THE WI NEWSLETTER 04/09

THE WI NEWSLETTER



Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 116 April 2009








NEW E MAIL ADDRESSES

Jack Bisping (WI '52) crrbgdepot@yahoo.com
Peter Rockwell Bowie (WI '66) PBOWIE304@aol.com
Carole Currey Whaley (WI '52) Whaleybc@verizon.net
Tom Myers (WI '53) Tom@mountaineerlog.com
Randy McCoy (WI '69) rlmccoy@earthlink.net


CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Ann McMunn Watson (WI '53) scotfestchief@yahoo.com
Gene Sanders (WI '63) eaglezS972@aol.com
Ray Newlon (Bridgeport HS '66) rayanewlon@yahoo.com




submitted by: Tom Keenan (WI '49)
French Creek, WV
tpkeenan@verizon.net

I have wanted to write you for several months but being retired takes a lot of hard work and I find myself running out of time. There are five items that I want to cover in this letter:

1. I have sent under separate cover a check for the WIN Scholarship fund. I would like it dedicated to two of my deceased classmates who I have always considered two of the nicest, best, and brightest graduates that ever came out of WI, William D "Dave" McIntyre, and Mary Alice Grimes Farrar. Mary Alice, a teacher, who I considered to be the one of the very best Kindergarten Teachers in Florida.

2. I am very pleased that Cody Gilmore was chosen for a Scholarship. I watched him play basketball at RC Byrd for three years and always was pleased when he was in the game. I was also happy that he chose Glenville State College as that is where I graduated from in 1953. While I am on the subject of RC Byrd Basketball, I want to say that I have attended almost every boy's home game and quite a few away games over the past 13 years. During that time, I have observed some of the best young adults anyone could want to see. They have been, and are, courteous, hard working, young men imbued with a spirit of sportsmanship and school spirit. They are in keeping with the standards that were present in all the prior years. From what I read, the girl's exhibit the same standards.

3. I am sorry I didn't make the cut on comments about Virginia Nutter. I had her for English and she never made my day. I think that she was the dourest person that I have ever met in my life. The only good thing that she taught me was, and I think it was from "Silas Marner": "The Law of Retribution works itself out in time". Many times that saying has consoled me so I do have something to thank her for.

4. I would recommend Maynard Duckworth as a teacher for comments. In my opinion, he was the most well-adjusted person on the staff and a good teacher besides. He enjoyed life with a smile on his face, a laugh in his voice, and all the time was a friend to everyone.

5. I am always pleased when I see the name of someone that I remember, most of them younger than I. However, my class, 1949, hasn't participated too often but then we have always been called part of the "Silent Generation". I think that we grew up in a very difficult time during the our formative years and the atmosphere in Clarksburg was serious and not much effort was put forth for us kids. World War II took the young men into the services and the older men and women were all working to support the war effort. As I read the remembrances of the following classes, I see a considerable effort from the men who returned from the War, became Fathers, and improved the situation. But then, that is just an opinion and no reason for I or any member of the Class of '49 not to participate now. I realize what you do requires a considerable amount of effort on your part and I thank you for that effort. The amount of response you receive shows the extent that the others appreciate your effort.

Cheers from the Crik,



MEMBERS OF THE PRODIGALS

The members of the Prodigals were:
Bill McCoy
Chuck Collins
Eddie Gales
Gregory Gale
Gerard Folio
Billy Smith
Maurice Davis
Mike Forte
Ted Wilson (replacement drummer)



NEW AGE COMICS

submitted by: Roleta Meredith


Please humor me a minute as I brag! My daughter has a hobby lately following the stories in the "modern age of comics”--- this seems to be a craze that is taking over the nation. It is popular with adults as well as younger ones. Films ("Hulk", "Superman", etc) , TV Shows (“Heroes”), and the printed form which is a considerable work of artistic talent if you look closely, has become very popular. Vaneta has always been a reader and due to this we found she had a talent for writing at a very early age. She majored in journalism and worked in that field a while. She is now a mother of two and sells road construction materials but for her hobby, she is into comics. She now writes for the leading news website in the comic industry. If you are interested in this form of art, checkout her article “: Putting the science into 'Watchmen' “ which has been published on msnbc.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29531732/




HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS
A LOVE STORY

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

My senior year I found Mr. Duckworth's Chemistry class too tough so I dropped it and took World Geography. In that class was a sophomore named Donna Jo Nutter (class of 61). I thought she was cute, however we didn't start dating until after the Christmas break. Donna lived on the corner of Chestnut St and Dodge Court so many times you could find us sitting with others on her wall after school and during that summer. I went off to Marshall College and Donna became a WI junior. During that Christmas break we became engaged. In January I joined the Air Force but still maintained our relationship. Donna graduated and that December we got married. We never had children (a conscious decision). We were together eighteen years until cancer took her life. She was a special person and put up with a lot being an Air Force wife. She didn't want to die in a hospital so I took her to our home. My boss took over my classes and let me be home with her. We were side by side when her end came. She will always hold a special place in my heart.



submitted by: Joe and Shirley Heidelmeier Williams (WI '56 & '57)
joeandshirlw@aol.com

My husband (Joseph Williams Jr. WI '56) and I (Shirley Heidelmeier Williams, WI '57) met when Joe was a senior and I was a junior. We first talked at the Moose teen hop and I was impressed, he was a good dancer, a musician and played the drums. When I was in shorthand class I noticed he would come to his locker right across from my classroom, so I would get excused and happen to be walking down the hall at that time. Well, one thing led to another, and he asked me out. We were engaged at Christmas my senior year and Joe went in the Army. We were married June 15th 1957, and I joined him in Georgia until we were transferred to Ft. Lewis, Washington State. Our first daughter was born in Olympia, Washington. We came home 2 years later. We had 2 more beautiful daughters. Now we have six grandchildren and two great grandchildren and our three son-in-laws. They all live in and around the Clarksburg area. We are very fortunate. We will celebrate 52 yrs of marriage this coming June 15th, 2009. All of our daughters and all but one of the grandchildren graduated from W.I. and he graduated from RCB the year after W.I. became a middle school. We still talk about the good old school days, and still have many friends from W.I that we keep in touch with. Here are the pictures when we were in W.I.


