maybe still is the James & Law building. How many times at the beginning of a new school year did I go there to get books and supplies. I can still see the crowds of kids and their parents (usually mothers) and the expectation of new experiences in the up coming school year. Years later, I would go back to look at their selection of books and other writing supplies when I visited Clarksburg. I'm still a pen freak, buying pens with small nibs and black ink. Sometimes I go for the red ink just because I'm an accountant. I'm still a student taking classes both for enjoyment, for education, and for new experiences. A college bookstore doesn't come close to the joy I used to experience going into James & Law even if it was just to look around at what they had new.

Roleta and Judy,
You will always be super women even if you stopped with your 101st issue and it just said goodbye. I know it is hard work as I have also been involved with a much smaller newsletter. You have brought back good memories for more than 1200 West Virginians. Even the sad memories of the passing of our class mates and teachers brought back the good memories of them. Clarksburg will never be the same as it was when we grew up however the WIN allows us all to relive a time in out lives when innocence was the way of life. My thanks goes to your husbands also as they had to give up your time that you devoted to the newsletter.

THANKS AGAIN. (The caps are intentional.)

submitted by: Bob Davis (WI '59)
RAD 29063@aol.com
Not sure as I haven't been on Main Street in a long time, but I looked at it several times and drew a complete blank. Tried again and came up with James & Law. If right, it is remembered for standing in line to get school books and the books stacked high all over the place! Also, they sold stamps and I would take some of my paper money and look over all the stamps and sometimes pick one out for 5 to 25 cents! Big spender!

submitted by: Judy Talkington (VHS '64)
and Sonny Talkington (WI '57)
SonnyTalkington@ol.com
The trivia picture is the James And Law Company on Main Street. I can remember going there to purchase my school books and supplies when I attended Central Jr. High School.

submitted by: Jane Ross (WI '53)
meezer83@msn.com
The trivia picture in this month's letter is the James and Law building. I worked there for the opening of school in 1951 and 1952. The job only lasted a few weeks each year, but it was such fun to help the folks get the required school supplies and books. That was back before the books were provided for the elementary kids. It gave me a little extra spending money to supplement my baby-sitting jobs.

submitted by: Sharon Melvin Kinney (WI '64)
sharonymc@citynet.net
I see that building almost every day, Roleta -- it's the James & Law storefront, right beside what used to be Union Bank building and is now Chase Bank. James and Law is one of the very very few retail businesses left in downtown Clarksburg. I remember how excited we used to get when we went to James & Law in the fall to get school supplies!

TRIVIA PICTURE FOR JANUARY 2008

Do you recognize the place pictured above? Write your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember I only print correct guesses which include a memory.

THINK SPRING

The drawing for the WIN Quilt will be held on March 1, 2008 at the Clarksburg Picnic. If you would like to purchase tickets for the quilt make your check or money order to Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship and mail to:
Roleta Meredith
c/o Meredith Brothers, Inc.
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Tickets are 6 each for $5.00. We sell them in $5.00 lots. So make out your check for $5.00 or increments of 5’s---5, 10, 15, 20, 25 all the way up to $500.00 or more if you wish! All checks are gladly accepted and all proceeds go to the WIN Scholarship. When sending your check please include your name, address and phone number so we can reach you when you win and we will ship the quilt to you. GOOD LUCK!

SPORTS
submitted by: THE EDITOR

NOTE: The editor chose to not publish any of the emails or newspaper articles about the Rodriguez move to Michigan. I am sure all of you have been as interested as I in the information being circulated. Seems as though the WVU football team didn’t miss him at all! Perhaps it was blessing that he left….they were full of fight in the Fiesta Bowl Game….They had something to prove! They are a great team!

