THE WI NEWSLETTER 03/10

THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 127 March 2010






TARA SOUTHERN
OUR 2009 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

submitted by: Tara Southern (RC Byrd 2009)
Received the WIN Scholarship Now attending WVU

My name is Tara Southern and I wanted to thank the members of the WIN scholarship for awarding me the scholarship. My first semester at West Virginia University was incredible. I am majoring in Business/Foreign Language and met some of the most wonderful people. I realized what everyone meant when they said that WVU was a big place, but learned to manage my time and finished the semester with a 3.7 grade point average. Both my family and I were very proud of my grades. My mom is a single mother of three and I am the oldest. I would have never been able to meet the expenses of such a great school and had the opportunity to attend without the scholarship. I am truly appreciative and hope that other students work hard toward the scholarships in the future. It provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime. Being a little more comfortable after the first semester, I am going to play softball this spring at WVU. I was always active in sports and wanted to get acclimated to college life before venturing into a team in college.



SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION

Please write about any of the subjects listed…or anything you think up to write about. Hopefully something in this newsletter will stir a memory and you will immediately write to me. Never feel you write too much or to often---if I wish, I will save some of your subjects for the following month. JUST WRITE…you will find the most interesting newsletters are the ones where lots of people have input.

LEAGUE OF SERVICE FESTIVAL: We have a lot of readers from the 60’s classes but few write. I hope that you will find this subject something you can relate to as I have no idea what the Festival involved….Lynn Hornor Keith (WI 1966) suggested you write about The League of Service Festival on the Court House Plaza. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

TRANSPORTATION: When you were young, how did you get around? Did you use a bike, ride the bus all the time, have a car or did your parents drive you around?

PRANKS: Tell us about pranks you pulled or someone else pulled in school? Write Roleta1@aol.com.

PARKING PASSES AT WI: This suggested by a reader: How many cars did the automobile parking lot hold? And how much did a parking pass cost? I would like to hear the answer to that one. Roleta1@aol.com

HOME EC CLASSES AT CENTRAL: I recently was thinking about Home Ed class in Central. In the 7th grade we made terrific aprons and in the 8th grade we had cooking class. Were both classes 7th and 8th taught by the same teacher? Did that /those teachers teach anything else? Who taught each class? I remember some terrible things were concocted in that cooking class and we had to eat what we fixed….I found the pockets in the apron I made in the 7th grade (and had to wear in the cooking class in 8th grade), a terrific place to hide some of the things that I just couldn’t eat. I think a lot of time was spent on learning how to set a proper place setting, and we had to wash every thing that was set out whether we really used it or not. I remember a lot of silverware and plates were used for something as trivial as a hard boiled egg. The bell would ring and the dishes weren’t always done and back in the drawer (I think it was a drawer) in the proper place but we had to hurry so we could get to another class. One thing I remember we made, that I liked, and would love to have the recipe for the grated cheese with peanuts chopped up in it….and I don’t remember what else was put in the spread but it was great on crackers…wonder if I would like it now? I know I made it at home a few times when I was a kid. How about sharing the recipe or/and any memories you have about Central Home Ec class. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com



FEELS BLESSED TO HAVE SPENT YOUTH IN CLARKSBUR

submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
Jpulice@msn.com

Yesterday while driving through down town Clarksburg, I started looking at empty buildings, empty lots where once a familiar building stood or for stores and business which are long gone by the change of times. There many stores, shops, restaurants, and schools even a church or two are all long gone. Time waits for no one so they say and also nothing is forever, I feel that is true in my life time as do many of my friends who shared past experiences with me. We had it all! Growing up was a wonderful experience full of good times and not so good, but the good times out numbered the bad. Clarksburg was a place where we went to school and church with our friends with whom we spent all of our spare time and shared our secrets.

Although some of my friends have left Clarksburg, many of us have stayed here. I feel so blessed that in my youth I had these people, these places and especially blessed that I grew up in and still live in Clarksburg. I would not want to pass through this life again without growing up with my friends in Clarksburg, WV.



DID YOUR GRADE SCHOOL HAVE A PLAYGROUND?

submitted by: Augie Malfregeot (WI '56)
ad.malf38@att.net

The playroom at Morgan was in the basement and we went for a drink of water first and then to the bathroom and finally to the playroom. Yes, dodgeball was a popular event but we also has races, also marching; the Virginia reel and other dances. The playroom was between the coal bin and a storage room. Across the hall was the girls bathroom, the furnace room , and the boys bathroom.



submitted by: Greg Jaranko (WI '60)
JPAdomitis@aol.com

I started to Morgan when I was 5 turning 6. Thyat year the first grade expanded to 3 classes of approximately 40 students each.

My Mother had Miss Thomas and that is who I wanted also. I started out in her room but when the count of kids exceeded 40 they moved some of us to another class. We drug ourselves to the second floor to Miss Kiester's room. Once there I learned they had lost my workbooks during the move and she grabbed me by the arm to change seats. She had long red fingernails that hurt me. I went home for lunch crying to my Mother about the move. My Mother straightened out Mr. Sheets and the rest and had me back in Miss Thomas' room that afternoon.

Yes, I went home for lunch everyday for the entire 6 years I went to school there. We had a milk break where we went downstairs to the refrigerator to pick up our carton of milk. I remember that to be the best milk, just the right temperature and taste.

The playroom was also downstairs. The one game I remember most is dodgeball. I loved to play and my memory says I was always one of the last to be put out while putting many out myself. There was one boy who was bigger than the rest of us, I think in the 6th grade they had to ask him to stay home since he was 21, could break the dodgeballs against the wall when he missed one of us. Guess whose side I tried to be on.

There was an open area around the flagpole where we could play some impromptu tag. The flagpole was where we beat the erasures to dust them out. Great breathing all that chalk dust.! We played marbles along the sidewalk in the dirt at the foot of the steps up to the school. Shooters and steeleys were mostly found by the marble factory in west end by the railroad tracks by the Hartland Planing Mill. It moved later closer to town.

Mrs. Isreal also taught ballroom dancing in our little downstairs gym. She was the 6th grade teacher who taught music to the 5th and 6th grades. She would trade and hour with my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Brown who would teach science to the 6th graders.

I made two round trips to and from school everyday as well as all that school time exercise. I think when I graduated high school I weighed 117 pounds. All that walking must have done me some good and had carry over.

Speaking of schools, my wife is from Pontiac, Michigan and went to Michigan State University. She harbored the thought that she married a small town boy and from WV.

Well she has made me understand that she may well have misjudged our little town. How many of our workmates were raised in a city with 4 high schools? We had 4 cinemas, and how many hotdog restaurants or pool halls? There were several including the Stonewall Jackson where many of WI's male students ate our lunch. Remember the hot mustard coming out of our noses? Man that was really hot. Dr. Mills was one of the one pocket shooters that came in for lunch. Where were you Mark ?

I liked Joe Sarafini's "hot" hotdogs. Irene made the same chili just not hot. Can that still be called chili ? The two of them turned an ice cream parlor into a great hotdog and cold draft beer place. Why couldn't we have kept both ?

I remember the cinema cost 25 cents if you went to the Robinson Grand or the Ritz. But go the Orpheum or Moores for 11 cents and watch cartoons and serials it seemed like all day on Saturday.

I was taught to make balsa airplanes as part of the VFW children’s program. I even was a member of the Ground Observer Corp and learned to identify the silhouettes of various airplanes. We had it great. So my wife has made me realize I may not be the small town boy I think I am. Shucks.



submitted by: Harriett Danley Van Voorhis (WI '58)
eerfanvan@comcast.net

On the subject of grade schools with playgrounds---Pierpont Grade School had none. The only exercise I got was walking to and from school, except when I was in the sixth grade. Miss Whelan, our sixth grade teacher and principal of the school, sent me "uptown" frequently to "run errands" for her. I'm not sure I learned a thing that year!


PLAYGROUND NEAR MY HOME

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

I lived on Haymond Hwy and my playground was on end of Elm Street. I had to get to the playground by walking up Clay St. and then go straight down on a very narrow path to the playground. It was a very steep hill. Of course the steep hill is where the boy who played center field, when we played softball, had to stand. He would be half way up the hill. If a ball was hit anywhere near him, it would be a lost ball in the weeds and a home run. Behind the home plate was a gutted Model T that had been left there by someone that wanted to get rid of a car. We played in the car if there were not any bee hives in the back seat. And one of the exciting activities I liked was skipping rocks across the Elk Creek, which was right next to the playground and also flooded it when we had heavy rain storms. Also I remember some evenings we would bake potatoes in an open fire along with Freddie and my Mom. My mother did not attend too many activities there because of the steep hill she would have to navigate. By the way, we had no water to drink on the playground. One of the home owners would give us a mason jar and we could go to the outside faucet and fill it up. That would only happen if the home owner was looking out the window and saw me passing out. When my Mom passed away and we were looking through some of her kitchen appliances we found pot holders we made at the playground. Now the funny thing about this is that I was not to go to the playground. Mom was always afraid I would fall in the "crick". She wanted me to take my brother Fred everywhere I went. I would tell Freddie that I would take him to the playground if he would not tell Mom I took him there. Well, we would play for several hours and then time to go home. He would get near the house and run and tell our Mom that I took him to the playground. I got a lickin' but kept on tickin' because this happened over and over. It must have been worth going to the playground to get the spanking.

Elm Street Playground was the only playground I went to except when I got older and played softball and basketball games at other playgrounds. There were a lot of fields and basketball courts at playgrounds around and I hope some of the readers would mention some of them.

I keep saying I wouldn't trade those times for anything, and I mean it.

