THE WI NEWSLETTER 03/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 139 March 2011




EDITOR'S NOTE! Can you tell from the looks of this newsletter that March is Judy's favorite month? She is Irish too…Who would ever guess. She does bring out the green for us in the beautiful graphics she has added to this month's newsletter. Send her a thank you note at JKimler@frontier.com.





NOTICE----AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
THINGS ARE CHANGING

I can no longer send out all of the notices each month that the newsletter is ready to read so I have asked a few people to help me, thus your email about this newsletter may have come from a person who will be helping me each month. Please put their email in your address book so they will be considered your friend.

One way you can always get to the newsletter is to type wi59.tripod.com into your web search engine or browser. Then click GO. A blue page will come on your screen and then click on the tab that says Newsletter. You should save this address someplace where you can easily find it. With this address, you are able to read or reread the newsletter at any time. If you ever have any questions, please write to me at Roleta1@aol.com.

Have you not received some past issues of the newsletter? Here is what Martha Blair Chartrand wrote to tell us how she found some of my emails that she thought she hadn't received. You might try this too:

"I received an email from you with no context. Then checked my spam folder and found this email and another one you sent regarding the Clarksburg Picnic"



MARCH MADNESS IS NEAR

submitted by: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com

We have two good letters this month about trips to the Super Bowl, plus a couple of interesting articles.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is coming soon. Marshall will not make the big dance, but it appears that West Virginia will make it in, unless they lose the rest of their regular season games and lose in the first round of the Big East tourney. The team remains a mystery. They run hot and cold (mostly cold). Let's hope the shooting improves for the rest of the way. Maybe, if that happens, the Mountaineers can win a few tournament games. Incidentally, Assistant Coach Harrison hinted in a recent interview that WVU has an excellent recruiting class coming in next year, plus, some surprises the following year. Let's hope one of the surprises is Sim Bhullar, the 7'- 4" junior center, who is now at Huntington, WV Prep.



To Bill,

My two sons, Jason, WI '88, and Sean, WI '91, will be attending the Super Bowl this weekend. They are both Steeler fans, but Sean is a Packer fan first. That is a lie. They are both Mountaineer fans first. When Jason found that the teams were going to play each other this year, he decided that since he was 40 and Sean was 37, and unless they wanted to wait another 45 years to see them play against each other in another Super Bowl, they should probably attend this year's game. I won't tell you what he paid for the two tickets, but I will say that their dad wouldn't have paid that much.

Steve Griffith, NDHS 1960

Reply To Steve:

They saw a great game. Without the three Steelers turnovers, I imagine the outcome would have been different. However, we will never know. I can't imagine how much the tickets cost. I've mentioned before, that pro sports have raised their ticket prices so high, that the average family cannot afford to go to the games. Too bad. The young people of today are missing a big part of American life. Thanks for the letter. Bill (billmere@aol.com)



To Bill:

Super Bowl VII was in The LA Coliseum in California. My buddy, Sam and I were there on business with many other Sears' people. Everyone had tickets but Sam and me. I had a friend in Miami with 2 tickets, which he was not able to use. Sam had a commercial pilot friend, who made arrangements for his friends to bring the tickets to LA. Thus, we went to the game between Miami and Washington.

Super Bowl XX matched the Chicago Bears and New England. My son, Kevin, was 12 at the time. We took the train from Chicago to New Orleans. It took 28 hrs. The train was all Bears fans, except a couple from New England. They were good sports. There was a football player dummy, hanging by a noose from the overhead rack. When you squeezed it, it made a funny sound. Fabulous time for my son and me.

Super Bowl XXII had the Redskins and Broncos at Jack Murphy stadium. My wife went with me on this trip. We were entertained by people I was doing business with at the time, yachting, etc. We were on the 50 yd line and Al Davis sat on the 40 yd line. Elway threw a TD pass on the first series. I state that Denver will not score another TD. I won a $100.00 on a stupid comment.

Super Bowl XXIII was at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. I gave the tickets to my Mom and Dad. They had a wonderful time. My dad talked about it all the time.

Super Bowl XXVI was in Pasadena Ca. between the Cowboys and Buffalo. We drank bloody marys all the way to the stadium on a chartered bus. This is where I had my picture taken with Doll, Mickey Spillane's blond girl friend. We were waiting to get on the bus and everyone was making a fuss over Mickey. She was standing about 10 yds away from him. I went over and asked her if I could have my picture taken with her? She said "Yes". That opened up the flood gates and she posed with any and all until our bus left.

I will have to see if I can find that picture and send it for the "Famous Pictures" request.

Sargent McQuillan, W I 1957

Reply To Sargent:

I really envy you for having had the chance to attend so many of the games. I'm sure that you could write a small book about the experiences you've had over the years. I notice that you went to warm weather spots for most of the games. I think it is a mistake to play the game in the colder climates, but the NFL doesn't always agree. Thanks for sharing the story of your trips with us.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



1955 STATE CHAMPS

Thanks to Ted Wolfe, W I 1974, for writing to let me know that Bridgeport won the state football championship in 1955 as a Class "A" school. There were some great athletic teams in North Central West Virginia in those days. What do you remember about that team and other teams from that era?

Send your memories to:
Bill (billmere@aol.com)



RODRIQUEZ

submitted by: Bill Meredth
billmere@aol.com

Below is a link to an interesting interview given by Rich Rodriquez. I'm sure we will hear from him again.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6080878




The following article was written by Clarksburg native, Norman Julian and appeared in The Morgantown Dominion Post. I can identify with it, since I played high school basketball at Monongah HS, in one of the worst gyms in the state. Rumor was that it was originally built as a swimming pool. There were no bleachers for fans and the bank boards were nearly against the walls. It was so bad, that we looked forward to away games. Thanks to Norm for giving us permission to use another one of his fine articles.

OLD GYMS

Much is made of the splendid new basketball arenas in the Mountain State, but what stories the old gyms could tell.

For 10 years between 1957 and 1966, I was a sports stringer and saw the inside of most gymnasiums in the region.

The best gymnasium was the new one at Notre Dame High School that opened in the mid-50s and still serves.

Back then the old Carmichael Auditorium in downtown Clarksburg was the Madison Square Garden of central West Virginia back then.

It seated 2,000 and when it hosted the two annual Victory High vs. Washington Irving High School games and the WI vs. Roosevelt-Wilson games, rabid fans jammed it.

Carmichael also hosted the circus that came to town once a year, college games and the Goodyear Tiremen semi-professional basketball team that included WVU All-Americas Leland Byrd, Fred Schaus and local player-coach Jack Heinz.

But several gyms were a claustrophobic's nightmare.

The Shinnston High School gym was one of the tightest, with hardly room for a few rows of tightly packed bleachers. I recall sitting on the front row, notepad in hand, close enough to the action to have participated.

Not to worry because Shinnston and Lumberport merged into Lincoln, with a new ball court in the bargain.

Many gyms were so small that the bank boards were affixed flat against the walls.

I interviewed the late Nathan "Red" Brown, former WVU coach and athletic director, for a feature in the winter 1987 edition of "Goldenseal" magazine.

"Red" was one of the great raconteurs in West Virginia sports and his anecdotes about his first coaching job at Tygart Valley High starting in 1930 are especially enjoyable.

"One year three of my kids played in the first basketball game they ever saw," he said. That was an official game, folks.

"We only had one ball and you'd have to lace it up and play with it. I locked it up in my locker and you had to blow it up before each game.

"Our gym was so small you could put up a zone defense and the other team could hardly see through it, let alone pass through."

