THE WI NEWSLETTER 09/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 145 - BEGINNING
OUR 13TH YEAR

September 2011

ROAMIN'
submitted by: David Bates (WI '51)

MEMORIES
submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
I guess every town has their "characters" and I got to thinking about a family that lived up the railroad tracks near the Marble factory that was know as the "Sweet Potatoes"! How they received that name, I do not know. One of them was "Rosie", who used to be around town with a box of faded paper roses that she was trying to sell, I guess, as I never saw anyone giving her any money or taking the roses.Then there was a man who pushed a wheelbarrow gathering up cans. You never knew where you would see him on the roads and streets. He must have been as strong as an ox from all that walking. As far as I know, they never caused any trouble, just lived in their own little world.

At the end of the Stealey bridge where the railroad tracks were there used to be a feed store. It is long gone, of course, but my grandfather used to stop there once in a while to talk to the men who worked there. I don't know why all of a sudden I thought of these things because I was just a little kid at the time, but maybe some of your readers will have memories of these things, too. Best Wishes, Roleta

TIME FOR SCHOOL TO START
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Remember how exciting it was when summer came to an end and you started looking forward to the beginning of school?

I was thinking the other day about my favorite all time teacher. I have mentioned that teacher before. I bet you also have one teacher (from your 12 years of public schooling). I am talking about that teacher who stands out in your mind above all others for some reason or the other. Who was your favorite teacher and why? Maybe the teacher was more strict, more caring, maybe you liked the manner in which the teacher conducted the class. There has to be one and there has to be a reason. Write and share this with us and help some of the readers remember that teacher.

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

SCHOOLS IN CLARKSBURG
Come on, try to name all of the schools in Clarksburg at any one time. This will vary from person to person as to the years you were in Clarksburg…however, let us see your memories of those schools. List them please and email it to Roleta1@aol.com.

I have a list that was submitted to me, thus I thought of this subject. There is no right or wrong answer, it is all just a memory…but we are made up of our memories and we enjoy remembering!

submitted by: Elizabeth Teter Akin (WI '56)

Mary Duncan asked if the house my brother John wrote about was the Teter house she visited as a child. It was. Much altered, the house, or at least what has been retained of it, stands at the corner of Main Street and First Ave. John has no memory of Mary and I have only a very vague one, but have forever so long had the memory of her name in connection with my grandparents home rather than through school. I am curious about the relationship her family had with my family. I am thinking that it was through the National Carbon. My aunt worked there in the offices for many years. Was Mary's Aunt Madge the company nurse, and later the county health nurse? I know that Mary Brumage, Liz Tustin's mother, was a nurse at the Carbon and I knew Liz as a child in that connection.

Or it might have been through my grandfather, Michael D. Teter, who had been a teacher and principal at various schools in Harrison County. In his retirement he sold teacher's magazines and classroom display material. Some folks might remember him as he visited Teacher Institutes or back to school meetings in the late summers, and visited classrooms during the school year. He often demonstrated his math skills by having a student write several columns of numbers on the board and then my grandfather would add turn, look and write the sum immediately.

That house was very special to me. When my aunt married for the first time at age 67 or so, she sold the house to John McCusky, I believe. It was a very special place for me, and though invited to see what had been done to it I declined as I really believe the memories are greater than the house itself. And they certainly still are.

Thanks to you and Judy for keeping us all in touch with our youth, old friends, and our memories.

submitted by: Susie Newbrough Young (VHS '56)

Just got the recent copy of the Newsletter from Buzz and read about the businesses that used to be in Clarksburg. My first employer's is not listed - Loar & White Men's Store on 3rd Street. I went to Business College and started working at L&W right after that. The gentlemen for whom I worked were a nice group and easy to work with. They were: Charlie Mayer, Rick Frenzel, August Frenzel (Rick's Dad), Clyde Huffman and Earl McClain. I worked there until I got a job at Hope Gas Company, now Dominion. I worked there for over five years and then went to Washington, DC to work for General Services Administration. While there I met my husband, Jerry.

Also, down the street from L&W was a jewelry store (the name I cannot remember) and also up the street was Broida's, where I spent several dollars while living in Clarksburg.

I can remember walking down Main Street during the Christmas season and seeing all the beautiful decorations. I have been back once during the Christmas season and it just wasn't the same.

submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)

The lists of businesses reminded me of the stores in which I worked in the summer or after school on Friday evenings and on Saturdays during school. My first job was at Lerner's Dress Store, from there I went to Wonder Shoe Store and the last place I was employed was Broidas' in the second floor Ladies Dress and coat department.

I also was reminded of the Five and Ten Cent Stores. I find it amazing that within that one block of Main Street we had four such stores. G.C. Murphy's was always my favorite, next was F.W. Woolworth's, McCrory's and Grants. Not many towns supported so many of the same type of store. I remember that there was a small jewelry store between Murphy's and the bank that was on the corner. And Friedlander's was on the opposite corner. Were there other businesses on that side within that block?

I know that shopping centers are convenient and the parking is so much easier at a mall but wouldn't it be wonderful to again be able to walk down Main Street and go in and out of the shops?

submitted by: Nick Stevens (WI '63)

Let me add my name to the number of alumni that look forward to your letter each month. I just wish I could contribute more than I do.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I am glad to receive anything you wish to contribute. Thank you

submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)

Traveling By Train:

After graduating from high school, I went to Wheeling, WV to the Ohio Valley Hospital for nurses training. That winter it snowed so badly that when my Christmas break was over, my parents couldn't drive me back to Wheeling. So I had to take the train. My first train ride. On the train you could see houses and forests that you couldn't see from the highway.

SUMMER JOBS
submitted by: Brooke Beall (ND '58)
Thanks again for the great job you and Judy do with the WI Newsletter. Keep up the good work!

My first summer job was cutting grass in my neighborhood. I had three or four yards that I cut on a regular basis, including my own. My grass cutting equipment consisted of a push, reel, lawn mower (no motor), pair of hand clippers, and a sickle. I usually did one a day and got paid about $2-$3 per yard. Living on the "Hill" made cutting grass a real adventure. Most of the yards were very steep, so I employed a piece of rope tied to the handle to cut the banks. If the grass was high I would use the sickle to cut it the first time before I could use the mower. Of course all the trimming was done with the hand clippers. I did not get paid for cutting our yard and sometimes a good friend from down the street would help me cut it so we could spend more time riding our bikes or whatever else we wanted to do.

Things got better a couple of years later. My grandmother advanced me the money to buy a power mower. My father bought it at a wholesale business in Glen Elk. I don't recall what it cost, but I paid my grandmother back in one summer and still had money to save or spend. The next year it was all profit except for the gas and oil.

PS: In the three or four years that I cut grass, was only "stiffed" once. A rather prominent businessman in the neighborhood asked me to cut his son's yard. The yard was about a foot high in grass and weeds. We agreed on a price and it took me two days to cut, rake, cut, rake, and trim the yard. I went to the man and told him I had completed the work. He gave me half of what we had agreed. I moped around the house for a couple of days until my dad asked me what was wrong. I told him. He told me to come with him, and we visited the guy, and collected the remaining money. My dad told the man not to expect me to work for him again. One can learn life's lessons from their first summer job, and dads can gain a lot of respect from their sons.

submitted by: Habie Snyder (WI '59)
There were articles in a recent newsletter about a wheelbarrow man, here's one. The two security guards at the entrance of the coal mine took no action while watching a miner push a wheelbarrow full of coal through the gate at the end of his shift. This went on day after day, one wheelbarrow full of coal through the gate. Despite the fact this activity was stickily against company policy, the guards didn't stop him because they were operating on three ill-fated assumptions:
He's probably an old man.
He probably has a large family to feed.
He probably needs the coal to heat his home.

