THE WI NEWSLETTER 07/13



THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 167 July 2013






GOD BLESS AMERICA!

FLY YOUR FLAG !!!!

WOW---what a fantastic song and video------gotta make you proud to be an American!!------

“AMERICA IS MY NAME”

https://www.youtube.com/v/6TPgJSZf5Vw?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY SAFE JULY 4TH!



"West Virginia's Civil War-Era Constitution: Loyal Revolution, Confederate Counter-Revolution, and the Convention of 1872"

Book researched and written by John Stealey (WI 1959)

The article below is from the Gazette-Mail of Charleston, WV and published on May 25, 2013.

Article by:
Tom Rodd: Revolution, counter-revolution and making W.Va.

West Virginia's Civil War-Era Constitution: Loyal Revolution, Confederate Counter-Revolution, and the Convention of 1872, By John Stealey, to be published by the Kent State University Press, $135.00-- 800 pages.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If interested in purchasing, check Amazon.com for price.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The '60s were a revolutionary time. Traditional ways of thinking and living were no longer satisfactory for many people. New thinkers and leaders arose, expressing revolutionary ideas about human rights, freedom, justice, and progress. People thought new thoughts, wrote new words, sang new songs, and spoke out and acted for social change.

The era in West Virginia is vividly portrayed in Shepherd University historian John Stealey's forthcoming book "West Virginia's Civil War-Era Constitution: Loyal Revolution, Confederate Counter-Revolution, and the Convention of 1872," published by the Kent State University Press.

I meant the 1860s. You knew that, right?

When the 1860s began, Virginians had a wide spectrum of ideas about how people should live and be governed. Conservative ideas emphasized guaranteeing liberty through the preservation of the rights and powers of aristocratic, property-owning interests -- while more revolutionary ideas believed that liberty required the expansion of democratic rights and powers and opportunities for all. Revolutionary ideas had always been strongest in western Virginia, and these ideas found their expression in the new laws adopted by the people who created West Virginia in 1861-63.

For example, West Virginia's founders replaced the old Virginia "county court" governmental system, dominated by wealthy interests, with a "township" system -- where ordinary people made local governmental decisions. Unfortunately, after the right to vote was restored to former Confederate West Virginians, the "revolutionary" township system did not survive the "counter-revolution" of 1872. Other revolutionary ideas put into place by West Virginia's statemakers had more staying power. For example, Virginia law did not require that children have a right to a free public education. In Virginia, private academies served the wealthy, and the rest of the citizenry got by as they could, with no system of free public schools.

To remedy this situation, leaders like the heroic Captain Gordon Battelle of Clarksburg, a minister and school principal and statehood leader, who died in 1862 while serving in the Union Army, led the Wheeling Conventions to establish a free public educational system for all West Virginia children. And this system survived and thrived in the new state.

Another revolutionary measure with staying power was the secret ballot. Virginia law required voters to declare their votes "viva voce," (out loud and in public.) Voters were frequently pressured and even punished for their votes by the wealthy and powerful. West Virginia's founders believed in the revolutionary idea that a person's ballot choices should be counted, but not revealed; and that idea also took hold and lasted.

In his lengthy exposition, Stealey often turns to the words of Granville Hall, who was the reporter for the Wheeling Conventions and the editor of the Wheeling Intelligencer. Before the Civil War, Hall's father, a Shinnston tanner, was charged criminally under Virginia law for subscribing to "seditious" anti-slavery newspapers. Hall, like Battelle, despised slavery, and he is, hands down, the intellectual and moral hero of Stealey's book.

Stealey shows how issues of race and democracy played out in the era of West Virginia's creation, and how West Virginia's state-makers -- even as many of their revolutionary ideas were being eroded -- did create lasting political rights for African-Americans; and those political rights were important in keeping West Virginia on a democratic (with a small D) path.

According to the historian David Corbin, in 1890 West Virginia did not have one African-American coal miner. By 1910, there were more than 12,000! In West Virginia, black coal miners had the same pay rate as whites; there were (segregated) public schools for the miners' children; and black men, just like white men, could hold elected officials accountable at the secret ballot box.

Not so, in the deep Southern states from where many of these black miners came from, or even next door in Virginia, where for generations black citizens (and many low-income whites, as collateral damage) were stripped of the right to vote. These states were not democracies; they were racist oligarchies.

Thank God that the new State of West Virginia did not go down that dark path. In fact, from a moral point of view, preserving political rights for African-Americans within the boundaries of the state may have been objectively the West Virginia statemakers' greatest achievement -- although, one must admit that only a few of them would agree with that assessment.

Looked at in a larger context, idealistic people like Gordon Battelle and Granville Hall laid the foundation for an enduring progressive strain in West Virginia public life -- an evolving, inclusive vision and understanding of what true liberty and justice for all is and can be.

Professor Stealey's book soon to be published by the Kent State University Press is 800 pages long, and he has been writing it for 40 years. He has diligently unearthed and documented a treasure-trove of new source material that adds immensely to our knowledge of that amazing era.

"West Virginia's Civil War-Era Constitution: Loyal Revolution, Confederate Counter-Revolution, and the Convention of 1872" will be an essential part of West Virginia's intellectual heritage, and the book is a monumental capstone to Stealey's already-distinguished professional legacy.

Rodd, a lawyer, is co-director of the J.R. Clifford Project.



SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ON A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER

submitted by: Patricia Dela Tejera (RW '51)
patdelatejera@yahoo.com

Thank you for all you do for the wonderful newsletter which I enjoy reading. I graduated from RW, 1951, and from nurses' training in Morgantown, 1954. My paternal grandmother, Anna Olive Griffith Ford, told me about her father, Caleb Griffith, born and raised in Bath County, Virginia, who volunteered in the Confederate Army, and was shot through the neck in battle. She said he was lying in a field, was discovered by young union soldiers, who cared and tended to his wound. He returned to Bath County, later married, traveled to Harrison County in a covered wagon, and raised a large family.

I wish I had more details, but that is all I remember. Patricia Anne Ford, age 80, Now living in MCAllen, Texas.



CIVIL WAR

submitted by: Mary Virgina Duncan (Johnson) Wilke (WI '55)

As to the Civil War, many of my ancestors served, but I think the one who stood out in WV history was my Great Grandfather, James Washington Duncan . He was only a Pvt when he was wounded at Ashley's Gap, but that didn't deter him. He was a Member of the Lewis County Court in 1865. He made his party's committee support of his stand against licensing saloons in Lewis County and was elected. He had the pleasure of seeing last licensed saloon in the state closed and the law stood in all the territory over which Old Glory floats before he passed away. They said in his obituary that "He was a Christian gentleman and good citizen, He stood for clean living and high thinking."

The Stuarts ad the Davis family served in the Revolution War and because of them, my family is eligible to be DOA and SOA. I have never joined but my sister, Elizabeth and Aunt Genevieve were very active in their chapters. My niece, Cheryl, was active in her chapter in CO. I am very proud of my family’s genealogy and have researched it some. They were very much a part of WV history!!!



submitted by: Lyle Corder (RW '57)

My great grandfather, Wilson Corder, fought for the South during the Civil War, as did his uncle Capt. Edward Corder. Capt. Corder was killed in the Third Battle of Winchester. He was run through with a sword while riding on his horse. Wilson Corder was in that fight, too. My great grandfather, Thomas Shaw, also fought in the Third Battle of Winchester, but, for the North. My great grandfather, Alexander Taylor, fought for the North and died of a disease while acting as a guard in Rowlesburg, now West Virginia.

During the Jones-Imboden raids in present day West Virginia, the Southern Army had placed hay on the famous bridge in Philippi and my great, great Uncle, Rev. Joshua Corder, knelt on the bridge for hours, praying they would not burn the bridge. His brother, Capt. Edward Corder was there for the South and helped him save the bridge.

