THE WI NEWSLETTER 06/08

THE WI NEWSLETTER



Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 106 June 2008








PLEASE, I NEED HELP

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

Each month I mention subjects about which you can write. I have tried new sections of the newsletter---SPORTS, RECIPES, HOBBIES, SUMMER FUN, PART TIME JOBS, CARS, AFTER SCHOOL HANGOUTS, RESTAURANTS, TRIVIA and BIO (A brief article about where are you now—what have you been doing since high school?) You can write about any one of these subjects at anytime!!!! Come to think of it you can write about any other subject too. And better yet, I welcome your input on subjects for discussion.

I NEED YOUR HELP. If you don’t write it to me, I can’t print it

Come on, pick a suggested subject or name one of your own. Write about it, share your memories of those great years in your life, of your family, friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, free time, jobs, sports, hobbies, old recipes your momma used to use, school, home, West Virginia, that special time in your life (your youth) and especially the one thing we all have in common-our town---that special place we know as our home town----Clarksburg, WV.

We have a unique newsletter—one of the best that I have seen----a wonderful newsletter due to those of you who have written and shared memories with us……I thank you and I hope you will continue to support the newsletter. HOWEVER, there are some who have never written to share a memory (except to identify the trivia picture). Come on, write to Roleta1@aol.com. You remember something…write to me. You think of something or wonder about something in Clarksburg, write to me. Let’s share. Then we will find out what someone else remembers about the subject. You have friends who you write back and forth to all the time about memories or even about things that appear in the newsletter. I love to hear that you have found old friends and relatives on the Internet through the newsletter. All of this but you still fail to write to the newsletter!!!!! If you don’t write, the newsletter gets boring!

WRITE TO THE NEWSLETTER!

SHARE SOME MEMORIES!

We are going to have an experiment! For a few months there will be NO Trivia Picture!

LET’S SEE HOW THE NEWSLETTER LOOKS!

You have to help me make it a wonderful one!
I am counting on you!




REX ZICKEFOOSE TO HOLD HIS ANNUAL PARTY

On July 19th, 2008, Rex will again roast a pig to share with family and friends. He welcomes all to his party. He and his wife will provide the meat. It would be nice if you bring a covered dish to share and your own drinks. Also, bring a folding chair in which to sit. There will be a Bluegrass band to entertain you and a DJ will take over later to provide some music you will remember and some good dancing music too. Contact Rex if you are interested and get the directions to his place and the times of the event. I attended last year with some of my family and it was a lot of fun. Rex said he won’t roast a goat this year but will provide some other surprises. Write him for information at: rexzickefoose@hrea.coop.


Rex, Roleta, Charlie Burkhammer and Dick Hanifan all WI 1959 at last years picnic.



FRIENDS FOR LIFE

submitted by: Joe Martin (ND '65)
josephmartin232@juno.com


Ralph is on the right and Joe is on the left..

I went to NDHS........graduated in 1965.........then to the Air Force 65-68.........and started at FSU in 1969....graduating in 1973. I knew Ralph from my high school days..............we both went into the AF about the same time. Ralph and his wife Carolyn retired from Lockheed in Clarksburg. Then they moved to The Villages, FL and have been here a couple of years. Sandra and I moved from Chantilly, VA to The Villages, FL in January 2008. We had met Ralph and Carolyn on our prior trips here but now we are full-time residents and neighbors. We play a lot of golf and enjoy all that this place has to offer. Our best to all from WI and ND.



DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN?


In the “Hilltopper”, the WI news printout, “The Hallwalker" from December ---I won’t tell you the year. You can guess.

Article said “Measuring up for a cap and gown, I noticed Randy Prichard the tallest senior boy.”

What year was this written and give me one memory you have of that person or that year.

Write Roleta1@aol.com



BILL AND ROLETA CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY 2008




We are the parents of 2 children. A son named Victor and a daughter named Vaneta. I enjoyed a nice early Mother’s Day with our children, their spouses and our 6 granddaughters in Ohio the week before Mother’s Day. However, the picture above was taken on Mother’s Day when we celebrated with some friends in Florida.

By the way, a couple different friends here in Florida thought they were telling us something we didn’t know….they said, “Did you know Mother’s Day started in WV?” We laughed. Yes, we know, we learned that in school! It started in Grafton, WV by Anna Jarvis who wanted to honor mothers and hers in particular. Grafton is only about 30 miles from Bill’s hometown. You know, we learned our WV History while students, (although I do admit, I have forgotten a lot of it), in other states they apparently didn’t stress that students learn about the history of their state as much as our teachers did! Do the students in WV still have to learn WV History like we did? Do they have a WV History Class in school? Do they still award the Golden Horseshoe to students who earn near perfect grades in a test given by the Golden Horseshoe Committee in Charleston, WV?

Another question about Mother’s Day………… I remember when I was young, mothers were given a corsage on Mother’s Day. And I was trying to explain to my friends that mothers were given a red corsage if their mother was still living and a white corsage if their mother was deceased. Do I have the colors correct? None of my friends ever heard of giving mother’s a corsage with flowers of certain colors according to their mothers being alive or deceased. Do you remember this and do I have the colors of the corsages correct? They said it must be a WV thing, I said it might be!

Write to Roleta1@aol.com



THANK YOU

Roleta,

You and the giving readers of the WI Newsletter "are" changing the lives of two worthy students this year when you give so generously! You represent the scholarship community in an exemplary way. Your continued support of our students that have not been fortunate enough to have college made affordable is commendable! On behalf of the staff of RCB, the administration and faculty, we thank all of you.

I am respectfully yours,
James A. Moore
Counselor at Robert C. Byrd High School
Clarksburg, WV
Onemore2003@yahoo.com




WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE SUMMER WHEN GROWING UP IN CLARKSBURG AREA?

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

Being from Broad Oaks I believe we all did about the same thing when we were young. I played playground sports such a basketball and softball or baseball. I enjoyed playing other playgrounds, which were a lot more than what is in Clarksburg now. I don't remember playing little league, in fact I can't remember there being a little league then. As I got older I played in the Babe Ruth League for a couple years. I played for Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. A few from Broad Oaks played but most of my team was from West Millford. So the coach would pick up the few from Clarksburg and drive us to West Millford to practice. What a great bunch of guys from there.

I usually worked somewhere during the summer. I got my Social Security Card when I was 11 years old. I still have the card that was issued to me then. I guess I had to tell a little lie to get the card. My first job I had when I got the card was putting up stock at a shoe store across from James and Law. I also worked with my ole buddy Eddie Christie buffing floors at Murphy's and McCroy's five and dime stores. I delivered newspapers for the Exponent-Telegram Co. As I got a little older I worked for Producers Dairy delivering milk. Then went to work for Moyle, Stanton, Joyce Cleaners shampooing huge rugs. The cleaner was owned by the Vigilanco family who also owned the North Pole Ice Co. I worked there several years while school was out and during some weekends during school. It was a great job to stay in shape. I had to load trucks and then drive them to the B & 0 Railroad in Grafton and there I would unload the 300# blocks of ice. It really kept me in shape and ready for Wesleyan football. I also delivered ice to houses for their ice boxes and crushed ice to stores for their ice boxes. So I was an ice man, milk man, and a paper boy.

Most of us in Broad Oaks hung out together in the evenings and we played kick the can. I cannot remember the rules but it was something like hide and seek. One person was to seek out the others before they could come in and kick a can that was usually placed in the street. I don't remember if any of us kicked a can through a window but maybe a few upon a porch. You would have to clear that up with Don Sager.

Anyway, those were great times growing up in Broad Oaks and with wonderful people. And as you know, several of us still keep in with each other by e-mails and the Sarasota picnic.



