THE WI NEWSLETTER 11/06


THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 111 November 2008






LATE NEWSLETTER

As you know Bill and I were away from Florida for about 6 weeks this summer and returned around the 10th of September. For about a week we were busy getting settled back in and unpacking while still existing in our social world. Then the hectic time began….so many things go wrong when one is away….so all those repairs had to be done. Then toward the end of September we started getting ready for our oldest granddaughter’s wedding which was to take place on November 1, 2008. . She had decided earlier in the year that she wanted a destination wedding in Sarasota, Florida on Siesta Key at Sunset. Then she called me to ask me if she could have a wedding reception at my house. Just a small family wedding! I asked how many and she said around 25 maybe. I said that I thought we could handle that. Well, then the work started….get the roof power washed, the walks cleaned, the lanai framework cleaned, the furniture, etc….you get the idea on what all has to be done around a house in a year ????? well, we had to get it done in a month! I had to plan seating arrangements, borrow or rent tables and chairs….get table coverings, plates, glasses, silverware….for what was now about 40 people. There are just too many things to list that had to be done, but you get the idea of how much rushing around I had to do. Then the bride to be, her fiancé, and my daughter-in- law moved in here on, Monday October 27, from Ohio. The bride moved to the hotel with her 3 sisters on Thursday and the groom moved to the same hotel that day to be with his family who had just arrived. Then the same day, my sister arrived from the Atlanta area and moved in here to help me. My son also came in from New Albany, Ohio to join his wife here. Change of sheets, change of towels…laundry done---- I felt like I never had a minute to sit down for the last couple of weeks of October. On the 3rd of November I co-chaired a coffee for a ladies golf group which thankfully was at a friend’s house. And on the 4th I had a group of 12 to arrange things for lunch and golf by the 4th everyone had left Sarasota and I was ready to be away and relaxing a little. But the sheets are to be washed and need to go back on the beds as my daughter and family who came to Sarasota from Gahanna, Ohio for the wedding will return this week-end to visit after their week enjoying Disney. So it goes on and on and on ….. It has been one thing after another. We are booked solid for the next couple of weeks. Isn’t life interesting? The big wedding reception will be in Ohio on December 6th and of course NaNa and PaPa will be attending….then back to Florida and then about the 20th we will return to Ohio for Christmas. So bear with me….. This is just a quick view of what I have been doing for the last month and thus, the newsletter is late. But Judy told me to relax and we would get it done when we could. We hope you enjoy it.



Pictured above are Justin and Tiffany Meredith Breidenbach.



DO YOU REMEMBER?

What do you remember about Yehudi? Who did it? Was it a secret organization or was it just one individual? What did Yehudi do? Did you ever have any experience with Yehudi? Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com. Thanks




CENTRAL RESTAURANT

Write to me some memories of Central Restaurant. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.




MEMORIES OF 1937

I have been given a yearbook by the name of Memories of 1937 as a means to raise money for the scholarship. I will ship this to the first person who responds and wishes to buy it. I am asking $10.00 for this book. All money after the cost of shipping will go to the WIN Scholarship.

In this book are pictures of many of the teachers who were still there in 1959. For instance, Miss Yvonne Tiennebrunne was the senior advisory chairman and she looks as though she is fresh out of college. Clay B. Hite also looks like a handsome young man. Miss Nutter actually looks kind and pleasant. Rene Andre is pictured as are Mr. Gudekunst, Maud Yoak, Mr. Judy, Miss Albright, Florennce Hollins, Glyde Bailey, Emily Taylor, F. U. Gregorie, Pearl Custer, Carroll Palmer, Cornelia Williams, Lillie May Bauer (you wouldn’t believe this picture—so her---so dramatic), Alice Griffin (I think it is the same pose as was in my yearbook), Mr. Ramsey, Julia Folio, Tony Folio, and Margaret Buzzard. There are many other teachers pictured but I am not familiar with their names. The book is dedicated to Mr. Orie McConkey.

Some of you may be related to some of the students pictured in this book as some of the family names seem familiar to me and I will list a few: Wayne Spelsburg, Jack Ward, Tony Abruzzino, Calvin Adams, Cecil Bailey, Annabel Ayers, Margaret Blevins, William Brown, Beatrice Drummond, Isabel Daugherty, Mabel Dearing, Virginia Dillmore, Sam Caputo, Theresa Cavallaro, Roscoe Bland, Marjorie Corder, Margaret Costantini, Robert Davis, Lloyd Eneix, Katherine Fragale, Eva Hess, Emily Harrison, Jean Hendricks, Anna Martino, Kathryn Lowdermilk, Barbara Lowdermilk (obviously identical twins), Edward Hart, Jessie Johnson, Ruth Johnston, Marguerite Kemper, Eloudene Kinsey, Glenn Henderson, Lewis Helm, Catherine Olivero, Charles Miklus, John Morano, Robert Moore, Lora Jean Post, Margaret Porter, Edgar Seigrist, Martha Shuttlesworth, Loretta Romano, Mary Rittenhouse, Ralph Norman, Betty Roush, Hector Noe, George Noe, David Warfield, (Several people named Smith) Arietta Tibbs, Victoria Tiano, Maxine Waters, Ernestine Weber, Eugene Burkhammer and Ramon Oliverio. There are many more names, but these were names that sounded familiar to me. This probably belonged to one of our reader’s father as it seems to have belonged to WARREN BURNSIDE.

If you think that your parent may have been in WI in 1937, write to me if you are interested and I will look to see if I can find your parent’s name.

It is certainly a piece of history. My father and mother graduated in 1935 (not from a Clarksburg High School) and I know that my father’s school did not have a yearbook his senior year. However, about 5 years ago a man contacted me for any pictures I could share of when my father was in high school, he said he was going to have a 1935 yearbook published for his great aunt. I supplied the pictures, he did as he said, I received a copy for my input. I then bought 2 copies at $35.00 each as surprises for my sister and brother. The proceeds from this purchase went to my father’s hometown library.

If you are interested in purchasing the WI 1937 yearbook, please write to me at Roleta1@aol.com.



AMERICAN JUNIOR RED CROSS

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

In the December newsletter, I would like for you to share any memories you have of this organization. Thanks…Write to Roleta1@aol.com.




THE GREAT SNOW
NOVMEBER 1950

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
IcedTeaDee@aol.com

Hi Roleta, Well, I guess you can add this to the pictures I sent you of the Great Snow. They were taken by my dad, John Shablack. I was not born until the following year and the only experience I had of it were the pictures or the stories my family would tell of how bad the snow was and how deep it got all thru town. My parents, John & Argie Shablack had the Coffee Mill Restaurant on Pike Street. For whatever reason, my father took pictures all over town but did not take a pic showing the front of the Coffee Mill. The older readers will probably remember it - it was between 2nd and 3rd Streets and probably right about in the center of the block. The Huntington Bank takes up that block now, if I am remembering correctly. Hope everyone enjoys seeing the pictures.












Argie Shablack inside the Coffee Mill




submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)
Flmom1cat4@verizon.net

I was home from Nurse’s Training for Thanksgiving, when the heavens opened up and deposited several feet of snow on Clarksburg, WV. We had no way of cleaning out the driveway except with a shovel and it was a very long driveway onto Davisson Run Road. It took the whole family most of the morning to get the job done. It was also bitter cold. The other job I had was looking after the neighbor’s cow as they were out of town for a funeral and no way to get home. Yes, she had to be milked and they lived down on the corner by the main road. So down the road I waded in the deep snow that was over the top of my boots and into the barn to milk her. I stood beside her and rubbed my hands together and then laid them on her back to warm them up a little or she probably wouldn’t have let me touch her. I got her milked and carried the bucket back up the hill to my house. I was attending training at Ohio Valley General Hospital in Wheeling, WV and I had to get back after Thanksgiving. All of the roads were closed between Clarksburg and Wheeling but we figured out that if we could make it to the train station I could return. Therefore, that was the way I got back to Wheeling. My folks took me to the train station and at 18 years old I had my first train ride. When I arrived in Wheeling the snow was just as deep and nothing was running so I had to walk from the train station to the hospital. Several other students had returned the same way so we all made our way up the steep hill to our dormitory. If I remember correctly the snow stayed on the ground for over a week.



submitted by: Bill Sterling (VHS '56)
billsterling@aol.com

The great snow of November 1950! I remember that my mother was 8 months pregnant and our driveway was about 700 feet long. We lived in Wilsonburg and all we got done was shovel out the driveway. One day while we were out there shoveling the state road plow came by. My Dad flagged him down and gave him the whole story. After that every time the plow came by the driver would go into our driveway and clear it out. I wonder if that would happen today. My sister was born on December 24 and is named Holly. I also remember a lot of sleigh riding and bonfires. I have lived in Southern California for 50 years and don't even like the sight of snow now.



submitted by: Robert Fazzini (WI '58)
papa-fuzzy@comcast.net

I can still remember the snow fall of 1950. It's the only time I can remember not going to school for three days because of the snow.

I lived in Montpelier on Pinnicinick Ave. It was exactly 2 miles from our house to W.I. and I walked it every day I went to high school.



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

I was home for Thanksgiving from WVU when the snow started. It seemed to snow for three days without stopping. I was assigned, by my Dad, to clear the sidewalks along our side of St. Clair Street which was occupied by several older families. I spent almost my entire vacation shoveling walks. The snow was piled up over three feet high, the streets were unplowed, nothing moved. Schools were closed including WVU the Monday after Thanksgiving. My Dad, who had lived in Clarksburg all of his life, said it was the first time in his memory that the schools had been closed because of the weather. Now it is common place, but then unheard of! By Monday and Tuesday, stores and businesses were opening. The main streets were being plowed slowly due to the huge volume of snow. Mostly there was a path up Main street. How much was there? I never saw an official figure, but a friend measured 43 inches, in his back yard. I know it was well over three feet along our street in Broad Oaks. I took a bus back to Morgantown Tuesday and it was much the same there with a path up High Street. This was the most snow any of us had seen in WV up to that time, and have not seen anything like it since.



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

What I remember about the snow in 1950 was that it started Thanksgiving Day. We went to the movies and I believe it was a double feature at the Ritz's Theatre. When we went into the Ritz it was just snow flurries. After the two movies and maybe a cartoon or two, we came outside and all we could see were the cars parked on the streets covered with snow. I think that snow lasted until Easter and ended up being 5 feet deep. I remember many years ago I heard on an Atlanta radio station that "25 years ago Clarksburg WV had a total of 5 feet of snow on the ground." I think that is the only time I remember the schools closing. Cars could not get out of garages or even moved from the curbs. I have to say it was a beautiful sight in Broad Oaks.

Another incident that happened, according to my wife Sonja, was when her brother Pat Grossa was born. During that snowfall, her mother had to be taken home from the hospital by her Uncle Roger Petitto. Being that he owned some heavy equipment used in his coal mining business, Roger picked her and Pat up at the hospital and drove them from Clarksburg to Anmoore in a front end loader. (Not the bucket but in the cab of the loader.LOL) That was the only way she could have made it home.

Of course there were snowmen (“snow people”) in front of every house and in the streets and a lot of sled riding. It was a time in my life, among many, I will never forget.

Thanks for reminding us of that time of our lives.



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







submitted by: Carolyn Burnside (WI '52)
Cburnside842@aol.com

Hi Roleta: I have a few vivid memories of that unbelievable snow --- I had never experienced anything like it. As the snow began to build up that evening, my parents and I went outside and played in the snow. We didn't have school for a week, but I remember walking to town from Stealey to go to the movie. My most vivid recollection was returning to school the next week and sitting in the girls' study hall. I looked up and the large light with glass globe that was exactly over my desk had come loose from the connection and was hanging by one cord. The intimidating Virginia Lee Nutter was the study hall teacher --- I was really scared of her and actually debated what to do. Finally I summoned my courage and approached her on the raised dais and pointed out my fear. She was so kind and told me to MOVE and then reported the problem. In the early seventies, I subbed at WI while Miss Nutter was still there. She still made me shake and I never even had her as a teacher. What a rep that woman had. Barbara Christie Morris does a great Virginia Lee impression.



submitted by: Rose Bosley McGee (WI '65)
rojac432@yahoo.com

My parents and I lived in Weston during the 1950 snow. I was 4 years old but I remember walking through the snow in my Grandparents front yard. I was short but the snow was also very deep. It was way up over my head and it was like walking in a tunnel. It made quite an impression on me to remember it all these years. I also remember the flood of 1950 and seeing the cars floating down West Second Street. That was quite a year!



submitted by: Susan Mollohan (WI '61)
molly1422@verizon.net


The Big Snow is a sled riding picture from – what else – the big snow in Clarksburg in the early 1950’s. The picture was taken at the top of Preston Street. I’m the 3rd child from the back, but I’m sorry to say I can’t identify my fellow travelers in the photo. Sled riding from the top of 5th Street hill and Wilson Street was often a night activity with a bonfire at the intersecting corner. The downhill traffic was strictly controlled by our fathers.



submitted by: Barbara Sinsel Cunningham (WI '48)
speartwin@hotmail.com

We were living in the G.I. trailer park on the hill in Morgantown when the big snow hit. It was Thanksgiving weekend and almost everyone had gone home for the holiday. I was getting up to go to work and I could not get the door open. I woke my husband (Delbert Cunningham) and he had no success. He opened the back door which looked down over the hill and stepped out only to disappear in the snow. The only thing I had to give him was a broom, it took him a long time before he reached the front door. We found out later the snow had drifted to 50" that morning.

