submitted by:Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
Just a brief note again about The Goldenseal Magazine...
In the current Summer 2012 issue is a printed letter to the editor on Page 7
regarding Kelly Miller High School, in Clarksburg. A photo of Dr. Kelly Miller, a
teacher administrator philosopher and journalist, accompanies the article.
The article explains that there is a “Kelly Miller Foundation” which recognizes
academic achievements among black students in the area and maintains a Kelly
Miller Hall of Fame in addition to awarding student scholarships. For more info
call James E. Williams (304) 768-0447.
I am sure some folks remember when in 1957, Kelly Miller was closed and the
students from there were sent to high schools in the districts in which they lived.
I do remember the school building on a street adjoining Water Street looked in
awfully good shape to be closed. The politics of the matter escaped me pretty
much then. I was still in Jr. High.
Thanks for all you do all the time for all of us!
60th CLASS REUNION HELD FOR WI CLASS OF 1952
submitted by:Joe Malone (WI '52)
Front row: Catherine (Tiano) Mancina; Jean (Brunett) Castlellana; Anne (Byrnside) Davis; Joanne (Westfall) Tetrick; Carolyn (Reynolds) Burnside; Billie Anne (Cork) Clevenger; Marlene (King) Oliverio; Katie (Custer) Burke; Shirley (Tallman) McClure; Ann (Brannon) Pushkin.
Second Row: Gloria (Rosenthal) Plevin; Ann (Ralston) Kennedy; Mary Ann (Hite) Williams; June (Skidmore) Yates; Marian (Spelsberg) Stevens; Shirley (Stotler) Robertson; Mirian (Reep) Wickham; Bob Hiller; Gerald Lowther: Dave Campbell; Joe Davis; Tom Cook; Dorothy Anne (Hughes) Shaffer; Merlyn (Bisping) LaNeve;
Third Row: Frank Gemma; Joe Malone; Jack Bisping; Sal Vestpoint; Gilbert (Punky) Goodwin; Bob Kuhl
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 60th Reunion of the WI Class
of 1952. 30 classmates and their spouses or companions gathered at the Pete
Dye Golf Course clubhouse for dinner Saturday evening. For me, it is always a
delight to re-connect with old friends, however briefly, whether it is "on-the-street"
or at an arranged affair such as this. A handful of those attending Saturday's
gathering extend clear back before Carlisle Elementary and Central Jr. High - a
full 72 + years!
One of those is Gloria (Rosenthal) Plevin with whom I sat at dinner. Over the
years, Gloria has developed into highly respected artist. I use the term
"developed" advisedly as she was always very talented as witnessed by one of
her drawings being displayed in the halls of Carlisle Elementary circa 1941. She
currently has an exhibit running at the Laura Mesaros Gallery of the WVU
Creative Arts Center titled, "Portraits In Nature". I was privileged to attend her
opening reception in Morgantown last Sunday and can report first hand that it is a
gorgeous display of her expertise in a variety of media. Her show will run until
August 2nd; Tue-Sat, noon - 9:00 PM.
Photos of Gloria's "Botanicals" in watercolor. The Blue Stokesia is one of my favorites and was used to publicize her 2011 exhibit at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY (near Lake Chautauqua). The Tulips in a Tulipierre was used in the material for the WVU show this year. Note that she not only created the Tulips but also decorated the Tulipierre as well.
Finally, may I join Pat Elder in his praise of the work both you and Bill put into the
WI Newsletter. A "Labour of Love" to be sure.
YESTERYEAR PHOTOS OF CLARKSBURG
submitted by:Jack Emrick (WI '54)
MORE PICTURES FROM JACK WILL BE IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
WI CLASS OF 1957 REUNION
The WIHS Class of 1957 invites classmates to its 55th Reunion
The one-night event will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012
It will begin at 6:00 pm at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
The location is adjacent to the Wingate Motel at I-79 Exit 124
There will be Dine-around Stations and a Cash Bar. Dress is casual
The cost is $22.00 per person
A block of rooms with a discounted rate has been reserved at the adjacent motel
until
July 27, 2012
at the Wingate by Wyndham - Group Code CGWI57
Phone 304-808-1000
NOTE: the Annual WI Picnic will be the next day beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The location of the Picnic is the same as the past several years
Veteran's Park adjacent to Veteran's Hospital South of Clarksburg off US Rt. 19.
For more information or a registration form, contact Jim Brown at
jbrown@gabrown.com
I live on the outskirts of town. Neither of my parents graduated from a Clarksburg school. My
father, Patrick, graduated from Shinnston High School where he played football for all 4 years. My
mother, Tisha, graduated from Doddridge High School, where she did not play sports. My family
and I share a love for sports and competition. I started playing volleyball in 6th grade. My cousin,
who lives next door, got me started; and I've had a love for the sport ever since. I tried out for the
middle school team in 7th grade and did not make the team. But, it did not discourage me. I
continued to play in my free time and all through the next summer. It even reconnected me with
an old friend who I hadn't been close to since 1st grade. Now we are best friends again and talk
and play volleyball as much as possible. We both tried out our 8th grade year and made the
team.
When high school started nothing changed, I was setter and she was a hitter. We both started
out on Junior Varsity, along with a girl, Kalilah who had moved here during the past school year;
whom we had become very good friends with. As high school continued so did our love and
passion for the sport. My sophomore year I was moved to the position of Defensive Specialist on
varsity. My junior year I was moved back to the Setter position for varsity. Unfortunately, my best
friend had a medical problem that kept her from playing our senior year. She still attended games
and practices. So being the only seniors at RCB, Kalilah and I became a powerhouse duo. She as
a strong outside hitter; me- as a witty setter. We had finished in the top 8 teams of the state
the past year and wanted to make it to the State Tournament once again for our last year as
Eagles. We did. I'm proud to say we set as many records for the 2011 season as we did the 2010
season.
As a junior I received the honors of: BB&T Athlete of the Week, First Team All County, and 2nd
Team All Big 10.