And here we are in our vacation spot, Ocean City, Md.



Thanks for your hard work. We enjoy the newsletters so much.


SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION NEXT MONTH

Your high school sweetheart.

Let’s hear your thoughts about Glyde Bailey and/or Maynard Duckworth.

The Purple Tree..

Where were your basketball games held when you were in school…Where were they held in 1959?

Top Value or S and H trading stamps….did your family save these? Where did you receive the stamps? Why did you receive them? Can you name anything that you purchased with the books of stamps?

Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com



A POSITIVE STORY ABOUT MORGANTOWN, WV…

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29744203#29744203




NUMBER ONE SONGS FROM APRIL'S OF YEARS PAST...

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

It's a busy time here at Lake Floyd, and spring is just beginning to rear it's beautiful head once again. Happy Easter.

Here we go...

First up we'll set the stage with a Simon & Garfunkle tune that was featured in one of my favorite movies The Graduate (1967): "April, Come She Will"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO9Ild2cvdg

1949... "Cruising Down the River" This song has an interesting chart history. It was number 1 throughout April (a total of 7 weeks in all) by Russ Morgan. However, in March of the same year, two weeks before Morgan's version reached the top slot, it had also been #1 as a platter by Blue Barron. All told, the song was number one in the nation for 9 consecutive weeks . I could not find Russ Morgan's recording of it, but here is Mr. Barron's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcbTvREwmMw

1951..."If" Perry Como. Cannonburg, PA's native son and one of the '50's most popular crooners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fei5zK0-LgA

1955..."The Ballad of Davy Crockett" Bill Hayes. Hayes was a singer on the Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca variety show "Your Show of Shows" in the early 1950's. During the Davy Crockett craze in 1955, three recorded versions of the "Ballad of Davy Crockett" were in the top 30. Hayes' version was the most popular, and the number one best seller in April of '55.

Hayes is perhaps best known for his role as Doug Williams on Days of our Lives. Hayes originally played the role from 1970 to 1984. The only clips I could find of him singing the song were these two short pieces from the '70's (Warning...there's been a Richard Simmons sighting!!). More recently, Hayes has done a lot of work for WV Public Theater with his wife Susan Seaforth Hayes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLa0OsPuM6k

1958..."Tequila" The Champs. I couldn't resist using this clip from the movie "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" (1985) where they make great use of this song. It runs about 5 minutes, and it one of my favorite comedy scenes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVKsd8z6scw&feature=related

And if you really wanted to see The Champs, here is quick follow up they did, "Too Much Tequila", that got up to # 30 in 1960. When bands like this do "steps" it always cracks me up. Some pretty good guitar playing here as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLn1GXDppxg

1961..."Blue Moon" The Marcels. What a Classic!! Video uses pics from American Graffiti (1973). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7giOrKYIwpQ

1964..."Can't Buy Me Love" The Beatles. This comes from the BBC pop show "Ready, Steady, Go!" (it is not live as indicated, but is lip synched). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMwZsFKIXa8

1966..."(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" The Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield sounding very good, live, on a what looks like, from the back drop, a variety show of some sort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oDyOulteViU

1971..."Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" The Temptations. A great old school, slow jam, by one of the best groups EVER; though it is crazy to tape a song of the Temptations and have them sitting down, and not doing the steps they did better than all others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hfOSnEgwxs&feature=related

1975..."Philadelphia Freedom" Elton John. This is an appearance on "Soul Train". Check out the see-through piano!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkMXnk16kiE

1978..."Night Fever" those damn Bee Gees....again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETQ3U-a4x5k

1981..."Kiss On My List" Hall & Oates. Live version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQUMDoZ4VCg

1985..."One More Night" Phil Collins. Also live...great sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_0ijBgwGA

And finally, here's to the class of 1989. May you all get it together and have a fun/festive 20th class reunion. "She Drives Me Crazy" Fine Young Cannibals. I loved this tune. Whatever happened to these guys?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_wzi-kTVOI

May, may be even better to you than April. Until then....sg



CHILDREN’S PLAYS PRESENTED AT WI HIGH SCHOOL

submitted by: Carolyn Layfield Cady (WI '53)
rcadyc@sbcglobal.net

I enjoy reading the WI Newsletter, but find it tedious to sit reading for long at a time, so I break it up. I was just reading about people attending children's plays at WI and the attending discussion.

I recall going to plays at WI while I was a student at Morgan grade school. We had to buy tickets in advance and we were taken by a city bus to WI in the afternoon. There must have been two or three a year. I remember seeing "Mrs. Wiggs and the Cabbage Patch" and several others. I can't remember the others, but maybe Peter Pan. They were presented by a company named "Clare Tree Major." I think they came to Clarksburg from Pittsburgh, but that may have been part of the circuit. These may not be the plays that are being referred to, but they made an artistic impact on me. It was a big deal to get to go to these. I seem to remember that I once rode the bus and sat with Joanne Westfall.

