THE WI NEWSLETTER 12/11

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 148

December 2011

WE WISH EACH OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Roleta and Judy

CHRISTMAS IN CLARKSBURG
submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
Thought I'd send in a few memories I have about Clarksburg during Christmas time. I remember what a beautiful display Palace Furniture Company always had in their window. Back in those days, I guess it was the closest thing we had to a Disney World type fantasy. Every year they made it look exactly like you were looking into Santa's workshop. It would be great if anyone had any pictures of it that they could share with the readers. I'd love to be able to see one of their window displays again!

I also remember going to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Immaculate Conception. They always had such a beautiful nativity scene set up during Advent & it seemed extra special on Christmas Eve. Really beautiful!

During the 1950's my parents had the Coffee Mill Restaurant on Pike Street, across from the Gore Hotel. For whatever reason, I don't have any pictures of it from the outside & would really appreciate it, if any of the readers happen to have any old pics of it that they could send in & share. Merry Christmas!

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have any pictures you can share in the newsletter, contact jkimler@frontier.com for directions on how to enable her to place them in the newsletter for all of us to enjoy. We like any pictures of Clarksburg, Harrison County or even anything in West Virginia!

HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES

THIS INCLUDES:
WI, VICTORY, RW AND NOTRE DAME/ST. MARYS
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
Take just one minute and write to me and tell me one favorite memory of your high school days…..write: Roleta1@aol.com

I will share a memory to start you off: One of my favorite memories of WI is being a senior and gathering with friends on the front “senior” steps before school. What a nice feeling---we had made it, we were “all grown up” and had earned it! I respected that tradition and I felt it was a long awaited honor to be there. It was our special place. Some underclass people would invade every once in a while but they didn’t belong and they knew it because they hadn’t earned it. This is a favorite memory of mine. I have many wonderful memories of my 4 years at WI but this is one that came to mind to start off the discussion.

This is a WI memory, I wonder if RW, Victory or Notre Dame/St. Mary’s had senior steps or spots where only their seniors were supposed to gather? To have lived in the same town, we certainly don’t know much about each other’s high schools, why don’t you write and share some of your memories with us also? Write Roleta1@aol.com

Thanks

WANT TO BUY A TICKET?

ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF THE 2012 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT NAMED “VISIONS OF WEST VIRGINIA”.

The WIN Scholarship has given $30,000.00 worth of scholarships over the years. I hope that you will support the scholarship for 2012.

One way you can support the scholarship is by sending a check to Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship at 3201 Charles MacDonald Drive in Sarasota, Florida 34240.

Or you can buy tickets for the drawing on the 2012 Scholarship Quilt. Named, “VISIONS OF WEST VIRGINIA". We will sell these tickets 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……

BELOW ARE TWO OF THE BLOCKS THAT ARE IN THE QUILT.

NOTE FROM 2011 WIN SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
submitted by: BRADLEY LEDSOME
Bled555@hotmail.com
Classes are in full swing and it has become very rough. The subjects that I am studying this semester all add up to a lot of work outside of the classroom. My life consists of class, work, and study time with a little bit of free time after that. The scholarship that I received only becomes more honored as different costs come up throughout the semester. I have a lot of costs that have added up and I am not rich. It all takes a toll and money I earned from the WIN Scholarship lets me know I have help from people who care. Thank you----

REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

MY COLLECTION
This month we did hear from a few who collect things---and very interesting collections at that. Come on, this can’t be the only readers who collect things. If you have more than 3 of any one thing, you have a collection. I guarantee about 95 % of the readers have collections. So am I supposed to believe that most of you don’t collect something? NOPE, I don’t believe that. Every person over about 6 years of age collects something….and every person over 50 has collected and/or still collects something. Look around, now what do you collect besides dust? LOL Write and share it with me. The interesting thing this month is the fact that 2 men wrote to say they collected miniature cars. I put them in contact with each other. You just never know what people collect. But I would love to read about it, wouldn’t you? So share your collection with us and perhaps more will share theirs.

submitted by: Mary Ellen Campbell-Mathers (Unidis '61)
I have finally gotten the WI Newspaper in my computer so there should be no problem receiving your beautiful letter from now on, I hope you will send it to me.

You asked about things that people collect. I can't remember the exact year, but someone said "you have to collect something, everyone does". So after taking into consideration the space I had available and the age of my grandchildren; I decided to collect glass eggs. My husband had given me for Christmas an antique jelly cupboard that had glass in the doors, so I had the ideal place to put then. Over the years, about thirty, I have quite a collection. It didn't take long for my collection to grow, I was very fortunate my mother and step father had an antique shop and they were always going to sales and shows. My collection soon gathered egg holders and egg cups. Violets are my favorite, so I have several eggs with violet paintings.

One thing I am very proud of is a set of children's blue willow wear. The plates and cups are small. My maternal grandmother gave this to me one year for Christmas. It was her wish to give a set to each of her granddaughters and great granddaughters. This she was able to do, however my two nieces were unable to keep their sets.

My brother was in the military and being sent to a different base. Since it was to be in China they put into military storage everything that they could thinking their precious things would be safe however this was not the case. When they returned they were told that the building their things were in had a fire, so there wasn't anything to give back to them. My brother checked the storage area and found that the fire was a small one in the opposite end of the building and he could see his things, but when the government speaks you have to listen. I feel so sorry for them, but that was several years ago and while they may not exactly forget about it, they don't mention it.

