THE WI NEWSLETTER 12/10

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 136 December 2010






CHRISTMAS OR HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA
GIVE SOMEONE TICKETS FOR THE DRAWING
FOR THE 2011 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT


Above is a picture of all of the quilt squares. This picture is A Work In Progress picture of the quilt….the squares are not in their final position. Sue and sister Gig have moved them around some but this just gives you a picture of all the squares at one time. We will soon have a final picture for you.

  

Golden delicious apple and hot dog quilt squares
submitted by Mary Sue Clark Spahr WI '56 MSSpahr@aol.com

All of the money received, to purchase tickets for the drawing for the winner of the WIN Scholarship quilt, goes to the scholarship fund. We have already received close to $1,000.00 through the sale of tickets for the 2011 WIN Scholarship Quilt.

We are hoping to top last year's sale of tickets which brought in $2,500.00 to the WIN Scholarship Fund.

Just think for a gift to the scholarship of $1.00 you will have 1 ticket put in the drawing in your name, for $2.00 we will put in 2 tickets with your name on them but for $5.00 you get 6 chances (and multiples of $5.00 and on) and for $50.00 you will have 60 tickets put into the drawing and for $100.00 you will have 120 chances to win. You don't have to be present to win. The quilt will be shipped free to the winner any place in the lower 48 states.

REMEMBER THERE IS NO GIFT TOO SMALL! All gifts are kept confidential.

Make out your check to :

Roleta Meredith / WIN Scholarship

And mail to:

Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, FL. 34240

Those who gave this month are:

Linda Blankenship Stevenson (WI 1959)
Sharon DiMaria (WI 1961)
James J. Martin (WI 1943)
Brad Andrews (WI 1974)
Sarg McQuillan (WI 1957)


NOTHING IS EVER TOO LATE
ANY SUBJECT, ANY TIME
THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE UP OF MEMORIES

submitted by: Billie Kittle Fox (WI '61)
dx@yahoo.com

I found this picture as I was looking for something else and thought you might like to publish it even though I did not get it to you in time for the "grade school" edition. I went to Monticello Grade school, just off of Chestnut Street. There were only 4 rooms and so, 2 classes were held in each room. Here is the class picture of the first and second grade.


Top row: Melva Burdiss, Edwain Nutter, Patty Shaffer, David Keith, Joan Snider, James Barnard, Carolyn Anderson, Wilbert Stile

Second Row From Top: Marvan Yehs, Rose Bright, Garry Norris, Margaret Mingenis, Larry Norris, Billie Kittle,

Third Row from top: Carol Fisher, Jimmie Watson, Catherine Henline, Condy Bright, Joyce Guinn, John Radcan, Jerry Murphy, Ronald Ashcraft

Bottom Row: Alfred Miles, Johnnie Moromons, James Glasscock, Roy Davison, James Dennison, Robert Armor, Samuel Culley

Sorry if some of the names are spelled wrong, the ink is faded on the back of the picture. I hope some of the people in the picture enjoy seeing this again.



submitted by: Cathy Merrifield (WI '75)
rttchk@aol.com

My name is Cathy Merrifield. I am a '75 graduate of WI and I attended Carlisle Grade School on the corner of Virginia and Maple Ave.

It has since been demolished and a neighborhood playground is there now. I remember Lillian Johnson was my first grade teacher and I believe Mrs. Nancy Taylor was the 5th grade teacher. Mrs. Mary Brown was my 4th and 6th grade teacher. She had my 6th grade class in the same room with another class since there were only 13 in our class. She had to bounce back and forth between us. She was a wonderful woman. I remember it was a beautiful building and was very sad to see it torn down.




MR. SHEETS

Picture submitted by: Nancy VanHorn Stunger (WI '54)


submitted by: Hilda Logston Kerns (WI '65)
hildakerns@citynet.net

I have enjoyed reading about Morgan Grade School and the history of some of it's teachers and principals. You were asking for comments on Mr. Sheets who was my principal from 1953-1959.

I remember his office being up an extra set of steps off the top (3rd) floor. Sure don't remember a secretary back then. When I was in 1st grade, Miss Lucy Thomas's class, he called the entire school down to the 1st floor at Christmas to sing carols. We were crammed together in the halls, on the stairs, etc. It was awesome being with the big kids. That same year, Miss Thomas would play 'Up on the Roof Top" on the piano in our room and led us in singing. This remains to be my favorite Christmas song. Loved the click, click, click with the fingers....

Towards the end of my 6th grade year, Mr. Sheets came into Mrs. Pierpoint's class to give us a lecture on the perils of moving up to Cental Junior High for 7th grade. I remember him distinctly saying that some of the girls would go "boy crazy", and that scared me to death. Miss Lucy Thomas retired when I was in about 4th grade. My mother arranged a retirement party for her at the school. Keep up the great work!



submitted by: Chris Wyatt (WI '71)
cvwyatt@frontiernet.net

I remember Mr. Philip N. Sheets well. He was the principal during all 6 years I was at Morgan. ('59-'65)

We always heard that he had an electric paddle, so nobody ever wanted to get sent to the office. His office was small, right off of Mrs. Israel's room I think.

Anyway, I was in his office once and looked for the electric paddle. There was no electric paddle!

He was a wonderful principal and a very nice guy. I remember him fondly.



submitted by: Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
alindke@tampabay.rr.com

I do not think I have been listed as a Florida (Zephyrhills) resident. At the time the list was made I was in WV and without my computer. I, as well as my sister and brother, attended Morgan grade school. We made the trip from the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Traction Street. That was a lot of uphill walking and a fast trip home for lunch. The principle, Mr. Sheets, was a kind man and always had a smile. Miss Mathews was the only teacher to paddle me. She gave me a whack for missing a spelling word. You got a whack for each word that you misspelled. I don't think that it did any permanent damage but I sure got the message. Study your spelling words!



submitted by: Betty Latstetter Burke (WI '58)
ejaneburke2000@yahoo.com

Phillip N. Sheets was principal of Morgan School the six years I was a student there. He was a fine man who was thought of as a friend by the kids, and he really looked the part of the ideal head of a school. I imagined "The Great Gildersleeve" (a jovial character in an old radio show) looked just like Mr. Sheets.

When I was in the first grade, I had Miss Chestnut. I got into trouble and had to stand out in the hall. As I stood there, the fourth grade came down the steps heading for their recess. They looked so grown up and imposing, descending with their male teacher, I started to cry. Mr. Sheets came along, saw me, and took me into the auditorium where he proceeded to tell me he knew my father and before long, I felt a lot better. From that time on, I felt he was my friend.

Sometimes he would come into our classroom and ask us questions like, "If a tree fell down in a forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound?"

