THE WI NEWSLETTER 11/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER



Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 147 November 2011








THANKSGIVING, 1965

Turkey in the oven,
'Taters in the pot.
Pies of mince and pumpkin,
And biscuits piping hot.
Friends and loved ones gathered round
To share the festive board.
We bow our heads together,
As Grandpa thanks the Lord.
For health and home and happiness,
For loved ones far and near,
For all his many blessings
We've gathered through the year.
Dinner's almost over now.
The wishbone's pulled apart.
We sit there reminiscing
With full and thankful heart.
Let each day be Thanksgiving,
To praise and thank our God.
Then we'll always have His company,
As down life's path we trod.

David B. Bates
WI 1951




MEMORIES OF A RECOGNIZABLE CLARKSBURG CHARACTER

submitted by: Frances Tate Barrett (WI '50)

She could be seen on Main Street almost every weekday, sitting on whatever the G. C. Murphy company happen to have handy that she could use for a stool. Her body was frail; her hands gnarled and thin from years of hard work with unkempt fingernails. A face that was wrinkled with age, but the eyes still sparkled. Her hair was a mixture of natural colors, white, brown, and any other color that decided to grow in her unkempt but clean hair. Perched on her head at some jaunty angle was always a hat. Her shoes never seemed to match, but that was all right, neither did her socks and stockings which she wore in layers. She seemed to have a backward way of dressing. A sweater or sweatshirt under her dress. No matter how warm it got she almost always wore a coat. I knew where she lived on Water St. by the West Fork River in a basement apartment which occasionally flooded. When she went to town to sell her wares, you could see her walking across the bridge and up Main Street into the center of town. She absolutely refused to accept a ride from anyone into town. I never could figure out how those hands could make such beautiful flowers. She made roses out of crepe paper that came in different sizes and colors. And, they looked so natural until you got up close to them, then you realized they were paper roses. She also carefully wrapped green crepe paper around the wires that made up the stems. Selling her roses was how she supplemented her living. Sometimes thoughtless people would tease and call her "Rosie Posie" and she would retort sharply, "you can call me Rosie, but don't you dare call me Rosie Posie." I remember no one seemed to know how she came to live in Clarksburg. Does anyone else remember seeing Rosie on Main Street in Clarksburg with her basket of roses?



submitted by: Joy Gregory DeFazio (WI '59)

Now, regarding "Rosie" of the paper roses: When we were young, she used to ride the City Lines bus from town to Adamston where she then lived. This information was given me by my great-aunt, Bertha Sullivan Eperthaner, in that long ago time. I've sent a note out to others to see what they might know about her. BTW, what about asking on Facebook or maybe you have and I just didn't see it.

Re my favorite teacher: I know most alumni who had him would not agree, but my favorite or the one I most respected was Gus Gudekunst. I had him for 3 years and thought I was really lucky when I had Ms May for geometry my sophomore year. Halfway through my junior year I realized that I hadn't received any favors by being assigned to her class. She wasn't hard enough and didn't demand that we do better. Mr. Gudekunst did.

I considered teaching math after high school. However, instead of finishing college, I earned my Mrs. degree and became Mom to two step-sons and three of my own. Do I regret it No, not really. I wouldn't trade my children and all the wonderful memories from those years for all the tea in China.



HEY!!!

Some of you wrote and asked me about collections.

Last month I confessed that I collect my teddy bears. I told you all about my bears….but no one else told about their collections this time……

NOW THAT ISN'T FAIR!

I want to hear about your collections too. Some have shared about your collections but there are close to 2,000 readers…and I know EVERYONE COLLECTS SOMETHING!

Write about yours and send me the letter Roleta1@aol.com



FENTON GLASS

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)










Visit our website: www.fentonartglass.com

Contact your local Fenton dealer for MADE IN AMERICA beads


EDITOR'S NOTE: Christmas is just around the corner. I think a bracelet or necklace with a few Fenton beads would be a perfect gift for any lady from WV! Also, one could always add beads for any future events, such as birthday, Valentines' Day, Anniversary, etc….Great ideas!



JACQUES CLICHÉS: ANNOYER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Behind The Eight Ball

submitted by: Tim Corsini (WI '51)

Jacques Clichés, champing at the bit, returns with a vengeance but is caught flatfooted, beating around the bush. He has the wool pulled over his eyes, gets into a pickle and risks having his head handed to him on a platter. Fearless, he sticks to his guns and keeps his powder dry. But he puts the cart before the horse, rolls the dice and bites off more than he can chew. Jacques will take a back seat to no one and will not throw in the towel. Although he is over the hill, he is not on a slippery slope. Instead, he goes gangbusters and takes the bull by the horns. He steps up to the plate and swings for the fences, knowing that turning the tables on his foes will give them a taste of their own medicine.

Jacques stays ahead of the curve, reviews all options on the table and puts his foot down, careful to protect his Achilles heel. When push comes to shove, he upsets the applecart -- and pays the piper for not raining on his parade.

Safely out of the woods, Jacques feeling his oats, lets his hair down, calls a spade a spade, strikes while the iron is hot -- and hits below the belt.

Although the jury is still out, the bloom is off the rose and all bets are off. When all is said and done, Jacques has been beating a dead horse to get a monkey off his back.



ASSISTANT COACHES

submitted by: Dave Bates (WI '51)

Dear Roleta - We read inspiring articles about Clay B Hite (every one deserved), but what of the assistant coaches The Tony Folios, the Earle Ormes, the Frank Costellos. They helped make the athletic programs, taught academic courses, helped kids in myriad ways. Dozens of them through the years, including the women coaches, stamped their indelible mark on countless thousands of kids. What are their stories?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please write your stories to Roleta1@aol.com



VICTORY COACHING STAFF THROUGH THE YEARS

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

1919-1973

1919-1922
G.A. WALLACE - COACH
V.O.BACASTOW - ASST. COACH

1923-1927
GLENN SNODGRASS - COACH
EUGENE YEAGER - ASST. COACH

1927-1931
CLYDE HUTSON - COACH
LAURENCE PRATT - ASST. COACH

1931-1936
FARLEY BELL - COACH
CHARLES BRUMMAGE - ASST. COACH

1936-1939
CHARLES BRUMMAGE - COACH
A. LANE DAUGHERTY - ASST. COACH

1939-1950
HOWARD "DOC" HUTSON - COACH
CHARLES BRUMMAGE - ASST COACH (1939-1941)
DONALD CHANDLER - ASST. COACH (1941-1942)
PAUL HESS - ASST. COACH (1942-1946)
NEIL SAPPINGTON - ASST. COACH -FOOTBALL (1946-1947)
T. CROSS - ASST. COACH - BASKETBALL (1947)
CHARLES BRUMMAGE - ASST. COACH (1947-1950)

1950 - 1952
CHARLES BRUMMAGE - COACH
RICHARD YOUNG - ASST. COACH

1952 - 1955
JACK MOORE - COACH
NEIL SAPPINGTON - ASST. COACH

1955 - 1957
CHARLES STRAIGHT - COACH
NEIL SAPPINGTON - ASST. COACH

1957 TO WHEN SCHOOL CLOSED
JOHN MAZZEI - COACH
KENNETH ALESSI - ASST. COACH (1957 - 1959)
DON VINCENT - ASST. COACH (1959 - 1967)
GEORGE RICE - ASST. COACH (1967 - 1973)




MYSTERY PHOTO IN THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER



EDITOR'S NOTE: No one wrote with any identification for this picture. Here is what Vinnie Merendino provided us:

This is an old neighborhood photo that I ran across. I thought you might like to use it in the WI Newsletter for September.

These are some of the neighborhood kids that lived on or near Denham Street. Denham Street is the fourth street down from Main, off of Clay street.

My best guess is this photo was taken in Dr. William Ruck's/Vincent Merendino's front yard, around 1956, summer or early fall.

From left to right:
Martha Sue Robinson, WI, 1965.
Gary Lee Harper, died when a Junior at WI 1963.
Vincent A. Merendino, ND, 1964
Donna Kay Harper, WI, 1968
Bobby Anderson and his sister (?)
Ann Ruck (front) WI, 1962



MYSTERY PHOTO



Can you identify this? Remember, I only put correct guesses in the newsletter. So put your thinking caps on and send your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com.



NOT SO POLITICALLY CORRECT
ADVERTISEMENTS FROM THE 50'S AND 60'S







BEAUTIFUL SONG ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA

AND WONDERFUL PICTURES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szt9NTV4Ldc




PICTURES FROM A MINI REUNION

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

Nothing better than getting together with ole high school buddies. Here are a few from the WI class of '56 meeting in Charlotte, NC on Oct 12th and 13th. Finally catching up with Ed Christie coming from Costa Rica. Ed was visiting his daughter Lara and family in Charlotte, Bill White coming from Ohio, Doug Bailey from Winston-Salem, NC, and Jim Alvaro from GA. Had a great time catching up on what we've all been doing since leaving WI. We talked about our families, and of course sports. What a great time.


Jim, Ed, Bill


Ed, Jim, Doug


Bill, Ed




submitted by: John Harrison (WI '56)

A few of the guys got together with Ed Christie when he stopped off in Clarksburg to see some friends and relatives on his way to Charlotte, NC to visit with his daughter Lara. We had a great time visiting with Ed.



L to R Tom Lee, Buck Tustin, Joe Williams, Ed Christie, John Harrison, Don Douglas.



HARRISON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLARKSBURG, WV

AND

NEIGHBOORHOOD LOCATIONS

WHO WOULD EVER BELIEVE THERE WERE THIS MANY SCHOOLS
IN THE CLARKSBURG AREA AT ONE TIME???