"Red" said that at one opposing gym (he thought it was in Weston) it was legal to bounce the ball off the walls, which were tight up against the court.

At other gyms, he recalled players shot through rafters.

The best, or worst, he played in was a gymnasium shaped like an L. If a team advanced down court, it had to turn left. Going in the other direction, turn right.

Jerry West was interviewed for the book "LEGENDS: Profiles in West Virginia University Basketball." He was asked if growing up tough in West Virginia playing at second-rate gyms and on outdoor courts better prepared him for the rigors of excelling at WVU and in the NBA. His answered surprised me. "Maybe if I had been somewhere else, say in an affluent neighborhood, I might have been a better player. I would have had more people to help me and better facilities."

If the old gyms and new ones could talk, though, they might say they never saw the likes of West and may never again.

(Norman Julian is a columnist at large for The Dominion Post. You can reach him at www.NormanJulian.com.)



THOUGHTS FOR NEXT MONTH

Have you ever attended The Final Four? How about a regional final? I have never seen a final four in person, but did get to see Ohio State play Michigan's Fab Five in a regional final in Lexington, Ky many years ago. Let us hear from you. Tell us about your experiences at the Big Dance.

Major League baseball's spring training is starting. Have you ever seen a Grapefruit or Cactus League game? Where is your favorite spring training site? Write to us and share some of your memories. Tell us which major league players you have met.

Send your stories and comments to Bill at billmere@aol.com.



MEYER SEIGAL

submitted by: Diana Matheny Jones (WI '70)
di452@yahoo.com

Below is a picture of my Great Uncle Meyer Seigal who married my Great Aunt Georgie Miller Seigal, she is the sister to my Grandmother Grace Miller Matheny

He wrote the song about Clarksburg that was in the February issue of the WI Newsletter. At one time, Uncle Meyer owned a theater and a pawn shop in Clarksburg. He and my Great Aunt are buried in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.





submitted by: Janie Carpenter Ramberger (WI '63)
jeramberger@carolina.rr.com

Another classmate of mine, Sara Hall Howe sent the newsletter web address to me about a month ago...guess what, Roleta, I love the newsletter and want to thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. I've read every newsletter available online and only wish I would have known about it from the beginning. Can I ask if any of the other back issues are available anywhere? I don't know how you manage to do all you do but someone must be watching over you while you make all this possible. Please add my name to your newsletter circulation list.

Left Clarksburg in the fall of 63 to go to school in Maryland...then lived in New Jersey for 38 years..my husband worked in Manhattan and was an eye witness to the World Trade Center collapse in 2001 as he worked across the street in World Finance II. Afterwards, everything we thought was important changed, our lives changed, our priorities changed...we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2003 with his company and are very happy and now retired in this beautiful, friendly city.

Will always remember growing up in wonderful Clarksburg and still enjoy going back to visit cousins or for reunions.

I hope to hear from some friends and classmates.



submitted by: James Fragale (WI '58)
jamesfragale@yahoo.com

James Fragale no longer with ABC TV in NY.
He is now writing songs and producing CDs.

Jim recently went back into the recording studio and produced his first recording in a long time with multi-talented and successful musical-actor-sideman Joe Lutton – "Oil and Coal".

Joe Lutton and Jim Fragale wrote nine original songs for the new CD and the results are phenomenal.

To find out more about this CD and press releases about the CD, contact James Fragale at the email address given above. Also check it out here: www.cdbaby.com/cd/joelutton



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

I only played football in jr. high at Adamston and RW. At RW I had a regular locker but at Adamston, my "locker" was a cardboard refrigerator box in the basement under the stairwell. Usually the uniform would still be wet from sweat from the previous practice or game. My mom warned me to not bring my uniform home more than once a week. As far as gym experiences, at WI we ate lunch in the gym. A large garbage can was placed next to the door and you were NOT supposed to throw your lunch-bags but many of us would wait for Coach Bill Moore to leave the gym and then fling our bags at the can. I would always remember to cross out my name on the paper bag since once he ran in through the door and grabbed the first two bags on the top. The evidence was their written names. Also it was fun to roll apples or oranges across the gym floor so that they would get to the door just as Coach Moore was walking in.



PHOTOGRAPHED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS

submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
FAlvaro33@aol.com



Fred Alvaro, WI '59 and Lynda Carter, at a reception during the Lynda Carter Maybelline Tennis Classic at Deerfield Beach, Florida in 1983. Singles match was won by Chris Evert.


NEW OR CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESSES

David Rowe (WI '62) is now dcr@digitalconnection.com
Prudence Robinson Coffindaffer (WI '62) is now PrudyHR@gmail.com
Mimi McNutt Hughes (WI '62) mimih178@yahoo.com
Gerry Villers Fenton (RW '58) Corbin65@comcast.net
Alecia Bishop Walent (WI '60) Aleciakw@aol.com
Diana Matheny Jones (WI '70) di452@yahoo.com
Ruby Mathews Casto (VHS '47) recasto47@frontier.com
Joy Gregory Stalnaker DeFazio (WI '59) Joy41941@frontier.com
Barbara Thomas Smith (WI '61) rsmith005@ma.rr.com
Ray Smith (WI '62) rsmith005@ma.rr.com
Charles R. "Rusty" Short Jr. (RW '73) Crshortjr@aol.com
Janie Carpenter Ramberger (WI '63) jeramberger@carolina.rr.com
Marilyn Malindzak Spatafore (WI '70 ) mspatafore@ma.rr.com




LOOKING FOR WI 1961 CLASSMATES

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

The WI class of 1961 is planning their 50th class reunion, scheduled for August 26th and 27th, 2011 in Clarksburg, and we are missing some of our classmates.

Those that we could use some help on finding has grown a little with the mailing of the registration forms for the reunion and are now as follows:

Linda Brown
Nancy Diamond
Johnda Sue Rudd
Patricia Mae Taylor
William Taylor
Toby Wise
Carolyn Kay Reed Bonner
Constance Kittle Waye
Dick LeJeune

If anyone has any knowledge of where these people might be, please E-mail me any information you might have on them. Perhaps you know a sibling of one of the above and you can check for us or send us an email of anyone who might be able to help with one of these. Every classmate is important to us and we want to contact each one so all will be invited.

Please send any email to: jateter@aol.com



WAR STORIES

Do you have a "War Story" you can share with us? Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

submitted by: Dave Kuhl (WI '62)
dbkuhl@bellsouth.net

I spent most of the Vietnam War well behind the front. I worked on a plane that my oldest brother was flying in Vietnam. He flew about a hundred missions over North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in an unarmed B-66. The mission was to jam the enemy radar to protect our fighters and bombers. I worked at Douglas aircraft in Tulsa. It was hard for the VC to get a bead on you in those dimly lit bars in Tulsa.

Do you remember the movie Bat 21? That was the kind of plane that he was flying. I always told him that any cab driver could fly one, but you had to know what you were doing to build one.

He got a bunch of medals: Distinguished Flying Cross, with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, etc. One was for staying on station with intermittent power failures. The enemy probably thought they turned off their jamming to trap them.

As far as I know, he went though the war without a scratch then got sent to Germany flying RF- 4's and was in two crashes.



PHOTOGRAPHED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS

submitted by: Karen Poe Alvaro (Bridgeport HS '59)



Karen Poe Alvaro, Bridgeport HS '59, with Football Hall of Famer from Green Bay Packers, Ray Nitschke at Little Turtle Country Club, Westerville, OH. This was during a celebrity golf tournament in 1983.