During a winter snow storm, two friends and I reported on a boy who had thrown snowballs at us. Mr. Sheets paddled him. Years later one of my friends married the culprit. I hope Mr. Sheets learned of their wedding. I bet he would have gotten a big kick out of that!



submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

When in grade school, I was a very well disciplined and good student. That all changed in the 6th grade at Morgan when I had Mrs. Matthews. I believe that lady was so out of touch with the students. I have no idea how old she was but she was probably in her 60s. It didn't take long for the students to learn how much they could get away with in her class and I certainly joined in the fun. I was often sent to the principal's office because I was talking….and possibly I was talking so I could go to the principal's office? Mr. Sheets was a wonderful principal. I doubt if there were many discipline problems in Morgan School because I am sure everyone like him and respected him.

I lived a long walk from Morgan and since my mother was a teacher, there often was no one home at lunchtime so I stayed at school and ate a sack lunch I carried. The lunchroom was one of the classrooms on the first floor. Mr. Sheets was in charge. I remember one time we played a game….well, he had me participate, I don't know if others did or not….but he told me to talk as fast as I could and he would time me to see how long I could talk, he had some others counting how many words I could say in a minute….LOL Now, I am sure anyone who knows me also knows that I really don't talk fast.



submitted by: Linda Blankenship Stevenson (WI '58)
mandlstevens@comporium.net

Good Morning, Roleta

I am forwarding this picture of the band at Morgan Grade School. I think it was taken in 1949 or 50. I don't know if you can use it, but thought I would let you decide. I just celebrated my 70th birthday and our children had a surprise birthday party for me. They included this picture. I am still learning how to send pictures, so I hope you are able to get this. I sent it to Carol to see if she could identify some of the children, but she only recognized Patty Harper. She said the picture was very small. If you want to use it, I could also send it to you or Judy by mail.

I did not get the newsletter this month. I don't know if it is a problem with my computer, or if you deleted me for not participating. In which case I would not blame you at all. You and Judy do such a great job and I enjoy it very much. I grew up on Davisson Run and rode the bus to Morgan, Central and then WI. My dad worked six days a week and mother didn't drive, so when the bus took me home, I was home to stay. I didn't get to participate in many activities and I enjoy the stories of others in the newsletter who were able to participate in so many fun things.

I used the link on the RCB WI Alumni site to get the newsletter this month. I am going to send you a check for quilt tickets in honor of being blessed with a 70th birthday. I am having total knee replacement on Nov. 30 and hope to be walking better by Florida picnic time.

Have a blessed day,




CHRISTMAS IN CLARKSBURG

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

I know many of us who grew up in Clarksburg remember how great it was at Christmas time. The streets were crowded with shoppers, so crowded, you were constantly bumping into someone saying, "Sorry, Merry Christmas". Christmas music played from speakers on the light poles. Salvation Army Bell Ringers were everywhere. Few of Santa's helpers were there also. Most of the time it would be snowing. Listening to Silent Night play made me really sad. It was a sad song to me. I love, and still love all the Christmas songs especially the older ones.

We would shop to buy gifts for everyone in the family. I mean aunts, uncles, cousins, and even some friends and neighbors. Small gifts but everyone got something. Dad would take us with a sled from Broad Oaks to town where my aunt Nellie always sold Christmas trees on the corner of 6th and Main St.. We would tie the tree to the sled and take turns pulling the sled back to Broad Oaks. We would put the tree up and then start wrapping all the gifts. We would walk (didn't have a car) all over town to deliver the gifts. That was a lot of fun. Everyone had the Christmas Spirit. I guess we were very lucky to have lived in that period of time.

I don't know if that will ever happen again because of what Clarksburg was like back then. Back then we had nationally known companies such as Hazel-Atlas Glass Co., Flourco Glass Co., Master Glass, Akro Agate Co., Carnation Co., National Carbon Co., Dupont Chemical Co., Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Eagle Convex Specialty Co., and White-Bailey Glass. These plants produced Glass Tumblers, fruit jars, milk bottles, medicine and preserve bottles, carbon electrodes, glass moulds, evaporated milk, barrels. caskets, marbles, boxes, zinc, brick, tile, machinery, and glass novelties.

West Virginia was in the heart of the greatest coal field in the world, The Appalachian, and Clarksburg was in the heart of the West Virginia field. West Virginia had more unmined coal and produced more bituminous coal than any other state in the Union.

As you can see we had a lot of people working back then.

Note: I got the above information from the 1948 Clarksburg Directory. I can go on about statistics back then but would not be interesting to most.

Did you know at that time there were 11 grocery stores in the Broad Oaks area?? Oh, I'll get challenged on that one.



BIGGEST CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

submitted by: Pam Wolfe Brown (WI '60)
Pameez@aol.com

Years ago, while dining in a quaint restaurant in Sedona, Arizona I fell in love with the dishes they used. I turned over a piece and found that it was made by Mikasa.

Several years later, while in Lake Tahoe, California we found a Mikasa Outlet. I wanted to buy the dishes with money I had won on the slot machine, but Jim (WI '57) thought it would be impractical to ship them home. I settled for a butter dish.

Years later it was Christmas Day with packages everywhere around the tree and living room because we had 24 for dinner. After the children opened their presents it was time for the adults. I waited until almost the end to begin opening since I like to watch everyone else.

The first present I opened was from my Son and Daughter-in-law. It was a butter dish just like the one I had bought in Tahoe. I was really puzzled why they bought me another one, but didn't think any more as the opening continued. Finally Jim and Jimmy carried over several large sacks and there they where---a complete set of my Mikasa!!!!

Jim and John Campbell (WI '59) had driven to a Mikasa Outlet in Pennsylvania to get them. I thought they had gone to look at a John Deere Tractor.

To say the least I was totally Surprised!!!



MOM'S COOKING
IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR MOTHER TO COOK YOU SOMETHING,
WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR?

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

I always have remembered my mother as being a very good cook, but I cannot remember any meal that stood out above another. Except for those special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, when there was enough food to feed my family for DAYS! It seems like we would always eat early enough on these given days, to have room to eat a second time – a full meal the second time.

BUT, the best thing that I can remember my mother cooking was her baking bread and making pepperoni rolls and her making candy. Sometimes the best "portion" of her bread came from when she was making it, as I can remember eating the dough before it was baked. And the same goes for her candy, as I would always love licking the bowl that she used in preparing the candy. I tried several times to get my mother to give me the recipe for her candy after I left home and got married, but my first wife could NEVER make the candy to the perfection that my mother did. My sister can attest to my first wife's getting really upset that she could not get recipe out of my mother for the candy and/or make it correctly. It was a fudge type of candy, but I never considered it really to be fudge. I created a recipe for the candy a few years ago, and sent it to my brother and sister to have them try it with my mother's input, but nobody ever got it as PERFECT as my mother did. My sister came close a few years ago (with my mother's help and guidance), but ……… My sister also has made several attempts at my mother's pepperoni rolls (again with my mother's help and guidance), and some of these have turned out to be very good, as I have been at my sister's house to enjoy them.