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

I am combining your request for “SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION NEXT MONTH”, as many of my SUMMERS (when SCHOOL WAS OUT) were spent playing baseball for the Knights of Columbus. Some of the years, I had the pleasure of playing on the same team as my brother (Bob, 1960) and Anthony Julian (WI 1959) , among others from other age groups. I think that I have mentioned in other writings that a lot of my summer baseball time was spent out at the ball field that “used to be” at Veteran’s Park, up on the same level as the hospital itself. I know that the ball field is now down on the lower level of the hospital grounds, close to the bridge that connects to Chestnut Street. I also remember many ball games being played at Norwood and Broadway (this field has gone away as well). I can remember my dad and I going to a ball game that was somewhere up in the general area of Salem, and the field was more like a COW PASTURE than a baseball field, and there were no fences for you to try to hit the ball over to get a home run. There was a little creek (crick) in right field that was not used for the purposes of determining a home run, so you still had to run the bases at full speed to try to accomplish the home run. I can remember being SO EXHAUSTED at the end of that game that I could not even attempt a steal to home plate to try to tie the game, as we lost. The batter that was up to the plate in the last inning of that game, was someone that had not had a hit all year long, so it was pretty much predetermined that he was going to make an out, but I was EXHAUSTED. I think that it was about 95 degrees, and HOT!

Other than playing baseball over the summer months, I would go to the playground at Stealey where I would meet my best friend (Bill Post) and we would play basketball with whoever was at the playground. If there was nobody at the playground, Bill and I would WALK back to his house out on Davisson Run Road and do things around there. I cannot IMAGINE making that walk today. My mother keeps telling me about her WALKING from Oral Lake to Bridgeport High School when she was in school and that is another walk that I will just keep in my memoirs, as I cannot imagine making that long trek.

My family used to take Sunday trips to Ohio to see family and friends that we had over in the Dayton, Jackson and Oak Hill areas. One summer when my sister (Lib, 56) was working in WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY my dad, mother, brother and I made the trip to Wildwood and spent a good amount of time there vacationing with my sister. I actually have a picture (somewhere) of my parents, brother and sister and if I can find it, I will scan it and send it to you.

A lot of my summer evenings were spent at the corner of Broaddus Avenue and Wilson Street, down below Chestnut Street on the expressway side of town. A lot of WI attendees (Dotty Taggart Rutan – Larry, Louis, Tyke Martino – Frankie Joe Martino – Mary Clyde ((“Murph”)) Mason – Richard Underwood – Jerry, Jimmy Belt – “Dickie” Stewart – Paul Dillmore – Peter, Ernie, Becky, Alberta, Jimmy Fragale) were all among the people joining in for KICK THE CAN and various other games. I do not remember the RULES for kick the can, but I am sure that my sister and/or brother might, so I am hoping that both of them reply to this section this month.

More toward the summers of my WI days, we used to go to see our LADIES OF THE MOMENT, and/or go to dances every Friday and Saturday nights. Friday nights being at the VFW or Elks on Pike Street in Clarksburg; Saturday nights normally being at the Bridgeport Civic Center. OR, we went to the Drive-in movies, with our LADIES OF THE MOMENT.



submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI '52)
fragilegranny@ma.rr.com

I had a summer job while in W.I. I sold tickets for the movies at Robinson-Grand and Moore's Opera House. Everyone back then knew both theaters.

Some history regarding Moore's Opera House: It was built in 1911 by Frank Moore. Some famous entertainers graced the stage including Gene Autry; Al Jolson; the Great Houdini. The most infamous event was probably the Harry Powers trial for the murders of several women in Quiet Dell. The trial was held in December, 1931. The jurors retired to dressing rooms below the stage as Powers sat on the stage awaiting his fate. After one hour and forty-six minutes passed, the jury returned with a "Guilty of Murder" verdict. The theater had 1250 seats and all seats were occupied during the four day trial. I believe that Powers was executed by hanging.

The original Robinson Grand theater burned in the late 30's and was rebuilt. Growing up in Clarksburg, going to the movies was a great Mecca for you and your date to sit in "peanut heaven". While I worked there I was dating Don Simpson (whom I later married) and we were able to enjoy all of the movies for free. The theater was used for Community Concert; League for Service Follies and much later was remodeled by Mr. LaRosa and was called the Rose Garden. My class of 1952-W.I. held our 35th reunion in the lovely Ballroom which we had never seen until the remodeling began. It was in the upstairs and part of it was used by W.B.L.K., W.B.B.N, and W.B.O.Y. radio stations. Unfortunately, the entire building is empty as is much of downtown Clarksburg.

As I recall, I bought a pair of red leather high-heels made by I. Miller and sold at Aaron's shoe store. I think that was my first big purchase from my earnings.

Hope I have my facts correct. Keep up the great work Roleta and Judy.



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

From the age 10 and for the following 7 years, my summers were spent playing organized baseball. During the summer after graduation (1959) I worked at Roush's Market on Pike Street with no intention of entering college that fall. That August, Mrs Martino, WI teacher, saw me and when I told her I was holding out a year, she strongly suggested I not do that and told me that Anthony Julian and Mark Garrett were going up to visit Potomac State and I should go with them. I took her advice, registered and attended Potomac State for two years while playing baseball my first year. (Thank you Mrs. Martino). The summers during my college days, I worked at the M&L Zinc Plant in Zeising and the North Pole Ice Co.

EDITOR’S NOTE: What did you do in the summer while growing up in Clarksburg, WV? Write your memories to: Roleta1@aol.com. Write about your summer fun, hobbies, sports and/or summer work






REMEMBER TO DISPLAY THE FLAG ON FLAG DAY
JUNE 14, 2008





LOOK WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN FOUR SHORT YEARS

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

In March, 2004 I announced at the Clarksburg Picnic in Sarasota, Florida that I was starting a scholarship which would be a way for us to give back to our home town of CLARKSBURG. A way to say THANK YOU to those teachers we had when we were in school….sort of a way to honor them by helping make the first steps to college a little more affordable for someone who would graduate from RC Byrd High School.

We didn’t give a scholarship in 2004 because, honestly, the money did not come in quick enough!

By April 2005 we were able to give 2 each $500.00 scholarships. Then in 2006 we gave 2 students $1,000.00 scholarships. Many of you heard the call and joined the mission…some sent checks with a thank you note to Judy and I, some gave in the name of a loved one (either deceased or living), others just gave because they felt the need for this endeavor.

By 2007 we had raised enough money that we were able to give 2 different students $2,000.00 each.

This year we are giving 2 students who will graduate from RC Byrd High School each a scholarship of $3,000.00. This money is given in 2 payments---half the first semester and the rest for the second semester.

This money is not given directly to the student but is given to the Financial Advisor’s office of the chosen college/university and is put in the students account. This way, the student may use it for college expenses only……our intent!

So THANK YOU for all you have done to make this GIVE BACK project work.

If you wish to join the hundreds of readers who have given to the WIN Scholarship, just write your check or money order to: Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship and mail it to:

Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

By the way, some people answered the challenge that Sharon Bee Armstrong (Bristol High School) gave to each of you……she wrote that she thought every readers should send $12.00 a year to the scholarship which would be only $1.00 a month per year as a thank you for the work Judy and I have done for 106 issues of the newsletter. (HEY, THAT IS ALMOST 9 YEARS.) Readers sent checks and mentioned about Sharon’s challenge. However, most did give more than the $12.00,.,,,.it was just that her letter reminded them to GIVE.

I have said before that I would never divulge how much anyone sends to the WIN Scholarship but I will say, those of you who have supported this project deserve a pat on the back.

Those who gave so generously this month were:

Nancy Crane Huling (WI 1951) In Memory of Dian Gantz Hurley
Jerry Winerman (WI 1957)
Sargent McQuillan (WI 1957)
Sallie Holden Day (WI 1959)
Glen (Bill) Cowgill (WI 1959)

To those WHO HAVE NOT GIVEN my question is--------- WHY?



NOTE FROM JUDY: The following people gave to the WIN Scholarship by purchasing a WI Newsletter CD.

Anthony Bellotte (WI '57)
Gene Colin (WI '62)
Maryann Hite Williams (WI '52)
Nina Meredith Chace (WI '60)



SUMMERS OF 1930s AND 1940s

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

There were no playgrounds or organized sport activities in Broad Oaks in the 1930s and 40s. We made our own by gathering at vacant lots in the area. A lot depended on who had a ball, bat, glove, etc. as to what was played. When the owner got called home, the game ended most of the time. We had a board nailed to a utility pole with a street light at the corner of Spring and St..Clair which was used for basketball in the winter, touch football, prisoner's base, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians were all played a various times. Many of these games are no longer politically correct. When we got older we would bum a ride to Oral, Floyd or Maple Lake where we had friends who let us go swimming. It was not until we were in late high school that we had access to cars so we did a lot of walking or took the bus or street car.