Write your memories of the Playgrounds you visited---write to Roleta1@aol.com. There should be some more interesting stories out there.



MAJORETTE JACKET

Below is a picture of a 1988 Hilltopper’s Majorette Jacket. This jacket was bought at an estate sale by a person who knows Karen Cooper Phelan (WI 1973) and knows that she went to WI. Karen received the jacket from the friend and wishes to return it to it’s owner.

Check your yearbook, see if you can figure out who owned this jacket. The name KARIN is on the jacket. Karen Cooper Phelan will ship it to the rightful owner.

Please contact me if you have any information and we will work out the details. Roleta1@aol.com.




PARKING PLACES---FOR COUPLES

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JATeter@aol.com

The only “parking (necking) places that I had when I was in high school was the Ellis Drivein, because I did not have access to driving as most people did, because my father would not let me use the car that much. My recollection of my favorite “parking (necking) place was one dance that I did have my father’s car for and my date and I went out to Maple Lake during intermission, and that was the only time that I can remember parking to neck ALONE. The drivein “necking” was in the back seat of my friend’s car, as he had his father’s car a lot, so that was nice – except for sharing “necking” SPACE!

Most of my “necking” was in the living rooms of “ladies” that I was dating, as their parents seemed to feel more comfortable with their daughters being at home with their boyfriends than out driving around and/or parking for whatever purposes. I can remember several very memorable “necking” endeavors at “ladies” houses. Interestingly, some of the “ladies” that I spent many any evening with in their living rooms, were “ladies” that I do not remember ever having an actual date with.



submitted by: Bob Patterson (VHS '54)
james22055@aol.com

Some of our parking places were Lounges Hill {could be wrong spelling} It was high above the city. Other places would be strip mine roads; some would be factory parking lots. Many places to go were the drive-ins: Sunset, Ellis and Skyline. The Parkette was a great place to go ,The Sky Castle. Some would go to Friends out side of Bridgeport.

Many of us went to the drive-ins, and later ate some place.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I guess no matter where we went to school; we all hung out at some of the same places!



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

There were several favorite "necking" places to take a girl back in our days. Of course I always double dated but the Ellis Drive-in Theatre was my favorite. However, some of the places I was told by my buddies frequented as well as the drive-ins were, Brushy Fork, (just passed Anmoore,) Loundes Hill, on the hill behind Twin Oaks, and the Old Airport Road in Bridgeport. There are many more that some of the readers will come up with I am sure.

Now I remember it would not take much money to take a date out dancing, but of course we didn't have much money then either. To take a date to a place like the Green Parrot, you could buy a 1/2 pint bottle of your favorite spirits, as long as it was Four Roses, for about $1.75, a bowl of ice .35 and a coke as a mixer for about .25. The only restriction I remember, is you had to keep the bottle in a brown bag under the table. Put a nickel in the juke box or 6 songs for a quarter and dance all night with a few others throwing in a few quarters. There were several places around Clarksburg that you could go out and enjoy a fun, clean, safe, inexpensive evenings. Remember these: Friends Place, Friendly Tavern, Little Rock, Clique Club, and Willow Beach. Of course not all of those you could legally take a bottle. We sure had a lot of fun back then. My brother Fred and I talk often about those days and compare it to the present. We would like to know where the kids go now around Clarksburg for that kind of fun. Maybe we will get some of the younger people who read the Newsletter to let us know. Not that I want to go back and get out and jitterbug like we used to. Getting old, I don't mind, it is the falling apart that pisses me off



submitted by: Roleta Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

Oh for crying out loud! Everyone parked! If you dated much you parked! I parked! Only Jim Alvaro, Bob Patterson, John Teter and I parked? I didn’t date Jim, John or Bob and I didn’t drive….but I parked. There had to be other guys and gals who parked! It was what we did!

Don’t tell me I am the only girl who ever was in a parked car! Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



HOW MUCH DID A DATE COST?

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JATeter@aol.com

I remember taking dates to the movie theaters in downtown Clarksburg; Ellis Drive In; different dances at the Bridgeport Civic Center; the VFW in Clarksburg; there was another lodge on Pike Street across the street from the VFW that I used to go to; some “dates” were spent in the living rooms of “ladies” houses, as I did not have a lot of money to actually take them out on “dates”. I do not remember the cost of going to any of these places. . I also remember going to the movie theaters in downtown Clarksburg, and always trying to get a seat in the balcony and (here again) that was another favorite of mine, based on not having access to a car to drive. I remember one such date, that I did not see one minute of the actual movie.

Oddly enough, I do not remember taking a date OUT TO DINNER, other than going to the Parkette on Bridgeport Hill during intermission of the dances that were held in Bridgeport at the Civic Center.

I am going to incorporate a comment on your other subject request regarding what girls regarded as their favorite places to be taken. I remember letting the girls decide what we did and/or where we went, and most of the answers were where we went in paragraph # 1.

There were not a lot of options on where we could go back in 1960 and 1961, as parents had more control over what we did back then than they do in current times (in my opinion).



submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

I don’t think dates were too expensive. Nothing like they are today…I was only allowed to date on Friday or Saturday evenings….not on a school night. That worked fine when I started dating Bill as he was in college at WVU and only got to come to Clarksburg some week-end evenings if he either could borrow a car or he would hitchhike.. I know that Bill was a very poor boy but we had some great dates. Seldom did we dine out on a date. We went to a drive-in many evenings. I loved going to Green Parrot, Friends, Melody Manor, Mill Club and Clique to dance…….He was old enough to get a beer and I got a coke….I think that is all we ever got, probably one of each… and we danced to music someone else paid for on the juke box….. We went dancing a lot.



MYSTERY PICTURE

Below is a picture, to play this game all you need to do is identify those pictured. See if you can remember everyone. I will only publish the correct names. So come on, play the game. Write Roleta1@aol.com.





MARCH MUSIC, MADE FOR MEMORIES

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

This is the 25th batch of tunes I've put together for the WI Newsletter. It has been two full years since they first let me indulge my love of popular music and bring to you each month, hit songs from years gone by. A big thanks as always to Roleta and Judy who see to it that you get a quality online publication each month.

I have a ball pulling this together. I love the research involved and I always learn something new about the songs and artists I include for your enjoyment. Beginning this month, I will be digging deeper into the record charts and not just feature #1 hits, but seek out some songs that were in the Top 10 of various months, but perhaps never made it to the top spot. This will greatly increase the variety of songs and artists I can include.

Remember, don't take this newsletter for granted. You are what makes it special. I have heard from so many former classmates, but what has been just as rewarding, has been the number of people I now correspond with who went to that school on the hill in a time other than my own. Keep sending me those requests.

Let's begin with a bit of music for leprechauns. Later we shall get into a little Sham-Rock & Roll. "The Unicorn". The Irish Rovers took this up to #7 in 1968. This is not their version, but has an appropriate visual accompaniment. It is a very good cover by The Brobdingnagian Bards. I included this song, even though it annoys me so. Cheers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD90xcg6UaA&feature=related

To show you I can do "tasteful" now and then, here's a Medley of Irish songs performed by The Modern Mandolin Quartet . This is nice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4x2_JlQpJA&feature=related

Hit Songs From March in Years Gone By...

1945 "Cocktails For Two" Spike Jones & His City Slickers. We sort of keep the St. Patrick's Day theme going here with a wacky tribute to imbibing. Spike Jones is always a hoot. In the first video he is the bartender. I had to give you a double shot of this one, as the second is performed "live" and gives you another chance to see the creation of the sound effects. Duke Ellington had a hit record with the "straight" version of this song in 1934, and here Spike puts it through his zany mixer. He took this version up to #4 in March of '45.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvt4b_qwC_Q

"Cocktails For Two (live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyE9ORHxX_g

1950 "Rag Mop" Lionel Hampton and the Hamptones. No fewer than seven(!) versions of this song made the charts in 1950. The Ames Brothers took it to number one. I chose this version because of the very simple, but entertaining "animation" that makes up this video. Looks like some of the drawings I used to see up in Study Hall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tu2ViCWotw&feature=related

1954 "Secret Love" Doris Day. This comes from the movie Calamity Jane, and besides being a #1 song, it also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Class of '72 tidbit, we did Calamity Jane as our senior play. Ellen White Pollack was a great CJ and Barton Lee made an excellent Wild Bill Hickok. I played "Doc Pierce", a small, but minor and forgettable role, made even more so, by my performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Ar9Q0Eru4

1958 "Catch a Falling Star" Perry Como. Here's that Como guy again. When I started this column 2 years ago, I had no idea he had so many hits. I did remember this one though, as my older sister played it constantly. This was the first single to ever to earn a Gold Record. The video comes from Perry's TV show and features his announcer Frank Gallop, and an "over the top" arrangement, with Como tapping out a rhythm...ON THE FRAMED GOLD RECORD!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oEg-mTiMDk&feature=related

1961 "Pony Time" Chubby Checker. The ol' Chubster had more going on than just the Twist. Here's proof. And remember, "boogity, boogity, boogity, boogity shoop!", and the world "shoops" with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2eLQPehLyo&feature=related

1965 "My Girl" The Temptations. Songs don't get much better than this. This is a live version on a regional, "teen" TV program. They always had great moves as well. The last 45 seconds or so are an interview with Motown founder Barry Gordy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIYAuJ5OZ1Y&feature=related

1968 "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" Otis Redding. Another soul classic. Redding wrote and recorded this shortly before his death in a plane crash in December of '67. There is still something so moving and powerful about this restrained song, full of melancholy and longing. Tasty guitar licks throughout provided by co-writer Steve Cropper, and Otis does his own whistling into the fade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzrXc68gNjQ

1971 "Me and Bobby McGee" Janis Joplin. Here's a rare recording of her first attempt at singing this Kris Kristofferson gem. No video, but good sound quality and an interesting behind the scenes listen to a work in progress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irU5oihACj4&feature=related

1975 "Black Water" The Doobie Brothers. Great song to sing along to. This is a live version from 1996 with excellent sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqZ95a249p0

1978 "Lay Down Sally" Eric Clapton. Live version featuring Mark Knopfler. Two guitar greats, one song, good deal. This didn't reach #1, but did get up to number 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqELgVWeVGM

1981 "I Love a Rainy Night" Eddie Rabbitt. Live in Branson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ1GQFtHGxU&feature=related

1985 "One More Night" Phil Collins. Well recorded live offering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATC9WEJpoXg&feature=related

May March Madness be good to your basketball team (Go Mounties), and bring on the spring!!