That's the end of the story. The moral of the story is that the miner wasn't stealing coal. He was stealing wheelbarrows.

There also were articles about celebrities, here's a true one. Some years ago, I was on my way to Palm Springs on a business trip. My flight into LAX was late, and the commuter terminal was on the other side of the airport (of course). While jogging along, I ran into and knocked down Chris Everett who was on her way to Flushing Meadows to play in the US Open where she was seeded #1. After introducing myself and apologizing 200 times, she told me not to worry about it because this was not the first or the last time she would be put on her derriere. At that point, I had two options - 1. continue running to make my flight or 2. stand there an talk to Chris Everett. I went with 2.. I cannot say enough good things about her. She was very gracious and even gave me her autograph. After I made my flight, I settled back in my seat and thought how lucky I had been. I got to meet Chris Everett and fortunately didn't break one of her arms.

LET FREEDOM RING! 9/11 TEN YEARS LATER

Sunday, September 11th, 2011, will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11. In observance of this moment in American history, millions of people in all 50 states and many others throughout the world will engage in solemn remembrance and reflection. The events of that tragic day seem just like yesterday to many, and are forever etched in our minds.

FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG
ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2011
IN REMERANCE

For Our World, a poem written on 9/11 by Mattie Stepanek

FOR OUR WORLD

We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

September 11, 2001
Mattie Stepanek was 11 years old when he wrote this poem on the day of 9-11.

Sadly he passed away in 2004 after a long battle with Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy. You can learn more about his brief, amazing, inspiring life at his website: http://www.mattieonline.com/

NEXT MONTH WILL BE THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
IT IS HALLOWEEN
Do you remember any prank or pranks you pulled during the Halloween festivities? Please share them with us. Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com

Did you dress up in costume ever for Halloween? Tell us what was your costume? Write to Roleta1@aol.com

Did you dress up for a parade when you were in grade school? What did you wear? Did you have a party in your classroom or did the teacher give you a Halloween treat? I don't remember room mothers do you? Write and share your memories with us. Write to Roleta1@aol.com

REMEMBERING A CLASSMATE
BARBARA MINEHART COMBS (WI 1965)
submitted by: Hilda Logston Kerns (WI '65)
The WI class of 1965 lost another friend on Monday, August 8, 2011 in the death of Barbara Minehart Combs. Anyone who knew Barbara will tell you about the deep love she always had for husband, Bobby Combs, a 1963 WI graduate. Barbara was the most beautiful young woman I had or have ever seen. There were many guys (and some famous ones) who tried to catch the eye of Barbara, but from the moment she met Bobby...that was that. During the high school years, Barbara loved being a majorette at WI, and dancing in the private Bonnette Chorus Line. One night while we were talking away and going to dance class across from the Clarksburg United Methodist Church on Pike St.... I forgot to put my Thunderbird in gear. To our amazement.. my car began rolling down the hill with Barbara chasing after it. That was that for cruising to Sky Castle and Satellite. Over the years we giggled so much about this scene.

After graduation in 1965, Barbara and I lived together in New York City. With help from her uncle, Senator Sharp, we worked in the WV Pavilion at the World's Fair. We were so naive, I won't even go there.

Barbara later worked as an airline stewardess for TWA until she became Mrs. Combs. I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in their 1968 Christmas wedding.

Barbara was a dedicated daughter, wife and mother. She gave everyone around her hope and happiness through her "glass half full" attitude. No matter how dire life would look, Barbara had the ability to look forward with her special spirit. In weakened health and only a week before she died, we talked on the phone about her coming to Clarksburg to visit her father, Bob Minehart. Just as I had 50 years ago, I was going to pick her up on Meigs Ave., turn up the radio, and go cruising in my newly purchased T-Bird convertible. I had taped such songs as "Bobby's Girl", and "Barbara Ann" to surprise her. We giggled about our plan and we were looking forward to our "sing along". However, this time we were going to end up on the deck at Murials Restaurant and sip some wine. That was the last time I spoke with my friend. When Barbara died this past Monday, not only did I and others lose a dear friend, but our world lost much of that pizazz it had with Barbara in it..

submitted by: Carol Gottlieb Rovinsky (WI '65)
The details are that Barbara's daughter's family of six - expecting one more in September! - in Ireland would travel to the states every four or five years. They visited in Dec, 2010 so weren't due again for a few years. They, of course, will travel as soon as the new arrival and mother (Barbara's daughter) are able to travel comfortably for a private family Memorial Service in Winter Park, FL.

If anyone would like to donate something in Barbara's memory, a donation to the church with which her son-in-law' is associated to cover the family's travel from Ireland in the spring for Barbara's Memorial Service would be well appreciated. The specifics are:

Landmark Baptist Church
509 N.8th
Carlsbad, NM 88220

checks made out to:
Landmark Baptist Church
Memo*: Ireland McKinley's Trip

* This Memo is very important to designate the funds for their travel.

GLASSWARE
submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)
The article last month was very interesting to me. My father worked at Hazel Atlas from the time World War I was over until 1962 when he retired. As an employee he was able to buy through the "company store" seconds or first runs. So I inherited a lot of HA glassware. Each of my three children have a complete set of HA dinnerware. I also have a small collection of Akro Agate ware including some of their marbles. In the picture, one of the little houses at the bottom of the hill is where my parents first lived after they were married. It was a "company house".

BLENKO GLASS AN ANSWER TO AN ARTICLE IN THE AUGUST NEWSLETTER
In the August newsletter, Judy wrote an article regarding BLENKO GLASS and the "birthday pieces" that were made in just the quantity of the age of the state. In her article she mentioned that she could not afford to buy the "birthday pieces", so I decided to find out just how expensive they were. I cannot actually find the price of the one for 2011, but from the enclosed article that I found in regard to the "birthday pieces" it would not matter, as I would have had to have "been there, done that" when they first came out for sale.

I thought that you, Judy and maybe even some of the WI newsletter readers might enjoy this article that I found on the internet.

John Teter (WI 1961)

WEST VIRGINIA BIRTHDAY PIECES
West Virginia was the 35th State in the Union and was established June 20, 1863. In 1980 William H. Blenko, a marketing genius, entered into an agreement with the Diamond Department Store to produce a signed and numbered vase for June's celebration of statehood. The number raises each year to equal the age of the state. In 1980 only 117 pieces were produced. All pieces are signed and numbered.

Each year the Birthday Pieces are sold out within 3 hours of the store opening. The Birthday Pieces are highly sought after. My Blenko Project advisors say this will become the most highly collectible Blenko Series as it is produced yearly, by different designers, and in very limited numbers. It is the longest running annual signed/numbered item that Blenko produces. The Series began with Diamond executives asking Mr. Blenko to produce a bowl that could be used on the table, for fruit or flowers, and that was very versatile for the homemaker. Mr. Blenko knew the cost of making a design and mold for such a limited series would be expensive and thus not profitable for Blenko, yet he entered into the contract and asked Don Shepherd, Blenko Designer, to design the piece. Mr. William Blenko came to the Diamond, and later Stone and Thomas, Department Stores to sign each piece of glass and meet and greet the ladies who bought his Birthday Pieces and many other Blenko pieces for their homes.

The Birthday Piece grew in popularity and by 1987 the lines to purchase them were outside the Diamond Department Store doors before 7am. This tradition continued. In 2005 the Birthday Piece was sold at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, WV. The Birthday collectors began to arrive shortly after midnight the night before, and by 11am (an hour after the store opened) the Birthday Pieces were sold out.

It is the perfect union - West Virginia's Birthday Celebration, a West Virginia Business, and West Virginia Hand Crafted Glass. Bill Blenko, while always trying to be supportive of his home state, started a yearly tradition for many families. He succeeded in his goal of producing an annual piece to celebrate the Birthday of our state. My own family has collected this particular piece for over 20 years, each year they see friends they know only from Birthday Piece collecting.