I have other memories I could add when I read other letters, but I usually don't sit down and write about them.

Reading the newsletter reminds of things and people long forgotten, all of which brightens my day and gives me much to think about.



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

I don't think Rip Van Winkle was the only production put on at WI for The Children’s theatre. We bought season tickets for plays at WI. I am going to write my sister and ask her if she remembers going. She is 5 years older than I.




RED BARN

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

The Red Barn was a night spot for teenagers in Clarksburg. It was on East Pike Street, just across the Elk Creek Bridge about a block west of St. Mary's Grade School. It was on the same side of the street & I think there may have been a gas station on the corner next to it & the bridge.

Live local bands played there. I can't remember if it was opened on Fridays & Saturdays or just Saturday nights. They had some strobe lights in there since it was open during the late 1960's when psychedelic was the big thing. I think the ages may have been 14 to 18 range, can't remember exactly. But it was strictly a younger kids place - no alcohol.

Since I lived in East End this was a very popular place for me to go.



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

To the best of my recollection The Red Barn opened it's doors while I was still at Central doing time with Mr. Lowther and all of my other puberty stricken classmates. So I'm guessing it opened sometime in 1967 or '68.

It was primarily a rock and roll dance hall that was open to teens of all ages, as it did not serve alcohol. It was located in the 100 block of West Pike St., on the opposite side of the street from where Elite Cleaners has been for years.

A very cool aspect of The Red Barn was that it was owned and operated by one of our Central classmate's father. Mark (Luey) LaRue's dad Bill decided to get into the entertainment business, primarily, as I understand it, by going to see his older son, Steve LaRue's (another WI grad) rock and roll bands play, and noticing how many kids came out for such events. Steve was a monster of a drummer and he was in a number of very good bands. So...now Mr. LaRue had a music venue, and Steve and his bands had regular place to play.

This ownership arrangement also helped all of us Central kids, in that we got to go by saying "but mom, dad,...it's safe...Luey's dad runs the place." So we started going to the RB while in 8th grade, and though the music was supposed to be the biggest draw (and the music was excellent), for me and my boys, the big thrill was gawking at all of those "older" (like juniors and seniors in high school), exotic girls that would arrive decked out and looking fine.

Oh, we danced some. Mostly a bunch of awkward white boys desperately in search of our inner-James Brown, while the pretty girls danced circles around us (much to our pleasure). Mostly we waited for the slow dances. Oh, the anxiety one felt as the singer intoned, more or less, "...we're going to slow things down now, so guys grab a gal ...." I never heard the rest as I was scanning the area for someone to ask to dance whom I thought would not say no. Lots of rejection, back then....the therapy sessions have helped some, since.

Great bands, The Napoleonic Wars, were a favorite. They dressed as 18th century soldiers (much like Paul Revere and the Raiders) and put on a great show. The Human Beinz (sic); The Electrons; Porte Authority; The Wiseguys; Brass Mirror; Copper Lake; were just some of the bands I remember.

It also seemed that there were certain songs every band had to have in their repertoire; such as "Proud Mary"; "Soul Man"; "Hold On I'm Coming"; "Mustang Sally" and a naughty, extended version of "Gloria"....that would be " G--L--O--R--I--A".

WI grad Carol White used to do a killer version of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles "Ooh, Baby, Baby", a song Linda Ronstandt had a hit with in later years. "I did you wrong, my heart went out to play..."

The Red Barn was also my first exposure to the power of a good "light show". This came directly from the national music scene, with venues in the New York (The Fillmore East) and San Francisco (The Fillmore West and the Winterland Ballroom) blowing people's minds with strobe lights (wow ...My spastic dancing now looks even more spastic, but almost cool.); and black lights (wow...Everything white now really glows in the dark...girls had to consider what to wear based on whether their undergarments were going to show, and your dandruff issues are now very public .)

My favorite "special effect" was when they set up an overhead projector about 20 yards from the stage and then applied various colored gels to the screen. One could then "finger paint" with the gels and groovy, psychedelic swirls would then be transferred up onto the stage and band as they played. Far out!

The Red Barn let us all feel like we had our own big time rock and roll venue, and you know what we did. Thank you Mark LaRue and family, wherever you are. If anyone knows the whereabouts of "Luey" LaRue or his younger sister Suzy (many a guy had a crush on little sister Suze) I'd love to know to get in contact with them.

My thanks to fellow WI grads Dave Mayle, Debbie Strother (Sepsi), Elena Diamond (Randolph), Ron Gilmore, Terry McNemar, Nancy Tonkin, Brenda Meek (DeGarmo) and my wife Beth Allen (Goff) for sharing their Red Barn memories with me



NEIGHBORHOODS

EAST END

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

That area crosses 2 elementary schools - Linden and Carlisle. The dividing line is Oak Street.

Back to East End and the other item I wanted to write about. . . one of our neighbors, until they moved away, was Randy Pritchard, the tallest guy in the 1958 senior class! They lived in a big yellow house at the corner of Oak and Grant near the old Palace warehouse. Recently I drove through the neighborhood and wondered what had become of him. Now I know he lives near Shinnston.

Another in the neighborhood was Butch Boggs, a friend of my brother's. (Wonder what became of him?) Charlie David lived just up the street across from the bakery and I hear from him thanks to the newsletter. (Speaking of the bakery --------- u-m-m-m, I can still smell the yeasty freshness of baking bread!) And I remember a family who lived down the street about half-way to Park Street from Oak. It was a big, two-story house and I would ride to school with them sometimes. I don't remember their names. Then, there was a boy who lived on Park (I think his name was Jack Reeves??????????). I wonder if anyone remembers him.