FRONT STEPS NOT JUST FOR SENIORS

submitted by: Elizabeth (Smouse) Murphy (WI '49)
emurphyeliz@aol.com

My sister Mary Lee and I came to Clarksburg half way through our sophomore year of high school. We transferred to WI from Oakland (MD)High School. Our father had taken the job as manager of the Southern States Co-op Store in Clarksburg. In looking for a home for our family he first searched out the best high school in Clarksburg and we moved to 408 S. 7th St. So close to the school that we were only two houses away from the side door.

WI was a much larger school than the one we had come from and I have always remembered that the girls had to use one set of steps while the boys used another set of steps. The front steps were for seniors only. I think the only time I was ever on the front steps was to have group pictures taken for the year books. It was a great adjustment for us. I had to work extra hard to memorize all those lines of poetry for Miss Nutter. I read about all the accounts that many of the readers had with her but she was always very nice to Mary Lee and me I had one very funny experience in Maude Yokes class. One day I sneezed and she stopped right in the middle of what we were doing and she picked up a box of tissues and went up and down every row of students telling each one to take a tissue. She went back to her desk and asked everyone to blow their nose. When we finished she said, when anyone asks you what you did in English class today you can tell them we had a big blowout. I was so embarrassed.

Mary Lee and I have often remarked that we have never seen an article in the WI newsletter from anyone in the class of 49. I'm sure some of them must have a computer.

Thanks for all the time you give to publish this newsletter. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.



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

It was sophomores, juniors and seniors who were allowed on the front steps at WI. It is funny how you can get people talking over silly things like the steps. You and Bill really do a great job. I love his sports column. I will start contributing to his column and send a check for the scholarship today for Bill's asset to the paper. Thank you, Judy and Bill for the great job you all do. Thanks to Sue Selby Moats for the beautiful job she and all her helpers do on the WIN Scholarship Quilt . There is probably not a class high school paper in America like we have .This can only happen with the great people of Clarksburg



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

To put to rest the discussion of classes that were allowed to hang out on WI front steps, I called and consulted with my good friend, Bud Collins. We got out our yearbooks and looked through all of them for a picture of the front steps where people were gathered. We found that picture in the ' 55 yearbook. On the steps were Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Bud and I not only identified some of the people we knew but several signed their picture. It was said that any Freshman caught on the front steps had to clean them with a toothbrush. I don't think that ever happened as far as I know. Now I am not saying that years later they didn't start allowing anyone who wanted to hang out on the steps could do so. I do not know what the penalty was for any boy caught on the girls stairs or girls caught on the boys stairs inside, or when that rule was dropped. That may be for someone else to research.



TIM BRINKLEY

To Bill:

About seven years ago, I gave my computer to my cleaning lady, only to receive a laptop from Santa. So, I was sent the latest newsletter and I read about Barry's search. Well, last winter, while playing golf in Clearwater at the Bellview Biltmore, I wandered into the clubhouse for a drink. I was wearing my WV hat. Some guy came up to me and introduced himself as Barry Brinkley, from Nutterfort. I remembered a Brinkley playing for RW, but not a Barry. Well, he soon let me know that he was the QB for RW when they were state champs. Having graduated from WI in 55, I apologized for my lack of that special accomplishment. After we chatted for awhile, he went to the baby grand nearby and proceeded to play some beautiful music. Later, we talked and I offered to call and invite him over to the condo, but he said he didn't like to give out his "private" number. OK by me. So, unless he has moved, he is somewhere in the Bellair/Clearwater/Sand Key area. Also, he always comes back to Nutterfort once a year to go to a football game. I can't remember which one.

Vic Gentilozzi WI 1955

Reply To Vic:

It is obvious that talent runs in the family. Good story. It just proves once again, that it's a small world.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

I am the older brother of Tim and also a very proud graduate of RW (1960). Your newsletter was forwarded to me by my aunt, Alice Selby Douglas. The information contained in your newsletter is quite accurate and some very nice things were written about him. Tim was, to say the least, an amazing athlete! However, and not being boastful, being a good athlete was and still is a Brinkley family trait. Those of the Bobby Secret and Gene Donaldson era at WI (both of whom I had the pleasure of playing with in baseball and against in football and basketball) may remember me.

Sadly, Tim was killed in an automobile accident in May of 2001 on Hwy 301 near Ocala, Florida. He has a son, Michael, by his second wife. Michael has continued the Brinkley family tradition. He has been the starting quarterback for two years (he will be a junior this coming season) at Union College in Barbourville, KY. He has established quite a record and took them to the NAIA National Championship Tournament his freshman year (they finished 8th in the NAIA). His record is available at http://www.ucbulldogs.com.

I am retired and live in Seminole, FL (between St Pete and Clearwater), and can provide more information about Tim if desired.

Barry A. Brinkley, RW 1960

Answer To Barry:

My observation was right on the mark. Athletic ability does run deeply in your family. Not only that, but some musical talent, as well. Good to hear from you, Barry. I suggest that you get hold of Vic Gentilozzi. I'm sure his invitation still stands. If you need a third, let me know. I'd love to discuss WV sports with both of you.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



TOM WILLIAMS

To Bill:

I think Roleta has my twin sister and I confused. Her name is Anna Walsh. I am Gladys Williams. My husband, Tom Williams, played football on the WVU freshman team in 1967. He got a medical red shirt his sophomore year, but played with Mike Sherwood, Jim Braxton and Bob Greshem. He was second string tailback behind Bob. He wanted to play defense, but they wouldn't let him. He was recruited by Bobby Bowden and was also a member of the winning Peach Bowl team in 1969. They just celebrated their 40th reunion in September. He is the last player from Clarksburg to score a touchdown for the Mountaineers.

Gladys Williams WI 1971

Reply To Gladys:

It sounds like Tom was among some great players. I went to several Peach Bowl games, so I probably saw him play in 1969. I mentioned last month that I sat through a terrible rain storm at the Gator Bowl. Well, I also got soaked at a Peach Bowl at Grant Field in Atlanta. That was the first one I attended. Loyal fans do some pretty stupid things, don't they? However, I would never want to change the memories.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



MAIL TO THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

The following was received from Jim Alvaro, (WI 1956).

One of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s most accomplished athletes and coaches, Gary Hess ’60, was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. Hess is the first West Virginia Wesleyan College graduate to join the distinguished group. He also joins his older brother Darrell, who was inducted in 1979.

A graduate of Munhall High School, Hess did not play scholastic high school basketball until his senior year. At Wesleyan, he became a starter for Coach Hank Ellis late in his freshman year and was a standout performer earning first-team NAIA All-America honors in 1959. During his playing days at Wesleyan, the Bobcats captured two West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Tournament titles and advanced to the NAIA Tournament. He was named the WVIAC’s Most Valuable Player in 1959. In addition to his basketball awards, Hess was also an outstanding baseball player and was the College’s best high jumper on the track team.

Hess is a member of the All-Time WVIAC teams in both baseball and basketball, one of only two athletes so honored. He was a bonus signee with the Boston Red Sox as a shortstop. Hess had a five-year career in professional baseball and followed that with five years in professional basketball in the Eastern League.

He coached two years of high school basketball, including one at Buckhannon-Upshur in 1964- 65, guiding the Buccaneers to a 16-6 record. He began a successful career in sales before returning to coach at Montgomery County Community College, leading that program to a four year record of 62-31. Hess returned to West Virginia Wesleyan in 1974 and led the Bobcats to five consecutive winning seasons, including two WVIAC Tournament titles and one regular season championship. His 1979 squad advanced to the NAIA Tournament.

Hess, who had 12 consecutive winning seasons as a coach, was named the West Virginia Coach of the Year in 1977. He is a member of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Athletic Hall of Fame. After coaching, he enjoyed a highly successful business career. Hess, who is a member of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees, is married to the former Carolyn Moore (WI 1958) and they are the parents of three daughters.

Answer To Jim:

Although Gary was from Pa., we can claim him as one of our own. This is another case of being a special player and following that up by being a successful coach and businessman; indeed a fine career. Thanks for sharing it with us, Jim.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

I don't know if you all get this or not, but figured lots of West Virginians would be interested, if they haven't seen it. (Buzz included a listing for a web site that is full of sports information, including college football recruiting. We are happy to share it with you)

The site is: http://bleacherreport.com/

Buzz Floyd, (Victory 1956)

Answer To Buzz:

Good to hear from you again. I hope it is warmer out in the desert than it is in Florida (and everyplace else).

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

Thank you for letting those of us who do not live in Clarksburg nor visit there anymore, read about Bob Harrison. I graduated from WI in 1960, I was 17.

I remember Bob from the Stealey playground. I would name some of the older boys that I remember, but I would leave someone out i.e.: Bob Clousson (WI 1955), Jim Warren (WI 1956), etc. They would let me, "the little guy", play. I would shoot "set shots" while they would bang the boards. It was with great joy that I would make my shots and some one would chose me to play for them the next time I was there.