1. Adamston Jr. High and Grade School...........................West Pike St.
2. Alta Vista Grade.............................................................Broad Oaks
3. Bridgeport Grade...........................................................Philadelphia Av.....Bridgeport
4. Bridgeport High..................................................................." " "
5. Bridgeport Union HIgh...................................................Newton Ave............Bridgeport
6. Broadway Jr High and Grade.........................................Broadway
7. Carlile Grade..................................................................Maple Ave
8. Central Jr High................................................................Hewes Ave
9. East View Grade.............................................................East View
10. Fair Grounds Grade........................................................Pennsylvania Av Nutter Fort
11. Grasselli Grade..............................................................Grasselli (Anmoore)
12. Hartman Grade..............................................................Hamill Ave
13. Jacobs School...............................................................Nutter Fort
14. Kelly Miller Grade.........................................................Water St.
15. Kelly Miller High............................................................Water St.
16. Linden School................................................................Linden Ave.
17. Monticello School..........................................................Frederick St. (Near WI Field)
18. Morgan School..............................................................Duff St..........Stealey
19. Northview Grade and Jr High........................................North View
20. Norwood Grade and Jr High..........................................Stonewood
21. Pierpont..........................................................................Sycamore St.
22. Point Comfort..................................................................West Pike St.
23. Roosevelt-Wilson High.....................................................Nutter Fort
24. Summit Park Grade.........................................................Factory St.
25. Summit Park Jr. High.......................................................Factory St.
26. Towers.............................................................................Hewes Ave
27. Victory High......................................................................West Pike St. Adamston
28. Washington Irving.............................................................Lee St.

(The spelling was taken directly from the directory)

EDITOR'S NOTE: St. Mary's Grade School and High School (later Notre Dame High School) are located on West Pike Street but not listed as they were not Harrison County Public Schools.



POSSESSIONS SAVED FROM YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

One of two possessions that I have from my WI "days gone by" are my 1959, 1960 and 1961 yearbooks. I did not get a 1958 yearbook, as my parents probably could not afford to get two 1958 yearbooks and my brother Bob was the one that was the recipient of that particular yearbook. Or, at least, I think he got a 58 yearbook. I would like to have one to add to my collection from my four years at WI, in case anyone has one that they would be willing to part with.

The other possession that I have is my Junior Varsity "letter sweater" for playing JV basketball. I know that my brother should be writing, as I had had his Varsity "letter sweater" for playing basketball, and I remember giving his to him a few years back.

The other thing that I have from WI "days gone by", I do not consider a possession but memories, and those memories are brought to light many times over and over via your and Judy's efforts with the WI Newsletter month after month after year after year. THANK YOU!



submitted by: Marcia Booth (WI '65)

I kept my WI yearbooks and still have them. Other bits of memorabilia have not survived the years and several moves.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I bet you have a possession that you have hung onto since high school….won't you tell us about it Write to Roleta1@aol.com.



submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

I've kept my yearbooks, my class ring, the class key & little cedar chest given at graduation, my charm bracelet (started adding charms around 7th or 8th grade & continued adding them throughout my high school years), a scrapbook with mementos from school dances, a well-deserved blue & gold satin pillow with the lettering "worst skater class of 69" on it from my Senior Skating Party. There could be some other things that I can't remember. A couple years ago I ran across the scrapbook & pillow when I was going thru things I had packed away & that's the only reason I remember having them. I've always kept my high school jewelry in the little cedar chest.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I too have a little cedar box, I expect most female graduates in the Clarksburg area at that time received the same box, what company in Clarksburg gave this little cedar box to us Write to Roleta1@aol.com



submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah '57)

I have found a use for one of the possessions I have kept from my high school days. About two months, my daughter-in-law, Martha, called me to ask if I still had my high school letter sweater. I told her that I did, but that it didn't fit me very well anymore. She then told me that she had recently been to a friend's home and had seen a letter sweater nicely framed and hung in the den of the home. Upon inquiring about it, the woman told her that the sweater belonged to her husband's father and that her husband really cherished it.

As you have probably guessed, Martha asked if I would donate my sweater to her, so she could surprise my son on his birthday. She also wanted pictures of me, if available, to display with the sweater. I had to search for a long time, but I finally found a couple of pictures, one of me in my football uniform and another in my basketball uniform.

Unfortunately, the project wasn't completed in time for my son's birthday, so it will now be a Christmas gift. My son was born in Columbus, Ohio and has lived there his entire life. Even though he graduated from Ohio Dominican University, he is a diehard Ohio State Buckeye fan. He has collected framed and autographed jerseys of four of the six (actually seven---Archie Griffin won twice) OSU Heisman Trophy winners and has had them framed and they hang in his media room. I'm hoping that, someday soon, my old Monongah High School sweater will have the honor of hanging next to the items signed by those great players on my son's Wall of Fame.



WHY DO YOU THINK BOYS TURNED UP THEIR PANTS LEGS?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not one boy responded…..I asked if jeans or slacks for guys came in lengths back then? What do you think? Write Roleta1@aol.com

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

In the 40's, and 50, boys rolled up the leg of their jeans, why? Did jeans come in lengths then?

I'm just guessing here, but I imagine they didn't come in lengths back then.




THANKSGIVING, 1966

Turkey on the table,
Hymns of grateful praise,
Always to remember
November's day of days.
Kinfolk in from near and far,
Sure's a happy sight.
Grandpa holds the carving knife
Invokes the Lord of Light.
Veneration rises up
In homes across our land.
Not only on Thanksgiving Day
God holds us in his hand.

David B. Bates
(WI 1951)




TEE SHIRTS

There are only 6 size Medium and 6 size Large WI tee shirts left and they need a loving home and a warm body to hug. Right now, they are shut away in a dark drawer in a quiet room. I am sure you would enjoy the shirt as much as the shirt would enjoy you.

To order the shirt and benefit The WIN Scholarship Fund.

Send me a note telling me the size you need with your check, or Mail Order for $15.00 made out to:

Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship

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

I will mail you the requested tee shirt. Thank you for supporting the scholarship.



In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The "war to end all wars" was over.

November 11, 1919 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during World War I in order to ensure a lasting peace. On Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in a parade through their home towns. Politicians and veteran officers gave speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won.

Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.



NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES


Sandy Conwell McMunn (WI '56) McMunnSandy@aol.com
D. Richard George (WI '65) dirich2@msn.com
Jeff Furner (would have been WI '76) JFurner158@aol.co
Stephanie Miller (WI '71) labossierestephanie2@gmail.com
Daniel K. Morrison (WI '68) DKM113048@WMCONNECT.COM
Victoria (Vicki) Skidmore (WI '66) victoris1@aol.com
Susan Seckman Freeman (WI '65) freemansusan@frontier.com
Clifton Whaley (WI '56) Cliftonwhaley@verizon.net
Jeff Douglas (WI '79) Jeff@mtnstorm.com
Carolyn Hinzman Ramsay (WI '52) ramsaych6@yahoo.com

CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESSES

Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58) bjwilliams94@gmail.com
Tony Marchio (WI '65) tmarchiom@verizon.net
Debbie Sayre Stoikowitz (WI '69) was: dstoik@cox.net
is now: dstoik@verizon.net
Patty Moffett Austin (WI '71)
correct address is
moffettaustin@frontiernet.net


TO BE CUT FROM THE LIST FOR LACK OF RESPONSE

Kay Cottrill (WI 1970) 12garner@verizon.net


SAVE THE DATE

The Clarksburg Picnic will be held on March 10, 2012 which is the second Saturday. The location is still at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Florida. As the date gets closer, I will give you more information….Any questions, please email me Roleta1@aol.com.



CONGRATULATIONS
MARGARET ANN HEFLIN BAILEY

Margaret Ann Heflin Bailey, WI class of 62, is currently serving as Mayor of Clarksburg. On August 5, 2011, Margaret was selected as "2011 Mayor of the Year" by her peers in the WV statewide Municipal League.




submitted by: Cynthia (Molle) Oates (WI '58)

Hi all: My dad used to joke there were more glass factories than grocery stores in West Virginia. Since he spent his life in the glass business he probably knew what he was talking about. Because I come from a long line of glass blowers and glass cutters I have a natural interest in all things glass. While I don't collect any particular brand, I have pieces of Blenko, Pilgrim, Seneca, Morgantown Glassware Guild, Fostoria, Weston, Harvey's, Fenton and several others. There is even a small "glass house" about a mile back in the woods from me called Amingo. Haven't gotten anything from them yet. I also just learned there is a glass museum in Weston, that I would like to visit some day and there is an especially nice one at Replacements in Greensboro, NC.

On another subject: I grew up in Arbutus Park. There was a rowdy crew around in those days. We played run sheepy run, hide and seek and chase. We formed clubs every other week (the errand club and the comic book club comes to mind) and played board games on our front porch on rainy days. In the summer, the oak tree in our front yard always seemed to end up being home base for hide and seek and our front sidewalk was a favorite on which to roller skate because it was so smooth. On Easter Sunday my dad and another man in the neighborhood put on an Easter egg hunt in our yard for all the kids. The use of real eggs ended the year one of the eggs wasn't found until he ran over it with the lawn mower that summer. What a stink! We ran through all the neighbor's yards and found hidey-holes here and therein which to play. We sloshed through the sulphur (sulpha?) runs turning our skin yellow. A couple of abandoned houses and an old root cellar served as great places to hide to scare the younger kids. We turned our fingers black collecting black walnuts and trying to crack their hard shells. We traded and read comic books incessantly. We collected violet, Queen Anne's lace and other wild flowers for bouquets. We were forever building forts in the snow. I remember the county would tar and then gravel the streets and we kids would run around on them barefoot and have black feet. At Christmas we would go caroling and trick or treating at Halloween. Fortunately there was hardly any traffic anywhere so we could roam and let our imaginations run wild. Too bad our kids and grandkids don't have those opportunities.

And yet another subject: Glad to hear Jim Fragale is doing so well. As many years as I knew him, though, I had no idea we were listening to and enjoying the same music. I didn't think anyone had heard of Dakota Statton.