We worked for several days to clear the roads so the oil trucks could get to us. It was the way we heated the trailers. Did I mention that the bathrooms were across the street and two trailers down!

I have asked several people over the years from different parts of the country, if they had that big snow and every one except the ones in that section of W.V. say no, they do not remember a snow like that one! So I am glad to hear others did know about it



submitted by: August Malfregeot (WI '56)
admasa@onearrow.net

I had a morning paper route that I had assumed from Bernie Gregory in the spring of the fourth grade. I covered Milford, Duff and Stealey from Allmonds to Morgan School and up Milford to Ruth's Corner. Well the snow started just after Thanksgiving and lasted for a day and a half. The City Lines buses quit running but the papers were out. I got to make my own paths to deliver the papers. My paper bag just skimmed over the top of the snow for the first couple of days and then it settled some and eventually it was no longer a problem. The snow started all bright and white but after a few days it took a different color as the COAL FURNANCES put down a nice peppering of soot.



submitted by: Richard (Dick) Duez (ND '62)
dick.do@verizon.net


These pictures of THE BIG SNOW OF THANKSGIVING 1950 may be good for your newsletter for November. Never the less Lori Hostuttler from the University sent me your web sight.


Pike St looking west from 3rd St


4th St between Main St and Pike St





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


I can not help but chuckle a bit when I think about the infamous snow that started on Wednesday of Thanksgiving week 1950 and didn't let up until Saturday, dumping some 30 to 50 inches of snow on Central West Virginia. (How much depends on who is telling the story.)

In any case, my most favorite memory is about the subsequent Monday. Of course roads and mobility in general were quite restricted. However, being the dutiful soul that I was.......and with my parents "encouragement", my friend Virgil Highland and I (with his dad driving) managed to get from Stealey to downtown Clarksburg and on to school bright and early Monday morning.

I recall Mr. Cubbon walking from room to room expressing his amazement that anyone had bothered to come out on such a miserable, cold, snowy morning. It sticks in my mind that I heard that approximately 250 students (out of 7-800) had made it to school. My recollection also is that he made a statement to the effect that if he hadn't had to come, he would have stayed home.......and wondered why as many as did make it had bothered.

There was something in the way he said what he said that caused Virgil and me to "scratch our heads" and wonder why we had also bothered to come. So, in our infinite wisdom, we decided that we would not come back to school from lunch and proceeded to go to the DeMolay clubroom and play ping pong and shoot pool all afternoon.

Well, I guess that Miss Custer called my home that afternoon to find out where I was and of course, my Mother didn't know. You can imagine what happened to both Virgil and me when we went home Monday afternoon. Mother said she would not write me an "excuse" and that I would have to take the matter up with my Dad when he got home.

I was surprised at how calm he remained. A short lecture ensued, then he wrote the following note, which I remember verbatim to this day............."Mr. Cubbon,.......Please excuse Fred. (and signed).................... W. C. Heflin. It was short and succinct. I found out (many years later) that skipping school on a pleasant spring or fall afternoon was one of his favorite high school activities and almost caused him to not graduate on time.

For those of you who might remember Virgil, he was probably the smartest person I ever met and ended up with a doctorate in nuclear physics. It was the only time in our respective school careers that we cut classes. We were unanimous in declaring it a very bad idea.



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



Not the best but the only one I have





TREES FELLED IN CLARKSBURG

EDITOR’S NOTE: I received the note below from Marolyn and thought you would be interested in this story.

submitted by: Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI '56)
ma5388@embarqmail.com

Story: http://exponent-telegram.com/articles/2008/10/22/news/03.txt





NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

Richelle Ann Lake (Shinnston '71) richellelake@yahoo.com
Bruce Layfield (WI '72) jsl1128@comporium.net
Anne Harter (WI '57) Rcorbett7218@charter.net
Bob Kopp (WI '56) RobertKopp@hotmail.com
Margaret Cleavenger Maiocco (WI '65) mlmaiocco@cox.net
Lenora Torchia Caruso (WI '46) marie78t@verizon.net
Donna Hall Garlow Woods ( WI '50) dojowoods@webtv.net
Barbara Roach Wagner (RW '56) wagnerbwg@q.com

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESSES

Gary and Carol Grow Robey (WI '57) gtrcr4@yahoo.com
John Harrison (WI '56) johnh@citynet.net
Jane Byrnside Anderson (WI '56) eanders324@earthlink.net
Dave Gianettino (VHS '58) daveg1940@verizon.net
Mary Jo Pulice Benedetto (WI '61) mjbenedetto@verizon.net
Margaret Snow Crocker (WI '49) marorgeo@aol.com
Suzette VanHorn (Bristol '56) vanhorn@eastlink.ca
Patty Morelan Gyorda (WI '57) was: patty.gyorda@thicare.com
is now: pattygyorda@yahoo.com
Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI '58) was: jeanjvkennedy@aol.com
is now: jeanjvkennedy@bellsouth.net
George Scholl (WI '52) was: georgegin@juno.com
is now: georgegin@verizon.net

NO LONGER A WORKING E MAIL ADDRESS

Chuck Thomas (WI 1956) DrCRThomas@lcsys.net




CORRECTING AN ERROR
FROM THE EDITOR:


Last month I made an error when typing a name for the list of email addresses. I wrote the name as Jack Rogers when indeed it was supposed to be Jim Rogers.

The brain does weird things doesn’t it? My son in law is named Jack Rogers and his brother is Jim Rogers. Evidently my brain saw Jim Rogers, and I typed Jack Rogers. Sorry Jim…and Jack too! By the way, he said he loves the newsletter! We love to hear that!

The name is: Jim Rogers (WI '64) not Jack Rogers JROG7696@aol.com



LOOKING FOR A MISSING COUSIN

submitted by: Barbara Comer (WI '50)
bdcomer@peoplepc.com

I don't have much info on Virginia Lee Fish. I am a cousin and would like to know what has happened to her. We lost touch many years ago She lived on Clark St. and graduated from W I sometime in the very late forties or early fifties. Her mother's name was Nell Bennett, she played the piano really well. She (the mother) played in a square dance band.

I know her class had a reunion a few years ago and they were looking for her --- thought maybe they had found her. She didn't have any brothers or sisters. She married and left the state moving either to Ohio or Michigan. Thanks in advance for any help.



TWO QUILT SQUARES FOR THE 2009 WIN QUILT

submitted by: Carol VanHorn Dean (WI '58)
DBLU2@aol.com



SQUARE FOR THE 2009 WIN QUILT

submitted by: Elaine Zabeau Norteman (ND '62 )
enorteman@roadrunner.com



Dear Roleta,
Sue said to send this on to you for the newsletter. I told her it wasn't very good but she said to send it on. It is called "cactus star" and is to be used in the quilt raffle for this year.


Submitted by: Roleta1@aol.com

Would you like to purchase some tickets and hope to win the 2009 WIN Quilt named “Sizzlin Summer”? The tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 or keep doubling it as 12 for $10.00, 18 for $15.00 and 24 for $20.00. Put your check and a note with your request for tickets ---give me your name and phone number so we can call you if you win. Make the check out to Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship and send your check and note to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34240

In the past 4 years we have awarded $11,000.00 worth of scholarships to students who have graduated from R.C. Byrd High School in Clarksburg. In case you don’t know, R.C. Byrd is the name of the consolidated RW and WI. It includes students from almost all of the areas of Clarksburg.

Those who gave to the scholarship this month are:
Bud Collins (WI 1955)
Don Sager (WI 1956)
Margaret Cleavenger Maiocco (WI 1965)
Diana Cleavenger Swiger (WI 1966)

I hope more of you will help this year. I know money is tight but we could give another scholarship if each of you would only share $2.00 or more. I don’t think that is asking too much for the enjoyment you receive from the newsletter….is it?



NICKNAMES

Nicky or Nick or Nicki (our Nickname source) has given us the identities of the people who “own” the nicknames which were listed in the October newsletter

Catfish...............Aielio.... Managed the Willow Beach Club for years
Remembered by 4

Chunky..............Frank Angotti....Current Clarksburg Commissioner
Remembered by 1

Rocket..............Ron Chartrand....WI '55 and Ron LeJeune
Remembered by 5

Face.................Jim McDonald...Great Athlete Bridgeport HS. I believe College All American at WVA Wesleyan.
Remembered by 2

Seeks...............Bob Secret....Great Athlete, WI '60
Remembered by 10

Dirty Denny......Bob Dennison....WI '57
Remembered by 3

Fly....................Frank McGahan....WI '60
Remembered by 4

Poe Ann..........Carol Ann Posey....WI ' 64
Remembered by 2

Hop...............Joe Malone............WI ' 52 and Bobby Junkins
Remembered by 4

Eaky..............Aletha Clevenger Southern RW ' 51

Due to lack of interest from readers, I have discontinued this section. If you enjoyed it and planned to respond but didn’t, let me know…..we may be able to start this section back up again if enough people show interest.



PLEASE HELP ME

submitted by: Your WI Newsletter Editor
Roleta1@aol.com

My think tank has run dry. I have tried everything I can think of to stimulate your memories and create interest in the newsletter. I can think no more. It is up to you. Do you have a suggestion for a topic that can create some interest to cause people to write to the newsletter? If so, please send me any suggestions you have….Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



MARCH OF DIMES

Remember this? Tell me what you remember. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



NOVEMBER TUNES

submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)
sgoff53@hotmail.com

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE:

I lived out of state from 1984 through 1993. Jobs took me to North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington, DC. I didn't make it back to West Virginia much during that period, but when I did return it was most often for Thanksgiving. Over the river and through the woods, I would head home to Clarksburg. Professionally I was very 'successful' in those days, but often more graceless than grateful.

I returned to West Virginia in the fall of '93. My tail between my legs, hands calloused from digging myself in a hole, angry and bitter and blaming the world for circumstances. I was moving even farther from grace and gratitude and was taking up with the SELF brothers.... self-pity and self indulgence.

FLASH FORWARD....Thank God things have changed.....Over the past few years I've done some serious head work, some spiritual seeking, and began paling around with some friends of Bill W. who have taught me about maintaining an 'ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE'. Not just a slogan....but a way of life. November in general, and Thanksgiving in particular, usually gives us all pause to down shift, count our blessings, and be grateful. As I expanded my 'attitude of gratitude' calendar from 3 or 4 days a year in November, to a year round state of mind, I've got to tell you, life is swell and then some.

One of the many things I am grateful for is this newsletter. I have great fun each month assembling the tunes. I've been in contact with a number of 'lost' friends, and have had nifty cyber dialogues with some of you I've never met other than over a keyboard. So....I'm going to start this month's set of songs with a handful of tunes/videos that highlight being grateful for family, friends, and being a graduate of Washington Irving High School....born and raised in West 'by God' Virginia.

'Thanks for the Memories'.....could be the theme song for this newsletter. A big thanks to Roleta and all of those other folks who help put this excellent piece of work together every month. It is tougher than it looks.

Bob Hope introduced America to the tune that became his theme song in his first movie, 'The Big Broadcast of 1938'. Here he is from that movie singing the song with Shirley Ross. Click the 'more info' link alongside and you can see the wonderful lyrics (though some of these lyrics don't match what you'll hear). I certainly did not know all of the words to this, or how sad the scene it comes from played. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoIvqoL0s4I

Changing gears....big time!!