Thanks for that memory.
Greg Jaranko, (WI 1960)

Answer To Greg:

That's what makes this newsletter so great. We get to discuss the "good old days". Most of you grew-up in West Virginia in the 50's and 60's, and you probably have a lot of wonderful memories. We would love to hear from you about them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

You haven't heard from me until now, because my computer has been down for almost 3 weeks and my Verizon son-in-law engineer, finally has it working (as of tonight)! The WVU basketball team has got to really jell or they won't go far in the Big East tourney. You can't depend on them to show up at any given game, big, small or not important. A few weeks ago, (did you see this?) the Wall Street Journal ran an article on big-time college sports, and mentioned Bob Huggins getting 10-million dollars for having his players at Kansas St. wear a certain brand of sports shoes. Is this true? If it is, no wonder Bobby is so independent of everything except himself. He can afford to act the way he does.

John Cooper (WI 1951)

Answer To John:

Isn't it great to have someone in the family who can help you with the computer? I agree with you about the WVU BB team. They have never heard the word "consistent". Almost all of their wins have been what I like to call "ugly wins". And all of their losses have been ugly. With the exception of the Purdue game, they should have won them all. Or should I say, they had the talent to win them all. Whether they go far in the Big East tournament will be according to which team shows up. However, if Butler doesn't get his shooting eye back, forget it. I did not see the article in the Wall Street Journal. I did not think that the shoe contract was exclusively with the coach. I thought the school got a large part of the revenue. Maybe someone can help us out on this point. As far as Huggins' attitude, I'd just like to see the guy smile once in a while. Perhaps if I had to coach this team, I wouldn't smile either. Nothing seems to come easy for them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



DAVE CORSINI AND MORE

To Bill:

Dave Corsini did a great job for our WI-football team. He was a big, rough runner. I remember when he busted his nose in practice and I had never seen so much blood before. It was also the first for me to see any football player, like Dave, wear a "helmet face guard", to keep the knocks and bangs away from his sore nose. It had one small bar from one side of the helmet to the other. It was not like the helmets all the teams wear today. There was no such thing as a soft mouth piece, which is now worn by all the players. If anyone had one in our high football days, he would have been tabbed a sissy. Actually, hockey players also wear them now and that's why all those good looking Olympic hockey players can smile so much, they have no missing teeth! I can also remember during summer high school football practice, Coach Hite would yell at us, "Don't swallow that water, it will make you sick. Just wash out your mouth". WOW!! I recorded a 1950 WI-Shinnston tournament basketball game at Carmichael Auditorium from the radio, with a young Clarksburg attorney, Ed Siegrist calling the play-by-play on WHAR. I used the wax disc recorder I had bought for a couple dollars from the art teacher at WI a couple years before. A few years ago, I transferred it from the discs to tape and gave it to Ed before his death. He was overjoyed and said he had never heard himself doing the games. He took the recording around to friends, including Dave at the local bank, and played it for them. Ed was a great guy. Dave was, and still is today! Dave's brother, Tim, was at the summer WI-Picnic, and Tim was also a great quarterback for WI. I played with him and also with Bob Harrison. Indeed those were great 'ole WI days.

John Cooper WI 1951

Answer To John:

You certainly cover a lot of ground in a few sentences. Each one is a short story. As someone once said to me "You could write a book". In your case, I think it is true. Thanks so much for your great letter. Most of us can relate to everything you mentioned. Regardless of the mouthpieces, the hockey players still keep the dentists busy. Also, the sportscasters back then were really something. I'll never forget the announcer for Fairmont State's football games on WMMN. His name was Frank Lee. His sign-off at the end of the game and his sports reports was, "This is Frank Lee, frankly speaking". Great memories! Keep writing the fine stories. We love to read them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



A FEW COMMENTS AND A FEW QUESTIONS

I made several comments at the end of the sports section last month. I expected someone to reply, either agreeing with me or telling me I was a little off. However, not one reply. Hopefully, I'll have better luck this month.

Someone wrote, mentioning that Dave Corsini was a star in three sports at W I. Let's hear more about him. The same guy said Bill Moore, (WI 1943) and later a coach there, was worthy of some letters. Do you folks remember these guys? If so, we need to hear from you.

QUESTIONS

How far in the NCAA Tournament will the WVU basketball team advance?

Will they be a No. 2 seed? Lower?

Why can't they put opponents away? Is it coaching?

Will Deniz Kilicli become the big man this team needs? When?

Will Devin Ebanks go to the NBA after this season?

Please send your answers and comments to me at billmere@aol.com.

Hope to see several of you at the Sarasota Picnic



FAVORITE TEACHER

submitted by: Bill Bryan (RW '57)
pbrnrx64@aol.com

Most of your readers will not know this teacher, but R-W readers would, I hope, remember her as a great teacher. She was Zenna Burke. I believe she commuted from Buckhannon to R-W for many years. She taught chemistry and biology, which led me to a career in pharmacy. She was interesting, thorough, and knew her "stuff". I'm sorry I never thanked her for leading me to that goal.

I have always enjoyed school! Probably the best times of my life. I had great teachers at Fairmont State, WVU, and the Navy. I think back and appreciate and respect what they did for me. It's such a shame they have always been so grossly underpaid.



submitted by: Gladys Williams (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com

My favorite teacher was Ruth Clevenger. She was our Physical Education teacher and also was our coach for the Girls' Sports Team. My sister, Anna, and I were selected to the sports team in the fall of our Freshman year. We were the only two freshman selected. We both loved sports and never had the opportunity to play on an organized team until then. We played basketball, volleyball and ran track. She did not have separate teams for each sport. Once you made the sports team, you played all three. I really didn't like to run- wasn't fast or a distance runner then. It gave us an opportunity to play against teams around the county. We met different girls that we never would have had the chance to meet otherwise. She also took us to Grafton in the summer and taught us to water ski.

I remember going to the WVU Coliseum one Saturday to a "Play Day". I'll never forget the feeling of walking out on the Coliseum floor for the first time. Because of Mrs. Clevenger, I am a Physical Education teacher today and was a coach at Roosevelt Wilson High School in the 70's and early 80's. Thanks "Clev" for everything you did for all of us.



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

1. Lots of people didn't like Mr. Dumire (biology). They said he was too hard and that he wasn't nice enough. Additionally, most didn't like biology anyway so cutting up a stinking frog was just sickening.

I found Mr. Dumire to be the best science teacher I ever had anywhere. He could explain things in such a logical and organized way that if you paid any attention at all you could get it. He also gave quizzes frequently comprised of eleven questions, each counting ten points. So it was possible to get back a quiz worth 110 points toward your grade if you got a perfect score. He was more than fair, but he was demanding. If he said to read a certain number of pages, you'd better do it. If he said there would be a quiz, you could take it to the bank. He didn't give pop quizzes and he pulled no punches and gave no surprises. He was all business. In my opinion, he was one of the finest teachers I've ever known and I still appreciate his methods to this day. His organizational skills helped me later in nursing school.

2. I loved Una Jarvis. It's unlikely any of us succeeded in life because of her sewing class, but she was a really fine person with a true love for teaching and for the students she taught. My mother was a professional seamstress, but she couldn't teach me to sew. She thought I should do it better and I thought she should explain it better. Miss Jarvis instead could tell us what we could do better and helped to instill in us the patience to rip out a seam and do it over until we got it right. While it was sewing she taught, it was her patience and persistence that were the real lessons I learned. Additionally, she was the "go to" person when we didn't feel well or when we had problems, school or otherwise. She was just a great lady.



submitted by: Bob Patterson (VHS '54)
james22055@aol.com

As for teachers, We had a teacher Kathern Meredith who was an English teacher at Adamston JR. High School. She was the most feared and yet the best. She had no favorites. You could be an " A " student today and an " F " student before class was over.

She taught us the right way. When I went to VHS I had very little English to learn. She did not fear anyone from the biggest to the smallest.



submitted by: Mary Beth Jeranko Hilburn (WI '55)
hilfarm@hawaii.rr.com

Who was the biology teacher when we were in school? 1951-55? I learned to love genetics from him, even though making and solving those little squares was a chore. One of the girls in the class (Sophmore) was getting married, and he was devastated that she would not go on to college. Her last name was Shook, and he called her Shooky.

I loved Ms. Bailey. She gave me a so-so grade on a creative writing piece, and when I asked her if she had liked it, she told me she thought I had copied it, but she didn't know the source. I was very upset. My mom called her and told her to sit me down with any subject and just watch me write. Ms. Bailey changed the grade, and we became close.

Our classes had some smart people in them, Mary Stump (Harrel) was one, and there were many more.



submitted by: Harriett Danley Van Voorhis (WI '58)
eerfanvan@comcast.net

The floodgates were really opened when you asked for memories of the teachers at W.I. It seems many of us have vivid memories of Virginia Nutter.

She was my Latin l teacher. One day she saw me standing in the hall between classes, talking to Bill Van Voorhis, who is now my husband of nearly 50 years. When I got to class, she said to me in a nasty tone, "All that glitters is not gold!" I wasn't sure whether she was referring to me, or Bill. Either way, I found it insulting! On a later occasion (same situation, same nasty tone), she said to me, "You certainly do wear your heart on your sleeve!"

Another incident, that I remember well, happened during class. Someone, (a member of the football team, who shall remain nameless) sent a roll of toilet paper rolling down the hallway that led to Miss Nutter's classroom. It rolled into the room and stopped next to those feet that were crammed into those tiny shoes! Needless to say, Miss Nutter was not a "happy camper", but her students loved it!