SURVEY CONTINUES

If you wish to be listed and have not, please send me your name, school, yr of graduation, city and state of present residence

FLORIDA

Martha Jeffries Rice (WI 1955) Ft. Myers, FL
Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956) Zephyrhills, FL



NEW READERS

Sue Dodds Michaels (WI '53) radhesai@earthlink.net
Richard Johnson (WI '62) rich_sher4@verizon.net
Robert H. Welch (WI '54) welch24@embarqmail.com

EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

Charlie Means (WI '50) cmeans50@att.net
Clif Whaley (WI '56) clifton.whaley@verizon.net
Larry Gholston (WI '72) LGholston@gmail.com
Lawrence Kinney (WI '51 djkinney@windstream.net
Cheryl Davis (WI '63) CDavis.ywca@frontier.com



submitted by: Rob Kidd (WI '70)
r.kidd@msesinc.com

I really appreciate reading the newsletters. In the recent one I saw where Kevin Dawson's sister passed away. Kevin and I played together a good deal while in grade school at Morgan School in Stealey area of Clarksburg. I saw the note from Mrs. Dennison (Class of 45) who lives beside my mother-in-law and who I was in the choir with at Duff St church. Her daughter Rhonda graduated with me as did Kevin Dawson. The WI Victory rivalry was like a cross town rivalry and was always the biggest game of the season no matter what your record that year. When it became Liberty the rivalry switched more to Bridgeport. My sons played for Bridgeport. As housing in Clarksburg was not available, there were a lot of WI alumni that moved to the Bridgeport area. Thanks for the good work. I forward to several people including people who have kids in school at RCB ( Robert Byrd HS) now.



submitted by: Markey Adams Hood (WI '42)
MARKEYBELL@wmconnect.com

As I recall the name of the seafood restaurant was "O'Days Seafood' and opened in the early 50's. Was not in operation for too long. Was located in the East End of Clarksburg near where the brewery was. Thanks for all the interesting articles and your hard work.

She was correct. It was a house and the front part was a screened in porch and part of the restaurant. Was nice to sit in that section in the summer. "Merry Christmas"



SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION NEXT MONTH

Share some memories of attending a sporting event at Hite Field.

Can you share a memory of an event you attended at Carmichael Auditorium?
I remember many events took place there other than just the WI Basketball games. What do you remember?

How far did you walk to school?
Most of us had to walk some distance to school or walk to a bus stop where we stood to await our bus then we had to walk to school from where we were dropped off. Tell us about your winter walk to school. Did you wear boots?

Do you remember what you did to amuse yourself during Christmas break? We certainly didn't sit around watching TV or playing electronic games.

Write to me about any subject mentioned or any other memory you have and will share with us. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Thank you



1950 KOREAN CONFLICT DRAFTEES

submitted by: Charles M Ferrell (WI '46)
eagle1928@starpower.net

Dec 2010 is the 60th anniversary of five WI graduates being drafted for the Korean Conflict into Company C 29th Armored Infantry Battalion of the Third Armored Division at Fort Knox, KY. These included Charles M Ferrell, Patsy Bart, Gerald Berman, Joseph Pinion and William Pinion. We had six weeks of rugged cold weather training with most of the infantry weapons of World War II including pistols, rifles BARS, sub machine guns, machine guns, bazookas grenades and hand to hand combat. Al Gensel was located in a unit near our company. He and I were in school together from Morgan School through WI. We were both active in the Stealey Methodist Church. Following our infantry basic training we were trained in the operation of the M-24 (Chafee tanks) and firing of 75 MM guns from the M-4 (Sherman tanks)

I was injured during basic training and confined to the barracks for about a week. I accidently found a copy of the Army Times in a waste basket that indicated that the army was seeking physicists, engineers etc for special research projects in the US. I applied and was accepted and sent to the US Army Chemical Center at Edgewood, MD. I had a BS Degree in physics from Salem College with teaching fields also in math, chemistry and biology.

At Edgewood I was assigned to the Shielding Branch of the Radiological Division to work as a PFC Physical Scientist on atomic weapons fallout analysis, infinite plane gamma radiation studies and designing instrumentation to measure thermal radiation from the atomic weapons tests in the Nevada Desert. We had two GI soldier scientists in our branch with about six civilian scientists.

Being drafted changed my career from a high school teacher to a nuclear engineer and a health physicist.



SELLING THINGS WHEN IN SCHOOL

submitted by: Martha Pulice Williams (WI '64)
mwilliams9@msn.com

Great newsletter as always.

When I was in high school at Washington Irving, class of 64, we had to sell boxes of chocolate bars to raise money for the band uniforms. I'd take them to the fire station in town where my dad worked, and he and the other firemen would buy most of them. Then I'd go to my uncle Joe Pulice's store, at that time it was called Main St. Grocery, and he and my uncle Tom would buy the rest. Hey!!!.... a girls got to do.....what a girls got to do....... to make the HILLTOPPERS SHINE!!!!!!!

Loved my H S years....still try to keep in touch with my dear friends



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

I can remember selling small fire extinguishers when I was a school patrol boy, to make money. Looking back now, I cannot tell you what the money made from selling the small hand-held fire extinguishers went for.

And then there was also patrol boy "tag day", when I would go around selling "tags" for money. And (again) I cannot tell you what this money made went for either.

I do remember that both selling projects were full of INTENSE EFFORTS from all school patrol boys. It would be interesting if any other patrol boys from the "good old days" read the newsletter and remember where the "profits" went.



NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Do you make a resolution each year? Some people make one every year to lose weight. Others make one to break a bad habit....like, to Quit Smoking, Stop Biting their nails, Don't get angry while driving, Never text again while driving, Stop drinking, Stop cussing, Stop What? There must be a hundreds of stories to tell. Write and tell about your New Year's Resolution---from the past---how long did it take for you to forget about the resolution and go back to doing it again? Write and tell us.

Write to: WINewsletter1@aol.com or Roleta1@aol.com

Both addresses work!

Thanks



CHANGING OF THE SEASONS

Football season is winding down and the so called winter sport, basketball, is just getting started.

North Central WV high schools did not fair well in the football playoffs, with only Morgantown High making it to the semi-finals. Fairmont State finished 5-6 and Marshall was 5-7.

WVU finally found an offense in the second half, to beat Pitt, and stands at 8-3, with only Rutgers left to play. A win over RU and a U Conn loss to South Florida will put the Mountaineers into a BCS Bowl game. Very few of us would have thought that possible after the loss to Connecticut. Just think, one less fumble against LSU and U Conn and one less interception against Syracuse, and this team would be undefeated and in the running for a national championship. Unfortunately, "what ifs" are there as excuses for any number of teams, so we can only look at reality. Conclusion: The defense overachieved, but the offense only played to its potential a couple of quarters the entire year.