CONGRATULATIONS MOUNTAINEERS!!

submitted by: Judy Allen (WI would have been 1956)
judithahutson@webtv.net
For the past several years I have been an avid West Virginia Mountaineers football fan. Although I came to be very superstitious about watching the games (seems when I watched they always lost) I was their most loyal fan. I wear their colors - blue and gold - and always have their colors flying in my back yard - imagine my surprise when after a season that almost had them going for the national championship - they are going to a bowl game playing Oklahoma University. Now that doesn't seem to be a problem for most folks but - I live in Oklahoma and my husband is a dyed in the wool OU fan. Game day will be a scary day in our household as I am afraid to watch them play but - afraid not to. I want all WV fans to help me in my endeavors to push them on to victory over OU. Go Mountaineers - and know an Okie is supporting you all the way.

submitted by: Penny Christie Johnson (WI '60)
Penem@nc.rr.com
Am forwarding you a picture of several WV grads and a few WI grads who all arrived at Melissa Morris Phillips home in Midlothian, VA to celebrate Thanksgiving. We were all shocked to see that each one of us had worn the old blue and gold...At this point we had high hopes of going to a National Championship but that was not to be....We still love our Mountaineers.....!!

Pictured in the photo left to right are:
Dave Moore..Dave has ties to VT but we let him in the family anyway and now he is a convert...Vicki Limbers Moore WI (1967) and WV grad. Penny Christie Johnson WI (1960) and WVU grad; Melissa Morris Phillips WI (1971) and WVU grad; Emil Johnson, Elkins High (1958) and WVU grad the grand dame of our family, Barbara Christie Morris WI (1950) plus being a teacher and librarian at WI for many years.

Keep up the good work!!!! We love the first of the month so we can catch up on more news from Clarksburg.

submitted by: Jill Garvin Modlin (WI '51)
robertmodlin@hotmail.com
I enjoyed the WI football pix and write up by John Cooper - reminded me of the years my husband Bob Modlin ('50) played on the team.

ALTA VISTA GRADE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM
submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
FAlvaro33@aol.com

Back row: Mr. Wagner (principal), Fred Miller, Jerry Paugh, Gary Goodwin, Ross Terango, Mark Garrett, Coach Frank Junkins

Front row: Bob Westbrook, Terry Shorr, Billy Junkins and Freddie Alvaro

DO YOU REMEMBER THIS PERSON?
HOT ROD HUNDLEY
submitted by: Brooke "Boo" Beall (ND '58)
bbeall2@verizon.net
Roleta,

I found that old picture of Rod while going through some military papers. The picture actually belongs to my brother, so will copy it and send the original to him.

My uncle ( Philllip D. Beall aka Sgt. Beall) was a high school and college sports official. He refereed high school basketball, baseball, and football games for years. He also officiated at college basketball and football games. He also was one of the PMS&T's at WVU. Professor of Military Science & Tactics.

My uncle took my brother with him to Morgantown to watch some of the WV high school tournaments and they ran into Rod Hundley. Rod had come to watch the tournaments. Guess he also carried some pictures with him, anyway, he signed one and gave it to my brother. I will sent that one along also. The one I have attached is unsigned. Thought you might like to use in the Newsletter. Let everyone guess who it is. Think most will know right away, but it might be fun anyway. Know that some of your readers will also recognize my uncle's name. Am sure they had him for ROTC at Morgantown. He livened up his classes with some magic tricks from time to time.

Hope all is well with you, and your golf game is improving. Another great Newsletter this month. Keep up the good work.

submitted by: Cliff Judy (WI '54)
judy278@msn.com
I was able to get into the 12/07 newsletter and without a doubt the Sports Guess Who is Rod (Hot Rod) Hundley who played basketball at one of the Charleston high schools, then at WVU. The period when he played was probably in the late 1950s. WVU did not win a national championship while he played, but Rod was on everybody's All American first team. He set many records for the Mountaineers and played with a flair seldom seen in that era, except for members of the Harlem Globetrotters. He was quite a player!

Glad to have something to write to you about other than getting on the mailing list.

Thank you for your work and patience with folks like me.

submitted by: Tim Cork (WI '62)
tpcork@bellsouth.net
The Sports Guess Who photo is none other than the great "Hot Rod Hundley. I recall listening to the West Virginia games on the radio. Hundley played with other great team-mates like Jerry West, Lee Patrone, Jim McCormick and Rod Thorn.

I never missed a game. There is no doubt in my mind, he was one of basketball's greatest players.