Although Miss Nutter did not make my "list of favorite teachers", there were some who were "real gems." Mrs. Howard--English l, Mrs. May--Plane Geometry, Miss Tiennebrunne--French, and Miss Bailey--English lV all come to mind.

Dave Corsini ( the outstanding football and basketball player referred to in the last newsletter), lived in my neighborhood. His sister, Priscilla, also known as "Peewee", was one of my playmates, so I spent a lot of time at their house. Dave was several years older, but I developed an enormous "little girl crush" on him! Unfortunately, he only "had eyes" for the lovely Jackie Morris, whom he later married. I think they are still married, which leads me to believe it was "a match made in heaven!"

Thanks again to you and all who help you keep the newsletter going!



submitted by: Jim Callis (WI 49-52)
jamesedwardcallis@hotmail.com

The gestapo would have told Mr. G to chill a little. The big snow of 1950 arrived on a week end, I was 50 miles away visiting my sister. I was so fearful to that I might miss Mr. G.’s class that my sister’s husband put chains on all 4 wheels and drove me home. I just knew WI would be open...despite the epic snow event. I had a 9:00 AM class and I was one of the few in attendance. The class was plane geometry I knew this was a class I’d never need. I was determined to at least pass. Several of my friends on the back row already had given up. That afternoon a bunch skipped school and went to the Branhams for a record party. Bob and his sister hosted a great time. My sophomore class partied every week. Pat Synder was my girl even though she was a senior (a real cougar). I was crazy about her....as Frank sung..."that was a very good year". Woodie Garret and I had a great time.



WHATEVER HAPPENED TO?

A reader was wondering whatever happened to Peter Moshein? Anyone know where he is living? Anyone have his email address? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

What ever happened to James Forrester who went to Morgan Grade School and maybe Central but I don’t think he went on to WI. He would have graduated in 1959. Write to Roleta1@aol.com with information.

What ever happened to John Henry Shenasky III? He graduated from WI in 1959 from WI. Write to Roleta1@aol.com with information.



DISCIPLINE

submitted by: Bob Patterson (VHS '54)
james22055@aol.com

As for discipline, I think our schools were great. If you got expelled you were “done”. There was no such thing as “Home Schooling”, or private tutor, like they have today.

Oh, how I wish we could have those things back. And what is scary: the students today in all grades including college, are being brain washed and they are going to run our country?



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

Discipline at Victory High School during my three years was never a problem as we had a female principle named Lucy M. Bailey. At the time she was the only female principal in our county. You very seldom saw any one called to her office for misconduct. I was there only one time in my senior year. Miss Bailey wanted to know why I wasn’t taking Algebra II. I explained to her I wasn’t going to college so therefore I had no use for it. I just barely passed Algebra I in my sophomore year. It was required then.

The boy’s lockers were located on the floor above the gym. The girl’s lockers were located on another floor. There were no separate stairways for the boys or girls. The front steps leading into Victory were for seniors and juniors only. Any sophomore caught using them had to scrub them with a tooth brush. The first few days had a lot of sophomores doing this.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jateter@aol.com

I cannot remember there being any discipline issues during my tenure at WI (1958 – 1961). One of my classmates (that I will not name) mentioned a “bomb scare” at some point during our senior year, but he seems to be the only one that remembers that. I can also remember some of my classmates parking Dave Corbett’s Morris Minor up on the sidewalk, but I do not consider that a “discipline” matter, as it was done more in fun than anything else. Dave always came out of school looking to see where his car had been moved to, so he must not have been TOO upset about the prank.

I can remember a few fights at dances outside of the school on either a Friday night; Saturday night; and one at the Stealey playground, and that fight was one that my best friend (Bill Post) was involved in.



submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)
bfmcintyre@att.net

In 8th grade at Adamston Jr. High I remember Mr Myers holding boys against the wall upside down by their ankles and paddling them with a wooden paddle with holes in it. It only happened to me once. He didn't do that with the girls, they got to stand up and bend over. If they were wearing a full skirt with lots of crinolines, he would give them a week to wear a tighter skirt and then give them their punishment. He also had a standard reply if you asked him a question, like permission to go to the restroom. He'd say "go to head" instead of go ahead, but it always sounded like he was going to say "go to hell."



THANKS

Thanks to those who supported the WIN Scholarship this month:

Larry and Beverly O’Grady (WI 1958)

Bill Brassine (WI 1954)

Mary Ann Bailey Donato (WI 1956)

Anthony Bellotte (WI 1957)

Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)

Jennifer Cone Wells (WI 1972)

Bob Hall (WI 1956)

Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956)

Tauni J. Bryan

Beverly Morris Hissong (WI 1958)

Dick Hanifan (WI 1959)

Bud Collins-(WI 1955) --a nice note was included thanking Bill for all the work he does with the Sports Department of the WI Newsletter.

Bob Davis (WI 1959)

Barbara Paugh Patton (WI 1961)

Pat Elder (Notre Dame 1957) in memory of Nicky Alvaro

Virginia Scholl sent a check in memory of her late husband George (Bill) Scholl (WI 1952) and his brother Jerry Rober Scholl (WI 1964)

Judy Aspy Payne (WI 1959) purchased 3 WI newsletter CD's

If you wish to give a gift to the WIN Scholarship and help with the cost of college education for a student graduating from RC Byrd HS please write your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

Mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34240

Thank you



THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT THIS TO THE NEWSLETTER

Someone sent me the link below which is a virtual wall of all those lost during the Viet Nam war with the names, bio's and other information on our lost comrades. It is a very interesting link, and those who served in that timeframe and lost friends or family can look them up on this site. Pass it on to others who you think would like this.

First click on a state......then when it opens .........scroll down to the city, the names will appear .......then click on their names ..........it should show you a picture of the person or at least his bio and medals...... .......

http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm



PAINTING THOSE HIGH SCHOOL DOORS

WI OR VICTORY

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

One Friday when I was a Freshman I started down the hill and I saw our doors where orange and black. We laughed and my neighbor who was a senior had her dad's car and she said hop in and over to Victory we went. While starting thru Adamston we saw 2 carloads of WI football players yelling go on to Victory and when we arrived at Victory their doors where blue and gold. The football game was really good that night and Victory beat us by 1 point. There where several fights in the parking lot, police where there and my dad found me watching then made me get in his car and go home with him. Funny thing was it was cold and I was glad my dad drove me home. We laughed and had a good time talking about the doors being painted. My dad James "Jimmy" Paugh was a WI football player. He told me his senior year when he was a football team captain they had fights and painted doors to. I will always be grateful that my dad came to all the games when he was not working. We shared good memories.



VICTORY-WI RIVALRY

submitted by: Gladys Williams ('71)
Gwill1004@aol.com

I attended WI from 1967 - 1971. I remember several times our front doors of the school and the wall in the back alley getting painted by Victory students. I never spray painted Victory, but can remember being a part of a car caravan and going over in front of their school and throwing eggs. I teach at Bridgeport High and before the cameras were installed on the building, RCB students would spray paint the back of our school. I'm sure some of our students probably did the same thing over there too.



BOB HARRISON

submitted by: Robert Modlin (WI '50)
robertmodlin@hotmail.com

The notes in the Feb newsletter about Bob Harrison bring back that smiling face to me very strongly. I enjoyed every minute of association with Bob in football and track. I never feel I should comment much as I was at WI only two years (49 and 50) and was not a native Clarksburger (though I married one - Jill Garvin WI 51) and we celebrated our 58th year anniversary last December.

Anyhow I remember writing a satire of the "boy's and girl's" steps for an essay, feeling it was ridiculous, but now I think it wasn't a bad idea to break up the couples walking to class etc. I also thought Mr Gudekunst was almost comical when I arrived at WI, but later realized that his approach emphasizing a step by step approach to problems was most helpful in organizing my thoughts and I appreciated him. Miss Nutter was just as described, but I felt she suffered even more than her classes - doing things the way she felt the should be done. Mrs Yoak in English was also interesting - I can still recite most of the 100 lines of poetry we had to memorize each 6 weeks. Certainly WI had a group of "different" teachers - and "different" customs. I have come to feel that this is what made WI what it was - and it was an excellent high school.



SPEAKING ITALIAN?

submitted by: Paul Chicarell (St. Mary’s HS '55)
chicie55@cox.net

I grew up in Clarksburg. my grandfather was from Italy. He had 14 kids. 9 girls. He spoke very limited English when he came to America. None of his children spoke Italian. I was shocked to find that out. As I was growing up I thought the older ones all spoke Italian. Not so. Even some of my friends I grew up with didn't speak it, and I would of swore they could. But I am 72 and found this out when I was home last year. What a surprise. Anyhow I have created a Web Page for those who love Italian Music. I have so far 121 songs with the translated lyrics. I learned the language listening to the music. Maybe some would like to learn some or be able to steer their children when they want to learn. Check it out. http://www.italiansongtranslation.com/



NOTRE DAME CLASS OF 1958 WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED

This website was created and is maintained by Brooke Beall (ND 1958)

Bbeall2@verizon.net

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew42av/notredamehighschoolclassof1958




WI CLASS OF 1960 NEEDS HELP

The WI Class of 1960 Reunion Committee is having a difficult time locating some of your classmates. We would like to notify them of the upcoming 50th Reunion events. If you have any information that may help us find any of the following please get in touch with me pameez@aol.com

WI Class of 1960 50th Reunion Lost Classmates to Date

Name Last Address
Jack Bennett
Karen Blackwood
James Boomer 107 S.Court St., Lewisburg, WV
Karen Byard Laughlin
Inez Cochran Gould
Anne Francis 104 Francis St., San Anselmo, CA
Larry Hammond
Robert Hamstead 405 Bibby St., Charleston, WV
Frances Jeffers Morgan PO Box 65236, Tucson, AZ
Ronald Lang
Naomi Lewis
Janet McIntyre Gabbert
Bill Patton
Alfred Starkey
John Stewart
William Taylor
Doris Wilfong


