THE WI NEWSLETTER 04/12

THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 152 April 2012






OUR HISTORY

1999---- August-September was the first WI Newsletter

2002----I held the first Clarksburg Reunion Picnic

2004---- I started the WIN Scholarship

2005----First WIN Scholarship or $500.00 was awarded

2006---First quilt was made and we raised $500.00 for the WIN Scholarship.

2007--- The first of the Four seasonal quilts was made.

2008---The quilt earned $1,500.00 for the scholarship.

2011----The WIN Scholarship quilt earned an amazing $3,000.00 for the WIN Scholarship.

2012 ---The quilt raised $3,401.00 for the WIN Scholarship.

We have given $32,000.00 back to Clarksburg as a thank you through giving scholarships to students….



A SUBJECT TO WRITE TO ME ABOUT THIS MONTH

(ANY SUBJECT IS FINE BUT HERE IS A SUGGESTION)

Last summer when Bill and I were in southwest Ohio, we visited Bill’s cousin, Bob, who also grew up in Monongah, WV. Bob asked Bill if he remembered his phone number from when he was a kid. Bill couldn’t come up with it but Bob remembered it. With that one small reminder, Bill now remembers his childhood phone number. How many rings? Of course it was a party line.

Do you remember anything about your phone when you were a child? Here are some things to help you think of things to write and share with us. How many phones did you have in your home? Where was your phone located? Did you have a party line? How many were on your party line? How many rings was yours? Did you ever listen in on someone’s conversation? Do you remember your phone number? What color was your phone? Did your parents restrict your usage of the phone? Did you have a dial phone or did you go thru the operator?

Now has that jogged your memory? Write and share some memories with the other readers. Help me make the newsletter not only stay alive but good enough to brag about!

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Thanks



AFTER PICNIC LETTERS

submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)

Roleta, I really enjoyed the Sarasota picnic and all the great food we had; especially the famous Clarksburg hot dogs and pepperoni rolls. The work you and husband Bill put in was much appreciated by all who attended. I really enjoyed socializing with my former Clarksburg acquaintances especially Frank 'Babe' Sirianni (RW'59), whom I played football and baseball against and Marjorie (Jones) Kober who was my classmate since first grade at Alta Vista. Really am looking forward to next year's picnic. Thanks again.



submitted by: Barbara and Bruce Gordon

Barbara and I had a wonderful time and plan to return next year.



submitted by: Linda Oliverio Kolosky (WI '60)

Dear Roleta,
Once again you and your group have manage to pull off another successful WI picnic. Even though the numbers were smaller, everyone had an enjoyable time. I believe because of the fewer people, it gave everyone the opportunity to engage new friends in conversation. I was so happy that my brother Donnie Oliverio (ND class of 63) was able to attend the picnic for the first time. He met his old college freshman roommate and classmates he hadn't seen in years. The picnic was the highlight of his trip.

I was a little disappointed that Pam Wolfe Brown and I were the only ones from our class of 60. I hope next year that anyone who is in the area will make it a priority to attend. It always makes it more special to see old friends and classmates.

Thanks again Roleta and too all who brought delicious food, especially the hotdogs with Clarksburg chili. What a treat... Also, I know that you put in an enormous amount of time on this newsletter and probably don't always feel appreciated, but please don't give up on us. This newsletter would be greatly missed. I love bragging about the newsletter and the picnic to my friends in Annapolis, Md, and the pride we have in growing up in Clarksburg, WV.

Look forward to seeing you next year.



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956) and Sonja Grossa Alvaro (Bridgeport 1958)

Dear Roleta,
I think this Picnic / Reunion in Sarasota, Fl has to be one of the best. Although the WI class of ' 56 had the most, we had about 5 or 6 who had very good reasons for not attending. In fact, I received a few emails from those who said they will definitely attend next year if no problems. The accommodations at the hotel were perfect. They were kind enough to give us our own private meeting room. The food at the picnic is always good. The WV hot dogs are always the biggest attraction, thanks to you for supplying the hot dogs and chili. Of course, we never run out of anything. The homemade desserts are the very best. I even saw a couple gals exchanging recipes. I always tell people, that if there is one person you have not seen in years or met a new person from Clarksburg, it is worth the trip. Sonja seems to enjoy it as much as I do. We also have a great time spending a few days in The Villages on the way down and a few days on the way back to Ga. And, by the way, it is always great seeing Bill. If nothing happens, we will be there next year. SIGN US UP

For those of you who were in Sarasota, I really enjoyed the time we spent together. The picnics are all good but this one was one of the best. To Roleta and Bill, thanks to you both for coordinating this event. If everyone enjoyed it as much as I did, it was a wonderful time.



submitted by: Tommy Lee and Marilyn Hurst Lee

I think we have only missed one or two of the Clarksburg picnics and always look forward to it. As usual, you totally outdid yourself, and none of us could ever thank you enough for all that you do. It is a great place for a picnic, and it is always a very special and fun event. Thanks a million.



submitted by: Bud and Kay Collins (Bud WI 1955)

We want to thank you for the great job you and Bill did putting this all together. We know this takes a lot of your time besides all the time you put doing the newsletter with Judy.

This might be the best one yet. It is always great to see the old timers who come down and all the new ones.

It was great that Babe Sirianni from RW and the Victory, St. Mary's , Bridgeport people and many other schools show up and have a great time with us, after all we are all Clarksburger's.

Looking forward to next year and all the years after that good Lord allows us to participate.

We wouldn't miss it for anything.



GUESS WHO

submitted by: Nancy VanHorn Stunger (WI '54)

Nancy sent a group picture for all to identify. It's taken at Morgan Grade school probably in the late forties.


Below are her guesses.

Front row: ? , ? , ? , ? , Buddy Graves
Middle row: ? , Fred Heflin, Virgil Highland, ? , ? , ?
Back row: ? , ? , ? , ?



FRED LAYMAN



They called him "Mr. Harrison County" and "Mr. Victory High School."

That is a tribute to Fred Layman, who died March 2 at age 83.

When I open my e-mail these days, I miss the informed and valuable exchanges with Fred. If anyone had a finger on the pulse of his home county, it was Fred.

He not only monitored its life, over the decades he accumulated buildings full of documents, artifacts and other memorabilia about it.

An article in Goldenseal, a magazine of West Virginia traditional life, referred to him as "the man who collected it all." Especially friends.

Fred lived from 1931 until 1953 on a 153-acre farm owned by former sheriff Moore M. Reynolds.

"When I was six years old, Mr. Reynolds cut off part of a pitch fork handle so I could help in the hay field," Fred told me.

Fred worked the land and his many friendships all his life, later establishing his own home off Rt. 19 at Gore where he continued to grow his family's food.

When e-mail came along, his letter writing to people and publications changed. He was able to cast his net even farther. In his last e-mail to me he told about planting rye wheat on his field last fall to enrich the soil to plant this spring.

"It's too muddy yet to plow," he told me a few weeks ago in his last e-mail to me.

I doubt anyone who lived into this century knew more about Harrison County than Fred, who for 40 years worked in the courthouse and delivered election equipment - voting booths, tables and chairs - to the precincts in every niche and cranny.

Part of his duties when he broke in was working the elevator. He greeted everyone and got to know just about everyone.

He had the same common touch with judges, attorneys, police officers and regular townspeople.

He wasn't a gossip monger, but he knew all the stories.

He was former Civil Defense Director and a lifetime members of the Harrison County Emergency Squad..

I visited his home. Several rooms of his house, his garage and outbuildings were filled with items and memorabilia.

He subscribed to several newspapers, including The Dominion Post, clipped items and kept them neatly in scrapbooks.

A tour of his home place was like a journey through a museum.

Just about every major highlight that happened in Harrison County from high school, when he began collecting, to his death was chronicled.

Fred corresponded with many people of all walks. His e-mails constituted a journal of mundane but important matters.

I didn't know until a few weeks ago that Fred was ill. A VHS online alumni group spread the word. It was reported at his funeral cards to him poured in.

In honor of Victory High School (1917-73), Fred had started Victory (High) Lane, a wall of fame built of bricks with the names of some of the more than 7,500 souls and all the veterans and who took diplomas there. He maintained a website, too.

Fred graduated in 1946, known as "the class with class." Fred more than anyone elevated, and archived, just about everything and everyone he touched. Fred was a brick to build on.