Incidentally, about 2 million Ohio State fans from W.Va. are happier today----Reason ??? OSU--37, U of M--7. Rich Rod's teams have never beaten a Big Ten team with a winning record. According to The Ann Arbor News, the Michigan fans are screaming for him to be fired. I'm sure more will be heard about this soon.

Meanwhile, Coach Huggins continues to be amazed with his BB team. Noah Cottrill is still no where to be found, when he could be a huge help to this team and Huggs is having a problem getting through to some of his players. If things don't improve by Big East time, it could be a long season.

We had several good letters this month, dealing mainly with Hite Field and the W I/Victory rivalry.

The sports section is all about you, so please send your thoughts and comments. Some ideas for comments next month are:

1. Is there any chance Bill Stewart will lose his job even after the big win at Pitt?

2. Rate Stewart on his job performance. Does he deserve a raise?

3. Will the WVU BB team make the NCAA Tournament? Why or why not?

4. If Rich Rod is forced out at Michigan, would another big school hire him, or would he have to restart at a lower level?

5. Who is right, Derek Jeter, 5 or 6 years @ $23 million per year or the Yankees, 3 years @ $15 million per year? Or, are they both wrong?

6. Will the old members (plus North Marion) returning to the Big Ten Conference (high school) make the conference better or worse for Harrison County schools?

Email me at billmere@aol.com.





HITE FIELD STIRS MEMORIES OF PAST GLORY

Many thanks to Jim Alvaro, W I, 1956, for sending the article below to me from the Clarksburg Exponent/Telegram.

by John G. Miller Managing Editor
Saturday, October 30, 2010 6:31 AM CDT

CLARKSBURG — Current Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher starred there during his days at Liberty High School. So did the late Frank Loria, who played at Notre Dame High School before becoming an all-American at Virginia Tech.

Other greats have graced the field. Some went on to play in college. But few made their livelihood from the game they learned as they went toe-to-toe with opponents on the green grass of Hite Field.

But from some of those lessons learned amid the sweat, blood and tears, many went on to successful careers.

Tonight, as Liberty plays host to Grafton, some of those memories will be in the minds of local fans as the 84-year-old field nears its apparent end. The contest is likely Liberty's last game at the facility as the school's on-campus field complex is expected to be ready for next season.

Hite Field, once home to Liberty (and its predecessor Victory), Washington Irving, Roosevelt- Wilson and Notre Dame high schools, will soon only have one tenant, Notre Dame. And it's unknown if the small parochial school can afford to buy or maintain the facility.

Over the years, the field has hosted hundreds of high school and middle school football games, but has also been used more recently for high school and middle school soccer, youth football and band events. More than 60 events have been held since August.

Harrison Schools Superintendent Susan Collins said the field's fate is undecided. One board member wants to sell it. Another wants to build a new elementary school nearby. The board could retain it to be used as a backup for both Liberty and Robert C. Byrd, she said.

But it's apparent that its days as the focal point of high school football in the area are waning.

With so many teams using the field over the years, thousands of people have memories of the complex.

It's been the scene of some great football games, outstanding band performances and lots of fellowship.

David Romano, a local attorney who played at Washington Irving until he graduated in 1970, mentioned the field's unique bowl seating that most high school complexes don't have.

"It's a great field to play football on," Romano said. "I think that's because the fans are so close to you and it has that bowl. Used to be for many people, not so much any more, but people went to high school games as their weekend recreation. That bowl (which was viewed as neutral territory) was packed."

While Romano, who was a linebacker/tackle for Coach Al Castellana, has many memories of his playing days, the one that stands out was actually a game he viewed as a spectator.

"In 1963 both Notre Dame and Victory were undefeated," Romano said. "And when they played, the place was packed. Every seat in the bowl was taken and they were standing around the concession stands."

He mentioned that the Notre Dame team was led by Loria, Pete Secret and Clarence Fiber, who all went on to play in college.

"And the Victory team had some great players who went on to play in college, too," Romano said. Fittingly, the game finished in a 13-13 tie.

Sam Scolapio was the head coach at Notre Dame then. He later became principal at Washington Irving.

"Lots of fond memories," Scolapio said of the facility. "Clay B. Hite and (Victory coach) Doc Hutson did so much to make that a nice field. They took pride in giving the boys a great playing field."

Scolapio played for Hutson at Victory, graduating in 1949.

He chuckled as he remembered his playing days.

"We played the old single wing offense," Scolapio said. "I was a blocking quarterback. In that offense the quarterback had to block an awful lot."

He also remembered the Veterans Day matchups with rival Washington Irving, a tradition that saw both schools' bands march in the annual parade to honor veterans and then head to a packed Hite Field to root on their teams.

As a coach and administrator, Scolapio spent many days and nights at the field. Although fond memories now, at the time some events didn't go as expected.

"The year we went undefeated at Notre Dame, we were supposed to play Philippi," Scolapio said. "And we weren't ready. The boys weren't focused. Fortunately, the lights malfunctioned that night and we couldn't play. We had to reschedule."

He also recalled a playoff game he was in charge of as an administrator at WI.

"I can't recall who was playing, but it was just a sea of mud. It was a nightmare."

Bobby Secret recalls "the great feeling of taking the field as the band played the fight song and the place was packed."

Secret, who starred at Washington Irving and later coached at Victory, said the field was the place to be on Friday nights.

"I remember a game against Parkersburg my junior year. They were undefeated and there must have been 5,000-6,000 people there. We had them 30-0 at halftime."

He also recalled games against rival Victory.

"We finally beat them my senior year," Secret said. "They had some good teams back then. And they got us both times in '57 and '58."

Secret said some of his fondest memories came from playing with Gene Donaldson, who he considers to be the greatest high school football player to grace the field. Donaldson went on to play at Purdue and several years in the NFL.

Secret, who went to Notre Dame before transferring to WVU, later coached with legendary Victory coach John Mazzei.

"He was a great man," Secret said. "He always had great teams ready to play."

When local coaches are discussed, the names of Hite, Hutson and Mazzei are often at the top of the list for old-timers. But there have been dozens who have strolled the sidelines of Hite Field down through the years.

"I think some of my best memories are of some of the coaches," said longtime educator Gary Poling, who graduated from WI and later taught there. He helped with football and band programs at the school during his 30-plus years of teaching.

"Not all of the coaches had great records, but they worked hard to mold their players into young men. There have been a lot of doctors, lawyers, military academy graduates, teachers, good people that have learned a lot on that field."