NEW READERS

Pete Dakan (Bridgeport HS 1960) Dakans@comcast.net
Toni Marascio Williams (ND 1973) marasciot@uhcwv.org


CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Carol Criss Annie (WI 1966) carol.annie@suddenlink.net
John Harrison (WI 1956) johnh56@hughes.net
Linda Nutter Gimmel (WI 1966) lgimmel@ma.rr.com
Bill Snyder (WI 1947) wbs111@gmail.com
Scott Miller (WI 1977) was: msmiller4@yahoo.com
is now: jaxsoccercoach@gmail.com
Marilyn Lightner Kittle (WI 1965) was: pamak41371@wmconnect.com
is now: pamapak41371@yahoo.com
Sara Stephenson Laber (WI 1955) was: laber@worldnet.net
is now: laber@att.net
JoAnne Drummond Marletter (WI 1958) was: cricketmarie2006@yahoo.com
is now: Cricketmarie2007@aol.com




A LITTLE BIT OF THIS
AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT

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

I got a big laugh from the note you wrote before the February Newsletter Link. I do a little thing every month for my relatives & very few of them respond to the requests I make - but for you to only get 2 or 3 out of 2000 is really bad!

I will answer some of your questions for March: I went to St. Mary's & we had a playground that was behind the breezeway between St. Mary's & Notre Dame. As far as I remember it was pretty much just blacktop - with maybe a few things for kids to play on - merry go round - swings, but not a lot of equipment. Boys would play ball & girls played hopscotch a lot & probably tag.

My favorite teacher at WI was Madame Schrorer - who taught French 1 & 2, my Junior & Senior years. She was young & had spent some time living in France; that seemed to help make her teaching method fun to learn the language.

My least favorite teacher was Sister Marita, my 7th grade teacher at St. Mary's. She was scary from the get go - but became my least favorite teacher the day she took my Beatles cards & locked them up in her storage cabinet until the end of the school year. I was devastated because I really loved The Beatles. I had quite a collection of those cards. They came in a pack with a piece of bubble gum. I wasn't looking at them when she confiscated them - I had a rubber band around them, but they were out on my desktop. I suppose that was a NO-NO. I thought she was the meanest nun on the face of the earth!

I guess that answers the discipline question too. Because, other than my Beatles Cards being taken from me, I never got paddled or put in the corner or sent to the principal's office or detention or any of that. At St. Mary's, some of the boys did get whacked from time to time, but they were little hellions & needed to be paddled!

As for date places, I remember going to the movies a lot - Ritz & Robinson Grand. Also went to a lot of school dances & weekend dances at The Red Barn or Benedum Civic Center. Whenever my dates had a car, we sometimes went out to eat & a movie. Twin Oaks was always my favorite. When there was a tighter budget, probably Burger Chef out in Nutter Fort.



submitted by: Barbara Sutton Elder (WI '57)
bse57@hotmail.com

I went to Morgan from the 2nd grade on. 1st. grade at Northview. When my Dad got home from the army we lived there until he got his Gasoline stations up and running, one in Bridgeport and the other one (much bigger) right beside good old Victory High School!!! Then when my Mom and Dad started looking for a home to buy, they chose Stealey because of the schools we would attend. In answer to painting, I never got to paint Victory because my Dad said " Don’t let me catch you near Victory”. He was for WI unless one of the customers would say he didn’t go to W.I. and of course he said yes she does then he was caught!!!

I loved Morgan. I met so many nice friends there that I still e-mail with.one of my old classmates sent me an e-mail like a couple years ago .We had the same math teacher at Central and she was laughing over the way

Mr. Moore seated his students. We had a test every Friday and then on Monday he would call your names out according to grades. We were laughing about which one of us would get first seat.We both were very good in math. Her name was Gloria Hunter ,nice girl. my favorite teacher at Morgan would be Miss Brown. She knew how to teach but be nice to us at the same time.At Morgan I can't really name one that I didn't like. My dad and the principal Mr. Sheets went to school together at Bridgeport.

By the way, I live in a suburb of Columbus,Ohio but am a strong W.VA fan but my Buckeye roots are huge. I want to congratulate the W.Va team for beating Ohio State the other night. Way to go guys!! The Song named the State of Ohio Rock song is Hang On Sloopy. So in other words, for me its WVA and OSU .Just can’t watch them play each other!!!



submitted by: Pete Dakan (Bridgeport HS '60)
Dakans@comcast.net

Great job on the newsletter!! Month after month of good memories. I graduated from Bridgeport in 1960 but every WI newsletter has memories for me, people I knew, places I've been. I've been getting the newsletter forwarded from a friend but wondered if I could get on your list? Really enjoy it.



submitted by: Jim Ashley (WI '62)
jashley4@cox.net

A topic that was not solicited, but thought I'd talk about an act of friendship I've never forgotten. I was recently at a practice for a baseball team that I coach (yes, we do practice in the winter time) and saw one of my players do something that reminded me of one of my own classmates, Richard ("Satch") Wilson. I was easily the worst player on my freshman basketball team and was having a bad practice being made worse by having both the coach and one of my teammates giving me a very rough time. I didn't mind the coach doing it, but the other player was (even with over 50 years having gone by to mellow my opinion) a royal jerk whose talent was of the type my father referred to as being able to get rich if he could "buy him for what he's worth and sell him for what he thinks he's worth".

We were scrimmaging first team against scrubs (easy to guess which squad I was on). Satch was guarding me as I brought the ball up court and, once I was within in shooting distance, he whispered, "Take it" and backed off just enough for me to make a basket over him. He kept this up the entire scrimmage and both the coach and my teammate went silent. When I thanked Satch in the locker room, his only response was "What are you talking about? I was on you like (can't type that phrase here, but it means 'guarded closely')". I've always heard that small kindnesses are never forgotten and I'd like to prove that saying true. Unfortunately, Richard is no longer with us, but he is certainly well remembered. The other teammate left WI and life was also more fun without him on the court. I was the first cut the next year when I went out for JV, which is probably why I coach baseball instead of basketball.

Finally, on the topic of teachers. Miss Bailey and Mr. Gudekunst are so far beyond all the others that it is a no contest. Mr. Gudekunst taught me two valuable lessons. One was how to think critically. The other, more important, was the value of maturity. I went into his freshman algebra class with an attitude and Mr. Gudekunst and I clashed immediately. I continued the battle in plane geometry and eventually made what seemed like a great decision as a 15 year old and just stopped doing work in his class. He flunked me (and I took junior English in summer school to avoid Mrs. Nutter, which is a whole other thread to discuss) and then returned to repeat plane geometry with Mr. Limpert. After sitting through that repeat year and seeing the difference between a committed educator and a fairly hopeless and disorganized teacher, I went hat in hand to Mr. Gudekunst to ask his permission to register for his classes again in my senior year. I showed up with a different attitude and a heck of a lot more effort and have always thanked him for his contributions to that part of my education which is found outside of books.



submitted by: Jim Callis (WI 49-52)
jamesedwardcallis@hotmail.com

My freshman year...49-50....WI was chosen to host the state orchestra for a major award concert...what luck...probably 100 kids from all over the state...during class we could hear them rehearsing....great classics....after school we took them all to Blands...Woodie and I would trade scarfs and glasses and reintroduce our selves to the same kids over again to have some fun of course using new names also exchanged hats...Blands was really Duffy's Tavern for WI....mostly all out of town sports broadcasters would refer to us as W&I...that made us mad...WI prepared us well for the future...Ray Garret in middle school said he got an A in reading...when he showed me his report card...I said wrong ....Ray...that is an F...just a joke...



submitted by: Toni Marascio Williams (ND '73)
marasciot@uhcwv.org

My husband is Tim Williams WI ’75 grad and son of Rose Ella Shuman and Bob Williams –also WI grad. I graduated form ND in 1973. My father-in-law showed me this wonderful newsletter while we were visiting them in Florida. How do we get in on this and how do we pay for it? Please let me know.



SEPARATE STAIRCASES IN WI

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
jateter@aol.com

I do not think that there was anything wrong with the separate stairways, hallways and/or lockers during my tenure at WI. I think that a lot of it provided privacy for both sexes and I can also remember that the hallways were not monitored strictly as a lot of classrooms were in those hallways and one could always say that they were on their way to class and they just “happened” to see their girlfriend/boyfriend in the hallway on the way to class.



TEACHERS

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Thinking of the age of teachers, or how long they taught at WI, I started looking for WI yearbooks around the house…I found. So I took the oldest book and the most recent book and went thru them to find if the same teacher appeared in both books. Here are some teachers who appeared in both:

Una Jarvis
Rene Andre
Maynard Duckworth
Edwin Jack Frederick
Virginia Nutter
Lorana Riley
Josephine Swiger
Pearl Custer (Secretary)

If you were at WI before 1955 or after 1969 and these teachers were still there, we would like to know…write Roleta1@aol.com.

Thanks to those to did respond:
From Fran Barrett (WI 1950): The only one on you list of teachers that was not there in 1950 is Lorana Riley. I have a '49 & '50 yearbook.

From: Margaret Cleavenger Maiocco (WI 1965): I have WI Yearbooks from 1948, 1950 & 1951. My late husband, Joseph F. Maiocco, Jr., graduated in 1951.