As a senior I received the honors of: BB&T Athlete of the Week, First Team All County, and First
Team All Big 10, and First Team All State Honoree.
I hope this will help the readers to understand a little bit about me.
QUESTION!
ONE TO JOG YOUR MEMORY
What was the name of the band who most usually played at the Bridgeport Civic Center
on Saturday nights in the late 50’s and early 60’s?
This is from a very good source. She makes her detergent and says it is great. Here is the
recipe.
2 parts finely grated bar soap
1 part Borax
1 part washing soda
Use 1 Tablespoon of above mixture per wash load
NICKNAMES
Did you or one of your friends or family member have a nick name? For some
reason they seemed much more popular “back then” than more recently. I don’t
believe nicknames are too popular today.
If you remember any let us know, and if you remember how that person was
tagged with that nickname, also tell us that.
Here is a letter to kick off this subject:
submitted by:Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
The letter from Carl "Blue" Lyons made me wonder if you have ever suggested
letters about "nicknames". Blue lived up from us and I am sure my brothers could
have told me where he got that nickname. My mother always said she named her sons
so they couldn't be nicknamed, but it didn't happen as they both were nicknamed by their
friends. My brother, Carris, played sports , football and track, and somehow he received
his nickname from the guys on the teams. They called him "Jock" and it stuck, all
through the University and with his fraternity brothers, one of whom was Don Knotts.
They became really good friends, doing skits together in campus activities and
participating in the "Mother's Day Sing". My youngest brother, Darrell, was nicknamed
in sixth grade by Carris...for some reason, he called him "Jughead" one day and it caught
on, only it was reduced to "Jug" or "Juggy". We grew up with a cartoon like Snuffy
Smith and a character he called "Jughaid". We used to laugh at that, And you know, later
people didn't know their real names, only knew them by their nicknames. Interesting, isn't
it?
Best wishes, Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko, WI,class of 1940.....and Roleta, today is DDay,
I wonder how many kids today realize just what that day means for them, for all of
us.
AH, "DARE SUMMERS" LATE '50's!
submitted by:Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
Summer days were spent walking everywhere (from Hartland or Stealey for me
and my 7 or 8 close girl friends). We even walked to town for a movie or roller
skating at the Charmichael Auditorium via the Hartland railroad tracks a time or
two. ( talk about hot and steamy! ugh! ) We walked to town via the West End of
town. We walked to each other's homes and walked to Chestnut Hills (and they
weren't kidding about the steep hills there!) and the VA park.. which then was just
a grassy field daringly approached from the Traction Street railroad
trestle..scary! But fun! (The trains, one or two a day just used it for a track
change, and moved slowly.)
We always went to the Babe Ruth games ( Melinda's dad was a coach) and we
walked to them if they were at nearby venues. We walked morning to
night...walking each other half way home in the dark on evenings after playing
records, a jukebox, or making up songs to a piano and practicing the latest dance
craze at someone's home.
Did I mention that every other summer we called " Dare Summer". We were
bound to do dares from our girl friends during these years. No weaseling out!
We lived to dance and listen to the latest Rock 'n Roll..
Ask Jerry Hustead about the time when as he was DJ on WHAR radio's
Saturday Top Ten show..Well, one fateful day after a pre show visit from one of
us girls, his entire top ten came up missing. Including his theme song! He got
them back after making one phone call. I think he knew who did it? Yup! He
had to scramble that Saturday to find what to play...Ha Ha Practical Jokes were
always on the menu back then! All the 45's were returned after the show and
everyone was happy!
I think we even walked to Golf Plaza, Broad Oaks and even Norwood Park on
occasion! There were always buses to bring us home if we ran late or ran out of
energy! Which was rarely the case!
Oh, and we did always go to the Carnival at Norwood Park every summer and
roller skating too, but we got rides there and back. We sometimes took the bus
and always hoped to get Becky Yeager's dad as our bus driver.
Swimming was a real treat before the neighborhood pools were built. One year,
several of us girls went to the Hideaway Swimming Pool for July 4th with
my parents. Mom made a 3 ft. Hoagie! When we got there, we walked to an
old juke joint and played the juke box for 5 cents a play, which was cheap for
even then. Music always music! Of course we found time to " Cannonball" our
last year teacher... and his girlfriend in the pool! That must have been " dare
summer".
Never a dull moment!
MEMORY OF A WEDDING
submitted by:Cathy Kay Strogen (WI '65)
I attended church services last week at The Immaculate Conception Church on
Pike St. with family John & Margie Kovach, which brings back a fond memory of their
wedding day:
My husband is John's first cousin and Margie (Murphy) Kovach and I have been
close friends since our days at Central Jr. High.
On their wedding day, my husband served as best man. Believe me he does not
do well when he is on display. As nervous as he was, he made it to the altar with
the soon to be Kovach's when he realized he had forgotten the RINGS. All of a
sudden he turns around, spots another cousin, comes off the altar and whispers
in JP's ear. JP got up and left the church. Of course, at this point, everybody
knew what had happened!
John's dad lived across the street where the rings were waiting. The house was
locked up tight, but JP managed to break in and retrieve the rings and made it
back across the street just in time for the ring exchange. At Margie and John's
expense, it did make for amusing conversation at the reception, and I might add,
IT STILL DOES!
GUESS WHO FOR AUGUST
Do you recognize this little girl? Correct answers with a memory
enclosed will be printed in the next newsletter. Write to Roleta1@aol.com and see if your guess is correct.
FRIENDS GATHERED
Friends gathered together in June of 2009 in Asheville NC. Left to right:
Tom Stealey, Bryan McIntyre, Bruce Chapnick, Ron Kemper. All WI class
of 65.
submitted by:Joe Martin (NDHS '65)
Martha Pulice Williams WI 64, Joe Martin NDHS 65, Sandra Martin NDHS 69
Pete Secret NDHS 64 and friend Cindy
Martha Pulice Williams WI 64 and Betty Marino Blackshire NDHS 61 (?)
Fred Alvaro WI 59 and wife Karen Bridgeport 59
Mike Blackshire NDHS 60 (?) and Betty Marino Blackshire NDHS 61 (?)
