THE WI NEWSLETTER 04/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 140

April 2011

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

2012 CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC

WILL BE HELD IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA MARCH 10, 2012

This is the 2nd Saturday of March, 2012

EDITOR'S NOTE: SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com
How did your family stretch money to raise a family? Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Is the reason boys 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? Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Wearing slacks to school in Clarksburg? Could they wear jeans to school? Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

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, did or is doing something presently that is worthy of your gratitude or at least a mention in the newsletter. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Does anyone remember their family collecting coupons from soap? I can't remember the brand but I remember the coupons. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

RAMPS
I understand that because of the cold winter with lots of snow in WV this year that the RAMP crop should be especially good. Did you ever harvest them? Do you know of anyone who cooked them? Did you ever eat Ramps? Were you allowed in stores or school if you ate them? Tell us some of the stories you know about RAMPS? Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

MEYER SEIGAL
submitted by: Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
skeith1514@aol.com
I am writing in response to the March 2011 Letter's article on Meyer Seigal written by Diana Matheny Jones (WI '70)

This is our home at 300 Magnolia Ave, in Hartland. My parents bought this house from Meyer Seigal the year he finally retired and went to Florida to live. It had a Mezuzah on the front door... and some very small pictures left on the stairwell. It also had a wonderful basement recreation room, fenced in yard and porches, tall ceilings and much more! For instance, the train tracks ran right by the house and once or twice a week very late at night, a train would come slowly across the river trestle bridge and stop noisily up our side street, Traction Street, and rumble, shake the houses' windows, and sometimes let out a whistle, and it would make car travel up the street impossible while it sat there for 20 mins. or more ..Then it would power up and rumble louder and back down the street and across the trestle..and out of sight! We could look out the bedroom windows and bathroom one and practically reach out and touch the giant locomotive. Your grandfather must have had the same experience.. Did you visit that house as a child? Great place!

My family and I and my children enjoyed this home for over ten years. Your Grandfather, Meyer Seigal, was very well known and respected by his own generation in Clarksburg and I believe his pawn shop/watch repair was in the Waldo Building across from the Old Library. His windows were full of interesting things and you could watch him repair watches, with a jewelers loop to his eye as you passed by, or gawked in, on the street... Very interesting experience.

300 Magnolia Ave., Clarksburg WV (taken Fall 2009 by Jenny Carr Schrier)

Our home at 300 Magnolia showing the side porch on Traction Street

'OIL AND COAL'
submitted by: James A Fragale (WI '58)
jamesafragale@yahoo.com
On February 13, a new CD was released of nine original songs I wrote and produced with triple-threat vocalist Joe Lutton called "Oil and Coal." The Pop-Rock album's title tune is about West Virginia and even includes locations around the state. "Oil and Coal," available online at Cdbaby.com, goes for $14.95.

"Oil and Coal" is selling all over the country without one penny of advertising. More locally, "Oil and Coal" was first played on the radio by Weston's Steve Peters on both of his local stations: WOTR and WHAW. And Steve continues to play the album daily and tells us he gets phone calls every time.

The title tune, "Oil and Coal," is about my childhood and refers to Harrison, Pocahontas, Mingo Counties; and mentions Black Water Falls and white water rafting. And, the song has a touching twist at the end. The words also allude to, without mentioning by name, Meadowbrook Mall, and how it changed Clarksburg.

Another tune, "Cowboy Man," is a poignant ballad about the guys and gals in the big cities who dressed like ranch-hands in the 1970s and 1980s – then, disappeared in the 1990s. Where did they go? To the suburbs? To designer fashions? Did they leave the planet? After all, back then, it was sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll.

The most beloved selections, "Lifetime Love," is a subtly warm ballad that will surely turn up at weddings everywhere. Singer-actor-musician Joe Lutton truly reveals his romantic side on this cut.

"Oil and Coal" can easily be ordered online with this link or handy 800 Number. LINK to order "Oil and Coal:" www.cdbaby.com/cd/joelutton. (800) 289-6923. Direct Line: (503) 595-3000. And, Thank You, W. VA. Jim Fragale. Email: jamesafragale@yahoo.com

In closing, here's what The New York Daily NEWS said about "Oil and Coal" on Tuesday, March 8, 2011: Page 9, Frank DiGiacomo's "Gatecrasher" column: Bold Headline: JIM FRAGALE.

"Jim Fragale is back on the beat. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Fragale wrote songs for disco diva (and former "Hair" star) Melba Moore and produced her first two albums before becoming a veteran writer and columnist for GQ, among other publications. Last month marked the New Yorker's return to the music business with Joe Lutton's "Oil and Coal," a rock album that's getting strong word of mouth, including comparisons to the work of Billy Joel and Ray LaMontagne. Fragale produced the CD and wrote the lyrics for all nine tracks, which has become a top seller on CDBaby.com" DIRECT LINK: www.cdbaby.com/cd/joelutton Title: Oil and Coal.

DEPRESSION DAYS
submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
FGL46VHS@AOL.COM
Growing up during the depression days wasn't too bad because I lived on a 152 acre farm to the left of Dawson Mine. During those days we had no inside plumbing. My mother washed clothes on Saturdays using a large wash tub with a scrub brush. This was an all day affair because there were seven in our family which included my parents and five children. During good weather my mother hung the clothes outside to dry. Our water source was an out side pump and in cold weather it froze up so we boys had to carry water from the spring which was about 700 feet from our house and across a creek. Our clothes were usually ironed on Mondays and my mother used what was called a sad iron. It weighed roughly five pounds and the iron unit had to be warmed up on the kitchen stove. She kept two of these heating at different intervals. On our good clothes she used wax paper so as not to scorch the clothes while ironing them. In 1936 my father purchased a gasoline engine washing machine. It had a large exhaust hose which had to be put out the kitchen window. Some times she would sprinkle water on the clothes before ironing. My father later purchased an electric washing machine for my mother. Never did get inside pluming until 1958. When World War II broke out employment got better.

We averaged 100 chickens every year so we always had fresh eggs and killed a couple chickens about every other Sunday for our evening meal.

"ELAINE HILSON BLUE WI 1959: THE PERFORMANCE"
Huntington Museum of Art

More than anything, Elaine Blue, Clarksburg native and Huntington resident, is an observer of life. She takes her observations, personal experiences, and private thoughts and uses them to create unique, expressive works of art. This has gone on since childhood. She uses her talents as therapy, and feels they are a gift from God. Blue states that "my goal as an artist is to connect with the viewer at a level where they can be part of the creative process." Blue is also a well known poet, playwright, public speaker and founder and former director/producer of the Huntington Theatrical Ensemble. Her artwork has been exhibited in various states and shared in Africa.