EDITOR'S NOTE:The above article was written by Norm Julian and appeared in The Morgantown Dominion-Post newspaper. The article appears here with Norm’s permission… thank you Norm.



MARCH MYSTERY PICTURE



submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)

The correct answers are:

The underpass of Rt 19 and Rt 50 under the railroad track going into Adamston. Edgewood/Hepzibah/Shinnston are to the left toward Fairmont and the road to the right went toward Glenwood Addition and Wilsonburg, probably Rt 50 at the time the picture was taken before Rt 50 was moved "up the hill" to the other side of the railroad track.



submitted by: Bob Teter (WI '60)

Looks to me like the entrance to Clarksburg via Adamston from old Route 50. Great job with the newsletter as always. Many thanks to you and Judy.



submitted by: John McFarlin (WI '60)

This is the overpass going to Adamston which is fed from Wolf Summit and Gore. It is the beginning of W Pike Street. Down W Pike Street on the left was Victory High and further down was one of my Father's drug stores, Adamston Drug Store.



submitted by: John Palagino (NDHS '74)

This mystery picture is of the underpass that was the gateway to Clarksburg. This is the west end of Pike Street in Adamston. As a young boy, I can remember the trip to and from Shinnston having to come this way since there was no such thing as Route 50 at Limestone Junction. When you came from the direction of Clarksburg and went left, you would end up in Reynoldsville. However, I do lovingly remember the Dairy King that was very close that served chocolate soft serve ice cream that wasn't too far after heading in the Reynoldsville direction.

Thanks for the memories!



submitted by: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)

I believe the picture is of the old Underpass going from the old Route 50 into Adamston. It looks like the picture is much earlier than when we used to walk through it coming from Glenwood Hill in the early Fifties.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

I think that the mystery picture was a bridge "underpass" that was on the road leading into Adamston, just below Victory High School.

I hope that more of your readers CONTRIBUTE to the next newsletter, as I think it is a wonderful way to keep up with people that we associate with WI and CLARKSBURG! I am going to try to encourage my classmates to write in, but I have noticed that two or three have contributed over recent months (since our reunion in August). PLEASE do not abandon the newsletter. It is GOOD READING and the WIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND is an awesome way of giving back to the school and city that got us all to where we are today.



submitted by: Rod Kidd (WI '70)

The picture is that of the entrance into Adamston beneath the railroad tracks above. Road entrance is from Rte 19 and the present day Rte 50 four lane off/on ramps.

Rte 50 doesn't go thru it, the off and on ramps of 50 tie into Rte 19 right at the face of the tunnel below the tracks. If you remember Clarksburg put in the bypass behind the old Central Jr. High, and this became Rte 50. It used to swing back up into Adamston at the Clarksburg Radiator Shop. This 4 lane now carries all the way to Parkersburg and bypasses downtown Salem. I can take a current photo if you like.



Rod sent this picture of the current underpass location




submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)

The Adamston underpass. It's from Old Rt 50 and from Rt 19 going toward Shinnston. I remember my dad took his dogs to a veterinarian (I think his name was Dr Heinrich) to the right on Rt 19. You could turn to the left onto Rt 50 toward Salem. We went thru that underpass many times.



submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)

This was the underpass that went from OLD Rt. 50 where you could jog to the left onto Rt. 19 towards Shinnston, Enterprise and Fairmont or turn sort of right to go up past Victory High School. This underpass was used before they built the NEW Rt. 50 underpass which was closer to Victory high school and went sort of up over the hill toward Wolf Summit, Bristol and Salem.



submitted by: Bud Wheelock (WI '60)

Bud Wheelock (WI '60) This is the old railroad overpass in Adamston joining old Rte 50. Just up the road on the left was Victory High School. It is now adjacent to the expressway exit to Rte. 19. Nearby was the old "Holiday Inn" where many a cold beer was had.



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

Roleta, I believe the mystery picture of the underpass is at the intersection of Hwy 19 and Hwy 50. It is just below Victory HS. near Adamston. We traveled that way many times to visit my grandparents in Hepzibah after the street cars were discontinued. We drove from Clarksburg, through Adamston, through Gore, and on into Hepzibah.

St. Patrick's Day Newsletter was as usual as always.



submitted by: Eugene Jaumont (VHS '54)
VictoryHi54@aol.com

Yes, this Picture was taken in Adamston at the tussle where 50 and 19 come into Clarksburg in 1930. I have a copy of this picture.



submitted by: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)

I know this was the entrance from Old Rt 50 from Salem and from Shinnston going to the Adamston entrance to Clarksburg. Almost every Friday my grandmother, who lived in Jarvisville, would go to Krogers when it was across from the Moose club on Main St to buy her groceries for the week. I would meet her there and my grandfather would take me home with them for the weekend. My aunt kept telling me that when we passed the concrete we were going to another county. After, my brother Jerry made fun of me for believing her. I finally figured it out. I was 10 years old and she got mad at him for taking away all the fun she was having with me keeping me entertained. Well, when I went down to the farm I would churn butter, make cottage cheese, gather eggs, and wipe the jars when they were canning. My payment was butter, eggs, loaves of fresh bread, milk from the cow, and potatoes. I did this from grade school thru my Junior year. My dad would come every Sunday to pick me up and I was so glad to see those concrete pillars leading back home to Broad Oaks. I always look back thinking how grateful my dad and my 2 brothers where, I started around 1951 when my grandparents moved from Denham St to the farm in Jarvisville.

I enjoyed every weekend I spent in Jarvisville. I learned to ride a horse and my very best memory on the farm was a goose and gander who did not like me at first and they chased me all over the meadow. I had to run in the barn and hide from them until my aunt chased them into their fenced in yard. Looking back it is a shame kids today do not get that kind of opportunity like I did. In the winter I would help my other grandparent's run their grocery store on Chestnut Street. It also was a great learning experience for me. My dad always came after me both places I went to help. I was the only girl on both sides of the family, I had two brothers and two cousins who were boys. Those boys really gave me a hard time saying I was both my grandparent’s pet until they found out there was a lot of work involved. : ) I was glad to go both places on the weekends and now that I have no parents or grandparents I sure miss them.

I would like to know what other experiences other class mates had, while helping out their grandparents and what experiences they would like to share? I am sure with all the wild animals we had back in the fifties what kind of experiences did other class mates have. Let's hear from some of you about your stories while growing up..........

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have any memories of going to spend time with your grandparents? Write :Roleta1@aol.com and share what you did with them, what you remember most about them or their house, or any other things you remember about your visits.



submitted by: Sara Hall Howe (WI '63)

I believe this is the entrance to Adamston and the signs still exist. Victory High was built beyond this entrance to Adamston and after the glass factory was built Adamston became a growing community. All of the factories have been torn down and a new grocery store is going to be built in that area.



submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)

Very familiar. Coming out under the railroad underpass in Adamston you turn to the right toward Shinnston Rt.19 North. Turning to the left was toward Wilsonburg. Before passing the Liberty Grade School we lived on the right in Liberty Addition. Bill Allman worked at the radio and TV stations in Clarksburg as an engineer. I was original staff member of WBOY-TV and WDTV when they went on the air as a staff announcer and was doing the live 5 days a week kids show. Bill was my biggest fan. He bought the Liberty School, lived there with his wife and planned to start a TV station there. He and I went to Washington D.C. together making the rounds of FCC officials and attorneys. Both Channel 12 and 5- TV filed a law suit saying the Clarksburg market could not support another TV station (Before Fox-TV Station got on the air--much later). So, Bill built a radio station WOTR-FM on his property he co-owned with his cousin in Lost Creek. I did the sports, play by play for South Harrison High school, and at first also W-I as well as others and Salem College for 12 years. Students including my kids at Liberty eventually would attend Victory High School in Adamston. But we moved back to Spring Hill-Country Club and my three daughters eventually graduated from W-I where I played my high school sports. I broadcast a Washington Irving vs. South Harrison football game. The WI quarterback was my grand-daughter's boyfriend. She was a cheerleader at WI. Chances of that happening are one in a million.