My set is valuable because the set was made in occupied Japan. From the years of moving around I have one cup that is broke and glued back together, also the lid to my tea pot is gone. I probably will leave my set to my older niece as she collects blue willow ware. I also collect pill boxes since I have enough eggs. I have really found several beautiful ones. I started this collection when I was still working and we decided to have secret sisters. I really didn't want to list glass eggs. I had to take medication at different times and I had purchased a pill box and thought it was so cute, I would list that as my hobby of collecting. Since then I have collected several, but I have run out of room to show them so all of the pill box collection is in a drawer totally out of sight.

submitted by: Pat Dofflemyer Nixon (WI '65)

I collect Made in Occupied Japan figurines—vases, etc. My grandmother started my collection by giving me a set of figurines. My uncle brought back some from Japan after he got out of the hospital from being a prisoner of war in Japan, so after WWII they were very special to me…I have added to the collection every year. They only had Occupied Stamped on the bottom from 1945 to 1950. I probably have 50 to 60 pieces of Made in Occupied Japan items. When I first started collecting the price was pretty cheap but every year they get more expensive and I get a little more picky in what I buy, they also get harder to find because they are over 60 years old.

I really enjoy the newsletter. Thanks, I know it takes a lot of time and work.

submitted by: Barry Rosenthal (WI '63)

I collect 1:18 scale cars and trucks and some smaller scales. I would like to hear from anyone else that is involved with same. My local sources are drying up and it seems the prices of the metals are increasing the costs. I feel also the size of the items has caused many places to carry smaller scales. Matchbox cars are 1:64 scale and small. There are several car mfgrs that I collect and the more detail on the cars the more they cost and are worth. The cars are usually around 12" in length and can have values from let’s say $25.00 to several hundred dollars each.

If anyone collects these cars and would like to discuss them, contact me… I may be reached at barryrivka@yahoo.com. Thanks

submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)

I guess I have been collecting just about everything since I was a kid. I have had to narrow down my fields of interest as most of us have to downsize. I have been a stamp collector since the early 1950's specializing in US, Canada, and Third Reich items. I collected coins until it turned from a hobby into bigtime speculation out of the reach of the average person. My love for trains has continued since I got my first Lionel in 1946 and my collection of HO gauge trains and vehicles has grown constantly as I have room for an operating railroad now. This spawned an obsession with die cast cars that has taken on a life of its own. I could never afford to have anything not used for daily transportation this has enabled me to gain a reverence for truly great and unique cars of the past. The only problem I have is finding room to properly display the hundreds I have amassed. .Books have been a vital part of my life since childhood and as a history teacher at WI and RCB I felt it necessary to have as an extensive a history library as possible. Since I retired I have donated hundreds of books to the RCB library hoping that the students will benefit from them as much as I have.

My FIRST WI STORY
submitted by: Marshall Angotti (WI '70)
This past weekend my wife, Grace, and I were on the Pride of Philadelphia Cruise Ship to tour the city of Philadelphia from the perspective of the lovely Delaware River. The DJ in charge of entertainment was asking questions about some of the landmarks we were seeing that mostly concentrated on the movie industry. His final question focused on academics that he said was rarely answered correctly. The question was as follows: " We just passed the Walt Whitman Bridge. Mr Whitman was actually a writer of poetry. What is the name of his book of poetry"? No one knew the answer and the DJ was boasting that once again he has stumped the audience, until he saw my raised hand in the back row of the ship. " OK everyone, we have someone who wants to take a guess," as he walked towards me. My answer was, "This is not a guess, the title is Leaves of Grass". He was shocked as well as all of the other guests. I leaned over to my wife and whispered, "Miss Nutter, my Junior English Teacher at WI High School forced us to read that book and write several compositions as an exercise of creative writing. Her class was pure hell, but thanks to Miss Nutter, I was the most intelligent person in the room (ship) that day. Thanks for the chance to share the memory.

FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM WV

Was Louis Johnson mentioned? He was Secretary of the Army and I think. He lived on Buchanon Ave across from Jack and Irene Keeley.

Thinking of Pearl Buck, I had the thrill of sitting with her when we were honored by the WV State Society in March, 1966. I was the WV Cherry Blossom Festival princess rep WV. The weeklong celebration was incredible but the highlight was talking for an hour with Pearl S. Buck.

Enjoyed the newsletter and the WI picnic. I wish that I had just done the picnic instead of fitting in golf too. I missed seeing so many.

CLARKSBURG NAMED SMALL CITY OF THE YEAR.
To read, click on the underlined words below (link) or copy and place this into your web search engine/browser.

http://cityofclarksburgwv.com/about-clarksburg/announcements/154-city-of-clarksburg-named-small-city-of-theyear- by-the-national-league-of-cities

SHARING MEMORIES
submitted by: Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
You girls are still doing a wonderful job. Sorry to see in the obituaries that I am losing classmates. A few of your suggestions caught my eye. During the Christmas Season of 1955 I worked part time for Williams Jewelers. I gift wrapped, dusted and polished items. As for collections I have Fenton glass and McCoy pottery. I was glad to see that Fenton is making the glass beads for the bracelets. My husband, Albert, started my bracelet for my 72nd birthday this past August. As for sports letters, I earned mine as majorette in 1955/1956. My parents did not have the money for a sweater to put it on. What about Rainbow Girls? My mother sewed all my formals. I had separate tops, skirts and over skirts so they could be mixed and matched. Now wasn't that clever of her? As for shoes I had a pair of brown penny loafers that I wore all four years of high school. Of course the shoe repair shop put on new soles and heels as needed. My senior year I dyed them black. I can also remember having a pair of saddle oxfords the spring of my senior year. I cannot remember any girl wearing jeans or slacks to school. Thanks for the great memories.