All were visiting The Villages, FL.........in February 2012
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have any pictures of you and friends together,
send a copy to me…scan and attach to your email to Roleta1@aol.com.
We love pictures of Clarksburg friends. Make sure you add the names of
each person. The pictures do not have to be recent as evidenced by the great
pictures above. Thanks
IF
If you wish to give to the WIN Scholarship this month, please make out your checks to:
Roleta Meredith
We received a very nice gift from David Nichols II
GIVEN IN MEMORY of:
Julia Jackson Nichols (WI 1952)
And:
A very generous gift was received from: Lois W. Fields (WI 1941)
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WI NEWSLETTER
submitted by:Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
A couple of months ago I addressed several components of this great
newsletter and what all I have gotten out of it. This is a follow-up testimonial that
is incredible. A few weeks ago about 9:30 am I got a phone call from a WI Grad,
Joe Malone class of '52. He was in Indianapolis heading to Lake Floyd for the
summer. I never had the pleasure of knowing Joe Malone in Clarksburg. He lives
in California, but like a big ole salmon, he migrates East back to Clarksburg for
the summer at the Lake. I live in Dayton in OH right off Interstate I-70. He was
practically going to pass right by my house (& if you are ever going that way, you
are automatically welcome to our home)
About 8 years ago, I was trying to set up a Hall-of-Fame at Notre Dame and St
Mary’s High schools. Joe Malone wrote a story to the WI Newsletter about some
of the greatest high school basketball teams that he knew of in the history of
Clarksburg, completely independent to what I was trying to do and he was
unknown to me as I was also unknown to him. He wrote into the newsletter that
he was looking for some names on the 1947 St Mary’s team that he had listed as
one of the best teams ever. My Dad came home from WWII in 1946. He used to
take me to those St Mary’s games as a tool to bond with me since he had been
gone for so long. Dad was a graduate of Weston HS. The papers were full of
that St Mary’s team so that's where he took me (to Carmichael Hall). I e-mailed
Joe Malone about the players and that is how we met through the WI Newsletter.
A few years later after several correspondences back and forth, Joan and I went
to the WI picnic in Sarasota. There Roleta came up to me and asked if I wanted
to meet Joe Malone. Kazaam!!!, what a special guy! A relationship was built
immediately, all due to this WI Newsletter. And now, 5 years later, Joe Malone
stops in Dayton to visit me! He is a fountain of knowledge, hits the NCAA
tourneys all around the country, is very well traveled, and likes music, drama and
the arts. We went to lunch and covered so many topics in 2 hrs, you can't
believe. Joe gets to Lake Floyd and one of the people he talks to a lot is Norman
Julian. He happens to talk to Norm, a freelance sportswriter from Morgantown
and mentions his visit in Dayton. Norm tells him that Norm and I lived next door
in North View and grew up together.
So here you have 3 guys, one from Victory HS, one from WI and one from Notre
Dame HS (the old St Mary’s HS) all meeting up because of the WI Newsletter
connection. As I said, in that article a couple of months ago, I do not think there is
any Newsletter like this in the country. Annnd we put the St Mary’s team in our
Hall of Fame due to a guy that very few of those guys ever met before. There
seems to be a little magic there, doesn't there??
To Bill (Via Roleta),
Just heard a reminder that the 50th anniversary of Title 9 is upon us. That set
me to wondering about women's sports at WI. I know there were no women's
teams there when I attended in the 1950's. From some 1920s WI yearbooks I
have, I know that there were women's teams in tennis, swimming, basketball and
volleyball during that decade. I know that there were women's basketball teams
at Bridgeport in the 30's and at Monongah as well. My mother, Bonnie Jane
Robinson, played at Bridgeport and my aunt, Sarah Kathryn Teter, coached at
Monongah. So what happened? Was it the depression, the war, or the economy
that curtailed women's sports at WI? What about other Harrison County
schools? And when did the teams for women reappear?
Don't know if this should go in Bill's sports section or in the greater newsletter.
Thanks for all you do to keep our minds working!
Elizabeth Teter Akin, WI 1956
Reply To Elizabeth:
You have asked several questions, which will be difficult to answer. I think
we can all agree that there were no organized women's sports teams in
North Central West Virginia from 1940 until perhaps the late
60's. According to Bob Dennison, he and Ed Jenkins were the officials for
the first girls basketball game in Harrison County, after the half-court game
was abandoned. That happened in the late 60's and was a game between
South Harrison and R.W.
The WVSSAC web site lists championship results for the various women's
sports beginning in the years shown below.
Obviously, some schools started varsity teams prior to those years. I have
sent out many inquiries to find out more information, particularly about W I,
but have had no success. There is still hope, since a couple of people have
promised to check with some of their relatives or friends, who are older
(80's & 90's) and might remember some of the details from the early years.
One of my Monongah HS contacts found a girl named Teter, who graduated
in the late 30's and may have been related to your aunt.
Finally, we have concluded that we need the help of our readers. If you
know of anyone who can help answer Elizabeth's questions, please contact
me and I will pursue all leads.
In the late 60s and early 70s, WI had a girls sports team. If you were on the team, you played basketball, volleyball, and track, I believe. They played in very unattractive jump suits. It was 6- player basketball with only two players able to play both offense and defense. Two were all-time defense and the other two were all-time offense. I'm not sure why that was, unless someone chauvinistically assumed that there were not enough girls that could run up and down the floor. There were some very good woman athletes during that time at WI that never got to show their stuff. Not all the schools even had any sports teams.
Ron Gilmore, (W I 1972)
Reply To Ron:
Thanks for the information. It sounds a lot like club sports. I wonder if you were required to play all of the sports offered or if you could specialize in just one or two? I assume they played against other schools in the area. It looks like we have found more questions. Can anyone help us?
Jim Alvaro, W I 1956 sent me the following article about one of my
favorite old-time baseball players, Yogi Berra. Yogi was in his prime as
a player when I was a youngster. I only saw him in person once, at old
Comisky Park in Chicago and always enjoyed listening to his games on
the radio or watching them on TV.