Oh--and better sweet..were the results..South Harrison won the game with WI at South Harrison that night.



submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '59)

The mystery picture is the underpass leaving Adamston just as you pass Victory High School. I went through there frequently going to Hepzibah to visit relatives and many, many times during the three summers when I was playing baseball for Zeising Babe Ruth team.



submitted by: Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67)

Terry Snider Fazio (WI '67) This is going from Adamston onto Rt 50--know it well coming from Toni's to get raspberry soft serve back to home in North View.



submitted by: Fred Heflin (WI '53)

This is the underpass in Adamston where (coming from downtown), you would turn right to go to Shinnston and left took you out to the Carnation Milk plant, Wilsonburg, and Dailey's restaurant (which sold Boston Cream Pie.....delicious!)

During the summer after I graduated from WI (1953), I worked for Argyle Rittenhouse who was an elementary school principal somewhere in Harrison County. In any case he had a contract with AMOCO to paint their gas stations in and around central West Virginia. There was such a station directly across from the underpass which I had the wonderful distinction of getting to paint. This included the building (which was small), the gas pumps, and all of the signage which included the tall, prominent sign in front which was lighted at night and could be seen from a distance.

I was on an extension ladder painting "said sign".......probably 20 to 25 feet up, when a semi, coming in I would guess from Shinnston, carrying automobiles, started to pull through the underpass to go towards downtown. Remember that car carriers in those days only could hold four cars........two up and two down. I am not sure why the driver didn't know better, but his rig was too tall and the top two cars were badly crunched by the underside of the underpass. I would guess in retrospect that he should have gone to Wilsonburg and cut over to Route 50 and come in that way.

It was fascinating standing on my ladder painting the AMOCO sign and watching as the driver tried to get his truck disconnected from the underpass. Finally had to get a wrecker to get a hold of his rig from the rear and pull hard. I can still hear the crunching of metal.



submitted by: Jim Selario (WI '67)

The Mystery Picture For March is the entrance to Clarksburg (more specifically to Adamston) from Routes 19 and 20 on the left side of the picture and, I believe, from Route 50 on the right side of the picture. The overpass was the railroad between Clarksburg and Parkersburg. The overpass is now Route 50 between Clarksburg and Parkersburg and the area looks considerably different today. I remember this location well as we would sometimes return to Clarksburg from visiting my grandparents in Shinnston using this route. Other times we would return by way of Saltwell Road and Bridgeport.



submitted by: Neil McDaniel (VHS ’62)

This is the railroad trestle located on old Route 50 leading into Adamston. It was locally referred to as the “Underpass”. The houses on the left are on Railroad St. which was later renamed Mayes St.



submitted by: Barry Mazza (WI '58)

The March mystery picture is of the railroad bridge that ran along the road to Wilsonburg and the other way to Shinnston and Zeizing............my Grandfather had a house on the Wilsonburg side and we went up that little hill many times, on the right was a Pure Oil gas station and the Rt. 50 junction.



submitted by: John Harrison (WI '56)

The picture looks to me like the underpass coming from Lumberport and going into the Adamston area. I seem to recall there was a little beer joint called the Holiday Inn not too far from there. Of course I was never there but several of my friends told me about it.



submitted by: Chuck Wilson (WI '67)

This pic is of the old underpass in Adamston, Rt 19 and Pike St. The Cloverleaf was on the Pike St, Rt 50 intersection and I believe the Last Chance Inn set just before you went under the underpass, the BandO Railroad tracks ran on top of the underpass.



Correctly named the picture but no memories included:

Judy Davis Pinti (WI 1959)
Jackie Hays Lafferty (VHS 1954)
Rusty Short (RW 1973)
Nancy Kirkpatrick Gaines (WI 1950)
Bob Kramer (WI 1965)
Jerry Hustead (WI 1963)
Cheryl Cummings Mehaulic (WI 1974)




THE TOWN OF ADAMSTON

Adamston was chartered October 3, 1903

Adamston was named for Josias Adams who formerly owned most of the property that was incorporated. Population at that time was around 500. There were approximately 130 homes located in the new town.

First Mayor was Neil Southern who took the oath of office on January 1, 1904.

First City Hall building was located on North 27th Street.

First Police Chief was Zeban Sayers.

The first trolley car barn and power house was built in Adamston in 1902. Also, the first street car (trolley) line to Clarksburg was started from Adamstom in 1902. In 1939 the last street car (trolley) ride was from Adamston to Clarksburg.



APRIL MYSTERY PICTURE

submitted by: Bill Bryan (RW '57)

Pictured below is our mystery picture for the month. Can you identify the name or location of this place? Write to Roleta1@aol.com and see if your guess is correct. I only print correct guesses.





SAVINGS BANK

submitted by: Don Sager (WI '56)


I came across this bank while looking for something else “old”. As my mother told me years ago, the Union National Bank gave one of these to each set of parents when a baby was born in Clarksburg. I was born in the Union Protestant Hospital in (I hate to say it) March 1938. So, I guess this is really a relic.

There are some coins inside but I have never had a key to open it.

Perhaps there are some more banks out there in Newsletter land.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a bank similar to this? Write and tell us all about it. Do you remember where you got it? Do you have the key to your bank? How old is it? Tell us anything else about it that you can remember…Write to: Roleta1@aol.com



NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Jean Judy Carlson (WI '74) jcarlson56@gmail.com
Donnie Oliverio (ND '63) dons66vette@aol.com
Richard L. "Rick" Squires (WI '69) CAHAC51@gmail.com

CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESSES

Marcia Frum Benson (WI '57) mjbenson3@yahoo.com
Alice Blanche Crim Chenoweth Collins Lehner (WI '55) abccc@att.net




MEMORIES

submitted by: Charles Ferrell (WI '46)

Thank you for publishing the obituary of Bob Wilson. He was one of my neighbors on Hartland Ave. His brother, Tom Wilson was in our WI class of 1946. If I remember correctly there were a lot of children in the family and most went into the medical profession. Other WI graduates on our street that also became doctors included Rusty Sloan and Micky Brown.

I have now completed 17 years of work on my book on being drafted into the Third Armored Division during the Korean Conflict with four other WI graduates and serving as a soldier scientist in the US Army Chemical Corp on fallout analysis from atomic weapons tests in the Nevada Desert, research on infinite plane gamma radiation studies and the design of instrumentation th measure thermal radiation from atomic tests. One of the reports that I worked on has been declassified (CRLIR - 94) and is summarized in my book.

I am now searching for a local publishing company.



submitted by: Jean Judy Carlson, DDS (WI '74)

My name is Jean Carlson (maiden name = Judy) and I am a 1974 graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, WV. My uncle, Clifford Judy, told me about the newsletter and suggested I contact you so that my name could be added to the mailing list. I would appreciate it very much if I could be included in this. My email address is jcarlson56@gmail.com

I've just spent the past two hours reading past issues of the WI Newsletter. One topic that piqued my interest is the one concerning when girls were first permitted to wear pants to school. I am a 1974 graduate of WI, and we were first allowed to wear pants during my Junior year, which began in the fall of 1972. When this first became allowed, we only could wear "pant-suits", and definitely no blue jeans! We were so excited and happy to finally be able to wear pants, that dresses or skirts were rarely worn any more. In grade school times, (Towers School in the '60s for me), I remember wearing snow pants to school on snowy or very cold days, but changing out of them in the "cloak room"!

Thought it would be fun to contribute a little something to the Newsletter.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you Jean for bringing up this subject again…..I didn’t feel many contributed to the discussion last time….Hopefully more of you gals will write and tell us when you wore slacks to school.



submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)

Current events in Clarksburg:

Go to http://www.clarksburg.com/ and see they are trying to save the Old Musiciple Building at this time.

Also just named Small City of the Year, all about that award is http://cityofclarksburgwv.com/ And see the young mayor Patsy Treecost...(remember dad ) and see them receiving the award..

Also thinking that an activity for us all might be brainstorming about the Trader Hotel Fire and other " Happenings" in the old "burg" !



submitted by: John McFarlin (WI '60)

We lived above my Father’s drug store until I reached the 5th grade and then moved to Stealey. Back then Adamston was a thriving community with the existence of the Adamston Flat Glass Plant. The drug store, along with Ray Seon’s diner, which was across the street from Victory High School, were the hangouts after school. I do remember that an ice cold Lemon Blend was a favorite on a hot day.