The Blenko Project has knowledge of five complete sets of birthday pieces. Mrs. John (Eppie) Boles of South Charleston, Mrs. Ken Ellis of Campbells Creek and her daughter Renita Williams have complete West Virginia birthday sets. John Homburg is the only member of the Blenko collectors society to have the entire collection. West Virginia birthday collectors are an eclectic group. Many are obsessed with only birthday pieces, while others collect all things Blenko. They are also savvy collectors who realize that this collection is one of the most unique in the country. Perhaps, they like the art advisors to the Blenko Project realize the WV birthday series becomes more valuable with longevity.

The future of the WV Birthday Piece, like that of the Blenko Glass Co, is bright and increasing in value as the country once again embraces the idea of purchasing the finest handcrafted glass products. West Virginia handcrafted glass is superior in design and color. This quality is one of the many reason Blenko Glass Co remains a viable business and a state treasure. The 2006 Birthday Piece will be available for purchase in June 2006.

A very conservative estimate of value for the entire collection of 27 pieces is between $19,000 - $22,000. Reported prices per piece vary from $2,000 to $375 depending upon age and condition. The first ten pieces are the most sought after. The 1980 - 1981 pieces cost between $900 and $2,000. These pieces are very limited. In 1980 only 117 were produced.

LINKS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ
Article about Music, Music, Music by James Fragale

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-a-fragale/post_2236_b_911743.html

submitted by: Brooke Beall (ND '58)
This is an interesting site about Notre Dame:

The Notre Dame High School Class of 1958 web page has been updated………

http://ndhsclassof1958.weebly.com/

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
This is interesting. More trees now than in 1910. And farmers, not lumber barrens, clear-cut more of the forests. As a tree hugger it's not what I thought.

http://wvfa.org/forestry-facts.html

HAPPY 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

CHANCE MEETINGS

SHE MADE A LONG TIME FRIEND BY BEING A FRIENDLY MOUNTAINEER
submitted by: Carol Gottlieb Rovinsky (WI '65)
In the August issue of the WI newsletter, you asked for us to reply to "When you meet someone and find out they are from our area of WV". Well, I have a nice story but found out they were NOT from our area. Here goes:

I moved to St. Augustine, FL in 1991 with my husband. We had a weekly ritual of going to the local (original) bar in the downtown (old) section of St. Augustine early on a Friday afternoon and leaving before dark with a pizza to eat at home.

One winter day a couple walked in, she wearing a WVU sweatshirt. I automatically said to her: "How 'bout them EERS !". She looked confused. I immediately realized the problem and said: "Oh, I thought you were from West Virginia." She said: "Well, actually no. One of our sons is attending WVU."

That started a friendship that continues today.

TO BE DELETED?

CLASSES 1969, 1970, 1972
submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com
Listed below are some email addresses that don't seem to be working. Diana Sablack Sandy (WI 1969) is in charge of emailing the monthly newsletter notification to WI CLASSES 1968 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974. If you are in that class, please add her email address to your email on line address book icedteadee@aol.com This way her email to you will be recognized. If you know any of those listed below, please notify them that if we don't hear of a changed address from them that we will have to erase them from out lists. Thanks

Tom Reed (WI 69)        reed1951@verizon.net (I tried frontier for him & it came back too)
John W. Harris (WI 70)   sharris9@ma.rr.com
Mary Ann Wood (WI 72) mwood@inassoc.com
Martin Danley (WI 73)     rcrdan@verizon.net

NEW READERS

John Knicely (WI '65)	jlk25045@frontier.com
David E. Ridenour (WI '65)	ridenour@earthlink.net
Becky Rumble Littlepage (WI '66)	RLittlepage@cox.net
Donald Hetzler (WI '61)	NehiUSA@comcast.net
Cheryl Hegmann Smallsreed (WI '65)	csmallsreed@aol.com
Nancy Jackson (WI '50)	WV32@Frontier.com
Judy Davis Pinti (WI '59)	japinti1@frontier.com
Richard Wagner (WI '65)	rev.wagner@gmail.com

EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

Karen Griffith Askins (WI '60)	angelid@msn.com
DeAnn Cabo Tiffany (WI '60)	jtiffany@bellsouth.net
Alex Sandonas Thwaites (WI '65)	athwaites1@comcast.net
Linda DeTurk Jones (WI '60)	lindadeturkjones60@verizon.net
Patti Morelan Gyorda (WI '57	pattygyorda@yahoo.com
Cynthia Molle Oates (WI '58)	caoates@frontier.com
Buck Tustin (WI '55)	glenwi55@hotmail.com
Marcia Porter Heinz (WI '65)	was: avonmarcia@hotmail.com is now: avonmarcia26@hotmail.com

WI REUNION PICNIC
submitted by: Roleta

A group enjoying the food and socializing
On Saturday, August 27, 2011 the annual WI Reunion Picnic was held at Veteran's Memorial Park in Clarksburg, WV. It was a beautiful sunny day with a temperature of about 75 and a slight breeze. A perfect day for a picnic.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Sharyn Cottrill McGahan for the work she does in planning, organizing and putting this picnic together. She had about 8 people who helped her out in one capacity or the other and everything was done well. There was plenty of food and so many nice homemade items. Plus of course Sharyn provided the meatballs and sausages in tomato and pepper sauce which is always a hit.

Lots and lots of great Clarksburg food
But better than the food was visiting with old friends and making new ones. It was seeing people one hadn't seen for a while and being able to talk about 'REMEMBER WHEN". As one couple and I were talking it came up that we are made up of memories….WE ARE MEMORIES…..we can't talk much about tomorrow as we don't know what that will bring; but we can certainly talk about what makes us what we are…our experiences which are memories.

I hope to see you next year at the picnic --- The 12th Annual Picnic for the Friends of WI will be Aug 25th, 2012 VA Park, Osborne Shelter. Mark your calendar now so you can reserve the date and make it a point to attend. I am sure you won't be disappointed. It is different than your high school reunion because at this reunion you can visit with people from other classes.

Roleta chatting with friends

submitted by: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan
The 11th Annual WI Picnic was a great success. About 100 people attended on a beautiful day at the VA Memorial Park in Clarksburg. As I was moving my car, I found several people that had not signed the register so it is very hard to have the exact number. The eldest was Mr. Jim Barrick, class of 1945, 84 yrs. young and until late in the afternoon his son, Roger Barrick, class of 1981, was the youngest. In the end Michael Stalnaker, class of 1983 took the youngest away from Barrick. The one coming from the furthest away was Vince Fragamene class of 1959 who came from Hawaii.

I would like to thank all my helpers:

Joy Gregoire DeFazio (WI 59) and Paula Brasseur Riley (WI 59) for helping get everything together and packing and hauling all the essentials to the park. Charlie (WI 59) and Naomi (WI 64) Burkhammer for working the registration. Also Joy's husband, John DeFazio (RW 60) and my husband, Jim McGahan (Grafton 56) for all their lugging, help and support.

Jim McGahan and Paula Brasseur Riley unpacking Sharyn's car
The people that came early and helped unpack, move tables, set up, cover tables, decorate, get ice, and everything else that needed done:

Ronnie Rogers (WI 56); Bill Stanton (WI 60); Pam (Wolfe) (WI 60) and Jim Brown (WI 57) ; Nadine Stealey (WI 63) and Ronnie Werner (WI 59) along with the above mentioned. I hope I didn't miss anyone. If I did it is merely an oversight because I truly thank you and needed all your help.

Everyone had a good time
That is Bob Dennison (WI 1957) and wife Carolyn sitting.
The 12th Annual WI Picnic will be held Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 at the Osborn Shelter in the VA Memorial Park in Clarksburg so mark your calendars and attend the fun, memories and friendship.