Did any of you readers ever see him play at the ballpark? Was it at old
Yankee Stadium or some other park? If you did, please share the story
with us for next month.
LAWRENCE PETER "YOGI" BERRA
Lawrence Peter Berra played Major League Baseball for 19 years for
the New York Yankees.
He played on 10 World Series Championship teams, is a MLB Hall of
Famer and has some awe-inspiring stats.
His name is consistently brought up as one of the best catchers in
baseball history, and he was voted to the Team of the Century in 1999.
Amazing accomplishments aside, they probably aren't how you know
Lawrence.
You know him as Yogi, a nickname given to him by a friend who likened
his cross-legged sitting to a yogi.
Yogi is famous for his fractured English, malapropisms and sometimes
nonsensical quotes.
He's closing in on 86, and there seems to be no end to his fan's love for
him.
Here are 25 Yogi Berra quotes that will make you shake your head and
smile.
1. "It's like deja vu all over again."
2. "We made too many wrong mistakes."
3. "You can observe a lot just by watching."
4. "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."
5. "He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."
6. "If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be."
7. "If you don't know where you're going, you might end up some place
else."
8. Responding to a question about remarks attributed to him that he did not
think were his:
"I really didn't say everything I said."
9. "The future ain't what it use to be."
10. "I think Little League is wonderful. It keeps the kids out of the house."
11. On why he no longer went to Ruggeri's, a St. Louis restaurant:
"Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded."
12. "I always thought that record would stand until it was broken."
13. "We have deep depth."
14. "All pitchers are liars or crybabies."
15. When giving directions to Joe Garagiola to his New Jersey home, which
is accessible by two routes:
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
16. "Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to
yours."
17. "Never answer anonymous letters."
18. On being the guest of honor at an awards banquet:
"Thank you for making this day necessary."
19. "The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase."
20. "Half the lies they tell about me aren't true."
21. As a general comment on baseball: "90% of the game is half mental."
22. "I don't know (if they were men or women running naked across the
field).
They had bags over their heads."
23. "It gets late early out there."
24. Carmen Berra, Yogi's wife asked: "Yogi, you are from St. Louis, we live
in New Jersey, and you played ball in New York. If you go before I do,
where would you like me to have you buried?" Yogi's answer:
"Surprise me."
25. "It ain't over till it's over."
A beautiful tribute to two good men, Joe Paterno and Bill Stewart. They deserved better than
they got.
David Nichols, WI 1955.
Reply To David:
David is referring to a short article in last month's newsletter about the death of Bill
Stewart. By the number of people commenting on Stewart, it appears we were not alone in
thinking he was a great Mountaineer. Incidentally, WVU "did it right" in the way they
handled the situation.
I am one of those few guys whose mom did not throw away my baseball
cards. I still have all the cards I bought from the time I was in 2nd grade at
Towers. All my spare change, lawn mowing and paper route money and
birthday money was spent on baseball cards. I remember going to the little
booth near the courthouse where the blind man worked. When I was on
schoolboy patrol at Adamston Grade school, I would trade my extra bubble
gum to the younger kids for their cards. My biggest "find" back in those
days was when I was on a camping trip with Boy Scout Troop 15 from
Adamston Methodist Church. We were somewhere near Elkins and I
volunteered to ride with the scoutmaster Sterling Hall to a little grocery store
for supplies. I was surprised to find that this store had several boxes of old
1953 and 54 Topps cards (this would have been in 1955-56). I spent all the
money I had and borrowed $10 from Mr. Hall which I promised that my Dad
would pay him back. The only problem with the old cards was that the
bubble gum was stuck to the back of the last card (they came 6 in a pack).
I
stopped collecting cards around my 10th grade year due to peer pressure of
guys making fun of my hobby and re-started it in 1979 when I moved to
Pittsburgh and there were 3 baseball card shops within a couple of miles of
the radio station I was managing. During the early years of marriage in the
70s, living paycheck to paycheck, my wife could not figure out how I would
always get her Hummel figurines and plates for Christmas. It was really
easy. All I had to do was take a few of my extra 1957 mint-condition cards
of Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, etc to a
card shop in Westerville Ohio and sell them! I had many duplicates, so I
still have the ones in the best condition. I think I have over a million cards.
Complete collections of years 1953-1964 and 1979 - 2000. Occasionally
when I travel I do attend baseball card shows and buy or trade for older
cards but I am no longer an active collector -- the current cards are too
expensive !
submitted by:Dede Short King (WI '94)
Since I was a child, I always had an interest in the entertainment industry (must be why I got into
it as an adult ;) While in Florida on a movie set at a younger age, I grabbed a piece of cut bush
from the movie "Edward Scissorhands" This was the beginning of my movie prop collection :) I
now have numerous movie and TV show props enclosed in shadowboxes and on display in my
game room. I also extended the collection to include celebrity autographs, scripts and film cells. I
love being unique and they are all major conversation pieces :)
This is one of my walls in my gameroom with my collection. This wall shows props from 3 different movies; Hedge trimming from "Edward Scissorhands", Letter from the movie "Jerry Macguire" and signs from the fish market scene of the movie "Hannibal". I enclose all in frames or shadow boxes for protection.
This is another wall in my game room. This pic includes autographs from, Jay Leno, Casey Kasem, John Travolta, Frank Bialic (Trading Spaces), Matt Cedena (Day of Our Lives), Ben Stiller, and Ian Petrella (A Christmas Story) and a script from The Cosby Show, small car prop from Back to the Future II and a piece of trim from a state room door on the set of the movie Titanic.
SHARED MEMORIES
submitted by:Bill White (WI '56)
It has been just a bit more than three months since your picnic in Sarasota and it
was the first one that my wife Alicia and I have been able to attend, but I wanted
to offer belated thanks to you and to Bill for causing it to happen. It was
wonderful to see many of my classmates from 1956 as well as others from other
classes of WI and other Clarksburg schools.