The people of Barbour County had split loyalties during the War and neighbors did fight against neighbors. Many homes were burned to the ground and livestock was stolen by each side. It must have been a horrible time. There were slaves in Barbour at this time and anyone who owned them was in great danger from Northern soldiers.



submitted by: Roleta

I love reading about the Civil War. The letters above were very interesting. So many of us had ancestors who fought in the Civil War, I would love for you to write and tell us what you know about any of your ancestors who fought in the “War Between The States”. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com



CLARKSBURG INDUSTRIES

submitted by: Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WI '52)

While sifting through old papers I have come across an old issue of "The War Cry" which was a publication of the Salvation Army. This issue is dated April 15, 1939 and features Clarksburg, WVa.

The industrial products of Clarksburg listed at that time included glass tumblers, glass tableware, fruit jars, toy glass marbles, plate and window glass, vitaglass, flat glass specialties, glass signs, hotel china, intermediate and prime western zinc, zinc anodes and zinc dust, tin plate and carbon electrodes.

I had mostly been aware of all of these except the zinc products. Can anyone fill me in on any more related to these products? Where was the plant where they were produced? How many years was this in operation?



NEXT MONTH

Please write on any subject. Pick a subject or I would like to hear any comments you have to make concerning anything written in this month’s newsletter. Write to: Roleta1@aol.com



WANT TO READ THE CLARKSBURG NEWSPAPER ON LINE?

http://m.exponent-telegram.com/eedition/



MY SMITH SIBLINGS

Picture taken May 30th in Alabama

Several of you were friends or WI football teammates of my brother, Roy. So I thought I would share a picture of how good he looks. He is very healthy and still very strong, he still exercises. If he didn’t have the white hair and beard, he would look much younger.



Left to right:
Roleta Smith Meredith, (WI 1959), Roy Smith (WI 1955), Jalon Smith Burton (born in Clarksburg)




JEWEL TEA MAN

submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)

I wonder if anyone remembers the Jewel Tea man?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you remember the Jewel Tea Man? What do you remember about him? Write and share your memories with us…write Roleta1@aol.com

If you don’t write, I have nothing to put in the newsletter.




CLARKSBURG WI PICNIC

submitted by: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59)
Mtmama41@aol.com

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Final Clarksburg WI Picnic. You don’t need to be a graduate to join us on Aug 24th from 11AM until the last one goes home...whenever that is. The picnic is at Veterans (River Bend) Park, off Milford St. in the Osborne Shelter, big pavilion across from the amphitheater. ….bring a covered dish, drink and camera .. also any memorabilia you would like to share.

Unfortunately this will be the last year I can host this wonderful Picnic. My husband’s health does not allow me to do much anymore… I have to beg for help and up until the last minute I do not know who will be there. Neither of us can lift, pull and run around like we could when we started having this 10 plus years ago…it has been a joy to see everyone…to hear the laughter…and to see the smiles on all the faces as they see friends and classmates that they haven’t seen in years. It has also been a great way to spend Saturday afternoon during your reunions.

Thanks to Judy Daugherty Kimler and Paula Brassuer Riley who have been with me from the start and all the others that have helped over the years.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

THE LAST WI PICNIC

August 24, 2013

COME AND SHOW SHARYN HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE

WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS




CITY SERVICE TEAM

submitted by: Barry Mazza (WI '58)


I was on that team so, here goes, first guy is Davy "Bizzer" Hudson, then... Singleton?? , don't know , Jim White, [he always wore tennis shoes] ,,,Jim "Butterball' Hall..the fellow standing is Gary Monteith. a very very good catcher. Thats all I can get.................

EDITOR’S NOTE: Can you help fill in the blanks? Recognize any of those pictured above? Write to Roleta1@aol.com



GUESS WHO FOR JULY



Can you identify the 2 men pictured above? Please write your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember to add a memory and include your name, school and year of graduation. thanks



submitted by: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com

WINDING DOWN:

As June winds down and mid-summer approaches, so does the sports scene. The Miami Heat won the NBA title again, with LeBron James proving, once again, that he is the best player in the league. Phil Mickelson just missed the U.S. Open championship, but that has happened before. Major League Baseball continues to heat up, but we aren't even to the All Star break, so there is a long way to go. The Pirates remain in the hunt. Let's hope they don't fold like they did last year.

One interesting bit of news concerns a former star running back for the University of Houston, Charles Sims, apparently deciding to transfer to WVU. If true, this will give the Mountaineers at least five pretty decent backs for the coming season. If the O-line can block, maybe they have a shot at being a decent offensive team. Oh, that's right, we were a very good offensive team last year, but that didn't work out too well, record wise. So, it is still about defense. Only time will tell us whether that has improved enough to make us competitive.

We have some interesting letters this month, many about baseball. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did. Send your comments and thoughts on any sports subject to:

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Did any of you see the brawl between the Diamond Backs and the Dodgers? If not you can find it in USA Today. I don't know why any pitcher would throw at a batter on purpose and possibly cause them to lose their life or career. Kennedy of the Diamond Backs hit Greinke of the Dodgers in the head and I'm sure it was on purpose, because he started walking off the mound as the umpire signaled his ejection and just kept walking towards the dugout, when all the players from both sides came out and started the fight. I think Kennedy made it to the dugout and everyone else was doing the fighting. Three great players were involved. Don Mattingly, manager of the Dodgers, Mark McGuire, batting coach for the Dodgers and Matt Williams of the Diamond Backs. Matt Williams was the peace maker. I think they should suspend a pitcher for a year or two and maybe that would stop it. Is a ten day suspension or $100 fine more valuable than a player's life or career? I don't mind a brush back pitch but throwing at the batter is something else

Bill Jackson, WI 1943

Reply To Bill :

I did not see it live, but saw clips of it later. Even though everyone thinks the pitcher was purposely throwing at the batter, we can't prove it. This game was typical of many MLB games, where one player is hit and his pitcher tries to retaliate by hitting someone from the opposing team. It has been going on almost since the game was invented. Can it be stopped? Maybe, but I doubt if it will ever happen. MLB will never dictate the kind of punishment you suggest. In the meantime, we'll just have to grit our teeth and put up with it. Thanks for the letter. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

A little more about baseball. Does anyone remember Johnny Sain, pitcher for the Boston Braves, later the Atlanta Braves. Warren Spahn was a pitcher for the Braves also and the Boston newspaper had this ditty about them:

First we'll use Spahn
then we'll use Sain
Then an off day
followed by rain
Back will come Spahn
followed by Sain
And followed
we hope
by two days of rain.

This was later shortened to: "Spahn and Sain pray for rain" They would pitch the whole game unless they got knocked out. Today the managers replace the pitchers after a certain pitch count. I don't understand it because many times, I've seen a pitcher pitching well and the manager would take them out. Then the reliever came in and immediately gave up a home run or several runs. That happened in the Reds-Cardinals game the other night when Arroyo was pitching.

By the way, I got Johnny Sain's autograph in the early 80's when he was the pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves. He died in 2006.

Bill Jackson, W I 1943

Reply To Bill:

I certainly remember the days of the Boston Braves and their supposedly two-man pitching staff. The funny thing is that, in 1948, their last pennant year, the team had a better record in the games that neither Spahn or Sain started than they did when that duo took the mound. They lost the World Series that year to the Cleveland Indians in six games.

I agree that modern day pitchers are a bit pampered. The game is much different now than in the old days. Managers play the percentages at every turn. They monitor the pitch counts for every pitcher, but I question whether that prolongs their careers. Of course, we are all more health conscious today, but I'd like to see a study on the longevity of pitchers of old versus today's prima donnas.

Thanks for the comments and I still love the poem.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill: I always enjoy your sports discussions in the newsletter. You mentioned golf and the fact that most of us could not afford the clubs or the green fees at the local courses. My brothers and I and a few other kids from Chestnut Hills, Hartland and Stealey, would gather clubs and play at the Veterans Park. The unique thing about the course (three holes) was the “greens” were “blacks”. They were made of coal dust.

Jim Hovey, WI

Reply To Jim:

I have heard of and seen sand greens, but never greens made of coal dust. I think the sand greens had to be wet in enable to be compact enough to use as a putting surface. I assume the coal dust greens would require the same thing.