The exhibit by Blue, features recent work by the artist. Visit http://www.hmoa.org/exhibitions/current/ for complete information.

You might also want to read an article in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/life/x1678957618/Elaine-Blue-works-now-on-display-at-the-Huntington-Museum-of-Art?i=0

THE 2011 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

Pictured above are the winners of the 2011 WIN scholarship Quilt. Pam Wolfe Brown made a square for the quilt, in the picture she is pointing to the one she made. Pam is a graduate of WI in the class of 1960 and her husband is Jim Brown (WI 1957).

From: Roleta Meredith (WI Newsletter Editor)

Sue Moats and the talented WIN Scholarship quilting ladies made a most beautiful and unique quilt this year. What imagination! What wonderful craftsmanship. I especially liked the fact that Sue quilted a script title of "WILD WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA" on the quilt----across the top of the quilt it said WILD WONDERFUL and across the bottom it said WEST VIRGINIA. I loved every square which depicted something indicative of West Virginia. The covered bridge with the deer and the stream, the mail pouch barn, of course the Black bear (I love and I collect stuffed bears), the log cabin, the golden delicious apple (I would never have thought of that). The beautiful squares with the mountain and the full moon over the mountain, I especially noticed the square with the full moon made from white eyelet---it just absolutely shown like the moon does coming up over the hills and mountains in WV. Some of those that I remember were 2 different squares with cardinals ( a pair and then another square with one cardinal) , a dogwood flower, the beautiful colorful butterfly in the upper left corner....the painted scene (I had never seen anything like that) how artistic....the waterfall landscape with the rocks and the autumn colored tree and bushes, the silver quilting stitching on some of the squares that Sue added and it made the object of the squares stand out almost in 3D. There were so many lovely quilt squares that I don't know the names of the patterns but each one was placed into what seemed to be the perfect position to make a lovely pattern. I loved the way Sue incorporated the marvelous flying geese quilt pattern. Kitty Sager (wife of Don Sager (WI 1956) was at the picnic and helped us out with some of the names of the patterns). Although Kitty never attended a Clarksburg high school, she has always been generous enough with her talents to help out by making squares for our money making project.

Congratulations to all of the quilting ladies for a most successful quilt....like fine wine, the quilting is getting better with age!!!! Not age in years but experience type of age of working together to create such a masterpiece. They did a wonderful job.

I understand that Sue is busy looking for materials and taking suggestions from any quilters. If you have an idea for a quilt or have seen a picture in a quilt book that you think would be interesting, please write to Sue Moats at moatsue@aol.com

A BIG THANK YOU from me to the WIN Scholarship Quilters, Sue Moats and to each of the readers who supported this project by buying tickets for the quilt drawing, the 2011 Wild Wonderful West Virginia Quilt raised $3,370.00 in ticket sales. Remember one scholarship is $3,000.00 for a year for each of 2 recipients, so this project covered one scholarship plus some more for another one.

I have already notified Mr. Jim Moore, counselor at R.C. Byrd High School that we are giving another $6,000.00 in scholarships this year. WHAT BETTER WAY TO PAY FORWARD TO CLARKSBURG, no matter where you went to school. I believe in the term "Pay it Forward". This is basically a thank you for something you received and you can only pay back by paying a gift forward to someone else to help them and hopefully it will inspire them to "Pay it Forward" in the future by helping out another generation. So including the 2011-2012 scholarship gifts through the WI Newsletter Scholarship, we have given back to Clarksburg a total of $ 32,000.00. Now that is something I am very proud to say I had a part in, aren't you? As I have said from the beginning, give a dollar or give $100.00, (no gift is too large or too small). When we put all of these little gifts together, we can make a bigger difference together.

OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUTH

IF YOU HAVE GIVEN, THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS!

By purchasing a WI Newsletter CD the following people contributed to the WIN Scholarship.

Ralph Fenton
Janie Carpenter Ramberger (WI '63)
Sam Selario (WI '57)

submitted by: Shirley Dillmore Fain (WI '64)
fainjojo1@cox.net

The Robinson Grand Theatre has been closed for quite a while, and is used for some events. I remember watching a woman put up the real copper pieces in the walls in the entrance. That was a very fashion forward thing to do at that time. My sister Jeannie Dillmore passed away about 1 year ago and she lived in New Martinsville and we made a special trip to Clarksburg to have hot dogs at Ritzy lunch. We stopped and peaked in the theatre and yes the copper was still there.

I can remember my Mother washing my many crinoline slips, starching them and hanging them upside down on a clothes line in the basement. We also had a mangle and I loved putting the sheets, Dad's T shirts, etc. through it. I also remember how hot it was and got burned when I fed the clothes through too closely.

submitted by: Mary Virginia Duncan (Johnson) Wilke (WI '55)
Mwdusty1@aol.com

Dear Roleta,
As usual, I enjoyed the latest newsletter & will be glad to help you distribute in the months ahead. All of your staff are to be congratulated for "Job Well Done"!

Subjects for discussion about Wash Days:

1. Remembering wash days, when I was a little girl in Bridgeport, was the backyard lines all aflutter with sheets & wash blowing. We had large back yards with no fences then. My Mom was short & so the lines were adjustable (or maybe they all were) so that after the wash was hung, they used long poles for propping the lines up, so the sheets would not touch the ground.
2. Mom always washed on Mondays & ironed on Tuesdays.
3. Most everything was starched, except for underwear. After washing & through the wringer, the whites were dipped into a blueing solution, wringer, then into starch solution & then through the wringer again to be hung up. Can you imagine the muscles these homemakers developed?
4. After drying, the clothing was then dampened, wrapped & then ironed. They had bottles of water with shaker tops.
5. The iron was very heavy & steel colored. The ironing boards were made of wood & each homemaker would pad them good. No one had pre-made ironing board covers.
6. When my Mom & I moved to Clarksburg, she worked, so washing was done on Saturdays & hung outside in summer & inside in winters.
7. When I think about how my parents & then as my Mom as a single parent, stretched their money to raise a family, I am amazed & proud. When in Bridgeport, everyone had gardens, canned food, went to the country to buy meat from relatives & then cold-packed that. We had a cellar to store some foods, like apples, potatoes, nuts & etc. My Dad, also went fishing & hunting to supplement the meat supply. They went to town once a month to buy staples. Also, my youngest days were during WWII & we had ration stamps. A friend gave Mom extra stamps for sugar during canning season & Dad worked for publishing company & got tire & gas stamps. My Mom sewed a lot of my clothes & I, also, had hand-me-downs. No shame for me, I felt very proud!
8. No slacks or jeans to school in my time.