DO YOU HAVE SIBLINGS?
Did you ever play a trick on your brother or sister? Tell us about one great trick that you played and now I am sure you laugh about it every time the family gathers. Share it with us so we can laugh too….Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

$30,000.00
submitted by: Roleta
Roleta1@aol.com
What is $30,000.00? It is one heck of a lot of money. And it is also the amount of money that over the last few years some readers have given back to their home town in appreciation for what we received there. We give to show appreciation for that special teacher, principal, neighbor, parent, coach, friend, the policeman, the firefighter, the bus driver, the pool manager, or the veteran, etc….we have may reasons. Won’t you join us and give something. Give a dollar or more, every penny is appreciated and every penny is important.

Write your check to Roleta Meredith/WIN Scholarship and mail to:

Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL. 34240

OLD ADVERTISEMENT
NOT VERY POLITICALLY CORRECT
YOU WOULDN’T SEE THIS TODAY

COMIC BOOKS…
submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
As a teenager... I did ride the Weston streetcar, always wanted to go all the way to Weston and ride back, but never got to do it..dang! I would go to the movie Friday --usually the Moores double feature and serial... after school and come home on a streetcar, dark-maybe snowy... and walk half-mile to my house with no street lights .. especially early dark in the winter..weekends at night. If I fooled around all day uptown Clarksburg with everything going on and the streets jumping & jammed for the Saturday and then went to a late movie..! I only wish I had bought more of the 10-cent comic books they sold at the streetcar-bus newstand, not available anywhere else in town..The great 'ole Fiction House comics, Jungle, Jumbo, Wings, Planet Comics..now worth a few-good dollars!!!.. ah yes..... those were indeed the fun times.

submitted by: Shirley Dillmore Fain

I would love to know if anyone knows where Susie Wollard is. I also have always wondered whatever happened to my best friend when I grew up. We were only about 8 or 9 years old. Her name was Virginia Murphy. Her nickname was Sugar and her Father was a Dr. They lived on the corner of Harrison St and Haymond Hwy. In Broadoaks. Sugar went to a Catholic School now WI. Susie dated Guy Costello.

Thank you so much for doing this newsletter. I know that the older we get, the more we think about our childhood. I am fighting Pancreatic Cancer and have survived it 2 times and also breast Cancer. God has given me such miricals and I find myself wondering about my old friends and hope they have miracles in their lives also.

submitted by: Bill Cowgill (WI '59)

I believe the reason for turning up the pants leg was parents would buy pants longer knowing that you would grow into them. I think I always wore them out before I ever grew into them. Maybe someone else may have a different take on this but this is what I seem to remember

submitted by: Charlie McClung(VHS '48)

Here is a link for a History of Harrison County from the early days.

http://books.google.com/books?id=J4QFK5LOboC& dq=history+harrison+county+west+virginia&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=bFU _gkiB6U&sig=IV6YxcIcN_CDLXM1Ie3nsiX2s9w&hl=en&ei=sOJDS6-VDIwsgPe8vmJBA& sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CA8Q6AEwAzgK#v=one page&q=&f=false

submitted by: Brad Ledsome (RC Byrd 2011) 2011 winner of the WIN Scholarship

I will be sure to stay in touch. I am very gracious of the money I will be receiving from you. I plan to attend FSU for a couple years if that and then transferring to a more prestigious college where I will finish my 4 years of Pre-Med. After getting my bachelors of science I plan to move on to medical school. I have been wanting to be a doctor for a few years now. I want to give back and help people like they always have with me. You are only one example of this. I figure that this is the best field for that. I want to be either an anesthesiologist or oncologist. I am leaning more towards oncology at this point. I am also going to keep up on cancer research and get involved with cancer societies. Every family member that has died in my lifetime has died of cancer. It is one of my worst fears and my drive behind all of my going to work in that field.

I already have an email account and everything. I have had it for awhile now because I took 2 college classes while still in high school.

My accumulative grade point average for high school was a 3.62. I won a few other scholarships including one through FSU. My household is very limited on money due to the fact that my parents have been divorced for years and my mom has never had a great job. I can not see much help at all coming from anyone for college. That is why any money I can get is awesome to me because it helps me out in many ways. My grandparents have been a big help growing up. They have helped my sister, brother and I out tremendously, but they have already said that they can not help out much with college seeing that they are nearing retirement. I always grew up having to do well in school and everyone eventually just knew when grades came that mine would be great. I have always been the one in my family to show great ambition. I want to reach for the stars.

submitted by: Jackie Corsini (WI '49)

There was a swinging bridge that connected Stealey and Point Comfort. It was from Hart Street to River Road. I crossed it many times.

submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)

Swinging bridges:
The ones I remember were rather scary. There was one between Hart Street in Stealey and River Road. We crossed that one many times when we were running around at night. I never liked it especially when the river was high. My best friend would jump up and down on it to freak me out. The other one ran from Adamston Flat Glass Co. across the river to North View. I only remember it from one incident. There was a house & barn near the river on the North View side. They still had an outhouse and one night we tipped it over-not realizing someone was inside. The bridge offered our only escape. Never went back there again.

submitted by: Rod Kidd (W '70)

Re: In the mystery picture in the September issue of the newsletter, the little girl beside Bobby Anderson is his older sister Debbie I believe. Debbie was in a car accident a number of years ago and died some time afterward. She graduated with me in 1970.