As a young boy, I had a "chipping course" in my yard, which was basically just a few holes dug into the lawn. I didn't use a golf ball, but a small rubber ball and I only had one old club. It's amazing what young people used to do for entertainment. Now all kids do is keep their heads down and their eyes on their phones or electronic games. They are missing a lot of the world around them.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Seeing the article in the sports section from Marilyn TUSTIN Jett, brought me to laugh. My brother (Bob, 60), his son (Mike), my brother-in-law (Bill, who is married to my sister (Lib, 56) who is a close friend to Marilyn) and a friend of Bill's, WERE ALSO AT THE FINAL FOUR IN ATLANTA.

Small world!

John Teter, W I 1961

Reply To John:

It truly is a small world. Now that everyone knows about Marilyn's trips to the Final Four, hopefully they will arrange a mini reunion if and when they also attend. As I've said, I have never seen the big show in person. I guess I'm waiting until Huggins takes another WVU team there, with a real chance to win. The older I get, the less I want to fight the crowds, but the Final Four would be an exception.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

The Greatest Game Ever Pitched

Being from WV in 1959, I was still a Pirates fan and Mary and I would lay in bed and listen to ball games almost every night. This night, the Pirates were playing the feared Milwaukee Braves (formerly the Boston Braves and later the Atlanta Braves) and Harvey Haddix was pitching for the Pirates. Lew Burdette was pitching for the Braves. Harvey threw 12 perfect innings and still lost in the 13th on a hit by Joe Adcock. It's the longest perfect game that's ever been pitched.

Bill Jackson, W I 1943

Reply To Bill:

I think we might have discussed this game previously, but it is a game most of us will never forget. I was in Morgantown at the time and going to WVU. That night, I was working at a service station and was listening to the game on the radio. Of course, I was hoping for a Pirate win and was heartbroken when Haddix lost it in the 13th.

I just read an article this morning mentioning Lew Burdette, who was the winning pitcher in that game and also was from West Virginia. Burdette is quoted as saying that he could claim to be the greatest pitcher ever, since he was the winner of "the greatest game ever pitched". I'm sure he has gotten a lot of laughs out of that line over the years.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill: I am not sure this is anything that will fit into your sports roundup for the Newsletter, but it is something I found among the memorabilia my husband kept of his years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It is from an article written in July, 2004, by Mike Robbins. My husband told me about this at the time, but it didn't really register with me until I came across the same story a few times. In fact, I think Mickey Furfari mentioned it also. If you can use this or if you can't, it is alright. The title of the article is:

AMAZING BASEBALL FEATS THAT VERY FEW FANS KNOW ABOUT.

"Hal Smith hit one of the most important home runs in World Series history. Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Hal Smith hit a three-run home run with two down in the bottom of the eighth inning of the seventh game in the 1960 World Series. It gave the Pirates a two-run lead with just three outs to go. Their opponent in the Series was the powerful New York Yankees, so Smith appeared to have delivered the biggest, most dramatic hit in one of the most stunning upsets in baseball history. But New York scored twice in the top of the ninth to tie the game, leaving it to Bill Mazeroski to hit a lead-off homer in the ninth for the game winner. Mazeroski would be remembered as the hero. Smith's crucial homer has been virtually forgotten.:"

Best Wishes to you and Roleta.

Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko, WI 1940

Reply To Arreta:

Thank you for sending the copy of the article. We love receiving any information about sports, particularly if it happened in the good old days.

I was personally aware of Hal Smith's dramatic home run, because someone reminded me of it a few years ago. However, I'd venture to say that most people only remember the 9th inning homer by Mazeroski. Over the years, I've always said that a foul shot missed in the first minute is just as bad as missing one at the end of the game. The same theory holds true here. Without Smith, Maz would not have been the hero.

Thanks again for sharing this with us. So far, the Pirates are "hanging in there" this year. Wouldn't it be nice to see a little of that 1960 magic suddenly appear this October?

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

SHARING MEMORIES

First, thank you Roleta and Judy for the newsletter. It has helped me remember so many good memories of my childhood/teenage years.

I lived in Clarksburg, but I grew up in Shinnston. So, here's a "shout out" to Shinnston, WV. Both of my parents were graduates of Shinnston High School, and I spent every weekend and most of my summer days in Shinnston. I stayed with my maternal grandmother/aunts/uncles, but my father's family resided just 4 blocks away. I learned to swim at the Shinnston pool. I learned to dance at the Women's Club and Moose Club teen dances, and I learned to tap dance with my teacher, Helen Jones, at the Moose Club. I took baton lessons and marched in the Lumberport parade.

The Shinnston High School band was so fabulous and especially so during the annual Frontier Days, held every second or third week in September. The majorettes spelled out SHINNSTON! and led the band down the street where everyone gathered for the Saturday parade that closed the Frontier Days celebration. We all dressed in cowboy/cowgirl outfits. I can still remember loving my boots and thinking that I was going to be a majorette for that band someday and wear those pretty boots just like the majorettes were wearing. I hoped to be chosen to wear the "!" That seemed like such an honor. My father took us to many Shinnston football games, and he was especially proud of his high school friendships with Joe Stydahar and John McKay. (Bill, I'll leave you to tell of their connection with football/Shinnston.)

Sally Anne Pulice, W I 1969

Reply To Sally:

Since Shinnston was closer to my home town, I probably knew more about that town/city as a young man than I did about Clarksburg. My great uncle Carl lived in Shinnston and his granddaughter, Meredith Sue Willis, also from Shinnston, has become a very well known author.

I always admired the ice cream shop on the main street housed in a building shaped like an upside down cone. However, my first introduction to the town was when the tornado destroyed much of the area. Being a very young boy, I was frightened of thunder storms for several years afterwards, because of that traumatic happening.

Your descriptions create a vivid picture of small-town America in the 50's. What a wonderful time it was. I always followed the Shinnston Spartans sports teams, who played in the Big Ten Conference.

Shinnston had many sports heroes and the two you mention were the most famous. Joe Stydahar played high school ball there and later played both football and basketball at WVU. He holds the distinction of being the first player ever drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1936. He played and coached in the NFL and is in the NFL Hall of Fame.

John McKay played at SHS and, after a stint in the Army Air Force during the war, eventually wound up at the University of Oregon, where he was a running back. He served as an assistant coach for many years, but finally got his chance as a head coach at USC. While there, he won four national championships. These titles are part of the 16 championships owned by coaches born in West Virginia. He then served as the head coach and in the front office for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is famous for a quote in his early days with the Bucs, who were not very good. After a really bad performance by his team, McKay was asked by a reporter what he thought of the team's execution that day. His response was, "I don't know, but I am all for it". McKay is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Thanks for your letter about another wonderful small town in our state. These towns may not be as big as they once were, but they will always have a large part of our hearts.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)


THREE WEB SITES ABOUT SPORTS

Below are three web sites sent to me by George Cinci, W I 1960. The first two deal with a familiar name, Gene Donaldson. The third site is one that was very interesting to me. It is a list of all Major League Baseball players born in West Virginia. Although I didn't do a count, it appears that Wheeling has produced the most major leaguers from our state. You will find some pretty big-time names on the list. Thanks to George for sending these to us. enjoy.

http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=WAS&lg=nfl&yr=1964

http://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT= %2Fpuath&CISOPTR=1148&DMSCALE=100.00000&DMWIDTH=600&DMHEIGHT=600&DMMO DE=viewer&DMFULL=0&DMOLDSCALE=29.41176&DMX=0&DMY=0&DMTEXT=&DMTHUMB= 1&REC=7&DMROTATE=0&x=45&y=77

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/birthplace.php?loc=West%20Virginia




1950 CLASS REUNION

submitted by: Ron Ogren (WI '50)

On April 29 and 30th, the WI class of 1950, held another reunion! The banquet was held at the Bridgeport Conference Center on the 30th with about 35 attending, including class mates and spouses. Bud Flesher, the organizer who came from California to MC this event, had the help of Jean (Atkinson) Turner (Clarksburg) and Clarence McKinley (Maryland). The dinner and service were given a "five star" rating. On Monday night before the official gathering many went to an old favorite restaurant, Minard’s for spaghetti and meat balls. Since 1950 it's been upgraded, updated, is new and improved and holds a lot of memories for our group. We also checked out the WonderBar at the top of Bridgeport Hill following the banquet as it seems we just wanted to take advantage of what was no doubt going to be our last reunion.