Wearing our colors - gold and blue
NOTE: All picnic pictures submitted by Sharyn Cottrill McGahan WI 1959

WI TEE SHIRTS
submitted by: Roleta

Roleta wearing her WI tee shirt at the picnic
I still have WI Tee shirts for sale. All profit goes to the WIN Scholarship. I have them in size Medium, Large and Extra Large. The shirt is gold with navy blue logo on the left breast area. The cost is $15.00. The tee shirts are made of very fine quality material, wash up nicely and even have finished seams. If you have a nice quality WVU shirt, the size is comparable. Make out your check to Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

Give me the size you wish and the address to ship the shirt to if different than the address on your check. I will mail to anyplace in the lower 48!

Mail your check to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Thank you for supporting the WIN Scholarship.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I sold 21 WI tee shirts at the WI Picnic in Clarksburg on August 27, 2011. Everyone was very happy with the size and quality of the shirt.

AMAZING FRIENDSHIP GROWS
FROM A MEETING DUE TO THE NEWSLETTER
A WONDERFUL STORY
submitted by: Elizabeth Smouse Murphy (WI '49)
emurphyeliz@aol.com
When I was reading the July newsletter I saw where Amanda Seefong had written a thank you note after receiving the 2011 WIN Scholarship of $3,000 for college . She mentioned that she was changing colleges for her last year of nursing and would be attending Malone University in Canton, OH. That caught my eye because I graduated from WI 1949 and have lived in Canton for sixty years. I wrote a note to her and told her she had chosen a very good university and that when she arrived in Canton I would like to meet her.

We have been in contact by email and soon we plan to meet. I will drop you a line and let you know how our first meeting goes.

AN UPDATE:
Just wanted to give you an update on our meeting with Amanda Seefong. She is a wonderful, delightful girl.

It turns out that the boy she is dating is the grandson of one of our friends. When she told me who she was dating I was over joyed and said "we are practically family".

I just had an email from her this morning saying she went to interview for a job at Friendly's Ice Cream and they hired her on the spot.

I can't stop smiling. I am so thrilled that I decided to meet her when she came to Canton. We never know when an article in the WI Newsletter will turn into a new relationship.

You are doing a wonderful job and a wonderful service for the many people who read the newsletter.

Thank YOU and Judy a million times over.

EDITOR'S NOTE: See we are making strides, showing and sharing love. God bless you, Mrs. Murphy, for reaching out to a young gal from Clarksburg. I am sure you both will enjoy your new friendship. You acted on an intuition and you contacted her….this is such a wonderful story. Please keep us posted. I am sure anyone of our scholarship recipients would be so happy to hear from anyone of the readers, a letter of encouragement is a wonderful thing.

SUGGESTED READING
submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64 )
Hello fellow Clarksburgers and readers of the WI Letter!

Wanted to share a little information I just read in the Goldenseal Magazine Summer 2011 Issue.. Page 70 tells about a new book :

The High Tide of American Conservatism : Davis, Coolidge, and the 1924 Election by Garland S. Tucker, III.

It takes a look at the presidential race involving WV's only major-party candidate for the office of President. John W. Davis, Democrat Conservative from Clarksburg.

336 page hardback book published in 2010 by The Emerald Book Company sells for $29.95 plus shipping and is available online at www.emeraldbookcompany.com. Phone number is 512-891-6100. All you History buffs out there.....

Many thanks again for the Letter!

How about these September days and we aren't starting a new school year! Well, except for a few, who may be teaching or returning ..

LEARNING TO BLOG
submitted by: Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI '58)
I recently learned what it means to "Blog". I have never followed anything or anybody on the internet, so when I heard Jim Fragale, WI 1958, was a blogger on "Huffington Post", I did not know what that meant.

So, I googled Huffington Post and went to their site. Luckily, you do not have to become a member just to read articles. It is kinda like Craigs List, todays entries are listed first. Since his article was back on July 28, in order to find it, I went to the bottom of the site and entered his name, "James Fragale", and what do you know, his interesting July 28, 2011 "Music, Music, Music" article was listed. The article has a lot of memories of growing up with music in the 50's & 60's. I never ever, however, have followed music the way Jim has.

I did not buy much music when I was in high school, the radio was my source. I especially have fond memories of singing and listening to music in the car. The names of the songs we grew up with that are listed here in the newsletter bring back lots of lyrics and fond memories. Thanks Roleta for keeping this unique newsletter going for as long as you have, every issue is a jewel.

INTERESTING, I RECEIVED THIS CONCERNING THE HUFFINGTON POST
Dateline: New York. Dear Roleta. An update. Recently, The Huffington Post accepted an article I wrote. That takes a little explaining. For openers, the work is reminiscence on my childhood in Clarksburg, about music – and, about radio. The Huffington Post is an online "newspaper" that expounds daily on subjects that range from soup to nut-burgers. If you have a computer, here's how to read it:
1). you put in the words "Huffington Post"
2). then type the title: "Save the Music, Music, Music."

Alas, the work comes up on the computer screen. By the way, the effort was submitted and accepted by the boss herself, Arianna Huffington, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the AOL owned site. One minor point, at the bottom of the column, readers weigh in with their opinion. One pundit likened the work to James Agee's "Knoxville: 1915," not bad company to be in. What's more, it's free, if you have access to a computer. In closing, I'd like to add, I never tire of writing about home.

FOOT NOTE TO YOU: The Huffington Post is an American news website and content aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, featuring various news sources and columnists. The site offers coverage of politics, media, business, entertainment, living, style, the green movement, world news, and comedy, and has news, blogs, and original content. The Huffington Post was launched in 2005, as a commentary outlet and alternative to news websites like the Drudge Report. In February 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for $315 million making Arianna Huffington editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group.

"WHERE?" "WHY?"
submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
Reading Don Sager's "strange chance meeting" article in the August Newsletter reminds me of one of my experiences with a neighbor when I lived in Lawrenceville, GA. One day I was out in the yard doing some light yard work when I started talking to this neighbor I've known for a year or more. We were talking about how cold it was in Ga at that time. I told him if he thinks it is cold here he should be in WV. He asked what part of WV. I told him around the central part. He asked what is the nearest town. I told him near Morgantown. He asked, "Where near Morgantown?" I told him Clarksburg. "Where in Clarksburg?" I told him Broad Oaks. "Where in Broad Oaks?" I responded, "Haymond Hwy." "Where on Haymond Hwy?" I asked him where this was leading because I knew he moved from Fl to Lawrenceville. He said he was born on Haymond Hwy but left the area when he was 9 years old and attended Alta Vista up until then. His last name was Trimble and his dad, I believe, was the manager or accountant for Palace Furniture for many years. So you see, it is a small world.

Maybe there are others who can share their experiences in "strange chance meetings."

NOSTALGIA MEMORIES
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Someone recently said to me that she had read in a newsletter a couple of months back about a subject that I suggested to be discussed the following month and she meant to write to me but forgot and now it was too late.

I told her it is never too late as this newsletter is made up of memories, nostalgic information and 97% of it is never current.

Whenever you want to write and whatever you want to write is always great for this newsletter.

So if you think it, write it….

Roleta1@aol.com

COMMERATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR AND WHAT PART DID WESTERN VIRGINIA PLAY IN IT?
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
For the next few months, I am going to run some information concerning the Civil War and West Virginia. This is to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War. (1861- 1865)

If you have any information re: the Civil War and would like to share it, please send it to Roleta1@aol.com If you had an ancestor who served in the Civil War (Northern Yankee or Southern Rebel) write and share with us.