MORE ABOUT HITE FIELD



To Bill:

Just thought you would like to know, they closed Hite Field. All public high schools have their own fields now. I am not sure whether Notre Dame will continue to play there. Some great names wore out cleats there, Frank Loria, Division One, two time All American, Gene Donaldson, Division One All American and Washington Redskin draftee, Rex Bumgardner, WVU standout and 5 year starter for the Cleveland Browns, John Lucente, WVU standout and Steelers fullback, the Great Joe Stydahar, WVU and the Chicago Bears, who made the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Babe Barna, a standout in three sports at WVU, who later played Major League baseball for the New York Giants, and Dr. Jack Gocke, a star in three sports at WVU. Frank Gatski, an NFL Hall of Famer, also played there. How about that. Bumgardner, Lucente and Gocke went to Victory HS. Donaldson attended W I, Loria starred at Notre Dame, Stydahar at Shinnston and Gatski at Farmington.

By the way, my dear friend, Emma Lee Hite, Clay B Hite's daughter, along with her sister, are still very active in the scholarship fund endowment for her dad. I may have left someone out. if I did so, blame it on my age.

You guys do a super entertaining job of gathering information to update us all. Thank you very much.

Bob Secret, WI, 1960

Reply To Bob and Jim:

Thanks again to you and Jim for your contributions to the newsletter. The list of players who battled at Hite Field reads like a Who's Who of local sports stars. I recognize most of them and agree that there were probably many more, but you have given us a taste of the quality of athletes in the area. I never got to play at Hite, but watched a couple of games there, including a state championship game. The new athletic fields are very nice, but we will all miss the one we knew in the "good old days".

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


To Bill:

On Friday night, October 29, Clarksburg Harrison County Liberty High School closed out their final home football game at Hite Field, beating Grafton 14-0, for a 7-3 record. Next year,the Mountaineers will be playing their home games in their new stadium at their high school off the Rt. 5O, 4-lane. For many years, Hite stadium was also used for WI's home games and by the Adamston school, Clarksburg Victory Eagles. When the three other local Clarksburg schools were not playing there, Clarksburg Notre Dame played their home games there, also . After the Grafton win, a big fireworks display followed, which also celebrated this year's 7-3 record for Liberty. Clay B. Hite, was the long-time athletic director and head coach of all sports at Washington Irving, After he passed away, the Harrison Country School board voted unanimously, to name the field Hite Stadium. Many great ball games were played there,including the 3-overtime contest between W I and South Harrison, that ended in a 0-0 tie. I had the pleasure of calling the play-by-play on radio that Friday night. It made the USA Today sports pages.

John Cooper, WI 1951

Reply To John:

It was nice to see that Liberty had a good record to finish their play at Hite Field. I only wish that they could have gone a little further in the playoffs, but they can be proud that they were in the hunt. I always had a hidden desire to broadcast sports. You must have seen some great games. Perhaps you would share some of your memories of the best and most exciting games you covered. Thanks for your comments.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

For many years, Victory High School played their football games at a field in Gore. Not too long ago, you could still see the single set of falling-down bleachers, which were the only thing that was left, except for a goal post. It was located just a short distance up the first road to the left, after making the sharp curve before the former Gore Junior High School. I remember, as a young kid, some 'ole grads telling me about attending a couple of games there, which were played in the snow.

John Cooper,W I 1951

Reply To John:

I know about where that was located, but don't ever remember seeing the field. Times certainly have changed. The old field, where my brother played football for our high school is now a very nice housing area, where some of my teammates from the 50's live. Neither that field nor the one that I played on later, had dressing rooms for either team. At halftime, we would just go find some shade tree (No lights, thus, no night games) to sit under. Great memories, but a little hard for young people today to imagine. Again, thanks for helping us relive the past.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


WASHINGTON IRVING VS. VICTORY

To Bill:

Both teams looked forward to this game. WI had eighteen seniors. We hadn't had a good year, but this game could salvage our football season. Among other things I was the extra point kicker for WI. I worked extra hard after practice that week. I talked Dale Palmer into staying, while I worked on kicking the ball thru the uprights. Thursday night, before the game, that had been moved to Saturday, because of a GREEN DOOR at WI, a turned-over panel truck on Lee Avenue, a BOND FIRE on the Court House Plaza, a Snake Parade to Victory and some blue and gold paint on and around Victory High School, I was successful in kicking 50, yes, 50 in a row thru the uprights. Dale changed my name to "DENNY GOLDEN TOE".

The afternoon of the ball game, our first TD was followed by a blocked kick by Frank Lucente. With time running out in the game, we scored again. It was time for me to be the hero. I nailed the ball right. It sailed up into the WI Football Stand, but the referee signaled no good. So, I was awarded a new name, "DENNY BROKEN TOE". From hero to bum. Ball game tied, 12-- 12.

Bob Dennison, WI 1957

Reply To Bob:

Thanks for a good story about a great rivalry. I can certainly identify with the "truth", that it is always easier on the practice field. I hit 'em long and straight on the range, but the "rough" is my fairway on the golf course. Thanks again for your interesting email.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


To Bill:

Hated rivals! WE would go to each others school the week before the game and do something to provoke the other school. Jim Villers and his group were caught red-handed in 1957. It escalated into a pushing and shoving contest.

Dave McMunn scored a TD on a block by Ernie Holyfield at left guard. That tied the score at 12- 12. The game ended that way and we were declared City Co-Champs. We got a patch for our letter sweaters. I still have my patch along with my WI letter.

Some players were: Dave (Biss) Hudson, Andy Hamilton, McMunn, Holyfield, Grover (Skip) Bowie, Sarge McQuillan, Bob Dennison, Walter Talkington, James Westfall, and many other fine people.

Sargent P. McQuillan, W I 1957

Reply To Sargent:

It sounds like the rivalry was a lot of fun for the players and fans. I imagine that schools in the same city across the country do, or at least did the same things. As long as it doesn't involve destruction of property, it remains fun. I'm not sure whether young people do those things today. Maybe, they are too pre-occupied with other interests to have the school spirit that we used to have. I don't see many students helping the cheerleaders at high school sporting events that I've attended recently. Maybe it's not "cool" to cheer anymore. Too bad. Thanks for sharing a memory with us.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


To Bill:

I am actually ashamed to admit that even today when I think of Victory High School, I have negative feelings. Victory, for me, was the school I wanted us to beat, irrelevant of our record for the year. If we lost to Victory and had a winning season, it was somehow tarnished for me.

So, now, 45 years after I graduated, I think it is time for me to relinquish this negativity and embrace Victory as a worthy opponent for our WI teams.

Thank you for asking.