MEMORIES OF THE DEPRESSION

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
billmere@aol.com

Your suggested subjects for the March newsletter brought back many memories. Even though I only experienced the last few years of the depression, my family struggled even after it was supposedly over. My father was fortunate to have had a job throughout the thirties and early forties with the power company. At times, he kept three families, his own, his parents and a sister's family.

We saved money in several ways. We had no water bill, since we had a spring on our property. We heated with coal in a fireplace and cooked with wood as fuel. The coal came from a small mine my father dug near our home. My brothers cut the wood from downed trees and carried the water and coal to the house. Of course, we had a large garden for vegetables. My Mother canned as much as possible. Groceries were bought at the local A & P Store. My Mother was allowed $20.00 every two weeks and was able to feed a family of eight. We had meat only on Sundays. We had chickens for eggs and meat and kept a cow most of the time. We sold any extra milk to neighbors. During the winter, my Father would often get up very early and hunt for a rabbit, which my Mother would cook for his breakfast.

We all wore hand-me-down clothes, but did get a new outfit for Easter. Christmas usually brought a new coat or jacket and a pair of new jeans, which we called overalls. That was about it for new things. Any travel was by foot or streetcar, since we never owned an automobile. Entertainment was an occasional trip to the local movie theater, where a double feature cost 10 cents or listening to the radio.

We were poor, but so was everyone else, so we didn't know it. My story is not unique. That was West Virginia in the thirties and early forties. Many, many people were much worse off. Some had little to eat and most men were very lucky to have a steady job. Once the war started, things got better. The young men went to war and the mines were always hiring.

Looking back, I know that growing up during some hard times served me well. I appreciate what the Lord has given me and pray that this country will change direction, so that no future generation has to go through another depression.



HOW THE DEPRESSION AFFECTED ME

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

My parents were both born in 1915 so their families suffered through The Great Depression and I believe it affected the rest of their lives and the lives of their children. During the Depression things were hard for everyone and they learned how to exist on nearly nothing when growing up. Neither of my parents lived on farms yet both of their families had gardens, chickens and mother's family had a cow and daddy's family had some pigs so they didn't starve.

My parent's were continually afraid of having to do without again. They did everything they could to stretch the small salaries they made. We were not wasteful. Everything was used, reused and then fixed and used some more. Small appliances were fixed by a neighbor man in the back-end of his garage for a small sum. Today no one fixes an iron, toaster or radio,etc…they throw it away and buy a new one. Every summer my father planted a vegetable garden, he went to college in the summer to further his education so it was up to my brother to tend the garden and I helped hoe the garden and pick bugs off the plants to smash between rocks…those vegetables were important as mother canned nearly everything we ate for the rest of the year. My mother made my clothes and her own, mine were often made from feed sacks that some "kind" person gave mother…..I hated those dresses. Thank goodness I didn't have to wear them when I became a teen-ager. But even as a teen-ager mother often made my clothes when she had the time as she was a teacher and it was hard for her to keep up with a growing/maturing girl who might change sizes a couple of times in one school year. Mother used aluminum foil and washed it clean and dried it, folded it and reused it again so she didn't have to buy more too often. If I ever had curly hair it was from a home permanent that mother gave me in the kitchen….sometimes it was too curly so she cut my hair a little shorter to get rid of the over processed hair …thus it seems I wore short hair a lot. I remember a couple of times when I was young that I got holes in the bottom of my shoes and daddy would cut a piece of linoleum that he placed in my shoe as an insole—this was usually in my play shoes.. We had clothes and shoes for school and when those got too small or too worn to wear to school, they became play clothes. Once we came home from school, we changed into play clothes so we wouldn't damage our school clothes. Our school clothes were worn to church on Sundays and to town on Saturdays. Food was never wasted, meals could be made out of leftovers. And I don't know how she did it but it seems that my family only enjoyed meat on Sundays…unless it was bacon or hamburger. The rule was, if you took it on your plate, you had to eat it until it was gone. (Remember, "Kids in China are starving"---which made no sense to me, China could have been next door for all I knew and it didn't make something on my plate look a bit better). I remember sitting at the kitchen table long after everyone else had gone elsewhere many times they turned out the lights and I sat in the dark. These memories are my pre-teen years, and I sat because my eyes were bigger than my stomach or something looked better than it tasted. Mother knitted scarves and gloves and mittens, she made coats and anything she could to save! I remember mother darning socks, I learned to darn my own socks—Who darns Socks now? I could write a book on ways we stretched our money…but one last thing I will mention and I bet most of you did this in your homes too. When you received a gift that was wrapped, you carefully unwrapped it trying not to tear it very much, then the paper was smoothed out and folded up to be used to wrap another gift. Sometimes that same wrapping paper appeared over and over again.

EDITOR'S NOTE---STRETCH A DOLLAR:Don't you remember going through this as a child? I thought everyone lived this way. Won't you write and shared some of the things your family did to stretch that dollar? Write to Roleta1@aol.com.


CAN YOU IDENTIFY ONE OF THESE LITTLE GIRLS?


Won't someone please make an effort to try to identify these girls? I only print correct answers, so write your guess to Roleta1@aol.com. If no one identifies them, we may never know who they really are.


MET HER BUT NO PICTURE

submitted by: Dave Kuhl (WI '62)
dbkuhl@bellsouth.net

I did not get my picture taken with her but I got to meet Elizabeth Taylor and gave her a good laugh.

I was working for a shipyard in Mississippi and we had built the first ship of new class of aircraft carrier designated as LHD-1 USS Wasp. This was the largest class of ship designed to transit the Panama Canal. In order to do this, certain parts of the deck would fold up to make the ship narrow enough to squeeze through the canal. My 10 year old son was with me and I was showing him how the deck would fold up. You could see a gap between the solid part of the ship and where the deck would fold on hinges. Looking through that gap, you could see straight down to the water about 50 feet below.

John Warner was then Secretary of the Navy and Elizabeth Taylor was his wife. In that capacity, Elizabeth was asked to Christen the ship.

After explaining to my son that the deck could fold up, he quickly stepped onto the solid part of the ship. Then I realized that Elizabeth was in the armored parapet just above my head maybe eight feet away. I waved at her, she waved back and then I picked my son up and put him on shoulders encouraging him to wave to Elizabeth. I then stepped back on to the portion of the deck which folded up so that my son could get a better look at Elizabeth.

My son was having none of that and struggled to get down. Apparently Elizabeth had over heard our conversation earlier and was laughing uproariously at my son's antics.

She was not as slim as she was in "Butterfield 8 or "Cleopatra", but her gorgeous almond shaped eyes were unforgettable.

Later, I heard Warner complaining that she was late again for a cake cutting ceremony. They were divorced shortly afterward.



WHO LAUNDERED YOUR FOOTBALL UNIFORMS?

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
billmere@aol.com

Jim Alvaro's letter about football clothes and your question about washing them prompted me to write. We were required to wash all of our own clothes. We had only one pair of pants and two jerseys, one white and one black. During the hot months of August and September, the clothes got pretty smelly and stiff, but we lived with it and played some pretty good football. Our field was dirt (or mud), with no grass. When we got to play on a grass field, we thought we had died and gone to heaven. Grass stains on the uniforms were rare. Mud was common. My Mother washed everything once a week in a wringer washer. Drying was done on an outside clothesline. Today's players probably get clean clothes furnished by the schools at least every week and get all of the water they want to drink. How things have changed. How we ever survived, I'll never know.