I looked up some information on him and here is what I found:

Rodney Clark Hundley (born October 26, 1934 in Charleston, West Virginia) is a former professional basketball player and television broadcaster. Hundley's life has revolved around the game of basketball. His love and talent for the game led him to achieve honors in high school and most notably during his college years. At West Virginia University Hundley played to packed crowds at the Old Field House. His dribbling antics and daredevil maneuvers on the floor led to his popular nickname - Hot Rod Hundley. He has most recently been known as the sports announcer for the Utah Jazz.

submitted by: Dave Gianettino (VHS '58)
dgianettino@charter.net
I sure do remember. The biggest star of WVU basketball following Mark Workman was “Hot Rod” Hundley. As a kid growing up on Lambert’s Run I used to listen to Jack Fleming do the play-by-play of WVU games and enjoy the exciting things that “Hot Rod” would do when the game was in the bag. Often it would include spinning the ball on his finger before shooting a foul shot. The picture brings back many great memories of listening and keeping score of WVU games. As I look back it probably contributed to my decision to attend WVU. I had the joy of being there during the Jerry West years and never missed a home game.

Thanks for letting VHS be a part of the newsletter.

submitted by: Ron Harvey (WI '55)
w4rrh@charter.net
How well I remember “Hot Rod Hundley”. I was fortunate to be at WVU when he was playing. In our freshman year, we were presented a very good performance at the Methodist Fellowship hall there on campus. Hot Rod was the feature. He displayed tricks and skill with the basket ball. Hundley was famous for spinning the ball on his finger, rolling it down his arm and dribbling the ball behind his back.

Here is a newspaper picture of one of the WVU teams Hot Rod Hundley was on.

Hundley takes the snap.

submitted by: Joe Tipper (VHS '58)
jtipper@electricities.org
This is "Hot Rod Hundley". He could make the ball do magic. I saw him many times. The new 24 or 30 second rule ruined his style of basketball. Once I saw him tease Sheriff Tiano during a game. He was almost thrown out. Of course, we would have lynched "Sheriff" if he did.

submitted by: Lance (Lanny) Miller (would have been WI 1961)
lancemillerjd@aol.com
First, let me wish a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. You and Judy continue to do such a wonderful job of keeping memories alive from our years in Clarksburg.

The basketball player is none other than WVU All American Hot Rod Hundley. I remember vividly he and the Mountaineers (may have been the freshman team) came to Carmichael Auditorium for a game. In his own style (he was a real court jester), Hot Rod shot a foul shot from the far side of the free throw line and waved it goodbye as it went to the hoop.

Hot Rod didn't have a very distinguished NBA career with the Lakers, but he did become a well-known analyst on TV for the Utah Jazz.

submitted by: Randy Coyner (WI '60)
randycoyner@yahoo.com
I remember listening to the WVU games on radio and the announcer going crazy over Hot Rod's antics. You gotta love it, baby! It would have been fun being at WVU at that time and then Jerry West after that. My brother Bill would camp out at the Field House sometimes two days before a game during the West era. Rod Thorn led the charge when I was a student. He was one of the nicest guys you would ever meet. A real gentleman. I remember meeting Rod for the first time at the Phi Sig House during "pledge week" and then he would later encourage us to hang tough during "hell week". I know Jim VanVoorhis and Danny Pettrey remember Rod Thorn during that rough time. Not a bad time to be a Mountaineer.

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
Who can forget Hot Rod Hundley???? I saw him play several times and enjoyed his way of handling a basketball. I think I remember he could have played for the Harlem Globetrotters but being white wasn't able to play. One night we were at the Green Acres, the night club between Bridgeport and Anmoore now know as Via Venato (sp?), and Hot Rod happen to be there. Someone ask him if he would do some tricks with a basketball if he had one. He said he would but sorry he didn't have one. Well one of the customers just happen to have one in their car. He went on the dance floor and put on one heck of a show. I'll never forget that. I think he is announcing basketball games some where. I know in this newsletter someone will let us know what he is currently doing.

Roleta, you, Judy, and Bob really need to be congratulated on the work you have been doing with the Newsletter. I cannot believe how Bob has kept up with the deletions and additions of the e-mail addresses.