Summer jobs: I had several lawns that I mowed with a push mower. Usual fee was $0.75 a lawn, this included trimming by hand as well as raking as needed. When I was 16 I worked one summer at the Coca Cola bottling plant. During the war help was hard to find so many boys worked on farms around town. I worked on my Great Aunt's farm near Charles Town, WV for two summers. It was hard work, but I learned a lot about nature, animals, and machinery.

As to vacations my Dad got two weeks vacation from work, so we usually went to visit relatives in WV or Virginia. My Dad discovered State Parks in mid 30's as a cheap vacation. We rented a cabin at Cacapon State Park for two summers right before the war. We would spend a week there and a week visiting relatives. There were play grounds, a lake, fishing, horseback riding etc, so it was a big change from the usual. During the war we did not take a vacation because of gas rationing.

As teens we took our guns up on the hill above Broad Oaks to hunt ground hogs and crows. The last time I was there most of that area was built up so most of this would not be allowed today.

Life styles have changed so much that there is little comparison to the period before WWII.



USS WVA BOW FLAG STAFF

WHY IS IT ON THE COURT HOUSE PLAZA?

submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
Fgl46vhs@aol.com

I was surprised to see the photo of the U.S.S. W.VA. Bow Flag Staff in your May newsletter. I would like to give you the story on how it ended up on the courthouse plaza. There was a gentleman by the name of Charles E. Jenkins that loafed in the courthouse quite a bit. Some how he found out that this flag staff was located in the State of Washington. He made arrangements to have it shipped C.O.D. back to Clarksburg in October 1961. He didn't notify the county court so when it arrived there was no one to pay the freight bill. Mr. Jenkins didn't have the money and the county court refused to pay because they were not notified and no purchase order was issued. Later the freight company filed a lawsuit so the county ended up paying it. Being over forty foot long the next problem was where to store it. I had it stored in my basement office but being so long it took up two rooms which included the freight delivery room. After about three months it had to be moved because employees were tripping over it. When my shop foreman tripped over it he sprained an ankle. This made him mad so he went and retrieved his cutting torch to cut it up in three pieces. Luck would have it the air tank was empty. I then made arrangements to have it shipped up to our 4-H Center Building. Being so long it had to be stored out side the building in all kinds of weather. My next problem was getting it installed on the courthouse grounds by some one donating their services. I contacted Henry Haslebacher & Sons and they donated the cement base and installation of the pole in the summer of 1963.

It was dedicated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1963. I might add Mr. Jenkins established the Harrison County School Safety Patrol in 1935.


MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

submitted by: From an undisclosed source-------Thanks Bro!

The source wrote: “Pictured below are Jim Alvaro and Rudy Garten who used to be a world famous singing duet."

Well, maybe only a WV regional-famous. Anyhow it has been widely reported that Bud Collins used to dance so much to their duets that you could ring sweat by the bucket full out of his tie.

Going thru my relics of the past, I discovered an old photo that I believe was going to be used as a promo for a record album produced by Carl "Pooter" Clovis. But Pooter went to see the Big DJ in the sky before it could come to fruition.

This was taken while they were performing their hit single—SPLISH-SPLASH





You are invited to the Eighth Annual WI Reunion Picnic in Clarksburg, West Virginia, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, at Veterans (River Bend) Park off Milford St. You can also get to it via the Nutter Fort area by going over Rt 98. The time is 11AM until the last one goes home...whenever that is. The picnic is for anyone who ever attended WI (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GRADUATE).

LET'S MAKE THIS A BIG WI REUNION DAY!

A group of friends enjoying the food at the 2007 picnic

Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959) is in charge of this picnic. She provides the table settings for you. You will need to bring a covered dish, your own drink, and money to put in the pot to help her cover her expenses. Some people bring a folding lawn chair. Don't forget your cameras!!!

You do not have to make a reservation but she will need to know about how many to expect. It is nice to be surprised but it isn’t nice to be overcome with a large group of people and not have enough supplies. So write to Sharyn at mtmama41@msn.com and tell her you will see her there. Also, let her know if you are willing to come early and help with the picnic --- cover tables, registration, tell people where to put their food, or stay and help clean up, etc.

If anyone needs directions to Veterans Park they can e-mail Sharyn or Judy Daugherty Kimler at jkimler@verizon.net.

If you live out of the area, you might want to make this picnic part of a week long vacation that would include the Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg on Labor Day weekend. If you don't have family in the area with which you can stay, you should make motel reservations now.

Some area Motels:

Days Inn      842-7371    Off exit 119 then turn towards Bridgeport
Knights Inn    842-2707   Off Exit 119 then turn towards Bridgeport
Sleep Inn      842-1919    Off Exit 119 then turn towards Bridgeport
Holiday Inn    842-5411 or (877) 863-4780    Off Exit 119 then turn towards Bridgeport
Hampton Inn    842-9300    Exit 121 (Mall Exit - Meadowbrook Road)


Friends relaxing and talking at the 2007 picnic



JUNE TUNES

submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)
Sgoff53@hotmail.com

'I'll remember always....graduation day...' In was June of 1972, our graduating class was already hot and sweaty from putting on our caps and gowns too soon, and then running up and down the halls of WI for an hour, waiting for them to herd us into the auditorium, and then up to the stage to sit in alphabetical order and receive our diplomas. As the audience of family and friends sat fanning themselves with their programs, and we grads fidgeted and giggled on stage, Senator Jennings Randolph asked us from the podium if we wanted his long or short speech...you can guess what we picked, and then Randolph delivered a painfully long commencement address....thank you Senator, could you just please pass me that diploma?

Here are two tunes appropriate for this time of year:

'Graduation Day'...the Arbors (1967)....A very big hit for the Four Freshman in 1956, this version was on the charts in '67 for a few weeks.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uH5UKIZciWg

'School's Out'.... Alice Cooper (1972).....this made the 'top ten' my senior year and became a bit of an anthem for we naughty girls and boys about to graduate.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AeZxRYXZ154&feature=related

Here are some tunes that were #1 the nation in the month of June, throughout our high school years. I hope one or two bring back memories for you. I was particularly happy with some of the videos I found for this set of songs. From The Ink Spots to Fleetwood Mac...a good variety of video presentations.

1943.... 'Taking a Chance on Love'....BENNY GOODMAN.....alas...no video for this song, but this is a nice stereo version here:
http://www.last.fm/music/Benny+Goodman/_/Taking+a+Chance+on+Love?autostart

1946.... 'The Gypsy'....The INK SPOTS....simple, classy presentation of a smooth song...hard to find video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9-nb_AY4poI

1949...'(Ghost) Riders in the Sky'....VAUGHN MONROE....I've always loved this tune.....this video is a well done tribute done by a fan....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xsfw9CEQITA

1951....'Too Young'....NAT KING COLE..... This starts out with just Nat, but later, through the magic of video tape.....Natalie Cole joins in.....nicely done.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vBITEYae4DY

1953....'The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart)'....PERCY FAITH....wonderful video of Percy Faith conducting his orchestra....another hard to find video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aKhrRgadxhc

1957.....PAT BOONE Special.....he had two #1 songs in the same month !!!! A pretty good year for one of my sister's (she's 12 yrs. older) favorite teen idol singers.

'Bernadine'....live television performance...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q3rwVZIZA8k

'Love Letters in the Sand'....a slide presentation tribute to Pat Boone and summer!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=m7TTkmC7HX8&feature=related

1959....'The Battle of New Orleans'.....JOHNNY HORTON.....Oh how I loved to hear this song coming through the car radio of our green Buick, and dad leading sis and I through the chorus of 'briars and brambles' in the back seat.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_4Q47i4zGBs

1962....'I Can't Stop Loving You'....RAY CHARLES....excellent black and white video of a live performance...the Rayettes looking good!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FN_O8Nq_gJI

1964....'Chapel of Love'.....THE DIXIE CUPS....A classic little charmer...I love these old 'dance party' clips.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6R2QaBuBwvs

**FOCUS ON 1969....In June of '69 three different songs hit #1. I think they represent the wonderful diversity of music we got to hear on American 'top 40' radio back in those days. Black, white, soul, country, pop,etc....a very integrated play list...I miss that format.