Attendees came from California, Florida, New York, Virginia, Tennesee, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina, and of course, WV!

This 1950 class has been very close over the years and I'm sure it will remain that way.



WEST VIRGINIA PEPPERONI ROLLS WON NATIONAL CONTEST

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)

Subject: West Virginia's famous Pepperoni roll won national contest

http://www.dailymail.com/foodandliving/201306140043





LARRY'S CHERRY CHEESECAKE

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)


We baked a half recipe in a springform pan. I love blueberries so we used them instead of cherries. As you can see in the pictures, the crust rises up and covers part of the top.

This is a smooth and creamy cherry cheesecake recipe that includes a cake mix crust for extra flavor.
Size of pan is 9x13 (Half recipe can be baked in a springform pan)

Recipe also works well for blueberries.

Prepare in this order

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

CHERRY PIE FILLING:

This will make a thin layer of cherries. If thicker layer is desired double these amounts

2 cups fresh pitted cherries
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp cornstarch

In a saucepan simmer cherries, water and sugar on low heat 15 minutes
Mix cornstarch in a bowl with 1/4 cup COLD water until smooth
Add cornstarch mixture to cherries while stirring
Stir until thick then remove from heat
Let cool
or use 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
2 eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

Mix all ingredients until smooth then set aside

CRUST:

1 box yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1/3 cup water

Mix cake mix, butter and eggs with mixer on low speed until crumbly
Mix in water until batter is a smooth thick paste
Spread 2/3 of paste/batter into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 pan
Spread remainder of paste/batter around sides only to form the shell this part will rise up the side when baked
Spoon cheese filling over cake but not all the way to the sides
Spoon cherries onto cheese filling
Bake for approx 40 minutes until set
Cool completely.

Serve with whipped topping



OLD RADIO SHOW

submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)

I wonder if there is anyone around besides me who remembers when Orson Welles had a scary story on the radio about this country being invaded by aliens. At least, I think that was the gist of it. And it was on the radio because when I was a kid that was what we listened to for news and entertainment. Anyway, I remember we were all sitting in the living room listening to the radio when this "supposedly" radio announcer came on and said we were being invaded. It was so realistic that we believed it and I remember my brothers and I moved over to sit beside our dad. Orson Welles was a genius at doing things like that. I had forgotten it until my children asked me what was the scariest time I could remember when I was growing up. I think they asked me that because of what is going on in the world right now. Maybe there is a history buff out there who can tell us more about this event

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you remember this radio show, won’t you please write and tell me your memories of it. Were you scared? Or have you heard about it and can tell us of the reaction of people. H.G. Wells, “War of the Worlds” starring Orson Wells Write to Roleta1@aol.com



CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Judy Noe Ashland (NDHS '57) Judyashland45@aol.com
Deb Yorgensen (Parkersburg Catholic High School '69) dyorgensen36@gmail.com
Thomas Reed (WI '69) Treedwi69@yahoo.com
John (Jay) Oliverio (WI '57) was: jtoliverio@bellsouth.net
is now: joliverio57@yahoo.com
Linda Holden Suter (WI '65) was: lsuter@bellsouth.net
is now: lsuter65@gmail.com



BABE BISPING CASHMAN AND HUSBAND STU
VISIT WITH
DON AND KITTY SAGER







MR. COPLIN CORDER



Do you remember this man? He was a teacher of Industrial Arts, Science and a home room teacher at Central Jr. High School. Do you have any memories about him that you can share with us?



THE MICROWAVE

submitted by: DeDe Short King (WI '94)

Back when my oldest son, Cameron was 2 1/2 and my 2nd son, Genin (youngest at the time) was only a few months, I learned a valuable lesson on how quickly kids can move!

I was going to heat my frozen bagel in the microwave when the phone rang. I set the bagel on the kitchen counter and walked upstairs away from the TV the kids were watching for some quiet. Cameron was on the couch and Genin was in his swing. In the 5 minutes I was gone, Cameron had gotten up, removed the bagel from the counter, placed it into the microwave and hit the automatic food plate button. In that 5 minutes, the smoke alarm went off. I came flying down the stairs to a room filled with smoke! I grabbed the kids, moved them to the front of the house and went to find the source of the smoke. Opening the microwave, I found a blackened, charred bagel with a flame still burning. After asking Cameron what he had done while Mommy was upstairs, his tearful reply was, "I was making you breakfast."



1921 CLARKSBURG CITY DIRECTORY

submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)

Isn’t technology wonderful? You can flip through this 1921 Clarksburg City Directory like it’s a magazine. It not only lists the businesses in Clarksburg back then, it shows a list by streets and who lived there, and what businesses were on those streets. Then it gives an alphabetical listing of residents (I assume head of household), their addresses, and where they worked. I found that my grandparents lived on Stiles St in Montpelier Addition at the time, and that my Aunt Flora, their oldest daughter, was already working and living at the same address. So it apparently only lists the kids if they were working. It also gives facts about Clarksburg that are really interesting. It shows that the population increased by over 200% from 1910 to 1920, and there were 35,000 people living within a seven cent carfare zone. I remember that the carfare was seven cents when I was a little boy, and the fuss everyone made when they took out the street cars and went to City Lines busses, then another fuss when they raised the fare to ten cents.

Notice the page that shows cities in the U.S. with populations over 25,000. Not as many as I would have thought. Clarksburg made the list and was the 4th largest city in WV in 1921. Nevada had no cities that big. And now Las Vegas is over 3X larger than Los Angeles was back then, before the Dust Bowl invasion of California. New York already had millions of people.

Note that the Directory cost $10. Big bucks in those days.

http://archive.org/stream/polksclarksburgh00rlpo#page/n1/mode/2up




IN PRAISE OF OLD FIENDSHIPS

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

I still have several close friends from the old days in Clarksburg... and West Virginia friends are still the best...by a long shot.

Jenny Heston Carr comes to mind first because I speak to her on the phone or online quite often. We share the little mundane things of life and the great moments too. We still have adventures together, though much more low key than " back in the day"! We go sunbathing on the beach, and go to movies or out for dinner sometimes. Our love and friendship falls into the BFF category. I am glad for her when she travels to Europe, which she is doing right now and she is glad for me when I do things for the first time or try something entirely new to me! Jenny is a successfully retired Elementary Teacher of 31 years in Florida Schools.

Markey Simpson Bee is a great friend at a distance from me, but one with whom I love to " catch up with " on the phone whenever possible, as her schedule is hectic, not retired , still working at a great job! Teaching College in South Carolina!

Edith Kline May lives up the road from me, and I have visited in her home and met her out at events. We keep in touch on the Internet, through her husband Billy.( also an old friend from Cburg) She is into antiques and is a wonderful artist in oils.

Melinda Mazza Sutter is still a friend; though one I seldom interact with ... there is a thread of connection unspoken for the most part, but strong and true, nevertheless. When we do speak online or phone, it is like we just spoke yesterday, nothing is missing from our friendship time and distance don't touch it. She, too, is retired from Teaching Multi-media in the Florida School System.

Judy Turbyville Riggs and I go back to the days of working together at Parsons Souders Dept. Store and have reconnected online, I recently found a photo of her now grown daughter at age two. I mailed it to her she loved seeing it again.

Many of my old friends are ones I keep up with from news flashes, one friend to another, so Cheryl McClure, Johnny Johnston, Sharon Preston, Jimmy Combs, Nancy Pollock, and Vicki Limbers are a few who come to mind here.

One final friend that I am proud to have kept is Jerry Hustead, who lost his mom within this last year. He has come to the front in helping a friend of mine from West Virginia that he never even met by loaning her the use of a vehicle after hers was rendered inoperable, thus enabling her to find a job. He has given her valuable advice and referrals and overall has been a great friend to her and I know his loving heart comes from our shared Clarksburg heritage.

Let's face it many are gone to Heaven, and we hope to see them further on. But basically I guess we all just love each other like family. We lucky ones who share the memory of a childhood and young adult years in Clarksburg, the best little big town in West Virginia!

Love you guys!