THE CIVIL WAR IN WEST VIRGINIA 1861
The Civil War began when Confederate artillery shelled the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina on April 12, 1861. Five days later, leaders of Confederate Virginia decided to capture the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry for the southern cause. As southern militia marched toward Harpers Ferry, Union troops set fire to the armory and arsenal, preventing the weapons from falling into Confederate hands. With a loud explosion on the night of April 18, the Civil War arrived in western Virginia. During the war, Harpers Ferry changed hands numerous times. The intersection of two major railroads, the Baltimore and Ohio and the Winchester and Potomac, and its military importance in the Shenandoah Valley made Harpers Ferry a key strategic stronghold.

During the first weeks of the war, the Confederate government of Virginia recruited troops in western Virginia, assigning Colonel George A. Porterfield to Grafton, which was connected to most of Northwest Virginia by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. As Union troops under General George B. McClellan advanced, Porterfield drew his forces back to Philippi. As McClellan neared the region, he sent Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley and the First Virginia Provisional Regiment (later the First West Virginia Infantry) as an advance guard. On the morning of June 3, 1861, Kelley's troops attacked Porterfield's forces at Philippi, resulting in a Confederate retreat. This is considered by many to be the first land battle of the Civil War.

To prevent Union troops from advancing further up the Tygart Valley, reinforcements led by General Robert S. Garnett joined the retreating Confederates and established strongholds at Laurel Hill in Tucker County and Rich Mountain in Randolph County. On July 11, Union General William S. Rosecrans won a decisive battle at Rich Mountain and days later, the Confederates were pushed from Laurel Hill. On July 14, the retreating Confederates were routed at their position at Corrick's Ford and Garnett was killed. This series of engagements resulted in Union control of Northwest Virginia for virtually the remainder of the war. Control of the transportation routes made it difficult to supply Confederate units throughout the war. This also ensured the safety of West Virginia statehood leaders meeting in Wheeling.

While the Confederates were easily defeated in the northern part of present-day West Virginia, they mustered a better effort in the Kanawha Valley. Former Virginia governor Henry S. Wise, now a general, had established his forces at the mouth of Scary Creek in Putnam County. On July 16, Wise pushed back an attack by forces under General Jacob D. Cox. After the arrival of reinforcements, Cox's men drove Wise up the valley to Gauley Bridge and eventually into Greenbrier County. The North suffered a setback in August as General Rosecrans' advance forces were defeated at Kessler's Cross Lanes in Nicholas County while marching toward Gauley Bridge. Another former Virginia governor, General John Floyd, established his troops on a bluff at nearby Carnifex Ferry. Union troops attacked Floyd on September 10. Although the Union casualties totaled 158 compared to 20 Confederate, the larger number of northern forces drove both Floyd and Wise back into Greenbrier County. A significant factor leading to the southern defeat was a long-standing political rivalry between Wise and Floyd. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry placed the important Kanawha Valley in Union hands for the early part of the war. In only a few short months, the North had gained control of northwestern Virginia and the Kanawha Valley.

In August, Robert E. Lee, in his first assignment of the war, set up camp on Valley Mountain in Pocahontas County. He first hoped to put more pressure on northwestern Virginia, but overestimated Union strength at the Cheat Mountain Summit Fort and elected not to attack. Many feel that Lee's 15,000 men in the area could have re-taken all of northwestern Virginia had he pushed forward. In October, Lee again failed to attack Rosecrans' outnumbered force following Carnifex Ferry. These early disappointments landed Lee an administrative post in Richmond until later in the war.

Information take from online files: West Virginia Archives and History

West Virginia Division of Culture and History
Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved

VISIONS OF WEST VIRGINIA
CIVIL WAR COMMEMORATIVE QUILT
THE 2012 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

CENTER SQUARE WV STAR

To commemorate the Civil War beginning 150 years ago in 1861, the WIN Quilters have combined scenes of WV with authentic reproduction Civil War era fabrics into quilt squares which will be incorporated into a beautiful quilt. The complete quilt will be pictured soon but we have supplied you with a few pictures of some special squares.

Mary Ann (Hite) Williams provided the Visions of West Virginia fabric that we are using as the focus of our blocks for the 2012 WIN scholarship quilt. The scenes were drawn by Tina Richmond and were the shop hop fabric for the 2010 WV Mountain Quest. Mary Ann had purchased the tan/black version from Pieces of the Past Quilt Shop in Harrisville, WV . The squares were made by the WIN quilters and were shipped to Mary Liz (Custer) Carder. Sue (Selby) Moats recently flew to Colorado and she and Liz Carder decided on the squares placement and the design of the quilt top. Sue returned home with the quilt top and will begin the finishing touches to complete the quilt. The WIN quilters are so talented and devoted to this project. This will be the 7th year they have done a quilt which recently has been bringing in enough money for one scholarship each year. The recent quilts of the four seasons were given an estimated value of over $2,000.00 each by professionals. This Civil War commemorative quilt will not only top that estimate but will be a valuable piece of art work for the winner of the quilt.

All money collected for the tickets goes to the WIN scholarship.

Thank you for helping us meet our goal.

We are now selling the tickets for the quilt drawing which will take place on March 10, 2012 in Sarasota, Florida at the Clarksburg Picnic.

You can order your tickets in this manner. $5.00 will get you 6 tickets, $10.00 you will receive 12 tickets, $15.00 and you will get 18 tickets…$20.00 and you will receive 24 tickets….etc, etc.

Karen Malfregot and Babe Bisping Cashman will make out the tickets for the drawing. If you can help make out tickets, please respond to me as I am hoping we will have to make out more tickets than these ladies can complete!

To order your tickets, please make out your check or money order to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

And Mail to:

Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219

(Please enclose a note telling me what name you want on the ticket and the shipping address---we will ship free via United Parcel Service (UPS) anyplace in the lower 48 states.)

Any questions write to me at Roleta1@aol.com. Thank you.

STATE BORN OF THE CIVIL WAR
http://www.igougo.com/journal-j47076-Clarksburg- The_State_Born_of_the_Civil_War_Part_II_Clarksburg.html#ReviewID:1233738

submitted by: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com
The following link was sent by Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) by way of Bud Collins (WI 1955). It is an interesting article about Clarksburg native, Sam Sirianni, Sr., who has become a legend in Ft. Myers, FL. As I've said before, North Central West Virginia is the real cradle of coaches.

FHSAA.org | Sam Sirianni Sr.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a memory that Pat Elder has of Sonny Sirianni.

To Bill:

"Sonny" Sirianni and Rudy Columbo headed a very tough RW team my sophomore year in high school. The two of them went on to Marshall and elevated that program. Rudy was a tackle and played both ways. They had a very good team, although, I do not know their record for the year. They beat us, in probably one of the toughest high school games I ever saw. The score was close. We were missing Paul Chicarell & Mike Garret, who were in a car wreck on their way to the game at Hite Field.

Pat Elder (ND 1957)

Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) also sent the link below. It is a brief view of various sports figures through the years. This film clip brought back a lot of memories. I've lived through most of these moments. I remember Jim Brown running wild in the snow at old Mountaineer Field against WVU and Earl Bruce never really being able to replace Woody Hayes. Seeing Roger Maris reminded me of the way his family was stripped of his Budweiser distributorship after his death. I could go on and on with stories about these sports moments.

http://tinyurl.com/4ubztww
Do any of these spark a memory that you would like to share. If so, send it to me at billmere@aol.com.

To Bill:

I had a good friend from Follansbee, WV, named Mike Chiccalello, who was a linebacker at the University of Dayton. He went on to play for the New York Giants, back when Allie Sherman was their coach. Mike won a starting position about the third game of his first season. Sherman told Mike that he was going to start, but forgot to tell the assistant coaches. The Giants kicked off and they stopped the opponent on about their 20 yard line. The defensive team ran onto the field for the Giants, but they only had 10 men. Sherman was furious and called time out. He counted the men on the field and yelled "Chiccalello !!!!" Mike looked at the defense coach and said "You didn't tell me to go out". Sherman screamed at Chic, "That's a $5,000 dollar fine!!" Back then, the rookies started out at $15,000/year. Chic looked at Sherman and said "What, on my salary?" Sherman had to laugh and said to forget the fine and to get his butt into the game. This is a true story and I think it is very funny.