Great December Newsletter

submitted by: Martha Jefferies Rice (WI '55)
Lonoma@aol.com
I believe this is a picture of Rob Hundley. If it is, I worked at the cafeteria at WVU and he would come in for training table. He was always very nice to me, a lowly freshman. We used to talk at the old Mountainlair between classes.

submitted by: Dave Rowe (WI '62)
dcrowe@labs.net
I met Hundley when I was a sophomore in college. When he was the parade marshal at the Italian Festive, I watched the football cake with he a Kishbaugh. Hundley is full of funny stories and one liners. I ask him if he ever got together with West when he was doing the Jazz games. He replied. “You know I’m really proud of that kid. He’s done wonders for being the second best basketball player to ever play at West Virginia.”

submitted by: Jane Byrnside Anderson (WI '56)
eanders324@earthlink.net
My guess is Hot Rod Hundley. He was the one that kept my interest in basketball. What a great player to watch. Then he went pro with the Lakers for years and I watched him on TV. Didn't know until a few years ago he was in broadcasting. Assume he did well at that also.

The December newsletter was phenomenal! It was nice to find out how it works too. I always knew it was a HUGE job, but didn't know how you did it. Very interesting.

submitted by: Mary Ellen Campbell-Mathers (Unidis HS '61)
maryellen1@roadrunner.com
Hi Roleta, I had to send in a line or two on this picture. This is "Hot Rod Hunley". My brother, Bob "Automatic" Campbell Unidis HS 1957 is a lover of all sports and has been since he was old enough to get into the game. During the early to late 50's Joe Michaels was the coach at Unidis High School and Coach Michaels knew "Hot Rod". One day he surprised the boys during workout by bringing "Hot Rod" to the school. You can only imagine how thrilled and happy each of these boys were to be able to say they met "Hot Rod Hunley". We were a small school, out in the country and to have a well known basketball player such as "Hot Rod" to come to our school was really something to remember. My brother receives the WI Newsletter and as soon as he read the December letter he emailed me and told me who the picture was of and how he had met "Hot Rod", I think Bob is as proud today as he was way back then, when that special day happened for a country boy. Bob said that "Hot Rod" gave a little talk, answered several questions and then put on a one man show for the cheering boys. "Hot Rod" and Jerry West are two of the names that come to mind of West Virginia Boys that proved to the rest of the United States that Hill Billys know how to walk and talk at the same time also.

submitted by: Tom Blizzard (would have been WI 1960
but parents drug him fighting and screaming to Ohio)
HwySparky@aol.com
I remember my Dad taking me to old Mountaineer fieldhouse to see him play, we had to stand up it was so packed. He pulled so many pranks that the refs. just didn't know how to deal with him. Everybody said there would never be another like him. Remember Jerry West?

submitted by: Ron Cleavenger (WI '63)
RonCleaven@aol.com
The picture is of "Hot" Rod Hundley, WVU All-American basketball player who graduated in 1957. Was drafted by Mineapolis Lakers before they were moved to L.A.

After his senior year at WVU, he organized a group of WVU players and the barnstormed the state playing various local community teams. They made four visits to Clarksburg, and I served as the ball boy for his team on each of their visits.

He later became the broadcast announcer for the Utah Jazz; has also done some random NBA games for others. Truly one of the most gifted players of his time. Was a real shame he was not African American as he would have been a perfect Harlem Globetrotter.

submitted by: Bill Holliday husband of Colleen Luzader Holliday (WI '61)
yadilloh@suddenlink.net
No. 33 is Hot Rod Hundley. I had the misfortune of trying to guard him in practice when he was a Senior at Charleston High School, and I was a sophomore on the B-team. Great player; sometimes a clown on the floor, very nice, polite guy - always smiling.

Understand that he was raised by his grandmother, but lived for a short time at the old Holly Hotel in Charleston during B-ball season. He frequented the Strand pool hall and was rumored to have slept overnight there on one of their pool tables more than once.

submitted by: Lib Akin (WI '56)
libakin@aol.com
The Sports trivia photo is, of course, "Hot Rod" Hundley. For another photo, see the attachment. The 1956 Winter Sports press guide is in my husband Bill's collection of sports memorabilia. What a team that was! 1956 was the year WI graduate Bob Cloussin made his freshman debut for WVU.

submitted by: Bob McCarty (WI '52)
Rlmccarty3@aol.com
The picture of the basketball player in the Newsletter is Rod Hundley. I never played against Rod as WVU & UVA never scheduled each other. That would have been fun. It would have been more fun for both Jerry Cooper & Clayce Kishbaugh. They were both 1953 graduates of RW & Jerry joined me at UVA while Clayce played with Hundley at WVU.