When looking back at Wash Day, I am a collector pictures & this is one of my Dad hanging my Mom on the clothesline in one back yard before I was born. Hope it comes through.

I thought you might enjoy this, as I know I did. My Mom was only 4 ft, 11 in tall & my Dad was 6 ft.

The most famous person I have met would have been Mickey Mantle. I didn't get a picture but I did obtain an autograph on a napkin at El Jay Rey's Restaurant, here in Phoenix. It is in the possession of my granddaughter & proudly displayed on a wall in their house in England right now.

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

Congratulations on all your hard work! It is a beautiful quilt and I'm especially pleased that two WI grads won it. I'm also pleased to have been a small part of it. The amount of money brought in is a just reward. I will try to think of some ideas for this year's quilt, but you ladies are ahead of me on that. It helps to have interested parties to brain-storm with. I do have one suggestion about the quilt. I think it would be much easier to put together (and maybe design) if all the squares were the same size, or in the same mathematical range, as 6, 9, 12 inches, or 8, 12, l6 inches. This year's quilt would be an exception to that because of the subject matter.

It would be fun to go to the picnic, but doubt that will happen. Seems I recognize fewer names each year. Dick and I are planning a trip to Savannah, Charleston, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia the end of April and early May. Might be a little late for the best flowering, but Easter is so late and made adjustments in plans. We expect to spend a few days in Clarksburg with my sister-in-law and will go to Morgantown and surrounding areas. We were back in 2008; don't know when or if we'll get back again. Weather should be better than summer when we usually go.

I'm anxious to see the pictures from the picnic and, hopefully, another shot of the quilt with the winners. Once again, thanks for all the hard work.

submitted by: Carolyn Hornor Wilson (WI '60)
Chw10@verizon.net

In talking to Jim Hornor this week, I just realized that I have not received a Newsletter since we were in Clarksburg in August.

I have been having continuous computer problems but they have been with regards to me connecting with the Server and should not relate to incoming mail. Above is my new email address.

Once again, I want to compliment you and Judy for the monumental job you do monthly to bring many, many ole "Clarksburgers" together and stir up wonderful memories and special friendships.

LOOKING FOR A FRIEND FROM THE PAST:
Can you give Charlie any information re: Sally Blackwell? He really wants to find her and communicate with her…

Please write him at his email address…

submitted by: Charlie Means (WI '50)
cmeans50@att.net
Again, another great Sarasota Picnic. And a great time was had by all!

Not being too mobile I didn't take many pictures. This is one of the better ones. These four guys (WI Class 50) I think were the oldest there. None older showed up for pictures.

My wife and I being sick the last few years prevented our attendance. Marcie loved to come and rehash old times. Hers or mine. I heard from the Ogrens that a couple of years back a girl named Sally Blackwell was there. I knew Sally very well in school and would love to hear from her. If anyone can hook me up with her please have them contact me at cmeans50@att.net

The 1940's

Copy and paste this into your web browser then click GO.

http://www.objflicks.com/decadeofthe1940s.html

THANK YOU NOTES RE: THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC
submitted by: Carolyn Rector (WI '59)
rector_carolyn@yahoo.com
Thanks for all your work in putting the picnic together. Always fun and good to see people from the past. Thanks again,

submitted by: James Alvaro (WI '56)
jalvaro@aol.com
Dear Bill and Roleta,
Re: The Clarksburg Picnic: You all did a great job. I think this could have been the best ever. Why? They are all good and I think just because the last is always the best because I am still on cloud nine. I had a great time. I think I told you that if everyone has a good time as I do, then man everything is perfect.

Again, thanks for everything. Your hard work is greatly appreciated. It is always great when you both can join afterwards. You both certainly deserved the time to relax after putting in so much time and hard work just to make a bunch of crazy people have a great time.

From Bill and Roleta: Thank you. I think everyone had a great time. I agree, one of the best yet! Let's top it next year!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bill Meredith is from Marion County but I think he enjoys the picnic as much or more than a lot of people from Clarksburg. One can not know how much fun can be had at the picnic unless they come and experience it. It is a lot of work but it is a big party week-end and we love it……Roleta

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Eloise Joan Harvey Stacy (WI '53)	Eloise@bresnan.net
Ray Carter (WI '62)	raycarter2001@yahoo.com
J. David Martino, M.D. (WI '62)	dmartino@columbus.rr.com
Steve Snyder (WI '62)	highlandscots1@yahoo.com
Stephen B. Zinn (WI '62)	sbzinn@roadrunner.com
Cheryl McIe McCartney (WI '62)	clmccartney@henricoschools.org
Dave Griff (WI '66)	dgriff@aol.com
Deborah Lynn Allman (WI '75)	trainmaster@gci.net
Cathy Kay Strogen (WI '65)	clstrogen@embarqmail.com

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESSES

Linda Jenkins Purnell (WI '67)	lpurnell@cricpa.com
Mary Clare Meredino Kane (WI '59)	mcmkane@yahoo.com
Virginia Scholl (St. Mary's school of nursing)	ginnscholl@gmail.com
LaDonna Davis Emrick (RW '56)	ladonnae528@gmail.com
David Rowe (WI '62)	dcr@digitalconnections.net
Doug Aspy (WI '62)	dougaspy@hotmail.com
Kimberly Ludwick Wildt (WI '77)	kwildt@sc.rr.com
Carolyn Hornor Wilson (WI '60)	chw10@verizon.net
Beverley Brown (WI '55)	bjbwv@yahoo.com
Jim Warren (WI 1956)	tanniswarren@comcast.net
Bob White (WI '72)	was: bwhite@djs.state.wv.us is now: bobwhite7037@yahoo.com
Bill Bowie (WI '62)	was: whbowie@me.com is now: whbwva@gmail.com
Charlotte Mutafis Fleming (WI '53)	was: charcharf@windstream.net is now: charcharf1@windstream.net

NOTRE DAME WEB SITE
The Notre Dame High School Class of 1958 Web page has been updated.