We will be back as often as we are able in the future if you and Bill continue to be
able to arrange for them. I really enjoy the monthly newsletters and promise to
be a contributor in the near future.
It was pleasure to meet you both at the picnic. I know that all you do for
Clarksburgers is a true labor of love and all of us commend you for it.
Concerning memories, each issue of the newsletter stirs up lots of memories for
me in growing up in Stealey, going to Morgan School, Central Junior High School
and then four years at WI. Then after four years at WVU, I returned to
Clarksburg and joined Union Carbide at the carbon plant in A. My family came to
Clarksburg in 1946 and I lived there from that time until 1966 when I was
transferred by my company to Niagara Falls.
As to riding the bus, we used to get on the Norwood-Stealey bus at Joseph and
Duff to go to Central and to WI and paid 5 cents each way. As a student, you
could buy 20 tickets for $1.00 which was a better deal than the normal fare which
was 4 tokens for 25 cents.
Also, the very first date I remember having was to take a girl to the movies when
I believe I was in the seventh grade. I didn't ask her permission to reveal this and
probably she wouldn't even remember it, but we were both members of the same
graduating class at WI and she lived on Ridenour Street in Stealey. When the
day of the date came up, I remember being really nervous about having to be
with this girl. Since we were going to ride the bus downtown, I got on at my stop
at Joseph and Duff and she got on at her stop at Duff and Duncan. And since I
wanted to minimize my having to be close to her, I sat down in one of the single
seats so that we wouldn't have to sit together. It also saved me a bus fare.
Memories of the rest of that date experience are gone, but I think it was the first
and last time we ever went on a date.
submitted by:John Teter (WI '61)
Some of the things that I remember during my "younger days' are as follows:
Jigsaw puzzles - my father, mother, grandmother and I used to spend HOURS
working on jigsaw puzzles
Dominos - we also used to play dominos by the hours
Monopoly - I remember playing monopoly, but not as much as the jigsaw
puzzles and dominos
Lightning bugs - we used to spend hours in our backyard on Broaddus Avenue
catching lightning bugs, and then releasing them the last thing at night.
Flowers - I remember my parents having this flower latticed on our back
porch that would have blooms that came out every night. Many nights we
watched them open up and there were often some neighbors watching with us. I
can’t remember the name of the flower but I bet my sister can.
Checkers
Kick-the-can
Hide-and-go-seek
S&H Green Stamps
TV Stamps (which were yellow)
Hopscotch
Archery
Scrabble
Hool hoops
dice
Raleigh cigarette coupons
Movies at one of the playgrounds over close to Minards
Hiking/playing on Pinakanik (sp?) Hill above my parents' house
Skycastle (and there used to be another "hang-out" close to Minards, but I
cannot remember the name of it)
Parkette on top of Bridgeport Hill (original building is gone, but this is where we
would go for intermission time from the Bridgeport Civic Center dances.
EDITOR’S NOTE:Do you have memories from your youth that you can put in a
list and send them to me…Write to Roleta1@aol.com.
MYSTERY PICTURE FOR AUGUST
Can you identify our mystery picture for August? Correct answers with a memory
enclosed will be printed in the next newsletter. Write to Roleta1@aol.com and see if your guess is correct.
Roleta,
This is the Holy Rosary Catholic Church which is located East Pike Street. .It was
established 1906 to meet the needs of the Slovacks, Polish Croatians and Slovenians. The
first mass was held by Rev Melchior Furst. The church closed in 1984 due to a lack of
priests. The building to the left of the church is now used for a day care center and is
called Madonna. The Southern States Farm Service is beside this building. The church
is listed as Abandoned. The Immaculate Conception church was where most of the
parish went when this church was closed. The rectory to the east side of the church is
one of the oldest houses in Clarksburg.
The old rectory is standing---The house has had some upgrading such as siding
and window upgrades...Still on the corner to the right side of the church..I don’t know as
to anyone is living there but it is possible,,,,National Registry ? I don’t know.
Wayne pawco
submitted by:Pat Elder (NDHS '57)
The Mystery picture is one of Holy Rosary Church on East Pike St almost to Kelly Hill in
Clarksburg. I think it was settled & built by the Slovaks, who lived in that area. They had a grade
school too. I remember playing basketball in the patrol league & in the Catholic Youth Org (CYO)
league & we always played Holy Rosary a couple of times a year. I don't think they ever won
either league championship, but they always had a good team. I remember that those were the
nicest & cleanest people that I played against & they were always friendly & courteous. Buddy
Yonovak, Junior Dinaldo & his bro Joe Dinaldo & Mihalik & I cannot remember the rest of the
names. They were all high quality people.
submitted by:Linda Villers Mace (NDHS '58)
My link didn't connect for some reason...so am emailing directly.
Thanks to my former classmate, Judy Zabeau Shepherd, I just read this
months newsletter. You and your team do an incredible presentation; thank
you.
The mystery church is Holy Rosary if my memory is correct..
By some fluke my newsletters have been re-routed, when you
find the time, could you submit my email address again? Thank
you...it is: lmace311@aol.com.
I am a very long way from WV.....and love being connected by your newsletter.
Again, my thanks to you and your dedicated volunteers.
Have a great summer,
submitted by:Rod Kidd
This picture is of the old Polish Catholic Church that is on the corner of East Pike St and
Florence St. I don’t remember the name of it. It has been more recently used for
children’s church choir recitals. It is in very bad state of disrepair. I don’t believe it will
be allowed to stand much longer unless a group gets together to fix it back up.
submitted by:Tim Cork (WI '62)
You really brought back some memories with the "Mystery Picture for July".
No guessing on this one, it's "The Holy Rosary Catholic Church"
located at 510 East Pike Street. I passed this church 4 times each school day
when I was going to Linden Grade School. I lived close enough to go home for
lunch at noon, which made a total of 4 time a day I walked by it.