I noticed in the last newsletter that you had a list of the football coaches for several schools. Mr. Mazzei was my neighbor while growing up in Stealey. He tried to get me to go to Victory to play ball for him there. He had a stroke in his later years and was pretty incapacitated after that. He was a very nice man.

Many changes going on in the area, the WVDOT has just completed uprating the interstate (79) to six lanes from Anmoore exit all the way to Saltwell Road Exit off of old Rte 73. As you may be aware the FBI has a large facility here near Bridgeport which is now going through another major expansion. This is bringing in a lot of growth to the housing market from Fairmont down through to Clarksburg. Along with that comes businesses, but unfortunately the growth is more along I- 79 and not affecting the downtown Clarksburg area. Many old neighborhood houses are being torn down due to their state of disrepair. Many of our parents are well into their 80’s and 90’s and the old neighborhoods are going downhill as they move to nursing homes or pass on.

I can remember all the hustle and bustle downtown about this time of year for Thanksgiving going into the Christmas season. You couldn’t even walk on the sidewalks it was so crowded. Kind of miss that, but this has been the fate of all small towns with the invention of the malls.

I enjoy reading the newsletters and going back in time. Thanks for doing such a good job.

submitted by: Pam Carson Leggett (W '66)

For gym class I remember the awful blue puffy legged gym suits we were required to wear and to have IRONED each Monday. I also remember using white polish on canvas tennis shoes so they would appear white. Each Monday we received a grade based on our the neatness of our gym suit and the whiteness of our tennis shoes.

REUNION INFORMATION
1968 1969 1970 Class Reunion: Aug 10, 11 at Ray’s Recreation Center (old 4-H facility property).

Please ask everyone who graduated in 1968 to send their updated contact information to: Gerald Workman: rgw1968@yahoo.com

And ask everyone who graduated in 1969 & 1970 to send their info to: Donna Stanley Meredith: meredithds@comcast.net

THINGS I KEPT FROM HIGH SCHOOL DAYS
submitted by: John A Teter (WI '61)
One thing that I inherited when my uncle Harry Lang passed away in 1996 is attached to this E-mail. It is a W.I.H.S. belt buckle. I cannot tell you where my uncle got the belt buckle and/or when it was purchased and/or made, but there is a PATENT APPLIED FOR stamp on the back of the belt buckle. My sister might be able to shed some light on more information regarding the belt buckle, so I am copying her on this E-mail so that she can fill in some of my blanks in reference to the nature of where it came from.

submitted by: Joe Van Voorhis (WI '65)
Stuff I kept from high school days:

WI letter cardigan sweater
Bobble doll from football banquet
Programs from WI football games

LITTLE CEDAR BOX
submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (Editor)
It seems that little cedar box was give to WI female graduates from 1947 as described in one letter received and printed below to at least 1973 as a reader wrote below. I still have my little cedar box but the key is missing. During the spring of my junior year I met Bill. He was attending WVU and since there weren’t computers and we couldn’t afford to call each other long distant every day, we wrote letters. I saved my “love” letters in my little cedar box and they remain there today. My daughter admitted that when she was small she found the little cedar box with the letters and read all of them. I think that is sweet, thru these letters, she learned a lot about her parents. I treasure the letters and the little cedar box as they now seem to be one item from my past.

submitted by: Mary Jan Laurent Post (WI '47)
After many years (64!!!) and many moves I no longer have the Little Cedar Chest, but I kept it for a long time. It was given to us ....(at least it was in 1947) by Palace Furniture

submitted by: Judy Ash Guy (WI '50)
If I remember, that little cedar box was given to every senior girl by the Palace Furniture Company. I still have mine too

submitted by: Justina Hart Merz (WI '73)
The little cedar box all WI Grads received was from the Palace Furniture Company on Main Street in Clarksburg. It was a replica of the popular Lane Cedar Chest sold at the Palace.

Also, the first time we wore slacks in school was the early 70's. I remember the heat was not working in the school and it was winter. Girls were allowed to wear slacks because it was so cold and we never stopped.

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
I went on line and tried to find a picture of our cedar box. I couldn't find one that was like ours. I then took pictures of mine showing the inside, outside and the label.

FROM A NOV 4, 1949 NEWSPAPER

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
All we seem to be hearing on TV or reading in the newspapers recently is the presidential election. Well, if you are really interested in elections, here is book about the election that took place in 1924 and included John W. Davis from Clarksburg.

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

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

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

It takes a look at the presidential race involving WV's only major-party candidate for the office of President. John W. Davis, Democrat Conservative from Clarksurg. 336 hardback books were published in 2010 by The Emerald Book Company and sells for $29.95 plus shipping and is available online at www.emeraldbookcompany.com. Phone number is 512-891-6100. All you History buffs out there.....

Many thanks again for the Letter!

MYSTERY PICTURE

Only two correct guesses were received.

submitted by: Steve Griffith (NDHS '60)
It has been longer than I wish to remember, Roleta, but the only structure I can think of the even resembles this one in my memory bank is the Harrison County "Poor Farm" on Route 19, South of Clarksburg, and across from the southern end of Sunny Croft CC.

submitted by: Joe Tiper (WI 1958 and 1959)
It looks like the Harrison County Poor Farm on Route 19 south of Clarksburg across from the Sunnycroft Golf Course.