PICTURES FROM CLARKSBURG SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS ON JUNE 8, 2013

http://www.connect-bridgeport.com/connect.cfm? func=view§ion=News&item=Gallery-A-Look-Back-at-Saturdays- Sesquicentennial-Events-in-Clarksburg3924



MEMORIES

submitted by: Judy Noe Ashland (NDHS '57)

We have moved to Tennessee after a torturous struggle for 5+ years to get out of Minnesota. We love it here, no snow !!! I wanted you to have my new e mail address: Judyashland45@aol.com . I have missed receiving the newsletter; Brooke Beall found me and sent me a link. I see you are continuing to do a fine job with it and the older we all get, the more stories we have. Keep up the excellent work!

I am including a short memory.

I was a bookworm, I admit it. I loved books. There was always something new to learn, to dream about, to fantasize in books. I discovered a treasure trove of those wonderful objects in my little home town~ Clarksburg. Everyday after school at St Mary's, I would walk up Pike St and head straight for the Public Library. Oh, what a building! Surrounded by wrought iron fence, the house looked right out of Margaret Mitchell's novel "Gone with the Wind". The long walkway led to a beautiful red brick Southern style mansion. The door was unbelievably heavy as though it was protecting the treasures that laid inside. Once inside, the aroma of old leather and musty books caught ones nostrils; it was intoxicating! The dimly lit rooms were embellished with heavy leather stuffed chairs, floor lamps and thick Oriental rugs. The main floor of the library was designed for the general public offering fiction, non fiction, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines and a very stern librarian who maintained control of the comings and goings, checking out or in of books and strictly enforcing the no talking rule. The silence was deafening. Usually very distinguished and elderly men were settled in their chairs, totally absorbed in their reading. I had to cross this hallway and make my way up the stairs to the children's area. A utopia of battles, mysteries, suspense was all in one room. The quiet rule applied here also. I would wander the aisles, pick up a book, check it out and read it while walking home. This process continued into my high school years when I graduated to the adult section. I would have rather been at this wonderful place than anywhere else. It was my friend and my mentor. It allowed me to widen my interests and opened up new worlds that I otherwise would not have known.'

I understand that the library is gone now and I mourn its loss. As a young girl leaving grade school, I made the decision to not attend Central Jr. High and to attend St Mary's. It was a difficult adjustment and I found solace and a sense of being in that grand old building. Clarksburg Public Library was my best friend and it will always live in my memories.



MODEL T-FORD

submitted by: Charles Ferrell (WI '46)

Here is a close copy of the Ford Model T truck that my grandfather Selby used to drive to the Love Point Ferry terminal on Kent Island to take the ferry "Smokey Joe" to Baltimore to buy items for his country store. This ferry has been discontinued and there are now two five mile long bridges connecting the eastern and western shores of the Chesapeake Bay.





OLD PACKARD

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)



Last month I used a picture of my mom and dad and their car. I thought it was a Packard and asked the readers if they knew what it was. My thanks to Charles McClung WI 1948 for the identification and picture. It is a 1925-26 Packard Runabout.



Filming will begin on June 11, 2013 in Hollywood of the upcoming movie

WIZARDREAM

with

Bridgeport High School's
Mayf Nutter as Mr. Terrence Thatcher.

Click for a short 1 minute 20 second insight into the movie.

https://www.facebook.com/mayf.nutter/posts/552878084763456? comment_id=5726327&offset=0&total_comments=10#!/photo.php? v=566014870109393&set=vb.557461247631422&type=2&theater




REGARDING THE TEACHERS AT WI

submitted by: Mary Virgina Duncan (Johnson) Wilke (WI '55)

Enjoyed the May newsletter as usual. Thanks for printing my item.

Regarding the teachers at WI:

1. Principal Mr Cubbon and his secretary, Miss Custer. They were always there for you and were so pleasant to be around. They seemed to know each student and greeted us with warmth every day, at least in my four years at WI.

2. My favorite teacher by far was Maude Yoak! She taught my Mom when she attended WIHS! She made English fun and our class consisted mainly of girls with 4 boys. So you can imagine the fun there. She had us write a lot of essays and she was a bookworm, so I naturally fit in her class! She told a lot of stories of her teaching years and was just a fascinating women! She made learning fun!

3. Mr. Fredrick was a fun teacher in American History. We filled notebooks of fallacies and I learned so very much of our American history there that I would not have learned from just the textbooks.

4. I loved to sing and of course, when I joined the Cappella Choir I was so excited! I was disappointed my freshman year that I didn't make it and Mr. Mayer, who was a member of my church, seemed to be disappointed, too! But the following 3 years I was in my senior year, four of us formed a quartet and had such fun.

5. I took 4 yrs of Home Economics and so my love of sewing took over. My best teacher was Ms Jarvis as she taught us how to sew specially dresses and suits! My freshman year- cooking was taught by another of my Mom's teachers - Lillian Moore. This dear teacher taught us how to hold a Proper Tea Party. Not much use in my life but I loved the Tea!!

6. My only regret in HS, was that by my senior year, I was so wrapped up in my boyfriend that I didn't make the Honor Roll and didn't join more clubs! I was capable but teenage love won over learning and continuing friendships over the years.

7. There's been a lot said about Ms Nutter, but I can't remember whether I ever told my experience with her. She was my counselor and Latin teacher. I went to her after a month and told her that Latin to me was a dead language and that since I was not going into the medical field, I saw no use for it. She listened and agreed and helped me change my courses to business. She remained my counselor and was always gracious to me.

Roleta, that's all for now. Looking forward to the next newsletter. Thank you again for all the news about my favorite state!!



submitted by: Bill Jackson (WI '43)

Mrs Tiennebrunne was the nicest teacher I ever had and I want to thank her for being so nice and putting up with my poor Spanish. My wife and I volunteered at McCurdy Mission school in Espanola, NM off and on for 21 years and the Spanish helped me a lot. Although I could never converse in Spanish I could understand it some. I found the Spanish people very nice. Also to my Algebra teacher, whom I'm sorry I don't remember his name, I would like to thank a lot. He was always very nice to me and encouraged me. He even encouraged me to learn the squares to 25, which I did on my paper route. I remember he had an ulcer and was drinking milk every now and then. I always made A's and B's in Algebra but English was a different story. I always did very well in grammar but Literature was totally foreign to me. I just could never seem to get all of that Sir Lancelot stuff and Maude Yoak gave me the only E that I ever had. She was a very nice teacher but that didn't help me.

I remember a girl that sat in the last row beside me that I was always trying to impress by breaking pencils with a folded dollar bill. I would always fake it the first two times but the second or third time I would break it in two pieces. I don't believe I ever told her how I did it but I would bend my knuckle a little and break the pencil with it but I did it so fast that you couldn't see it. I don't think I ever impressed her. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the girl or my Algebra Teacher but I lost my yearbook in all the moving around that we did.

Vaya con Dios



MOORES OPERA HOUSE

submitted by: George Cinci (WI '60)

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/21092




EARLY CLARKSBURG COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY FILM FROM 1919

submitted by: George Cinci (WI '60)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOxt2s7p5vg




THE JUNE MYSTERY PICTURE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Judy really picked a good one this month….



submitted by: Chuck Wilson (WI '67)

The June mystery picture, looks like the Sun Valley Motel on Rt 50 West. I believe there was a Dairy King close by.

Thank you for all the work put into this News letter, really enjoy the reading and seeing the names.



submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)

This is the Suncrest Courts motel---Around 1958-Located 5 miles West of Clarksburg on Rt 50.....The owners were Mr & Mrs Ansel Myers



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

I think that the building in the "mystery picture" is out on Route 50, right at the intersection where you turn to go to Oral Lake. If I am correct, there were various businesses in the building, but today there is a pottery store in the front portion. I am not sure how long that has been there or what other stores were in the (so-called today) "strip mall".



THE JULY MYSTERY PICTURE



This picture is really a mystery. We don't know the identification of this house. Can you help us? Please write to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember to add a memory and include your name, school and year of graduation. Thanks.



CARPENTER FAMILY OF BAXTON COUNTY

submitted by: Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith (WI '64)
skeith1514@aol.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are interested in discussing the following information, please contact Sherry Keith at email address given.

http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/976

This particular article discusses the Carpenter Family of Braxton County who are the maternal family of Don Douglas of Clarksburg, and my daughter Shahn's grandmother's family (on her father's maternal side) side.