I have several stories associated with this church. Here are three short ones:
Story 1
Living so close to this church, I had several neighborhood friends who attended
there. During the summer days, if they had to go to confession or to ring the
church bell, they would invite me to go with them. I was not Catholic and I
remember how awkward I felt trying to mimic my friends as we entered the
church. I really didn't know what I was supposed to do. Never-the-less, the
church was beautiful on the inside and I will always have those wonderful
memories of it.
Story 2
There was a Catholic school just to the left of the church and at lunchtime I had
to walk through the children playing on the sidewalk outside the school. Each
day the girls would start screaming and acting like I was some kind of celebrity
as I hurried my way through them. This went on each and every day, until one
day the Sisters (teachers) came stomping out of the school and began yelling at
the girls. They made the girls go inside and told me, "we have an eye on you
young man". Needless to say, but my celebrity days were over, but I do
believe they meant what they told me. (see Story 3)
Story 3
The side walk directly in front of the Holy Rosary Church had just been
repaired with new sections of freshly poured concrete. Everyone knows that
fresh concrete needs a hand print and some initials. Well, perhaps everyone
except the Sisters at the Catholic school next door. As I had just finished my
work of art in the concrete, once again, here comes the Sisters screaming and
yelling. Naturally I ran, but I truly believe they had me on their "most wanted"
list for years. I just know that for weeks I had to cross the railroad tracks to get
home from school as an alternate route.
HISTORY OF HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Holy Rosary Catholic Church, located in Clarksburg, West Virginia was
established in 1906 to meet the needs of the Slovakians, Polish, Crotians and
Slovenians. The parish also included many Hungarians and Greek Rites. The
church was needed at a time when Slovak immigrants came to America in
large numbers, and many settled in West Virginia where the Consolidated
Coal Company had vast holdings and job opportunities.
In 1906, the vocal and growing Slovakian community requested Bishop
Patrick J Donahue for permission to build a national Slovakian parish. C. F.
Zaruba made the suggestion to Ambrose Karliak, who along with Stephen
Vojusak and Charles Gavelda, raised funding for the church’s construction.
The Slovak church was the only one of its type and had no defined parish
limits due to its specific targeted demographic. Worshippers would travel
upwards of 50 miles or more to attend.
The first Mass was held at 603 East Pike Street by Rev. Melchior Furst, the
first pastor. After a few weeks, in June 1906, the Mass was moved to
Centennial Hall. The congregation then purchased two lots, and services
were held in two old houses which had been remodeled into makeshift halls.
Soon after, a basement was completed for the future church. To the east of
the church was the rectory, noted as being one of the oldest houses in
Clarksburg.
The church construction was completed on September 30, 1909, when the
cornerstone was laid. By 1913, the congregation numbered 1,500.
A new Holy Rosary parish was formed in 1924 and dedicated on July 26,
1925 by Bishop John J. Swint. The Holy Rosary Catholic Church closed in
1984 and was merged into the Immaculate Conception parish of Clarksburg
and the Sacred Heart parish of Chester due to a shortage of priests.
Attached are several pictures of the Holy Rosary Church. One picture is of
my dear friend's mother (Mary) outside the church with one of the Sisters
from the school next door. (St. Mary's or Holy Rosary?) I never knew the
Sister's name, but I think it's a safe bet she knew mine. LOL
OBITUARIES
JAMES STANLEY JENKINS
James Stanley Jenkins Age 71 died at United Hospital Center on June 12, 2012
following a lengthy illness. He resided in Good Hope, WV.
He was born September 3, 1940 in Clarksburg, WV the son of the late James
Lee Jenkins and Velma F. Crane Jenkins. He married Margaret Jaunice
Womack Jenkins on December 2, 1967. They were married for 45 years.
He Graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1960 and then served in
the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1980 with 20 years
of service. He then drove Tractor-trailer for North American and for Crete until he
retired in 1996.
He was a lifelong Boy Scout since 1949 and was a member of the Order of the
Arrow. He was a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #52. He
was also a member of the Clarksburg V.F.W. # 573 and a member of the United
Methodist Temple.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son James Glen (JJ) Jenkins.
He is survived by his wife and twin daughters Patricia Jaylene Bunnnell and
Catherine Jaunice Webber and their families. He has 5 grandsons David Michael
Bunnell, Samson Lee Bunnell, Ronald Vincent Webber, Jr., Alasdair Griffin
Webber, and Gordan Persinger Webber. He also has 1 granddaughter Tania
Dawn Bunnell. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Frances I. Frame
Jenkins and her two children. He also has 4 great-grandchildren.
Interment was in the WV National Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the
family at www.davisfuneralhomewv.com. Arrangements in care of Davis Funeral
Home.
ROBERT LEE “TIMBUCK” SHIELDS
Robert Lee “Timbuck” Shields, age 84, of Bridgeport passed away Monday, May
28, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born December 4,
1927 in Clarksburg, a son of the late Russell Shields and Concetta Cava Shields.
His wife, Constance Marie Ielapi Shields, whom he married June 2, 1956,
preceded him in death June 8, 1993.
Surviving are his four children, Lynette Graeber and her husband Steven,
Cynthia Shaw and her husband Mark, Robert Shields, and Michaela Chefren and
her husband Michael, all of Bridgeport. Seven grandchildren, Fallon Gillum and
her husband Chris, Meagan Lee and Steven Brent Graeber, Evan and Samantha
Lee Shaw, Connie and Maxwell Chefren. Two great-grandchildren, Paiton Gillum
and Xavier Lee. One sister, Eleanor Alessi of Steubenville, Ohio, along with
several nieces, nephews, and his companion, Dr. E. Joy Lynch.
In addition to his parents, and his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers
and two sisters, George “Duke” and Raymon Shields, Mary Shields Secret and
Virginia Shields Lopez.
Timbuck, as he was fondly named by his brother, was a graduate of Washington
Irving High School. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary
Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from WVU, having received a
football scholarship and having played baseball as well in 1945 and 1946.
Timbuck ended his football at WVU when he signed with the pro baseball Globe-
Miami club in the Class C Arizona-Texas League, affiliated with the St. Louis
Browns (Baltimore Orioles).