Incidentally, at my school, if you played sports, you were exempt from Phys. Ed. and got an "A" and an extra study hall. That made up for the long hours of practice and hard work. I wonder if this is still the policy at some schools?



submitted by: Jim Pulice (WI '62)
jpulice@frontier.com

My deceased friend, Paul Emery and I were talking about this not so long ago. Pulling into Hite Field in his 55 T-bird, getting out and it looked as if the car was on fire from us smoking Marlboro Cigarettes on the way to practice. Once the coach looked at us and just shook his head. Later my Dad caught me with the cigarettes and he said if he ever caught me smoking again he would make me eat them. Needless to say he never caught me again. I had my last cigarette in the back of the ambulance on the way to Baltimore for my heart surgery in 2007.



submitted by: Augie Malfregeot (WI '56)

The laundry was done in the furnace room of WI by the janitors who also hung them up on the clotheslines. The whirlpool bath was also in the furnace room. Mr Cubbon used to come down and visit with me when I was a daily user of the whirlpool.



submitted by: John Harrison (WI '56)

I think the uniforms were dry cleaned in order to remove stains, etc. I don't know where this was done.

As for the socks, jocks and all that, I think there were machines some place in the bowels of the school.

I remember the practice stuff smelled so bad it nearly walked out of the building on its own. We did our own wash...



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

I can't remember if there were washer/dryers in the field house, but I can't imagine carrying all that dirty, sweaty, stuff somewhere else. I know we had a second story to the dressing room. You may have to ask someone else or I'll forward your question to Augie and a couple others

You know Roleta, my mom when she died in 2002, still had the wringer washer in the basement that she still used sometimes. Certain clothes she wrung (sp) out to keep from putting them in the dryer. She had clothes lines in the basement and had one that she had out of one of the rooms that was on pulleys. When we were young and in the winter, she would pull the clothes in and stand them up against the wall because they were so stiff. We would laugh when she pretended to dance with our long Johns. When we came in from a day riding our sleds and playing in the snow, she would put our shoes on the floor furnace grate and when they were dry they would curl up on the end. Even with our shoes being in our goulashes they somehow still got wet. When they bought the goulashes for us, they bought them so we could wear them for several years. When they started getting too small for us we would have to wrap wax paper around the heel of our shoes to get them to slip in. My parents had ways of making things work and ways of saving money, which they had very little. But you know, we couldn't have been any happier.

We did not have to do any cleaning of our game uniforms. I think even our game socks, jocks, t-shirts were cleaned by someone else.



EDITOR'S NOTE: SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION

What DO you remember about wash day? Do you remember anything about your mother doing the laundry. Did she hang the washing on the line outside in all types of weather?

Did she wash on a certain day and iron on another day, if so what day?

Did your mother starch any clothes? How did she do that?

Did she iron your clothing? How did she prepare the clothes for ironing?

What did the iron and the ironing board look like? Do you remember the make of the iron or the color, or how much do you think it weighed?

What else do you remember about WASH DAY in Clarksburg?

How did your family stretch money to raise a family?

Is the reason boy's turned up the bottom of their pants and jeans because you could only buy them in one length and instead of getting them shortened, you turned them up?

When did girl's start wearing slacks to school in Clarksburg? Could they wear jeans to school?

Do you know of someone who graduated from a Clarksburg school and you would like to honor them by telling us how that person has been successful in life. Remember, success is something different to many people….Tell us about someone you think has done something and been very successful in what they did.



THE 2011 WIN QUILT WILL BE AWARDED ON MARCH 5 AT
THE CLARKSBRUG PICNIC


Nearly completed 2011 WIN scholarship quilt, "Wild & Wonderful WV".


Part of the 2011 WIN quilt.

The WIN Quilters have produced "Wild and Wonderful West Virginia" as the scholarship quilt for 2011. Those who sent great blocks for this quilt are: Pam Brown, Carolyn Cady, Mary Liz Carder, Carol Dean, Sadie Graham, Mary Hulick, Nancy Jackson, Gig Meredith, Joan Merrill, Mary Nophsker, Elaine Norteman, Kitty Sager, Mary Sue Spahr, Lin Stricker and Mary Ann Williams. The design idea was suggested by Liz Carder based on a Colorado quilt she made in a quilting class. Gig Meredith provided construction assistance and the quilting is done by Sue Moats. Babe Cashman & Karen Malfregeot assisted Roleta with chances for mailed-in contributions.

This quilt is outstanding as the quilt block makers interpreted ideas related to WV: golden delicious apple, black bear, bear's paw, log cabin, cardinals, chili dog, churn dash, covered bridge landscape, delectable mountains, dogwood, flying geese, Mail Pouch barn, maple leaf blocks, Moon Over the Mountains, painted WV scene, rail fence, West Virginny Moonshine, star and waterfall landscape.

Thanks again to all of those who worked to make this quilt such a success. The winning ticket for the quilt will be drawn on March 5, 2011 at The Clarksburg Reunion Picnic in Sarasota, Florida. For details, contact Roleta1@aol.com



PHOTOGRAPHED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
billmere@aol.com

During my life, I have been very fortunate to have met several famous people, including Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), Evel Knievel and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk). But, since this was before cell phone cameras, I wasn't able to get a photo taken with any of them. However, there was a camera available when I first met Jerry Lucas. Being a sports nut and living in Ohio, I was very familiar with Jerry. He is somewhat of a legend at The Ohio State University.

Jerry was a guest of our church in Columbus, where he spoke of his faith in the Lord and demonstrated his amazing memory. My wife and I were both impressed with his testimony, his mental abilities and the learning system he developed. We purchased several books and I arranged a golf game with him. I met Jerry several times after that and worked with him briefly, trying to help him introduce his unique learning system for young children into the Columbus City Schools. I enjoyed the experience, especially talking basketball with him.

If you are interested in viewing his web site, it is doctormemory.com.





HELP NEEDED TO FIND MARVIN ALDRIDGE

submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com

Jeff Tolliver age 48 lives in Hotchkiss, WV. He is looking for Marvin Aldridge who might have graduated from a Clarksburg High School in or about 1990.

When Marvin Aldridge was about 11 or 12 years of age, he lived a couple of years with the Tolliver family in Hotchkiss. Jeff believes that when Marvin moved from the Tolliver home that he moved to Clarksburg.

Jeff Tolliver would like to get in touch with Marvin. If you have any information about Marvin, will you please share the information with me at Roleta1@aol.com and I will relay it to Jeff Tolliver. Thank you for any help you can give us.



THE WALDO HOTEL


THE WALDO - 1908

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

The Waldo Hotel construction started in 1901 and was completed in 1904. It was named after Waldo Goff who died at the age of 85 in 1881. The hotel was built by his son Nathan Goff. This hotel was eight stories high, 200 ft. long and 100 ft. deep. It had two steam driven elevators with 125 guest rooms, three kitchens and several dining rooms and two ballrooms. The lobby was 60 ft long and 56 ft wide with a 33 ft ceiling.


THE WALDO LOBBY

In the basement was a barber shop, a billiard room, large rest rooms, baggage rooms, a laundry room and wine cellar. The hotel ceased business in 1964 and in 1965 Salem College bought the building to house 300 students. In 1969 Salem College left the Waldo and moved to their new campus in Salem.

During 1969 to 1971 the hotel was mostly a vacant building with only four business renters occupying space on the ground floor. In 1973 the hotel rented out apartments. One renter was the Riverboat Lounge. It was later set on fire by an arsonist. By now the tenants started leaving the building. The building has been vacant for many years and the city of Clarksburg wants to tear the building down.