BY: Brooke Beall (ND 1958)

http://ndhsclassof1958.weebly.com/

SPRING: A TIME OF RENEWAL:
The air smells a little fresher each day. The flowers will soon begin to bloom (They are already beautiful in Florida). Spring must be here and with it comes March Madness, baseball and spring practice for college football teams. That means there will be something to look forward to in the sports world for several more weeks at least.

We have diverse subjects in our letters this month. We learn about Victory HS basketball in the 50's and how easy it is to meet celebrities if you live in Los Angeles. We have a reader who needs our help. (How good is your memory?) Plus, there are links to two excellent articles about coaches from our area.

WVU basketball has ended for this year. Both the men's and women's teams went out in the second round of the tournament. The men probably overachieved, while the women had a disappointing season, even though they had a fine record. Now, we can think about next year's teams, while we watch the football team install a new offense during April.

So much to talk about and so little space! We hope to hear from you in the next few weeks. Any sports subject is OK. I may not know much about it, but I'd bet some of our readers do. Put the spring back in your step and keep smiling.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

I just wanted to let you know that I just watched the West Virginia Mountaineers defeat Louisville, as I decided that since you were picnicking, I should watch the game and root in your place. WHAT A GAME! AWESOME FINISH!

And, as I am sure you did as well, I got to see them beat Connecticut earlier this week.

John Teter, W I 1961

Reply To John:

You are right, during the game, I was picnicking with about 110 others at the Clarksburg Picnic. Fortunately, we were able to listen to it via Sirius Radio. Most of us couldn't believe that they could come back to win, after being down by 5 points with under 20 seconds to go in the game. I'd rather be lucky than good and WVU certainly was lucky to win this one. I did see the UConn game. Two nice wins at home. I don't see this team doing much in the tournaments, but they have proven me wrong before. Let's hope they can at least build a good foundation for next year. Thanks for subbing for me by the TV.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

I remember in 1953 and 1954, Victory High School had the best team in the state, but because we were a small school, we did not get the attention. Players like Ron Carey (the father of the WVU women's basketball coach), Bob Machan, Tom Fittro, Tuffy Knight, Clance Leggit and Ted Bow. There were many others who I can not think of at this time. This was an awesome team.

Bob Patterson, VHS 1954

Reply To Bob:

Thanks for the note. I assume you are talking about the basketball team. Can anyone remember their record? Did they go far in the tournaments? Victory had some very good teams in the 50's and this must have been one of the best. I'd be interesting in hearing more about them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

My wife and I were fortunate to attend UCLA basketball for the full seasons of 1965-1982. We saw the final 4 game, when Walton made 21 out of 22 in the final. Our group of fans planned well in advance for our final 4 viewing parties. We also saw a lot of great players pass through Pauley Pavilion, players for both the Bruins and visiting teams.

My strong interest in basketball arose from Coach Folio's outstanding teams at WI. I talked with Coach Wooden several times. I also talked with Tom Landry and Tony Dorsett, when the Cowboys practiced near us.

I saw the basketball game between UCLA and WVU a few years ago. I graduated from UCLA, but had mixed emotions!

I worked in a sporting goods store, while going through college, and talked with Jerry West and sold boxing gloves to Archie Moore. Tony Trabert, who was a salesman at that time, came in regularly. I also talked with Tommy Lasorda.

In answer to Roleta's subject, we see movie stars often in Los Angeles. Recently, I talked with Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks. I once took a picture of my niece with Farah Fawcett, I've only mentioned a few. I don't want to appear as bragging, but its commonplace to run into stars in LA.

I really enjoy your sports talk.

Jerry Winerman, WI 1957

Reply To Jerry:

America is in love with both sports stars and movie stars. You have really had a great chance to meet many of them in Los Angeles.

I recall the great teams of UCLA and Coach Wooden, who I think, was the best basketball coach ever. Bill Walton had perhaps the best offensive performance of all time in that NCAA final. I don't care much for his announcing abilities now, but I appreciated his show that night.

A few comments on the guys you've met. Tom Landry was a class act. I never saw Tony Dorsett (Ugh--A Pitt guy) get hit hard. He always managed to turn just enough to avoid getting "creamed". Very talented! I think Archie Moore was a great boxer and I love Tom Lasorda (I could be good friends with him, plus, we both love Italian food). Finally, Mel Brooks produced some of my favorite movies. I still enjoy watching "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein", satire at its best.

Thanks for the letter.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Searching For Harvey Haddix

Writer's query submitted by Steve Goff, WI, Class of '72. sgoff53@hotmail.com

I really enjoy the sports component of the WI newsletter. I also appreciate the breadth and scope of sports you cover. It got me to thinking maybe your readers could help me out with a stalled writing project, by sharing their memories with me about a very specific Pittsburgh Pirate's baseball game from 1959. In June of 2009, Sports Illustrated called it "The Greatest Game Ever Pitched".

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1155946/index.htm

I'm referring to the historic and unique game pitched by Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix, against the Milwaukee Braves, on Tuesday night, May 26, 1959, in Milwaukee's County Stadium. That evening Haddix pitched TWELVE PERFECT INNINGS of baseball, and but lost the game in the 13th inning, 1 - 0.

I was wondering if any of your readers (or yourself) remember anything about that game. I've done a lot of research on it already, but would be interested to hear if anyone has specific memories of that amazing pitching performance.

I've found many written accounts, but no video or radio audio exists, as far as I know. At the time no one was paying much attention to an early season, week night game.

Thanks for considering this query.

Steve Goff

Reply To Steve:

Thanks for the compliments on the sports. We like to hear from our readers, even if it is saying something nice!

I'm sure many people remember that game in 1959. I listened to it on the radio, while working at a service station in Morgantown. I think that Bob Prince had taken over from Rowsey Rosewell by that time. I don't think Prince was still calling the away games off the ticker tape from Western Union. Regardless, it was a great game.

Can anyone add some details for Steve. Even though I'm sure Steve would like you to contact him directly, please also write your comments to me, so we can all enjoy them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

Below is a link to a fine article about West Virginia in general and Bob Huggins and WVU basketball in particular. We can all identify with most of the comments. Several people sent this to me and I thought those of you who haven't seen it, would enjoy the read.

http://michaelpowelson.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/one-shining-moment-for-a-twosided-state/

Several people sent me the link below to an excellent article by Tom D'Angelo in The Palm Beach Post. The article discusses the salaries of the Florida State University football coaches. It appears that Clarksburg's own, Jimbo Fisher is doing very well. Enjoy.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/seminolepost/2011/03/12/florida-state-assistants-receive-10- percent-raise-but-still-trail-that-school-from-the-east-when-it-comes-to-salaries/

SUBJECTS FOR NEXT MONTH:
Baseball season is here. Everyone played some sort of ball as a youngster. Little League, Pony League, sandlot or playground. Hardball or softball. Fast pitch or slow pitch. Let's hear from you about some of your best times on the diamond. I don't think that W I had a baseball team in the 50's. Am I right? How about the other schools?