MEMORIES OF MY GRADE SCHOOL
submitted by: Fred G. Layman (VHS '46)
My grade school was located in Hepzibah and was known as the Hepzibah Grade Shcool. It was a two story brick building and at the time it only went from first grade to fourth grade. After completing my fourth grade I then went to an old wooden school building which housed the fifth and sixth grades. It was located south of the brick school building approx. one tenth of a mile. It had outside privies and a pitcher and pump on the back porch. I carried a collapsible aluminum drinking cup. In cold weather we didn’t get any drinking water because the pump was frozen. There was a number 1 potbellied stove located in the hall to heat the building. At the time all county schools were heated by coal stoves. I only attended this school for four months in fifth grade and then transferred back to my former school as there was an addition added to that old school which now housed the fifth and sixth grade on the second floor and on the ground level was an auditorium. During the winter months on Wednesday we had homemade vegetable soup which was made by the home room mothers. After completing my sixth grade, I then went to Adamston Junior High School for seventh thru ninth grades and then on to Victory High School graduating in 1946.

submitted by: Pat Dofflemyer Nixon (WI '65)
I also wanted to add to your list of Clarksburg Grade Schools. I went to Custer School. We only had about 10 or 12 students in each grade but it was a great school and our principal was Miss. Marple.

EDITOR’S NOTE: What was the names of the schools you attended? What years did you attend? Can you describe the building and name the teachers? Write your memories to: Roleta1@aol.com.

During the month, I correspond with several of our readers, about sports and many other subjects. Bob Secret, W I 1960 is one of those who writes to me often. Following are a few of his comments on various sports subjects. With his permission, I'd like to share them with you.

WVU's Move To The Big 12

We needed this move, not only financially, but for our team and fans. I believe the move toward four 16-team super conferences was strongly designed to eliminate the Big East. It looks like it worked. However, there will still be five super conferences, the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Pac 10 AND ACC. Now, they can not only get two teams in the BCS from one conference, but maybe even three, like Alabama, LSU and Arkansas or Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. and whoever in one year. The love of money is the root of all evil.

Will WVU Compete In The Big 12? (I think it will take a few years)

I think we might, Bill. With WVU's pride in its defense and Holg's offensive magic, we could compete. We are 9-4 in our games with the current Big 12, 2-2 vs Oklahoma and 1-0 vs Texas. Oklahoma St. only beat us by one in a snowstorm and they had Thurmond Thomas and Barry Sanders. That conference does not take pride in its defense. They like to score, though. Oklahoma St, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas are all offense. Now, Snyder's Kansas St. will defend you. You might be right, though. Missouri, Colorado and Texas A & M were beatable teams. They are gone, so we will have to see.

Comments After One Of WVU's Big East Losses

Bill, did you see how we were dropped 14 places to 25th last week? I have never seen that big of a drop, EVER!! No one can tell me that this is not a well-planned conspiracy to get rid of the Big East. They would never have dissolved the Big 12 as long as Oklahoma and Texas stayed. They scared Syracuse and Pitt. Otherwise, the Big East would have had a 12-team conference with TCU, Navy, Air Force and Boise St. That would have been a decent conference, with three teams always in the top 25 (TCU, Boise St. and WVU). If it wasn't for Va. Tech, the ACC would be the weakest conference, by far, over the past eight years. The Pac 10 is the next weakest. Louisville, UConn, Cincinnati, Pitt, WVU, USF and Rutgers, have all, at one time or another, been in the top 15 in the polls during the last eight years. Only the SEC has a better bowl record than the Big East during that time. The.SEC is 49 - 23, (68%) and the Big East is 29 - 15, ( 66%).

I hope you enjoyed Bob's comments as much as I did. If you would like to discuss any of these subjects or any other sports item, email me at billmere@aol.com.

To Bill:

We have heard a lot about the Corsini brothers as WI football players and they were great. But, there was another man in that backfield that was a pretty fair player, too. That was Dave Larimer. He could run, he could pass and he could kick. He was also an exceptional basketball player. Dave & I grew up together in the P K mining camp. When we had an empty lot or cow pasture football game, he was always the best.

Elmer Mitchell was another pretty good running back on that team. I enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work.

Lawrence Kinney, WI 1951

Reply To Lawrence:

I knew there were more stories about W I football in the early 50's. Thanks to Lawrence, we now know about another fine athlete of that era. Does anyone else have a story about Dave or anyone else on those teams? We would like to hear from you.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

WVU-PITT
Just a few comments on the Pitt game and WVU football in general. First, the game.

I am starting to feel that the Mountaineers are required to play against at least 16 players in every Big East game. Do you think that the Big East office is a little upset with us?

I wonder why Alston hasn't been the No. 1 tailback all season. He surely is the best, plus, he's big !!

The play-calling was suspect at times.

I'd think that a game ball should go to the defense AND the back-up punter.

As for the team, just a couple of thoughts.

If I were in charge of recruiting, I'd start looking for offensive linemen and linebackers.

Most teams improve as the season progresses. I really can't say that the Mountaineers have improved that much. Guess whose fault that is?

Do you agree or disagree with me? Let's talk about it. Send your thoughts to: Bill (billmere@aol.com)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Six local teams made the state playoffs. R C Byrd, Elkins, Grafton and Lincoln all lost in the first round. Bridgeport and Morgantown both won first and second round games, but were beaten in the semifinals, Bridgeport losing to George Washington and Morgantown to Martinsburg, which will be looking for their second title in a row. Overall, the Big Ten Conference was very well represented in the playoffs.