Pat Elder (ND 1957)

Reply To Pat:

This is a fine example of how informal professional football was in the old days. Only after TV got heavily involved, did the sport become the "sterile" product that it is today. I still watch some of the games, but give me college football over the pros anytime. Incidentally, as I predicted last month, the union and owners had their fun and settled their dispute in time to miss only the "Hall of Fame" game. As my old Grand pappy once told me, "If you want to know why something happened, Son, FOLLOW THE MONEY". It was true then and it is true today. Pat, thanks for the two letters and "Welcome back" !

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

I was fascinated reading your article in July's addition of the WI Newsletter about "drop kicking." It certainly brought back a flood of memories. I was also delighted to see my fellow classmate Ronnie Cleavenger, remembered that I drop kicked extra points my junior and senior years at WI (1961-1962). Ronnie has always been the class authority on sports because he just remembers everything. Nevertheless, there is an interesting story that I would like to share. The first 3 games of my junior year our team was not consistent making extra points, kicking the conventional way. I was a halfback and was always fooling around before and after practice drop kicking. I learned to kick from my cousin, who learned to drop kick at Greenbrier Military and later played at WVU. One day Coach Moore was watching me. He came over and started drop kicking with me. He wasn't real good, but had the right idea. I thought nothing of it because we were just fooling around. Our next game was at Hite Field against Shinnston. I scored a touchdown and was getting my breath when Bobby Combs came into the huddle and said Coach Moore wants you to drop kick the extra point. I didn't believe him and looked to the sideline. Coach Moore gestured by nodding his head "yes." To say the least, I was 'scared to death' that now I was going to make a fool of myself in front of all these people.

I turned to the referee and said I was going to drop kick the extra point. When the ball was snapped to me, I was literally shaking. I just kept my head down and kicked. It was right between the uprights, but I thought I didn't get enough leg into it. I looked back at the referee and was shocked to see him raise his hands and yell "good". After the game, Ronnie Cleavenger found me and said "Nickie, that kick was short. I was standing at the goal line and I could swear that it didn't make it over the crossbar."

The next game was against Parkersburg and when we scored, I got enough leg into the ball that it almost made it to the back fence. That kick was important, because the score was 12 to 0 in Parkersburg's favor and we made it 12-7. We just needed one more score to win. It didn't happen, but that was the closest we ever came to beating Parkersburg. I learned several years later that the Parkersburg coach still talked about seeing me drop kick that extra point.

I kicked extra points the rest of the season, as well as my senior year. The interesting thing was that my kicking was a novelty, because I always had a crowd of people watching me drop kick during the pregame warm up, whether at home or away. I later learned that I was the last drop kicker in West Virginia high school football. Ronnie, thanks for the memories.

Nick Stevens, W I 1963

Reply To Nick:

A great story and one worth printing in the local newspaper, so everyone can read it. As I said earlier, I never saw anyone drop kick in a high school football game. Here is the story from the guy who did it last and did it very well. As they say, we learn something everyday. Thanks to Nick, I learned something today that I'll remember for a long, long time.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

Since football season is here, we asked a few of our readers to answer some questions about sports, especially football. Following are some replies we received.

1 . Did you play any organized football as a young man?

Pat Elder (ND 1957) answered:

Bill, I started sandlot football in North View when I was about 10 yrs. old. We played the other neighborhoods, like Arlington for example, and after the game, we had some kind of fight. Then, we had something like a coal fight, a small war throwing crushed coal at each other. I remember Pete Perry was our fullback and hardly anyone could tackle Pete. He was tough!! No one could ever beat him in a fight either.

I moved from North View to Broad Oaks to go into 8th grade at St. Marys and played Junior High football there. That was my first organized football and I told coach that it was sissy-ball. He got me back for that over the next four years. I had a chance to go on, but I wanted engineering in college and I wasn't smart enough to do both. I did play intra-mural football all four years in school, though. Later on, I took up flag football in Dayton Class A. That was similar for me to sandlot, because I played center on offense and nose guard on defense. I played until I was 44 yrs. old. At that point, I would put on towels and three sweat shirts, sizes 2x, 3x and 4x, all for concealed padding. Those young guys were getting to me. My wife finally got tired of me whining when I came home after our games and ordered me to quit. I was the oldest guy out there and I finally found the wisdom in Joan's judgment. I have always loved the game of football.

Last year, you guys were talking about the crazy gyms where everyone played basketball. Well, there were some crazy football fields also. We played on one field where one end zone was higher by about a foot than the other. So, you had to choose your end carefully at the beginning, deciding whether you wanted to run downhill or uphill early or late in the game. We played on one in Gassaway that had just been cut out of the side of a hill and had no grass yet. Yes, it did rain. That was not as bad as Doddridge, though. They had no crown in their field and it rained cats and dogs, both in my sophomore and senior years. The field had no drains and had a hillside from which water poured down to flood the field. I came out of the huddle to center the ball and it was floating away from me. They wouldn't let us use their visitor's dressing room in our sophomore year, so we sat on an oil derrick for halftime in the pouring rain. They went into their dressing room and put on clean, dry uniforms and waited until the last minute to come out for the second half. In our senior year, we came on a bus, so we had a place to go at halftime and they threw rocks at the windows after the game. Every time I drive back to Clarksburg on Route 50, when I come through Doddridge County, I give that stadium, which is still there, the one finger salute! There were a few others, too. But, overall, we played on some very nice fields with very nice dressing rooms.

Bob Dennison WI 1957

Bob answered that he participated in the following sports:

FOOTBALL; Central (2) - WI (4) – Potomac State (2) –Fairmont State (1) US Naval Flight School (2)+

BASKETBALL; Alta Vista (2) – Broad Oaks (Church League 4) - WI (2) – Potomac State (1) - U S Navy (4) –

INDEPENDENT LEAGUES (5) + Baseball; Little League (3) – Babe Ruth (3) – Potomac State (2) - U S Navy (4) +

SOFTBALL; Clarksburg Outside Fast Pitch (4)

OFFICIAL; Football (22) - Basketball (22) - Baseball (14)

2 . Do you now follow the progress of any of the teams in West Virginia (High school, college , etc.)?

Bob Dennison, W I 1957 answered:

I am a true and loyal Mountaineer, but I am not totally happy about what is going on at WVU. I think sports are still a thing to be enjoyed, not just for the "Bookies" and any other "Making Money Crap" that is happening. I feel WVU will do well in the Big East in football and basketball.

The Steelers are the pro team I like. After that, I just enjoy sports and, for fun, I root for the opposition of whoever my friend is for. What I really like best is to work with kids, teaching fundamentals and how to win or lose in life. Sports are a great teacher. I hope this helps you to understand me and my strange outlook on life. The only place to enjoy sports, folks, is to be an official. I think everyone should try it at least once.

Bill, my grandson, Nate LeFevree, made the WI middle school team last year.. That fact alone makes me a follower of WI. The fact that the varsity was undefeated county champs for the third time in four years is reason number 2. They did not have a great record as a JV team and, since the Harrison County Board of Education removed Jason Salentro as their coach, this year is going to make it an "Up Hill" battle for them. When Nate came to Florida, I was able to get Bob Clousson, of West Virginia University fame to give Nate a week's worth of private lessons at Sun-N-Fun. It all depends on Nate now to put those lessons to work to be a better team player this year. He is also visiting Jerod West of West Virginia U and Notre Dame High school for additional instructions. (He is getting a "Crash Course" in basketball knowledge). We all know that "YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM DRINK". At least as a family we are behind Nate. It may not take complete affect until later, but I do not think it was time spent foolishly. Time will tell that story and I will be pulling for him and the WI Middle School Team.