Did any of your children or grandchildren play professional baseball? How about neighbors, relatives or friends. My neighbor in Columbus was Paul O'Neill, who played for the Reds and Yankees. He and my son played high school ball together. Do you have a story like this to tell?

What are your thoughts on the new offense coming to WVU football. Will it make us forget Rich Rod and his high-powered attack?

Finally, what was your biggest sports thrill during the past year? What was your biggest disappointment in sports? I had many of both. What surely was a big thrill to many fans tonight was a big downer for my family. Kentucky pulled the upset over the Buckeyes in a great game. Let us know some of your ups and downs.

Send your stories and comments to Bill at billmere@aol.com. And, be sure to keep cheering for your favorite teams. They need your support more than you think, particularly the young people.

THREE LITTLE GIRLS

Pictured above are Three Little Girls. I am amazed that none of the 3 girls saw their picture. We only received 2 emails from 2 guys who could recognize one girl each!

Sam Iaquinta wrote to say:
THE MIDDLE GIRL IS BOBBY JOHNSTON

John Teter wrote to say:
The one little girl looks like Dottie Taggart.

Judy Aspy Payne (WI 1959)
Judy called me to identify the girls pictured. She knew all of them and was surprised that others hadn't taken the time to notify me with the identifications of them. Left to right: Cheryll Gill, Bobbie Johnston, and Dottie Taggart.

Judy is correct !

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANY OF THESE CHILDREN?
submitted by: Sharon Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
skeith1514@aol.com
The picture below was taken of the third grade class at Alta Vista Elementary School in 1977. My daughter, Shahn Douglas (RW '86), is standing in the back row with the little blue hat on her head. Her dad is Don Douglas (WI ' 54). Do you recognize any of the other children pictured?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

PHOTOGRAPHED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS
submitted by: Sandra Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
alindke@tampa.rr.com
On May 25, 1997, Albert and I attended the 70th birthday party for author Robert Ludlum. Our gag gift was a bottle of Geritol and some prune Juice. What else would you get a man who has everything? He was a resident in the building where I was security manager. His pet name for me was "Lady Sandra, Keeper of the Gates". I have several of his autographed editions. See picture below:

On February 12, 2001, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former President George H. Bus and Barbara Bush attended a luncheon hosted by author Robin Cook to raise money for Family Literacy Initiative of Florida. I was security manager for the exclusive beach side condominium and worked with state and federal agents (a bunch of great guys) for three days prior to the arrival of the bush family. There was also an evening gala at the Registry Resort in Naples. The tickets for this event were priced at $500.00 per person. The total raised for literacy that day was $1.5 million. Literacy is a pet project of the Bush family. All three were very gracious and agreed to have photos taken by and with the Enclave employees. A day to remember!

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

This is a picture of me with Rick Hearst. Hearst used to play the role of Ric Lansing on "General Hospital." He's now Whip Jones on "The Bold and the Beautiful." I used to tape GH when I was still working as a 3-11:30 PM nurse. Watching something as mindless as a soap was a great way to calm down at night after a frantic shift at the hospital. I became a big fan and was privileged to attend several personal appearances by the stars of the show. At one of these shows, I was the lucky winner of a silent auction and I won a studio tour of the "General Hospital" stage and taping facility. I was personally escorted through the building that day by Rick Hearst. In addition to Rick, I met Genie Francis, Bradford Anderson, Kimberly McCollough, Jason Thompson, Finola Hughes and Kirsten Storms. It was great fun.

WASH DAY
submitted by: Joy Gregoire De Fazio (WI '59)
joy1941@frontiernet.net
We were living in the second floor apartment at 224 Jackson Avenue when my mom, Vivian Gregoire, bought a new "automatic washer." It had to be in 1954 or '55.

She was very excited about it. I can still see her taking the first load of white clothes out of the washer.

You'll remember that boys and girls both wore white socks in those days. There were a number of pairs of them in that load. Mom was so excited. The socks actually came clean without a lot of physical labor on her part!

I didn't think about it then, but now I wonder how she paid for it on her piecework wages from Maidenform. She and my dad were divorced and Dad was a laggard about paying support. I'm sure she paid for it "on time" as we said in those days.

One of the great things about living on the second floor in that house was the big attic above it. There was a floor, of sorts, there. Mom put a clothes line up from one end of the attic to the other and that's where she hung the laundry.

By the time I was in high school, we had moved two doors down the street to 230 Jackson Avenue. There we had room for an automatic dryer. Although she hung clothes outside a lot of the time, she managed to scrape together the money to buy one. She still had both when she passed away in 1975 at the "too young" age of 57.

I helped with the ironing. I did the flat things like pillow cases (yes, they were starched). Between coaching from her and from my maternal grandmother, I learned to iron blouses and dresses and other pieces. When I reached high school, I helped with the family ironing.

I remember one New Year's Eve in the apartment. I can still see Mom standing at the ironing board and listening to Guy Lombardo on the radio. That was her big treat!

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
IcedTeaDee@aol.com
Regarding the laundry topic for the April Newsletter, I think my mom did the laundry whenever she had the time to do it. I don't recall there being just one day of the week when it had to be done. My mother had a Maytag Wringer Washer in our basement. She never let me run the wringer, but did have me help hang clothes on the line. Normally, things were hung outside on the line, even in the winter. I think the only time we hung them on the line in the basement is if it were raining.

I know she starched some things, but I don't remember how she did it. My uniform blouses for St. Mary's were always starched. She had an RC Cola bottle with a silver sprinkler stopper that she put in the top & would sprinkle the clothes with whatever was in the bottle. Maybe it was the starch or just plain water, I don't know for sure. Some of the things she sprinkled were then rolled like newspaper tubes & put in the refrigerator. Maybe later that day or the next, she took the rolled up clothes out of the fridge & ironed them. Maybe that is how she did the starching. But I definitely remember rolled up blouses in the fridge, because she had me learn to iron when I was pretty young. She didn't want me around the wringer but ironing was a different story. In fact, one year, one of my Christmas presents was a 'brand new Sunbeam Steam Iron'. I remember the handle was yellow, not the Harvest Gold shade, but some brighter shade of yellow. I can't tell you what year that would have been for sure, but I'd guess early 60's.