It is interesting to note that WVU's current coach is the son of Charley Huggins who played at Morgantown HS. He graduated from there in 1951, a year before me. Charley & I got to be friends although I can't recall what it was that started the friendship. Charley was a tremendous HS basketball player.

I enjoyed your husband's articles in the Newsletter. Hopefully you will be able to promote/encourage more sports articles.

submitted by: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI '56)
msspahr@aol.com
It's been a very long time and I only ever saw him one time, but is this "Hot Rod" Hundley? The one game I did see him play, he took a very long shot from the other side of the court and sunk it just as the half-time buzzer sounded. He was the best ball handler I've ever seen personally. He was athletic, acrobatic, entertaining, confident and oh so talented. Nobody did it better!

submitted by: Jane Ross (WI '53)
Meezer83@msn.com
I think that picture is from 1953-54. Rod dated a girl who lived just down the hall from me, so we ran across each other frequently in the dorm lounges. It was surprising that many years later I ran into him again in Salt Lake City and we spoke of old times at WVU. At the time we were college classmates WVU was a very small school compared to its size now. There are more kids standing for graduation each year than the total enrollment when Rod and I were there. My grandkids cannot believe the school was ever THAT small!!! How times change.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
submitted by: Michael (Mike) Elyard (WI '76)
michael.elyard@charter.net

I have enjoyed reading your newsletters. It is interesting to see the old pictures of Clarksburg, and to see letters written by people I know. I thought it would be nice to submit a note and possibly get re-acquainted with classmates and friends I haven't seen in years. I've had to miss every reunion, but have seen a few classmates on my motorcycle trips back home.

After graduating from WI in 1976, I attended WVU, where I earned a Masters Degree in Piano Performance. I came back to Clarksburg and taught piano from 1983-1984, and met my future wife (Beth) while visiting a friend in Morgantown. In December 1984, I decided to audition for the Air Force Band program. I spent the next 20 years assigned to Air Force Bands in Virginia, Alaska, Nebraska, Germany, and finally Illinois performing in many interesting places. Our son, Spencer, was born while we were stationed in Alaska. I "retired" in 2005, and we decided to stay in Mascoutah, IL where I am teaching piano, substitute teaching at area schools, and serving as Music Director at the local Methodist Church until our son graduates from high school next summer. Then, we will be moving back to Clarksburg so he can attend WVU, where he has been accepted into the Engineering School. We are looking forward to returning to the Mountain State!

My website: http://michaelelyard.com

Looking down over Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina while I was there for an Air Force Band concert in 2001.

NURSING HOME WAS IDENTIFIED BY ANOTHER
I receive on the average 100 emails a day. Sometimes I lose one. I lost one in November. I am sorry. As hard as I try, I am human and do make mistakes. There was someone else who identified the nursing home and I did not give them credit, so here is the letter:

Roleta~ I received an email from you saying that Fred and I both guessed it right. But the posting online tells me you must have forgotten that. Bummer.

It would have been nice to have been mentioned as guessing correctly. My good friends Sam and Tim have done a great job restoring it. It looks especially lovely at Christmastime.

Happy Holidays,
Karen Cooper Phelan
KPhelan101@aol.com

PIANO
submitted by: Jim Brown (WI '57)
Jb1obx@aol.com
In the December Newsletter, someone mentioned Miss Blanche Hogan who taught one of the First Grade rooms at Towers Grade School. I don't know how long she was there but do know that she was there when I started in 1945 and was there at least until the mid fifties..

Miss Hogan gave Elocution lessons after school in her apartment at the corner of Washington Avenue and Third Street. Pam and I both took lessons from her but our paths did not cross at that time. She would have a Recital each Spring near the end of school.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
If you took private lessons from Blanche Hogan in Clarksburg, please write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com. We will do a feature about Miss Hogan in an upcoming newsletter.