'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)'....Sly and the Family Stone. Over the years I've found the best kind of friends like you, love you, and support you through good and bad....no matter what shape you're in, at any given time....this song celebrates that. (By the way...the playful spelling going on in the parentheses of the title is 'correct', as per the record label.) The song was a hit in 1970, and this live performance is from '74 on 'The Midnight Special'. When this band was on their game....none finer. Don't fight the funk and check out the fashion!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbkcwdKJRLE&feature=related

'I Thank You'......Sam & Dave This song opens with a call to the dance floor that I still find irresistible.....though none of you, other then my wife, will get to see my booty boppin'....I'm doing you a favor here. The song was a hit in 1968 (ZZ Top remade it in 1980) and righteously conveys that 'attitude of gratitude' toward the ones we love and the ones who love us. I have absolutely NO idea what some of these video images have to do with the song....get up and dance!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wybTF6oZaos

Let's wrap up the GRATITUDE portion of this piece with 2 from John Denver.

'Thank God I'm a Country Boy' A peppy little live version of the song that was a hit in 1975. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzldLJcorbo&feature=related and.....

'Take Me Home, Country Roads' The unofficial state song was a chart hit in 1971. I'm sure we've all got a story or two of hearing this song while being outside of the 304 area code. If you can't get back to the Mountain State for the holiday, maybe this can be a poor substitute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eaaR1Ay5P0

These songs were #1 in November in the following years: (I tried to pick some years I may recently over looked.)

1949....'That Lucky Old Sun' // Frankie Laine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdLjJqWfTs4&feature=related

1951....'Cold, Cold Heart' // Tony Bennett. This comes from a 2006 performance on the Don Imus Show. Nice introduction by Tony with a little background on how he ended up recording the song. This was #1 the entire month of Nov. in '51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GERZo2wnaCY

1956....'Love Me Tender' // Elvis Presley. Title song from Elvis' film debut was a huge smash. The video is a mash up of a TV appearance over some clips from the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBUb0ElnNY&feature=related

BONUS ELVIS!!! 'LMT' was a double-sided hit......here's the flip side....'Any Way You Want Me (That's How I'll Be)'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTyTYEpSrGA

1959....'Mack the Knife' // Bobby Darin. What a great talent he was....a Frank Sinatra for a new generation.....go ahead and try not to snap your fingers to this one...go ahead. Numero uno for 9 weeks over Oct/Nov/Dec of '59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qrjtr_uFac

1961....'Big, Bad John' // Jimmy Dean. Before he started making sausage, Jimmy Dean had a nice career as a country singer. Here the song plays over a powerful set of coal mining photos with printed lyrics trying to keep up with the song. These are great pictures, ever so meaningful to anyone from WV. *note...this version of the song is the more profane one that uses 'hell of a man' rather than the more radio friendly version that went 'big, big man' at the song's dramatic end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9vuVl0ebpM

1966....'Reach Out I'll Be There' // The Four Tops. As I was gathering this month's tunes, I learned that the Tops' lead singer, Levi Stubbs, passed away. He had one of the best voices of all time. He delivered songs with such power and grace that his voice seemed to come down from on high, rather than from just Detroit. This song peaked at #1 in Oct. of '66, but was certainly still on the charts in November.
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=PC4DKNfR0b4

1967....'To Sir With Love' // Lulu. Video includes clips from the movie, and 'more info' link has the lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYu02BPu4P8&feature=related

1971....'(Theme from)Shaft' //Isaac Hayes. Oscar winning song, here conducted and sang by the late Mr. Hayes..... it sure looks like he and the band are having fun...RIP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3mfMHGnXI&feature=related

1974....'I Can Help' // Billy Swan. One of my favorite songs...still. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr645Ti4ju8

1976....'Tonight's the Night' // Rod Stewart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw21fIJqp5k

1981....'Physical' // Oliva Newton-John. One of the most over played songs/videos....ever...but here 'tis.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQXECBdPgEA

1986....'True Colors' // Cyndi Lauper. Clip from Italian TV. A fitting song to end this GRATITUDE addition....Remember real friends always see, know, accept and appreciate each other's true colors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbFgzKcj30k&feature=related

May all of your football teams do well on Turkey Day.



THE MANHATTAN RESTAURANT

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


NOTE FROM JUDY: I cropped out a portion of the Pike St Big Snow picture from Richard (Dick) Duez (ND '62). It is the only picture of the Manhattan I have. Thank you Dick.

The Manhattan Restaurant, downtown Clarksburg on Pike Street (now location of the new city parking lot) was a great place to eat! And a lot of memories! "TEDDY" would immediately pour me a glass of milk and pour in some chocolate syrup making me a “chocolate milk" when I would arrive each noon for my school lunch meal..to enjoy with my toasted cheese sandwich, as I grabbed a morning Exponent paper and caught up on the local sports scores of the night before....It was like big time when I entered and got a seat at the lunch bar...,he knew what I wanted and yelled at me ..."the same?", I would yell out.."yep!" From the days of Towers to Central to WI then later when I worked at the local newspaper, I was a steady customer at the Manhattan, as was my dad who worked at the telephone company in the C&P Building in Traders Alley, now Byard's Pharmacy. (The Manhattan also played a part in the conviction of the murderer Harry Powers at his trial at the Moore's Opera House around the corner on 4th.Street..as a couple did witness Powers reading the morning paper, choke, suddenly get up and leaving the table a mess and not paying his bill, running out of the restaurant ..,evidently reading of the police closing in on the case and about to arrest him). I also was at the counter many years later when big-time show biz people ate there, one was Tex Ritter who asked for a steak and eggs breakfast and it was given to him on the house. He was kept busy signing autographs on the napkins. I knew the Ritz Theatre manager Andy Gorzo well, I was writing the theatre page column at the newspaper and I got to introduce Tex for his personal appearance on the Ritz stage that day as he came out singing the theme song that he did for the Oscar winning Gary Cooper movie "High Noon". He autographed movie posters I had of the westerns he made. It was a sad day for many when The Manhattan Restaurant in downtown Clarksburg closed!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: By coincidence I received a note this month from Jim Rogers who owns the Byard Mercer Drug Store….I wrote to Jim and told him about the letter above that was sent to me for the newsletter by John Cooper. I ask Jim if I could use his email as the facts about his drugstore would be interesting to the readers. He wrote the interesting letter below giving us a chance to see the facts about the drug store. I am sure many of these names will be very familiar to you. I think it is a wonderful thing to hear that there is a pharmacy that is individually owned by a “small businessman”…not a conglomerate. I encourage the people in Clarksburg to visit this drugstore which is owned, operated and run by WI Boys!

submitted by: Jim Rogers (WI '64)
JROG7696@aol.com

How about this for a fact:

In 1890 Elias Piggot came to Clarksburg to open a drug store which was named Piggot's Drug Store at 331 W Main St. (Later the home of Kyle and Company in the 60's)

In 1898 he went to fight in the Spanish American War. Jonathan Stone then came to Clarksburg from Pittsburgh to run Piggot's Drug Store. He bought it in 1901 and changed the name to Stone Drug Co.

In 1918 Lawrence T.Mercer came to Clarksburg from Ohio and bought half interest in the Stone Drug Company and the name changed to Stone and Mercer Drug Co.

In 1927, Lawrence Mercer purchased the other half of the Drug Store and moved to 108 S. Third St and changed the name to Mercer's Drug Store.

In 1952 Paul Rogers bought the Drug Store followed by Jim Rogers purchase in 1974.

In 1978 Jim moved Mercer's Drug Store back to its original location at 331 W. Main St and dropped the 's to Mercer Drug Store. Eighty-eight years it came back to where it started. Mercer Drug Store continued to operate until it merged with Byard Pharmacy in 1996 and moved to the Byard Pharmacy location (previous home of Clarksburg's Edsel dealership). I have operated them both as merged since 1996.

Go to http://www.byardmercer.com/ (owned by Jim Rogers (WI 1964)
John Tiano (WI 1965) is the chief pharmacist.



submitted by: Jane Hamilton Ross (WI '53)
Meezer83@msn.com

Thanks so much for getting the newsletter fixed so we could read it!! I so enjoy the newsletters and was devastated to think I may not be able to receive them again! You and Judy deserve a huge reward for all you do to keep us connected. You certainly do yeoman's work to keep us together, and I really appreciate you both.

I do have a comment regarding the Morgan Grade School picture of the sixth grade in the August edition. I believe another reader thought it might be her sister. The girl in the plaid dress with pigtails in the second row is me. We were Mrs. Welch's class, subsequently taken over by Mrs. Pierpont when Mrs Welch left at mid-year.

I was sorry to read of Mr. Buffington's death. He took the pictures at my wedding and mine was the first one in which he used color film. He had them on display in his shop for a long time. We were quite pleased at how they turned out. He was an excellent photographer. Not many these days take the time to frame shots the way he did, and one of ours in particular is fabulous.

The WI class of 53 had their 55th reunion this past August. I'll send you the picture of the attendees if you'd like; just let me know. Anyway, I'll send you another e-mail about some of the subjects for the next newsletter, just as soon as I finish my church board meeting minutes.



submitted by: Lucy Ropp Hornor (WI '54)
LHornor@al.com

I read the Newsletter every month with such enjoyment. Thank you so very much for the great effort you put into this publication. It is always first class! My husband of 50 years..Paul.. and I also had a date at Blackwater Falls before we were married. It was probably in 1956 and we picnicked right there on the rocks at the base of the falls. It is always beautiful, any time of the year!



submitted by: Anne Harter (WI '57)
Rcorbett7218@charter.net

I moved 3 years ago and with a new computer, lost the WI newsletter, found the address on Classmates. I have so much catching up to do. Please add me to your mailing list.

I now live in Tennessee, am a widow and I really enjoyed the reunion in 2005.

I moved away right after Central Jr. but should of been a WI graduate. Thank you for doing a great job for going on 10 years. Love it.



submitted by: Billie Anne Cork Clevenger (WI '52)
Iambessed3452@aol.com

Today at noon, my WI former classmates who are still residents of Clarksburg (or nearby) are meeting for lunch at Ramon's Restaurant. Ramon's in Clarksburg was formerly owned by the late Raymon Shields, another classmate of ours who passed away a few years ago.

We of the Class of '52 had our 55th class reunion in 2007 and have been attempting to meet for lunch monthly since then, though sometimes we cannot for various reasons. Since we are all still "young at heart", (though perhaps a bit feeble in limb!) we are still "hangin' in there"! We consider ourselves so blessed to have lived and experienced "the fabulous fifties", an era in which great music was born and there was still innocence about teenagers. We were a close-knit class and I count it a wonderful blessing to have been a part of that. Five of our group who still meet are alumni of Morgan Grade School in Stealey, Carolyn Reynolds Burnside, Joanne Westball Tetrick, Marilyn Creighton O'Kelly, Katherine Custer Burke and me. Lots of memories to share! Thank you so much, Roleta, for giving us such a terrific way to keep in touch, the incomparable WI Newsletter!

P.S.: We had our lunch get-together and had a wonderful time reminiscing, etc. We played a "game" in which we "counted our blessings". It was a competition to see who could list the greatest number of personal blessings in just three minutes. The winner: Carole Currey Whaley, by a landslide. Three minutes isn't nearly enough time to count all of the many blessings that "people our age" receive, however. Sometimes just having a pain-free day is a blessing, to which I am sure many of your readers attest. The WI class of '52 will meet again on the fourth Tuesday in January, 2009 at Raymons. God bless you Roleta, all who assist you and your enthusiastic readers.



submitted by: Suzette Van Horn (Bristol '56)
vanhorn@eastlink.ca

Please take note of my new address and if you could post it on the next WI Newsletter. I have been in touch with so many old friends and I had computer problems which wiped out my address book. I had to reformat and I chose to go with a new server that is better and more reliable than the past one.

You do not know how much I appreciate your efforts and success at making a lot of people happy and giving them a feeling of connection and home, even if they are not home by publishing the Newsletter for WI. Thank you.



submitted by: Freddie Layman (VHS '46)
FGLVHS46@aol.com

Very well published newsletter. If you ever need info on the town of Adamston I can fill you in. I doubt if too many of your readers realize that Adamston was a town of it's own. Had own council, police chief and a jail. Very thriving town from around 1889 to when the Clarksburg Expressway road was built and by passed the town. It had a Dr., hardware/furniture store, 2 bakeries, drug store, A&P store plus about six other grocery stores, six service stations, etc: I spent six years attending school in Adamston.