WVU BASKETBALL
The Mountaineers are currently 3-1, losing only to a good Kent State team. The team, which has nine freshmen on the roster, has been inconsistent, as you might expect. Kevin Jones has been the only bright spot so far, although the youngsters are improving with each game. My thoughts are that by the time Big East games begin, this could be a pretty competitive team. Bob Huggins has a way of shaping players to suit him and you can bet he'll work hard to have this team ready for what is possibly the most difficult schedule in the school's history. Although this year will most likely not be one of Hugg's better seasons, things are looking up for next year. In addition to the freshmen having a full year's experience under their belt, there are two transfers sitting out this year, Juwan Staten, a point guard from Dayton and Aaric Murray, a 6--10 center from LaSalle, who both could start in 2012. Add what looks to be a good recruiting class and you might have a very talented team starting play in the Big 12.

WEST VIRGINIA BEAT PITT
WATCH THE POST GAME CELEBRATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5uWTfCUDgI

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
I've always wondered why there was never an "Eastern" football conference formed decades ago. I had heard rumors that there was an attempt about 30 years ago, but it failed to materialize, but never heard any details. Then during the news blitz about the Penn State fiasco, someone wrote about that failed effort. Apparently, in 1990 or 1991, Joe Paterno thought he had a deal to form a conference consisting of Penn State, Pitt, WVU, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida State. Two other possibilities were Rutgers and Temple. For some reason, Pitt backed out and everything fell apart. Shortly thereafter, Penn State joined the Big Ten. If I remember correctly, their annual game with Pitt ended at that time.

Does anyone remember this happening? Why did Pitt back out? That would have been a great conference and maybe we wouldn't be facing the realignment mess now.

There is another rumor out there concerning Pitt. When the Panthers and Syracuse announced that they were leaving the Big East for the ACC, someone recalled that when the Big East was in the process of renegotiating their TV deal with ESPN several months earlier, it was Pitt that balked at the effort, convincing the league officials to wait until the contract expired before making a new deal.

Now I've got two more reasons to dislike that team from Pittsburgh.

WE NEED YOUR LETTERS AND COMMENTS.

Remember, without your input, there is really no sports section. I voice my opinions, but we need to hear what you think. Send your stories, comments or opinions to me at billmere@aol.com. If you do it right now, we'll have some fun and our readers will appreciate hearing from you.

NEW READERS

Raymond Oliverio (ND '66)	Deniseajbub@aol.com
Sandy Conaway Mason (WI '54)	Sandy-Lou@sbcglobal.net
Pat Norris Bacchus (WI '57)	sgtqtr@bellsouth.net
Patty Morelan Gyorda (WI '57)	patty.gyorda@yahoo.com
Janet Sturms Pinti (WI '58)	janetlpinti@aol.com
Dee Ann Cabo Tiffany (WI '60)	jtiffany@bellsouth.net
Steve Bias (WI '60)	bronsonbiasgroup@aol.com
Barbara McNemar Weaver (WI '64)	bweaver1@ma.rr.com
John Tonkin (WI '67-'68)	jtonkin73@gmail.com
Jane Lynn Davisson Squires (WI '69)	headmomma@gmail.com
Curtis Edwards (WI '69)	curtis@americandestinations.com
David Griffin (WI '69)	griffindl@bellsouth.net
Paula Haynes Robinson (WI '69)	probins@ma.rr.com
Kathy Mayfield (WI '69)	kmayfield00@comcast.net
Jerry Mick (WI '69)	jfmick@cox.net
Glenda Nutter Shreves (WI '69)	glendashreves@rocketmail.com
Cynthia Pinnell Preston (WI '69)	CPP4151@aol.com
Sally Pulice Wildasin (WI '69)	sallypulice@yahoo.com
Beverlee Rice (WI '69)	rice@sanjuancollege.edu
Rebecca Smith Hunn (WI '69)	hunnrebecca@hotmail.com
W. Keith Zillifro (WI '69)	keith@zillifro.com
Mark Altizer (WI '69)	bvrrtrvr@yahoo.com
Manuel Alvarez (WI '70)	MANNYAZ@aol.com
Marshall Angotti (WI '70)	doctorangotti@email.com
Maud 'Lee' Jarvis Quinn (WI '70)	mljq@ma.rr.com
Becky King Chase (WI '70)	rlynn52@hotmail.com
Danny E. Knight (WI '70)	pappydan52@yahoo.com
Pat McGivern (WI '70)	PatMcGivern@reriwv.com
David Preston (WI '70)	David.Preston@us.agc.com
Daniel W. Richards (WI '70)	DRichards@kendrew.net
Sallie Rolland Skipper (WI '70)	SSki986071@aol.com
Melissa 'Missy' Spelsberg Loder (WI '70)	Melissa.Loder@sba.gov
Dave Swartz (WI '70)	dswartz@columbus.rr.com
Margaret Aiello Harman (WI '71)	OMWMMARG@aol.com
Patti Porter (WI '72)	PLPhome@aol.com
David Jeffery King (WI '73)	djking1414@gmail.com
Deborah Sharpe Fisher (WI '74)	fish6564@bellsouth.net

EMAIL CHANGES:

Anthony Bellotte (WI '57)	was: abellotte3@aol.com is now: bellotte3@aol.com
Donna Stanley Meredith (WI '69)	was: meredithds@hotmail.com is now: meredithds@comcast.net
David J. Romano (WI '70)	was: djr@wvds1.net is now: djr@wvdsl.net * Note that there is an 'L' in new address & not the number '1' *
Melissa Morris Phillips (WI '71)	was: melissamphillips@earthlink.net is now: mountaineermaven@verizon.net
Jennifer Cone Wells (WI '72)	was: jenecone@cfl.rr.com is now: jencone@cfl.rr.com
Mary Ann Wood (WI '72)	was: mwood@inassoc.com is now: mwood@lindsey.com

TO BE DELETED:
Dan Stalnaker (WI 1968) daneman@copper.net
Tom Reed (WI 1969) reed1951@verizon.net

OBITUARIES
ROY E. CRISS
Roy E. Criss, 85, of Bridgeport, passed away on October 30, 2011, at his home.