Adamston had several restaurants, Barron's, across from the glass plant, Browns Candyland, and the Felix family had a restaurant on the way to Gore beside the Quaker State business. Other businesses were also there, such as Swigers Hardware, Swigers Grocery, Lawsons grocery, George Tate's barbershop, a bakery, shoe and watch repair, dry cleaners, Fords Variety Store and of course the Chatterbox and Ray Seons. Those times in Adamston were priceless. The friends that I had there become opponents when I played ball at WI. The picture of the underpass brought back many memories.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do any of the above sound familiar to you? Do you have any memories of these places and if so, will you share them with us? Write to Roleta1@aol.com



submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)

St Patrick's Day - The featured holiday in the March Newsletter and the reminder of getting pinched if you didn't wear green caused me to recall that my grandmother McIntyre thought it was funny to have me wear orange on St Patrick's Day in my first and second grade years at Towers and then third grade at Adamston. Orange was the color of Protestants in Ireland and Green being Catholics. We were proud Scottish Presbyterians but I was the one with bruises. Finally my mother allowed me to stop wearing orange in the 4th grade. I don't think my teachers even knew why I was wearing an orange shirt. And my grandmother McIntyre was a Baptist! She played the organ at the Hepzibah Baptist Church until her mid 80s.



THE PRODIGALS

submitted by: Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)

The Spring 2012 issue of The Goldenseal magazine has several articles on Rock'n Roll bands in West Virginia. Norris Lytton, bass player for Mind Garage out of Morgantown in the late '60's is on the cover.

One article about The Shades a group out of Elkins played all over Central WV, Willow Beach, Bridgeport Civic Center, Billy's Meadowbrook and more. Bill Hickman is a Clarksburg sax player for them.

The Prodigals are mentioned too, it is a very interesting read. Pages 10 and 11 of this issue and is written by the Lead vocals of The Shades, Bernie" Pooch" Helmick.

Other articles cover The Esquires, Heavy Rain, Pressure and Quiet, Defectors, Powerhouse and Christina..and more.. Check it all out... It will bring a smile to your face!




DUFF STREET CHURCH HAS BEEN TORN DOWN





CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

I think most of the kids in central Clarksburg went to Central to junior high school, especially if they continued on to WI. Well, it is GONE…yep just a memory now….do you have any memories of Central? Let’s give it a good salute!

Please write to the newsletter and share some of your thoughts and/or memories about Central…write to Roleta1@aol.com

-

Here are a few memories shared by:

submitted by: Patty Hickman Cravey (WI '61)

Thank goodness for our Memories. As I sit on my front porch and look across town I can no longer see Central Jr. High School as they have torn it down. I have many good memories of Central with a lot of the students that went there. The school may be gone, but the Memories never will be gone.

I remember Mr. Lawson the principal. He never forgot anyone. I met him later in life and he wanted to know where I was teaching and if I would be interested in teaching English at Central. I just laughed and said I was not a teacher and he said he always thought I would become an English Teacher. Never knew why he thought that.

I hope the Newsletter continues as it does help us all keep up with what is happening now but also it helps us remember Clarksburg as it used to be.



submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)

Clarksburg is constantly changing:

The Moore’s Opera House is no longer part of Clarksburg, the new BBandT bank is now at that site, across from the new Harrison Country-Clarksburg Library. The wrecking ball has finally demolished the John W. Davis building which was also a hotel located on Main Street down over the hill from James and Law (which is still in business). The Central Junior school has been torn down as of this week. The area where Towers and Central is now being cleared and it is a pretty nice size lot. I hope something good for Clarksburg will go there. The site of the old City Hall at 3rd and Pike is vacant and plans to put up a loghouse from Philippi for the "home of Stonewall Jackson". Great idea is to use former Bland's drug store site next door for a museum and to sell souvenir, .etc...ah yes...Clarksburg is moving on..!

Also from John Cooper (WI 1951)

SPEAKING OF THE Moore’s Opera House:

Did you know????

Col.Frank Moore built the Moore's and lived above the theatre in an apartment on 4th.Street? He had fallen in Pittsburgh on Jan. 1954 on an icy street corner and broken his hip, returning to Clarksburg, he died April 1954 at 84. His wife continued to live in the apartment, hardly ever seen. Col.Moore had a door that opened to the balcony and to the projection booth from his apartment so that he easily could check on his theatre night or day. Many big showbiz stars appeared on the stage of the Moore's Opera House.

The early years indeed featured opera performers, as well as big names such as Gene Autry, magician Houdini, Irving Berlin, W.C.Fields. I personally saw in-person Gene Autry's movie side-kick, Smiley Burnette, and Republic Studios western star favorite at the time, "Wild" Bill Elliott, with his 2-guns that he wore "backwards" with the bone-handles to the front. Tex Ritter made his personal appearance onstage at the Ritz Theatre in connection with the movie HIGH NOON, and that song the song he sang over the credits. He ate lunch at the Manhattan Restaurant half a block away on Pike Street, came in and sat down beside of me which was a great opportunity for me to talk with him in length. He invited me to introduce him on stage at the Ritz Theatre, which I did and he laughed and signed a couple of his movie lobby poster cards from my collection.

The RITZ was famous for featuring the touring l-night stand big bands, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich ,etc.etc. that I attended and that had crowds that had waiting lines outside all the way out around the library fence down to the street-car "barn". And the first to offer Saturday morning color CARTOON Shows for kids of 2 solid -hours ,mostly Warner Brothers, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, All free when you brought in Pepsi bottle caps or other collections of such. Before Television ...the four local Theatres had little outside competition for cheap entertainment for all of the family.



ELLIS DRIVE IN



submitted by: Skip Bowie (WI '57)

This note appears in the book, A LIVING HISTORY OF CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA, ONE ROOM SCHOOLIN'. Karen Garvey granted permission to use the information. Credit to be used; Hometown Memories, 3551 Savannah Ln.., Claremont, NC 28610. There are many references to central West Virginia and to the greater Harrison County Schools.


EDITOR’S REQUEST: Going to the Drive-In when a teen-ager most generally meant going to The Ellis Drive In. Above is an interesting article about the drive-in. Do you have any memories of going there? Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com.





SPELTER, WV

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)

This is a video showing where the Spanish people of Clarksburg came from. I never imagined it would be so beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=6Fu7c58zJNAandfeature=share

For those of you who didn’t already know, this is about a Spanish documentary on the people that immigrated from Asturias Spain to the Clarksburg/Harrison County area in early 1900’s to work in the Zinc Smelters (the town is called Spelter, a couple of miles from Clarksburg). Ron Gonzalez, who is interviewed, is a classmate and friend of mine. He had gone to Spain to see where his parents came from. I think that he must have met this film maker there who was curious enough to come to the U.S. to make a documentary which won awards in Spain. I guess he had relatives in Spelter too. I never knew the story until I read a book of fiction, Pinnick Kinnick Hill An American Story, one of the immigrants, Gavin Gonzalez (no relation to Ron) had written and hid away in a trunk. When he died his family found it, and WVU published it in both English and Spanish. Ron’s daughter, a professor at Binghamton Univ., wrote the preface to the book. I never knew Ron, or the other people my age from Spelter, WV, even spoke Spanish; but it’s the dialect of Asturias that was spoken 100 years ago. Luis, the producer said people in Spain laugh when they hear West Virginias speak the old idiom, and mix it with English. It’s sort of like Tex-Mex, or maybe more like the 16th Century Castilian Spanish of the original settlers, mixed with English and probably Mexican Spanish, that is still spoken in the little villages of Northern New Mexico, our 47th state. It would be something like us talking to people cut off from the rest of the U.S. for several hundred years. It has always been interesting to me to hear people in Clarksburg speak foreign languages with our hillbilly twang.

This takes you to part one of the docu, and you can link to parts 2 and 3 from there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGTYYIsqaFsandfeature=share



SCARIEST (“MEANEST”/”MADDEST”) TEACHER------OR THE “NICEST” TEACHER

submitted by: John A. Teter (WI '61)

In response to your question regarding the most intimidating teacher at WI, versus the most liked teacher at WI, I would like to express my opinions.