Carol (Gottlieb) Rovinsky, W I 1965

Reply To Carol:

I know where you are coming from when you say you have negative feelings about a rival. Even though we try to forget them, they are imbedded in our minds and hearts. As they say, old habits are hard to break. At least, you are attempting to change. For instance, I have nothing against the city of Pittsburgh, but I just can't cheer for Pitt, ever! I'm sure there are some fine people who are alums of the U. of Michigan, but to me, they were "that school up north" long before Rich Rod arrived. Thanks for your email. Maybe, you'll be an inspiration to me to try to change------maybe, but on second thought, no way, it's too much fun cheering for their opponents each week.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


To Bill:

That was always "the game" for WI. If I remember correctly, the 6-6 tie in 1970 was a big night for WI. The game was played on a muddy field and I think it knocked Victory out of the playoffs. Also, Victory was dominant in the mid 60s when they had a running back by the name of Jimmy Salentro.

Thanks,
Bob Dehner, W I 1966

Reply To Bob:

You touched on another subject that might interest our readers. Does anyone have a special memory about playing in or watching a football game in the rain? I do. We would like to hear your stories, too, so send them to me for next month's newsletter.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


To Bill:

I wish that I could contribute more for your sports section, but NASCAR is about the only sport that I really get into these days. I enjoy watching the University of Georgia football games, as my son graduated from there and he is a very good alumnus, but NASCAR comes ahead of my actual watching UGA football games. I think that professional football players, making SO MUCH MONEY, has really just turned me against football. I usually keep abreast of what the Washington Redskins are doing, as I have two co-workers that are REAL REDSKINS FANS, but when the Redskins hired Deon Sanders to play for them, I got tired of watching him run up and down the field looking like a Dollar Bill!!!!!! So, I started watching NASCAR.

As far as the rivalries from days gone by, I do remember the rivalries (WI – Victory) (WI – RW) (WI – Fairmont East) (WI – Fairmont West), but I was never under the impression that the team players HATED each other. I think that they LOVED the RIVALRY, and therefore made the intensity of the game LOOK like the rivalry was a hatred situation. I did not play varsity football and/or basketball during my tenure at WI, but, my brother (Bob, 60) did and I can never remember him coming home talking about hating anyone that he had played against in the football game and/or basketball game, that he had played in that night.

In NASCAR, there are wrecks during the races and this driver says afterwards "I am going to kick the living daylights out of that guy when I see him", but that rarely happens in these days. In days gone by, the fight between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough is what brought NASCAR to the attention of many a sports fan, as their last lap fight after wrecking at one of the Daytona 500 races, is among every highlight film that you see on TV.

I do not think that I can ever remember a fight breaking out during a WI football game, and I accredit that to the coaches that schools had back in the "good old days".

John Teter, W I 1961

Reply To John:

First, I really appreciate all of your contributions to the newsletter. Keep them coming.

I agree with you that professional football and all other pro sports have become too expensive for my tastes. If corporations didn't buy most of the tickets, the stands would be half empty. Even the NFL is beginning to hurt. All of the Tampa Bay Bucs home games have been blacked out here, due to a lack of a sellout.

As I said last month, I never attended a W I-Victory football game, but I saw many East Fairmont-Fairmont, Sr. (West) games. Their rivalry was pretty nasty then, and I understand it still is. I don't think "hate" would describe the feelings most players have for their big rivals. "Despise" or "detest" might be better words. Looking back, I think it was, mostly, just part of growing up.

If you want to see fighting, go to a hockey game. The lower the classification, the better. Nothing is rougher than an IHL or ECHL hockey game. I've heard that most fans only go to the games hoping to see a fight. I guess it's fun, if you are into it. As for me, I prefer the NHL, in person only. The last three minutes of a hockey game, where the score is either tied or there is a one goal difference, are the most exciting minutes in sports.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


Fred Alvaro sent the following picture for the newsletter. Most of the players are identified; however, Fred indicates that the player pictured between Frank Loria and Gary Frost is Bob Rector. Thanks to Fred for the contribution.





MUSIC MEMORIES FROM DECEMBERS GONE BY

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

Happy Ho-Ho to one and all!

Busy time of year (I'm writing this a few days before Thanksgiving.) so let's cut the chatter and make some memories. When my world's right, I love December, as it hosts both Christmas, and my birthday. Twelve/twenty-two if you must know, and I am very easy to buy for by the way. When my world's shaky, December can suck. I hope this month brings you joy, peace, and fearlessness. You are not alone. Heck you've got this great alumni newsletter to keep you in touch with your friends. Come on back you Facebook, WI people, and you know who you are. The novelty's worn off. Here's where you can really connect with your high school chums. Let us hear from you.

I've recounted here before that Christmas, to me, always involved memories of downtown Clarksburg. My parents both worked at Parson-Sauders, and I worked in shipping for PS during a number of holidays. Parson-Sauders! Ah the memories. The Submarine, the elevator operators (Dear Julia, RIP), the fancy elevators, and of course the windows at Christmas time.

Cue the music. I hear a couple of Christmas carols in the queue. First up, a great Elvis performance enhanced by a "dropped in" duet with Martina McBride. This comes from the famous Elvis 1968 comeback TV special. If you're an Elvis go out and get the DVD of that show.

"Blue Christmas" Elvis w/ Martina McBride. 2008.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KK6sMo8NBY&feature=related

I vividly recall being home for the holidays, up on Wilson St., and calling my dad into the room so he could check out his favorite singer, Bing Crosby, who was singing a duet with one of my favorite artists, David Bowie, on a holiday classic. My dad liked this video. Hope you do too. Bing Crosby & Bing Crosby. "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs

These songs were all on the national charts in Decembers from years gone by.

1949..."Mule Train" Despite what one of these videos show, this song was a hit in late 1949. Lane got it up to the top spot for 6 weeks, while Bing topped out at #4 on the charts. The song was so popular it also charted for Tennessee Ernie Ford and Vaughn Monroe, that same year, a point Mr. Jones makes musical fun of, below.

Frankie Lane & the Muleskinners. (A video of a someone showing off their 78's collection on a nice looking, vintage player.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCEf3HUS-h8

Bing Crosby. With spoken intro from Der Bingle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn7R-uXO630

Spike Jones. "Chinese Mule Train". Any song that popular was an easy target for parody. Here's the wacky master of crazy covers of popular songs. This is a wonderful, loony bit of pandemonium. It got up to #14 in April of 1950. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQdrIvxVXQo

1951..."Slow Poke"...Pee Wee King and His Golden West Cowboys. This was a huge hit. It was #1 on the Pop Hits chart for 3 weeks, and it topped the Country charts for 15!! weeks.! It was released in September and was still charting strong through December of '51. Stick around for the end where Minnie Pearl!! joins in, and they end the segment with a US Army recruitment pitch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J68XhyH97BA