'When a Man Loves a Woman'....PERCY SLEDGE....A live version showing that Percy remains in good voice.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-cK42IByqnE

'Paint It Black'....THE ROLLING STONES....I always found the middle eastern influence on this song kind of exotic sounding....there has been a Brian Jones sighting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LbuRN63sG04

'Paperback Writer'....THE BEATLES....**LIVE IN JAPAN'....This is really great footage....You can see what a tight little combo they were live, and watch how hard they work trying to get all the vocals right, in a tough live setting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8AoeM3V0LDg

1970....'Everything Is Beautiful'.... RAY STEVENS.....playing live at a Minnie Pearl Tribute...no...really.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5euAgFc-0Io

1972.... 'I'll Take You There'....THE STAPLE SINGERS....Check out this very funky version done by Mavis Staples with Dr. John on piano and Jeff Healy on guitar!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y2D2TQve0ac

1975....'Sister Golden Hair'....AMERICA..... real nice concert version.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rQ3ax8NWNGA

1977....'Dreams'.....FLEETWOOD MAC....Stevie Nicks sounding great....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE

1980....'Funkytown'.....LIPPS, Inc.....what could I possibly have to say about this song??
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CUm6TCbEK0g

1984....'Time After Time'....CYNDI LAUPER.....MTV had this in heavy rotation at one time.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3C6AXnnjgqI

Next month I'll be doing songs with a 'summer' theme....any suggestions? Please let me know. sgoff53@hotmail.com



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


1954 BASEBALL ALLSTARS

Dugout of Clarksburg Little League All-Star State Team (1954) during W.Va. State Championship game at Veterans Park.

NOTE: Clarksburg lost the game to Huntington 8-7 after leading 7-0 in sixth inning. YIKES!

1.-Tommy Ayoob (RW 1959), 2.-Charlie McGlumphy (WI 1961), 3.-Bob Harrick 4.-Don Adams (WI 1960), 5.-John Hutchison (B-port 1959) 6.-Freddie Alvaro (WI 1959)

Coach of the team (also in the dugout) was Herb Cottrill, WI class of 1953.



WERE YOU EVER TREATED UNFAIRLY IN SCHOOL?

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

I went to Salem College, Clarksburg campus from 1973-1977 when I graduated. I remember 2 things and I could say the professors, but nothing good would happen.

1. In an accounting class, we had a take home test for the finals. It was told that we could assist each other so a guy I went to Salem with and I worked together on the test. We had the same answers from A - Z--only difference was that my answers were easier to read and neater. Also another fellow (B) in the class had problems all the way through and could not answer one question in class, etc. and I was afraid he would fail. But, when the grades came it, I was happy to find out that my close friend got an "A" and the other guy (B) received a "B+". I received a "C". I thought about it and finally decided to question my grade but the professor died between sessions and the grade stayed--my only "C" to go with my one "B". Oh well...

2. In Chemistry class, I studied hard because I wanted an "A" in every class. For the tests, the professor was not there and the test was on the desks. I would not open my book and got my grades from what was in my head, not my book. I may have been the only one that did not open their book and cheat. But I did get an "A", but I had to work hard for it. I did tell the professor that I did not feel it was proper to give the tests unsupervised--it seemed I was wasting my time studying but I did the same for the rest of the tests. At least I knew I earned my grade. I wonder if that professor still does the tests that way.



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

I don't know if I was treated differently or not by a teacher but I think I would have done differently in her class if I understood what she was teaching. It was as hard for her to put up with me as it was for me to like the class. I guess I was too shy to let myself really let loose in the class.

When I took Speech at WI from Lillie Mae Bauer she gave me a C grade all through her classes. She kept saying I didn't express myself enough. I heard that every time I got my grade. She also said I didn't even deserve the C she was giving me. I guess she thought she should give me a C for attending her classes without missing too many.

For the senior play I played Coach Tony Folio in a skit that was to be a resemblance of what it was like to be in the locker room at half time of a WI football game. In another skit I impersonated Louie Armstrong. Also adding to that, I came out on the stage as Bucky Beaver. You know the Bucky Beaver who advertised New Ipana Toothpaste? You know the ole "Brusha Brusha Brusha, New Ipana Toothpaste" song? Well anyway after those horrible skits that I did Lillie Mae came up to me and said, "NOW, THAT IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR ALL YEAR."

I told her that if she had something interesting in her class all year I would have done better. I'm glad she already had the grades made out or I would have had some more of her interesting classes in Summer School. I really liked her though I would not have wanted to spend my summer with her.



WI CLASS OF 1978

Is anyone in the class of 1978 planning a 30th class reunion? Will you please contact Paul A (“Trey”) Hornor (WI 1978) at Trey@HBE1902.com he is interested in knowing if there is some activity planned for the 30th Reunion…Thanks..



RADIO CLUB

SOME PEOPLE IDENTIFIED

submitted by: Jon Rose (WI '62)
jwrosenova@aol.com



Front Row: Mimi Hodges '62, Penny Christie '60, ?, Jeep Wilson, Janet Marple, Kendra White '62
Back Row: Jon Rose '62 (me), Mr. Davis, ?, Bob Teter '60, ?, Bob Robey '60, Claire Malfregeot '60.


PROM

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


This is a prom picture of Jim Alvaro WI '56 and Diana Folio Watne WI ' 57 and a picture taken 50 years later. Diana and her husband Al live in the Atlanta area and we get together occasionally.




submitted by: Sharon Dillmore Smith (WI '58)
Shanangels@comcast.net


Sharon Dillmore Smith and Ross Marano




NOTRE DAME CLASS OF 1958

50TH REUNION PLANS

submitted by: Brooke Beall (ND '58)
Bbeall2@verizon.net

The Notre Dame High School Class of 1958 will hold their 50th class reunion in Clarksburg, WV on August 22 and 23, 2008.

To view the details of the reunion plans click on the following web page. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew42av/notredamehighschoolclassof1958/

If you have any comments or questions please contact Brooke (Boo) Beall at his email address given above.



WRITE TO THE NEWSLETTER
ABOUT
“WERE YOU TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY A TEACHER?”

There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether girls are treated as fairly by teachers as boys. A study was made to check this out. An essay submitted to a teacher was written by a girl and she received a C on the essay. Later in the same school year a boy copied that essay and submitted it to the same teacher, he received a A? the same thing has happened to boys….by teachers who showed favoritism to girls….did this happen to you?

Did any teacher that you had in school ever show favoritism to one sex over the other? Who was the teacher (if you don’t want to name the teacher-that is fine). Just tell us how you think it affected you or if it changed you in any way.

Did you experience a teacher showing any favoritism to another student over you, why do you think this happened and how do you feel it affected you?

Write about this subject to: Roleta1@aol.com

Thank you!



Note from Fred Alvaro (WI '59):

I realize that every person who reads the newsletter appreciates the time and effort that Roleta and Judy put into it every month. One way to demonstrate that appreciation is to write to them and discuss the subjects that are listed each month. I strongly encourage that my classmates of '59 do this, along with readers from other graduates from WI , RW, Victory, Notre Dame, Shinnston,Bristol and any other readers........c'mon you guys, that is not asking that much!!!



submitted by: Dan Wheeler (WI '62)
Dan.wheeler@canaanvi.org

Just wanted you to know that I really enjoy reading the WI Newsletter. You certainly do a great job in putting the newsletter together. I usually get the link from either David Kuhl or other friends, but would appreciate having my name added directly to your mailing list. I am a proud WI graduate with the class of “62” and look forward to receiving the next issues.



submitted by: Natalie N. Harrison Traugh (WI '62)
nntraugh@aol.com

Graduated in class of '62. My brother Jim graduated in class of '61 and lives in Morgantown, WV. My brother, Michael (Terry) graduated in class of '57 and is deceased. I have ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and have been diagnosed since 2004 just before my husband, former WIHS teacher, Lewis E. Traugh. It is progressing very slowly and I take each day one at a time. The newsletter is great. I have never gone to a class reunion and am very sorry now.



submitted by: Judy Allen Scharle (would have been WI '62)
jscharle@aol.com

I believe I am still on your list for the WI Newsletter. (I'm currently in rehab because I broke my leg pretty severely!) Just in case, my name is Judy (Allen) Scharle. I would have graduated from WI in 1962, but my parents moved to Fairmont in the summer of '61; I thereby graduated from Fairmont Senior High. I remain close to many of my WI friends to this day!

My email address is jscharle@aol.com.