Una Jarvis 1948
Rene Andre 1948
Maynard Duckworth 1948
Edwin Jack Frederick 1948
Virginia Nutter 1948
Lorana Riley
Josephine Swiger 1948
Pearl Custer (Secretary) 1948

Thank you and Judy for your hard work publishing this wonderful monthly newsletter.

From Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956): I graduated in 1956, so I must have entered WI in the fall of 1952. All the teachers listed were on the job in the fall of 1952.



submitted by: Charlie Means (WI '50)

The following teachers were at WI in 1950 when I graduated...

Rene Andre
Maynard Duckworth
Ed Frederick
Virginia Nutter
Josephine Swiger
Pearl Custer



submitted by: Gladys Williams (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com

I graduated in 1971. I know all of them were there when I was in school.



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

In 1953-1954, when I was a freshman, all those teachers were there except Riley. I checked the yearbook.



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

All these teachers where there in 1961 my senior year. I had Una Jarvis and Lorana Riley for Home Ec, Virginia Nutter for English she was very nice to me. Rene Andre was a sharp dresser always dressed in old military attire. I believe he taught some type of Social Studies, Josephine Swiger is still the reason I am good with my finances. We had really good teachers at WI. Pearl Custer was a great secretary. I had a teacher for Botany and Zoology loved the classes but, I cannot remember who taught the class. If you took the class let me know who taught it.

Una Jarvis
Rene Andre
Maynard Duckworth
Edwin Jack Frederick
Virginia Nutter
Lorana Riley
Josephine Swaiger
Pearl Custer (Secretary)

NOTE: When I took Zology and Botany, Mr Judy taught the class. However, I believe he had retired by 1961. Perhaps Mr. Duckworth taught it?



AND THE TEACHERS WERE!!!

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Okay, below is a list of teachers who were at WI in 1929 and were still there in 1959 and some even later!!

Clay B. Hite….who was at WI during my 4 years there but not pictured in the yearbook in 1959---I think he had retired by then.

Miss Grace Albright who very young and had a lovely whimsical look

Miss Alice Griffin who even in the 1929 yearbook used a profile picture but not the same picture as in all of our later yearbooks.

Mr. William Judy was in the 1929 yearbook…and not a young man then –was in the 1957 yearbook but not pictured in 1959 so he must have retired.

Miss Florence Hollins probably a good sized lady then too

Mr. J.E. Gudekunst same stiff upper lip but with darker hair

Miss Maud Yoak looked the same, easily recognized smile but with dark hair

Miss Glyde Bailey Oh my what a lovely little beautiful lady when she was young and later too.

Miss Lillie Mae Bauer-there the mystery is solved…we always wondered if it was Mrs. Or Miss…if she had ever married. If she married, she took back her maiden name.

Miss Lena Stutler who actually got better looking by the time we had her !

Miss Emily Taylor—Looks have changed and I think she is sitting on a box of crayons!

NOTICE: In the 1929 yearbook, the ladies were listed as either Mrs. Or Miss….I see that only one female teacher was married.



YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE THIS ONE

In the 1929 YEARBOOK there was a handsome senior boy smiling at me---I recognize the name, so I went to the SPORTS section….yep, he is there…It is our one and only Tony Folio (Guard 180) Line Captain:

The write up by his name says:
To Tony goes the lion’s share of being one of the greatest linemen that has graduated from Washington Irving. He was a regular on the Hilltop eleven for three years, and he played consistent ball all the time. Tony saw service in every game played by Washington Irving in those three years and each year was selected for the honor roll of the state’s best players.

Tony graduates this year after playing the most brilliant ball of his high school career.



OTHER NAMES LOOK FAMILIAR

Listed also as seniors are some sir names which may sound familiar to you. I will list only the boys this month. The girls another month. It is hard to pick out female names as changing of the names thru marriage; however, they may be someone’s aunt. I am not listing all of the senior students. All the names of the students are listed even the Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors. But as usual in the WI yearbooks, the lower classmates had group pictures but all the names are listed alphabetically in a group area.

James Allen-- believe me when I tell you, I remember, Jim, Tom and John Allen and this James Allen who graduated in 1929 must be either an uncle or father of some of those guys.

Robert Edward Daugherty, this might just be Judy’s father?

NOTE FROM JUDY: Yes, that is my father.

Charles Bibbee is listed

Delbert James Combs maybe he is a father or uncle of some of the Combs who graduated from WI.

Pietro Fragale who was also on the football team and when listed there was Pete.

Bessie Agnes Oliverio and Bianco Oliverio, possibly twins?

Lee Stout, maybe Harriet’s daddy?



ONE HIT WONDERS

Due to lack of response, we have suspended this section of the newsletter. Thanks to John Teter who took the time to organize it.



FORTY ONE YEARS LATER

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

Recently I met my 'bunkmate'.......from Vietnam.........41 years later. We last saw each other in November 1968. They put it on the local website for the local paper: A couple of weeks ago......Gary King (WI 65) and his wife Tina were visiting The Villages......and their friends Ralph Brown (WI 65) and his wife Carolyn........we all went to dinner and talked about the 'old' days. Gary and Ralph joined the Air Force in October 1965 and were off to Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX for basic training........I joined the Air Force in September 1965 and was at Lackland AFB as well..........I met Ralph and Gary while we were in basic training. Until a few weeks ago.........I had not seen Gary in 45 years......we all look the same.....just a little 'older'..................what a small world!





Vietnam War bunkmates reunite after 41 years

Village of Largo resident Joe Martin and John Bowen of Plantation smile as they were reunited Monday in The Villages 41 years after they served together in Vietnam. [Nicole Sack, Daily Sun]

By NICOLE SACK, DAILY SUN

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 12:11 AM EST

THE VILLAGES — Joe Martin has been reconnecting with people from his past ever since he and his wife Sandra moved to their Village of Largo home in 2008.

But earlier this week, Martin reunited with his Vietnam-era bunkmate. It was a meeting 41 years in the making.

Martin flips through the yellowing black-and-white photos from his time serving overseas. He brought a camera with him and captured images of the base, his friends and the dense jungle. Martin holds colored Kodak slides up to the light and squints as he recognizes himself, back when his hair was strawberry blond.

The photographs help illustrate the story, but Martin can tell it even without them.

When duty calls

After graduating from high school, Martin enlisted in the Air Force.

“At that time, duty called. You were either going to enlist or you were going to get drafted. I had no problem with that; I decided to join,” Martin said. “That’s the way you were taught, that’s the way you were raised, and that’s what you did.”

Following a series of domestic assignments, in August 1967 Martin received orders that he would be shipping out to Vietnam.

The 20-year-old arrived in December 1967 at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, just outside Saigon, in the Republic of Vietnam.

The kid from Clarksburg, W.Va., was assigned a barracks and found himself on the top bunk. Below him was John Bowen, a 25-year-old New Jersey native who had a wife and two children back in the states.

“He had been there a month longer than I had. He showed me around and helped me get settled,” Martin recalled. “Everybody was friendly. We were all in the same boat, so to speak.”

Martin, an Air Force sergeant with the 834th Air Division, worked on the bases that supported personnel and was responsible for the movement of supplies and aircraft.

The turning point for Martin, as well as the war, came a month later.

On Jan. 31, 1968, during the Tet holiday, communist forces launched the Tet Offensive, attacking hundreds of cities, towns and military installations throughout South Vietnam. That included Tan Son Nhut. It was an event that stunned those on base.

Martin said he “felt like he was watching a war movie” as the attack started just after sunrise, and fireballs, helicopters and gunships filled the sky.

Though surreal, the morning was profound.

“If you didn’t realize it before, you knew that morning that people were trying to kill you,” Martin said.

Luckily Martin and Bowen didn’t suffer major injuries. And though their various assignments sometimes kept them on different schedules, they were still able to swap stories at night and countdown the number of days until they shipped out.

By Nov. 1, 1968, it was time for Staff Sgt. John Bowen to head home.

“It was kind of a ‘Good luck, take care, I’ll see you later’ thing,” Martin said of saying goodbye to Bowen. “I didn’t realize that ‘see you later’ would mean 41 years later.”

The next month, on Dec. 10, 1968, Martin went home, too.

Life stateside

After leaving the Air Force, Martin completed college, then began his government career, which took him from the Mountain State to Virginia. But he would often reflect on that year he spent in Vietnam and the men he served with.

Forty-one years went by. Martin retired and moved to The Villages. Last fall he was surfing the Internet when he came across the “Tan Son Nhut Association.” He logged on and began skimming the list of names of those who were stationed at the base.

The first name in the “B” column belonged to his bunkmate, John Bowen. It also listed his state of residence: Florida.

With that sliver of information, Martin continued searching the Web until he found a picture of Bowen, who is an illustrator and watercolor artist now living at Plantation.

“His hair was gray, but it was him. There was no doubt, it was him,” Martin said.

Martin sent an e-mail, and the next day, Bowen called him at home.

“I almost fell out of my chair when I saw his e-mail,” Bowen said. “He was just about my best friend over there.”

Though they hadn’t been in contact, Martin hadn’t been out of Bowen’s mind. Bowen, a commercial artist, who worked at the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, is currently writing a memoir about his experiences in Vietnam. Martin is one of the stars of the book.

“We saw a lot of activity and shared a lot of experiences together,” Bowen said.

The two kept in touch for three months through phone calls and e-mails, and Monday the men came face to face during a reunion in The Villages.

“I was a little nervous, but it was a good nervous,” Bowen said. “He looks the same — though his hair is a little more gray.”

Martin had a similar feeling.

“It was just like yesterday,” he said of the encounter after all the years. “Time, after a while, you can’t relate to it anymore.”