1953..."Santa Baby"...Eartha Kitt. This was #7 in the nation on December 22, 1953. My birthday. As an aside, I know of at least two other WI grads who were born on that day, and like me, delivered at St. Mary's Hospital, in Clarksburg. Bob Keller, Jamie Logue (both WI '71) and I all share the same b-day, and perhaps shared a bottle of formula on the maternity floor, but not the same graduating class. You see, I moved out of WV when I was 3 years old and started kindergarten in Dayton, OH, about the time those fellow were headed into first grade. Different states, different start dates. Oh well. Here's a little bit of sassy, Christmas cheese cake for you, from the future Catwoman, Ms. Kitt. I remember hearing this over the radio by my mother's bed when I was only 4 hours old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MBvCyF7aMU&feature=related

1956..."Singin' the Blues"...Marty Robbins. Nice looking video from a vintage C&W TV show. This song topped the Country charts for 13 weeks! It only reached up to #17 on the Billboard Top 100. Guy Mitchell had a #1 hit with a version that was a little more rock 'n' roll, and had a blues swing to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl5yGrY3pGs

1960..."He Will Break Your Heart"...Jerry Butler. A great singer who started out with Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. As a solo artist, he had 39 songs on the Top 100 in his career. He also wrote this song. An under rated, often forgotten, soul crooner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjczGwA7AZ4

1962..."Don't Hang Up"...The Orlons. This Philadelphia group had three top 10 records right out of the gate. ("The Wah Watusi" & "South Street" being the other two.) Great 45 for a Christmas time dance party. Take off your shoes, pour some Cokes, find a partner, and, most importantly, go get the mistletoe. Check out the tasty little sax break. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2MuhY3sBjo

1964..."Goin' Out Of My Head"...Little Anthony & the Imperials. I bet some of you, like me, saw this great singing group at the Nathan Goff (no relation) Armory in 1965. This is from a '70's broadcast of Soul Train. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq204wG8UfA

1967..."Boogaloo Down Broadway"...The Fantastic Johnny C. See if this doesn't get you up and dancing. This song was/is right in my wheel house. I played it at home all day, and then went downtown and played it on every jukebox I could find, namely at the Sanitary Hot Dog and then down Pike St. to The Village Shoppe. One of the great lost, soul-funk songs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxm2oYSsFUg

1972..."If You Don't Know Me By Now"...Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. What a great song. Teddy Pendergras on lead vocals. This comes from Soul Train. Warning! Bad '70's fashions alert!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p65sBNxoLbA

1976..."More Than A Feeling" This peaked at #5 around Christmas of '76. This was one of those songs that had such great sonics it sounded good on a transistor radio or in quadrophonic stereo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcsVPis1iNs

1978..."My Life"...Billy Joel. A number 3 hit from one of my favorite albums 52nd Street. This is a kind of long form, pre-MTV video with a bit of a prelude prior to the hit song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JFEfdK_Ls

1982..."Steppin' Out"...Joe Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a favorite artist of mine. Very versatile musician. Persistent radio play wore this out for me, but it sounds pretty good right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inrEPapTtMM

Well that does it for this December. Let me leave you with a favorite rock and roll Christmas record. Ray Davies and the Kinks have mattered to me for some time. It didn't surprise me when he/they came up with a meaningful, but full tilt rocker of a holiday song.

Here is "Father Christmas" by the Kinks, 1977. (Brother Dave Davies does inject a bit of "punk" in those snarling guitar chords, and fills., and please check out the lyrics.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjaPXihbORk&feature=related

May your ties all be returnable, your fruit cakes thoroughly fermented, and your office party naughty.



ALTA VISTA BAND

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


Newsletter readers in the picture. Fred is 3rd row, 4th from left. I am top row 3rd from left.

Maybe some of the readers will guess other names.



MY GRADE SCHOOL

First Grade - 1934

submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@AOL.COM

I was five years old when I entered Hepzibah Grade School. This came about because my 6th birthday was not until the following December. My first principal was John L. Kirkpatrick. When I was in the third grade he resigned to become a policeman in Ohio. A couple of years later he was killed in action. My 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Ruth McIntyre, was appointed principal. In my 5th grade I attended a two room wooden school building that housed the 6th grade also. I was there for almost five months while a new addition was being built on the Hepzibah grade school for 5th and 6th grades. This wooden school building was known as McIntyre school. There was no indoor plumbing. There were two outside privies, one for the boys and one for the girls. Each separate room was heated by a # 3 Burnside stove. On the back porch was a well pump. We were required to carry a collapsible aluminum container for our drinking purpose. My grade school did not have a cafeteria. If you were unable to go home for lunch, bus students, then you had to carry a lunch sack. From November to February the home room mothers furnished home made vegetable soup on Wednesdays only. I was promoted to 7th grade in May 1940. I then attended Adamston Jr, High School. Adamston did not have a gym so we practiced basketball at Victory High School. After graduating from Adamston in May 1943 it was then on to Victory. I graduated from Victory High School, May 28, 1946. In all my 12 years of schooling I had to ride a school bus.



OBITUARIES

submitted by: Dave McMunn (WI '57)
dmcmunn@wvlawyers.com

Roleta: Thank you for your continued hard work and great service to all whose roots and hearts are connected to Clarksburg. With sadness I attach the reports of the passing of my sister, Ann McMunn Watson, (WI 1953), and a Broad Oaks girl, who enjoyed your newsletter. Best regards.

ANN MCMUNN WATSON



Ann McMunn Watson age 75 passed away October 12, at United Hospital Center, following an extended illness.

She was born September 16, 1935 in Clarksburg WV to the late Eleanor and Charles McMunn.

A West Virginia University cum laude graduate; she received a Journalism degree and served as President of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Ann had a love for sheepdogs; she was a breeder of Shetland sheepdogs showing many Champions in Breed, Obedience, Agility and Tracking. She served as past president of the Clarksburg Kennel Club and National Chairperson of the Publications for the American Shetland Sheepdog Association.

With a passion for her Scottish tradition, she was the founder and chairperson of the Scottish Festival and Celtic Games in Bridgeport for the last nine years. Known for her encouragement and patience, Ann taught bag piping at the YWCA in Fairmont. Many requested her bagpipe solos for funerals weddings and festivals. She served as Pipe Sergeant of the Pipe Drums of St Andrews Pipe Band. Ann worked to promote and advance the Celtic culture: "Music is a big part of the Celtic heritage - if you learn your heritage, you learn who you are and then you're able to pass it on to future generations"

She was past president of Clarksburg League for Service, Co-Chairperson of the United Hospital Center Holly Ball and the former Clerk of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarksburg.

Mrs. Watson is survived by her loving husband of 54 yrs, Prentiss R. Watson Jr., daughter Dee Watson Sanford, husband Stan and daughter Jesse of Dublin Ohio, son Eric D. Watson, Bridgeport WV and brother C. David McMunn, wife Sandy of Clarksburg.



JUDITH ANN TALAGO (WI)

Judith Ann Talago, age 72, of Rt. 1, Flemington, WV, passed away October 29, 2010.