As I am sure that you are going to hear from a LOT of WI students. MISS NUTTER was BY FAR the most intimidating teacher at WI, as I had her for English. I know that a lot of people have written in about what a good teacher she was, but I was (nor will ever be) one of those advocates of MISS NUTTER. I was afraid of her, and dreaded the minute she walked into her classroom with me sitting in it. I cannot remember her ever smiling, although I am sure that she must have at least once. She seemed more suited to be in the military as a DRILL SARGEANT than a teacher. I somehow managed to get a passing grade from her in English, and was I ever thankful that I did not have to repeat her class. The most enjoyable teacher that I remember at WI was Mr. Limpert, as I had him for math. I must have learned a lot from him as I have never been at a loss for mathematical situations, and actually now work as an accountant in Annandale, Virginia. I spent almost 50 years doing computer programming, but when the company I was working for in 2010 started having layoffs, I was caught up in the layoff process and went to work as an accountant, with very little training required. I just thought that Mr. Limpert was a very easy going, enjoyable person to learn from and I can never remember his being upset with any of his students.

I do not remember Mr. Traugh, but do remember Mr. Duckworth, but I never remembered seeing anyone smoking in the rafters outside of the principal’s office.



submitted by: Sherry Ellen Hutchison (WI '64)

The toughest teacher I had was Miss Virginia Bauer for English Class. She was all business and no monkey business.

I have to say, many were strict, and you knew you had to produce your assignments. No excuses! It seemed only some " wild boys" even tried to get their goat in those days and even then it was just for a laugh.



submitted by: Chris Wyatt (WI '71)

I had Mr. Duckworth for Physics. I loved him. He really got me interested in physics.

I remember he would go in the janitor's closet across from his room and smoke between classes... So he smelled like smoke.

He also wore a lab coat that had sweat stains in the armpits.

But he was a great physics teacher.

One day in class, there were several kids out for one reason or another. He chose to tell us about the history of the British Monarchy from memory. Amazing Man.



submitted by: Richard George (WI '65)

She came into the classroom mad and when you left Latin class, she was still mad.
I believe she laughed once and it kinda scared me.
Maybe she always was in pain or we were so bad it irritated her.
I still remember her voice and the shoes she wore.
I remember three words, puella est magnum.
If I spelled the Latin words wrong, I blame her.

My Latin teacher was Virginia Lee Nutter.



WHO ARE THEY?


submitted by: Sherry Hutchison Keith (WI '64)

The mystery photo is of the Rogers Sisters. Linda in the middle, Debbie on the left and Libet on the right. They lived in Stealey on Stealey Ave. I have many memories of visiting their home and even sitting on the living room rug with Linda, her mom and sisters trying to figure out the many political and rock or literary references and inferences in Bob Dylan's early albums

Linda ran with my crowd and was a great friend. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from WVU and after marriage and the birth of her daughter Jessica, she worked 20+ years and retired from the US Postal Service in Florida and earned her Doctorate in Psychology which she put to use at the Florida Prison System, counseling inmates under death sentences.

She was accomplished (self taught) on dulcimer, fiddle and guitar. She sang old time music and was a member of the Embarrassing Stains bluegrass band in South Florida, a band that played regularly in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Her nickname was Rogie. Linda attended both Woodstock and Altamont music festivals in the late 1960's She taught me to make yogurt from scratch, and shared Zen and other esoteric texts. She had many interests, loved yoga, backpacking and attending blue grass festivals all over the US. She also traveled to Turkey in 1972, brought back samples of their music and textiles.

She was a very spiritual person who left this world nearly 6 years ago. She is still missed and thought of by her many friends. Her daughter Jessica, at that time, was working toward a PhD in Research Medicine in Colorado and if she is anything like her mom, she is well on her way to achieving her goals! The other two sisters, both younger, are successful and though I have not kept up with their achievements over the years, I am sure they are many!

It's been a privilege and pleasure to know the Rogers Sisters!



submitted by: Becky Rumble Littlepage
RLittlepage@cox.net

Definitely the Rogers girls..Deborah, Linda and Libbet. Deborah and I are still close life long friends and spent our years together from church school at the United Methodist church, Central Jr. High, WI and WVU.



2011-2012 WI MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOW CHOIR

submitted by: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59)


WI Middle School Show Choir. They placed First in the State in Charleston last week in the state competition...very proud of them since our grandson is in it and made All State for the second year...on to high school now. Unfortunately RCB doesn't have much of a show choir... these kids in the photo are also in the Choral Choir. They are going to be in Hershey Pa to perform in May. The ALL STATE group (4 girls and 4 boys) performed at the Nutter Fort Baptist Church recently.

NOTE: Tallest boy in the middle of the back row is the grandson of Jim (Grafton 1956) and Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959)



WV VETERANS MEMORIAL

submitted by: roseliep@suddenlink.net






MARK YOUR CALENDARS SO YOU WON’T DOUBLE BOOK
THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC HELD IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA
WILL BE MARCH 9, 2013 (The SECOND Saturday in MARCH)

TAKE A LOOK BELOW AT PICTURES FROM
THE CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC
WHICH WAS HELD IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA
MARCH 10, 2012

Pictured below are some of the people who attended the picnic….Thanks to Bruce Gordon for the first pictures.



People gathered around the check in table….to register. Thanks Barbara Warren Williams for again greeting the people for us. Picture by Bruce Gordon.



We had an unusual visitor during the picnic. I heard some squawking coming from a nearby live oak tree…and from where we were standing it looked like a bald eagle. Of course the people from Victory started joking around that their Victory Eagle had come to visit, etc….I told Bruce that he might want to get a picture of the beautiful bald eagle. Well, when he sent me the picture with the close up of the “eagle” I suspected it wasn’t an eagle and looked in my bird book and sent the picture to Bill’s brother and sister-in-law who know a lot about birds to confirm my suspicions, we are convinced that the picture is of an Osprey which is a close relative of an eagle…Osprey is a pretty common bird in Sarasota but we have several bald eagles too. But the main difference between the two is…an eagle has a brown chest and yellow beak while an osprey has a white chest and brown beak….Either way, these 2 pictures are beautiful….the detail is great…



Below is lovely picture taken by Bruce Gordon of a live oak tree draped with Spanish moss. Many say that the Spanish moss does not hurt the tree…



Below is the beautiful quilt that was made and donated by the WIN Lady quilters to earn money for the scholarship. The quilt was named Visions of West Virginia. It was made of different fabrics which were each a replica of fabric used in 1861-1865. This quilt was made in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil war. It was absolutely lovely. Shown standing on the left is Pam Wolfe Brown (WI 1960) and Kitty Sager (wife of Don Sager WI 1957).



Picture below were taken by Don Sager.

The picture below is a closer view so you can really see the detail of each square that the lady quilters make from fabric provided and sent to Sue Selby Moats who pieces it together, does the borders, the binding and the quilting….The quilt was hung with care using a piece of pvc pipe which my husband cut and then he threaded a rope thru the pipe and put the pipe through the flap for hanging which Sue Selby Moats places on the back of each quilt. As you can see in the picture below, Bill and his helpers devised a way to use some straps to keep the quilt from blowing too much in the lovely breeze we had for the picnic.



Sale of tickets for the quilt drawing earned $3,401.00 for the WIN Scholarship Fund.

The quilt will be delivered to the winning ticket holder Patty Meredith Wills of Fairmont, WV and Palm Coast, FL. She wanted to support our scholarship and bought her tickets in June, 2011. The ticket was randomly drawn by Kitty Sager at the Clarksburg Picnic.

Pictured below is taken by Don Sager and is of Babe Bisping Cashman and Roleta Meredith enjoying some fun conversation before dinner on Friday night.



Below is Joan Elder (wife of Pat Elder (Notre Dame 1957) and Bill enjoying a great Clarksburg style hot dog….see the crock pot of hot dog sauce.



Below is a picture that Don Sager titled LET THE FEAST BEGIN



FROM BRIDGEPORT

Pictures below from: Jim Alvaro


L-R: Karen Poe Alvaro, Larry O’Grady, Sonja Grossa Alvaro


Mary Ann Bailey Donato


Pictured above is Darla and Bob Clousson—picture by: Don Sager


Mary Sue Clark Spahr and husband Phil (Mary Sue made a square for the WIN Scholarship quilt)


Roy Feldman attended Central and would have graduated from WI but the family moved away.
Roy has attended several of the Clarksburg picnics.