3 . Do you have any thoughts on the changing dynamics of high school football in North Central West Virginia, such as conference realignments, etc.

Bob Dennison, W I 1957 answered:

High school sports in WV have been on the upswing the last few years. Bridgeport High School and the merger of Roosevelt Wilson and Washington Irving High Schools have raised the competition of the sports in Harrison County. To get the older folks interested again, the schools have offered free passes to those who want them. I, for one, think that is going to make a big difference in the following of sports in Harrison County. I hope other counties take note and get the senior population interested in the young folks in West Virginia, not only in the major sports, but volleyball, golf, swimming, soccer, and whatever. Get behind our young folks of today, they really need our support.

4 . Do you have a prediction on how the WVU Mountaineers will do this season?

Pat Elder ND 1957 answered:

As for this coming year, I like WVU and, with the right breaks, I predict an undefeated season. I think Holgerson will lead them beyond the freaky bad luck situations. Stew couldn't overcome some of those hurdles and I liked Stew. With the speed and the strengthened leadership that I perceive, I pick WVU to be in the top 5. I believe we will see a new lineup this year with all of the probations etc. I blame the NCAA for most of this, a lack of vision and leadership. Thanks, Bill. I sure enjoyed writing all of this. I wish I could be more brief, but it tis the Irish in me.

Reply To Pat And Bob:

First, thanks to you two guys for sending in your answers to the questions. I really thought I'd be swamped with comments and opinions. Everyone tells me they love reading the sports section, but very few are willing to write to share an opinion or memory.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't express my thoughts on the Mountaineers. I'd love to agree with Pat on a top five finish, but, after taking into consideration the new faces on defense, a glaring lack of depth all over and a new coach, I can't see more than nine wins. (Sound familiar?) I fear LSU, Maryland and South Florida will be tough to beat. After last year, I even fear Marshall. Syracuse and Louisville could cause concern, but if this team loses more than three games, Mr. Luck and company will have some explaining to do.

There was a fifth question, which no one answered. It was:

5. Who will be the top three teams in the final BCS poll?

Maybe some of you would like to guess at this one. If so, email me at (billmere@aol.com).

A FOOTBALL CHEER, REMEMBER THIS ONE?
submitted by: David Bates (WI '51)
One, two, three, four...
Every two weeks I sort a multitude of capsules and pills into a box. To keep this old man's mind somewhat focused and a little bit in line, I count them out, one, two, three, four... and soon find myself singing, One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, all good children go to heaven. When they get there they will yell, VICTORY, VICTORY GO TO HELL!!! Just as we did from the bleachers every Armistice Day.

Do you remember any cheers or songs from your school years? Share them with us….Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

IF YOU ARE ON FACEBOOK
If you are a member of Facebook. There is a group named Clarksburg Friends…you might want to check it out.

CHARLIE MEANS AND HIS GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER

Pictured above are Charlie Means and his 7 year old great grand daughter. A true picture of love and trust!

Congratulations Charlie.

CAN YOU GIVE HIM ANY INFORMATION ON HIS FRIEND?
submitted by: Jim Hovey (WI '62)
jhovey@jmt.com
Frank Bush wrote of meeting Wade Vore (RW) in the August Newsletter. I think Wade's son, Jack, was one of my best friends growing up in Chestnut Hills. Any way I can get in touch with Jack? Thanks

TO ALL THE SENIOR CITIZENS
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
Observations on Growing Older

When you needed the discount, you paid full price.
Now you get discounts on everything... movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.

Your spouse is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.

The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"..."where?" ???

What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

Now that your spouse has retired ... you'd give anything if he/she would find a job!

You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet ... 2 of which you will never wear.

But old is good in some things:
old songs,
old movies,
And best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived

AUGUST NEWSLETTER GUESS WHO

The correct answer to: "Guess Who " in the August newsletter:

Linda Newport Sticker WI '65; Mary Virginia Martino Aneese WI '? she's Larry Martino's sister; and Alexis Julian Scott ND '65

They all lived on Beech and Birch Street right off of Mulberry Avenue.

GUESS WHO FOR SEPTEMBER 2011

Can you name those pictured? Write to Roleta1@aol.com. Name as many as you can, I only print those that are correct.

BUY AMERICAN
Before you go shopping, check out this site and look for items made in America…..

http://www.americansworking.com/

HOW I MET MY HUSBAND

IT'S A SMALL, SMALL WORLD
submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)
In 1952 I was working in Washington, DC for Western Union as a Teletype operator. On February 15th of that year my roommate and I decided to go to the local roller rink and go skating. I put my skates on and darn someone had thrown a piece of gum on the floor and it was on my wheel. I got a knife and was scrapping it off when I heard someone say "What the ---- are you doing here?" It was one of the Ogren twins from my class at WI 1950. So then I had two skating partners for the evening. Then I ended up with three. The third person had a car and had driven some of his Air Force Buddies into DC for the evening. They had all been stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. That third person turned out to be the man I married 59 years ago.

FRIENDS ENJOYING AN EVENING TOGETHER
AT THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA.
submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

Top.........l to r Fred Alvaro WI ' 59, Bud Collins WI ' 55
Bottom....l to r Jim Nutter WI ' 71, Sam Geso ND ' 58, Jim Alvaro WI ' 56

Karen Poe Alvaro, Bridgeport ' 59, Joy Nutter, Kay Collins, (standing) Regina Cann Geso ND ' 57

SHINNSTON MAJORETTES HAVE SOME FUN
From the May 12-18, 2011 Shinnston Newspaper
In 1956 the Shinnston majorettes wore uniforms with a letter on each one. When they stood in line, it spelled out Shinnston. However, these gals decided to have a little fun and look what happened:

OBITUARIES
ALVIN L. WATNE

Name: Alvin L. Watne, MD Husband of Diane Folio Watne (WI 1957)

Date: July 31st, 2011

Obituary:

It is with great sadness that the family of Alvin L. Watne announces his passing on July 31, 2011, at the age of 84. A native of Shabbona, Illinois, he has lived his past years in Marietta, Georgia. After serving with the United States Army during World War II, Alvin graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine, then specialized in surgical oncology for 40 years. He spent much of his career at West Virginia University, culminating as Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery. He then continued his career at the University of Illinois at Peoria as Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery. Upon his retirement, he continued his love of medicine as the Medical Director for the Cancer Center of GA at Georgia Baptist Medical Center. Retiring again, he worked with Dr. Robert Purdy providing medical care in Shabbona, IL. While he loved medicine, he loved teaching even more. He received numerous awards in his field, including a Fulbright Scholarship, American Cancer Society Eleanor Roosevelt International Cancer Fellowship for study in Japan, Excellence in Teaching award at West Virginia University, and Raymond B. Allen Instructorship Award at University of Illinois Peoria. He was also very active in his field holding numerous offices with: the Halsted Society, Southeaster Surgical Congress, Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Cancer Society (including President of the West Virginia chapter,) American College of Surgeons (including President of West Virginia chapter,) Society of Head and Neck Surgeons (including President,) and The Warren H. Cole Society (President,) among others. Alvin published hundreds of books and articles. In addition to his love of medicine and teaching, he loved spending time on his farm in Waterman, Illinois and longed to return. Alvin will be forever remembered by his wife of 45 years, Diana; his four children, Carrie and Robert Robinson of Smyrna, GA, Matthew Watne of Florida, Andrew and Patricia Watne of Chicago, IL, and Valerie and David Ferro; his six grandchildren.

JAMES EDWARD WHITE
James Edward White, age 76, passed away on August 12, 2011, following an extended illness.He the son of the late Roscoe and Mable Mick White.

Mr. White is survived by one son, Mark (Karen Turner); three daughters, Connie White (Jeff) Starkey, Dianne White Sims and Selene White. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by one brother, Ross White.