Thanks for all you do for the newsletter! I love getting it, and I hear from all kinds of friends because of it! Good job!



submitted by: Joan Marra Bunk (ND '68)
joancmb@verizon.net

My name is Joan Marra Bunk from Millersville, MD. I am a 1968 graduate of NDHS in Clarksburg: I attended Linden Grade School through sixth grade (so most of my classmates up to then went on to WI). I shall look forward to your email with news of the old hometown, thanks to Rusty Sloan. Now that my parents are gone, I have little communication with the area, although I am returning to Clarksburg for my 40th class reunion in late July.



submitted by: Skip Riley (WI '62)
criley15@neo.rr.com

Please put me on the monthly newsletter for WI. I was in the 1962 graduation class, Skip Riley. I look forward to hearing from our old class mates



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

I just got around to reading the May newsletter. Actually, I might not have done so today, but I was looking for Charlie Burkhammer's e-mail address. I finally found it on my own computer and have written to him. The newsletter had several things that tweaked my interest.

I've had the WIN scholarship address on my kitchen table for a month. I'll try to get a check off to you over the weekend. I liked the challenge idea.

In the radio stories about Club WI, I saw a picture of Betsy Rucker. I don't remember her in high school, but I think she might be the same Betsy Rucker I knew in early childhood. Her grandfather, I think, was Jack Rucker who lived in Adamston. Do you happen to have an e-mail for her? I would like to find out.

Re the obit for Nicholas Dolly Linger. I have a couple of nice memories of him. In the 90s when he was working at Stonewall in Weston, we both attended an Elimination Dinner to benefit the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. I don't know if you know how an elimination dinner works, but it's a backwards drawing. The last five tickets drawn out of the pot have the potential to win $1000. In our case, Nick's ticket and my ticket were the last two to be drawn. We decided to split the pot rather than have one more ticket drawn. As it turned out, the next ticket drawn was Nick's and I would have won the big bucks! As it was, we split it and neither of us was ever sorry.

Nick, like you and I, was also interested in his family history. His family traced back to the Dollys of Pendleton, the same family for whom Dolly Sods is named!

He was a nice man! Anyway - take care.



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

Just a few memories that have lasted thru the years.

My first real crush....the lifeguard at Jackson Mills 4-H camp. Still smile thinking about him.
Summers at Lake Floyd....the square dances upstairs in the clubhouse on Fri nights or maybe it was on Sats. Ben Williams was the caller and young and old joined in. Sun bathing on the beach with baby oil and iodine to give us a tan. We were not concerned about later wrinkles and skin cancer!!
My first job working at the court house. I loved pay day!!!
Learning to drive. Cannot believe the streets were so narrow and I never even bumped fenders with the parked cars.
I could go on and on. Times were the very best. We were safe.

Thanks again for all your hard work.



PEPPERONI ROLLS
submitted by: Betty Miller (WI '48)
Betts08@verizon.net

Roleta, as usual thanks for another great newsletter. You are amazing.

I am so curious to know, Who was Miss Central West Virginia pictured in the Newsletter?....Somehow I think it may have been Patsy Paugh from Parkersburg WV. It does look a lot like her. You might remember her as the Mother of Jon Benet Ramsey, if I am correct in recognizing her.

On another note, thanks so much for the Pepperoni Roll recipe. I have been making them for my grandchildren, who were visiting this weekend from Jacksonville, Fl. This morning we had a great discussion on Clarksburg Bakery Pepperoni Rolls, Tomors, Tianos, D’nunnzios.

Ummm, especially when warm out of the oven. Are these bakeries still in business? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



submitted by: Judith A Hutson (WI '56)
judithahutson@webtv.net

Several years back on my birthday which is 9/16/38, my favorite cousin, JoEllen Hissam of Bridgeport, decided for my birthday she would send me pepperoni rolls and many loaves of round Italian bread because I talked about how I missed them all the time. Living in Oklahoma had denied me the pleasure of eating my favorites foods for many years. That was the year of 9/11. Needless to say what should have been an overnight delivery ended up being over a week late When the package finally arrived I was so thrilled everything immediately went into the freezer - never looking if the bread had turned green.. Both the thought that went into the gift, the fact of 9/11, the thought that West Virginia had been such an important part of my life - well, it was all rather overwhelming. To this day I will never forget that birthday.

P.S. for Christmas I had a case of Oliverio's peppers sent to my little brother in Florida. You can take the kids from Clarksburg, but you cannot take Clarksburg from the kids.

EDITOR’S NOTE-----THIS IS A GREAT SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Write to Roleta1@aol.com about the bakeries mentioned above.

Also, if you know who was pictured in the May newsletter as the Miss Central West Virginia, please write to me…Roleta1@aol.com.






SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION NEXT MONTH:


I want you to think------to remember-----------------to dust those cobwebs off the inside of your head---yep, that is where your brain is located…..now come on, use it! Here are a few suggested topics to use..however, you use any topic-----I will try to work it into some upcoming newsletter….Just write. Some of you have never written----NOW IS THE TIME….YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF, YOU OWE IT TO ME! Just put the words down as best you can. Start the sentence with a capital letter and end with a period. I will straighten it out. Together we can do it!

SUMMER SPORTS----Did you participate? Playground sports, little league, team sports or neighborhood sports---write and tell us.
SCHOOL WAS OUT---What did you do in the summer?
TRAVEL--- Did your family travel for a vacation-where did you go?
JOB--- Did you have a summer job-what was it, where did you work?
HANG OUT---Where did you hang out in the evenings?
Did you play KICK THE CAN? How was it played? What were your rules?
BAKERS in Clarksburg when you were young……………..which was your favorite?
What was the name of the bakery close to the courthouse?
Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



NEW READERS

Boyd Welling (WI '62) bwelling@ma.rr.com
Joan Marra Bunk (ND '68)      joancmb@verizon.net
Skip Riley (WI '62) criley15@neo.rr.com
Harry J. Mitchell (WI '75) harry.j.mitchell@verizon.net
Sam Iaquinta (WI '54) SAMiQiii@COMAST.NET
Teddy Wilson (WI '59) theow1941@yahoo.com
Nila Means May (WI '66) nila@hbe1902.com
Brian Hennig (WI '89) bhennig_hhs@sbcglobal.net


CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Michael Caruso (WI '48) wvucert@comcast.net
Dan Wheeler (WI '62) Dan.wheeler@canaanvi.org
Don Sager (WI '56) forwvu@sc.rr.com
Natalie N. Harrison Traugh (WI '62) nntraugh@aol.com
Scott Miller (WI '78) msmiller4@yahoo.com
Jerry Belt (WI '59) jerrybelt@bellsouth.net
Carolyn Hornor Wilson (would have been WI '60) was: chw10@gv.psu.edu
is now: chw10@comcast.net
v


NO ONE GUESSED

No one guessed the name of the perfume bottle pictured. Only one person tried to name the perfume bottle which was pictured. That guess was incorrect. I will not identify that perfume bottle. Perhaps we will try it again another month.

Sorry.




REMEMBER YOUR WEST VIRGINIA HISTORY?

JUNE 20, IS WEST VIRGINIA DAY.






?? RECIPE REQUEST ??

A few years ago we ask if anyone had the recipe for the Boston Crème Pie served by Daily’s Coffee Kitchen in Reynoldsville, WV. We received a recipe but I don’t think it was not the one used at Daily’s .. A reader suggested that I ask again…..If you have a recipe send it to:Roleta1@aol.com and I will publish it in the newsletter.



REMEMBER YOUR BARBER SHOP?



Do you remember the Barber Shop where you got your hair cut? Tell us about it, perhaps your remember some of the following information that you can share with us….

Where was the Barber Shop located? What was the Barber’s name? What was the name of the shop? How much was a haircut? Any interesting stories you can tell us?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

Here is a story that inspired this subject search:

submitted by: Wayne Winters
wwinters@ix.netcom.com

(moved to Huntington in 1964 but would have graduated with the WI Class of 1966 if he had stayed in Clarksburg)

Probably my first professional hair cut occurred at the barber shop on Main street overlooking the creek between Monticello Ave and Water street. We called it Shorty's. I remember --possibly correctly --that Shorty was a relative of my sister's friend--Brenda Logue --who resided on Tyler Ave. Any way I can remember some of the barber shop memories. The padded seat that the young ones sat upon till their head could be at a comfortable height for the barber. A spittoon on the floor. The color of the creek and the amount of water in there which could tell an astute observer the season. The rite of passage for me was whether I had to sit on the kid's booster or not. I can recall the triumph when the booster was not required and also the letdown that happened when the next visit included a seat on the booster board. Did I shrink?