Babe Bisping (WI 1956) Bud Collins (WI 1955) Don Sager (WI 1956)

Pictures below from Don Sager

REPRESENTING VICTORY


L TO R….Seymour Wolfe and Otto Matheny

WI GRADUATES


L TO R Ron Ogren, Charlie Means, and Bob Williams

REPRESENTING CLASSES 1951 TO 1955


Bud Collins, Bob Clousson, David Lauroene

WI CLASS OF 1956


L TO R – Jim Alvaro, Augie Malfregeot, Mary Ann Bailey Donato, Bill White, Marolyn Tustin Jett, Don Sager, Barbara Gordon, Babe Bisping Cashman, Mary Sue Clark Spahr, Roy Feldman

WI CLASS OF 1957


L to R – Tom Allen, Diana Folio Watne, Sam Urso

CLASS OF 1958

ONE KING ENJOYING BEING WITH THE CLASS OF 1958 QUEENS


L to R – Jean Vickers Kennedy, Bev Morris Hissong, Becky Highland Haun, Tom Lee, Barb Warren Williams, Bev Ellis O’Grady

THREE WI FRIENDS STAND UP FOR AN RW GRAD

NO MAN SHOULD IS ALONE AT OUR PICNIC!


L TO R. Bud Collins, Roleta Meredith, Bill Sirianni, Jim Alvaro

Bud is not having a heart attack, just kidding around, which we did all week-end.

TWO WVU PKA FRATERNITERY BROTHERS HAVING FUN


L to R Bill Meredith (Roleta’s husband) and Stu Cashman (Babe Bisping’s husband)

FORMER WI TEACHER (68-72)


Irene Keeley

Former WI teacher, also taught at other Clarksburg schools.

WI CLASS OF 1959


L to R Fred Alvaro, Jay Sharp, Bill Cowgill, Marjorie Jones Kober, Bob Rector, Clara Jason Davis, Carolyn White Rector, “a friend”, Roleta Smith Meredith

CLASSES OF 1960 TO 1971


L TO R – Carolyn Holden Lopez, Donnie Oliverio, Jim Nutter, Linda Oliverio Kolosky, Marilyn Hurst Lee, Karen Griffith Dennehy

NOTRE DAME GRADS


L to R – Sam Lopez, Ed Terneus, Linda Moran, Jack Keeley, Elizabeth Drake, Joe Garcia, Donnie Oliverio, Pat Elder

SOME WHO DIDN’T ATTEND A CLARKSBURG SCHOOL
THEY HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH ALL OF US





WE HAD A LOT OF FUN

submitted by: Don Sager (Alta Vista, CJHS, WI ’56, WVU ‘64)
forwvu@sc.rr.com

Seems like just yesterday that we were at the Picnic. Finally got caught up and wanted to thank you again for holding the Picnic every year. Only by attending, can someone see and appreciate all the work that you and Bill do before the actual Picnic Day.

I figure this was our 8th picnic that we have attended in Sarasota.. The best part is to come prior to Saturday, get a room at the “preferred motel” and party with friends that we have had for 60+ years from Broad Oaks and C-burg. We out of towners always have a good time at the Philippi restaurant for a meal on Friday night arranged by Bob Clousson. And then back to the motel for some more “lyin’ time”. We led the Picnic numbers game with 10 members from the WI Class of 1956. And even then we had some Florida regulars miss. (We know where you live)

We have always had a good turn-out and usually led the classes except for one year. I’m not sure why 1956 except all of us have known each other from Central Junior and some of us from the 1st grade at Alta Vista. BROAD OAKS FOREVER !

The numbers were down a little at the Picnic but actually made my task a little easier. As “official photog”, with my more than capable Executive Asst. Babe Cashman, we get the classes together for the Newsletter pictures. The only way we get a group somewhat located is because Roleta is an excellent operator of the Official Bull Horn. Suffice it to say that picture taking at the Picnic is a “little like herding cats”.

Hooray for the Clarksburg Chili Hot Dogs and the Pepperoni Rolls which Bill Bryan (RW 1957) ships to us from Tomara’s in Clarksburg even though he lives in the Carolinas.

To all the Newsletter readers: Please think about joining us next year and plan ahead. Father Time is a creepin’ up on us. Mark your calendars now so you can join in all the fun on the second week-end of March, 2013….the picnic will be on Saturday March 9, 2013.




"A BROADOAKSIAN CAPER"

submitted by: Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
st1pat@aol.com

Having returned from a trip to Florida, Joan and I want to tell anyone that missed the Sarasota Picnic that we really did have a wonderful time and if you can attend next year you really should. Bill and Roleta put a boatload of work into this along with a lot of others and it only gets better each year. Our thanks to those who came because we very much appreciated seeing all of you again and some for the first time. At the age of 73, it is even more enjoyable to imbellish old stories and even to create new ones.

This is one of those new exciting stories that we can embellish next year. After the picnic about 30 or 40 of us returned to our party/hospitality room at the Country Inn and Suites that was provided to us especially from the hotel management after we got there. Fred Alvaro did an outstanding job of locating and negotiating for this facility ahead of time. All of our thanks to him for a job well done.

We were right next to several nice restaurants. Joan and I decided to go to an Italian restaurant about 100 yards away. As we walked, I noticed 3 police cars parked in the parking lot, kind of spread out about 30 feet apart and unattended. We were seated outside on the patio in front of the restaurant. It was a beautiful night and comfortably warm as it got dark. We had a great time and as we were finishing up, we noticed the three policemen coming out of another restaurant and walking back to their cruisers. They stood around talking and laughing lightly under a streetlight and as we were walking back, I asked Joan to go with me to talk to them. It was a welcome conversation and we told them that a bunch of people from WV were staying at the hotel as were we, and that we had a great picnic at Twin Lakes that afternoon. We complemented them on a clean and safe facility and told them we were having a wonderful time. And...they said "anything we can do to help, let us know'. FLASH!, my light bulb went off. " I don't know even if you are allowed, but if you gentleman could give us a few minutes of your time, you could come over to our party room where we are all congregated and liven up the party by arresting a couple of our friends as a joke." They laughed at first and then said they could certainly help us all out. "Give us a couple of names and we will give you five minutes to get back there and then we will come over to your party room."

Joan and I were really surprised that they agreed, so we hiked back quickly and positioned ourselves in the back of the room to watch it all unfold. Bruce Gordon was outside sitting, when three police cruisers pulled up under the canopy at the front entrance and screached to a halt. Three doors opened, three officers came out, put their on their police hats and slammed their doors one, two, three!! They entered the hotel and proceeded right to our party room. They stood in the hall at first and motioned inside for someone to come out. I had given them names of two of my favorite buddies from Broad Oaks. They asked if a Jim Alvaro was in the room and asked him to come out into the hallway. "You are under arrest for stealing candy from the front desk" they said and then asked for a Don Sager. " You are under arrest..."We were dying laughing in the back. I had keyed Roy Feldman and Stu Cashman in before they got there. Stu was ready with his camera. Then the officers directed both Jim and Don back into the room and told them to face the sidewall and to "spread eagle". You should have seen the looks on their faces!! The looks said two things. I was shocked to see the alarm in their faces and then you could tell right away that neither of those good Broad Oaks Boys had ever been arrested before. The cops frisked both of them as Stu was blasting away with his camera. Then they said "You are both clean...we can't arrest either of you with no evidence"

And then the policemen left as quickly as they had come. Bruce Gordon was again outside when the police came out laughing their heads off and as they got into their cruisers said "Boy, we sure scared the crap out of those two (old) guys." You know, being in our 70's doesn't mean we are too old to still have a lot of fun, just as we used to. By the next morning Don and Jim finally knew what happened and when I came in for breakfast, the stuff started to fly----Just like old times!!!!!!! We will embellish this next year in Sarasota... Try to be there Pat




INCIDENT AT THE COUNTRY INN AND SUITES

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

MARCH 10, 2012

As is so often the case, "bad things" tend to happen after "good things". The "good thing" was the Clarksburg/WI (and others) annual picnic and reunion held in Sarasota, Florida, on March 10, 2012, and organized so ably by Bill and Roleta Meredith. I will let others describe the great time experienced by all attendees. It is what happened after the picnic, at the hotel, that needs to be revealed.