Also North View and Stealey were separate towns till Clarksburg took them all under it's wing.



FALL AT LAKE FLOYD

submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)
sgoff53@hotmail.com

By request, here's a collection of fall pics from Lake Floyd. I had never chronicled a fall setting....so didn't realize how fast things could move as far a 'peak' leaf conditions. We were away 4 days last weekend and the change in that time in foliage was significant.....add it some rain ....and whooosh....there goes the neighborhood...leaf-wise anyway.

Most of these come from 'around' the lake.

Anybody want to swap some original Lake Floyd fall photos, for future leaf raking opportunities in my yard???.....didn't think so.











A LETTER TO ELEANOR GREEN

NOTE FROM: Roleta Meredith (Editor) I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER WHICH SUGGESTS THAT WHEN I FEATURE EASTVIEW, ELEANOR GREEN SHOULD WRITE TO THE NEWSLETTER. I HOPE SHE WILL RESPOND.

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

Dear Roleta:
I always appreciate all of the hard work that you do! One of these days, whenever you have an extra minute, email Eleanor Green (who was an RW graduate, class of 1956 and subscribes to your newsletter). She was/is bright, beautiful, and talented. I always thought that she, a friend of mine, was the most outstanding person in our class. I saw her for the first time last year since high school graduation, and he is still an outstanding person. Ask her to write about Eastview, Broadway Junior High School, or her (our) days at RW. She has written or cowritten several nursing books. She is modest, but if an outsider asks her, she might comply. She is a talented writer.

Again, thanks for all of the work that you do.



FOOTBALL MEMORIES

submitted by: Charles Spann (WI '63)
cwspann@verizon.net

First of all, a big Thank You for the newsletter - it has to be unique in the world of high school memories!

My football memory really had nothing to do with a game, other than the game was why we were at Hite Field. Our friend Dave Ware (who had a car (his father's???)) picked up my brother Rick and me and we drove to the field for the game. I can't remember who we were playing - but that doesn't matter for my story. I remember the men with the flashlights with the red cones on the front directing traffic to get everyone parked. We hopped out of the car and pushed the lock buttons down, closed the doors and went into the stadium. I remember we were sitting pretty high up in the bleachers, Rick, Dave and me. It was about 10 minutes before the game was to start and someone came on the PA system and announced that a car parked in the lot was locked and the engine was running. The assembled multitude started laughing and looking around for the hapless soul who forgot to turn his car off. From the description, we knew it was Dave's car. I thought Dave handled it quite well. He sat there for probably 5 minutes until folks tired of looking around then said loudly, "I'm going to the bathroom" and went out to shut off his car.

I know he'll find a way to get even with me for spilling these beans...



NEIGHBORHOODS OF CLARKSBURG



ADAMSTON---------------------------------------------------------NO ONE RESPONDED
ANMOORE (FORMERLY GRASSELLI)--------------------NO ONE RESPONDED
ARBUTUS PARK---------------------------------------------------ONE RESPONDED
ARLINGTON--------------------------------------------------------ONE RESPONDED
BROAD OAKS------------------------------------------------------- 25 RESPONDED
BROADWAY
BRUSHY FORK
CHESTNUT HILLS
COLONIAL HEIGHTS (aka THE HILL—where WI was located)
COUNTRY CLUB ADDITION
DAVISSON RUN
DESPARD/ SUMMIT PARK
DOWNTOWN / UPTOWN (this is a new section added to cover all those who lived in any other “TOWNY”)
*EAST END
EAST POINT
EAST VIEW
EDGEWOOD
*GLEN ELK
GLEN FALLS
GOFF PLAZA
HARTLAND
HEFLIN HEIGHTS
HIGHLAND PARK
INDUSTRIAL
KELLY HILL
MONTPELIER (AKA PINNICINICK HILL)
NORTHVIEW
NIXON PLAZA
NORWOOD
NUTTER FORT
PARK PLAZA
POINT COMFORT
STEALEY
STONEWOOD--------------------------------------NO ONE RESPONDED
*WEST END

For the month of December we will salute Broadway and Brushy Fork.

If you lived in Broadway or Brushy Fork area of Clarksburg, please give a response of your memories of the area when you were young. Write to any of your old friends who grew up in the same area and have them write something to me about your old neighborhood.

It is time to give your neighborhood a big salute. I will only accept letters about Broadway and Brushy Fork this month. The rest of the neighborhoods will each be mentioned in turn. I hope that you are getting your letters about your neighborhood ready but save it until I mention your area. Thanks. Write to Roleta1@aol.com about BROADWAY and BRUSHY FORK for the December newsletter.





CHECK OUT THIS WEB SITE:

Featured here are 46 writers and a photographer who are associated with West Virginia.

http://www.hamiltonstone.org/hsr16.html

Just call up- this web site and when the beautiful picture appears, scroll down thru the written word and enjoy. Just click on any of the artists listed. Don’t miss Clarksburg’s own Norm Julian.



THE JACKSON FAMILY

submitted by: Mildred Honaker Lamb (WI '50)
malmb002@sc.rr.com



Picture above was taken at Holly River State Park.

Those pictured are (l-r) Nancy, Anna, Betty and Billy Jackson. Carl White is on the end.

The Jacksons are descendants of Stonewall Jackson.



In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The "war to end all wars" was over.

November 11, 1919 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during World War I in order to ensure a lasting peace. On Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in a parade through their home towns. Politicians and veteran officers gave speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won.

Congress voted Armistice Day a federal holiday in 1938, 20 years after the war ended. But Americans realized that the previous war would not be the last one. World War II began the following year and nations great and small again participated in a bloody struggle. After the Second World War, Armistice Day continued to be observed on November 11.

In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill introduced by a Kansas congressman renaming the federal holiday to Veterans' Day. A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

Americans still give thanks for peace on Veterans' Day. There are ceremonies and speeches and at 11:00 in the morning, most Americans observe a moment of silence, remembering those who fought for peace.



SALUTING BROAD OAKS



submitted by: Bob Davis (WI '59)
RAD29062@aol.com

BROAD OAKS 1941-1959

I was born in Broad Oaks at home—lived under the Judy’s on the corner of Martin and Harrison Streets. The Fragales across the street kept my family alive as they gave us fresh vegetables from their garden. Dad made $10 a week. My parents moved several times and finally bought a home on Bryan Ave.—on the hill. This is just memories and more my history in Broad Oaks. Roleta and/or Judy can pare this down.

Our yard on Bryan had a steep bank in front and another in back as the yard was tiered. It had hedges on one side and across the front of the yard. It was very hard to mow as you had to let the mower run down and then pull it back up to mow the banks—not a power mower. Also had a garden that I hated to spade! Also had grape arbors and one sour and one sweet cherry tree. Preferred to eat the sweet cherries off the tree but have pies with the sour cherries. Also had a paw-paw tree.

Allens lived on the right side of us. They had an ice box on their back porch and got ice several times a week. They placed a card on the front porch so the ice man knew what size ice block was needed. Probably, Jimmy Alvaro delivered some of this ice. Mr Allen was a retired RR man—wore black clothes with leather leggings and an engineer cap. He sat on the porch all day, spitting tobacco and watching the trains. Our street was up high and you could see the train tracks in Glen Elk. Mr. Allen sat there all day, every day.

There were only a few boys on the hill, about 10 boys when I moved there but later only 4 boys-- David Hornor, Ken McIe, Fred Gyke and me. There were several older boys that played football and baseball above Showalters and my Grandparents homes. There was an open field there—slanted but they still played. I watched them often but was too young to play. I did get injured once when I got too close and was hit by a bat in the stomach. I did play there years later, but mostly with 1 or 2 boys. Only 1 girl my age, Jeanne Williams (WI 60) and I became a regular at her home. That is where I met my wife, Janet.

I delivered the Telegram for about 8 years total and knew all the families on the hill and many on the next hill. The paper was 35 cents a week or 5 cents daily and 15 cents for Sunday. I had between 77 – 80 customers. Sunday, of course was a morning paper only and was heavy—had to make at least two trips. The customers were good to me and I enjoyed them.

Alta Vista was the “grade school” we attended. I remember all my teachers and two principals. I respected all of them. Also would see Mr. Louie (tap dancing—got kicked out of tap dancing—I wore tennis shoes, squeaked), Miss Shackleford (writing) and Miss Caufield (music) periodically. It was a treat to eat lunch at school for a quarter. I was in the School Boy Patrol and made 3 trips on the B&O to Washington, DC. That was something big to us. Fred Alvaro was the Captain in the 6th grade and I was a Lieutenant. We had Patrol Boys at the corner of Harrison St. and Ocello St., in front of the school on Haymond Hwy. and on Buckhannon Pike where it met Haymond Hwy.

Let the old guys like Jimmy, Buddy, Ron, Don, etc. tell you about the Broad Oaks Brand. I was lucky and didn’t get it, but did help on another guy. Broad Oaks was a fantastic place to grow up. Good neighbors, friends and really no serious problems. Everybody knew everybody else so you had to be good or your parents would know. Even remember old Mac Westbrook who would listen to Janet and I talking on the party line phone.

I remember sled riding and the wonderful time we had! Sometimes freezing, but keeping at it. Now that I am in SC, sled riding is a past—not much snow if any at all. I remember riding down between Showalters and my grandparents—it was a long ride. And on Thanksgiving, 1950, we were sled riding there but went slower every time we went down the hill. This was unusual as it normally would get faster the more we sledded down the hill. Finally we had to quit as the snow was too deep! I also rode the sled down Harrison Street as it was a long straight ride. I remember my first ride, had on my glasses of 3 weeks and I was afraid I would break them so I put my glasses in my shirt pocket. Then I took a run and jumped on my sled and—a noise in my shirt pocket—broken glasses! Never tried that again! The streets on my hill were also good for sled riding but the best came when the city placed a big water tank on the next hill. They bulldozed a path up the hill and we used that for great sledding. It started about ¼ mile or more (seemed longer walking up) up the hill on Felton’s old corn field (rough ride but fun) and down several very steep hills with great speed. We usually built a fire at the bottom of the ride. Would love to try that again! Probably fall off the sled and break some of my OLD bones!!

Almost every day, David Hornor and I walked to WI. I usually had a few bus tickets (10 for $1.00) in case of rain but rarely rode the bus. And many of our fellow Broad Oaksians and Alta Vista students did well at WI in the great class of 1959. We had David Hornor as President, Fred Alvaro as Treasurer, and on the Executive Committee were: Karen Moffett, Hank Ross, and me. The students from Broad Oaks in the 1959 WI class are now scattered all across the U.S. and some lived across the seas but are back in the good old USA. From Alta Vista, we have 7 living in WV, 5 in FL, 2 in CA and SC, and 1 in AZ, MD, PA, TX and WA. Two have 2 residences. To end this, I must remember two members of our Alta Vista class that have went home to be with the Lord—Parker Fulton and Ken McIe. May God be with their families.


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

One of the best places to sit in Broad Oaks was on the bridge next to Stalnaker’s Restaurant . When I started Central we would go buy a Pop and a bag of Chips for 30 cents then sit on the end of the bridge and watch the cars and people go by. Then on to WI the cars we watched got prettier. But then some of the cars where pink/white, turquoise/white and even red convertibles. We also loved the jukebox that was in the back of the restaurant and we would go sit in there and put our nickels in to hear our favorite tunes.


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

I've already written so much about growing up in Broad Oaks that I feel there is not much left for me to say.

Today is October 3, 2008, and I was just thinking about the Halloween Carnival we always had at Alta Vista when I was a child. Mr. Lawson always seemed to enjoy hosting this fund raiser sometime in the end of October. There would be games, food, prizes and plenty of fellowship with our classmates and friends.

One game of chance that I remember well is fishing for a prize. For a couple of pennies, you could cast your line (string) into the pond (behind a curtain) and catch a prize every time (tied to the string). Prizes were anything and everything that had been cleaned out of people's closets and drawers and donated to the effort. Every once in a while you might get something really great like a tube of lipstick or a bottle of nail polish. There was always a fun house in an unused classroom on the first floor of the school. Pretty scary! Kids were running everywhere in costumes and having a great time.

I have no idea what caused my mind to wander to this subject today, but it is something I don't think we've talked about before. Mr. Lawson always had fun things for us to do to keep us interested in school.