Speaking of Park Avenue - before new 50 went in, there was a grocery store there. What was it named?

I have lots more memories, including many summertime ones. I suppose I should write them down before I am diagnosed with CRS! Oh well!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all you two do to keep the newsletter going. I know the commitment it takes. God bless you both



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

I grew up on Williams Court in the East End area. I've noticed that several people have written in about some of the areas in that general vicinity and weren't really sure what the areas were called. I suppose East End/East Main were pretty closely related.

I always thought East End was considered from the bottom of Main (A&P) over to the bottom of Pike (St. Mary's) to Grant & Jackson Streets (just below the railroad tracks) & up Main from the A&P to the Golf Plaza Bridge & up Pike from St Mary's to Linden Avenue where the Dairy Queen was. Grant & Jackson ran up from behind the Convent on Pike up to the north side of Linden Avenue. I suppose I thought that Carr, Maple, Elm, Thompson & all those other streets near the Carlyle School were also lumped into East End and I thought Kelly Hill began at the Dairy King. I guess more people who lived in these areas would have to let us know if any of these areas went by any other names.

My family had the East End Lunch Restaurant so I spent a lot of time in there as a kid. It's claim to fame was it's Hot Dogs & I don't think there was any other recipe in Cburg that could come close to it. Here is a coupon they used to give out during the late 1950's - 1960's.


Here is a pic of my mom Argie Oliverio Shablack & my Uncle Paul Oliverio behind the counter in the front of East End Lunch.

DeCamp's grocery store (more like a modern day convenience store) was right next to the East End Lunch. Mr. DeCamp was a very nice old man, with white hair. He may not have been that old, but the white hair made me think he was. He had a nice selection of penny candy in the front of the store & many times he would let me get more than one piece for my penny.

Miss Lucy Robinson lived on Williams Court in the house next to mine. Many of the people who read the newsletter may have had her as a teacher at Towers. She was also the principal there. She was long retired by the time I knew her & was always nice to me, but still scared me a little. Her hair was always up on her head, she was very tall & thin & always wore ghilly tie type shoe with a pretty high heel for her age.

Mrs. Pat Dodd who taught at Central lived across from Miss Lucy. I'm sure many people will also remember her. Since I went to St. Mary's I never had them for teachers. The Holdens lived next to Mrs. Dodd & across from me and the Minehearts lived on the other side of my house. Williams Court ran between Pike & Meigs and was only wide enough for a car to narrowly fit between the front steps of the houses. It amazes me that some of the huge cars from those days could actually drive down it.

I had lots of cousins & spent most of time playing at my grandmothers house on the corner of Williams Court & Pike Street, right next to the East End Lunch. Everyone kept their doors unlocked day & night, and the kids were left to their own devices because we knew our boundaries.

East End Lunch always had great popsicles during the summer months, my favorites were the blue (raspberry flavor) & the white (7 Up flavor). Many a night, my cousins & I would sit on my grandma's glider on the front porch and watch all the cars go by - sometimes we'd stay out there to midnight - that was excitement when I was a kid. Davis & Weaver & McGlumphy's Funeral Homes were on the east end of Main near the corner of Oak. There was a little alley that ran behind McGlumphy's down to Park. Meigs was on the other side of the alley. Some of the bigger kids would run to the back of McGlumphy's & try to look in when they had the back garage door opened. I was never that brave. The closest look I got at it was from Meigs and the vacant lot that sat between them.

When the highway came thru my grandmothers house, East End Lunch, DeCamps, Miss Lucy's, Mrs. Dodd's and the Holden's houses were taken. All that was left was my house and the Minehearts. They are both still there today. Jennifer LaRosa is in my house, not sure who has the Minehearts. Meigs has stayed the same.

Since St Mary's was only a couple blocks down the street I always walked to and from school. If I liked what Notre Dame was serving in the cafeteria, I would have lunch there or else bring a lunch bag & the rest of the time I would go to East End Lunch & my mom or aunt would make me something. My uncle would set the juke box & I would play songs till my hearts content. It was a much simpler world in those days.

A picture is worth a 1000 words, and maybe some of these will remind other people what the area looked like back then.

This is a picture of my brother in my Grandma's front yard, you can see East End Lunch behind him & that narrow concrete between the yard and the restaurant was Williams Court.


On the opposite side of Pike Street from the East End Lunch was an Esso Gas Station (northwest corner of Pike & Oak) & few buildings east of it was Dent's Drug Store. Mr. Dent had a magazine section in the very front of his store with comic books on the bottom shelf. My mom would give me a nickel & I would go over there to get a Coke and sit on the bottom shelf & read comic books for hours. They lived in the building attached to the drug store. Here is a picture of my sister Anita's friend Tommy Gocke in front of Dent's house, taken early 1950's. You can see the Esso sign behind him. Gas stations must have done a good business in that area because across from the Esso were 2 other stations. One on the southwest corner of Pike & Oak (can't remember the name) & a Gulf on the northeast corner of Pike & Oak.


From the front of my Grandma's front yard you can see the Esso & that corner from another view, their sign isn't as clear tho & just the beginning of the East End Lunch sign can be seen in this pic taken early 1960's.


Esso Station & East End Lunch Early 1960's

Below is a picture of my brother Harry "Junior" Mutafis in his Notre Dame football uniform, school year 1955-1956. Pictures of him and his team mates in his yearbook were all taken in the same location which I think may have been in the yard of the Convent.