She was born the daughter of the late Vaughn Westbrook Rice and Ruth (Page) Rice.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Stanley Talago; three children, Stanley D. Talago of Grafton, Bruce S. (Becky) Talago, Beth A. (David L.); two grandchildren, Megan Osborn of Richmond, VA, and Stephen Talago of Bridgeport; three sisters, Vonda Kay Wetzel of Weston, WV, Linda Swecker of Valley Head, WV, and Nancy Delaney of Albuquerque, NM; also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Cindy Rittenhouse.

Mrs. Talago was a registered nurse at the Grafton City Hospital, United Hospital Center, Pruntytown Correctional Center, St. Mary's Hospital, Louis A. Johnson VA Hospital and the Weston Hospital.



JOHN SAMUEL FOLIO (WI 1964)

Mr. John Samuel "Sam" Folio, age 64 passed away Friday, November 19, 2010 at his residence following a sudden illness. He was born in Clarksburg, WV, October 7, 1946, a son of the late John Joseph Folio and Mary Morgan Folio.

Surviving are: his former wife, Cynthia Folio Jackson, Parkersburg, WV, mother of his two children, son, John Samuel Folio II & his wife, Tina, Charlotte, NC and daughter, Marcy Jo Van Hemel & her husband, Steven, Ashburn, VA, a sister & brother-in-law, Jo Ann & Tom Berwinkle, Clarksburg, WV, & two grandchildren.



DORIS LEE REED (WI 1945)

Mrs. Doris Lee Reed, age 83, of 209 McDowell Street, Clarksburg, WV, passed away Friday, November 5, 2010, at her residence. She was born October 20, 1927, a daughter of the late David W. Whisner and Lena Kellison Whisner.

Mrs. Reed was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and a homemaker. She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1945. Davis-Weaver service.



C. M. LOUISE BUCKHANNON (Victory)

C. M. Louise Buckhannon died November 5, 2010, at Hopemont State Hospital following an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Carl and Katherine Perrine Samples. Louise was a graduate of Victory High School and a 1981 graduate of West Virginia Business College.



RUSSELL GROGG, JR. (NDHS)

Russell E. Grogg Jr., age 62, of Winona, died at home Wednesday, November 17, 2010, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Russ was born June 9, 1948. He is the son of the late Russell and Anita (Ovies) Grogg Sr. of Anmoore, WV. Russ graduated from Notre Dame High School, Clarksburg, WV, Mt. St. Paul College in Waukesha, WI, Pontifical College Columbus, OH, St. Mary's Seminary University, Baltimore, MD, and was ordained in priesthood to the Wheeling/Charleston, WV, diocese on May 4, 1974.



JOSEPH LYNCH, JR.

Joseph Burnell Lynch Jr., 78, died Sept 3, 2010 at Treasure Coast Hospice Residence, Stuart, FL.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV and lived on the Treasure Coast for 16 years, coming from Severna Park, MD. He graduated from Fairmont State University. He was a Senior Fellow Engineer with Westinghouse.

He was a member of Peach Presbyterian Church, Stuart and Elks Lodge 1870 Stuart.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Nancy D. Lynch and daughter, Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Mason Lynch.

submitted by: Tom Keenan (WI '49)
tpkeenan@frontier.com

Re: Burnie Lynch (mentioned in the above obit)

One of the informative items in the Newsletter is the Obit section. It may be the saddest of the sections but an important one as it certainly can bring back memories of our school life that we have forgotten. At least, that is the way I see it. The reason that I write this is that the first friend that I had in school died last September, Burnell "Burnie" Lynch. Burnie, along with his brother Johnny lived in the big mansion at the top of 5th street. You remember it, the one with the wall that all of us Stonewall Poolroom guys sat on and watched the other kids come up the hill to school. Girls, on the left, Boys on right, except for some of the boys that were escorting his gal or wannabe gal to school.

I lived at the corner of Lee and Chestnut and went to Towers. I was the last student on that street that I know of that went to Towers. As such, I quickly found a friend to go to school with and it was Burnie. With his brother Johnny and others, we played football in his front yard and did those things that kids do. Many the night I was late for dinner as that was our playground. I left that address after the 4th grade and moved to Broad Oaks and our relationship slowed, still friends. After high school, I lost touch with Burnie until he came to the 1994 Reunion and we got together again. He had married a girl from Authurdale, WV, Nancy, and they would come from Florida in the summer to beat the heat. My friend, Billie, and I would travel to Kingwood from French Creek along the Cheat River to Kingwood and spend the afternoon reminiscing about events in our life. It was an enjoyable time. Unfortunately, several years ago, Burnie fell on his head and suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. Sadly, he never made it back to West Virginia.

Burnie and Johnny were direct descendants of George Mason of Virginia. George Mason, along with Thomas Jefferson, authored the Bill of Rights, the most important document in the world providing rights to the individual person. Most of our immigrant ancestors came to this country seeking their future based upon these rights. I am sure Burnie and Johnny were proud of this relationship but I never knew about it until about five years ago. Their Grandfather Mason was a doctor and contributed quite a bit to the health and economy of Clarksburg. The Lynch part came from the Lynch Funeral Home across from the Post Office which was owned by their Grandfather Lynch.

To me, the moral of this story is the power and joy of Reunions. I don't know a better way to relive some of the best years of your life than attending a reunion. I have heard it said that people come back to a Reunion to brag of their accomplishment and/or the wealth they have accumulated. Not so, I attended the Class of '49 Reunions, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999, and I never heard that spoken. Most of the questions asked were: What was the welfare of friends that weren't there? Were they alive? Where did they live? Most of the talk is about things that happened during our growing-up years. We left cattiness behind when we left school and became adults.


SAM OLIVERIO (RW 1961)

Sam Oliverio, 68, of Bridgeport, passed away November 19, 2010. He was the son of Virginia Louise (Minard) Oliverio, who survives in East View, and the late Samuel L. Oliverio. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Samara Oliverio.

Sam was a graduate of R-W High School, Class of 1961, and received his Master's degree in Mathematics from WVU.



GARY JAGGIE (VHS 1969)

Mr. Gary F. Jaggie, age 59, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at his residence.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, Oct. 4, 1951, a son of the late Harry F. Jaggie and Beulah Riley Jaggie.

Mr. Jaggie was a graduate of the old Victory High School - Class of 1969. Davis-Weaver service.



CLYDE LAWRENCE WEBER III (Bridgeport HS)

Clyde Lawrence Weber III, age 59, of Clarksburg, died Nov. 5, 2010, at his residence. He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on July 19, 1951, a son to the late Clyde Lawrence Weber and Mary Kay (Frey) Weber.

Mr. Weber was a 1969 graduate of Bridgeport High School and attended Fairmont State University.





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