Better sign off and let someone else have some space.



submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah '57)

"Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds is my favorite Rock 'N Roll song of all time. Their lead singer in both of your film clips has certainly aged well, although I'm not sure any of the original members of the group are still around. They still appear on PBS's Doo-Wop fund raisers occasionally and sound just as good as they did in 1957. Thanks for the memories.



submitted by: Jeff Furner (Would have been WI 1976)
JFurner158@aol.com

I would like to be included in your list of reunions for 1975 and 1976. I would have graduated from WI in 76. in the beginning of 74 my parents moved to West Milford and I graduated from SHHS. I have been looking for a 75/76 year book for WI for years with no success. I'm 53 and having a hard time remembering names anymore.

Thank you very much, Jeff Furner



submitted by: Joe Malone (WI '53)

Several issues past Freddie Layman (and others) listed businesses in Clarksburg going back a few years. One that was overlooked was "Wilbur A. Marr - Fine Jewelry". I first met Mr. Marr when he hired me in 1947 (?) as his janitor, gopher, handiboy. He got me my first Social Security card. His store at the time was on the Court behind Byard's Pharmacy facing the Courthouse Square. (They later moved across Third Street to a niche in between the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and the Union National Bank.) My duties were to report to the store immediately after classes were out at Central Junior High School and do anything I was asked to do until the store closed and afterwards if necessary. I washed windows; vacuumed carpets; packed/unpacked cartons of valuable pieces expensive products; washed/polished both silver and fine china and made home deliveries to preferred customers. As I was too young to drive, I rode the city busses and walked to the customer's door. Tips were rare.

Mr. Marr was a nice man. He and Mrs. Marr had no children and devoted their lives to their store. I was treated as a son. Those of you who remember Mr. Marr will recall him as a quiet, soft-spoken, white haired gentleman. He only carried the finest products and had no difficulty charging for them. His sales slips were inscribed with the following words, "The sweetness of low prices is never equaled with the bitterness of low quality". (Ever hear Sam Walton say that?)

The Williams family down the street ran a fine jewelry store and is still in operation two generations later. They carried a broader line of products than the Marrs did and were, perhaps more reasonably priced. (No offense, Bob) But when it came to top drawer diamonds, silver and china, Wilbur was hard to beat and few people tried.



1961 REUNION ATENDEES SENT CHECK TO WIN SCHOLARSHIP


Dear Roleta,
The WI class of 1961 held their 50th reunion in Clarksburg on August 26th – 27th. During the Saturday evening activities, Brooks "TRAINER" Gainer had a basketball signed by

# 2 Hot Rod Hundley
# 3 D'Sean Butler

on the all-time scoring records held at West Virginia University.

It was decided to hold a raffle and sell tickets to be drawn to win the signed basketball. The proceeds from the sale of tickets is enclosed with this letter as it was decided by the class of 61 to donate the raffle ticket money to the WIN Scholarship fund.

My thanks go out to Brooks for bringing the basketball in for a donation raffle, and I would like to thank the class of 61 for contributing the raffle money to the WIN Scholarship fund.

From WI Class of 1961 Reunion Attendees



FROM 2011-2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
EMMA RUTH DUMIRE
(RC Byrd 2011)


Hey Roleta!  I just wanted to let you know how my college experience is coming along.  I joined the tennis team and a sorority.  I just received my midterm grades and they are great!  I like living in the dorms but there are fire drills every other night and they commonly occur around 2 a.m.  I just wanted to update you and send pictures since you've been such a big help.  Thank you





FASHIONS AND FADS
WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL

It isn't too late—you still have time…. WRITE TO: Roleta1@aol.com

For the females. Were you allowed to wear jeans to school? Wonder when this was first allowed in Clarksburg schools. Did you wear jeans for casual wear?

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

Girls were definitely not allowed to wear jeans when I was in school. In fact, I don't believe girls were allowed to wear any type of pants/slacks to school. I didn't wear jeans for casual wear either. I don't think they were in style for girls during the late 60's. What I wore were stretch pants with stirrups. They were made from some polyester knit type of fabric that was popular back then, LOL! I think they called them stretch pants, they were more like ski pants. I would definitely say that they would have been considered a fad!

The Clothes Horse carried "Mr. Pants" for girls. They were made from printed fabric, like cotton; but from some blend, since cotton wasn't popular in those days. The cut looked like men's slacks, but they all came in printed fabrics, no solids. I wore them for casual wear, never to school.

Did you wear a garter belt, a girdle or panty hose?

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

I wore either a garter belt or a girdle, never panty hose, because they hadn't been invented yet or weren't in C-burg. I think I started wearing panty hose in the early 70's, not before.

Did you wear pin curls, brush rollers, sponge rollers?

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

I wore all 3, but you left out the most popular & most brutal of all - tin cans! I used concentrated OJ cans & put a bouffant over top of them to try keep them in place over night. The only ones that may have stayed in place were at the top of my head, all the others fell out or else I'm sure I pushed them out; because there is no way anyone can actually sleep with tin cans in their hair! For sure, tin can rollers were a big fad in the late 1960's!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Now that is a new one for me, TIN CANS as rollers…I have never heard of that one…I thought sleeping with those huge brush rollers in one's hair was the most uncomfortable thing on earth. What did you wear Write to Roleta1@aol.com

Did you attend any of the schools in Clarksburg? Write and tell us about your grade school. Write to Roleta1@aol.com

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

I attended St. Mary's Grade School, 1st thru 8th grades. Over the years, I have come to realize that they were the best school years ever & the ones I remember most. I remember the 6 nuns & 2 lay teachers who taught my classes during those years. I will never forget our uniforms - navy jumper, white blouse with clip on tie, navy cardigan, white ankle socks or navy knee socks & of course, a navy beanie on the days we attended Mass. I remember all the kids who were with me thru out all of those 8 years. I think I can even remember those who weren't there for all 8 years, too. St. Mary's really was a great school. I'm so glad everyone pulled together to donate for refurbishing this spring. It's been there since 1914 & hopefully will be there a 100 years more!



submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)

Well, just talking with my Good ol' Clarksburg BFF Jenny Heston Carr Schrier at the beach the other day about the fashions of our day!

Straight skirts- slim ones with side zippers and a kick pleat in the back at the hem and of course the length was below the knee. We wore white puffy-ribbed bobbie socks, penny loafers, Weegens or Bostonians with metal heel- taps that made just the right scraping sound when we walked in the halls or on the cement stairs.. maybe white (dirty) tennies...( tennis shoes, classic Converse or Keds or Redball). Also my favorite flats were " T-straps" from one of the shoe departments at the Department Stores, Parson Souders or Watts Sauter Lear or great shoe shops, Aarons or Kinney's or others in town. On top we wore short sleeved sweaters worn with a "dickie" (fake collars of all kinds we all had several) topped with a cardigan in matching or complimenting color with a circle (Virgin) pin on either the right or left depending if you were going steady. Of course, we used sweater clips with a gold chain to hold the sweater on our shoulders, with the sleeves swirling around us as we moved about to our classes, etc. We carried our books in our arms in giant stacks or " piles" as we called 'em. We had "loads "of homework every night and twice-as-much on weekends. We also wore full shirts and dresses with full skirts, these required crinolines, or ruffled slips that held the skirts out full and pretty. These swished with every movement and hung beneath the skirts when you were seated at your school desk. They were pretty and kept clean and in some cases starched so if they showed a little... Hey, everyone's did. Sometimes they dragged down in the back and would require a safety pin or two to get you home..

Yes, hose with garter belts and belts for other things we shant mention. We were like a fortress! Ha Ha...

We wore ID bracelets, dainty ones for girls, twist-o-flex bands for boys. Often a boy would let his steady girl wear his bracelet. Some girls wore a guy's Senior ring on a chain 'round their necks. Pearls were nice a single strand and white. Earrings were clip-ons and could only be worn for dressy occasions and then only for a short time before they hurt awfully. Watches had little black cord bands and safety chains. Hair clasps and headbands and scarves were worn in our hair or as accessories at the neck or shoulders.. Little hats that went from ear top to ear top.. Hair was curls by pin curls or brush rollers, and it is amazing that we ever got a minute's sleep with those curlers... Ha! Hair spray, Adorn was big, mascara and lipstick, sometimes nail polish, No slacks let alone Jeans in school! Slacks were black mostly but sometimes other colors and stopped above the ankle with a little slit. White blouses with " Peter pan collars" went well with them. Don't forget your circle pin! Ha Ha

Short Shorts in the summer! One piece bathing suits! Rubber bathing caps....SNAP!!!! Fragrance: I liked one called High Heels and we wore the men's cologne Conoe, (later became Ambush by Fabrege) and the famous Chantilly Lace!

WHAT PRICE BEAUTY Oh, yeah, we were on the phone " All the Time!"



Pictured above is Sherry Hutchinson Keith at Bikeoctober in Daytona Beach, October 2011. Pictured with her is "Billy Bones".



WHAT TYPE OF SHOES WERE POPULAR WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

submitted by: Bill Bryan (RW '57)

I imagine most comments about "HIGH SCHOOL SHOES" will be from women, but two kinds of shoes stick with me, probably because I still have some white bucks. I wore them a lot and thought they were great. I still have a pair but I do not have the nerve to wear them. I also have white low cut Converse All- Stars, I have many pairs and I do still wear them, they're inexpensive and I still like them. They bring an occasional comment. My answer is always, "Hey. I'm stuck in the 60's!"



WESTERN VIRGINIA GREATLY INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL WAR

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)

One of the first battles of the Civil War was fought in Barboursville on July 11, 1861 on Fortification Hill, between the Wayne and Cabell County militia under Colonel Ferguson. The 2nd Kentucky regiment under Colonel Woodruff entered the town. The militia could not stand up under the bayonet charge, and retreated in haste, leaving one dead and one wounded. Federal loss, five killed and eighteen wounded.