Great site for looking up all things WV!

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are researching genealogy and would like to contact others who may be researching the same family, send me a very brief description of the family, etc and I will print it in the newsletter. I will only print one each month. Send it to Roleta1@aol.com.



SCHOLARSHIP WINNER WRITES:

This is Teague Wagner and I am the student from Robert C. Byrd that Mr. Wilkinson recommended to you! I just wanted to touch base with you and thank you for the opportunity!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Teague will be attending Alderson Broaddus College this fall and will be #65 on their football team. He just returned from a work-out camp in June.

EDITOR’S NOTE; Aren’t you glad you are a part of this boys future and through your giving to the WIN Scholarship, his first year of education will be made possible.

REMEMBER, we have given $44,000.00 to Clarksburg students through the WIN SCHOLARSHIP.

THANK YOU TO:

Carl Lloyd (WI 1942) who sent a nice gift to the WIN scholarship

Carl’s check was the only one received in May and no money was received in June.

I hope you won’t let this scholarship die out. If you don’t send money we won’t have enough to continue giving back to our home town through educating the youth.

I left Clarksburg in 1960 but it still has a major place in my heart and I think this scholarship is a terrific way for us to say thank you………..just write your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN SCHOLARSHIP (for any amount) and send to:

Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

Thank you



DID YOU STAY IN OR LEAVE WEST VIRGINIA?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com and tell us your story.

Here is one who is sharing why he stayed in West Virginia.

I DIDN’T LEAVE WEST VIRGINIA AND I AM GLAD I DIDN’T

submitted by: Lyle Corder (RW '57)

I graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School in 1957. I attended West Virginia University until our money ran out and got my college degree several years later, attending night school. We have lived in several cities in WV; namely, Clarksburg, Nutter Fort, Belington, Fairmont and now Bridgeport. In the middle of all these moves, I served in the U.S. Army. My wife and I have been married over 53 years, have four children and lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren. All live in West Virginia.

Why didn’t we move to another state? Would we be happier if we had moved? Of course, we will never know the answer to the second question. I’ll take a shot at the first question.

I am, by nature, a rather conservative person. Basically, if I am very happy where I am or at what I am doing, I see no reason to change or to move in this case. I was lucky enough to get a good job with a good company even before I finally got my degree. They promoted from within, so I was able to continually move up the ladder, so to speak.

Staying near home has its benefits. Both our parents lived here and we were able to look after their needs until they passed on. This is a blessing that moving away simply does not allow. I can only imagine the heartache of knowing one’s parents need help and you are too far away to do all you would like to do.

It is nice to drive down the same streets and visit some of the same stores and restaurants you frequented as a youth. Never a week goes by that I don’t see some of my friends from my days in high school and college. I play golf regularly with guys I went to school with and we enjoy talking about incidents from the past. Of course we have made a lot of new friends, too. Just because we stayed here, doesn’t mean we are in some kind of “time lock” and don’t reach out to new people, things and experiences.

Of course, we enjoy the beauty of West Virginia. But, we have traveled to other states and countries. And, we have TV, too. We know first hand that our state is not the only beautiful place on earth. I live about two hours from Pittsburg and they have just about every kind of entertainment a person would want to attend. I understand that a two hour drive is not uncommon in many larger cities.

I guess it kind of boils down to this: if you are happy where you are, and, are happy with the person you are with, why make a change? I can tell you this, many former West Virginians have moved back home after retirement. Some, like me, like to live in a place with four distinct seasons of weather. Some just want to come HOME.

My comments in know way are meant to imply that others should not have left the state. I know the job situation has not always been good in West Virginia. Each person had a reason for leaving and they were good reasons. I can tell you that things are booming in the central part of the state where I live. The natural gas drilling is a wild thing to see. Your former neighbors, just might be part of the lucky bunch who are getting rich overnight from their mineral rights. Some are now millionaires.

I got lucky. I found everything I needed right here where I was raised. Maybe there is something else I need and I don’t even know about it. Oh well… So far, I have lived a full and happy life. One final thought: I have NEVER heard a person who chose to stay in West Virginia, say they were sorry they stayed, NEVER.


MISS TIENNEBRUNNE (THREE SPANISH STUDENTS HAVE DIFFERENT STORIES)

submitted by: Anthony L. Bellotte (WI '57)

In 1957 I took Spanish I from Miss Tiennebrunne and although I did like the course, I did not do well in it because I was just too busy being the class clown. My loss. Anyway I received a D- which got me through my Senior year but just! I went into the US Navy in 1958 and the Navy decided that they needed more linguists and began giving us language aptitude tests. Believe it or not I scored very high on the language aptitude test and was selected to attend an All Officer School, The Naval Intelligence School in Washington, D.C. It was a 19 week immersion course, that is 6 1/2 days a week, 12 hours a day, Believe it or not I graduated Number 1 in my class. And when I graduated I was/am fluent in the language today. Before reporting to my new Duty Station in Puerto Rico, I returned to Clarksburg on two weeks leave. I could not resist going back to WI and visiting Miss Tiennebrunne and demonstrating my newly acquired skill. I waited outside one of her classes and when it was over she came out and I started speaking with her in Spanish. She looked at me strangely and then said, "Oh, I am sorry, I don't speak Spanish, I only teach it, I speak French". She wanted to know how I had become fluent in the language and I could not help but tell her, I learned the basics from her, in her Spanish Class, which inspired me, and then I just continued expanding my skill. I am sure she did not remember the grade (D-) that I received but she was amazed that I had decided to continue my language learning. I think/hope that it made her day. I continued my language training with the Navy and other government civilian organizations and speak several languages today. But I am happy I had the opportunity to make Miss Tiennebrunne happy that day.


submitted by: Bill Jackson (WI '43)

Thanks, Roleta, for putting that picture of Mrs Tiennebrunne in the newsletter. She was much younger in 1943 and I believe she hadn't been teaching very long when I had her. I used to stand watch on a 40MM gun mount (USS Colorado) with a sailor of Spanish descent, Jesus Madrid, and I would say something in Spanish to him. He would just laugh and laugh at me. My accent must have sounded pretty funny to him. Jesus did teach me a couple of songs, "La Cucaracha" and "Jalisco" and I still remember some of the words.

I wish I had looked Mrs Tiennebrunne up when I got out of service, but that was not to be. She was a wonderful teacher.

Vaya con Dios


submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)

I had 2 years of Spanish with Miss Tiennebrunne and really enjoyed the class. She wanted us to have Spanish names and we picked our own. Some had names that could be translated into Spanish. For example Martha became Marta, Charles became Carlos, John became Juan. My name, Judy, didn't translate so I chose to be called Eva which in Spanish is pronounced Ava.

Below is a picture of my senior Spanish class.


Miss Tiennebrunne is standing in front of the windows.

In the first row L-R: Mike Swiger, John Murphy, Phil Carter, Chuch Bibbee, Martin (Sonny) Ashland
2nd row L-R: John Stealey, Mary Claire Meredino, Martha Frey, ME, Connie Bailey
3rd row L-R: Bernard Snyder, Carolyn White, Mark Garrett, Sandy Creighton, Sheila Brenneman

I can't see the last row well enough to identify anyone.

I'm sorry if I got any of the ID's wrong. It's been 50+ years since I've seen some of them.



A LETTER

submitted by: Patricia Dela Tejera
patdelatejera@yahoo.com

Letter to: T.P Keenan (WI 1949) tpkeenan@frontier.com

Subject: Donald Wade/ failure notice

Dear TP, How wonderful to read your letter in the WI Newsletter today.

Thank you for being a part of the effort to rename the bridge in Quiet Dell.