Harry "Junior" Mutafis 1955

Below is my First Holy Communion picture taken May 3, 1959 on the front steps of Immaculate Conception. I will do my best to give you the names I remember. Most of the kids were in my class at St. Mary's & we belonged to Immaculate, a handful of the others belonged to Holy Rosary & maybe St. James.


1st Row - Larry Guzzi, Johnny Secret, David Chauncio, Debbie Battista, ? , Patty Marchio, Donna Patsy, Patty Salise, Judy Snyder, Linda Butcher, Diana Shablack, Bobby Thomas, ? , David Harris

2nd Row - Frank Spenia, Tommy Keeley, Georgie Paugh, Sharon Michaels, ? , Peggy Hoban, Kathy Vasbinder, ? , Mary Beth Cava, Kathy Folio, Pat Coughlin, Angelo Alvaro, Johnny Arco, Mike Renzelli

3rd Row - Sammy Jo Curotz, Bobby Loretta, ? , Sammy Paletta, Tina Pratt, Rosemary Butcher, Mary Virginia Maunz, Jeannie McConlogue, ? , Mike Cossabone, Joe Fuscaldo, ?

4th Row - ? , Richard Wilson, Joe Fox, Michelle Connell, Maria Saliga, Salina Fiora, Terry Broughton, Lisa Petitto, Gretchen Reiser, Jimmy Cassidy, Pat Giese, Roger McIntyre

5th Row - Amos Wilkinson, ? , Phil Dolan, ? , ? , Sandra Williams, Mary Jo Gonsorcik, Beth Naumann, Christine Shaffer, Larry Mazza, Danny Hannah, ?

6th Row Altar Boys - Petey Secret, older Coughlin, Msgr. John O'Brien, older Harris, older Snyder

Hope all these names & faces ring a bell with other readers from the East End area.


I just remembered I had this picture. You can see Immaculate Conception & part of Notre Dame - but from there up - the distance is too far to make out individual houses - but that area would have been the heart of East End. I would have thought other people would have written about East End. I have a couple cousins who also lived there & I have seen one of Holden's name in past newsletters. Their house was only about 10 feet from mine.

Another childhood memory was of the Dairy Queen on the corner of Pike & Linden Streets. Mr. Misty's came out in the 1960's I think & I loved them - back then we didn't know what a brain freeze was. Before Mr. Misty's, I think the 10 cent vanilla cone was probably my favorite summertime treat.



IN MAY WE WILL FEATURE


Please write your memories of EAST VIEW and EDGEWOOD for the May Newsletter…

Make sure you mention the name of your section of Clarksburg in the letter that you write to me. I am unable to distinguish areas of Clarksburg by street names mentioned.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com about either of these areas… EAST VIEW and EDGEWOOD.

ADAMSTON
ANMOORE (FORMERLY GRASSELLI)
ARBUTUS PARK
ARLINGTON
BROAD OAKS
BROADWAY
BRUSHY FORK
CHESTNUT HILLS
COLONIAL HEIGHTS (aka THE HILL)
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

********THE SECTIONS OF CLARKSBURG LISTED ABOVE HAVE ALREADY BEEN HONORED IN THIS NEWSLETTER. NEXT MONTH I HOPE YOU WILL WRITE AND HONOR EAST VIEW AND EDGEWOOD.

Write and honor your section of Clarksburg by sharing your memories with us: Roleta1@aol.com

*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
*WEST END





EVERYDAY VALUE

Check in the store for brands named “Everyday Value”. This brand is cheaper than the popular name brand and it is made in the USA! We need to help American companies and help keep our citizens employed. Buy “EVERYDAY VALUE” brand whenever possible. I know they make light bulbs and fabric softener sheets.




SPORTS

WI FOOTBALL MOTHERS

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

Here is a picture of the football mothers who worked the snack bar during the games. This was the 55 - 56 football season.


The mothers of Doug Bailey, John Harrison, Don Cinci, Ron Grow, Dave McMunn, and me, Jim Alvaro, are all I can recognize now. I am sure some of the guys I played football with would like to see this picture. This is the only one I have seen around. I think my dad took the picture at one of the games. My mother live with an apron on. She was always in the kitchen.

Sorry, I wish I knew more.



WI FRESHMAN PATCH

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


When we earned a letter as a freshman at WI we received this "patch". Can you imagine how many of these it would take for Sue to make a quilt? I should send the patch to Sue and ask her to make her next quilt out of this. Wadda ya think???



WVU TO HONOR GREAT 1958-59 SQUAD

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
Floyds4@Cox.net

By Mickey Furfari
MORGANTOWN – Ten members of West Virginia University’s great 1958-59 basketball squad are coming here this weekend to be honored in connection with Saturday night’s WVU regular-season finale against No. 6-ranked Louisville at the Coliseum.

They will be attending a luncheon and dinner as well as the game, which starts at 9 o’clock. They are to be introduced to the crowd during a halftime ceremony. ESPN’s weekly GameDay crew also will be showcasing from Morgantown.

The 1958-59 team not only finished as national runner-up in the NCAA Tournament, being nipped in the championship contest by California 71-70, but remains the winningest in school history with a 29-5 record. It also won the Southern Conference title.

That extremely talented group, coached by Fred Schaus, was about as home-grown as any that WVU ever had. Thirteen were from West Virginia and just three from out of state.

All-America superstar Jerry West, a native of Kanawha County, led the way. He is coming for the 50th anniversary reunion, along with best friend Willie Akers who was from Mullens and now from Logan.