Timbuck’s entire professional career was at Flemington High School, having
begun as a teacher and coach in 1953. Of his 18 years coaching basketball
there, he carried an impressive record of 279 wins and 90 losses. More
impressively, he mentored many wonderful teachers and coaches there. He
became principal in 1967 having held that position until his retirement in 1991.
He was the State of West Virginia Administrator of the Year recipient in 1984.
Timbuck was a member of the 1954 China Dolls, state softball champions. He
touched many young lives in his professional career and coaching career. From
1987 to present, he was the manager of the Bridgeport American Legion Post 68.
In 1990, his team competed for the American Legion World Series semifinals,
having lost to the eventual champions from Mayo, Maryland. Of his many
accomplishments, Timbuck was also proud to have the tennis and softball fields
dedicated in his name by the Taylor County Board of Education, located at the
Grafton High School Complex. The dedication took place on May 9, 2009.
BEVERLY MORRIS HISSONG WI 1958
Beverly R. Morris Hissong, wife, mother, teacher and daughter of the late
Raymond Morris and Mae Snyder Morris, departed this life on June 4, 2012,
while residing in Lenexa, Kansas.
Beverly was born in Clarksburg, WV, on February 16, 1940, and had resided in
Lenexa, KS, for the majority of her adult life.
She graduated from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, WV, and
received her undergrad degree at West Virginia University and her Master’s of
Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Fredric K. Hissong; two children, Bryan
Hissong and Eric Hissong; her brother, Harry E. Morris, Leesburg, VA; and five
grandchildren.
Mrs. Hissong will be returned to her beloved state of West Virginia for services
and burial.
NOTE: Beverly attended the Clarksburg Reunion picnic in Sarasota, Florida this past
March and had a wonderful time. It was so good to see her after so many years. She
laughed and had a great time. Little did any of us know the suffering she has been going
thru the last few years with her health.
JOSEPH ANTHONY OLIVERIO, JR.
Joseph Anthony Oliverio, Jr., 75, of Bridgeport, after a 12-year battle with cancer,
died peacefully June 8, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Clarksburg, WV, a son of the late Joseph Anthony and Rose
Marie Martin Oliverio on January 3, 1937.
Surviving are one son, Joseph Anthony Oliverio, III, Bridgeport; two daughters,
Nannette A. Howe and her husband Bruce, Berlin, Maryland, and Kimberly E.
Griffith and her husband Jeffery of Stonewood.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Angela
Marie Gurr, Tallahassee, FL, and Cabrini Skasik and her husband Mark, Nutter
Fort; two nephews and two nieces along with one sister-in-law, Glenda Kaye
Oliverio.
Joe was preceded in death by one brother, Frank A. Oliverio, and two nieces.
He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and retired from Squibb & Sons
as a pharmaceutical sales representative with 30 years of service. He was the
founding member of the Central West Virginia Scientific Association in 1963, the
WV Connection, and graduated from WI High School, Class of 1954. He also
was a chemistry graduate of WVU, a member of Alta Phi Delta fraternity, a
member of the National Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited.
Joe owned and operated Oliverio Action Adventures. He loved the outdoors and
was an avid hunter, fisherman, skier, photographer and pilot.
FRANK G. SCARCELLI
Frank G. Scarcelli, 61, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away on June 16, 2012, at the Charleston
Area Medical Center.
He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on September 24, 1950, a son of the late Anthony James and
Helen Marie Carpenter Scarcelli.
Frank is survived by his wife, Karen Sue Allison Scarcelli, his daughter, Allison Marie Scarcelli
Debusca and her husband Justin of Clarksburg; and his beloved grandchildren, Cameron and
Mila Debusca. Also surviving are his sisters, Karen Pruski and her husband Charles of Warren,
OH, and Kathy Patrick and her husband Terry of Myrtle Beach, SC; his sisters and brothers-in law,
whom he considered his family; several nephews, nieces, cousins; and Chris Pinion, whom
he considered and thought of as a son.
Frank was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Class of 1968, and was Director of Public
Works for the City of Clarksburg. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
and held memberships with the Sons of Italy, B.P.O. Elks Lodge 482 and the Knights of
Columbus. Frank was especially proud to have been selected by the W.Va. Italian Heritage
Festival Board as the Italian Father of the Year Award for 2012.
ROBERTA FRANCES STALNAKER PAUGH
Roberta Frances Stalanker Paugh age 65-of Salem WV departed this life on June 11,2012
at United Hospital.
Born in Clarksburg on April 3,1947. The daughter of the late Robert Glen and Kathryn
Frances Woofter Stalnaker.
Her husband Jerry Paugh (WI 1959) resides in Salem. She is also survived by her children Robert
Charles Axton-of Bridgeport and Kathryn Ann Axton of Ohio----also 4 step children.
Roberta was a graduate of WI class of 1965 and was an English Major at Fairmont State.
She was retired from State Farm Insurance as a claims Adjuster.
CAROLYN LEIGH ZACHARY
Carolyn Leigh Zachary, 69, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away on June 13, 2012,
at her residence.
She was born in Clarksburg, on May 21, 1943, a daughter of the late George
Franklin and Eleanor Mae Dunkley Hilson.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Christie Zachary of Morgantown, WV; her
brother, James S. Hilson and his wife Mary of Temple Hill, MD; several nieces
and nephews.
Carolyn was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1962 and
New Jersey City College. She retired from CNG Transmission with 20 years of
service as a Telecommunication Operator.
Carolyn was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She held
memberships with the Shen-Yuettes, the Kelly Miller Association, Gerard Berman
Scholarship Fund, WVU Athletic Club, and the Mountaineer Parents Club.
FAY EDGAR “MAC” McDONALD, JR.
Fay Edgar "Mac" McDonald Jr., 82, of Lamberts Run, passed away June 6,
2012, at his residence with his family around him.
Junior was born December 2, 1929, son of the late Fay Edgar and Irene Cutright
McDonald.
Mac was married to Norma J. Bonnett McDonald, who preceded him in death
January 15, 1976. He was married to Delores Joan Shaw McDonald for 22 years.