My brother, Larry Joe Ford, and I were in grade school in Quiet Dell when it was a 2 room school, from 1st grade to 6th grade. When I was in 4th grade, I believe in 1943-44, I remember a great injustice, and my inability to speak out and defend Donald Wade has always haunted me. I believe Don was in the 5th grade, and sat in the middle row of the 2nd room. Mrs. Blooma (?) Stuart taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in the first room, nearest the highway. Mr. McKinley taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in the 2nd room. One day that was very warm, and must have been during the noon hour, Don had fallen asleep with his head on his desk. He was not wearing a shirt. Mr. McKinley crept up behind him and brought down a V-shaped switch on Don's bare back with great force. I was a witness, and was shocked at such brutality. Being a country girl, I lacked social skills and did not have the courage to protest against authority. It has been on my conscience all my life.

I often wonder how the school was heated during winter. I remember a pot bellied stove in the 2nd room, but don't remember any in the 1st room. I loved that school, and the games we played at recess. I remember that my mother, Winona Carder Ford, was president of the farm women’s club, and was instrumental in instituting a bowl of hot soup to accompany the sandwiches that we all brought from home. Later we were even given a paper carton of milk for lunch. My sister, Mickie Ford Brumage, and I would like any memories or newspaper clippings about Mom that anyone might share with us. Mom was very modest, and never sent us a clipping when she was written up in the Exponent for being the first woman Chief Tax Deputy in Harrison County, and the first to ever finish the tax books on time and not have to ask for an extension, which had been the norm. That was when Toots Crawford was sheriff. (And to think I used to be a good speller! )

Warmest regards to all, from Patricia Anne Ford la Tejera age 80 and proud of it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Pat---I don’t have you listed on my email list. I am so glad that you read the newsletter. Would you please send me the year you did or would have graduated and the name of the high school. thanks



AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE

ENJOY

Country Roads by Olivia Newton-John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZxNkS0w5g8




REMEMBERING CLARKSBURG

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Cooper wrote his memories of Clarksburg and sent them to the newsletter. I know that you will enjoy reading them as much as I have; therefore, I have cut this into installments. This is the third installment and I will put one in each of the next few month until we have read all the memories that he sent.

MEMORIES

Third Installment

submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)

Nelson Rockefeller, when running for president, appeared on the Harrison County Court House plaza signing autographs, when a frizzled little old lady pushed a blank bank check book at him, he started to sign it but then suddenly said, “I’m sorry madam, you almost got me, but I have spent enough money already here in West Virginia.” Milton Furner, the news photographer at WBOY-TV and I were standing on a couple chairs and witnessed that. We fell off laughing. I was with WBOY-TV and WJPB-(later WDTV) television stations when they went on the air. I did the news, weather, staff announcing and a weekday half hour live studio kid’s show at each station. That’s another hour I could spend here. We did “Soupy Sales” pie throwing format comedy. (Shaving Cream) Important people in town requested to be on the show as a guest to get hit with a pie. It was a lot of fun. Too bad TV stations don’t do the “live” kids shows any more. They were very popular. I would receive bushel baskets full of fan letters each week. Before when I worked at the local newspaper I was in the office of the publisher, Cecil B. Highland, Sr. in his office in the Empire Bank Building, and asked if he was going to start a TV station in town since there were TV channels available. He looked directly at me and stated, “There is a great newspaper in this city, there is no need for a television station.” We could not mention the words RADIO or TELEVISION in stories or ads in the newspaper. And at that time, no writer could have a by-line. Just a couple years later I was a film booker at Warner Brothers on film row in Washington, DC. The White House called over for a “special film”. I worked to piece together from 4 junked prints to make one complete “Riding Shot Gun” starring Randolph Scott. On the sidewalk we loaded the 3 heavy metal 35mm cans into a sleek big black limousine. The President was hosting some friends at a special movie party that evening; I truly had offers to transfer to WB headquarters in California. I came back to Clarksburg for a very good reason. A long time friend, Bill Allman and I drove back to Washington, DC to acquire a FCC license to build a new TV station in Clarksburg. Bill already had a studio site and some equipment in Adamson. Channel 35TV was available. We gave up after being fought by the local TV stations that there would be too many TV stations here and not enough advertising money available for another one. So, Bill, a brilliant engineer, built a local FM Radio station, got it on the air and was the Sports Director, doing live play by play sports events for 12 years. We were also the voice of Salem College basketball and baseball that took us to Louisville, KY for a national playoff game.

When John F. Kennedy, running for president, visited Clarksburg, he walked into the studios at WBOY-TV and Milton Furner told him to just sit down there and he would eventually take his picture. After Kennedy won the National election as president, there was that picture framed and hanging on the wall as you entered the studios of WBOYTV.

Many famous people visited Clarksburg. Edward Kenney, lead a political parade down Main Street one evening carrying a bright burning torch that lit up downtown Clarksburg.



A FINAL TOAST FOR THE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS

by: Bob Greene CNN Contributor
Sun April 14, 2013

EDITOR'S NOTE: CNN Contributor Bob Greene is a bestselling author whose 25 books include "Late Edition: A Love Story"; "Duty: A Father, His Son, and the Man Who Won the War"; and "Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen."

(CNN) -- It's the cup of brandy that no one wants to drink. On Tuesday, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the surviving Doolittle Raiders will gather publicly for the last time.

They once were among the most universally admired and revered men in the United States. There were 80 of the Raiders in April 1942, when they carried out one of the most courageous and heart-stirring military operations in this nation's history. The mere mention of their unit's name, in those years, would bring tears to the eyes of grateful Americans.

Now only four survive.

After Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, with the United States reeling and wounded, something dramatic was needed to turn the war effort around.

Even though there were no friendly airfields close enough to Japan for the United States to launch a retaliation, a daring plan was devised. Sixteen B-25s were modified so that they could take off from the deck of an aircraft carrier. This had never before been tried -- sending such big, heavy bombers from a carrier.

The 16 five-man crews, under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, who himself flew the lead plane off the USS Hornet, knew that they would not be able to return to the carrier. They would have to hit Japan and then hope to make it to China for a safe landing.

But on the day of the raid, the Japanese military caught wind of the plan. The Raiders were told that they would have to take off from much farther out in the Pacific Ocean than they had counted on. They were told that because of this they would not have enough fuel to make it to safety.

And those men went anyway.

They bombed Tokyo, and then flew as far as they could. Four planes crashlanded; 11 more crews bailed out, and three of the Raiders died. Eight more were captured; three were executed. Another died of starvation in a Japanese prison camp. One crew made it to Russia.

The Doolittle Raid sent a message from the United States to its enemies, and to the rest of the world:

We will fight.

And, no matter what it takes, we will win.

Of the 80 Raiders, 62 survived the war. They were celebrated as national heroes, models of bravery. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced a motion picture based on the raid; "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," starring Spencer Tracy and Van Johnson, was a patriotic and emotional box-office hit, and the phrase became part of the national lexicon. In the movie-theater previews for the film, MGM proclaimed that it was presenting the story "with supreme pride."

Beginning in 1946, the surviving Raiders have held a reunion each April, to commemorate the mission. The reunion is in a different city each year. In 1959, the city of Tucson, Arizona, as a gesture of respect and gratitude, presented the Doolittle Raiders with a set of 80 silver goblets. Each goblet was engraved with the name of a Raider.

Every year, a wooden display case bearing all 80 goblets is transported to the reunion city. Each time a Raider passes away, his goblet is turned upside down in the case at the next reunion, as his old friends bear solemn witness.

Also in the wooden case is a bottle of 1896 Hennessy Very Special Cognac. The year is not happenstance: 1896 was when Jimmy Doolittle was born.

There has always been a plan: When there are only two surviving Raiders, they would open the bottle, at last drink from it, and toast their comrades who preceded them in death.

As 2013 began, there were five living Raiders; then, in February, Tom Griffin passed away at age 96.

The name may be familiar to those of you who regularly read this column; in 2011, I wrote about the role Mr. Griffin played at his son's wedding.

What a man he was. After bailing out of his plane over a mountainous Chinese forest after the Tokyo raid, he became ill with malaria, and almost died. When he recovered, he was sent to Europe to fly more combat missions. He was shot down, captured, and spent 22 months in a German prisoner of war camp.