Other players returning include Bob Clousson of Clarksburg (WI '55), Jay Jacobs of Morgantown, Paul Miller of Logan, Ronnie Retton of Grant Town, Jim Ritchie of Drexel Hill, Pa., Howard Schertzinger of Morgantown, Nick Serdich of Grant Town, and Bobby Joe Smith of Charleston.. Players unable to attend include Nick Visnic of Wheeling, Jim Warren of Clarksburg (WI '56), Lee Patrone of Bellaire, Ohio, and Joe Posch of Riverside, N.J. Manager Jim Hathaway also can’t attend.

Two players, Bucky Bolyard of Aurora and Butch Goode of Pineville, have died.

Whitey Gwynne, the Hall of Fame trainer; George King, Schaus’ full-time assistant; Quemtin Barnette, freshman team coach; and Carl Roberts, equipment manager, are deceased. So is manager Tony Marninardi.

Those ’58-’59 Mountaineers earned the tag of “Cardiac Kids” because they came from behind for 14 of those 29 victories. But it was not to be against California in the NCAA final at Louisville’s Freedom Hall.

West got into foul trouble early and his team trailed Cal by as many as 13 points in the second half. West Virginia battled back to within a point with 52 seconds left, but couldn’t quite catch up. “We just ran out of time,” Schaus lamented. Later after he had retired as the school’s athletic director, he told Morgantown author Norman Julian, “As I look over my years in coaching, including twice in the seventh game of the championship series in the NBA, that loss to California was the toughest of all.”

In the four NCAA wins leading up to that loss, the Mountaineers in order defeated Dartmouth 82-68 in New York City, St. Joseph’s 95-92 and Boston University 86-82 in Charlotte, N.C., then Louisville 94-79 on the Cardinals’ home floor.

Most folks were hoping for Cincinnati to join West Virginia in the final, but the Bearcats were upset in the semifinals. That prevented a matchup between Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, who were generally rated as the country’s top two superstars that season.



THOSE WHO GAVE THIS MONTH TO THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP

Dahrie Hayman
Tom Keenan (WI 1949) sent a check in memory of William D. “Dave” McIntyre and Mary Alice Grimes Farrar
Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI 1956)
Tara Secret (WI 1991)
Sharon (ND 1962) and Bob Secret (WI 1960)
Ashlee Ann Secret (RC Byrd 1998)
Alicia Bishop Walent (would have graduated from WI in 1960 but her family moved to Ohio and she graduated there)
Lucy Hornor (WI 1954)
Jerry Winerman (WI 1957)

Thanks to all of you who care to share and thus make it possible as a group to give a scholarship to an RC Byrd graduate.



OBITUARIES

A PRODIGAL DIES

MAURICE ALEXANDER DAVIS

HOUSTON, Texas — Maurice Alexander Davis, 69, born April 6, 1939, in Clarksburg, WV, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25, 2009, in Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Byrd A. (Alex) Davis and Mary Price Davis.

The Davis family mourns the loss of a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ella Jean Stevens Davis; son, Maurice A. “Tony” Davis (Darlene) of Ambler, PA; daughter, Kimberly D. Davis of Clarksburg, WV; son, Stephan “Corky” Davis (Jacqueline) of Pittsburgh, PA; daughter, Kelly M. Davis of Houston, TX; and son, Mark A. Davis of Clarksburg, WV; a brother, Roy Reginald Davis (Vivian) of Columbia, MD; grandchildren, Stephen C. “Cory,” Courtney D., Brandon L, Tymere R., Talib R., Chase H.R. and Alyssa J. Davis; and a host of relatives and friends.

Maurice was a member of the last graduating class of Kelly Miller High School. He played the upright bass and bass guitar for R&B musical group called “The Prodigals.” He was a graduate of WVU and obtained a Master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University.

He worked as an entrepreneur and in sales for most of his career. He was a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church, where he served as a licensed lay reader.



SCOTT IAN HINKLE

SALEM — Scott Ian Hinkle, 37, of the Salem area, died unexpectedly Sunday, March 8, 2009.

He was born January 20, 1972, a son of the late Ira P. Hinkle of Clarksburg and Wanda M. Greathouse of Salem.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Shriver Hinkle, whom he married December 13, 1996, and two children, Breanna Haley and Tyler Scott, both at home.

He is also survived by his father-in-law, Howard Shriver; his stepfather, Carl L. Greathouse of Salem; his grandmother, Grace McCray of Buckhannon; two aunts, Opal Dodrill of Spelter and Eletha (Lea) Smarr of Buckhannon; an uncle, Leonard McCray (Nola) of Hacker Valley; a sister-in-law, Beth (Pete) Hart of Clarksburg, and their children, Heather, Kayla and J.W. Little, Courtney, Jordan and Corey Hart. His in-laws include Janice and Thurman Tyler of Good Hope and Bud and Barb Burnett of Bridgeport. He is also survived by many cousins with whom he was very close.

Besides his father, Ira, he was preceded in death by a sister, Heather Lea, mother-in-law, Glenna Dean Shriver, aunts and uncles, Jerry Dodrill, Beulah and Chuck Pollock, grandfather, Lawrence McCray and stepmother, Carol Hinkle.

Scott was an avid Orioles fan. He was a loving husband and very proud father who enjoyed playing with his kids and watching them in school and sporting events. He graduated from Washington Irving High School with the Class of 1990, had a B.S. degree in management and marketing from Fairmont State College and a degree from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

He was a funeral director for 11 years with Greathouse Funeral Home. He worked security at Veterans Nursing Home in Clarksburg and currently worked at WoodForest National Bank in Fairmont.