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

In 1937, we bought a house at 311 St.Clair St. form Charlie McMunn, a local plumber. I lived there until 1952, when I married and we set up housekeeping in various places as I was in the service, Broad Oaks was a nice quiet residential neighbor hood with few stores. The two that I remember were Jone's Market at the corner of Tyler and Harrison and the Broad Oaks Dairy Bar. There were no others till you got to Montecello Ave.

Most of the area was blue collar/middle class, Buchannan Ave it was different. This was mainly occupied by a wealthier group, mostly connected to Steptoe and Johnson Law firm, Doctors Gandy and Esker, several Maxwells from law firms and banking, insurance and banking executives.

We played touch football,. prisoner's base, hide and seek, kick the can cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians mostly in the street as there was little traffic, Many people did not own a car and walked or took the public bus. There were still a few vacant lots around then so we played baseball, softball and foot ball on these. I remember being excited by the building of a new street Spring ST was developed around 1938, and set off a building boom. One of the larger houses belonged to Mr. Robinson, owner of the Robinson Grand Theater.

We also hunted on "the Hill", which was a large area above Haymond Highway. Most of us had access to guns so we hunted crows and varmints all over that area. I can not imagine any thing like this being allowed today, but we did not abuse the trust placed in us.

It was a great place to grow up.


submitted by: Bill Cowgill (WI '59)
gwcowgill@gmail.com

I really didn’t grow up in Broad Oaks but spent a lot of time there as a child. My Grandmother Anna Jackson lived in Broad Oaks and my mother and dad would visit her often. Many winter days we would walk out Clay street and cross the bridge at Stalnakers Barbershop (my cousin) on our way to Grandmas. I remember sledding down the hill and in the summer playing up around the mine on the hill behind grandmas. As children we would pick raspberries and blackberries up on the hill just knowing that a pie or jam was coming or on rare occasions homemade ice cream topped with grandma’s topping. My grandmother also had cherry and apple trees and a huge black walnut tree in her yard. Oh the treats that came from those trees. When I was in Clarksburg for the picnic I drove past grandma’s old house which is in disrepair now. Most of the trees are gone now and the magnificent flower beds and gardens are no longer but the memories still remain.


submitted by: Mildred Honaker Lamb (WI '50)
mlamb002@sc.rr.com


I was raised in Broad Oaks on Buena Vista Ave. Buena Vista Ave was the last street on the hill. I lived in the last house on the street.

Our favorite hang out was Stanaker’s Confectionery. A barber shop was on one side of the store and a dance hall on the other side. The store was owned by Carl and Lucille Stanaker. It was located on Haymond Highway, just after crossing the bridge. The building is no longer standing.

On weekend nights the juke box seldom stopped. When this happened, Carl would come in and contribute to the cause of our finances.

Dancing always made us hungry. We would complain to each other. “I am hungry but I put all of my money in the juke box.” Within a short time Carl would appear carrying a tray of hot dogs along with fountain cokes. We would complain, “Mr. Stanaker, we have no money to pay for this.” He would frown and reply, “It is already prepared, just eat.” He would turn and walk out of the room pretending to be upset with us.

He also taught us girls how to waltz, tango and polka. He would tell us, “Girls if you are going to be a lady in this world, you have to learn the proper dances.”

Carl and Lucille treated us like we were one of the family. By the same token, they made us behave the same way.

The Rosanna Grocery was another helper in the neighborhood. I remember them selling my grandmother sugar to make jelly, jam and preserves during the shortage. They were located on the corner of Haymond Highway and Harrison St. During that time, everyone had a garden preserved what they raised.

Merchants like the Stanaker’s and Rosanna’s are a thing of the past. I agree with Hillary Clinton when she said, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

I no longer live in W.V. but my memories will be with me forever.


First row: (l-r) Dorothy Russel Ruckman, Sylvia Wolfe, Mildred Honaker Lamb, Virginia Dean Beverly.
Back row: (l-r) Margie Lyons McElwain, Shirley Lyons Wilson, Nancy Jackson, Alice Farris Smith, Patty Rogers Hood

submitted by: Sandy Conaway Mason (WI '54)
sandy-lou@sbcglobal.net

I was 3 years old when my family moved to Broad Oaks, and I have so many wonderful memories that it's hard to pick out only a few. Probably the best was meeting friends on the street corner and playing games - you've all heard of Kick the Can. Bundling up, getting the sled out, trudging up Ocella Street to Alta Vista and whizzing down the hill past Harrison Street and Vermont Ave across frozen Elk Creek. Then doing it all over again. Going to Joe's Dairy bar and getting one of those delicious hot dogs for 15 cents, or a chili dog for 10 cents. Exploring Lowndes Hill! Daring to cross the swinging bridge at the same time that someone was jumping in the middle of it so you'd bounce up and down. This goes way back, but having to turn out all the lights, go to the basement, and wait for the air raid sirens to stop blaring. I was too young to really know what it was all about, but it was exciting and scary at the same time. Leaving your doors unlocked, sitting on the front porch and just visiting with neighbors.

When I married, we moved to Pittsburgh for 2 years while my husband finished school at Carnegie Tech. Then back to Broad Oaks where we rented a house on Harrison Street. We outgrew that and moved to Vermont Ave. across the street from where I was raised. Outgrew that and bought a house on Ocella Street where we raised 5 children. Believe it or not, Broad Oaks was still the same and thankfully my children got to experience the same things that I did. Joe's was still there, they met with friends on the corner, played the same games, but added All Night Army, and tackled the swinging bridge with the same fears that I had. In fact, to this day, they have nightmares about it. But each and every one of them, can reflect on their growing up there and wish that their own children could have enjoyed the same kind of atmosphere. Believe me, it was a major culture shock when we moved to Dallas, Texas after having lived in Broad Oaks for over 30 years. The "good ole days" - yes, there is such a thing, and I am so glad that I was part of it.

I've been in Texas for 34 years now, and not a day goes by that I don't think of Broad Oaks, Clarksburg, and West Virginia. I'm proud to be a Hillbilly. I'm certainly not a true Texan. My one regret is that I'm saddened when I go back to my home town and see that so much has changed over the years, but all those good memories will be with me forever.

And, Roleta, thanks so much for the Newsletter. Without it, I probably would never been able to keep in touch with fellow Broadoaksians and high school friends.


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


Pictured above are some of the “Broad Oaks Gang” from the 1950’s.
Front Row..Steve Limbers, Sandra Ross, Hank Ross, Mary Sue Clark, Don Sager
Row 2... Nancy Hamilton, Sandra Squires, Sandra Price, Dokie Boone, Judy Rice
Row 3..Jack Borror, Roy Feldman, Jim Alvaro, Harold Brewster, Bob Kopp, Ron Brown

What a great place to have grown up. It is a very safe place with the friendliest of people, and the best of friends, A section, an area, an addition, or whatever you want to call it, at one time had approximately 12 grocery stores. Stores where you could call in your order, have the order put on your bill, and then have it delivered to your house. Being that I lived in "lower" Broad Oaks, I went to the Elm Street Playground, which was off of Clay Street, to play ball, roast potatoes, make pot holders, and do what most people do at a playground. I don't remember what my "upper" Broad Oaks buddies did for a playground but we all got together and played ball at Johnson's Field on Harrison St. We all got together in the evenings to play kick the can, hide and seek or just hang around on street corners under the street light (if there were any light left unbroken by my brother and his friend). Winter was the best time to get together and have fun because we all had sleds and would ride our sleds down Ocello and Harrison Streets. We would sometimes walk up to Grow's hill and walk up the power line, which took about 1 hour to walk up. We would then build a fire and sit by it for a while. After a little rest sitting by the fire, we would ride our sleds down which took about 3 minutes to get to the bottom. We called it Grow's Hill because Ron Grow, our buddy, lived up there. Even though there were others who lived up on that hill we always called it Grow's Hill. We played football on a field that was about 50 yards long and sloped about 45 degrees left to right on your radio dial. You never ran up hill. All the running plays were called to run down hill. There were a lot of guys getting hurt but I don't remember anything serious.

I remember having a lot of fun at Alta Vista. We played basketball in the hall. As I remember there was a basket put up in the second floor hallway. I can hear it now, that basketball being bounced on that wooden floor. I was in the choir, in the band, and I even took tap dancing, (eat your heart out Steve Limbers). It seems like most of us took tap dancing. At lunch hour, Mr Lawson our principal, would call Bobby Kopp and I, who he called "Fatty # 1 and Fatty #2", to rooster fight in front of all the kids who ate lunch up stairs. We would each get in opposite corners, fold our arms and start running at each other as fast as we could and ram into each others shoulders. I think we did that every day.

I had a great bunch of friends to hang out with. Even now through reunions and picnics, such as Sarasota and Clarksburg, and emails, we are as close as we could be though we are scattered all over the country. It is great seeing everyone especially the Broad Oaks Gang at these functions.

I remember we never locked our doors when we left the house. One reason we never locked our doors was that my Dad would paint over the locks and we could not get a key in if we wanted to. That is just how safe Broad Oaks was in those days. It is not quite like that anymore. I just spent almost two weeks in Clarksburg and drove through Broad Oaks every day in the area I lived and believe me it has changed. Some parts of Broad Oaks are really nice and have not changed much. There are still a lot of beautiful houses there. It was fun driving not just by my house but Don Sager's, Steve Limber's, Mary Sue Clark's house, as well as many others. Gone are all the grocery stores, barber shops, and dairy bars. Alta Vista School is no longer there. It burned down several years ago. No matter what, I still enjoy going back home and I do mean home. Clarksburg and Broad Oaks will always be home to me. We could have made Roleta an honorary Broadoaksian back then if we would have known her. Maybe we could have talked her into moving out of Stealey and into Broad Oaks where all the fun was.

ALTA VISTA 1949 CHOIR PICTURE



Row 1: Sandy Price, Betty Kovalan, Carol Grow, Steve Limbers, J. Bill Thornhill, Ruth Straight, Nancy Straight.

Row 2: Ron Patsy, Jean Taylor, Susan Caplan, Janet Webb, Sandra Squires, Connie Welling, Mary Sue Clark, Carolyn Lawson

Row 3: Ann Moore, Jim Alvaro, Sandra Shreves, Alice Crim, Alice Fortney, Joan Cortez, Judy McDougle.

Row 4: Peggy Smith, Joanne Stout, Bud Collins, Ron Grow, Don Sager, Bob Kopp.

Row 5: Ronnie Brown, Linda Horner, Glen Shaver, Bill Hickman, Rita Flowers, Sandra Poling, Dave Nutter

Row 6: Delbert Jones, Jackie Loria, Patty McCune, Slyvia Bayliss, Janet Shook

IT TOOK ABOUT 5 OF US TO COME UP WITH MOST OF THE NAMES BUT JANNA MAE CLARK FILLED IN ALL THE BLANKS.


submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56)
forwvu@sc.rr.com

I must have taken some adrenaline since I could not seem to get my brain to stop remembering about Broad Oaks for the last few days. Even lying in bed trying to go to sleep, I find myself thinking about Broad Oaks. I'm sure that you will soon understand why we took you under our wing as a Broadoaksian. Here are a few of my memories:

Alta Vista Choir stories—Air Raid circles on street corners—Mr. Arnold (4th gr.)--Mr. Baines—Mrs. Brown (6th)— Bobby & Stevie tap dancing on Pittsburgh’s TV Amateur Hour—Brinkley’s Beauty Shoppe—Building of the Nazarene Church in the middle of a residential area brought on a lot of angst. Of course I fell at the construction site; emergency car to UP Hospital; 14 large clamps in my leg; could not start 3rd grade until I recuperated.— Bicycle riding everywhere: Another fond memory, Nick riding on my crossbars down the brick part of Vermont and accidentally getting his foot in my front-wheel spokes. I went over him and still have the scar from my wrist to elbow where I hit the bricks. Cleaning erasers by the coal bin. Cloakroom antics. Coal Can basketball on Martin St. in front of Bunky Brown’s house. Cousin Irma’s ice cream store and market in her garage on Harrison St.(most people didn’t even know it was there). Cub Scout meetings at Mrs. Borror’s home. Elk Creek flooding the houses near-by. Getting interviewed by The Clarksburg News on what we were doing in the summer and a picture of a group of us sitting on Christie’s wall. Mrs. Haley, third grade teacher. Halloween Pranks (nuff said)—Hedge apples (nuff said) . Heel, toe, tap, tap (get your quarters ready for lessons)--Hide and Seek (running to the telephone pole at Harrison and Ocello, I ran smack into the front fender of a moving black cigarette sedan sending me over the hood and luckily not injured. Hiding under our desks during bomb drills (Good Luck)—Miss Iams, first grade, teacher. Joe’s Dairy Bar where we all spent many hours over the years. Johnson’s Field the only place for us to play softball and other sports. Plus put firecrackers in the apples and toss them at one another, which was a team sport. Jim and Marge taking all the neighborhood kids to the drive-in movies. Kite flying contests on the school lawn. Initiation rites which was when neighborhood upperclassmen requesting that you remove your belt and bend over while they “tanned your bottom” until the first day of your Freshman year at WI. --Mrs. Morrow taught fifth grade. Mr. Lawson in his black suit winding the upright black Victrola so the music could play as we marched to our 5&10 cent lunch in the basement. Playing jacks on Drigger’s porch. North Pole Ice House (Jim A’s claim to fame)—Making ovals with ink pens, over and over, and dipping in ink wells on the desk—Morris Court—Mrs. Milam (she kept all the balls that went into her yard)—Parill’s Grocery ( where I sorted rotten potatoes in the dirt basement, but sometimes got to help with the grocery deliveries)—Playing basketball on the second floor of Alta Vista (our mom’s just loved all the oil from the floor on our clothes)--Quarantines on your front door for polio and chicken pox—Raiding grape arbors at night--Sled riding everywhere (coming down Tyler and trying to make the curve in one piece, can we stop before going full speed across Haymond Highway, girls on top over the humps, riding backwards down Harrison, I ran under a car that pulled in while I as coming down the street and I got stuck under the transmission, thought I was dead)—Mrs. Stull, our second grade teacher…Touch Football in the street (again I ran full speed into the hood of a taxi that pulled up on Tyler next to Jones’s, the driver was a little shocked)—Tony’s fleet of motorcycles—Roller skating down steep driveways (your backside hurt a lot and bandages here we come)--School Patrol voting for Captains (wrong side and you will never see a red badge)— Stinky Alley—Swinging the wooden bridge over Elk Creek from side to side (when the girls got to the middle)— Waiting for the weekly delivery of Dubble-Bubble gum (it was rationed out by Joe so we all got some if we were there in time)—And a memory that I had not recalled until now--Sitting patiently backstage while someone’s mom burnt a cork and painted my face for the Annual Minstrel Show in the Alta Vista auditorium. I think I wore black pants and a white shirt and we sat in some bleachers or chairs on the side of the stage and laughed at the jokes and songs. I believe the money went to the PTA or whatever it was known as at that time. Most people now-a-days would never believe how “Southern” we were in Central West Virginia.



And to top it off—a picture of a typical Broad Oaks Kid, just a little older. And a survivor of the Memories. Why we made hats like this and wore them, who knows? The Beanie probably derived from Archie Comics. It may have had a propeller on top originally. I recall buying it at Nusbaums. Anyhow, most of the plastics charms came from the gum machine at Joe’s Dairy Bar. My mom made me sew them on myself.


submitted by: Frank Bush (WI '59)
Frank.Bush@cpip.org

Broad Oaks was a great place to grow up during the 40s and 50s. I lived on Martin Street which allowed me access to the entire neighborhood as I grew into my teens. Everyone growing up in Broad Oaks went to Alta Vista, Central Jr High, and eventually Washington Irving. Who could ask for a better educational up bringing? Over the years you have heard from many of the people who grew up in Broad Oaks as they shared their experiences, friends, and mostly their escapades. All of them true. Hanging out a Stalnaker's and Joe's Dairy Bar were rites of passage for many of us. Playing football on a level field was unheard of - they all slopped. Coasting a bike down Haymond Highway to see if we could get to the swinging bridge to Water Street without pedalling was a test of skill. You would never make it if you touched your brakes and drivers didn't give way to you. Sledding down the hills and hitching a ride up on the back of an unsuspecting driver's vehicle was part of winter sports. We grew up in a time of innocence where we could run through neighbors' yards, walk to town, hitchhike to Maple Lake and Lake Floyd and not worry about our safety. Clarksburg was a great town and Broad Oaks was a great neighborhood. I hope it still is.


submitted by: Steve Limbers (WI '57)
slimberses@aol.com

Most of my Broad Oaks memories seem to involve Halloween, sledding, lazy summers, accidents, illnesses and deaths. I think I'll use Halloween for this assignment.

A few of us were trick-or-treating one Halloween. We must have been about 11 at the time. We went to a house on Tyler Avenue (between Harrison and Vermont). There were about a half dozen step up to the front porch and we navigated those and knocked.

After a minute or so had passed, the door opened and we found ourselves looking directly into the barrel of a shotgun. The man holding it began yelling something about kids bothering him and his being sick and tired of it. What seemed like an hour probably lasted only a few seconds but I was terrified.

Then the man broke into laughter and told us to wait because he had some candy for us. I guess I never had much sense of humor, at least as far as adults were concerned. I had never seen this man before, but I saw him a lot after that. Every time I saw him (his name escapes me -- I think he worked at PPG where my dad worked and I apprenticed beginning at age 16) from that day on he would laugh loudly and talk about the looks on our faces that Halloween on his porch.

Not funny to me then, not funny now.

PS If anyone else remembers this incident let me know. I have no idea who was with me, or if the man did this to other groups that night.


submitted by: Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI '58)
jeanjvkennedy@bellsouth.net

Broad Oaks Memories-Chuck Vickers, WI Class of 1960, Shirley Vickers Akey, Class of WI 1954 as told by Jean Vickers Kennedy, Class of WI 1958

I lived on Boyd Street with my sister, Shirley, and brother Chuck, all WI graduates. I remember some interesting characters that lived in our neighborhood. An old woman lived alone up the street and we were sure she was a witch. She was really old and wore many soiled items of clothes that smelled of decay. Once she invited a number of us into her house and she played her roller piano. We were scared, yet fascinated. She had roses in her yard and she would pay Chuck and some of his friends to bring manure for her roses from a nearby stable. I also remember an old man, a Mr. Bowser, who lived on the cinder alley that ran by Elk Creek. He lived alone, wore a fedora, and we would see him, bent over, tending his little garden behind his shack, or sitting on his front porch.

My brother came home one day all wet. He had been swinging on a rope out over Elk Creek and the rope snapped, plunging him into the impure water (impure is an understatement). My mother had forbidden him to go anywhere near that dirty, dirty, water and he was so afraid she would find out. He was ironing his clothes in a panic; this was before dryers.

Chuck also exasperated Mother when he, who had the perfect little boy’s haircut, (parted on one side and combed over to the other side), came home with a big grin and his first unauthorized flat top. He had been to Stalnaker’s Barber Shop where he liked to hang out with his friends and get into trouble. You could find him, with his buddies, sitting on the wall of the bridge over Elk Creek, next to Stalnakers, enjoying some “confiscated” bread that I was told was the “best bread” in the world. He gave Mother many hand wrenching, teeth clenching times.

One of our other neighbors was Donnie Douglas who lived behind us. Once Donnie took my beauty queen “princess” sister, Shirley, to an out of town festival for an obligatory beauty appearance, and Donnie drove my Uncle George’s broken down car. The car heated up and they bumped along in a cloud of steam and a sound track of hisses and pops. I know that experience contributed to Shirley’s decision to delay learning to drive until after she had bought her first car (my brother had to drive it home for her).

Bobbie Westbrook lived at the corner of Boyd and Harrison Streets; further down Harrison on the same side was Jeannie Dillmore, and Betsy Rucker lived further up Harrison on a side street, all my classmates of WI ’58. We had a nice side yard with lots of green grass; in the summer, we would spread a blanket and play canasta for hours. The metal clothes line posts in the back yard were our monkey bars and I would turn flips, hang by my legs upside down, and sit up tall on the top.

I also remember going to the movies on Saturdays; I loved the serial, “Nioka, Queen of the Jungle” (my daughter’s equivalent was Wonder Woman). One Saturday during the polio scare, Shirley panicked, dragging me out of the movie because she was sure she was coming down with all the polio symptoms as being described so vividly in the helpful newsreel.

I remember being kidded by neighborhood boys about my first name, which is Emma, and I started using Jean when I entered Central Junior High. I would walk to Central with Linda Spelsberg and sometimes Themie Chokatos.

Although I lived in other places growing up, Broad Oaks is the neighborhood I think of as my childhood home.


submitted by: Bud Collins (WI '55)
KEMils@aol.com

I was born and raised in Broad Oaks. I lived at 214 Ocello Street all thru high school.

Growing up, I went to Alta Vista Grade School, Central Jr. High, W I . We didn't have a play ground, just a couple of fields we played in. We had one on Harrison Street across from Cliff Judy's house until they built a house on it. Another play area, which was small, backed up to Louie Johnson's house who was Dec.of Defense in the younger years The servants and workers always kept our ball, and money was hard to come by. We managed to get another one somehow. The last field was behind Ron Grow's house and ran at an angle. When we played football, everyone seemed to run up hill because down hill, when you got tackled, it hurt a lot more.

The years spent growing up in Broad Oaks were something any kid in America should have a chance to experience. The friends we grew up with are still friends today. Some of the people we grew up and played with were Ron Talkington, Jim Alvaro, Don Sager, Don Douglas, Mary Sue Clark, Cliff Judy, the Jones', Sandy Conaway (or Mason now), Alice Crim, the Scott girls, Ron Grow, Danny Demarino and Bob Kopp, Steve Limbers just to name a few.

Broad Oak had about 5 grocery stores and two little Ice Cream Shops. The years I lived in Broad Oaks, I don't ever remember locking the door to our house. Can you imagine that today?

The long walks to W I field for football practice and games gave us a chance for closeness that kids today do not get a chance to enjoy.

I think all my friends I grew up with are still the greatest friends anyone could have. We sometimes go for years and the next thing you know they are back in our life.

Roleta, thank you so much for bringing people who are many miles apart, together again. The job you and Judy do is unbelievable.

To all the people who enjoy the newsletter, please send a check to scholarship WIN. We could never pay enough for what Roleta and Judy do and this is the best way to show we do appreciate them.


submitted by: Sylvia Wolfe Attended Alta Vista 1938-1944 (WI '50)
Pole0117@aol.com

As you can probably guess, Broad Oaks was named for the broad oak trees in the area. As people settled here Broad Oaks was incorporated as a town with it's own mayor and even it's own jail until it became a part of the city of Clarksburg in 1917. The Clarksburg Development Company laid out what is known as the Alta Vista addition in 1901. Prior to public sale the Clarksburg School District purchased lots for a school building and Alta Vista Elementary School was erected in 1902, serving grades 1 through 6 until it was closed due to school consolidations.

The people of Broad Oaks were like family. Everyone, young and old, did their part to support the war effort during World War II. They kept the Post Office busy with cards and letters to our "boys" in the armed forces.

Trains were the main mode of travel. Even though the National Limiteds, east and west, came through Clarksburg about midnight, when the boys were going off to war or returning, an entourage of friends and neighbors were there to see them off or welcome them back. Recycling was important to the war effort. People from the neighborhood took scrap metal, whether it was a hot water tank or a pan, to Stalnaker's Confectionery, the neighborhood hangout. It was then taken to the junk yard for recycling.

Cigarettes were packaged with tinfoil pressed to paper. We even removed the tinfoil and rolled it into balls for recycling. Electrical products had thin copper wire in coils and we would unwind the wire and roll it into balls. I thought that was a fun job.

The children of the neighborhood collected newspapers for recycling and took them to Alta Vista. They had to be bundled so I got out of classes to help bundle them.

We also bought Savings Stamps at school each week and when your book was filled it was turned in for a War Bond.

Alta Vista did its part to teach us to save. We had bank day and took our nickel or dime to school each week. The teacher recorded it in our bankbook and the money from all the classes was deposited in the bank in our very own accounts. Broad Oaks was a great place to grow up!


submitted by: Bob Kopp (WI '56)
RobertjKopp@hotmail.com

I remember Don Sager falling off the Broad Oaks Methodist Church wall and skinning his leg followed by lots of laughter Jimmy Alvaro and me. Of course this was followed by a lot of (expletives deleted) from Sager.

Remember the fun we all had playing basketball at Susan Caplan's garage by day and checking on her well being and safety later. I also seem to remember Don, Jimmy and me smoking corn cob pipes on the Sager front porch steps. I remember Harold B. and I playing paratrooper and jumping off of his garage with an umbrella.


submitted by: Patti Morelan Gyorda (WI '57)
pattygyorda@yahoo.com

Guess I am from the lower Broad Oaks area as Jim Alvaro says.