At left Al Stone of Hinton, W.Va., portraying Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Barry Meadows of Charleston, portraying Gen. U.S. Grant, speak with visitors as part of Barboursville Civil War Days on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Barboursville Community Park.



The Woman's Club that I belong to participated in the Civil War Days re-enactment. We provided the refreshments for the camp dance on Saturday night.



The Civil War started in 1861, which was 150 years ago. Western Virginia played a very important roll in the Civil War. During this year, there have been many re-enactments of battles throughout West Virginia. We know that there were many battles that took place in our state. The first land battle of the Civil War was in Philippi. As you travel throughout the state, you will see many markers designating sites of battles. West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863 and the war was over in 1865, so many of our ancestors and relatives fought in the war.

The 2012 WIN Scholarship quilt has been made with squares that the WIN Quilting ladies stitched together using replicas of Civil War fabrics and the centers of many of the squares depict scenes of that era. Some of the various squares are also patterns used in quilts in the 1860's.

We have started selling tickets for chances to win the "VISIONS OF WEST VIRGINIA" quilt. We will sell these until February. After that, you will have to be present at the Clarksburg Picnic on March 10, 2012 in Sarasota, FL to purchase tickets. The tickets are 6 for $5.00, 12 for $10.00, 18 for $15.00 or 24 for $20.00--etc....Of course, as in the past, no check is too large or too small. The more you buy, the greater your chance to win.

Make your check payable to:
Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship
Mail it to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34240

Thank you and good luck……






REMEMBERING GENE PETITTO

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)

I was shocked to hear about Gene. It's a sad day and my deepest sympathies go out to Mickey and David, and the whole Petitto family. He and John Peters were primarily responsible for my career in television, and I'll be forever grateful. In fact, he had trained me well enough to assume his job as Production Manager after he left the station. Gene demanded perfection when we were live on the air. He taught me to live by the second hand on the clock, and that a bit of yelling urgent directorial commands during a live show was necessary due to the ticking of the clock. Half a second of dead air or a black screen is a bad thing on television, but even worse is a blooper that everyone will see and remember. After the show we'd go back to having fun, and we had a lot of fun; the kind that creative people like Gene come up with, but uncreative managers don't understand. Thanks to him, I carried some of his ideas concerning live TV to my future jobs, and even years later when technology had improved, those ideas that I got from Gene and John still dazzled people I worked with.

Gene was one of those guys that you'da thought would live forever, although you don't know how he survived his daredevil fun this long. Gene and his outgoing personality brought this shy boy out of my shell, as I met him soon after my mom passed. He introduced me to several other fun loving, daring guys, and it's a wonder any of us survived this long. We were close friends, but we just didn't get to kept in touch that often after I moved to Nevada. Although, when we'd see each other in Clarksburg after many years it was like we'd just seen each other the day before.

In the WBOY-TV Videoscope pic below, is Pete Lyman (standing), Jack See, Frances Basile, and Bob Toothman. It's hard to tell, but pretty sure I'm the cameraman with my back to the camera. Anyway, Gene would have been in the control room directing the show. In the 1962 Miss Central WV pic, Gene and John Peters are kneeling to the right of center and the only ones in the second row. Three of my friends in that pic have passed away in the last couple of weeks: Ron Watkins, Dick Dayton, and now Gene. Several other friends in both pix, including John Peters, Jack See, Bob Toothman, and Pete Lyman, are gone too. But life goes on and they all knew how to live, and most of them touched my life in a very positive way.





MUSIC

submitted by: Martha Rice (WI '55)

When I was 5, my mother decided that I should take piano lessons. I, on the other hand, wanted to take ballet lessons. Well, the stipulation was, if I took ballet lessons, I also had to take piano. This was not a good idea. I really didn't want to play the piano, so, I didn't practice. I had 7 teachers in just that many years. Gee, I wonder why..... I hated it and never learned to read music. I would have my teacher play the piece for me and then I would mimic her for the next lesson. That only lasted until she asked me to read a new piece and caught on to the fact that I couldn't read the music. In order to quit taking piano lessons, I was told that I would also have to quit ballet. Hence, I stopped both endeavors and never was able to do either. I have no illusions that I would probably have had a much better chance of playing the piano than being a ballerina. :)

In HS I sang in the choir and was told I had a good alto voice. I loved singing but still could not learn to read music. I have tried for years to learn but have found my disability. I have resigned myself to learning by rote and that is fine. I find my voice is pleasant but others disagree. Maybe teaching all those years took that ability away.... age has nothing to do with it, eh I am laughing as I reread this note.



submitted by: Barry Rosenthal (WI '63)

I took trumpet lessons at Chestnut Hills Grade School for a couple of years. The teacher (and I don't remember his name) always had me writing 50 times on the blackboard "I will not forget my instrument". When I heard he would be my music instructor at Central I decided not to continue with my music "career". Chestnut hills was one of the 4 room, 6 grade schools. I think the 3d and 4th and 5th and 6th grades were together. They had a great lunch program where some of the neighbor ladies would come in and prepare our meals. As many circles as I made in the cursive writing class, I still have terrible handwriting. Thank G-d for computers. I still thank my dad to this day for making me take typing at WI. I made my children take typing in school. I came across my first run in with bullying living in Chestnut Hills. Lester Anderson and Thomas Murphy from the Holler would always find me and use me as a punching bag. I am not a sports fan so your newsletter with half of it devoted to sports is lost on me.

Take care.

submitted by: Ernie Bastin (WI '57)

When I was 7 years old I told my parents that I wanted to play trumpet and fortunately they listened. Most kids today begin playing in the 5th or 6th grade as part of a school music program. I began with an old reconditioned trumpet and private lessons. My dad was a glass cutter working at Pittsburgh Plate so it was natural to look for a trumpet teacher from that population. My teacher was Robert "Bob" Swain and he charged me $1.00 for an hour lesson. His standards as a musician and teacher were high and he led by example. His tone was beautiful and I naturally strived to imitate him. The public schools had bands but my school, St. Marys, did not have a music program. Sgt. Virgil Shack a member of the Clarksburg Police Department had formed and conducted the Clarksburg School Boy Patrol Band. This band was a great learning experience and open to all students. As far as I know, it was unique. When I was in the 7th grade, my teacher had me join the Clarksburg Civic Symphony Orchestra an ensemble that gave repertoire concerts as well as accompany the local Opera Productions of Mrs. Scott. My father knew that music had become important to me so when I was in the 8th grade I transferred to Central Junior High. At the same time, Howard Hall, who was the scoutmaster of Troop 108 at the 6th St. Baptist Church and Dever Stuart, a retired professional musician, began the Boy Scout Orchestra, which later became the National Boy Scout Orchestra. This was another unique ensemble. This ensemble became the training ground for many local musicians who became members of area dance bands. Within a few years, Pete Oliverio began a youth dance band at John's Parish called the Columbians, named after Columbian Hall where we rehearsed. This band was led by Jack Molle. Henry Mayer, band director at Central Junior High and Washington Irving was my teacher and mentor for 5 years. During our senior year he drove 3 of us to Washington DC so we could audition for the Naval School of Music. After graduating from WI in 1957, I joined the Navy and graduated from the Naval School of Music. After the service I attended West Virginia University and the University of Illinois. I performed professionally but decided I really wanted to teach. When I turned 70, I retired from the School of Music at Ohio University with 42 years in teaching. I still perform and am grateful to have grown up musically in a town that provided so many opportunities for young musicians.

submitted by: Ron Ogren (WI '50)

Wonderful newsletter, as always. Thanks!

You asked about our music background, if we had any memories of it. I guess we're getting to the age we're lucky to have any memory at all! 

I started with my music education at the age of 10 or 11 with the piano. Our family had a piano which my Mother played and Dad sang along with. An older sister played very well, loved it and never needed to be told to practice.  I guess our parents thought I could do just as well, but after a few weeks of lessons they discovered that my brother and I just couldn't make any joyful noises on the piano, and piano was for girls, anyway. Saxophones were the next test, and we did better.  We moved from Celoron, NY (home of Lucy Ball)  to Clarksburg in 1943,  then played in the Central and WI bands under the direction of our respected and loved, Hank Mayer. I played the baritone and alto saxes in the marching band and orchestra, doing the various formation routines at the WI football games where we got in free.  Johnny Goots was a much better alto sax player than I, and had found a position in a professional dance band, The Bill Brookover Orchestra. They needed another sax player and Johnny got me a job giving me a chance to earn some money for my model airplane hobby. The Bill Brookover Orchestra was in much demand, as we played in many night clubs every weekend including the Zanzibar which burned one night with our music, after we'd left at 1:00am. I was urged to learn the clarinet to improve the orchestra of 3 saxes/clarinets, trumpet, piano, drums, while sometimes adding a trombone and another trumpet for the really big band sounds!!  Usually the piano player doubled on vocal. We played at many of the WI high school dances in the Masonic Temple, where I spent my time on stage rather than on the dance floor. My wife loves to dance, but  I've never been a good dancer because of that, I guess.  The professional union pay scale at the time was $7.50, with the band leader getting double, $15.00, for three hours playing! Now my Granddaughter and Grandson are both learning the alto sax and after 60 years I had a chance to see what if I could still remember the keys.  We played a couple of duets; not bad for an old(er) man, but the sax definitely is not in my future. 


SHORTCUT TO HITE FIELD

Ever wonder how people get to and from Hite Field Here is one way…Dave Kuhl shares it here…

The Shortcut to Hite Stadium

If you lived north of Hite Stadium and walked to the stadium in good weather, you probably took the short cut through the cow pasture to reach the stadium instead of walking down S. Chestnut Street to Harvey Street and to the stadium through the parking lot.

Paste “Google Earth” in the search window on Google. Press enter and load the free version of Google Earth. Once the program is loaded, it does not list a URL or internet address.

Then paste the address “530 S. Chestnut, Clarksburg, WV” in the “Fly to” box and press the magnifying glass symbol. This will “fly” you to the location.