HILDA BENT ZABEAU

CLARKSBURG — Mrs. Hilda Bent Zabeau, age 89, of South Maple Avenue, Clarksburg, WV, passed away peacefully at 2:26 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg, FL, with her daughters by her side.

She was born in Chequerbent, Manchester, England, on October 12, 1919, a daughter of the late Joseph Bent and Betsy Taylor Bent.

Her husband, Rene V. Zabeau, whom she married in Charleston, WV, on July 1, 1939, preceded her in death November 20, 1996.

Surviving are three daughters and spouses, Judith Anne Shepherd, Sellersburg, IN, Barbara Elaine Norteman (Charles W.), Hilton Head Island, SC, and Victoria Renee Zabeau Bowden (Gary R.), Clarksburg, WV; one sister, Elizabeth Anne Ross, Warren, RI, whom she raised from an early age, after their mother’s death. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren and their spouses, John Scott Shepherd, Elizabeth Renee “Betsy” Shepherd, Laura Paige Shepherd Ritchie (Scott), Natalie Anne Norteman Bartner (Steve), Shirley Lynn Norteman Ulrich (Mark), Beau Gregory Bowden (Ann Elizabeth) and Bradley Taylor Bowden; and seven great-grandchildren, J. Garrett Shepherd, Alexis J. Shepherd, Jack Cory Ritchie, William Jennings Ritchie, Maxwell Charles Ulrich, Madison Renee Ulrich and Belle Renee Bowden.

Mrs. Zabeau was also preceded in death by one sister, Eva Bent Lee, a brother, Jack Bent, and a son-in-law, Jack Shepherd.

Hilda was raised in Stotesbury, WV. She graduated from Mark Twain High School in 1937. She attended The Mountain State Business College in Parkersburg, WV, where she met Rene V. Zabeau. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a member of the Belgian-American Heritage Society of WV, the WVU Extension Homemakers, Catholic Daughters of America, active with the YWCA , the 4-H Club, Girl Scouts of America and the Junior Catholic Daughters of America.

She was also a charter member of the Stealey Terrace Garden Club. Hilda was a devoted homemaker and the well-being and happiness of her family were always first with her. She never met a stranger and enjoyed meeting people, doing embroidery, needlework, sewing, gardening and loved cooking and baking for her family.



WINIFRED "FRITZI" BELL (Victory HS teacher)


CARBONDALE - Winifred "Fritzi" Bell, 91, died March 3, 2009, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

She was born Dec. 7, 1917, in Bridgeport, W.Va.

She was the daughter of Marguerite J. and Thomas B. White. Mrs. Bell was a graduate of Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, W.Va. and a graduate of Glenville College in Glenville, W.Va. She received her master's degree in English and music at West Virginia University and completed post-graduate work at Columbia University in New York and Duke University in Durham, N.C. Mrs. Bell was a longtime music teacher and choral director. She taught for many years at Victory High School in Clarksburg, W.Va., Georgetown High School in Georgetown, Ohio, and Cadiz High School in Cadiz, Ohio.

Fritzi was an active member and leader in the West Virginia Education Association and Ohio Education Association. In 1951, Fritzi directed her Victory Choir at the National Education Association Convention in California. Her 43 choir members brought honor and fame to West Virginia as well as Victory High School as a result of their superb musical performance, which captivated the audience. A dean of a Pennsylvania College indicated this in a letter which said, "Please pass on to 'Fritzi' Bell and her marvelous choir, a personal word of appreciation for me. They sang superbly and added the final master touch to the program." The president of the NEA said Fritzi and the choir at the NEA were the highlight for him, an a cappella choir that endeared itself to the 4,000 delegates of the convention. Fritzi's a cappella choir was also tagged as the National Championship High School Choir of the United States. She also served as director of general music and music classes at the Institute of Rural Affairs of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Fritzi's love of music showed in her beloved students. She had a very special place in her heart for her choral groups, which performed under her direction in several European cities, New York, Chicago, California and on the Phil Donahue Show, to name a few. Fritzi took a special interest in each one of her students, referring to them as her kids. Her students visited and kept in contact with her as recently as a week before her death.

Upon moving to Illinois with her family, Fritzi became a volunteer at the Pink Geranium at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her son, Frederick J. Bell (J'Neita Fassel) of Carbondale; three granddaughters, Megan Whitney Bell, Melissa Walker Bell and Meredith White Bell, all of Nashville, Tenn.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her husband, Miles W. Bell I; her son, Miles W. Bell II; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. White; three sisters, Josephine White Dawkins, Elizabeth White Wolverton and Charity White Beto; four brothers, Thomas B. White Jr., James Russel White, Richard Nelson White and David Lee White; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Anna Mae Bell Combs (Robert L. Combs) and sister-in-law, JoAnne White.



AMY LEA BROWN

CLARKSBURG — Mrs. Amy Lea Brown, age 81, of 322 Tyler Avenue, Clarksburg, WV, passed away at 2:35 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2009, at the United Hospital Center following an extended illness.

She was born in Weston, WV, July 19, 1927, a daughter of the late Mead Ward and Gertrude E. Turner Ward. Her husband, Raymond Edgar Brown, whom she married, February 2, 1946, preceded her in death June 9, 2000.

Surviving are a son, K. Scott Brown, Clarksburg, WV; a daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and James S. “Jim” Pritchard, Clarksburg, WV; a granddaughter, Andrea Pritchard, Clarksburg, WV; a special nephew, David Williams, Buckhannon, WV; and several cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Brown was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Paul Ward, and a sister, Janice Williams.