James was a graduate of Washington Irving High School and attended West Virginia University, Tri-State University of Angola, IN, and Tampa University of FL, earning a Business Degree. He was a member of the Beymer United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, FL.

He served his country honorably during the Korean War as a U.S. Marine Corps Military Police Veteran. He was director of security for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. James enjoyed working at various jobs, especially carpentry work, throughout his life and retired from Forest Products in Sarasota, FL.

BARBARA MINEHART COMBS (WI 1965)
Barbara Minehart Combs, WI 1965, died 8/8/11 from increasing health issues. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Combs, WI '63, Winter Park, Fl.; her brother, Bob Minehart, Jr., Sterling, Va.; a sister, Mary Kay Jessop, Md; her father, Bob Minehart, Clarksburg; her daughter, Christie, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren in Dublin, Ireland.

Barbara will be cremated with her ashes to be placed next to her daughter, Kelly, at a Memorial Service in Fl. when the time is best for her family.

Barbara was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, and friend. Her beauty, happy spirit, and love of life will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to be a part of Barbara's life.

ROBERT LEE SHINN
Robert Lee Shinn, age 75, of Bridgeport, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011, at his residence having been cared for by his two loving daughters Kelly and Kim.

He was born in Clarksburg on December 13, 1935, a son of the late Seymour Richard Shinn and Ida Ellen Glaspell Shinn. His wife, Patricia JoAnn Taylor Shinn preceded him in death February 1, 1995.

Surviving are his three children, Kim Shinn, Kelly Shinn (Jay) Bray, and Lori Shinn (Edward) Edwards; two grandchildren; and his great-grandchild MacCale Rhys Richards along with several nieces and nephews and his beloved cat, "Taz."

In addition to his parents, Mr. Shinn was preceded in death by two brothers, and three sisters, Richard A. Shinn, Charles E. Shinn, Gladys Shinn Newbrough, Edna Shinn Titchenal, and Mary Shinn Gill Rogers.

Mr. Shinn was a graduate of Victory High School. He served his country honorably as a member of the 2nd Army Armored Division in Germany. He was a machinist, having worked for Continental Can, Hazel Atlas, Brockway Glass, and Anchor Hocking with over 33 years of service combined. Most recently, he worked for Precision Coil until his retirement.

He was an avid motorcycle fan, participating in numerous fundraising rides and activities in the area. He never felt better than when he was riding his Harley with his many friends.

DANALDA JUNE WRIGHT BARKER
Danalda June Wright Barker, age 59, of Good Hope Community passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport following an extended illness.

She was born March 25th, 1952, a daughter of the late Carl Wright and Wanda Dean Wright.

Surviving are her four children, Brian Barker, Jason Barker and his wife Melissa, all of Good Hope, Jamie Barker and his fiance/e Karla Kovar of Jarvisville, and Wendy DeMark of West Milford. Five grandchildren, Brody, Jaxon, Delaney and Nickolas Barker, and Chandler Taylor. Three sisters, Brenda Haynes of West Milford, Linda Greathouse of Bridgeport and Vicki Harbert of Clarksburg.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Barker was preceded in death by two sisters, Pamela and Carla Wright; and one nephew, Dennis Hinkle Jr.

Mrs. Barker was a graduate of Victory High School.

NANCY JANE BEZRUTCH
Nancy Jane Bezrutch, age 76, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2011

She was the daughter of the late Carlton D. and Beatrice L. Petitdirard Amsler.

A graduate of Victory High School, Harrison County, she then attended WVU, where she became a dental assistant. Nancy retired from the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, Clarksburg, with over 30 years of service as a dental assistant.

On Sept. 15, 2000, she married Rudolph "Rudy" Bezrutch, who survives at their Collins Run home in Glenville. Two children from a previous marriage survive…, Patrick Muto and Michelle Todd One son preceded her in death, Gregory Muto.

Also surviving are a daughter-in-law, Linda Muto of Stonewood, WV; six grandchildren; two are her brothers Carlton "Sonny" Amsler and his twin brother, Claude A Amsler, and her sister; Pauline Kirkendall.

MARGARET LYNN MADITZ
Margaret Lynn Maditz, 82, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away Friday, August 19, 2011, at the United Hospital Center, Bridgeport, WV. She was a daughter to the late Margaret Rose (Stump) Maditz and Frank Joseph Maditz.

She is survived by her husband, Frank Joseph Maditz; a daughter, Sharon Lynn (Edward) Strogen two grandchildren, and one sister, Rose Ann Edgar. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Howard Stump.

Margaret attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Washington Irving High School, Class of 1947. She retired from C&P Telephone Co. with 35 years service.

Margaret was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.

COLLEEN MICHELLE RILEY MOHR

Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1950 - Date of death: Aug. 9, 2011

Colleen Michelle Riley Mohr, age 61 of Clarksburg, WV departed this life on Aug. 9, 2011 at her residence.

She was born in Clarksburg, WV on Jan. 15, 1950, a daughter of the late Virgil Clarence Riley and Mae Wanda (Zeitz) Riley.

Surviving are a son, Brian (Alice) Mohr, two brothers, Michael T. (Paula Jane) Riley, and Leslie K. (Rhonda) Riley; two granddaughters, and nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by a sister, Kimberly Crawford.

Colleen graduated from the Equestrian Career College at the Meredith Manor in Parkersburg, WV. Her joy was horses and she was a horse whisperer.

EDWARD WILLIAM MUCHA
Edward William Mucha, 79, passed away August 23, 2011, with family by his side at Heartland Nursing Home. He was the son of the late Sam and Katharine Mucha.

Edward married Betty Harbert Mucha, who preceded him in death on April 7, 1987.

He is survived by three children, Stephanie (Paul) Kopp and Shelby (Roger) Cain and Mike (Darlene) Mucha He is also survived by his sister, Helen ( Charles) Hufford.

In addition to his children and sister, Edward is survived by six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Ed graduated from Victory High School in 1950. After he graduated, he went on to serve his country in the Navy during 1950 to 1955. Ed was employed by Anchor Hocking, where he retired in 1987.

STEPHEN ALAN WARNE

Stephen Alan Warne, age 47, (WI 1983) of Candlelight Drive, Clarksburg, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born June 30, 1964, in Mineola on Long Island in New York, a son of Jerry Alan Warne (WI 1959) and Carolyn Sue Pinella Warne (WI 1959) who reside in Clarksburg.

He is survived by his brother, Michael Joseph Warne of Clarksburg; and two nephews, who were the shining stars of his eyes, Brayden Michael and Evan Joseph Warne; as well as a dear friend, Beverly Sue Bush of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Also surviving are his aunt, Rosemary Warne of Clarksburg; his great aunt, MaryJo Freeman of Elkins; and several cousins, two of whom are Terry Warne Jr. and Scott Alan Warne, both of Clarksburg.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joseph P. and Hattie Warne; his maternal grandparents, Frank Pinella and Sue Curotz Pinella Verno; and his uncle, Terry Warne Sr.

Mr. Warne was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarksburg. He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1983, where he was All-State in football. During those years, he was the only left-footed kicker to ever play for WI. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fourwheeling,camping, boating and motorcycles. He was a Hardware Pro with the Home Depot.

During his courageous battle with cancer, Stephen continued to be active. He worked daily on his vivid green and silver flamed 1954 Ford F100 truck, and showed his "pride and joy" locally at several car shows and cruises.

During the winter months, Stephen would be seen on his four-wheeler, plowing snow in the neighborhood. Without being asked, Stephen was always willing to give a helping hand to his mom and dad around their home and in his dad's wood shop. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Family and friends will be received at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Sunday from noon-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 28, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Casey Mahone as Celebrant presiding. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen's memory to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 126 East Pike Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com

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