Then click and drag the little yellow man symbol at the top of zoom control to the target in the center of the screen. Above the zoom control is a ring with an “N” for north. You can grip the N and rotate this ring for a 360° pan of the ground level view or click on the image.

The path to the stadium was west (down hill) behind the white car in this view.

You can move your point of view along the wide white line which appears in the middle of the street and move your point of view in the direction you click where you can then do another 360° pan.

This presents an opportunity to take a virtual tour and visit places as they appeared in the last few years. These are not live images.

Dave Kuhl (WI 1962)



MORGAN GRADE SCHOOL BAND



This is a picture of my mother, Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940), second grade. Mom is in the second row, seventh child from the left. Mrs. Hinzman had the toy band every year.

From: Joseph Patrick Jaranko (would have graduated from WI in 1967 but family moved to Morgantown)



CLARKSBURG NEWS

This was sent to me by Charles McClung

Here is Olga’s website. She has lots of interesting stories and historical info.

http://www.wvgenweb.org/harrison/olgastories/index.html




WHEN DID GIRLS START WEARING SLACKS IN SCHOOL

submitted by: Marcia Booth (WI '65)

When I was at WI, girls could not wear slacks to class. Most guys did not wear blue jeans. The only exception was when the band played a concert for the student body, and we were in uniform. We could wear our uniforms for the rest of the day.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Did any of you female readers ever wear slacks to WI? If so, do you remember when you started to wear slacks or jeans to school?



BUSINESSES ON FOURTH STREET
REMEMBER, THRU THE YEARS DIFFERENT BUSINESSES
WERE LOCATED ON FOURTH STREET
DO YOU REMEMBER ANY DIFFERENT ONES?

submitted by: Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58)

Some of the places that have been on 4th street are: Candy Land, Broadas, Harbert's Drug Store, Claires Children Shop, Dudley Florist, Moore's Opera Hose, Chicago Dairy, Sayres Studio, Monogahela Power.



4TH STREET BUSINESS PLACES

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

Mon. Power Company
Moores Opera House
Cooks Restaurant
Mays Cut Rate Drug Store
Oldham Shoe Store
Chicago Dairy Baking Co.
Star Shoe Shop
Peggy Shoppe
Greany Building
Berman's Jewelry Store
Sanitary Meat Market
Dudley's Florist
Fountain Cut Rate
Ormond Jewelry
Style Shop
Harberts Drug Store
Vanes Inc. (Jewelry Store)
Wunder Shoe Store
Broida's Women Shop
Liberty Lunch
Empire Bank Building
AND:
MAIN STREET BUSINESSES FROM 3RD TO FOURTH STREET

Merchants Nat. Bank
Livingston Brothers Shoes
Nausbaum & Son - Stationary
Wells-Haymaker Drugs
G.C. Murphy 5 & 10cent Store
McCroys 5 & 10 cent Store
W.T. Grant Company
Lerners Shop
Darling Shop
F.W. Woolworths 5 & 10 cent Store
Rogers Jewelry Company
Exclusive Garment Shop (later the location of Freidlander’s)



PROUD NEW GRANDPARENTS

Congratulations to Fred (WI 1959) and Karen (Bridgeport HS 1959) Poe Alvaro who are proud grandparents for the first time. The grandson is named Keflin Thomas Alvaro.



REMEMBERING SWINGING BRIDGES

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

The two bridges I remember were both in Broad Oaks. The bridge connecting Monticello Ave with Water Street was used by just about every kid in Broad Oaks. It cut out walking all the way to Main St by using Monticello Ave. Of course going to school, movies, patrol boy meetings, uptown Clarksburg, and visiting friends on the other side of Elk "Crick" cut a lot of time out of the trip. And of course coming back home in the evenings we had to pass Market-Waybright Bakery located near the bridge and at that time in the evening the baker was taking bread off the conveyor belt that just passed through the oven. The smell was fantastic. Nothing like hot fresh bread coming out of an oven, whether it be from the bakery or out of mom's oven. I cannot remember if a loaf was given to us or once in a while we bought a loaf.

The other swingin' bridge was at the upper end of Broad Oaks. I didn't use that bridge too often because it was too far from my house. It was located at the upper end of Howard Street and near "Stinky Alley." Why we named that short alley "Stinky Alley" I'll never know. The bridge connected Howard St with Elm Street. Some of the kids may have used it to go to Elm Street Playground but most of the kids used it to go uptown. After crossing the bridge, you had to walk up Carr Ave which took you to Main Street. You could also walk to the top of Elm Street and go to Smitty's Drug Store. I believe that was the name of the drug store. Only God knows how it sat on the steep hill overlooking the Elk "Crick." Walking everywhere was no problem for us back then. We just ran out the front door of the house and started walking. No problem. I am sure there were more swinging bridges in and around Clarksburg and not sure if the above bridges are still there. I am sure the bridge from Monticello to Water Street is not swingin' anymore. I believe it is concrete now.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I thought there were a lot of swinging bridges in Clarksburg. Wasn’t there one in Stealey at one time, what about HartlandThere had to be some in North View, Nutter Fort, Hartland and AdamstonAnyone remember ? Write and share your memories with us: Roleta1@aol.com Thank you .



50TH REUNION OF THE WI CLASS OF 1961

submitted by: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)

Dear Roleta
Our total count for our 50th class reunion held August 26th and 27th, was 50 classmates from the graduating class from WI, 1961 plus their spouses and/or guests. I have received 10 emails and 5 cards sent from our classmates that they enjoyed all that we did. John Teter has also received several E-mails from our attending classmates agreeing with the E-mails and cards that I have received. The pictures turned out great, they loved the CD with our 1961 songs, the place mats we gave them of WI in 1961, the t-shirt and sweatshirts with our 1961 class reunion, and our navy blue bags with our WI 1961 emblem on them. Several came from the West coast and they really enjoyed coming back to our reunion, The WI picnic that was on Saturday, and they got to visit relatives and took tours around Clarksburg to see how everything has changed. Everyone said the reunion was very well planned and they where grateful that our committee made them feel welcome.

Roleta: on Saturday night they had nothing but good things to say about the picnic and were glad they came as they enjoyed talking with the upper and lower classmates from our 4 years attending WI.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan is the chairperson of the annual WI picnic held in Clarksburg. She has a good group of volunteers who help her. She is planning another picnic in August 25, 2012 in Clarksburg, WV in the VA Park.. If you would like to volunteer to help her, please contact her at mtmama41@msn.com.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

Roleta,
The 1961 graduating class from WI held their 50th class reunion on August 26th and 27th. We had a reception-type of evening on Friday at the convention center (that used to be the Jewel City Bowling Alley). We were treated to pick-up food, along with a cash bar and a lot of good conversation and music provided by Jim Campbell. Saturday morning some of my classmates played golf at the Clarksburg Country Club, while some of my other classmates joined me at the WI picnic held at Veteran's Park, which was attended by about 100 people from different classes from WI. Sharyn Cottrill McGahan puts this picnic together with a bunch of local WI graduates, and it is held every year (usually the last weekend in August) and is very well attended. Saturday evening we were treated to a buffet dinner, speeches, more reunion conversation, more music by Jim Campbell and "some dancing". I think that everyone at the reunion festivities Saturday evening was more interested in talking to fellow classmates, figuring that this might be our last reunion (I certainly hope not).

For those classes planning upcoming reunions, I would like to recommend your planning your reunion the same weekend as the WI picnic, as it was an added treat to see some people from other years at the picnic - like (but not limited to) ROLETA SMITH MEREDITH, Bob Secret, Bob Teter, George Cinci, Carol Findley Cinci, and many others. The cost of the picnic = just bring a covered dish and yourself and some money to donate to pay for the cost of the picnic.


Names:

Front Row: L-R
Carol Greynolds Cleveland, Peggy Dennison Crislip, Jeanne Christie Warner, Kay Wamsley Jacobs, Mary Jo Pulice Benedetto, Mickie Ford Brumage, Joyce Guinn Elbon, Linda Cooper Cooper, Sarah Gervella Frush, Barbara Wilmoth Falkenstine and Charlene Rolland Leon;

Second Row: L-R
Coach Al Castellana, Bill Lance, Connie Combs Terango, Nancy Lowther Pekera, Jean Fleming Tucker, Pattty Harvey West, Mimi Lee Fanning, Colleen Luzader Holliday, Linda Humphries Hall, Patty Hickman Cravey, Harriet Wolfe Bennett, Barbara Paugh Patton and Ann Killingsworth Smith;

Third Row: L-R
Jeep Wilson, Don Shaffer, Mike King, Bill Seckman, Floyd Leaseburg, Richard Malcolm, Jim Gallo, John Teter, John Rush, Steve Elbon, Irvin Miller, Dave Stalnaker, Karen Pleasant Booker and Bob Swats.

Others attending but not pictured were:
Barbara Thomas Smith, Gary Dawson, Brooks Gainer, Butch Elliott, Dave Kulina, Elizabeth Swiger Layton, Dave Talkington and Robert Maxwell.



THANKSGIVING, 1996

For health and home, we thank thee, Lord,
For friends and families dear;
For thy beauty and thy bounty;
You've showered through the year.
For peace and some prosperity
We've gathered 'long the way,
We pause in prayer, we praise thee
On this Thanksgiving Day.

David B. Bates
WI 1951




A LETTER SENT TO ME IN AUGUST AND I MISPLACED IT.

But nothing is ever out dated in our newsletter

Hi Roleta,
It was good to see you at the WI picnic. For the next newsletter, a big thanks to Sharyn McGahan and her helpers for all their hard work to cook, organize, and set-up the picnic. We had a wonderful time. With all that is going on in the world, it is nice to return and reminisce the old days when life seemed pretty safe and simple. We were all blessed to grow up during this special time and in that special place.