He was the son of the late Albert Criss and Mary Elizabeth Scott Criss.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan Criss.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by one daughter, Carol Annie, one stepson, Steven and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Balland two sisters, Madolyn King and Thelma Bartos.

After high school, Roy attended served proudly in the United States Marine Corps. Following his time in the Corps he worked for several businesses in the area including Sanitary Bakery. He then worked for Consolidated Gas for 30 years until his retirement in 1987.

SARAH ELIZABETH PRATT DUMIRE
Sarah Elizabeth Pratt Dumire, 88, of Bridgeport, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

She was the daughter of the late Hiram Lynch and Anna Pious Cox Lynch.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thurman Howard “Bud” Pratt. In addition, she was preceded in death by her second husband, Glenn Dumire.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Gerald) Leon and four grandsons. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was also preceded in death by her son, James Pratt, and a daughter in infancy; a great-grandson, Jacob Leon; and a stepson, Reverend James Richard Dumire. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by three brothers, William Lynch, Arthur Lynch and Bernard Lynch; and her sister, Margaret Nicholson.

Mrs. Dumire was a graduate of Washington Irving High School

FRANK V. FAZIO II
Frank V. Fazio II, age 57, of Clarksburg, passed away at 5:25 a.m. on November 10, 2011, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

He was the son of the late Frank V. Fazio and Helen Reed Fazio. Mr. Fazio is survived by his loving wife, Tammy Freeman Fazio.

Also surviving are his children, Jeff Fazio and wife Amy of Elkins and Anthony Fazio and wife Tina of Clarksburg; three stepchildren, Erica Helmick and husband Paul of Clarksburg, Casie Lindsay and husband Jason of Clarksburg and Ryan Freeman and wife Lisa of Clarksburg.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Carl McIntyre of Stonewood.

Frank was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School Class of 1973. He was employed at Fourco Glass from 1973 to 1998. He opened his own business, Superior Homes from 1998 to 2005. Frank was a Superintendent for City Construction from 2005 to 2011, and during that time was very proud of constructing Doddridge County High School and the Bridgeport Conference Center.

JAMES WILLIAM SUMMERS
James William “Bill” Summers, 87 died Nov. 12, 2011, at Louis A. Johnson Veterans Hospital.

He was the son of the late Albert Leslie Summers and Gay Mcbee Summers in Clarksburg, WV.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anna Jeanne Boylen Summers; three daughters; Barbara Sue Mullen and husband Carson Addison Mullen, Anne Marie Haught, and Nancy Jeanne Summers and husband Paul David Casto; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Carol Summers; one grandson, Mathew Carson Mullens; and one brother, Clifford Leslie Summers.

Bill was a graduate of Victory High School, class of 1942, and a proud Marine, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a locomotive engineer for the Chessie Railroad System for 43 years.

WILLIAM SMITH
William C. Smith, 87, passed away October 25, 2011. Bill was the son of the late Dorsey C. and Ruie O. Hicks Smith.

He graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1941. Bill started college at Stetson University in Deland, Florida, in the Navy V12 program in 1943. He was then transferred to Georgia Tech to study engineering, and in 1945, he was called to active duty for deployment to the Pacific.

In 1946, he returned to Clarksburg and took a job with Rish Equipment Company as a sales trainee. He stayed with Rish for 40 years, retiring as general manager in 1986.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Connie L. Baldwin Smith; a daughter, M. Leann Smith of Clarksburg; a son, Dr. William D. Smith and his wife Rebecca of Bristol, TN; his granddaughter, Kimberly Ann Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

DREW MICHAEL FOX
Drew Michael Fox, age 30, died on November 11, 2011 at his residence.

Drew was the son of Steven Douglas and Tanya Sue Skinner Fox of Clarksburg. In addition to his parents, Drew is survived by his sister, Mary Beth Fox; paternal grandmother, Mary Alice Fox of Clarksburg; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Drew was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, R. B. Fox Jr. and his maternal grandparents, Bob and Doris Skinner.

Drew was a 1999 graduate of Robert C. Byrd High School and a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

CLAUDE HAYES
Claude Percy “Skip” Hayes Jr., 64, passed away October 30, 2011, at his residence from a sudden illness. He was the son of the late Claude Percy Hayes Sr. and Jeanette Marie (Thompson) Hayes.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Sharon Rae (Hall) Hayes; one son, Brian Scott Hayes and wife Annette (French) Hayes, Clarksburg, WV; one daughter, Kimberly Ann (Hayes) Dennison and husband Timothy Scott Dennison; and granddaughters, Emily Rae Davisson and Paige Nichole Dennison, also of Clarksburg. He is also survived by one brother, Larry Hayes and wife Shirley (Morrison) Hayes, Columbus, OH.

Besides his parents, Skip was preceded in death by a brother, Charles David Hayes, and a sister, Florene Mercandino.

ROBERT CAPUTO
Robert Mark Caputo, 83, of Stonewood, WV, died November 1, 2011.