OLD NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS MEET AT THE BEACH

submitted by: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59)
mtmama41@msn.com

We just got back from Nags Head for a week. We had horrible weather at first, then it turned out to be a great one. We got LARGE conk shells, starfish and had a show from the dolphins. Wind was sustained at 40-50 and gusted to 60 mph... it was a noreastern....as they call it. Next door on Thurs. Rusty and Dottie Taggart Rutan came in. We had a great time talking.


McGahan's and Rutan's.




TRIVIA PICTURE

submitted by: Judy Talkington (VHS '64)
sonnytalking@aol.com

The picture is the River Bend Motel located on Milford Street in Clarksburg, WV.



submitted by: Marilyn Lighter Kittle (WI '65)
Pamak41371@wmconnect.com

I recognize this picture as the White Motel on Milford Street, Clarksburg. My parents were good friends of the owners, Paul & Sarabell (sp?) White! I remember visiting them there when I was a very young child.



submitted by: Joanne Westfall Simpson-Tetrick (WI '52)
fragilegranny@ma.rr.com

The trivia picture this month has to be the River Bend Motel. It is located on Milford Street on the way to the VA Park. I lived on Liberty Avenue which was just down the next street by the West Fork River. We had a boardwalk to get from the back of my house to Milford Street to catch the bus to go to school. It is still there and looks quite shabby. My guess is that it must be 50+ years old.



submitted by: Roberta Lasko Burks (WI '82)
rburks@baileywyant.com

I think it is the Riverbend Motel on Milford Street. When I was little, we used to go trick or treating there and they would give us a can of Coke.



submitted by: Trudy Shearer Ware (ND '62)
ohsewneat@msn.com

The trivia picture for June is the River Bend Motel, located in the 800 block of Milford St. It was owned by my neighbor, Evelyn Mitchner. She had 8 units, 4 in each of the two smaller buildings, and she had her office and her apartment in the downstairs of the larger building. Her mother lived in one of the upstairs apartments, and the other apartment was rented.

I lived in the little gray house that is partially hidden from view, on the upper side of the motel, in the right of the picture. My son, John, and I spent lots of evenings visiting with Evelyn and her mother.

In 1971, I met and married my second husband, Dave Ware (WI '62), and after having a kitchen fire a year and a half later, we moved to a larger house with our two sons. At the time of the fire, Dave took the baby to Evelyn. The entire time we were waiting for the fire trucks to arrive, none of us even gave it a thought, but there were fire extinguishers hanging on the outside of the motel buildings in plain view. After the fire was put out, and everything 'calmed down', we 'discovered' the extinguishers.



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

This is the River Bend Motel located on Milfird Street. It was at one time a very busy motel as the only one going toward Weston. This was a very close motel to hospital and was used quite a lot. It has now been turned into some apartments. Still in business after 40 some years. It had had several different owners over the years. It was formerly known as The White Motel.



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

Riverbend Motel on Milford Street in Stealey
I do not really remember anything particular about the Motel, except for the fact that I always thought that the people that I saw outside on the small patio areas always looked like they were LIVING THERE instead of just staying overnight. AND, I do not ever remember seeing a ROOM PRICE sign anywhere on the property either.



submitted by: John Stealey (WI '59)
jstealey@shepherd.edu

By the way, the picture looks to be that of the Riverbend Motel on Milford Street, parallel to Liberty in Hartland, just below where you lived. I have no stories about this place on Route 19 South before the Veterans’ Hospital bridge, but my uncle once owned the lots where it is.



submitted by: Boyd Welling (WI '62)
bwelling@ma.rr.com

The Riverbend Motel located on lower Milford Street near the bridge to the Veteran's Park. The motel is still in business.

Fortunately I am too much of a gentleman to write about any memories of this landmark.



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

Thanks so much for doing the newsletter. I read it every month, looking for the names and memories I always find.

I think the picture is of a River Bend motel on Route 19 going out of town to the south. It's on the slope of the hill going down to River Bend Park and the VA hospital. I recall driving past it on our way to visit my grandparents in Braxton County.

The last time I noticed it, the building was in bad shape; the picture shows it in its better days.



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

The trivia picture is the River Bend Motel on Milford Street just above the VA bridge. It had a very storied past through several owners.



submitted by: Ted Wolfe (WI '74)
Wolfetm95@aol.com

Its the Riverbend Motel. Since I never had any reason to spend the night in a motel in Clarksburg, I don't know much about it other than it is still in operation, and the exterior of the property looks well kept. I went by it on the school bus every day back in the 60's and early seventies, and even then I thought those rooms must be awful small.



submitted by: Bill May (WI '63)
billmayflorida@yahoo.com

The motel is the River Bend Motel on Milford Street as you went down the hill from Stealey towards the Veterans Park. It was on the right. I think Pete Woodruff's family had a farm near there but I am not sure. It was a great bicycle ride down that hill but a rough climb back up it.



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

I think the trivia picture is of the little hotel on Milford Street towards the VA Hospital. It is still in operation. No, I did not stay there but I just passed it a few days ago on the way to United Hospital to see my mother in law. There was a lady sitting out in front of it and she must have been someone who worked there.



submitted by: Jackie Clifton Goff (VHS '67)
jgoff@criss-crosswv.org

This is the River Bend Motel on Milford St. I graduated from Victory High School in 1967 and have lived in Clarksburg all my life so pass this place more times than I can remember.



submitted by: Susan William Hood (WI '66)
suziejay@hotmail.com

The picture this month is of the River Bend Motel on Milford Street. I drive by it every morning on my way to Nutter Fort Intermediate where I teach with two of my WI classmates (1966).



submitted by: Nancy Tonkin (WI '72)
Nancy.Tonkin@Verizon.net

I just took the time to read the May WI newsletter. Thanks so much for organizing all the comments, recipes, memories and contact names for us. I have passed it on to a few people so I hope they have followed-up to sign on to the distribution list.

The picture at the end of the May newsletter is the River Bend Motel on Milford Street, snuggled into the Stealey Hill before you get to the bridge that crosses the West Fork River. I lived just up the street from it from 1962-1978 at 701 Milford Street. We would drive by that place daily but I very seldom saw cars or people in and out of there.

I have lived in Nitro, WV for 15 years and work in Charleston. I have my own company where I manage associations, lobby and do public relations work. If folks want to get in touch, I can be reached at my e-mail: Nancy.Tonkin@Verizon.net.

Thanks again for all information gathering and distribution you do for the alma mater.



submitted by: Leslie Moran Bond (WI '79)
LMOORE761@aol.com

It's the Riverbend Motel. As for a memory.......isn't that a loaded request?!!! You are soliciting high school memories about a motel that advertised a rate for a "two hour REST stop??!! My MOM reads this newsletter, for Pete's sake!

All kidding aside, mostly I know the place because my school bus passed by it every day back and forth from Davisson Run to downtown, and sometimes that is where we paused to wait for the light to change at the VA Bridge. Seriously, MOM, that's all I know!



submitted by: Babe Bisping Cashman (WI '56)
s_bcashman@yahoo.com

The picture can only be the White's motel on Milford Street in C-burg. It was right down the street from you and me. It was owned by Roger White's parents, and they lived right in the building. I remember that I thought it would be neat to have a business where you could live right there and not have to travel to work. He was a true red head and graduated in 1955.

We used to hike behind the motel up the hill to what we called "Bull pasture". Then we would hike over the hill to route 50 to the Carnation plant where Elsie the contented cow lived. Those were the days before TV so there was plenty of time to exercise in the fresh air.

The last time we were in Clarksburg, the building was still there, but I don't think it was still a motel.

Thanks for the wonderful job that you and Judy do



submitted by: Randy Martin (WI '74)
rlmartin@aep.com

This is the Riverbend Motel on Milford Street or US Route 19 S. I use to stop at their pop machine to get a creme ale or a coke on my walk home after playing tennis at Riverbend Park with my brother Jim, Rusty Manley or Jeff Westfall.



submitted by: Marlene Parsons Andre (WI '53)
eandre@twmi.rr.com

It is the motel located on Milford St. going towards the V A Park. It is the RiverBend Motel and it has been there for years.