Before then our iron was just an old fashioned very heavy thing & I don't remember if it had any heat settings or not. The 'new steam iron' was lighter, but still very heavy by today's standards & had a few different settings on it. We also had a plastic bottle for water & a brown colored filter that you put inside the bottle to insure the water was distilled. It had some lines on it to tell you how much water to add or to keep the water level at. You never ever put just plain tap water in the iron. We had some type of metal or aluminum iron rest to put the iron on when you moved the clothes on the ironing board. When the ironing was done, the iron sat upright on the metal iron rest. The ironing board I most remember was made of metal & had a lever that you squeezed on to get it up or down. It was pretty heavy too. I have no idea what the iron or the ironing board weighed but they were definitely heavy.

As for when girls could wear slacks to school, it wasn't in my day. Or if it was, I never did. I don't remember any girls wearing them to school, except under your skirt on the way to school during the winter. There were leggings that matched your coat, made from the same wool the coat was made of. I think they were mainly for little kids. And they were nothing like the things that are called leggings today. I only wore slacks at home.

submitted by: Sara Stephenson Laber (WI '55)
laber@att.net
Washing day was Mondays. I could smell the milky starch cooking on the stove when I got up. The clothes were hung outside on a line that was LIFTED by forked branches. The dried clothes were sprayed with a soda bottle with a cork insert that had holes in it. They would remain in the refrigerator until Thursday when they were ironed. Mother also had a mangle--which I was permitted to use to iron hankies. I remember when we got our first SPRAY iron (again ironing hankies)--I wasn't sure it was working--turned the iron surface to my face and got burnt circles on my face from the steam. I remember the soda bottle with a special cork with holes in it which mother would use to dampen the clothes before ironing. This was the modern method my mother used. My mother (and I earlier) used our fingers and sprayed hot water on clothes to dampen them.

I can still remember the sweet smell of clothes dried outside. I get rather melancholy when driving and I see wash handing outside.

I also remember having curtain hangers in the basement--a frame with nail points. She would hang the curtains to dry--they would have little points where they were stretched--these too needed to be ironed.

Gore Hotel pictures--brought tears of remembering special times. I think I ate there once a week. I always wanted our family to sit where I could see over the balcony. I recall my favorite food from there was cream of chicken soup. I also remember their bathroom having black/white tile which was popular at the time. Getting bored--I always had to use the bathroom. I remember I didn't like the antiseptic smell of the bathroom--and usually wouldn't use it. If I really had to use it--I would try to hold my breath. A child is a child--even now when I see a child, my mind rushes with thoughts.

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
JATETER@aol.com
I do not remember much about my family having a washing machine in the basement of our house in my younger years, but I do remember there being clothes lines in the backyard for drying the clothes. I think that at some point the clothes lines that stretched all the way from the back sidewalk to the back of the yard disappeared, but there was a smaller clothes "pole" closer to the house.

I know that by the time I was older, that there was both a washer and a dryer in the basement and the clothes lines in the backyard were gone. Remarkably, both the washer and dryer survived the big flood in 1985 (?).

I am sure that my sister (Lib) could write and tell you more about the clothes lines and/or washer/dryer than I am being able to tell you as I do not remember ever using the machines if they were indeed in the basement when I was growing up.

The main thing that I remember about our basement on Broaddus Avenue was the coal bin and furnace

THE 2011 CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC
The Clarksburg Reunion Picnic was held in Sarasota, Florida on March 5, 2011. It was a beautiful day. I am sure everyone had a great time visiting with friends, and relatives and even making new friends. There were about 110 in attendance for the picnic. This included approximately 30 people from out of the area who came to town on Friday and spent the night in a nearby hotel. There were about 10 people who had to cancel out due to illnesses in their families; we hope everyone is better now.

Please mark your calendar now for next year's picnic. The date is March 10, 2012. Plan nothing else that day or you will miss out on all the laughs and good old time fun together.

The food was exceptional this year. Everything was delicious! Thanks to everyone who helps out before, during and afterwards to make it a wonderful day.

Below are some pictures that Don Sager took at the picnic. Thanks to him and his side-kick Babe Bisping Cashman for the terrific job they did with the pictures and the identifications.

I am sorry that some of you didn't want to be in any of the pictures but that is a choice, isn't it? See you next year.

DIANA FOLIO WATNEY CHECKING ON HER CHICKEN

MERE GURSON SWARTZ AND SHARON ELLIOTT VANDEVENDER AT THE CHECK-IN TABLE

GETTING READY TO FEAST

TWO BOBS - BOB DENNISON AND BOB CLOUSSON

SPRING TUNES FOR APRIL
submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)
sgoff53@hotmail.com
It's April. PLAY BALL! and Sing Songs.

Spring means many things to many people. Gardening, spring break, Easter, and for me, baseball! Here's a couple of tunes featuring our national pastime to get us started this month.

"Take Me Out To The Ballgame" 1908 recording. Very nicely done with excellent photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4-gsdLSSQ0

"Say, Hey! (The Willie Mays Song)" The Treniers. 1955. My favorite baseball player of all time. Even Roberto and Pops Stargell have to take a back seat to Mr. Mays in my book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI1qJBG2PCE

These songs were all on the national music charts in the month of April in years gone by.