Everyone was enjoying a relaxing evening after the picnic, with many congregating in the meeting room, generously provided by the hotel, for further camaraderie and socializing prior to retiring for the evening. At about 9:00 P.M. the door to the meeting room was blocked by three uniformed Manatee County Sheriff's deputy officers. One officer entered the room and asked if there was a Don Sager in the group. Silence fell over the room until after about 30 seconds elapsed at which point Jim Alvaro stood up and pointed across the table and said, "There he is!" Everyone was aghast, after all, Don and Jim appeared to be friends, up until this incident.

The highest ranking officer addressed Don and asked if he knew why they wanted to talk to him. Don answered confidently that he did...."You want to sell tickets to the annual Manatee County Deputy Sheriff's Ball", he said. The officer hesitated, then replied, "No, the Manatee County Deputy Sheriffs don't have balls!" It was at this point that Jim reentered the conversation and stood up and said, "We knew that"!

It was no surprise, then, when the police officers ordered both "boys" to stand up and lean, hands first, against the wall for a pat down. Jim seemed rather pleased with this procedure, (see picture). He was ultimately charged with "Taunting a Police Officer".

Don was then informed that a complaint was lodged by another guest at the hotel that someone of Don's description mugged him and stole his/her pink slippers. The attached picture seems to implicate our Don Sager in this caper.

Both were last seen being transported to the county jail for booking and establishment of bail. No one offered to cover their bail, no matter what the amount. They have not been heard from since that night.

For corroboration of this story, contact Pat Elder!

Your respectful reporter,

Stu Cashman (LaSalle High School Class of 1956)






To Bill:

Coach Huggins said he will miss the Big East play. He said he loved going to New York. His radio interview after the Marquette game sounded like he was ready to quit. I was wondering if he was acting like that WVU basketball coach that quit because of "health" problems before he got fired. That coach was great, then good and finally, could not put a winning WVU team on the floor worth anything. If WVU would have lost another couple games, Huggins might have said I quit, because of health problems. As he said one time on a radio interview after a game, "If I start to lose, the school won't keep me, no matter if I want to stay or not". Well, wait until next year. His recruits don't seem to be so good for Big 12 play. So, what if WVU would have stayed with the Big East and each year became the big bear of the conference? They would get the automatic bowl bid and be dangerous to all teams, everywhere. The respect would come, if that is all it is about. Except, we know better. It is the money thing, really. I'll still be a big fan of the blue and gold. However, I probably won't make any trips out west to any games, even though I realize that Huggins was out there as a coach, doing pretty well, before he came back home to WVU.

John Cooper, WI 1951

Reply To John:

You cover a lot of territory in your comments. I'll try to cover all of them without boring everyone. I think Huggins will certainly miss the Big East. As you mention, he has already coached in the Big 12, yet, he chose to coach in the Big East, probably because it was a better basketball conference and he was "coming home". I don't think he was ever ready to "quit" this season, but he was frustrated. (See my comments in "Putting The Season To Bed"). As far as competing in the Big 12 next year, they competed with and should have defeated Baylor this year. Baylor was perhaps the second best team in the conference, so I'm not worried.

Remember, leaving the Big East had nothing to do with the game of basketball. It had everything to do with football and the lack of respect the basketball only schools in the conference gave the football playing schools. Believe me, if the Big East would have negotiated a TV contract paying the football schools nearly $20 million per year, WVU would still be a longtime member of the Big East. For several reasons we've already discussed, that did not happen. What worries me more, is the news I heard today about Frank Martin leaving K-State to coach at South Carolina. There must have been some big bucks involved.

Thanks for your letter. You always make some good points and I enjoy answering them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



PUTTING THE SEASON TO BED

I was hoping that the basketball season would last a few more days for our Mountaineers. Unfortunately, Gonzaga had other ideas and embarrassed WVU in their first tournament game in Pittsburgh. Once again, poor shooting was the problem. Shooting 32% overall and only 3 of 17 from 3-point range will not win many games. Teams learned early in the season, that to beat WVU, they needed to "pack it in" defensively. That prevented Kevin Jones and Deniz Kilicli from getting the ball and if you can't get the ball, you can't score. Good outside shooters will beat that defense, but WVU had no one other than KJ, who could make a jump shot with any consistency. As I've mentioned before, the freshmen just never came around. Was this a matter of poor coaching? I think not.

Think back to last year. The top recruit was kicked off of the team before the season began. One was declared medically ineligible. Another was ruled academically ineligible. Kevin Noreen was injured and received a medical redshirt. Then, a second year player left the team in the middle of a game and Dalton Pepper transferred to Temple. During this season, Noreen again was injured, along with Pat Forsythe. How Huggs ever got this mostly inexperienced group that was left to the NCAA tournament is a miracle.

Hopefully, the returning players will improve by next season. I suspect Coach Huggins meant what he said, when he insinuated that some of them might need to find another place to play next year. One has already left. Expect more to follow. Maybe it is time to go find a couple of junior college players, like he did at Cincinnati. Add those to the two transfers, who will be eligible next year, and a good recruiting class and we might have a competitive team.

What did you think about the season? How do you feel about next year's team playing in the Big 12? How will we do? Sent your thoughts to me at billmere@aol.com.



CONSPIRACY THEORY

Since WVU announced last year, that it was leaving the Big East Conference and joining the Big 12, and filed their lawsuit against the BE, many fans have contended that the conference has conspired to limit the Mountaineer teams' opportunities to compete on a level playing field. In other words, the league in general and the game officials in particular were not "calling them as they see them".

Over the years, I have seldom complained about calls by game officials. I have gone with what one of my high school coaches used to say, "Don't let the opponent stay close enough, that an official's call could give them the win". However, during both the football season and the just completed basketball session, I noticed an increasing number of questionable calls going against WVU. Maybe, I was looking for them or perhaps they were real. I'll never know. But, when Kevin Jones was not a unanimous choice for the all league first team and then was denied the Player of the Year honor, I knew I was correct in feeling that something was amiss.

Was there a written or verbal discussion saying, "Let's teach those guys a lesson"? No, I don't think there was. However, I do feel that there was a general negative feeling among those associated with the Big East toward the Mountaineers. That is an intangible. However, voting to leave Jones off of the first team was obviously a tangible effort to hurt him and his team and that is a shame. Apparently, some of the coaches are either poor judges of basketball talent or took the low road to punish WVU.

Conclusion? With the recent announcement that WVU and other Big 12 teams will receive about $19 million per year in TV revenue, which is double what the current conference pays, my thought is, "So long, Big East, we're moving on. It's too bad you never could."

Do you agree with me or think I'm paranoid? Send your comments to Bill at billmere@aol.com.



A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE 2011-2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS BRADLEY LEDSOME

submitted by: Bradley Ledsome
bled555@hotmail.com

Break is coming to an end and the normal grind is coming so fast, how can this be when it feels as though I just had my last class and felt that little bit of excitement for a week off, yet I come to find out I work 40 hours the next week. Break was mostly spent at work. I still go to school full time and work close to 30 hours a week anymore along with class 5 days a week, which can be inconvenient since I have to drive everyday to get there. I feel like things are never-ending because all I do is go to class, study, and work.

How is everything going? Sorry I have not gotten back to you any time sooner. I cannot say any excuses, except that I have been busy. I still could write more, but everything just seems to jumble up on me even though I mostly get things done in a reasonable time frame.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a letter from a very busy college freshman who is working his way thru college…..I hope he doesn’t get discouraged by his hard schedule. If you have been through this or if you can give him a word of encouragement, please feel free to write to Bradley and give him a boost so he stays in college and meets the challenges with which he is faced…Thanks



REUNIONS
PAST AND UP COMING

SMALL PAST REUNION
A LITTLE GET TOGETHER IN ARIZONA
OF SOME FROM CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Mary Jo Pulice Benedetto (WI 61)



Gary Dawson, Mary Carol Campbell McGlumphy, Billie Kittle Fox and I met for Happy Hour last week in Scottsdale, AZ.

We had a great reunion and talked about many special memories. We had so much fun that we plan to meet again before I return to VA. They looked just great! These are the times we want to remember. Gary was a good sport and put up with our chatter, he picked up our tab and we had a very long Happy Hour!



REUNIONS

FOR CLASSES 1963, 1964, 1965 AND 1966

THE GATHERING OF 2012

If you graduated from WI in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966, go to the link below and look what is being planned for these WI classes on Friday August 27th and Saturday August 28, 2012 in Clarksburg, WV.