The Methodist Church -remember Sunday night youth fellowship meetings?

The News Center-remember on Monticello Ave.-was the hang out for---Bobby Fulton, Dicky Childers, Eddie Springs, Sonny Hearst, Bud and Juny Lantz, Bob Schaefer, Bobby Dennison, Bill and Jerry Scholl, Bob Flowers, Lee Bush, Jimmy Greathouse, Bill Sutton, Jim and Bud Bennett, Ralph Sheets, Charlie Zellers, Harold Bruster, Ross Tarango, etc------

What fun. Friday nights gathering place after football games-dancing to the juke box, playing the one pin ball machine--We would push the bread rack against the wall to make room for dancing to Rock around the clock, Love Letters in the sand. Sincerely, ----Oh me -there were girls too but I will stop for now and just remember----


submitted by: Mary Harbert Nophsker (WI '58)
menrn40@aol.com



I have been going to send this picture for several months and decided now was the time since we're doing Broad Oaks for November. I went to Alta Vista from 1st to 4th grade, then moved and went to Towers. I don't remember many names in this photo. I always envy people who remember so many names from their childhood, when I do well to remember names I met yesterday. I think this teacher's name was Mrs Mara and she was one of my all time favorite teachers. I also had her for either 3d or 4th grade.

Hopefully there are people out there who will be able to fill in some of the names.

ALTA VISTA 2nd GRADE 1947-48

Top: Mrs Mara, Mr Lawson, me, Frankie Cortez, Betsy Rucker, ____
2d: ____, Kay Lawson, Fleming twin, Carol Munzing
3d: _________________
4th: ____,____, Fleming twin,___________
5th: ____,____, Cynthia Moll,____________
6th: _________________


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

We moved from Country Club Addn. when I was 7 yrs. old to North View. Our house was built while dad was in WW2 by my grandfather Pat Dolan using all salvaged materials from some older homes he demolished. I had a real rough time initially breaking into the neighborhood and fighting my way into being accepted. I learned to really like it there. When I was 11 we had a real good BB team and I was looking forward to winning the next year's championship! That is when I got the news from my parents that we were moving to someplace named Broad Oaks. At first I cried my eyes out to be leaving my friends and the BB team. It happened quickly. We moved to 322 Harrison St. Nick Alvaro lived on the north side and Don Sager on the south. Steve Limbers and the Lohr family just down the street. We were 1 1/2 blocks down from Joe's Dairy Bar. They all started to introduce me around right away and things fell into place quickly. We now had a 2-story home & my sister Caren & I had separate bedrooms for the first time & they were large. The whole family learned to like it quickly & we had the Alvaros next door & they were great neighbors! All around our house we had great neighbors. Don Sager's mom treated me like I lived over there. We found all of Broad Oaks to be like that. There were lots of different parts of Broad Oaks. At the top of Spring St. Don & Mary Ann Azelvandre, Mary Kathryn, Liz & Barb Stanton, Gene & Becky LaRosa, John David & Marcus Farrell to name a few. On over to Haymond Highway, Greg Myers, Sam Selario, The Ellis Family, IaQuintas & on down the Hill, Westbrooks, Murphys, Suttons, the Barber Shop & then Fred & Mary Alvaro's house, a legend, where Jim & Fred & bro lived,& on down, North Pole Ice & the Gas sta. & on to Monticello. Between there & my house, Cliff Judy, Betsy Rucker & her friend whose name escaped me & the WI majorette, & her name won't come back either. Past the Dairy Bar, Mary Sue(Clark) Spahr, Tom Reasinger, the Romanos, & Roy Feldman & several Jewish families(the first I had ever met) & they were very friendly. On down Tyler towards the swinging bridge Dave McMunn, his sister Nancy??, the Brassines, Bill, Mary Fern & Roberta. Others were Bud Collins, Ron Grow, Mike Hanley, & a hundred others(roughly 50 to 55 years ago) & I can't remember & I know I will be reminded!! We didn't have a formal park or playground so we used all of Broad Oaks streets & empty lots to do it all. I remember BB at someone’s house on Vermont & football & softball/baseball at Johnsons lot at Spring & Harrison. Joes Dairy Bar was stickball & we had great touch FB in the street in front of Joes. We were always organizing Kick the Can, tag, hide & seek & all those games at dusk anywhere in Broad Oaks. The neighbors were just great in their tolerance of our noise & trespassing. I could now walk to school about a mile. We used to all wait up in the mornings at the swinging bridge & then march over together in cadence to try & drop it--never did. We then picked up all kinds of company up Clay St & down Main St. I don't think I ever had a fight in Broad Oaks the whole time. Even on Monticello--I followed Jim Alvaro working at North Pole & I used to give pop away to the kids that lived on Monticello & Water that didn't have any money. Many a night I would come home from town after midnight & never had one problem walking down Monticello--got some kidding now & then, but they treated me very well. We practiced HS Football off Joyce st. below Holy Cross Cemetery. It was an easy walk home from there after practice & there were some very good grape arbors that we took advantage of. All of the people we knew in Broad Oaks were morally correct, friendly, and very good neighbors. It was a good place to raise a family, it was totally safe for kids & there was a great sense of camaraderie. We have all been able to connect all these years later thru this W.I.Newsletter thanks to Roleta, whom we bestowed the honor of "Broadoaksian" to last year due to her hard work on this paper & being such a good friend to all of us from Broad Oaks & for the picnic in Sarasota, etc.,etc.,etc.--too many to count up here. All of us thank you, Roleta & team !!! It is this kind of spirit that you have brought back home to all of us.


submitted by: Jean Stewart (WI '56)
DStew414@aol.com

I did not grow up in Broad Oaks, but I did raise my two daughters there. We lived on Spring Avenue for 23 years. They attended Alta Vista School for six years. It was a great place to raise children. In the summer, they could play outside till after dark, and you could just go out on your porch and hear the laughter as the gang of kids played "kick the can' or red light, green light, or whatever the game happened to be. In the winter they built bond fires and went sled riding till late evening. They were all good kids, who got along well, and parents needn't worry about where they were or what they may be into. Some of them were on the swim team at Quiet Dell pool, and while I was working, a neighbor who also had kids on the team would transport them all to the pool, where they spent most of the day. We had wonderful neighbors, whom we trusted and cared about. We oft times swapped babysitting. As they grew into teens, they would just gather at the corner of Spring and Hedge Streets and just talk and hang out. My daughters were Donna and Diana Stewart, both WI graduates, and I'm sure they would tell you that growing up on Spring Avenue couldn't have been better. Donna still lives on the same street and her two children grew up there also. Phillips, Petittos, Lemasters, Woodburns, Elbons and Cavas, were some of the neighbors and kids who lived there.


submitted by: Terry Shorr (WI '58 via Elkins HS)
dtshorr@suddenlink.net

The epicenter of Broad Oaks may well have been the corner of Harrison and Point Streets. I spent years 0-16 growing up a half block down Point St. and enjoyed many hours in the neighborhood community center, aka the Broad Oaks Dairy Bar, the confectionery around the corner and a half block east on Harrison. Every evening and on weekends, proprietor Joe Bennett held court behind the counter, from where he presided over us ragamuffins. Some may remember that Joe would work for the railroad a full day, then return to Broad Oaks for a shower, second shave of the day (he always reeked of after shave for a couple of hours), and his trek downstairs to relieve his wife, Viola (Vi) for the evening hours shift.

Joe occasionally invited serious baseball fans to enter the inner sanctum of the Dairy Bar kitchen to listen to Bob Prince’s broadcasts of Pirates baseball games. That’s where I was when Dale Long hit a home run in his 8th consecutive game on May 28, 1956.

Other Clarksburgers may have been partial to hot dogs from their own special establishments, but I preferred Joe’s, which cost 15 cents. Throw in a nickel for a coke and you still got five cents change from a quarter.

The Dairy Bar was our “Duffy’s Tavern,” a place to gather for an ice cream cone on a summer evening, or shelter from the cold on a winter day. One might sneak a few pages peek at a newly issued comic book until Joe would sound his knuckles on the counter and bellow, ”Decorate the mahogany, boys, decorate the mahogany,” his unique way of demanding payment.

I hope others were able to visit Joe in later years and, after his passing, to reminisce a bit with Vi for a few minutes while passing through the old neighborhood. Old friends need each other to keep memories fresh.

To trigger similar memories for those who may pass by the north end of Mountaineer Field, among the commemorative bricks just outside the stadium is one reading, “IN HONOR OF THE 1950’S BROAD OAKS DAIRY BAR GANG.”


ALTA VISTA CHAMPS

Back row, L-R: Principal Mr. Wagner, Fred Miller, Jerry Paugh, Gary Goodwin, Ross Terrango, Mark Garrett, Coach William Junkins

Front row, L-R: Bob Westbrook, Terry Shorr, Bill Junkins, Fred Alvaro.


submitted by: Jeff Westfall (WI '80)
westfall-family@hotmail.com

I was born in Broad Oaks in 1961, and spent all of my early life there. Attended kindergarten at Broad Oaks United Methodist church, and grade school at Alta Vista, where I was a patrol boy, and played patrol boy basketball in the early 1970's. I made some of the best friends of my life while there, such as Brian Bartlett, Lee Wagner, David Ancell, Joey Loretta and Carl (Ree Ree} Smith. My family lived on Longview Ave, and I remember spending countless hours playing basketball at the basketball court's at the end of Longview Ave, and on Harrison St.at the playground. we also played hours of football, waffle ball in front of Lee Wagners house on the corner of Lynn Ave, and Quincy St. I had a paper route delivering the Clarksburg Telegram to about 150 people daily, between my hill, and the next hill over where Lee lived.

Me and my friends use to go to places like Joe's Dairy bar on Harrison St, Guzzies Market on the corner of Haymond Hwy, and Point St., Stanikers store on Haymond Hwy. and the North Pole ice plant. We would also stop and play pinball, or shoot pool on the way home from high school an a small arcade Pinions opened up at the corner of Haymond Hwy, and Harrison St.

I later attended Central Jr. High School for 2 years, before going on to WI where I graduated in 1980. Broad Oaks was a great place to grow up, where there was always something to do or someone to hang out with. The friends that I made there, (although I have lost touch with them now), are truly the best friends that I have ever had.


submitted by: Mildred Honaker Lamb (WI '50)
mlamb002@sc.rr.com

THE BROAD OAKS GANG





Pictured above are:

Left picture: Gale and Bill Whisner
Right Picture: Anita Bartlett White and Carl White
Bottom Picture: Taken on steps at W I. From L-R: Betty Joyce Bates, Donn Hall Garlow Woods, and Sylvia (Peggy) Wolfe


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

Except for my college years and a brief time teaching in Morgantown and living in Columbia, SC, I have lived my life in Broad Oaks-most of it on Tyler Ave. So, I feel like I really do know Broad Oaks. I have read many times in the newsletter that people realize now just how safe and great it was to live in Clarksburg in the 1950's and 1960's. We played outside in the summer until the street lights came on and didn't lock doors. We walked to Alta Vista, had an hr. for lunch so we could walk home and eat. I had Miss Morrow for 5th grade. My parents, both from Broad Oaks, also had Miss Morrow for 5th grade. My sons also went to the same room at Alta Vista as I had for 5th grade, but Miss Morrow was retired by then!! However, I visited her at a nursing home when she was in her 90's. I hadn't seen her for years. When I identified myself, she told me where I sat in the room and ask me about my parents and their brothers and sisters--by name. Probably my best memory is of Joe's Dairy Bar. I lived next door and thought I had the best house in Clarksburg. I could sit in my front bedroom window on summer evenings and listen to the conversations that the boys who hung out on the wall where having. Wonderful stuff! Joe's still used those metal containers with paper cone liners to serve ice cream and made milkshakes and served them in those same cups. Some of the B.O.'s kids I grew up with: Anne Marie Ryan, Barbara Cottrill, Debby Lefever, Dina Stemple, Jerry McMunn, David White, Jimmy Talkington (my cousin), David McCue. I hesitate to list because I know I'll leave lots out. Broad Oaks neighborhood has changed over the years. Some of the changes are hard to watch. Joe's is closed, Alta Vista is torn down, and many of the houses are showing the signs of age. Both of our sons would say that they have the same good memories of growing up here that my parents had and I had.