THE WALDO - TODAY
photo is in the link from John Teter




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

When we were in Clarksburg in August, I know that the Waldo Hotel was still standing, but was boarded up for the most part.

In trying to find out the current status of the hotel, I ran across the following that I thought might be interesting material for the newsletter.

http://www.clarksburg.com/historic.htm




submitted by: Steve Griffith (NDHS '60)
SGriff2393@aol.com

I remember staying at the Waldo for a couple of days when our house was being painted. That would have been sometime in the early fifties.

I also remember there being some safety deposit boxes in the basement, with an entry off Pike Street. I do not remember any bowling alley in the Waldo, but there was one in the basement of the Gore Hotel which was equipped with "Duck Pins."

I do not remember where people who stayed there parked their cars, but I do remember that the Chicago Dairy was housed there for a time after it moved from where it had been across from Moore's Opera House.

Salem College bought the Waldo building about 1964, and used it as their Clarksburg Campus. The rooms were used as dorm rooms, and classes were held there also.

That is all I can remember about that place at the moment. It is still standing, and there is a move on to save it, but it would take too much to make it safe, and this economy will not allow that to happen, without a miracle.



YOUR NOTES OF APPRECIATION ARE VERY WELCOME:

Thanks for all those who sent notes of appreciation for the work done on the newsletter. Since the beginning these 2 have been my partners:

Judy Daugherty Kimler continues to amaze me with the job she does with the graphics and pictures….without her, we would have no color in our newsletter, she also puts the newsletter on her website which enables us to read it.

Bob Davis keeps my records up to date. This is an impossible job as we receive changes nearly every day.

Recently join us is:
Bill Meredith, my husband, who I asked to be in charge of the sports section as it was apparent that I didn't know enough to keep people interested in writing each month about sports. He is like a sports encyclopedia (especially college football and basketball). He enjoys sports thus he is good for this job!

I send my love and appreciation to these 3 who are so important to the newsletter.


READ THIS IMPORTANT LIST…

Kitty and Don Sager (WI 1956) Thank you for your continued support of the newsletter, the picnic and the scholarship. Kitty is one of the ladies who sewed up squares for the quilt.

Tauni Bryan (Victory 1956) Tauni lives in Texas and enjoys reading about Clarksburg and friends in the newsletter.

Bev (WI 1958) and Larry O'Grady (Bridgeport 1955) Thank you for your continued support of the newsletter, the WIN Scholarship and the quilt.

Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956) Thank you for the gift to the scholarship and your continuing support of the newsletter.

Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956) Thanks for your support of the picnic, the scholarship and the newsletter. A special hi to Al.

Arreta Jaranko (WI 1940) To a "new friend" –thank you for your support of the scholarship and for sharing your memories with us in the newsletter.

Hank Mayer, Jr. (WI 1956) Thank you for your support and the nice note you wrote…it is nice to be appreciated.

Barb Patton…..I don't have a school or year of graduation for Barb. If you win, I do have your address as I photocopy every check I receive for the WIN Scholarship so I will get in touch with you if you win.

Alexis Julian Scott (ND 1965) Thank you for sending in your memories to share in the newsletter---tell your brother to write too. I know he can write! Thanks for supporting the scholarship

Alecia Walent (WI 1960) Thank you for your continued support.

Joe Malone (WI 1952) Thanks for all you do. We met through the newsletter about 6 years ago and Bill and I consider you a friend. Seems as though we have known you forever.

Virginia Scholl (St Mary's School of Nursing 1956) wife of Bill Sholl. Because Ginn lived in Clarksburg for so many years, she enjoys the newsletter, the memories and reading about people she remembers. Ginn is a lovely lady.

Dick Hanifan (WI 1959) YEAH---a classmate came through this month and supported the scholarship. Thanks Dick for your continued support.

Mary Elizabeth Custer Carder (WI 1954) Thanks for the continued support.

Sharon (ND 1963) and Bob (WI 1960) Secret Thank you for your continuing support of the scholarship and for sharing your memories with the readers of the newsletter. Latest on Bob---he says he feels good. Bob, we pray that you pass all of your upcoming tests with an A!

Those who sent checks to support the scholarship but didn't want tickets were:

Liz Teter Akin (WI 1956) Thank you so much for writing and sharing memories with us in the newsletter. Wrote a note of thanks to us " for providing a forum where we can share our memories".

Sam Selario (WI 1957) Thanks for another check to help support the scholarship.

GIVEN IN MEMORY OF:

Virginia Scholl (St. Mary's School of Nursing 1956, wife of Bill Scholl (WI 1952)

She sent a generous check given to the WIN Scholarship in loving memory of:

Her husband Bill Scholl (WI 1952) and his brother Jerry Scholl (WI 1954)



AERIAL PHOTO OF CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Elizabeth Teter Akin (WI '56)
libakin@aol.com

Just going through "stuff" and found this among photos culled from my uncle's collection. This is, obviously, an aerial photo of Clarksburg, circa 1955. You can see the "expressway" under construction in the lower left section of the photo. Lots of landmarks shown here are now gone. I was pleased to confirm that my memory is in tact when I saw those houses along Elk Creek between the two bridges. I recall them from when I walked the old streetcar track from Broaddus Ave to Central. The photo was taken by J. R. McIntire, whose son was a friend of my brother John. I feel confident it was taken for engineering firm that my uncle worked for, as they were involved in the construction of the expressway. Clarksburg was a city then, clearly. It has changed so much in our lifetimes, but, it had changed in our parents and grandparents lifetimes as well. So glad to have experienced it when we did!! Get out the magnifying glass and have some fun!


NOTE FROM JUDY: In order to put the picture in the newsletter I had to resize it. If anyone would like to see Libby's original very large picture click here.



THE RITZY LUNCH

submitted by: Steve Griffith (NDHS '60)
SGriff2393@aol.com


The Ritzy Lunch is still in the Selario family, and operated by "Hot Dog" John, a son.

If you haven't been there in 40 years, it would probably look the same to you.

And the food is good. The hot dogs are still the same.

MEMORIES SHARED OF SERVICE GIVEN

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

You asked about WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam memories so here goes. My mother's only brother, 2LT John Kirby Boyles was an Army Air Corps pilot in WWII. He was shot down on his first mission and his remains were never found. Obviously, this devastated my family and they never got over his loss. My father, William George May, was in the Navy and had spent most of his years at sea. He was considerably older than my mom. He served in WWII on battleships and destroyers. He retired from the Navy, but was recalled to active duty when the Korean war broke out. He retired again as a Chief Petty Officer after 33 years of honorable service. We were living in Stealey and I was in the third grade at Morgan School when he returned home unexpectedly and walked through the back door. That was a great day for all of us. Much of our lives to that point, had been without a father.

When he died in January, 1966, I was going to Fairmont State College as was my younger sister Nancy. My brother Jimmy was going to WI. I had been a "slug" all through high school and was doing poorly in college. I decided to go into the Army because my parents had been paying for me and my sister to go to Fairmont and I was wasting their money. When I enlisted in September 1966, I went through basic training and then trained to be an infantryman with orders to Vietnam. Foolishly, I had volunteered for that type of assignment. When I realized how dangerous that was after completing the training, I applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS) to delay the Vietnam assignment and was accepted, completed the six month course, and commissioned a Second Lieutenant but still on orders to Vietnam. I woke up once again and realized that my chances of survival as an infantry platoon leader were slim, so I applied for flight training with the hope of delaying my assignment to Vietnam. I graduated and became an Army helicopter pilot. My luck had run out. I went to Vietnam in January 1969 and served with an assault helicopter company in the 101st Airborne Division--(and that was a real hoot). My mother was devastated with my activities particularly after losing her only brother, but was certainly relieved when I returned home just before Christmas in 1969. I will never forget the look on her face. My younger brother, meanwhile, had gone into the Army and served as a Military Policeman. Since I was in Vietnam, he was assigned to Germany. He spent just under three years there and returned to Clarksburg and finished College at Fairmont.