Go To: http://the-gathering-2012.com

Sign their guestbook, too. They need to hear from you .



WI CLASSES OF '71-'72-'73 REUNION - JULY 27-28-2012.

submitted by: Steve Goff (WI '72)

The Washington Irving Class of '72 is having its 40th reunion on Friday, July 27th and Saturday, July 28, 2012. We are inviting the class members of 1971 and 1973 to join us in the celebration! Send your contact information to Andrea Kerr at akerr@thrashereng.com.

The Saturday event will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center off I-79. Thanks to Marcia Broughten, 75 rooms have been reserved at the Wingate (connected to the Bridgeport Conference Center) for both nights at a discounted rate of $105/night (regularly $149). Room includes free wi-fi, free fitness center, and free extended continental breakfast. The code is CG WI 72. This rate can only be obtained by calling the hotel at 304-808-1000 and using the code. The 800 number and on-line will NOT work to get the discounted rate. The rooms will be released late May. A block of rooms at the Microtel across the street have also been booked. There are only 5 singles at $80/night, 10 doubles at $90/night, and 5 suites at $100 /night. You must call the Microtel direct at 304-808-2000 and give them the code for our block of rooms The code is 804-061-182. The cut-off date for Microtel reservations is 7/1/12. For entertainment Don Niles will be our DJ following dinner, and yours truly will be doing a set of stand up comedy that evening as well.

For more information please visit the Washington Irving Classes of '71-'72 and '73 Reunion, event page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=100002209558039#!/groups/269995139735662/

Big thanks to Mike King, Woody Thrasher, Marcia Broughten, Ron Gilmore, Nancy Tonkin, Jan (Cantarelli) Grisso, Carol (Stealey) Morris, and Bob and Cynthia Gordon for getting this event rolling.

Hope to see you all there!



OBITUARIES

FRED G. LAYMAN

CLARKSBURG — Fred G. Layman, age 83, of Rt.3 Gore, WV, departed this life on Friday, March 2, 2012, at his residence.

He was born in Harrison County, WV, on Dec. 12, 1928, a son of the late William A. Layman and Willa (Gwynne) Layman.

Surviving are his wife, Peggy (Lantz) Layman, whom he married on July 11, 1953; one son, David L. Layman, Gore, WV; one daughter, Barbara L. Wildman, Lake Floyd, WV, one sister, Jo Ann Hoskinson, Big Flint, Doddridge County; a granddaughter, Amanda Jo Showalter and her husband Brendon, Coatsville, PA; and a great- grandson, Trevor Joseph Showalter.

He also was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Jack and Ronald Layman.

Mr. Layman was a retired employee of Harrison County Courthouse with over 40 years service. He was a life time member of the Harrison County Emergency Squad and a former Civil Defense Director.

He graduated in the Class of 1946 from Victory High School.

Mr. Layman was a local historian and avid photographer.



ROBERT WAYNE “BOB” RIGGS

Robert Wayne “Bob” Riggs, 70, died on March 8, 2012, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on September 2, 1941, a son of Mildred Louise Bias Riggs of Bridgeport and the late Cleo Cletus Riggs.

Mr. Riggs is survived by his wife, Pamela Hyer Cropp Riggs, whom he married on June 12, 1965.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two sons, Robert Matthew Riggs and his wife Kim of Lakeland, FL, and Michael Wayne Riggs and his companion Michele of Bridgeport; one stepgrandson, Cody Williams; one brother, Richard Riggs and his wife Carol of NJ; one sister, Janet Bianconi and her husband John of Charleston, WV; several nieces and nephews; and his mother-in-law, Ruth Schneider of Bridgeport.

Bob graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1959 and attended Potomac State College and was a graduate of Salem College. Following graduation from Salem College, Bob was employed as an area representative for Exxon Incorporated. In 1971, he became sole owner and operator of Riggs Exxon Service Center until 2000. In 2000, Bob started operating Riggs Service Center until his death.

Mr. Riggs served in the Army National Guard and held memberships with Oral Lake Fishing Club, Clarksburg Country Club and the YMCA



STELLA GARCIA McDANIEL

Stella Garcia McDaniel, age 82, died in hospice Feb. 27, 2012, in Nashua, New Hampshire, from complications of kidney cancer.

Born in Spelter, WV, in 1929, she graduated in 1947 from Victory High School.

Married for over 62 years to William Alden McDaniel, Sr., originally from Hepzibah, Stella moved frequently due to the requirements of her husband’s job, living in Morgantown, Parkersburg, Detroit, MI, Jamestown, NY, Harrisburg, PA, and in Nashua since 1981.

Stella raised two sons, William, Jr., of Hampstead, MD, and Brian (Elaine) of McLean, VA, and after moving to New Hampshire worked for many years for New England Interviewing, a public opinion research firm, where she was able to utilize her love and knowledge of politics and people. She was a deeply compassionate, caring, forgiving and generous person who loved people, saw the best in them and lived for what she could do for others.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Carmina (Oliverio), Virginia, Nativa, Raymond, Pida and Alice (Julian), all of Clarksburg, and Margaret (Obelliero) of NJ, and Olga (Mara) of NY; a brother, Andres, of Four States, survives her, as do her loving husband, sons and daughter-in-law, Elaine; grandchildren, Regan, Trent and Anastasia McDaniel; her great-grandson, Aiden Joseph McDaniel; and many nieces and nephews.



MARGARET ANNE “PEGGY” SNYDER

Margaret Anne “Peggy” Snyder, age 77, of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at her residence.

She was born in Clarksburg, WV, on Aug. 17, 1934, a daughter of the late Hugh Emmitt (Doc) Rollins and Anne C. (Ferrell) Rollins.

Her husband, Tommy Page Snyder, whom she married on Nov. 26, 1954, preceded her in death on Sept. 8, 2011.

Surviving are three daughters, Pam Amos and her husband Russell, Clarksburg, WV, Tonja Merryman and her husband Gary, Clarksburg, WV, and Sonja Griffith and her husband Jeff, Clarksburg, WV; a brother, Robert “Bob” Rollins and his late wife Sue Ann, Clarksburg, WV; four grandchildren; a great grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Tommy Amos; siblings, Dick and Lois Rollins, Virginia and Paul Bane, Ruth and “Jr.” Ritter, Jean Devine and Alan, who survives, and Ellen and Bob Hall.

She attended Victory High School.



SHELIA JANE LYNCH BUCK

Sheila Jane Lynch Buck, died March 3, 2012, at the Roane General Hospital in Spencer, West Virginia, from an extended illness. She was 72.

She was born September 30, 1939, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to the late Paul and Ruth Hines Lynch.

Sheila was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1957, and attended the Clarksburg Business College. She lived most of her life in Spencer, where she worked for Hughes Drug, Hays and Company and the Roane County Chamber of Commerce.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John C. Buck; son, Randy and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Buck and grandsons, Grayson and Griffin, of Charlotte, North Carolina; son, Tom and daughter-in-law, Paige Buck and granddaughters, Mackenzie, Delaney and Audrey, of Morgantown, West Virginia; sister, Sharon Louk of Jane Lew, West Virginia; and sister, Patricia and brother-in-law, Rich Lowther, also of Jane Lew.



DORA L. MCFOY

Dora L. McFoy, 59, Clarksburg, passed away Friday, March 16, 2012, at United Hospital Center following a brief illness.

She was born July 26, 1952, in St. Marys, the daughter of Delorise Smith Moore of Clarksburg and the late William Alfred Moore.

She is survived by her husband, Denver B. McFoy Jr., whom she married September 4, 1970. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Denver B. McFoy III and wife Keri of Bergoo, WV, and Leigh Ann Knight and husband Joseph of Clarksburg; two grandchildren, Kenley A. McFoy and Landen B. Knight; four sisters, Dorothy “Dottie” Post of Salem, Paulette Moore of Clarksburg Linda “Sue” Campbell and husband Barry of Clarksburg and Cathy Rowan and husband Oakey of Clarksburg; one brother, Donald “Buck” Moore and wife Lisa of Good Hope; and one special sister, Shirley McCartney and husband Lindsey “Squeek” of Clarksburg.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Ada “Peggy” Crislip.

Dora graduated from Victory High School in 1970 and was a homemaker.


Obits are excerpts taken from the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram with permission.





Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index