To mark the 37th anniversary of the signing of the cease-fire agreement by the United States, North and South Vietnam and the Vietcong, the Veterans’ Memorial Park Committee will conduct a ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Veterans’ Memorial Park of The Villages.

“Different guys have different experiences — some good, some bad,” Martin said. “I don’t think it ever leaves you; it’s always there.”

Nicole Sack is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9245, or nicole.sack@thevillagesmedia.com.

Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved: The Villages Daily Sun



JOHN CARSKADON HART

CLARKSBURG — John Carskadon Hart, 69, of Lakeside Village, Morgantown, died January 23, 2010. Mr. Hart was President and CEO of J.C. Hart Foundry. He was the son of the late Charles Hyde and Justina Carskadon Hart. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth Anne “Susie” Brookover Hart,; three children, Suzanne Hyde Hart, Patricia H. Folio, and John Hyde(Tonya Jo) Hart, and three grandchildren.

From 1979-1982, Mr. Hart was president of WVU Industrial Engineering Committee. Mr. Hart was also president of the Association for Industrial Development of Harrison County from 1982-1999. As president, he was instrumental in locating the extension of Fairmont State College to downtown Clarksburg. He served on the board of directors of the National Iron Casting Society and on the board of directors of the Empire Bank and One Valley Bank, which is now BB&T. Mr. Hart served on the board of directors for the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and was a former member of the Clarksburg Rotary Club. Mr. Hart belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution, Martinsburg Chapter, and was a sixth generation direct descendant of John Hart Hopewell, New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a lifelong member of the NRA and one of the co-founders of the Central WV Rifle Club.



ROBERT RUSSELL FOX

Robert Russell Fox, 47, (RW 1981) of Clarksburg, passed away suddenly January 25, 2010, at his home.

He was the son of the late Beverly Stutler Saas and Monty Fox, and the stepson of Connie Fox, both of whom survive in Lumberport. He is survived by his wife, Robin Channell Fox. Also surviving are two sisters, Dianne (David) McWhorter and Montica (Greg) Alonso and her and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Hope Fox, and his stepfather, David Saas.



NANCY ANN STONESTREET

Nancy Ann Stonestreet, age 61,(RW 1968) of Clarksburg, WV, died. on February 3, 2010 She was the daughter of the late Leonard Carl Stonestreet and Thelma Mae Kerns Stonestreet. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Leonard Lee and Debra Stonestreet; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty Buck and Rosemary ( Donald) Mundell, Nancy was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bernard James Stonestreet and Carl Raymond Stonestreet and a nephew, Michael Leonard Stonestreet



SHARON JANE OLIVERIO BRANDON

Stephane Jane Brandon, age 57, (ND 1970) of Clarksburg, WV, passed away January 30, 2010. She was the daughter of the late John O. Oliverio and Angeline Agnes Audia Oliverio. Surviving are: a sister and brother-in-law, Catherine Rose and Stephen Graham, Columbus, OH; and two nephews, Kevin M. and Corey S. Graham, Columbus, OH.



ANGELINE AGNES OLIVERIO

Angeline Agnes Audia Oliverio, age 83, (RW 1944) of Clarksburg, WV, passed January 30, 2010. She was the daughter of the late John Audia and Rose Urso Audia. She was preceded in death by her husband, John O. Oliverio.

Surviving are: a daughter and son-in-law, Catherine Rose and Stephen Graham, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tony and June Audia, Michael J. “Mike” and Betty Audia; two sisters, Rose Carlomany, and Mary Virginia Romain, two grandsons, Kevin M. and Corey S. Graham, Columbus, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Oliverio was also preceded in death by a daughter, Stephanie Jane Brandon, and a brother, Samuel Audia.



JUANITA BEAL MORRIS

Juanita E. (Beal) Morris, 87, (RW 1940) died on February 5, 2010. She was born in Harrison Co. a daughter to the late Harvey Beal and Virginia Reid Beal.

She is survived by two sisters, Anita Myer, and Kay Andrews ; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.



THOMAS ARLIE RYAN

Thomas Arlie Ryan, age 67, (Notre Dame 1961), Clarksburg, WV, died Feb. 8, 2010. He was the son of the late Howard and Maude (Keim) Ryan. His wife, Dorothy Renee (Cochran) Ryan, preceded him in death in October 2007.

Surviving are a son, Patrick (Kristin) Ryan; one daughter, Gail (Tim) Rogers; two sisters, Penny Stahl, and Donna Kula; and four grandchildren. He was also preceded by a daughter, Lois Cassandra “Cassie” Ryan.

Mr. Ryan served his country in the U.S. Army and retired from the Army Reserve as a 1st Sgt. with 459 Engineering Division. He retired with Allegheny Power Company in 1999 with 34 years service.



JACK GEORGE “CHICO" ALONSO

Jack George “Chico” Alonso, Jr., age 64,(VICTORY HS) died February 4, 2010. Chico was the son of the late Jack G. and Angeline Lopez Alonso.

He was a lifelong resident of Clarksburg. He served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard. He is survived by his sister, Vanessa (Richie) Roach of Gassaway and several nieces and nephews.



ALICE HARRISON GORRELL

Alice Harrison Gorrell, age 85, (WI 1942) died on February 6, 2010. She the daughter of J.I. “Jack” Harrison and Anna May Bowman Harrison.

Her husband G. Keith Gorrell preceded her in death November 9, 2003.

Surviving are: a son, Thomas H. Gorrell and friend, Connie J. Jordan; a daughter. Robin (Ken) Hotopp and five grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gorrell was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kathryn Ann Gorrell, and a first cousin, Marian Bowman Howes.



JOSEPH PAUL SWANWICH

“WHISTLING PETE”

Joseph Paul Swanwich, affectionately known as “Whistling Pete,” 89, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 5:45 p.m. following an extended illness.

He was born in Wheeling, WV, on July 10, 1920, and raised by the St. John’s Orphanage in Wheeling. At an early age, Sister DeSales brought him to Clarksburg to stay at the former St. Mary’s Hospital under the care of the Sisters of DeSales Hall. Pete retired from the housekeeping department at St. Mary’s Hospital. He loved gardening and could be seen around Clarksburg helping friends with their gardens, always thinking more about others than himself. His greatest joy and love in life was singing, whistling, playing the organ and piano. Often seen and heard in the United Hospital Center Chapel playing the organ. The last two years of his life, he was cared for by Heartland of Clarksburg, where often times at lunch he would play the keyboard for the fellow residents.

Pete was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, and is survived by several friends and family, which include the American Red Cross, Clarksburg neighbors and Karen Shuster and David Ireland, both of Elkins, WV.



FRED SCHAUS

(Former coach at WVU)

http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?story=16016&cat=exclusives



CHESTER EARL ISRAEL

Chester Earl Israel, 92, (WI ), died on February 12, 2010. He was the son of the late C. Earl Israel and Bertha Cost Israel.

He was twice married. He married his first wife, Adrena Mae Barker Israel, on August 10, 1951,. He married for the second time on January 21, 1981, Georgia D. Hawkins Israel, and they were happily married until her death.

Mr. Israel is survived by a sister, Sarah Margaret Israel. He served in the United States Air Force from1942 until 1946.



JONATHAN ADAM FINLEY

Jonathan Adam Finley, 22 (ND) , February 9, 2009, in Jacksonville, FL Jonathan was previously a server with Raymon’s Restaurant. He, a son of Paula Quickle Finley and the late James Finley.

In addition to his mother, he is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Darlene (Donald) Rule, Flora (Tim) Thibodeau, Michael Finley, Wolf Summit, Terri (Bill) Whitehill ; Cindy (Ernie) Baughman, Lisa Finley, Melissa Myers, James Finley, and Kristine Finley



SHIRLEY R. JONES

Shirley R. Jones, 72, of Clarksburg,(WI), passed away February 18, 2010. She was the late Raymond and Flora Heater Woofter.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Donald L. Jones.

In addition to her husband, she is also survived by two sisters, Estella Grose and Margaret Kennedy; one brother James Woofter; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by four sisters, Dorothy Ellis, Betty Albright, Jo Ann Louzy and Wanda Brown, and one brother, Glen Woofter.



LINDA LOU MEEK ASHBY

Linda Meek Ashby (WI 1969) passed away on February 16, 2010. She courageously battled her illness of Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer with dignity and character.

Upon her graduation from high school, Linda earned her AB degree from Glenville, and her Masters from WVU in 1979.

While at WI, Linda was a member of the drill team and several clubs. At Glenville State College, Linda was a member and Vice President of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. In addition to this, she was a Varsity Cheerleader for both the GSC football and basketball teams.

Linda spent over 30 years as a professional educator and worked in several West Virginia school systems, as well as schools in the state of Virginia.

Linda was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother (Nana). She leaves to mourn her husband of 37 years and best friend, Paul Edward Ashby Sr.

Also surviving are her siblings, twin sister, Brenda (Daniel) DeGarmo; Floyd Allen (Joyce) Meek Jr. and William Grady(Kim) Meek. Also surviving are her children, Paul Edward (Shasta) Ashby Jr, and Nicole Linn (Jason) Stump.



MARGARET CHRISTINE LUCAS

Margaret Christine Lucas,(WI 1964) age 63, died Feb. 18, 2010, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Montefiore, PA.

She was born the daughter of the late John Steffich and Ina (West) Steffich.

Surviving are her husband of 42 years, Michael W. Lucas, Jr. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Michael W. (Elizabeth) Lucas III and Adam Christopher(Nikki) Lucas; one daughter, Amanda Michelle (Craig) Betler; six grandchildren; two brothers, John (Denise)Steffich and Charles Steffich; one sister, Ida (Paul) Yaner.




Excerpts used in the Obituary section are taken from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram.






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