To end this story, between me, my father, and my younger brother, we served around 58 years in the military. Obviously, my family was a "military family" and had it not been for the Army, it is hard to tell where I would have wound up. As it turns out, my assignment in Vietnam was not even close to my toughest one during my 22 years, but I made friends there that I still talk to almost daily. It is funny how friendships are locked in under the most trying of circumstances. The Army forced me to grow up, get physically and mentally strong, finish college and graduate school (with good grades), and to learn responsibility. For the first time in my life, I was responsible for others and failure was not acceptable. My wife Edie (Edith Kline, WI 1964) stuck with me all those years when I would be gone for weeks at a time with no notice and for three years of overseas assignments without her. For two of my overseas assignments, (Korea and the Sinai, Egypt) she had to raise our son with no help from me. For those of you who knew her in Clarksburg, you would not be surprised that she did remarkably well. She never complained, moved all over the country on a moments notice, and understood what I was doing and why. I think she was relieved when I retired, but to this day, she also misses the military life that we had. It made her strong, as it did my mother before her.

The moral to the story is that the military, regardless of how tough it may seem at the time, is really a blessing in disguise for many young men and women. I don't regret a single minute of it and would do it all over again given the chance. I am sure my dad and my brother would too.



THE GREAT SEAL OF WEST VIRGINIA


Joseph H. Diss Debar was the designer of the Great Seal of West Virginia. He was born near Strasborg, France in 1820. In 1842 he arrived in America and moved to Parkersburg in 1846. He lived in WV for the next 29 years. Mr. Diss Debar was a supporter in the movement of the division of Virginia and to make West Virginia a state. In 1863, while Abraham Lincoln was president, Diss Debar was commissioned to design the seal. If you look at the seal you will see that he incorporated the natural recourses of the new state, and the economic potential. He created a two sided coin shape showing on the face a farmer, a miner, the state motto and other symbols that depict the state. On the back his design shows the economic potential by depicting factories and different means of transportation. The great seal is still in use today. All legal documents out of Charleston, WV are still stamped with the State Seal of West Virginia.

Mr. Joseph Hubert Diss Debar was the great uncle of a Joanne Johnson Smith Morgan (WI 1955) and Mary Lou Johnson Alonso (WI 1956). Debar was married to their great grandmother's older sister Amelia Cain.



MARCH MUSIC WITH A GREEN THEME

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

This month I'm going GREEN. No, these won't be songs aimed at saving the environment. Yes, it has something to do with March hosting St. Patrick's Day every year. But mostly I'm sick of snow and ice, and as I sit here in the middle of February, looking out on a frozen Lake Floyd, I'm doing what I can to conjure an early spring. Groundhog Goff at your service.

"Green" has always been a part of the Clarksburg, Harrison County landscape. Green Acres Supper Club. Harry Green on Bridgeport Hill with his lot full of cars. The green and gold of cross town rivals/friends, Notre Dame High School. The Shamrock Club/Inn, a bit of a roadhouse on Rt. 50 West where if you had an attitude, you might get "Clubbed" just walking "inn". And I bet I'm not the only one who fondly recalls The Green Parrot and their annual serving of "green beer" on St. Paddies' Day. Umm, umm....carbonated Nyquil!. What were we thinking?!?! I know. We weren't. Oh the stories The Green Parrot could tell, if had been trained to talk. The bar and "dining room" areas had their share, but what about the little white rental cabins perched alongside. I'm just saying...

These selections are a green grab bag of songs that meet one or more of the following criteria. They have the word "green" in the title; the artist is named Greene; or they have a St. Patrick's Day/Ireland connection. And I'm going to skip the chronological order I utilize each month and let my inner leprechaun assemble them as he sees fit.

Life is hard. Just ask Kermit. "Bein' Green" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco

By the way, this song was written by Joe Raposo for the first season of Sesame Street in 1970. Voiced here by Jim Henson, the song was also recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Van Morrison, among many others.

Bing Crosby, Irish Double Play.

"Galway Bay" by Bing Crosby. A number 3 hit for "Der Bingle" in 1949. Creative use of a song to provide a soundtrack for a slide show of a trip to Ireland, nicely done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfeRcH-_bWs

"My Girl's An Irish Girl". This was the B-side of "Galway Bay". https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=teZSiizqF64

"Ringo", by Lorne Greene. Trading on his role as "Ben Cartwright" on the extremely popular TV western Bonanza, from 1959-1973, and combing it with his deep baritone voice, Greene had a #1 hit in late 1964 with this tale. Did you know Greene, who was a Canadian, started out in radio and in the late 1930's and early '40's was the principle newsreader for the CBC National News? In that position he was dubbed "The Voice of Canada". As WWII got under way and he conveyed solemn war news, he warranted a second nickname, "The Voice of Doom". That radio experience and his dramatic delivery serve him well here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCyuq-ofnPc

"Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. As Ed Sullivan used to say, "And now something for the kiddies." This was a #2 smash for CCR in 1969. Click drop down bar for lyrics. Makes a great karaoke song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XcxFNONz64&feature=related

"Green Door" by Jim Lowe. A hugely popular song in 1956. It spent 20+ weeks on the charts, three of them at #1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVlcqMLMbVA

"Greensleeves" performed by David Nevue. There were literally hundreds of versions of this song from which to choose. I chose this one. I don't know this performer but the video has over 3 million hits so, here 'tis. First published in 1580. That date is not a misprint. Timeless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ItNxpwChE&feature=related

"Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers. Hey where else but here would you find "Greensleeves" followed by a Bubblegum Classic. The song reached numero uno in early 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klYXLevbgq8&feature=related

"Green, Green" by The New Christy Minstrels with Barry "Eve of Destruction" McGuire on lead vocals. Peaked at number 15 in the summer of 1963. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWToT-vdU5k

"Green, Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones. Topped out at #11 in early 1967. Excellent black and white video of a live performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=a5IABqwVO2U&feature=related

That was the version I first heard. I didn't know until later he was covering the song based on this version by Porter Wagoner, which was a top 10 country and western hit in 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gIDZqf2koM

"Greenback Dollar" by The Kingston Trio. Climbed to #21 in 1963. I forgot how good these guys could be with the right material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Jh4KjPP-o&feature=related

"Jolly Green Giant" by The Kingsmen. I guess now this would be called product placement. Here it was just an excuse to concoct a silly little, solid rock and roll song from one of the best Frat Rock bands ever. Louie, Louie indeed! The song made it to #4 in 1965. I present a live version from Shindig! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUg6EVcCb0g

"Green Eyed Lady" by Sugarloaf. This comes from the fall of 1970 and reached number four nationally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_DydKnpDsk&feature=related

"Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs. These guys were the house band at the famous Stax record label. For me this is one of the best four piece groups ever. Besides their own instrumental hits, they played on hit records for Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, The Staple Singers and Wilson Pickett, to name a few. This is great live version has a quicker tempo then the recording, but lets one see how these guys could really stretch out and cook. What a band! Two white guys, two black guys smack in the middle of Memphis, Tennessee, working together through the magic and power of music. Wow! A number 3 hit from the summer of 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-7QSMyz5rg

That's it for now. May your spring come early and your leprechauns stay late.