He was the son of the late Anthony John and Mary Marsico Caputo.

Mr. Caputo is survived by two sons, Robert Caputo Jr. and Anthony John Caputo; one daughter, Mary Denise Mells; and four grandchildren.

Robert was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and retired from PPG as a glassworker.

CHARLES “CHOO-CHOO” CHRISTIE
Charles “Choo-choo” Christie passed away at his home in Arabia, Louisiana, Sunday November 13, 2011. He was born in Clarksburg, WV and was the son of Carl and Catherine Christie.

He attended Morgan Grade School, Central Junior High, Washington Irving (1960), Greenbrier Military, and WVU.

He lived in theWashington, DC and worked for the United Mine Workers. He lived in New Orleans for 35 years and worked in the French Quarter until Hurricane Katrina hit the area.

Surviving is one brother Eddie Christie of Costa Rica, a niece, Lara and Oscar Beninca and two great nephews.

Preceding him in death were grandparents Bunk and Hattie Virginia as well as Ed and Monnie Madden and great-grandparents - Wheeler and Kate Broadwater.

SHIRLEY ANN WILSON
Shirley Ann Wilson, age 78, of Clarksburg passed away Nov. 17, 2011.

She was the daughter of the late Samuel Lyon Jr. and Dorothy (Lynch) Lyon.

Her husband, Charles Woodrow “Woodie” Wilson, preceded her in death on Jan. 21, 2008.

Surviving are two sons, Alan Wilson and Blaine Wilso; a daughter, Kathie Wilson Shaverand four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by a sister, Margie Ruth McElwain.

Shirley was a graduate of Washington Irving High School class of 1950. Shirley previously worked for Steptoe and Johnson as a secretary and in the cafeteria of St. Mary’s.

ANNABEL LEE BURON
Annabel Lee (Trusler) Buron, age 70, of Bridgeport, WV, passed October 26, 2011.

She was the daughter of the late John Franklin Trusler and Virginia Mae Fogg Trusler.

Surviving are two daughters, Rhonda K. (Rozance) Leyton and Lisa A. (Rozance) Michel; a foster daughter, Shannon Bush; two brothers and a sister-in-law, William Trusler, and John W. and Wanda Trusler; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Joan (Trusler) Kaminski, Shirley (Martin) Tutolo and Angelo, and Debbie Loughery and Tom, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

Mrs. Buron was also preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa (Terri) Lynn (Rozance) Roberts; a brother, Kent Trusler; and two sisters, Eloise (Trusler) Sendling and Judy (Trusler) Feathers.

She was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1959. She served her country in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Second Class. She had earned her master’s degree in education in Pomona, CA, where she also taught. She was also a teacher for the Harrison County Board of Education at South Harrison High School, where she was also in charge of the school’s newspaper.

PETE LAWRENCE OLEAN
Pete Lawrence Olean, 88, passed on November 18, 2011, following an extended illness.

Pete was the son of the late Andrew Olean and Angela Marie Scolapio Olean. Mr. Olean was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Rose Mary Capozzi Olean, whom he married on January 22, 1949.

He is survived by one brother, Ralph Olean; and his son-in-law, Charles Richard Harrison

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his only daughter, Deborah Jean Olean Harrison; two brothers, Luke A. Olean and E.J. “Mums” Olean; and two sisters, Carrie Olean DeFrances and Elizabeth Olean Kopp.

Pete was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School and a member of the St. James Catholic Church in North View, where he was an usher. He was a member of the Columbian Club since 1964 and a member of the Sunny Croft Country Club. He enjoyed opera and classical music.

Pete proudly served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was a telephone lineman and telephone board operator in the Normandy Invasion. He re-tired in 1982 from Jerry Run Division of Fourco Glass Company.

THEODORE HOMER
Theodore W. Horner, died in Cary, North Carolina, on November 10, 2011. He was the second son of Theodore Wright and Mabel Horner.

He graduated from Washington Irving High School in June 1942. He then attended William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Virginia, graduating with highest honors.

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps on Okinawa for two years. He was discharged and entered N.C. State College in Raleigh, where he received a B.S. degree in June 1949 and a Ph.D. in experimental/mathematical statistics in 1953.

He was married in 1950 to Barbara Ward and had two sons, Theodore, Jr., of Redway, CA, and Ward of Columbia, MD. There are two grandchildren, Justin, 21, and Sydni, 16.

He had a graduate fellowship in the Statistics Department at N.C. State for several years.

In July 1953, he became assistant professor in statistics at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He was promoted to associate professor, made the graduate faculty and published 12 papers.

In 1957, he joined operations research of General Mills, in Minneapolis, as a senior research scientist.

In 1959, he joined Booz-Allen-Hamilton Research in Washington, D.C., as principal scientist for 10 years, making a home in Bethesda, Maryland.

He founded his own consulting company in 1969 and retired to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1990. He has written several unpublished books.

MARLENE JOYCE LAMP
Marlene Joyce Lamp, 58, of Clarksburg, went home to be with our Lord Saturday afternoon, Nov. 19, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Wayman D. Postlethwaite of West Union and the late Irene E. Schritchfield Postlethwaite.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Warren Lamp. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons, Michael W. Lamp II of Clarksburg, Marc J. Lamp and wife Elizabeth D. of Stafford, Va., Kenneth M. “Mikey” Lamp of Morgantown, and Calvin M. Scheuvront and wife Angela of Dola, WV; three grandchildren.

Marlene graduated from Victory High School, Class of 1971.

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