Thanks, George (WI 60) and Carole (WI 64) Cinci



SOMETIMES IT'S TOUGH TO BE A MOUNTAINEER FAN

If you grew up in West Virginia, you are aware of the fact that we are always looking for one thing as we go through life-----RESPECT !! Our state and its people are ridiculed, criticized and beaten down at every turn. Maybe that is why we are such avid fans of our state university's sports teams.

I became just that type of fan at a very early age, in the mid 1940's. Since then, I have seldom missed a football or basketball radio broadcast, spending hour after hour, listening to Jack Fleming, (then, for a year or two, Jay Randolph) and now, Tony Caridi, describe each play, as my beloved Mountaineers played everyone from Geneva College to Oklahoma in football and NYU to UCLA in basketball.

There have been many highs and lows over the years. But, for some reason, probably because of that search for respect, the low points (losses) have hurt more than the high points (big wins) have healed. In 1959, we almost won the NCAA basketball tournament. From the 60's through the 80's, there were the yearly blowout losses to Penn State in football. Then, there was the 1989 Fiesta Bowl loss to Notre Dame in the 1988 national championship game. Add to these, the losses to Pitt in THE game and Duke in the NCAA Final Four and you realize how hard it has been.

What brought on these bad memories was the performance of the football team last night against Syracuse. After only losing to No 1. LSU and having the defense starting to play pretty well, things were looking up for the season. Then came the disaster in the Carrier Dome. As I sat, watching the game with a couple of "Cuse fans, I was actually embarrassed. I could feel that lack of respect coming back. I didn't sleep well last night. I replayed every missed tackle, every sack of Geno Smith, another long kickoff return by the opponent for a touchdown, the interceptions, missed tackles and wide open Syracuse receivers.

However, the sun still came up this morning, barely. When I checked my blood, it was still gold and blue. I'm sure that I'll hurt for a while, but time will take care of that. Then, by next week’s game, I'll get back to work, searching for the thing we all cherish the most-----RESPECT.

GO MOUNTAINEERS !!!

To comment on this article or any other sports item, write to Bill (billmere@aol.com).



HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

After Week 10 of the local high school football season, Bridgeport continues to be the only undefeated local team at 9-0. Lincoln is 8-1. Morgantown is 7-2, losing only to Steubenville, OH and Martinsburg. Grafton is also 7-2. North Marion, which faces Bridgeport in the final week, had won five straight, after opening with three losses, but lost to an Elkins team, which finished at 7-3. R.C. Byrd went 6-4, Liberty finished at 5-5, Notre Dame is 2-7 and South Harrison is 3-6.

Bridgeport, Lincoln, Grafton, Elkins and Morgantown are probably assured of a playoff spot, while several others are on the bubble. I'll try to give the final results for local teams in the December newsletter.



To Bill:

I want to grab this opportunity, before the fleeting football season of LSU/WVU weekends is over, to "Splain" to you my top 5 pick of WVU last month. I got carried away with Holgerson and the WVU speed and what I thought might happen if it all gelled early. The stage was set. If WVU could do it at home, they would be set in the top 10 early and with a favorable schedule, could run it on out and finish in the top 5... My premise was that I thought, with Holgerson's style and that speed, that they had the potential to score 50 points a game. So, a team must exceed 50 points to beat WVU, I didn't think anyone could do that until I saw Pitt tonight. Had we made it to 50 against LSU, we win. I still see it in the future, but both the coach and the team are too young yet . I still think I was closer than you think. However, when WVU and Pitt get together at the end, will Tulsa and Ok St tie at 50-50Will this be the last Pitt game or will tradition prevailI loved Huggs on Gameday. Anyway, I missed my pie in the sky, but I did reach for it !!

Pat Elder, N D 1957

Reply To Pat:

When you made your bold prediction, it was obvious that a lot of things had to fall perfectly into place for it to happen. It was possible, but not probable. My concern all year has been the new coach, new system and young defense. Today, those are still my concerns. Inconsistency on offense will only be cured by more reps. Time will take care of that. However, I only hope the slow starting habit doesn't come back to haunt them in one or two of the remaining games. WVU still has not played a complete game. When they do that and do it consistently, they will be scary.

As for Pitt, they have stumbled a bit since the game you referred to. I think the series will continue, but perhaps not every year. Only time will tell.

As always, thanks for your comments.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)




To Bill:

I just read your note on the subject of joining all of these small schools together to make one big school. I totally believe that the day that we started doing just that was the day we took the identity away from the student and made them just a number. There are just so many kids on the sports team, in the King & Queen court, cheerleaders, band and so on. At least in the small school, everyone had a chance. You could stand out and be special, the teachers knew your name and your parents. I graduated from Unidis High School in 1961. I started in the first grade there and those are 12 years of memories. I have two brothers, one older than me and one younger than I am and believe me, people knew who we were and our parents. It was great. This is something that these students will never have unless they are the gifted student and they really stand out. When the schools were smaller, it was easier to control any possible trouble. We kept God in our school; the Gideon New Testament was given out each year. Plus, just think of the jobs that were done away with. I couldn't believe what I was reading when I read about the teacher being on the TV in the classroom. What kind of control is thatWe now have the large schools and they don't know what to do with them....I say, go back to the small community and rebuild the school and do away with the large one. I would give anything to be able to walk through my old school again,.but it's all gone, burned down the year they opened the new school. They combined Unidis HS, Lost Creek HS and I believe Jane Lew. I hate to think of the time these kids have to spend on the school buses. Yes, there were problems with the smaller schools, but those problems were not with the students.

Maybe I am living back in the "Old Days", but I would rather be there than face what is going on now with our youth. Number one, we need to get God back in the schools. Thanks for listening to me, Bill.

Mary Ellen Campbell-Mathers, Unidis HS 1961

Reply To Mary Ellen:

Having lived in a small town with a small high school, I can identify with most of your thoughts. Those who went to larger schools and lived in the "city" probably can't relate to how important a high school is to a small community. The high school principal was the most important man in town, bigger than the mayor. Everyone lived and died with the success of the sports teams and band. Everyone knew the words to the fight song and actually sang it at the games. Maybe the facilities weren't great, but I'm a firm believer in learning being more about the desire to learn, rather than about the physical plant. Discipline was strict, but the teachers actually cared. In a school of about 300 students, I knew just about everyone. I still see many of them each year. We have class reunions, but they are part of a school reunion, held in May, every year. Larger schools can't do that. I think most of us would like to go back to some of the old ways, but that won't happen. We have become too comfortable with the "good life". Sometimes I wonder if things are really that "good" today. Thanks for listening to me, Mary Ellen.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)




To Bill:

I am hoping that my wife does not read this article (I will make sure that she does not), but I think the UGLIEST college football uniform that I have ever seen in my entire life was the University of Maryland uniform that they wore to the one and only Maryland game that I have seen this year. I live in the Maryland area (Northern Virginia), but I do not follow college football other than the University of Georgia (my son went there) and Virginia Tech (my brother went there + his family went there). My wife was raised in this area and has relatives living in Maryland and when she saw the Maryland uniforms looking like the state flag, she thought that they were "cool". I thought otherwise, but I guess that the distraction from playing "flag football" could get to some opponents.

John Teter, W I 1961

Reply To John:

They were certainly a little "different", weren't theyAs I mentioned last month, I kind of liked them, since I like the Maryland state flag. But, you are in the majority. Most people I've talked to about them agree that they are terrible. However, if you wanted to see some nasty looking uniforms, you should have tuned in to the Michigan State-Michigan game. The MSU outfits were really bad. That, coupled with the dreaded U of M uniforms (and helmets), which are always ugly to we Ohio St. fans, made that game "double ugly". At least the right team won.

Thanks for your input. I hope to hear from you again soon.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)




To Bill:

Recently, you've had some correspondence with Dave and Tim Corsini. Anyone who hung around smelly locker rooms in Harrison County 60 years ago clearly remembers their accomplishments on the local playing fields. David got most of the accolades for his three-sport achievements. Tim, in addition to drop kicking field goals and extra points, cleared the way for his brother and others as the "blocking back" in Coach Hite's single wing offense.

What has been overlooked is the performance of their older brother, Rich Corsini. He was built on a much smaller frame than either Tim or Dave and started for Coach Hite as his left guard on the weak side of an unbalanced line. He filled the gap between the center and left end, often team-blocking with one or the other. While he was never "All Anything", ask either of his brothers or teammates, who the toughest Corsini was. I'd be surprised if they didn't nominate Rich.

In addition to being fine athletes, the Corsini brothers were fine human beings as well. I spent three of my formative years (1944-47) living close by the Corsini family near the corner of S. Chestnut St. and "Lower" Washington Ave. Along with Bobby Cotter, "Tad" Garrett and Warren and Teddy Wilson, the Corsini family anchored a multi-cultured demographic group of youngsters. In my memory, we "played" together amicably in the streets, in the nearby cemetery and "over the hill", down toward the river, railroad tracks, and the Acro-Agate (?) marble factory.

Rev. Mr. Corsini and his wife had six kids - (3 boys & 3 girls). I don't remember much about the girls except that one was drop-dead good looking. Rev. Corsini led a small Christian congregation in a little white church building at the end of Lower Washington Ave. I believe it was called "The Northern Italian Protestant Church". (Dave/Tim - correct me if I'm wrong). Occasionally, he would open up the Baptismal Pool on very hot days and let the neighborhood kids cool off in it. He was a fine man and the head of an outstanding household.

Joe Malone - WI 1952

Reply To Joe:

I realize not all of us have your talent for writing, but I would love to get a couple of stories like this for every newsletter. There must be hundreds of readers out there with a similar story to tell. Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this one. I am getting to know the Corsini brothers better every month and I'm not disappointed in what I'm learning. What excellent athletes. No wonder W I had such great teams back then. Being from Marion County, I remember Bill Leskovar playing for Fairmont, Sr. (West) in the late 40's and later at Kentucky for Bear Bryant. These guys had to be in the same class as Leskovar and maybe better. Thanks again, Joe, for introducing me to three more of Clarksburg's best.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)




Thanks to Fred Alvaro, W I 1959 and Buzz Floyd, VHS 1956, for sending the links below, which are about Jerry West revealing his lifelong problem with depression. If you haven't seen them, they are worth reading, plus, there are also some interesting video interviews.