CAJUN COOKING IN CLARKSBURG, WV.

Check out this web site

Cajun Ragin', Thanks To Katrina

PRAYERS AND GOOD WISHES ARE NEEDED FOR A COUPLE WI GRADS
Pray for and send a happy card to the following…both are home now!

Jim Pulice WI 1962
529 Glen Ave.
Bridgeport, WV 26330

And

Bob Secret WI 1960
741 Mulberry Ave.
Clarksburg, WV 26301

EATING A MILE UNDERGROUND
by: John Henderson
The Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 12/12/2007 11:18:45 AM MST
FAIRMONT, W.Va.Some environments just aren't meant for eating. Waiting in line to go bungee jumping comes to mind. So does a dentist's office. I don't think I could eat while riding in a bobsled, either.

After spending five days in West Virginia, I found another one. I doubt I'd have an appetite while standing a mile underground in a 7-by-15- foot enclosure, one seismic shift or structural error away from being crushed like a weed by a hundred million tons of rock. Nope. Hold the ketchup, folks.

But for more than 100 years, the coal miners of West Virginia have eaten well in an environment that would turn claustrophobics into babbling loons. The miners' saving grace has been pepperoni rolls. They have evolved from simple pepperoni sticks wrapped in bread to scrumptious, piping hot buns filled with juicy strips of pepperoni lathered in sauce and peppers.

Immigrants from Calabria, the toe in the Italian peninsula's boot, flooded into West Virginia for the mining jobs in the late 1800s. The housewives would put pepperoni in bread and give them to their husbands to take down into the mines. Today, the miners are doing the same thing, and locals and visitors alike are flocking here to Colasessano's and Country Club Bakery to eat like a miner if not work like one.

They're just eating them at football games, in their homes or, like I did, in the charming, renovated Colasessano's on a snowy December day.

I chatted with owner John Menas, a descendent of Croatians who also immigrated here and who retired Oct. 17 after 30 years mining coal. His real last name was Mlinac (Ma-LEEN-as), but his teachers butchered it so badly his family Anglicized it.

Pity his poor mom, the former Rosalie Mijcynoiz.

This Marion County, about 90 miles south of Pittsburgh, is a melting pot of Calabrians, Croatians, Hungarians and Russians among other ethnic groups. A century ago this gathering could start a whale of a bar fight, but what they had in common were pepperoni rolls.

"A lot of guys still take them into the mines, but the mines today you have a load (power) center with a microwave and a coffee pot sitting on top of it when back then you didn't," said Menas, 55. "Now they can reheat them underground."

Yes, the mining industry has changed drastically. Today, Menas said, a seven-man shift can mine 35,000 tons of coal in 24 hours. Under the old technology, it would take more than 25 men to do that. It's also much safer. In the winter of 1968, seven miners walked across a stockpile that broke. They all fell into a feeder where they suffocated in a quicksand of coal.

But I kept thinking back to August, when those six miners in Utah were trapped in a cave-in 1,500 feet underground. I hoped they weren't trapped in a tiny air pocket and simply wasted away down there.

"They didn't even know what hit them," Menas said.

For men like Menas, getting an appetite in this dark, foreboding environment is no different from gettin hungry sitting at a desk or manning a beach rental shop. But it's not for everybody.

"My uncle went down in the No. 9 mine," Menas said. "When he got to the bottom of the elevator and the doors opened up and he looked back in the heading (tunnel), he went right back up and said, 'I quit.' "

You don't have to take pepperoni rolls down an elevator shaft and 6 miles through a tunnel to appreciate them. Sit in Colasessano's, a former coal- mining store, and see all the celebrities who've enjoyed them. On the walls are autographed pictures of West Virginians such as NFL Hall of Famer Sam Huff and West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez.

Gov. Joe Manchin, from nearby Farmington, has a picture up. Others who've dropped by have included Alabama football coach Nick Saban, from nearby Monongah; Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan, who coached Marshall in Charleston; and Sen. Ted Kennedy. There is nothing from one of Fairmont's favorite daughters, former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton, but eating pepperoni rolls isn't conducive for the balance beam.