LETTER FROM A CLASSMATE

submitted by: Joy Gregory Stalnaker DeFazio (WI '59)
Joy41941@frontier.com

Weston attorney and Buckhannan Upshur graduate Bradley Oldaker and I have a new book out. It's called simply "Lewis County" and is 123 pages with nearly 200 vintage photographs. Here's what the publisher, Arcadia, says about it:

Book Description:
Since the first documented arrival of white men in its borders in 1769, Lewis County has morphed from a howling wilderness known simply as West Augusta, Virginia, to a major player in a hub of Interstate highway transportation and a recreational area with a number of tourist destinations. Formed from Harrison County in 1816, Lewis County and its 17,003 citizens represent the best of central West Virginia. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Jackson's Mill, Stonecoal Lake, and Stonewall Jackson Lake define the county by their unique place in history. The county's native sons and daughters have been industrialists, U.S. senators, Civil War generals, and nationally recognized athletes. They have been the fabric that makes America the great country it is today: the ordinary, everyday citizen who lives life to its fullest potential while enduring whatever struggle fate sets before them.

Author Bio: Coauthors Joy Gilchrist-Stalnaker and Bradley R. Oldaker each bring multiple talents to the project. Both are passionate about local history as recorded in word and image. Gilchrist- Stalnaker's talent is recording the story in written word. Oldaker's expertise is in the county's images. Images of America: Lewis County combines the best talents of both.

Anyone interested can purchase the book from the Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants http://www.hackerscreek.com/shop or from Arcadia. Borders in Meadowbrook Mall can't keep it in stock. They sell for $21.99.



MET FAMOUS PEOPLE

submitted by: Mitch Davis (WI '61)
mcdavis10@verizon.net

When I worked for a company in the entertainment industry, I got the chance to meet different entertainers such as Jewell, 50 Cent, Hulk Hogan, Blue Man Group, etc. One of my favorite was "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Randy was a ten time World Champion wrestler, known best when he wrestled for WWE. Here is a picture of the two of us in 2005. Randy was still chiseled at the age of 53.


However, the most famous personalities I had the pleasure of meeting were Sponge Bob and Patrick (the Starfish). When one of my grandchildren saw this picture, I was elevated to VIP status. He couldn't believe that "Grand Dad" was at Sponge Bob's house. (Actually, it was my place as I had the two over for dinner and drinks.)



A GREAT LINK

Here is a good link sent to me by Buzz Floyd (VHS 1956). It is an article from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram Newspaper. It is titled "Mail Pouch barns fading into advertising history" and is written by Sarah Moore, STAFF WRITER. It is from Tuesday, January 25, 2011 issue.

Very interesting about those old Mail Pouch signs painted on barns. We used to see a lot of them in WV.

http://www.cpubco.com/articles/2011/01/25/news/02.txt



GYM CLASS

submitted by: DeDe Short King (WI '94)
King489@aol.com

I am not exactly sure why, but when I attended Adamston Elementary School in the 80's, we had to participate in square dancing during our gym class. I remember having no fun with this at all and have proven it did me no good since I am now 34 and have never been invited to or attended a square dance. Does anyone know if this is something they began in the 80's as a requirement or did it start before then?

Write your memories of dancing in gym class to: Roleta1@aol.com



CARL HOPKINS

submitted by: Dave Bates (WI '51)
bates8806@sbcglobal.net

Roleta - A million "THANK YOUs" for the effort you expend to keep us informed of our beloved state, town and schools. Your (or should I say our) WI Newsletter stands alone, above all the hundreds of emails I receive monthly. Here is a piece I wrote about Carl Hopkins. He made a major impact on Clarksburg boys for many years.

Carl was a sign painter, but, by far, his primary focus was on boys and their model airplanes.

During the late '30s, to at least the late '40s, Carl sponsored the Clarksburg Model Airplane Club. When I joined them in the early '40s we met weekly in a large vacant room' on the top floor of the court house. At least 50 boys from ages 7-9 to late teens were loyal members. We built, at home, rubber band powered prop planes, towline gliders and a very few gasoline powered ones which we flew from late spring to early fall at very competitive meets at Norwood Park, the old county airport and other wide open spaces. In the winter we flew microfilm covered tiny airplanes that weighed just a few ounces in a huge, empty red brick warehouse/factory (???) in the West End.

During the war we had presentations on allied and Nazi aircraft. Often we were presented small models of these aircraft, done professionally, in black painted hardwood. At meetings and when we were riding to a meet in his green '39 model two door Ford sedan he would prompt us to shout out, "let's make a mess of Ol' Man Schmidt!" (referring to Germany's dreaded Messerschmidt fighters). He had a bare, flat sign rack on top of the car where many of us rode and joined in the chorus.

At some point after the war, the VFW on Pike St. provided him a two story shop behind their building. The second floor became his studio and the first was where we met and could now build our planes there if we chose to do so.

Carl was a wonderful, caring and inspiring man and the source of many of my fondest childhood memories.


OBITUARIES

DEREK WILLIAM HOTSINPILLER (BRIDGEPORT 2005)



Derek William Hotsinpiller, 24, was called Home by the Lord in the line of duty on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

He was born in Bridgeport on June 2, 1986, a son of Pamela Jo Bolyard Hotsinpiller, who survives in Bridgeport, and the late Lt. James William Hotsinpiller Jr.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, Dustin Hotsinpiller and his wife Ashley, Bridgeport; his soul mate, Megan Re-nee' Kinkelaar; his paternal grandfather, James W. Hotsinpiller Sr., Bridgeport; his uncles, Terry Hotsinpiller and his wife Brenda, Bridgeport, Terry Bolyard and his wife Susie, Stanley, VA, and Tim Bolyard and his wife Rose, Kenya, Africa; his aunts, Sharon Vodraska and her husband Jim, Marion, Indiana, Cindy Fazzini and her husband Bernie, Clarksburg, and Lesa Hays and her husband Dale, Grafton; and several cousins.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Susie Jane Hotsinpiller; and his maternal grandparents, Dorsey Glenn and Alice Marie Bolyard.

Derek was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, Class of 2005, and graduated from Fairmont State University in 2009 with a degree in Criminal Justice. While at Fairmont State, he was a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society, and Pi Gamma Mu, the Social Science Honor Society. He was also a member of the basketball and rugby teams at Fairmont State.

He started the U.S. Marshals Academy in December 2009 and graduated April 23, 2010. His class number was BDUSM-003. He was working with the U.S. Marshals Service as a Deputy U.S. Marshal assigned to the Northern District of WV, Clarksburg Office.

He was a member of Simpson Creek Baptist Church.



JAKE GAIN (LIBERTY 2001)

Jason "Jake" Matthew Gain, age 29, of Clarksburg, passed away suddenly at home on Saturday, January 29, 2011. He was the son of Wilbert (Tim) and Sheila Myers Gain of Clarksburg.

Jason is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Harold and Josephine Gains of Snake Hollow, Clarksburg; three brothers, Timothy (Scott) Gain of Jarvisville, Nicholas (Nick) Knight of Clarksburg and Adam Taylor of Wilsonburg; one sister, Brittannee Gain, at home.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Vinson (Tine) and Virginia Bunch Myers Robert Dale Hess, M.D.