CLINTONS CAMPAIGN IN CLARKSBURG


Former President Bill Clinton paid a visit to the home of Mary Fox McCoy, left, during a recent stop in Clarksburg. Clinton was campaigning for his wife Hillary. Mary grew up in Glen Elk and graduated from WI.

Photo by Bob Shaw From an article in the Clarksburg Exponent.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is not a political statement---this newsletter does not endorse Mrs. Clinton or any other presidential candidate.

It is the policy of our newsletter to not discuss politics, no off color subjects, we don’t discuss religion or racial subjects. In this newsletter, those things just don’t exist! We are all friends who have in common one thing---We once lived in Clarksburg, WV.

Oh---and personally I never discuss age, weight, lack of hair or the color of ones hair!!




TV STATION TRIVIA

submitted by: Buzzy Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@cox.net



The folks in the May Newsletter trivia pic are: l-r, Pete Lyman, Jack See, Frances Basile, and Bob Toothman. The camera man is…whoa there, could it be…no way…but it might be...me??? Anyway, I got that picture from Jack See and shared it with a few others, but we aren’t sure if it really is me. I think it is, but if it is then the pic was probably taken earlier than 1962. By 1962 I wasn’t running camera much, and I was wearing suits to work. But that looks like the back of my young head of hair, and I sort of recognize the shirt. I think it’s still in my closet. Other possibilities are Pete Fragale, Bob Adams, or Bob Miley. Maybe even Gene Petitto. We all had black hair, crew cuts, and were skinny back then.

Pete Lyman was the WBOY-TV, Ch. 12, News Director, and, something a lot of people never realized (although I don’t see how), he was also Uncle Pete on The Uncle Pete Show which ran weekday afternoons. I think he also held the position of Operations Manager. Pete could do everything. He was a consummate professional entertainer, and we were lucky to have someone with his talent and experience in Clarksburg. He had been all over the world in various areas of show business. I believe he told me he had even worked for the USO entertaining the military. But he loved Clarksburg and decided to make it his home until he passed away. I was in Las Vegas, Laredo, or Reno by the time he died, but I believe it was in the late 1970s.

Jack See was the Program Director for WBOY-AM, and a regular news anchor on the TV side of the house. Both stations were in the same building and a lot of employees did double duty at both stations. All the on air talent on both radio and TV hosted a variety of live shows, and did commercials too. Jack was a lot of fun to work with. He and I are in touch by email nearly every day.

Frances Basile was the AM traffic manager, but she wrote commercials, did live TV commercials, hosted various TV and radio shows, represented both stations in community affairs, typed logs, put out the trash, and fed the cat. We all had to do so many jobs some of us wore out our hair changing hats. I bother Frances with emails a lot, and now and then she sends me one to let me know she’s not mad about it.

Bob Toothman was the WBOY-TV Programming Manager, as well as Traffic Director, and Sports Director, and he read the morning news on the radio. He taught me to do just about everything, especially the traffic logs, and the program schedules, so that wherever I went after that people would say, “Hey, did you know Buzz can do traffic (programming, direct live shows, run camera, write commercials, whatever…)” so that whenever there was a strike, famine, flu outbreak, or poorly planned vacation schedule, guess who got to fill in for others? Bob passed away doing what he loved best, fishing. Frances told me that Bob had always said he that when he went he wanted it to be at his favorite fishing hole…and that’s the way he went. It was in the early ‘80s when he left us. I’ve never know a nicer guy.

The cameraman in this shot, if he is who I think he is, moved to Las Vegas in 1964 and went to work as Production Manager at the NBC affiliate, which at the time was KORK-TV, Ch 2. It later became Ch-3, and still later the call sign was changed to KVBC. He was transferred a few times, working as Program/Production Manager at KGNS (Good Neighbor Station), Ch -8 in Laredo, TX, on the Mexican border; Operations/Program Manager at KOLO-TV, Ch-8 in Reno, NV; and VP/Gen. Mgr at KNMZ in Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM. In 1991 he went to work for the State of Nevada and retired in February, 2005. On various occasions he worked as a poker shill, an advertising executive, and sold “air” at a radio station.

Seriously, besides these four, John Peters and Gene Petitto, and a few others, all conspired to teach me a trade and start me on a really fun career that lasted for 32 years. Then I got a job.



A MEMORIAL
FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Clarence C. “Hotty” Herrick (RW 1942)


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

Hotty was born July 4, 1923, in the Broadway section of Clarksburg to Charles and Estella (Saab) Herrick. He was killed in action, November 23, 1943, in Italy. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Clarksburg.

Charlie always called him 'Lahot' and the nickname Hotty ensued. Hotty, the baby, had eight older siblings – Mary Herrick George (my grandmother), Ida, Henry, George, John, Joseph, Francis, and Madeline Herrick Fernandez.

Hotty excelled in sports at Roosevelt-Wilson High School, where he graduated in 1942. He was a natural athlete. His coach, Sam Mazzie, said that if Hotty had better vision, he could have “made it” in sports. He also said that Hotty was the only player he ever coached that could play any position. In fact, his vision was a serious handicap. The coach would send him out on long pass plays, duping the defenders into following him, when he couldn’t have seen the ball to catch it. Tommy remembered Hotty flailing at the air trying to get a handle on a ball that he couldn’t focus on in a game against Grafton.


HOTTY #5 AND ERNIE SERAFINI

George Snider almost drowned in Elk Creek. Emery Winston dove in to save him and George clutched to him so both of them were going under. Hotty dove in to save them and now all three were in trouble. Dick Toothman was driving by on River Road (old Philipi Pike) and saw them. He dove in and immediately punched George, knocking him out, and saved them all. Within three years, all involved were dead: George died of tuberculosis in prison, Emery committed suicide in 1946 after seeing serious action in the Aleutians (he thought the Japanese were all around), and Hotty was killed in action in Italy. Dick, who had lost an eye to a sledding accident, was injured in a dice game. A guy sliced his belly open and Dick had to hold his guts in on the way to the hospital. While he was in the hospital, Father Altmeyer found out he hadn’t been baptized and baptized him. [Tom George, 4/01]

Hotty spent a lot of time with his best friend, Ernie Serafini. They played basketball and football at Broadway Junior High and Roosevelt Wilson High Schools. They spent a lot of time at Charlie Herrick’s confectionery and at the cemetery. They swam in Elk Creek behind South Penn Oil Company. Hotty enjoyed many meals of spaghetti, meatballs and outside-oven-baked Italian bread at Ernie’s House. [Ernie Serafini, 6/01]

After graduation, Hotty and Louie Pete (Herrick) went to Detroit and worked in a defense plant run by General Motors. They attempted to join the Marines but Hotty was rejected because of his bad eyes. He was able to enlist in the Army on December 11, 1942 in Clarksburg; he was able to become a Ranger, which he considered as elite as the Marines,. Hotty’s sister, Madeline, always held it against Louie, that Hotty had persisted in enlisting. Hotty went to Camp Mead, Maryland for his basic training.

Hotty told a local girl, whose first husband turned out to be a bigamist, that when he got home from the Army, he would marry her to give her a proper name.

Hotty died in Italy in WW II, November 23, 1943. This may have been during a suicide attack at Monte Casino, where 90% of the outfit was killed. Years later, a German officer said that he couldn’t believe the Allies would sacrifice young men like they did in that battle. The Poles finally took Casino in May of 1944. A Western Union messenger came to the Herrick Building with the telegram. Tommy and Eugene were on the steps on the first floor and one of the two signed for the telegram. Both were scared to open it. Finally, Uncle Hawk (George Herrick) came along and asked what they had. He opened the telegram and they could tell from his face what it was. Families were always getting telegrams but you never thought it was going to come to your own family.

Stella Simon, Hotty’s niece, related that Hotty was not supposed to be on his fatal assignment but volunteered to take the place of a married man with children. [Joanne Herrick Cottrill, 9/17/2002]

Hotty had been wounded earlier in Italy (presumably Sicily) and sent back to North Africa for recuperation. The family didn’t know this till afterwards when they received the Purple Heart (#156138) for him being wounded in action. They had already received his Purple Heart for being killed in action.