They have improved a great deal. In 1936, Cheech Argiro started taking the Calabrians' simple pepperoni sandwich and baked it, wrapped it in wax paper and sold it to the miners out of Country Club Bakery. In 1950, Spider Colasessano moved here from Buffalo and used his mother-in- law's pizza recipe to make the buns. Then they split them open, added pepperoni, Oliverio peppers, sauce and provolone cheese.

Mine was off the charts and just $4. It's a hot, juicy, tangy combination of lean pepperoni, red sauce and sweet peppers that perfectly toed the line between too spicy and too bland. And don't look for them anywhere else.

"This is a regional thing," Menas said. "A lot of states won't let you bake meat inside bread, like Virginia, Maryland. If it would've killed anybody, there wouldn't be nobody living in this county."

Mining is dangerous enough. Stick to pepperoni rolls.

Staff writer John Henderson covers sports and writes about the food he eats on the road: 303- 954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.

CLARKSBURG – MY HOMETOWN!
Words/Music by: Meyer Seigal
Circa 1950
Verse:

Some folks think they're lucky,
If they're born in old Kentucky,
Or in ten, ten, Tennessee,

Say nothing could be finer,
Than to be from Carolina,
Where the sentiments don't mean a thing to me,

I'll never be found, Alabama bound,
Get me right, just put this down,

I got my opinion,
I'm a thorough West Virginian,
And Clarksburg’s my hometown,

1st Chorus:

Clarksburg - Pride of the Mountain State,
Clarksburg - Birthplace of heroes great,
When the band plays Dixie, how my heart thrills,
To me it just means Clarksburg, the “Jewel of the Hills,”

Oh, that's where they smile when they greet you,
Everybody's happy to meetyou!
All of my days
I’ll be singing my praise,
for Clarksburg - my hometown!

2nd Chorus:

Clarksburg - we produce coal and glass,
Tin-plate, marble and window glass,
There's not a better town on the old B&O,
We're chucked full of pep and we're rarin' to go,

The West Coast has climate and ‘quakes,
Florida - mosquitoes and snakes,
We don't give a damn, we got chicken and ham,
In Clarksburg - my hometown!

WELCOME NEW READERS

Cliff Judy (WI '54)	judy278@msn.com
Ray Newlon (Bridgeport HS '66)	ray.newlon@navy.mil
David J. Romano (WI '70)	djr@wvdsl.net
Melinda Shaw Kreps (WI '80)	mkreps@earthlink.net
Mildred Honaker Lamb (WI '50)	mlamb002@sc.rr.com
Sandra L. Smith (Morgan 1st grade) she moved away and didn't graduate from a Clarksburg school	smithsandral@msn.com

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

David Saucer (WI '51)

was: mailto:dsaucer@sbcglobal.net
is now: mailto:dsaucer@gmail.com

OBITUARIES
OLIVE FREEMAN RYAN
Olive Freeman Ryan passed away on Nov. 27, 2007 at the age of 91. She was a graduate of WI (not sure which class year for certain). Her daughter, Anne Ryan White, was a graduate of WI in 1965. Her son, Joe Ryan, also attended WI (not sure if he graduated from WI). Anne and Joe both Iive in Warwood right outside of Wheeling.

LOUISE DIAZ SHAW
Louise Diaz Shaw, 79, of West Woodland Avenue, Clarksburg, passed away on Friday, September 14, 2007, in a local nursing home following an extended illness. Mrs. Shaw was born in Clarksburg on July 23, 1928, a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Diaz. She was married to Jack R. Shaw, who preceded her in death in 1987. Surving are two sons, Michael Shaw, Nutter Fort, and Mark Shaw and his wife Cynthia, Bridgeport, and one daughter, Melinda Kreps and her husband Kenny, Canvas, West Virginia; three grandchildren, Jared Kreps, Evan Shaw, and Samantha Shaw; three sisters, Josephine Lasko, Clarksburg; Connie Williams, Beckely; and Delores Slussar, Louisville, KY; and one sister-in-law, Evelyn Diaz, West Milford. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Louis and Thomas Diaz, and two sisters, Mary Sheets and Sally Baitty. Mrs. Shaw was a 1946 graduate of Victory High School and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Clarksburg Planning and Zoning Board.

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