Jerry West reveals lifelong depression - NBA - Sporting News

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/10/jerry-west-suffered-from-child-abuse.html



Below is a link to a film clip showing the first pitch of the 2001 World Series, right after 9/11. We were pretty much one country on that day, which makes this a "feel good" film. Our neighbor's son, from Columbus, OH, Paul O'Neill is the first Yankee shown.

http://youtu.be/bxR1tZ08FcI




QUESTION FOR NEXT MONTH

WVU finally got it done and joined the Big 12 Conference. What is your opinion of this move Good or bad Will they be competitive in football with Oklahoma, Texas and the rest of the conference?

Send your comments to Bill (billmere@aol.com)



WI GIRLS USED TO EARN LETTER FOR SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

EDITOR’S NOTE: One time in the newsletter some reader wrote about girls earning letters to put on their sweaters. This was not possible when I was in WI, so I didn’t know that it had ever been done. I took gym class for four years, so I am sure I would have earned one…Roleta

Dear Roleta: You said you didn't know girls won their letters in sports so this is a picture from my yearbook. It took four years to earn a letter so I had gym for four years. I am in the second row, the fifth one over from the LEFT. In my freshman year, Miss Heckert was the teacher. Later it was Mrs.Shaffer who is the first one on the left. I think it was quite an accomplishment as a girl had to earn 2500 points in a variety of sports and activities

Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko, WI, 1940




PENNY POSTCARDS

submitted by: Connie Bailey Casto (WI '59)<

Very Interesting: What did your town look like according to Penny Postcards? Check out your old stomping grounds during the times of the penny postcard. Click on the state and then on the county name to see old penny picture postcards from that area...pretty neat. I hope you enjoy this:

CLICK HERE>> Penny Postcards



FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM WV

George Brett (1953 - ) Former major league baseball player with the Kansas City Royals; born in Glen Dale.
Pearl Buck (1892 - 1973) Author best known for her novel The Good Earth; born in Hillsboro.
Don Knotts (1924 - ) Actor best known for appearances in movies like The Incredible Mr. Limpet and The Apple Dumpling Gang and the television series The Andy Griffith Show; born in Morgantown.
Thomas Stonewall Jackson (1824 - 1863) Confederate general; born in Clarksburg.
Kathy Mattea (1959) Country music singer; born in South Charleston.
Mary Lou Retton (1968 - ) Olympic gold medalist of gymnastics; born in Fairmont.
Walter Reuther (1907 - 1970) One of the most influential labor leaders of the 20th Century; born in Wheeling.
Harold Tucker Webster (1885 - 1952) Cartoonist and creator of Caspar Milquetoast; born in Parkersburg.
Jerry West (1938 - ) Basketball Hall of Famer that played for the Los Angeles Lakers; born in Cabin Creek.
Chuck Yeager (1923 - ) First pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound; born in Myra.
Steve Yeager (1948 - ) Baseball player; born in Huntington.

MORE FAMOUS PEOPLE OF WEST VIRGINIA

Phyllis Curtin soprano, Clarksburg
Joanne Dru actress, Logan
John S. Knight publisher, Bluefield
Peter Marshall TV host, Huntington
Alfred Moore jurist, Molinosville
Eleanor Steber soprano, Wheeling
Lewis L. Strauss naval officer and scientist, Charleston
Cyrus Vance government official, Clarksburg



TIME MAGAZINE COVER

submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)

My cousin Toni Caputo's (Bridgeport '66) son has done a lot of photos and graphic designs for Getty Images. She is very proud of him and all the work he does. Currently one of his graphics is being used again on the cover of a re-issue special edition of Time Magazine on The Brain, which is on sale thru January 13, 2012. Time first released this cover in August 2009. Inside the front cover it says Cover Photo Chad Baker! That's her baby boy!







OBITUTARIES

RICHARD DAYTON

Richard D. “Dick” Dayton, 75, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away on September 30, 2011, following a brief illness. Richard was the son of the late John Frank and Blanche Christine Barker Dayton.

Mr. Dayton is survived by his wife, Marlene Sue Johnson Dayton; two sons, Richard D. Dayton II and John R. Dayton; two daughters, Dayleen (Robert) and Rae (Keith) Emrick; two grandsons, Robert Parker II and Scott Parker; and two granddaughters, Krisa Dayton and Chloe Moran.

Mr. Dayton was the owner and operator of Daytel for 30 years. He was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, Class of 1954, where he played football. He also played football for Salem College and served his country as a veteran in the U.S. Army.



MARK STEVEN RICHARDS

Mark Steven Richards Sr., 53, passed on October 4, 2011, in the United Hospital Center. He was the son of the late Bobby Eugene and Helen Margaret Smith Price Richards.

Surviving are one daughter, Haley Richards; one son, Mark Steven Richards Jr.; one sister, Debbie (Wade) Eddy, Salem; four brothers, Carl K. (Irene) Richards,, Jim D. Richards, Mike Richards, and Terry Richards.

One brother, Bobby E. Richards and one sister, Barbara Price preceded him in death.

Mr. Richards was a 1979 graduate of Liberty High School. He was Correctional Officer for the Industrial Home for Youth. Mark was a member of Connecting Point Community Church and a former member of the W.Va. National Guard. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.



MARY ELLEN (KILLINGSWORTH-NEWMAN) SHACHAT

Mary Ellen (Killingsworth-Newman) Shachat, passed unexpectedly while traveling in New Mexico on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Mary Ellen was born July 11, 1938, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of the late D.E. and Beatrice (Ritter) Killingsworth.

She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, WV. Mary Ellen received her Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, and earned Master’s Degrees from both West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV and from Hood College in Frederick, MD in Interior Design.

Completing her professional career employed at the University of Maryland, Mary Ellen also worked at Penn State University and The Ohio State University, as part of their extension education faculty. Mary Ellen was a member of the National Council on Family Relations and Certified Family Life Educator, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences where she served as past president for the Maryland Chapter, and was a secretary for the South Carolina Chapter. Mary Ellen was also a member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Mary Ellen is survived by her loving husband, Dr. David Shachat; children, James B. Newman, Lori Ellen (Newman) Joseph Gerald, and Jonathan Newman; stepchildren, Keith Shachat of Seoul, South Korea, Jason Shachat of Xiamen, China, and Stephanie Shachat, Seattle, WA; sister, Ann Carey (Killingsworth) Smith (Edward); brother, Don B. Killingsworth (Nancy); grandchildren, Brandon, Kristin, Jonathan, and Jason; many nieces, nephews, loving and devoted family and friends both far and wide, especially near her beloved childhood home on W. Pike Street in Clarksburg, WV.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Anne Newman



VICTORIA TIANO SCOTT

Mrs. Victoria L. (Vickie) Tiano Scott, age 92, a lifelong resident of Clarksburg, WV, passed away at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, October 9, 2011, at her residence in Mobile, AL, with her daughters by her bedside.

She was the daughter of the late Salvatore Tiano and Catherine Alawat Tiano. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Patsy T. “Pat” Scott, whom she married October 25, 1941.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters, Bill, Mike, Frank, Rose, Angie and Daisy.

Mrs. Scott is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Joy and Morris Striplin, Mobile, AL, Kathy and Joe Carter, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Rose and Greg Harris, Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren, Scott, Tony, Jason, Kelly, Patrick, Justin and Christina; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Virginia Bitonti, Sterling Heights, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School — Class of 1935.



JOY LYNN REED

Joy Lynn Reed, 63, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at her residence following a brief illness.

She was the daughter to the late Harold Elwood Gray and Lucille Marie (Shaeffer) Gray.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Gary A. Reed, of Clarksburg, WV; two daughters and a son-in- law, Kelli Beverlin of Clarksburg, WV, and Stephanie and James Wisniewski of Clarksburg, WV; four grandchildren, Lindsay and Madison Beverlin, Christian and Haley Wisniewski; a twin brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Becky Gray of Clarksburg, WV; and a sister, Diane Singleton of Clarksburg, WV.

Mrs. Reed graduated from Victory High School in 1965 and from Clarksburg Beauty Academy in 1968. Joy retired after 40 years of service from Regis Hair salon.



MICHAEL TODD ALLEN

Michael Todd Allen, age 37, of Summit Park, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.

Todd, as he was known by many, was born in Clarksburg on October 9, 1974, the son of Brenda Allen Greynolds and Jaimie Greynolds of Summit Park.

Todd is survived by his sister, Michelle Allen and her companion Brian Barksdale of Summit Park; his brother, Zachary Greynolds of Martins Ferry, Ohio; one nephew, Isaac Barksdale; his grandmother Gladys Greynolds of Summit Park; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Todd was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1991



L. GENE PETITTO



L. Gene Petitto, 73, a well-known local businessman, departed this life at his residence on October 18, 2011, following a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Louis E. Petitto and Stella Dryer “Tex” Petitto. Mr. Petitto is survived by his loving wife, Mickey Gene Strouth Petitto.

Also surviving are one brother, David E. Petitto and wife Deborah of Orange County, Santa Margarita, CA; and a sister, Virginia “Gina” Allen Petitto of Seattle, WA.

Gene was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1956, and attended Marshall University. He attended the Television Academy in New York City and was a Director and Production Manager for WBOY TV in the 1960s, and assisted his cousin, Tony Anthony Petitto, in numerous motion picture films. Gene was owner and operator of the Carousel in the 1970s, and was a Real Estate developer and property manager.



RICHARD ARNOLD GLADWELL

Richard Arnold Gladwell, age 82, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport on Sunday, October 16, 2011, following an extended illness.