In the explosion that killed him, Hotty's dog tags became lost. His body was identified by a member of his squad. His sister, Ida, never accepted that it was really Hotty that had been killed.

Hotty’s last V-Mail to Ernie Serafini, his best friend. The address is: P.F.C. Clarence Herrick 15194619. Co E 1st Ranger Bat. A.P.O. 464 x P.M.. New York, NY. It was sent from Italy. (In order to keep information from possibly leaking to the enemy, V-Mails were reviewed by censors and dates and specific addresses were not used.) [File of war casualties shows his serial number as 15394617.]

“Hi Sarg, I received your letter today. I sure was glad to get it. I was wondering what happened to you. I guess you did miss my last letter.

How in the hell are you ever going to ---- sergeant by joining the Navy.

There was a company of sailors camped about a ¼ mile from us when we were training in Africa. They do a hell of lot of walking for sailors. What type of work are you specializing in?

I hope you get a furlough before you come over here. Clarksburg, according to my sister is really dead, but I would have liked to have had a furlough before I sailed. Estella told me that all the kids there are even joining the Armed services. William (Wild Bill) Pete is in Detroit. Boy! There must be a lot of loose girls around there.

I haven’t heard from Bernard for a long time. I asked you the same question in the last letter to you. ---- Your pal, Hotty”

(Bernard was Bernard Lemaster, Hotty’s other best friend.)

Hotty had worked in the same defense plant as Thelma Ayoob, John Herrick’s sister-in-law. She saw his name on a plaque that was put up at the plant to note the war dead.

Hotty was just a few years older than Tommy, like a brother, and his hero. His death was devastating.

Hotty was immediately buried in Italy. After the war, families were given the option of bringing bodies home or permanently interring them overseas. Bodies were sent by rail from Baltimore. The Pullman cars would be outfitted to hold caskets and the outsides would be draped in purple. As a trackman for the B&O, Tommy and the other workers would stop each time a purple car passed, to honor the war dead. These burials continued through 1946 and 1947. Hotty was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in June of 1949. Charlie spent much money on the tombstone. [Ernie Serafini, 4/25/01 and 5/17/01, Tommy George 3/01]



OBITUARIES

KATHRYN H GOOTS WISCH

CLARKSBURG — Mrs. Kathryn H. Goots Wisch, age 92, of 216 North 6th Street, Clarksburg, WV, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2008, at her residence.

She was born in Clarksburg, WV, May 26, 1915, a daughter of the late Frank Goots and Rosa Fragale Goots.

Twice married, she was preceded in death by both husbands, Marshall Bobet and Joel Wisch.

Surviving are a brother, Thaddeus A. Goots, and a sister, Mary Goots Romano, both of Clarksburg, WV, with whom she resided; a sister-in- law, Vallie Goots, Elkins, WV; two granddaughters, Stephanie Angelides and Mari Bobet, both of Fairfax, VA; nieces and nephews, Rosemary Markley, Elkins, WV, Barbara Owens and her husband Rod, Bridgeport, WV, John H. Goots and wife Kristi, Glen Allen, VA, and James Goots and wife Sue Ann, Bridgeport, WV.

Mrs. Wisch was also preceded in death by a son, Marshall S. Bobet, three brothers, Dominick, John and James G. Goots, and a sister, Rachela Goots.

Mrs. Wisch was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg.



SCOTT W. KENNEDY III

YUMA, Ariz. — Scott W. Kennedy III (Sonny) died unexpectedly May 7, 2008, in Yuma, Arizona, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident, while driving to San Diego, CA, for a vacation with his family.

Scott Kennedy, 42, a front-seat passenger of a 2003 Ford Windstar, driven by his wife, was killed after the vehicle rolled over three times, according to Officer Huffman of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Marylou Kennedy, 38, was driving westbound on I-8 when a westbound truck with a camper on it came off the exit and crossed both lanes of the highway in front of the Kennedy’s vehicle.

Taking evasive action, Marylou Kennedy swerved and lost control of her vehicle, driving off the shoulder of the highway and rolling three times before landing upright back on the highway, Huffman said. The only person not wearing a seatbelt was the deceased, Scott Kennedy. Taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center by ground and air ambulance were Marylou Kennedy and their four children, Brennan, 13, Donovan, 11, Aidan, 9, and Faith, 8, who were treated for cuts and abrasions and released. No one was ejected from the vehicle.

Scott was born July 9, 1965, son of Scott W. Kennedy II, who survives in Bridgeport, WV, and the late Ludana M. Kennedy of Clarksburg, WV. He was the grandson of the late Scott and Jennie Kennedy and John and Thelma Isner, also of Clarksburg. Along with his grandparents and mother, he was preceded in death by his brother, Aaron, in May 1992.

After graduating from Washington Irving High School in 1983, Sonny went on to a career in the U.S. Air Force, being stationed in California, Texas, Saudi Arabia and Japan.

On April 6, 1990, he married the former Marylou Mardis, originally of Utah, who survives at home in Tucson along with their four children.

Education was a key factor in Scott’s life, and after earning numerous degrees, came back to Clarksburg to spend time with family after the death of his brother, and to attend West Virginia University, where he graduated with honors with a computer engineering degree. He went on to earn a master’s degree in computer engineering, while employed by Raytheon Corporation, a defense and aerospace system supplier, specializing in homeland security, as a mission system integration specialist.

With a flexible work schedule, Scott would often work at night, in order to spend time with his children, whom he and his wife homeschooled. The outdoors was a very important classroom, where the family intensely studied biology and botany, and enjoyed geocaching, camping, and Scouting. With “Sonny and Lou’s” help the Kennedy children excelled in their education, particularly science and music.

Memorial services are scheduled for a later date in both Tucson and Clarksburg.



THOMAS GREY ELDER

CLARKSBURG — Thomas Grey Elder, age 82, of Bridgeport, WV, passed away from a brief illness at United Hospital Center on May 16, 2008. He was born on February 4, 1926, in Wilkinsburg, PA, a son of the late Ralph Ezra and Isabella Fowler Elder. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Muriel Williams Elder, and his brother, John Elder.

He is survived by his wife of ten years, Nancy Jane Elder, and two sons and three daughters, Stephen G. Elder and his wife Brenda Jo of Simsbury, CT, Brenda Sue Elder of Bridgeport, Dr. Mark B. Vecchio and his wife Dawna of Bridgeport, Mary Lou Fusco and her husband Michael of Clarksburg, and Brooke Harris and her husband John of Wyomissing, PA.

Mr. Elder also is survived by 12 grandchildren, Stacey and Lindsay Elder, Summer Elder, Dominique, Joe-Michael and Vincent Fusco, Adrea Leech and husband Adam, Briana Vecchio, Emma, Benjamin and Ian Elder, and Gabriel and Claire Harris; two sisters-in-law, Onile Elder of Huntingdon, PA, and Lou Anne Cone and husband John of Bridgeport; and many nieces and nephews by whom he will be fondly remembered.

He graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1944. Following graduation from high school, Mr. Elder served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during WWII, fighting in the Battle of Okinawa. He later graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1949.

Mr. Elder was a sales representative for Procter & Gamble for 35 years. He was active in both Bridgeport and Clarksburg Presbyterian churches, serving as both a commissioned elder and as a lay minister. He also was past president of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Emeritus Club, chaplain of American Legion Post 68, in addition to being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

INFORMATION IN ABOVE OBITUARIES ARE EXCERPTS ARE USED BY CONCENT OF THE CLARKSBURG EXPONENT TELEGRAM….THANK YOU



SUSAN C. (HEITZ) SMITH

The Examiner
Posted May 17, 2008 @ 01:57 AM

Lee's Summit, MO —

Susan C. Smith of Lee’s Summit, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2008. Susan was born April 22, 1938, in Clarksburg, W. Va.,(WI 1956) to Waynor C. and Lotta (Polesk) Heitz. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Benny D. Smith.

Susan is survived by two daughters: Valerie and husband Scott Strevell of Overland Park, Kan., and Marcee and husband Brian Curtis of Lenexa, Kan.; three grandchildren, Alex, Laura Strevell and Gregory Curtis; two brothers: Stephen, Bernard Heitz; and sister Candace Heitz.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2008, at Mount Washington Forever Chapel Mausoleum, in Independence, Mo.






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