Mrs. Brown was a member of the Broad Oaks United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School — Class of 1945. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.



LORRAINE B. ROSS MCGAHAN

Lorraine B. Ross McGahan, 91, of Route 3, Grafton, departed this life Saturday March 7, 2009, in the United Hospital Center. She was born October 26, 1917, in Clarksburg, the daughter of the late Louis John Ross and Bertha Marie Bosman Ross. In addition to her parents, Mrs. McGahan was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. “Bill” McGahan, and her sister-in-law Mary Sayler.

Surviving are two sons: James W. McGahan, II and his wife, Sharyn (WI '59) of Clarksburg; and Thomas L. McGahan and his wife, Brenda of Huntington.

Also surviving are five grandchildren: James W. “Bil” (Lisa) McGahan, III; Patrick M. (Regan) McGahan; and, Timothy P. (Rebecca) McGahan, all of Clarksburg. Megan M. (David) Bowen of Huntington and Meredith M. (Christopher) Nosher of Baltimore also survive.

In addition, 13 great grandchildren survive Mrs. McGahan; they are: Alexandria and Bryan McGahan of Statesville; Chris, Brittany, Jay, Hunter, Kaila, Michael, J.W., Alana and Nate McGahan, all of Clarksburg; Caden and Cambria Bowen of Huntington.

Mrs. McGahan was an Associate Member of the Verizon Telephone Pioneers of America, the Grafton City Hospital Auxiliary, the Taylor County Arts Council, the Grafton Red Hat Society, the Taylor Country Senior Citizens; and an active Charter Member of two Grafton Bridge Clubs.

Mrs. McGahan was a 1936 graduate of Washington Irving.

She was a member of the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church where she was a member of the Ladies Guild.



PHILIP HENRY "DENNY" LEE SR.

Philip "Denny" Henry Lee Sr., 66, of Fairmont, passed away March 23, 2009 in Fairmont.

He was born Jan. 11, 1943, in Clarksburg, the son of the late Alma Holyfield Williams. After the death of his mother, he was raised by his late grandparents, Emma and Samuel Holyfield along side his aunts and uncles.

He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg and served as an active paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 1961-1964. He retired from the Eastern Associated Coal Co.

Philip is survived by his wife of 47 years, Eleanor Hardy Lee. From this union three children were born:daughter, Royce Lee Lyden and her children, Michael and Taylor, all of Fairmont; son, Philip H. (Wanda) Lee Jr. and their children, Mariah, Jaffe, Kaya and Aaron all of Beverly; and daughter, Tiffany Lee and her son Jalen, both of Fairmont.

He is also survived by one sister, Phyllis (Earnest) Pinckney of Capitol Heights, Md.; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends.

Denny, as he was fondly called, was an avid fisherman and hunter. He especially enjoyed gardening, horses and spending time with his family. He spent a great deal of time playing cards with his friends and was an avid athlete in his younger years and played softball. Philip coached The Wiz, a women's softball team and a local little league team. A devoted fan of Fairmont State University, he attended a majority of men's and women's basketball games.

Read a story about this devoted Fairmont State University fan at:
http://www.timeswv.com/archivesearch/local_story_086015819.html

Published in the Fairmont Times West Virginian



WILLIAM EDWARD GARDNER


William Edward Gardner, 85, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away peacefully Monday, March 23, 2009. He was born April 9, 1923, in Clarksburg, W. Va. to Jesse and Vocie Gardner. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. William was employed in the dental industry for 45 years before retirement, working for Ranson Randolph, Patterson Dental, formerly Litton Industries and Vice President of Sale and Marketing at Billy Anderson Dental. He also attended Fairmont State College. William was a member of the Sun City Center United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Sun City Center Men's Club, Caloosa Golf and Country Club and Carrollwood Village Golf and Country Club. He also enjoyed flying, golfing, sports and travel. His survivors include his loving wife of 37 years, Donna; two sisters, Mildred Gregoire of Elkins, W. Va. and Betty Gibson of Ann Arbor, Mich; nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, March 30, at Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W. William will be deeply missed. Arrangements by Lewers Funeral Home.



BETTY JEAN CUNNINGHAM

CLARKSBURG — Betty Jean Cunningham, 80, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the United Hospital Center following a brief illness.

She resided at 117 Ridenour Street, Clarksburg, before recently moving to Koupal Towers.

Miss Cunningham was born June 26, 1928, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Byron Lowell and Lillie Riggs Cunningham.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Riggs Cunningham and Paul Mason Cunningham; a sister, Jo Claire Brown; and her nephew, Byron L. Brown.

She is survived by her sister, Mary M. Squires, Clarksburg; her nephew, Richard L. Squires and his wife Jane Lynn Squires, Clarksburg; and her niece, Martha Jo Alberg, Germantown, TN. Also surviving are her great-niece, Rebekah L. Squires Bigger and her husband Blair, and their son, Brody, Rock Hill, SC; great-nephew, Michael Squires, Clarksburg; great-nephew, Richard Alberg and wife Autumn, and their children, Harper and Tanner, Richmond, VA; and great-nephew, Michael Alberg, and his daughter, Keirin, Germantown, TN.

Miss Cunningham attended Washington Irving High School and Wesleyan College. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work and worked as a Social Worker in Baltimore, MD, before returning to Clarksburg and establishing her private practice, Clarksburg Confidential Counseling. She was Presbyterian by faith.



OBITUARY CORRECTION

It was published in the March Issue that Mike Minutelli had died recently. It was published that he graduated from WI in 1954 when indeed he graduated from St. Mary’s in 1954. Sorry.






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