Along with his wife, Delores, Fay is survived by five children, Johnathon E.
McDonald and wife Rosemedy of Anchorage, AK, Pamela J. McDonald of
Clarksburg, Thomas R. McDonald and wife Myrl Jean of Mount Clare, Timothy L.
McDonald of Mount Clare, Donald Shaw of Ohio; 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren;
one great-great-grandchild; one brother, John Gary McDonald and
wife Vough of Vienna, WV; one son-in-law, Donald Ball of Jane Lew; and several
nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by four children, Penny Jo McDonald, Erma Kay
Ball, Daniel Fay McDonald and James Edgar McDonald; two great grandchildren;
and one sister, Mary Jane Frum.
Fay graduated from R-W High School. He worked in strip mining, along with his
father, during the 1940s and early 1950s. Then he and his dad started McDonald
Trucking, and he retired as an over-the- road trucker. He enjoyed hunting,
farming, fishing, outdoors and gardening.
CHAROLETTE NUZUM JONES, PH.D
(WI CLASS OF 1950)
Charlotte Nuzum Jones, Ph.D., 79, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at
Briarfield at the Ridge following a lengthy illness.
Charlotte was born June 14, 1932, in Charleston, W.Va., the daughter of
Karl J. and Louise Schroeder Nuzum.
Charlotte had a long-time career, from 1956 to 1993, in nursing education
at various universities including the University of Cincinnati, Arizona State
University, University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, from which
she retired as an associate professor. She co-authored a maternal-child
nursing textbook while living in Arizona.
Charlotte received her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of
Pittsburgh in 1979. She belonged to several professional and social
organizations including Sigma Theta Tau (International Nursing Honorary),
Pi Lambda (Education Honorary), Kappa Kappa Gamma and the Order of
the Eastern Star, Homestead Chapter 139, serving as Worthy Matron twice.
As a life time Episcopalian, she sang in the church choirs in Scottsdale, Ariz,
Mount Lebanon, Pa., and Warren.
Charlotte was previously married to Anthony L. Cooper from 1976 until his
death in 1995. She married John J. Jones Jr. in January 1999, moving from
Pittsburgh to Girard.
Her interests outside of her profession included horseback riding, skiing and
music.
Charlotte is survived by her husband; a sister, Phyllis Phillips of Goleta,
Calif.; a stepson, Anthony L. Cooper II of Denver; a stepdaughter, Myla C.
(Carl) Korn of Ellicott City, Md.; four step-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Leatherman.
ROBERT L. ARMISTEAD
Robert Armistead, 76, passed away on May 16, 2012, after a valiant fight with
lymphoma and multiple other medical problems.
Mr. Armistead was born in Clarksburg, WV. He served in the U.S. Air Force and
had resided in Cuyahoga Falls since 1967. He retired from State of Ohio
Bureau of Employment Services.
He was active in Star Lode 187 F.& A.M. serving as worshipful master and
secretary, Eastern Star Chapter 245,where he was a five time worthy patron,
Scottish Rite Valley of Akron, Falls Commander, Council and Chapter. He loved
sports and traveling.
He is survived by his wife, Donna and children Karen (Paul) Weekley, Crystal
(Richard) Landals, Rodney Armistead and Tim Armistead; several grandchildren
and other relatives.
PRINCINE MERENDINO TIGHE
EDITOR’S NOTE:This is the OBITUARY of a very interesting lady
who graduated from WI in 1941. She indeed led a wonderful life. I
hope you will read this one.
Aunt to Mary Merendino (WI 1959) and
Vinnie Merendino (NDHS 1964)
Princine Tighe of Warwick who passed away on Friday, June 1, 2012, after a
five-month illness. She was 93 years old.
Born Josephine Princine Nordica Merendino on Sept. 19, 1918, to Italian
immigrant parents, Cira and Biagio Merendino, in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She
was the youngest of five children that included Frances, Vincent, Salvatore, and
K. Alvin.
She spread her wings when she left her hometown to move to New York City in
1941. It was there she re-connected with her husband-to-be Dr. Henry Calitri
whom she married on Dec. 31, 1941.
Their first of six children, a daughter Sharyl, was born in June, 1943 followed by
Henri in 1947, Michael 1950, Steven 1952, Kenneth 1958, and Vincent 1960
where they were all raised in Westwood and Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
She was a grandmother to Shawn, Henry, Steven, Alexander, Jeremy, Melanie,
Kevin and Brett and also had seven great-grandchildren.
She was a loving mother-in-law to Brenda, Lisa, Norma, Susan, and Yvonne.
In addition to being a mother of six, Prin, as she was called by most everyone,
was an accomplished writer having written numerous magazine articles on one of
her favorite subjects: raising a brood of children. She published two books in the
late 1960s, one a biography of one of the nation’s foremost public relations
pioneers, Harry Bruno, and a travelogue history of Puerto Rico.
She married her second husband Major General Patrick Anthony Tighe in 1972
and in the following years lived in England, Hong Kong and a return to England in
the late 1980s. It was at this interval in her life that she also became an
accomplished artist, producing several one-woman art shows in Hong Kong,
England as well as the United States.
She was pre-deceased by both her husbands in 1989.
She returned to America in the early 1990s and lived in Dalton, Massachusetts,
and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, before settling in Warwick with son
Michael and wife Brenda Calitri where she continued her writing and painting.
She self-published three books: a memoir of her early life in West Virginia, a
romantic murder mystery and a collection of poems. She had also been working
on several manuscripts over the past two years.
Her family said in a statement, “Writing was her first love. Painting her second
and her six children her passion. Mom believed talent was God-given and it
should be used to inform, entertain, and inspire. She loved, playing bridge with
her friends, parties, laughing, new places and the first daffodils of spring.
She was, as we fondly called her, our queen.”
She had a most unique name - Princine - that one has ever heard. She was a
one-name icon before the invention of one-name icons.
She once said, “If you have a dream, follow it. Don’t grow old and regret you
never did it.” She lived that credo every day of her life. She lived a wonderful
life.