1947..."Linda". Ray Noble and his Orchestra with Buddy Clark. Recorded in 1946, released in February of '47, here's a bit of trivia from Wikipedia concerning the writing of the tune. "It was written by Jack Lawrence, and published in 1946. It was written when Lawrence was in the service during World War II, taking its name from the then five-year-old daughter of his attorney, Lee Eastman . (His daughter was Linda Eastman, future first wife of the Beatle Paul McCartney.)" The song was on the charts for 13 weeks with a quick visit to #1 in April. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej2HuRw8dlg&feature=related

1950..."Long Gone Lonesome Blues". Hank Williams. I can't believe this is the first Hank Williams song I've used in the 3+ years I've been doing this column, but it is. This was Hank's second #1 song on the national Country & Western chart. (His first was "Lovesick Blues" in 1949.) It spent 5 weeks at #1. The outstanding video consists of clips from Hank's home movies. Very cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JczEyQHBLEw

I can't resist throwing in the flip side of "Long Gone...". The title of this song anticipates future television programming from the likes of Jerry Springer and Ricki Lake. For your listening pleasure, Hank Williams performing his composition "My Son Calls Another Man Daddy". Damn, I bet this B-side got a lot of juke box play in the bars and honkytonks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tPcfJZnXu4

1952..."Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania". Guy Mitchell. A very popular song that was on the charts for 21 weeks and peaked at #4 in April of 1952. The video is a nice collection of old Pittsburgh photos, though it does incorrectly identify the song by using the opening lyric line as the title. Watch for a nice shots of Forbes Field, Kennywood Park and The Point from the early 1950's. It's really kind of a sappy polka, that I bet sounds better after a few beers. Iron City Beer, to be specific. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYeCwknuW_g&feature=related

1955..."Crazy Otto Medley". Johnny Maddox. This peppy little rag time number was #2 in US for 6 weeks. It never reached number one because Davy Crockett and his theme song were holding down the top sport during the same period of time. After the success of this record, Maddox was hailed as "the man who saved rag time". I'm glad he did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6G_DLYukUY&playnext=1&list=PL4CEDF02CAADBF257

1958..."Sugartime". The McGuire Sisters. (featuring Perry Como) My sister had this 45 in her collection. As you might guess from the two song titles, this record was not endorsed by the Diabetes Prevention people. The A-side was a big hit for the Mc. Sisters in April of '58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgidhtnHq_s

"Banana Split" The McGuire Sisters (featuring Steve Allen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rigQi2SRBc0

1962..."Young World". Rick Nelson. By this time, Ozzie's youngest kid had dropped the "y" from his first name. On May 8, 1961 (his 21st birthday), Nelson officially changed his recording name from "Ricky Nelson" to "Rick Nelson". He was the first teen idol to fully utilize the power of TV, but I've often thought he was more than a good looking kid. Most of his hit songs are solid, catchy, and well put together. He always worked with first rate musicians, i.e. James Burton, who plays guitar in this clip from The Ozzie and Harriet show. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=9QDQiH4Y5eA

1965..."Shotgun". Jr. Walker and the All-Stars. Oh how I loved this song! It also reminds me of the time my fellow WI class mates Mark (Luey) LaRue and Dave Mayle spent an afternoon at Luey's house trying to teach me the bass guitar by learning this song. Poor Dave Mayle got stuck on the drums for 3 hours as I tried to find the groove. But you know what...I can play this song on the bass. Not much else. Turn it up and "do the Jerk baby..." That's Dean Jones introducing Mr. Walker and his band on a 1966 edition of the TV show Hullaballoo, live performance, with gogo girls in a "cage". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnhI_ECOAK4

1968..."Lady Madonna". The Beatles. Great little groove, sassy horns throughout, but a rarity for a Beatles single...it didn't hit #1. Nope. Number 4 in the nation was the best this churning little ditty would achieve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfthrizXKOM

1970..."Instant Karma (We All Shine On)". John Lennon. My favorite song from my favorite Beatle. Billy Preston and George Harrison are side musicians on this number. The song topped out at #4 on the charts. Karma. I'm a believer. What goes around, comes around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

1972..."Mother and Child Reunion". Paul Simon. Here's a video that will make some folks go "ahhhhhh..." thanks to the beautiful wild life photos of mamas and their babies. This was on the charts the spring of my senior year on the hill. Mr. Simon works in a bit of reggae texture and beat to this well crafted pop song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXsyXjZPvGU

1976..."Golden Years". David Bowie. A nice dance groove from "the thin white duke" (as he referred to himself back then). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRD0ghlFSgk&feature=related

1980..."Ride Like the Wind". Christopher Cross. This guy had one huge album (a big time Grammy winner that year), a handful of hits, and then kind of disappeared. Here's an excellent live version from 1998 with Michael McDonald sitting in, lending his vocal support as he did on the original recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-ljaJpSC4

And finally, let's go out to the ball game one more time with a tune that has become a baseball anthem. I think every major league ball park in the country plays this song at least once a game.

"Centerfield". John Fogerty and Keith Urban, live. Check out Fogerty's guitar. I was at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, in Oct., and the very first exhibit I saw was this "Bat- Guitar" in a display case with pics. of JF at the "induction" ceremony. The song hails from 1985, and only reached #44 on the charts, but it now has an amazing after life as a staple in the "baseball songs" canon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTl-NnuLjaE

OBITUARIES
PATRICIA JOAN DAVIS (WI 1951)
Mrs. Patricia Joan Davis, age 77, passed away, February 26, 2011.

She was the daughter of the late Glenn F. Barrick and Beulah Kidd Barrick.

Surviving are her husband of 59 years, James B. "Jim" Davis; a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Theodore "Ted" Calandros, and a granddaughter, Julia E. Calandros; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bud and Marie Davis, and a brother-in- law, Billy Ray Lynch.

RONALD D. PAUGH (LIBERTY 1979)
Ronald D. Paugh, 50, died February 27, 2011. He was a son of Robert R. and Mary Nall Paugh, of Salem (Big Isaac community).

Also surviving are his wife, Jolinda Simmons Paugh; two sons, Justin Michael Paugh and fiance/ Jackie O'Neill, and Austin Tyler Paugh, one brother, Robert Alan Paugh; two sisters, Kayla Ash and husband Jody;Cindy Mutschelknaus and husband Bill.

One sister, Tanya Lynne Paugh, and grandparents, William and Norma Paugh, Homer and Shirley Nall preceded him in death.

JOHN LYLE ALLEN (VHS 1959)
John Lyle Allen, 69, passed away March 10, 2011, in Wheeling Hospital. John was a son of the late Avery Doyle and Edna (Tate) Allen.

He was a partner with the law firm of Bachman, Hess, Bachman & Garden, PLLC, Wheeling, W.Va.

John was a 1963 graduate of West Virginia University and a 1966 graduate of West Virginia University Law School.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Allen Langenbacher, and a brother, Jim Allen.

John is survived by his wife, Andrea Niehaus Allen of Wheeling; two children, Beth J. Allen and her partner Stephanie Lovelady, and John W. ( Allison); and a brother, Bill (Mary) Allen.

LINDY RECTOR KEATING (WI 1966)
Lindy Rector Keating, 62, passed away on February 26, 2011. She was the daughter of the late William Glen Rector and Lillian E. (Lockhart) Rector.