Thanks for your great newsletter. I look forward to it each month.


submitted by: Wayne Winters (would have been in the 1966 class of WI)
wwinters@ix.netcom.com

A memory of Broad Oaks was that it was a good place to grow up with a lot of 'surrogate family' to keep an eye on the neighborhood kids and to have them report back to our parents if they saw us getting out of line. Well, I sort of believe that one --how about you?

I also remember there were many ways to get to Alta Vista. I can recall times when we would cut thru the yard of I think it was Chris and Pam Regar's at the top of Hedge street, come out on Haymond Highway and follow that to Alta Vista. I think they moved and mom nixed that route since we were not acquainted with the next people who moved there. If the weather was dry and sometimes when it wasn't I would go down the gravel portion of Rosemont and hang a left at where the Duckworth's lived and continue up that alley in behind St Clair to Tyler and on. Other days the route was down Spring-- left at St Clare and over to Tyler and on up to Haymond Hwy. I can recall being joined by Ernie Swiger and his brother on this route. I recall the tree roots had pushed the sidewalk up and cracked sidewalk as one approached Tyler. That was past Stanley Morgan's house and later in my elementary years the house where Dina and Debbie Stemple lived on St Clair. Our 'morning' sixth grade teacher Mrs. Williams lived at the corner of Rosemont and St Clair. The principal Mr. Palmer taught the afternoon sixth grade. I wonder if he held on to that 57 chevy of his? I recall My Palmer would usually take a little time off when deer season opened. It was not common at that time for male teachers in elementary. A different era back then.

Some days the walk to school had Jimmy Talkington and Janet Le Master fall in and join in the march. I can remember the house at the corner of Tyler had a blind or mostly blind dog who would sometimes ignore us and sometimes try to defend his turf from the passersby.

Central and WI had a few routes too. Mostly they involved a bus. Remember bus tokens? Sometimes a walk was in order to those schools too. Eddie See lived up Hedge ; I'd meet him-- we would join Pat Mascaro on Rosemont--sometimes Ricky Baines and walk. What we termed the swinging bridge across Elk Creek was the usual route. I think that bridge was swept away a couple of times during my time there. Then the more permanent bridge that spanned the creek in between the swinging pedestrian bridge and the Goff Plaza bridge got us across.

Those routes served us well when on Saturday's we would sometimes walk or bus ride over to Central and rent the gym to shoot baskets. When our time was up in the gym there was a milk machine by the office where that chocolate milk tasted so great!


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

Broad Oaks was very neighborhood friendly and unlike other sections of Clarksburg, did not have a playground. We played softball in the streets or in Jerry Paugh's or Louis Johnson's yards. Football was played on top of the hill in a field that was unlevel to say the least. We enjoyed the opportunity of getting to play basketball in the driveways of Jeff Williams and Bobby Neal. We had many friendly neighborhood grocery stores and our family, who lived in lower Broad Oaks (as my brother Jim calls it) would frequent Stalnakers or the North Pole Ice Co. carryout. As many of you know, we were all so close as friends, Broad Oaks even has their own reunion.


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

Some of the best people I have ever met are from Broad Oaks. I have been amazed (yes, and somewhat jealous) of the relationship that so many of these people have with one another. They have a genuine love and they care about each other. So many people from Broad Oaks have been very helpful to me thru the newsletter. Bill has become friends with a couple of the guys.

Year before last, I often wrote to some of the BO friends that I missed out on something by not being from Broad Oaks. I actually said I wish I had been adopted. Well, several of them got together and adopted me.

Yes, Broad Oaks people, I am a sister! I have a nice brass plaque to prove it. It states that I am an honorary Broadoaskian. I am very proud to call it my neighborhood too!

Thanks to all who wrote about Broad Oaks. I hope that others will respond as well when their neighborhood is featured.



WHERE IS BUDDY ERDMAN?

submitted by: Jim Edward Callis (WI '53)
jamesedwardcallis@hotmail.com

Do you happen to know anything about my old golfing pal named Buddy Erdman. We played at Sunny Croft. He went to WI in the early 1950’s. He served in the army. He also taught golf in Special Services while stationed in Arizona. I have lost track of him. If you know where he is or how I can contact him, please write to me at the above email address. Thanks



WANT TO GET YOUR HOME MOVIES PUT ON A DVD?

submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)
sgoff53@hotmail.com

As a follow up to an item from the Oct. issue.....Superior Photo in Morgantown, WV solved our problem of transferring home movies (circa '54-'62) to DVD. The process involves them first creating a VHS tape from the celluloid films, and then from the tape, any number of DVDs can be made. In our case, four 400 ft. reels of 8mm film ended up becoming a 55 minute DVD. The quality was very good and the cost was actually a little less than we had anticipated. In addition to the three DVDs we had made, we also now have a VHS tape of the home movies.

Here's the link for Superior Photo to give you some idea what to look for in your area. http://www.superiorphotoinc.com/?cid=12&PHPSESSID=3d3798ee80ebd7cf107c07a7871632c0

Thanks to those who wrote me with their experiences and advise. It is great to have those "lost" films now in a more stable and portable format. I recommend you have it done with your own old films, before they get lost, damaged, or begin to decompose.


IN MEMORY OF MARY GAILE THOMPSON BARR

submitted by: Sharon Myers Hall (WI '65)
hhubert@bellsouth.net


MARY GAILE AND SHARON

I am sending this for the November Newsletter "In Memory of Mary Gaile Thompson Barr". Her birth date was November 7, 1946. All the classmates that I kept up with were as surprised as I was when John Teter sent in her obit for the Newsletter several months after her passing. After not receiving emails from her we all just thought she was so busy working in her studio......shame on all of us for not trying harder to hear from her. Now we always send emails often even if just to say "I Love You".

Mary and I were like sisters, we both grew up on Summit Court. In two little white houses side by side. We spent most of our time with each other. There was or still is a wooden fence at the end of Summit Court because it is straight down the hill to the river, we used that fence for our "showing off". We saw several of the rock and roll shows at Robinson Grand in the fifties and practiced our dance moves to "Rockin' Robin", "At the Hop", etc. For our "greatest dancing" we did that in the house! Who in their right mind would take a chance on that fence with our wildest moves? Well, some times we did! We also would play hide and seek under a big ledge at the garage apartment. Only later to have our mothers tell us that big river rats lived under there. There were a few times we did walk down the hill to where the old street car tracks had been, we were told never to pass the fence. We found an old baby's changing table and took it to Mary's, house. Betty (Mary's mother), said that we had to clean it before we could play with it. Of course we did not tell her where we found it. I also remember going all the way down to the river and that was a big "no no". We only did that one time.

Mary and I would study together at her house, most often on Friday nights. We would study that night and get up Saturday morning and do Mary's chores. To this day every time I use Lemon Scented Pledge, it takes me back to those days. After all the chores were done we would make Appian Way Pizza in a box, that was always our favorite snack.

We would always play one of the many board games she had. She would get me when she said "Want to play 52 pick-up?" I would always say yes and up in the air went 52 playing cards. She would laugh and laugh, gosh what fun we had. We would play games on the coffee table which always had "Hershey Kisses" on it. I would wait for her to offer me one, I never would just take one. The sofa had fringe around the bottom and we would braid it softly so we could unbraid it.

Mary's mother, Betty, was so good to me and my grandmother, she was always there for us. I have talked to her since Mary's passing and each time she says "Sharon I treated you as if you were one of my own." She was really like my second mother and helped me through many hard times.

Jim, Mary's father, was a very hard working man. Between Betty and Jim they had a very lucrative business. They had moved out of the little white house to the garage apartment in front. The two things that stand out in my mind is the smell of Dial Soap and the feel of Lava Soap.

They then moved to the two story house across the street and Betty remodeled the house several times, she was like an "Interior Decorator". They moved to East Main Street when Mary was a senior, if I remember correctly. The Web Page that I made for Mary is http://www.geocities.com/silverversas/marygailethompsonbarr.html

I want to thank John Teter and Naomi Burkhammer for their help in finding Betty and supporting me on this endeavor.

I am working on more pages as a memory comes to me or as I find more pictures.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to place this "Memory of Mary" in the Newsletter.


MARY GAILE AND SHARON


HE’S NOT FROM CLARKSBURG
BUT WE WOMEN WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM


GOOD BYE--PAUL NEWMAN
OHHHH, Those eyes and that handsome smile!
We will always remember you!






OBITUARIES

CHARLES EVANS WOLVERTON

CLARKSBURG — Charles Evans Wolverton, age 91, of Clarksburg, WV, passed from this life on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. He was the last surviving and youngest of four sons of Howard Mason Wolverton and Bessie Hiawatha Hyer Wolverton. He was preceded in passing by his wife of sixty-one years, Wilma Genevieve Lake Wolverton. He will be missed by his daughters, Diana Rayburn and Linda Cain.

Charles was a 1936 graduate of Washington Irving High School and a 1940 graduate of Salem College, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Business Administration. He entered the military on Sept. 14, 1942. He achieved the rank of sergeant, serving as an Army forward ordnance supply officer on the European front. On June 7, 1944, he entered the war at Omaha Beach the day after the invasion, driving an armored halftrack off a United States Navy Landing Ship Transport (LST). As a part of the First Army 195th Ordinance Depot Company, he served in five major campaigns. The last was the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

Upon returning to the United States, Charles and Genevieve married Sept. 29, 1945, and settled in the family home in Clarksburg. Throughout life’s ups and downs, they held fast to their faith and dedication to their marriage. Charles began his career in 1941 as an employee of the Union Carbide Corporation in Anmoore. He resumed this work after World War II. Moving through various positions, Charles progressed to a quality control chemical analyst for Union Carbide. In his job, he found great satisfaction in the exact nature of science and math. After forty-one years of service, he retired, but retirement didn’t last long. For the next ten years, Charles worked as a desk clerk for a local motel.

The practical life lessons he instilled in Diana and Linda will always be remembered. The most valuable lesson learned was that choices in life become your life. This has assisted the girls in reaching their potentials and determining the necessities in life.

Charles was a lifetime member of Clarksburg Baptist Church. He served as a Sunday school teacher for Peter’s Brotherhood Bible Class for many years. He was also a deacon.

He enjoyed writing. From 1959 until 1963, Charles researched his family history. The final edition was the “History, Origin and Heritage of the Wolverton and Woolverton Family in 1963,” which was self-published. His Wolverton History was sold throughout the United States. A copy is on file at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

In retirement, Charles continued to write in the poetry genre. He self-published two poetry collections, “Toby and Me” and “Smoky and Me.” The titles honored two favorite pets that characterized Charles’s individualism. He was in the process of self-publishing a third poetry collection which his daughters will complete to fulfill his dream.

Diana and Linda will miss the security he brought to their lives. However, they learned the lessons well and hope to pass each one on to those close to their hearts. Together, the girls rejoice that Charles and Genevieve are reunited to continue in the blessings of their relationship.



DOROTHY J. WISE

SALEM — Dorothy J. Wise, 87, of Salem passed away on Monday, October 20, 2008.

She was born January 1, 1921, in Clarksburg a daughter of the late William Carl and E. Jane Martin Sands. On June 21, 1942, she married Lloyd Wise, who preceded her in death on September 25, 1999.

Surviving are two sons, Lloyd A. Wise II, Doraville, GA, and William D. Wise and wife Marsha Marlton, NJ; one daughter-in-law, Lynne Wise, Salem; five grandchildren, Barry and Richard Gellman, NJ, Alison Wise Manny, NJ, Scott Wise, Atlanta, GA, Jamie Wise, Salem; three great-grandchildren, Ashley J. Manny, Maurice W. Manny and Bohdi A. Wise. One son, James S. Wise, one daughter-in-law, Helena Wise, two brothers, John W. and William A. Sands, and one sister, Lena Lewis, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Wise was a 1938 graduate of Washington Irving High School and obtained an Associate Degree from Fairmont University. She was a former employee of Clarksburg Publishing Company, where she was a proofreader and worked in many departments. She then worked for Better Cars Inc. for 21 years. After retirement, she continued to do title work in her home. She was a member of the Salem Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, Salem Garden Club, Salem International University Auxiliary. Mrs. Wise and her husband Lloyd were selected as Senior King and Queen of the 11th annual Salem Apple Butter Festival in 1995. Dorothy was an avid gardener and nature enthusiast. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.



NOTICE:

Zarvon B.Carlisle Bowling passed away and will be buried on November 4, 2008. He was married to Elaine Fowler Bowling, WI 1959.


Thanks to the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram for allowing us to share excerpts from their obituary column.





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