ROBERT DALE HESS, MD

Robert Dale Hess, M.D., age 78, died January 30, 2011, at his residence. He was the son of the late Waonda J. and Raymond C. He was the Hess.

His first wife, Alice Jo Hess, preceded him in death in June 1997.

Surviving are his wife of eight years, Patricia Chapman Hess, and the following children: John R.( Jane) Hess,; Monica A. (Roderick), Dr. Michael R.( Dr.Elizabeth) ; Joseph F.(S. Naseem Anjam; Patrick R.(Brandee) and 13 grandchildren.

In 1960, he established his solo family practice in Bridgeport, WV. In 1976, he left private practice to become director of Medical Education of United Hospital Center and to establish the United Hospital Center Family Medicine Residency Program.

For over 30 years, Dr. Hess trained over 200 residents and hundreds of medical students.



LUCILLE PETERS DAVIS (RW 1932)

< Mrs. Lucile P. Davis, age 96 died February 2, 2011., at the Crestview Manor in Jane Lew, WV, following an extended illness. She was a graduate with the RW class of 1932.



BARBARA JO UTT (VICTORY)

Barbara Jo Utt, 79, of Clarksburg, died January 28, 2011, at her home. She was the daughter of Jennings S. Frum and Mable M. Davis Frum. She is survived by her loving husband, Charles W. Utt.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Ramona L(Thomas), Candace M. (Scott) Fontaine and Tammy G. (Jerry) Swaim; one stepdaughter, Anne R. (Charles) Miller; one stepson, Charles D (Janet). Utt and wife Janet of Jane Lew and ; three grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Robert E. Frum; one sister, Shirley S. Ash; nephew, David P. Ash; an infant daughter; and family friend, Kevin Beerbower.

Barbara attended Victory High School and was employed by Hazel Atlas, Continental Can, Brockway Glass and Anchor Hocking, where she was a glass packer for 34 1/2 years.



JOYCE BULLOUGH PROPST (VICTORY 1952)

Mrs. Joyce Ann Propst, age 76, of 121 Waverly Way, Clarksburg, WV, passed away February 2, 2011, at her residence following an extended illness.

She was born August 23, 1934, in Century 1, Barbour County, WV, a daughter of the late John James "Jack" Bullough and Ruth Humphreys Bullough Moyers.

Her husband, Edwin G. Propst Sr., whom she married December 31, 1955, preceded her in death August 26, 1996.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Edwin G.(Denise) Propst Jr and W. Michael (Kimberly) Propst and five grandchildren.



ROSE MARIE CHRISTAFORE (VICTORY 1955)

Rose Marie Christafore, age 73, passed away February 5, 2011.

She was the daughter of the late Luigi Christafore and Agnes Chirocchi Christafore.

Rose was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1955. She worked for Maidenform as a seamstress and with Dr. Gino Abruzzino Optometry.



PATRICIA JO "PATTY" BARNES (WI)

Mrs. Patricia Jo "Patty" Barnes, age 78, passed away February 6, 2011, at her residence following an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Paul Ashley and Virginia Monroe Ashley.

Surviving Patricia Jo are her husband of 56 years, Herbert Barnes, whom she married July 10, 1954; her seven children and spouses, Mike and Paula (Allman) Barnes, Bob and Cindy (Randolph) Barnes, Brenda and Mickey Knight, John and LeaAnn (Straight) Barnes, Margie Barnes and John Stark, Debbie and Eric Moore, all of Clarksburg, WV, and Virginia and Matt Davis, Greensboro, NC; a brother, William "Bill" Ashley and his companion, Cris, Shinnston, WV; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Ann and Harold Davisson, Clarksburg, WV; 12 grandchildren and their spouses.



RALPH EVANS DAVIS (RW 1945)

Mr. Ralph Evans Davis, age 83, died February 11, 2011. He was a son of the late Blake Evans Davis and Vernie Ethel Lough Davis.

Mr. Davis is survived by: his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothea Lee (James) Talkington several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Davis attended Norwood Elementary and Junior High School and graduated from Roosevelt- Wilson High School — Class of 1945. After graduating from the West Virginia Business College, Ralph went to work as a bookkeeper for Paul Myers Hardware Store in Clarksburg. After twenty years there, he went to work in the payroll department of Hope Natural Gas Company, from which he retired in 1989.

Ralph had played football for Roosevelt-Wilson High School and continued to be an avid sports fan, particularly of WVU sports.



DONNA CAROL ANDERSON (VICTORY)

Donna Carol Anderson, 70 passed away on February 16, 2011, at her residence.

She was the daughter of the late Charles and Freda Mae Freeman Caruthers.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Edward Anderson. She is also survived by two daughters, Sharon Anderson and Kelly Anderson and one son, Steve (Connie) Anderson



NADINE SCHAFFER O'CONNER (WI 1956)

Nadine Schaffer O'Connor, 72, of Washington, PA., died Thursday, February 17, 2011, in the Donnell House.

She was the daughter of the late August and Dorothy Robinson Schaffer.

In 1960, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and did graduate studies at West Virginia University. She was a member and former president of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

Mrs. O'Connor taught elementary school in North Hills School District from 1960-1966 and was a substitute teacher for Trinity Area School District.

She was a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church, where she was a deacon and choir member and served on the Nurture Committee.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she was a devoted "Mom-Mom" to her four grandchildren and especially loved attending their activities and sporting events. She was her grandchildren's biggest fan.

Mrs. O'Connor also enjoyed her church and annual family vacations to the Outer Banks. She was an avid WVU fan.

Surviving are her husband, Thomas P. O'Connor; two sons, Timothy P. O'Connor of Washington and Michael B. O'Connor and wife Melissa of Duncansville; four grandchildren, Kelsey Elizabeth and Abbey Lynn O'Connor, both of Washington, and Cameron Faith and Braden Michael O'Connor, both of Duncansville; and a brother, David Schaffer of Nokomis, Florida



PAMELA JOY MCDONALD (RW)

Pamela Joy McDonald, age 59, of, passed away February 15, 2011, at her residence following an extended illness.

She was the daughter of the late William E. Postlewait and Nellie Jean Steele Postlewait. Ms. McDonald is survived by a son, George Michael McDonald .

In addition to her parents, "Pam" was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald Wayne Postlewait and Terry Lee Postlewait, and her ex-husband, George Michael McDonald.

Music was the heart and soul of Pam throughout most of her life. She got her first guitar when she was 12 years old and discovered a lifelong friend. Her ability to master any instrument and her singing were God-given gifts and also the songs she wrote that brought joy to many and to those close to her.



DEBRA LEE NELSON (WI)

Debra Lee Nelson, 55, passed away February 11, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston following an extended illness. She the daughter of the late Robert Lee Barnett and Anna Mae Broadwater Barnett.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, William Nelson.

She is also survived by two children, Joseph (Rebekah) Nelson of Charleston and two grandchildren; two brothers, John (Mary) Barnett and Robert William "Bill" Barnett.



ALVA HIRAM GASTON (VICTORY 1942)

Alva Hiram Gaston, 86, died February 13, 2010. He was the son to the late Vance and Reva Lucille (Craig) Gaston.

Surviving Alva are: His wife of 63 years Betty (Mc-Hale) Gaston; one daughter, Beverly and her husband, Bob Smith, and several grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Charles and Robert Gaston.

Alva was a Methodist by faith and was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1942. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during WW II in the South Pacific. He retired with 40 years of service with Brockway Glass as a production supervisor.





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