She is survived by one son, Colin Lockhart Rogers, one daughter, Sarah Meggan Rogers; one brother Paul W. Rector (Debbie); one sister Joan Trimble; nephews David Rector and Col. Kenneth Rector.

After her mother's death in 1998, Lindy had been running Rector's Evergreen Nursery.

She had not been in good health for several years and death was unexpected and sudden.

JAMES ANTHONY "JIMMY" BELCASTRO (Bridgeport HS)
James Anthony "Jimmy" Belcastro, 57, died March 11, 2011.

He was born in Bridgeport on July 25, 1953. He was a son of Sam Anthony Belcastro of Bridgeport and the late Rose Virginia Ventura Belcastro.

He was also preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Joyce Ann Secreto Belcastro, on August 6, 2007

JAMES LEE COFFMAN (WI 1942)
James Lee Coffman, died March 12, 2011, at the age of 86 years.

Son of the late Olive Rose Coffman and Archie Glenn Coffman. Beloved husband of Cecilia (nee Palcich). Loving father of Linda Jean (Vincents) Dindzans and Brenda Marie (John) Hagni.

James graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1942, where he was well known for his athletic abilities as captain of the basketball team. Later in life, he distinguished himself with medals in basketball in the Maryland Senior Olympics for foul shooting and in billiards. He graduated from West Virginia University (B.S. Business Administration 1948) and from George Washington University Business School (M.S. Personnel Administration 1970).

EVELYN LOUISE DIAZ (VICTORY 1938)
Evelyn Louise Diaz, age 92, affectionately known as "Granny" in the West Milford Community, departed this life on March 16, 2011, surrounded by her family and friends.

Evelyn was the daughter of the late Charles Hammond Stansberry and Martha Ann Thomas Stansberry.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Louis Diaz.

Mrs. Diaz is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Bob) Kester and one son-in-law, Fred West.

Mrs. Diaz was preceded in death by one daughter, Coletta West; one infant son, Thomas L. Diaz III; and one grandson, Michael Kester.

CHARLES W. HARTZELL (Bridgeport)
Charles W. Hartzell, 82, of Bridgeport, passed away March 13, 2011.

He was the son of the late Wesley M. and Agnes Matthews Hartzell.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joyce Floyd Hartzell. Also surviving are his brother, Carl (Ann) Hartzell; sisters, Judith Ann (Gene) and Linda J. Richardson.

While in high school he played football, basketball and baseball. He worked for PPG Industries as a glasscutter and foreman for 30 years. He also worked for PK Alkire Tire Supply as a manager and was an agent for Peoples Life Insurance.

ERNEST STRUM (RW 1965)
Ernest Sturm, 63, of Clarksburg, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Heartland Nursing Home of Clarksburg.

He was born on July 12, 1947, in Clarksburg, a son to the late Andrew Martin Sturm and Laura Marie (Campbell) Sturm.

Ernest was the last survivor of his immediate family and is survived by cousins and many friends.

MARY VIRGINIA HORNOR THORPE (WI 1936)
Mary Virginia Hornor Thorpe passed away at the age of 93 on February 21, 2011.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Hornor. She was the youngest of three children. Her older brother was Paul Allen Hornor of Clarksburg, and her older sister was Elizabeth Ann Hornor Kettering of Fairmont.

After graduating from WI, she attended Denison University in Ohio, studying English. She then enrolled in the school of fashion design in Washington, D.C., and later, again studied English and music at Rollins College in Florida.

She married Donald R. Wilson, a Clarksburg attorney, in 1943, and with him had two sons. Her oldest son, Donald R. "Randy" (Janie) Wilson Jr. Surviving are her youngest son, Thomas H. (Yumiko)Wilson. Her family also includes a stepdaughter (Suzanne Banko of Mansfield, Ohio), four grandsons, four granddaughters, and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom she was very proud.

In 1968, Ginny married Burl Thorpe, owner of a local dry-cleaning business in Clarksburg. During their 13 years together before his death, they enjoyed travels through much of Europe, including the Greek Isles and Turkey.

RALPH BOYLES (BRIDGEPORT HS)
Ralph D. Boyles, 88, of Kent, OH, passed away Monday, March 21, 2011, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, OH.

He was born December 22, 1922, in Anmoore, WV, to Donley E. and Ruth (Gain) Boyles.

Ralph served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and the U.S. Navy during WW II. He was a member of the Kent VFW.

Ralph worked as a foreman at the City of Akron's Water Treatment Plant.

ROBERT GLENN SULLIVAN (VHS 1946)
Robert Glenn Sullivan, age 82, of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life on March 16, 2011, following a brief illness.

Robert was born in Clarksburg, WV, on October 31, 1928, a son of the late Harry Cecil and Greta Elizabeth Palmer Sullivan.

Robert is survived by his wife, Jeanie Rolland Sullivan, whom he married on April 18, 1952. Also surviving are his three sons, Mark Sullivan and his wife Natalie of Hollister, CA, and their children, Timothy, Mark and Shelby; Tom Sullivan and his wife Jan of Clarksburg, WV, and their children, Ryan and Andrew; and Tim Sullivan and his wife Terri of Gilroy, CA, and their children, Daniel and Kayleigh; one daughter, Mary Beth Cooper and her husband John of Clarksburg, WV, and their children, Jonathan, Lindsey, Kaitlin and Karly, and grandchild, Jillian; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Sullivan was preceded in death by a son, Joffre Rolland Sullivan, in 1998.

Mr. Sullivan was a retired Safety Director with Oliver de Silva Construction Company of San Jose, CA. Previously he worked for Fourco Glass, Adamston and Rolland Divisions.

He was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1946. He served his country as a veteran in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Meuse Argonne Post No. 573 VFW. He was also a charter member of the Adamston Lions Club for over 50 years and a member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 482.

SAMUEL JOSEPH BASILE (WI)
Samuel Joseph Basile, age 87, died March 19, 2011.

He the son of the late John Basile and Caterina (Merandi) Basile.

His wife, Joan E. (Oliverio) Basile, preceded him in death on Dec. 29, 1991.

Surviving are daughters, Theresa Ann (Craig) Georgi, Sara Rose Daniel)Schwab and Joanie (David) Doremus; a son, John (Jagga) Basile; his sister, Frances Basile; and many grandchildren. .

He was also preceded in death by a daughter and first child, Catherine Rocchio, two sisters, Teresa and Mary Basile, and a brother, John Basile.

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