Mr. Gladwell was the son of the late Dewey Arnold Gladwell and Mable Lillian Keaster Gladwell.

His wife, Joy Aneta Carpenter Gladwell, preceded him in death February 12, 2010.

Also surviving are three children, Richard Dale (Coleen) Gladwell, Glacus Jerome Arnold (Kimberly) Gladwell and Candy Aneta (Kevin) Cordwell; and six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Gladwell was preceded in death by his grandson, Ammon Neil Gladwell, and one brother, Tommy Gladwell.

He was a graduate of Victory High School, and was a United States veteran having served in the Marine Corps. He was a former plate glass worker, but had a passion for his trucking and concrete businesses.



MAVIS IONA HOLYFIELD

Mavis Iona “Cooki” Holyfield died on October 16, 2011, after an extended illness. She was 55 years old. Cooki, the third daughter and child of Rev. Paul Maurice and Mavis Isabelle Jones Holyfield of Clarksburg, WV.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by one son, Nicolas Alexander Holyfield of Morgantown; one daughter, Nikia Holyfield, at home; one granddaughter, Jada Alexis Holyfield and her mother Kayla Carder. Miss Holyfield leaves to mourn her loss three brothers, Marc Samuel (Shana) Holyfield, David E. (Lorraine) Holyfield, and Michael W. (Theresa) Holyfield; five sisters, Rhonda Holyfield-Mangier;, Paula Collins, Alma Zinn, Regina Holyfield-Jewett and husband Bobby, and Karen Holyfield; as well as 28 nieces and nephews, 12 great nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by one infant brother, Paul Maurice Holyfield, Jr.

Mavis received her public education in the Harrison County school system and graduated from Washington Irving HS. She received a B.S. degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Early Childhood Education and certification in Human Development Education from the Merrill Palmer Institute in Detroit, MI in 1978. Her Master’s Degree from West Virginia University was in Criminal Justice.

Miss Holyfield retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2006 with 28 years of service. She served in Alderson, WV; Jessup, GA; and the Robert F. Kennedy Center in Morgantown, WV as a correctional officer and finally as a unit manager.



BRIAN EDWIN McCLAIN

Brian Edwin McClain, 44, passed away on October 14, 2011, at his residence. He was the son Larry Edwin McClain and the late Dorothy Lou DeMark McClain of Lost Creek.

In addition to his father, Brian is survived by his sister, Lori McClain of Stonewood; niece, Loran Singleton; great niece, Presley Madisyn Prescott; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brian attended the Church of the Nazarene in Stonewood, and was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School. He was employed at Infocision in Quiet Dell.



IRENE MILER MUSCATELL

Irene Miller-Muscatell, 93, passed away on October 16, 2011, with family at her side.

She was the daughter of the late Nick and Anna Anthouli Miller.

She was married to the former Police Chief of Clarksburg, Francis “Boom” Muscatell who preceded her in death.

Irene graduated from Victory High School in 1935



CELIA HENDERSON

Celia Henderson, 100, passed away October 19, 2011 . She was the daughter of the late Thamer and Phebe Slawter Tyson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Henderson. Surviving are two sons, Clee (Betty) Henderson and Carl (Bonnie) Henderson and ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two children, Clarice Hale and Charles Henderson; a grandson, David Henderson; and two sisters.

Celia had attended the Goodwin School in Green Valley and Bridgeport Union High School. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Bridgeport United Methodist Women’s Circle and the Trinity CEOF.



NANCY CAROL HEAVNER RADCLIFF

Nancy Carol Heavner Radcliff, age 74, died October 19, 2011, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport following an extended illness.

She was the daughter of the late Troy Heavner and Goldie B. Douglas Heavner.

Her husband, Harley Shurman Radcliff resides in Willow Beach.

Surviving are one son, Don Edward (Dixie) Radcliff; two daughters, Twyla (Richard) and Judy Lea Anglin and her companion Calvin Anderson; seven grandchildren.

Mrs. Radcliff was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Patrick and Geraldine “Jerry” Hawkinberry.

Mrs. Radcliff was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1955.



JOSEPH JOHN GULAS

Joseph John Gulas, 63, passed away on October 12, 2011, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center.

He was the son of the late Joe Gulas and Izabella Micsko Gulas, who survives.

He is survived by his wife Betty Brown Gulas. Also surviving are two daughters, Lisa Gulas (Brent) Lilly and Joanna Kay Gulas and fiance Robert Dale Nutter Jr.; one granddaughter, Kathrine Izabella “Katie” Lilly, a student at West Virginia University. Also surviving are three brothers, Frank (Darletta) Gulas and George Gulas, and Anthony Gulas; one sister, Ethel Gulas,

After graduating from Washington Irving High School, Joe served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked for several glass factories throughout his career. Most recently, Joe was employed by, and retired from, the WV Division of Highways at Gore.



ROY ASH, Jr.

Roy F. “Dusty” Ash Jr., 87, passed away Sept. 28, 2011.

Mr. Ash was a native of Clarksburg and the son of Roy F. Ash and Irene Knox Ash.

He was a 1942 graduate of Washington Irving High School and the College of William and Mary.

He retired in 1982 as a sales executive from the Eskimo Pie Division of Reynolds Metal Corp.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and a former member of the Portsmouth Kiwanis Club. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired as a commander.

Survivors include his wife, Alice P. “Mitch” Ash, a son, David S. (Joanna) Ash several, daughter-in-law, Kaye Ash, a stepdaughter, Elizabeth H. (John) Mumford and their children.



PAULINE GROGHAN McCUE

Pauline Virginia (Groghan) McCue, 89, passed away October 13, 2011. She was the daughter to the late Esta C. Groghan and Leta (Cline) Groghan.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Paul Frederick McCue.

Pauline was a graduate of R-W High School, Class of 1940. She was retired from Norwood Elementary as a cook, with 20-plus years of service. After retiring from the school, she returned as a volunteer in the “Foster Granny” program with more than 20 years of volunteering. She loved working with the kids and loved traveling with her husband, Paul, seeing the sights.



GLENN M. MARSH

Glenn M. Marsh, 77,died October 23, 2011, at United Hospital Center.

He was the son of the late Olen S. Marsh and Mary A. Boram Marsh. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his wife, Ada Johnson Marsh.

Glenn is survived by two sons, Glenn Marsh, Jr. and his companion, Tom; David (Vanessa); three daughters, Diana (John), Mary Jo (Jamey), and Lorie Douglas, and 2 stepsons… Danny (Cathy) Fisher a and Jack Fisher; one brother, Marvin E.(Frances) Marsh; two sisters, Wilma Flowers and Charlotte Lewis of Camden, WV; 14 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Marsh was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1953



KING ALVIN AURELIUS MERENDINO


King Alvin Aurelius Merendino 1914 - 2011

K. Alvin Merendino, M.D., died at home on 9/10/2011, two months short of his 97th birthday.

He was born in Clarksburg W.VA., one of 5 siblings. He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Univ., his M.D., from Yale and his Ph.D. from Univ. of Minn. While there, serving as Asst. Professor of Surgery, he was influenced greatly by Dr. Owen H. Wangansteen and Dr. C. Walton Lillehei.

His distinguished career in surgery at the U. of W. spanned over 35 challenging years. His excellence in the practice of surgery, skill in administration, brilliance and innovation in research and his association with the Medical Center brought much distinction to the University and helped establish it's international reputation. In 1956, he performed the first open-heart surgery on the West Coast and set a precedent in pioneering new surgical methods.

He was known by many of his colleagues, friends and patients as a brilliant, distinguished, innovative, compassionate and inspiring man. His influence challenged and mentored people to think outside of traditional systems and was revered by many because of it.

He helped establish the Renal Transplantation Program, directed the U of W Experimental Laboratory for 22 yrs. and published over three decades of their research efforts.

His most recent challenges and achievements came at the end of his tenure at the U of W when he was invited to Saudi Arabia to become the Head of the Dept. of Surgery at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh. He became the Director of Medical Affairs and also had a major role in the oversight, completion, and administration of two other major hospitals in the Kingdom, as well as establishing their surgical training programs. He graduated the first class of students at their Medical School. During that time he had the opportunity to help thousands of patients as Director of Operations and was also Head of the Cancer Research Division.

To those who knew him he was a warm, empathetic human being with a welcome sense of humor. He consistently gave outstanding attention and care to his patients, family and friends. As an outstanding role model he encouraged sharing knowledge and techniques with others and was an eloquent, articulate and often entertaining speaker. As a result of his forward thinking he so wanted to be around to see what the next 50 yrs. of medicine might bring. In doing so he and his devoted wife, Shirley of 68 years, established an Endowment Fund to create a Professorship in their names. This professorship is awarded to a U of W surgeon whose work is of the highest caliber in the tradition of excellence set by him. He believed his wife was paramount to his success and achievements, therefore requested that she also be named. In his retirement he discovered a love of painting with watercolors, enjoyed gardening, wrote a children's book, was an avid reader and didn't have a fear of new technologies and computers.

Above all he was a humble man, devoted husband, and an exceptional father, grandfather and great-grandfather who we all cherished and will be sorely missed beyond words. He leaves his wife Shirley, five daughters; Cira, Nancy, Susan, Nina, and Mia, six grandchildren; Amy, Andrew, Bianca, Biagio, Blaise, and Dominic, five great grandchildren; Cal, Marina, C.J, Alvin, and Noel. His grandson Beau predeceased him. His sole remaining sibling is his talented sister Princine Tighe, a well known author and artist, residing in New York. There will be a private family service held on 9/30/2011. He requested donations to be made out to the K. Alvin and Shirley Merendino Endowment Fund at the U of W, Box 358240, 1200 Fifth Ave., Ste. 500, Seattle WA 98195. Sympathies may be extended to Shirley E. Merendino, 55 Spring Dr. N.W., Shoreline, WA 98177.

Published in The Seattle Times on September 30, 2011






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