The selflessness of these men, the sheer guts ... there was a passage in the Cincinnati Enquirer obituary for Mr. Griffin that, on the surface, had nothing to do with the war, but that emblematizes the depth of his sense of duty and devotion:

"When his wife became ill and needed to go into a nursing home, he visited her every day. He walked from his house to the nursing home, fed his wife and at the end of the day brought home her clothes. At night, he washed and ironed her clothes. Then he walked them up to her room the next morning. He did that for three years until her death in 2005."

So now, out of the original 80, only four Raiders remain: Dick Cole (Doolittle's copilot on the Tokyo raid), Robert Hite, Edward Saylor and David Thatcher. All are in their 90s. They have decided that there are too few of them for the public reunions to continue.

The events in Fort Walton Beach this week will mark the end. It has come full circle; Florida's nearby Eglin Field was where the Raiders trained in secrecy for the Tokyo mission.

The town is planning to do all it can to honor the men: a six-day celebration of their valor, including luncheons, a dinner and a parade.

Do the men ever wonder if those of us for whom they helped save the country have tended to it in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice? They don't talk about that, at least not around other people. But if you find yourself near Fort Walton Beach this week, and if you should encounter any of the Raiders, you might want to offer them a word of thanks. I can tell you from firsthand observation that they appreciate hearing that they are remembered.

The men have decided that after this final public reunion they will wait until a later date -- some time this year -- to get together once more, informally and in absolute privacy. That is when they will open the bottle of brandy. The years are flowing by too swiftly now; they are not going to wait until there are only two of them.

They will fill the four remaining upturned goblets.

And raise them in a toast to those who are gone.



ANOTHER WW II STORY

BUT THIS ONE YOU CAN WATCH ON YOUR COMUTER

It starts off a little slow then it gets interesting..........

I thoroughly enjoyed this …. on June 6th, D-Day!

Who says "There are no old, bold pilots?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ie3SrjLlcUY&feature=player_embedded




OLD TV SHOWS

Thanks to Bill Cowgill (WI '59)

Here is a link to some old TV shows. Hope you enjoy it..

MEMORIES

https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JEfotdZCguk&pop_ads=null




OBITUARIES


MARY FRANCES HARBERT WILLIAMS
(WI 1959)



It was a great day to fly Sunday, May 26, 2013, when Mary Frances Williams, 72, of Reynoldsville met Jesus. She passed peacefully at United Hospital Center listening to her Gaither’s CDs and surrounded by her family and loved ones.

She was born April 20, 1941, in Harrison County, a daughter of the late Lory Lemuel and Jessie May Regester Harbert.

Frances had fond memories of growing up in Country Club and on Davis Street with her five sisters: Betty Mucha, Nadine Harbert, Avanell Ours, Beverly Harbert and Bonnie Schellenberger.

She graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1959 and worked several jobs, including Merrill’s Printing and Engraving, Mercer’s Drug Store, Craig’s Automotive, Avis Rent-A-Car, Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Chico Dairy and retired as a secretary/biller from Tolley Electric Company. She was also known as the Avon lady where she had a route covering most of Clarksburg.

She is survived by her daughters, Brenda Lee “Swiger” Myers and husband “Bud” of Reynoldsville and Marla Jo “Swiger” Sprouse of Clarksburg; granddaughters, Melissa Ann O’Connell and husband Nathan of Clarksburg, Samantha Jo Myers, Courtney Frances Myers and Janelle Brooke Myers of Reynoldsville; and great-grandsons, Ezekiel “Zeke” Myers-Ellis and Preston Michael Hinebaugh.

Also surviving are her nieces and nephews, Stephanie Kopp and husband Paul, Shelby Cain and husband “Mudd,” Mike Mucha and wife Darlene, Kathy Lucente and husband Tony, and Nick Ours; and several other special family and friends she held dear to her heart.

She enjoyed having company and baking homemade treats to serve them, bowling, fishing, dancing, playing bingo, scratch-offs, singing silly songs, family celebrations, attending church, traveling with her friend Carolyn Mayle King, trips with her family, and story-telling. Her witty sense of humor and spunky personality will never be forgotten.



NICK CARBACIO

Nick Carbacio, 83, of Clarksburg died May 26, 2013, in the UPMC Hospital, Pittsburgh, following an extended illness.

He was at Dawson Mines, WV, a son of the late Joe and Anna Marie “Mary” Lopez Carbacio. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lenora Joan Pandora Carbacio.

Also surviving are two sons, Joseph Carbacio and his wife Janet of Clarksburg and Kevin Carbacio and his wife Kim of Bridgeport; four grandchildren, Jennifer Barton and her husband Greg, Nicholas Carbacio, Kasie Carbacio and Megan Carbacio; one great-grandson, Andrew Barton; and several nieces and nephews.

Nick was owner and operator of Nick’s Union 76, where he worked alongside his son, Joe, and retired after 47 years service. He began his business in Adamston and then later moved to Edgewood.

He graduated from Victory High School in 1948, where he was captain of the football team. Nick was an All-State football player and played in the North-South football game. After graduation, he had offers to play Division I football, but chose to enlist in the U.S. Army and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. While in the military, he played TDY football, an Army league.



BRENDA SHAFFER McCANN

Brenda Shaffer McCann, age 58, of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life at home on Monday, May 27, 2013, following a sudden illness with her husband by her side.

She was born on Dec. 10, 1954, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of Alan J. Shaffer of Clarksburg and the late Martha J. (Maxson) Shaffer.

Also surviving are her husband, Larry W. McCann, whom she married on Oct. 16, 1976; her aunt, Phyliss Zoeffphel, VA, uncle Sam and aunt Susie Maxson, cousin, Michelle, sister-in-law, Patricia “Patty” Phillips and her grandchildren of Nutter Fort.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded by her grandparents, Asa and Evelyn Shaffer and Denzil and Alice Maxson.

She was a member of the last graduating Class of 1973, Victory High School.



JOHN RONALD MARPLE

John Ronald Marple, 56, of Mount Clare, ascended to heaven Monday, May 27, 2013, at United Hospital Center following an extended illness.

He was born September 26, 1956, in Clarksburg, WV, son of the late Delbert and Donna Foutty Marple.

John is survived by his loving wife, Kelly Lee (daughter of William and Carole Flowers of Clarksburg), whom he married on September 6, 1974.

He is also survived by his daughters, Julie R. Cochran and husband David of Keyser, WV, and Carie L. Willis and husband Robert of Gulfport, MS; daughter in-law, Christy Marple Drieling of Ludlow, OH; his grandchildren, Audrey and “DJ” David John Cochran, Carley and Josie Marple, Olivia, D’Andre and Robert “Bert” Willis; two brothers, David Marple and wife Tammy and Joe Marple and companion Darbie Lymer of Clarksburg; one sister, Karen and husband Mike Vaughan of Clarksburg; one sister-in-law, Tara and husband Mike Luton of Fort Pierce, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his loving son, Joshua Jon, and sister-in- law, Melanie Flowers.

John was a 1974 graduate of Liberty High School. He was employed as the East Coast distributor for Enlon and Star Woodworking Machinery and later drove for CENTRA Busing. He loved hunting, woodworking and spending time with family. His pride and joy were his seven grandchildren. John was a loyal Steelers and Mountaineer



ROBERT SMALLWOOD
(VHS 1956)

Robert “Bob” M. Smallwood, beloved husband of Sandra “Sancie” Coffindaffer Smallwood, passed peacefully on June 11, 2013 at the Ruby Memorial Hospital in his 75th year.

He was born April 27, 1938 in Clarksburg, WV; son of the late Herman E. and Agnes Floyd Smallwood.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, he is survived by three daughters: Pamela S. Courtney and husband Randy of Morgantown; Robyn L. Smallwood and companion Rick D’Annunzio of Clarksburg; Wendi D. Sidwell and husband Larry of Avon, NC; one step grandson, Eric Courtney of Santa Monica, CA; one sister, Jane Merandi and husband Albert of Clarksburg; one brother-in-law, Robert Knight of Clarksburg; one adopted sister, Betty McAlexander and husband Walter of Mt. Airy, MD and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Eleanor Knight.

Bob graduated from Victory High School in 1956. He attended Alderson Broaddus College. He spent 50 years working for Mon Power/Allegheny Power/ First Energy Company as a Utility Worker. He was a United States Air Force veteran who proudly served five years and part of that in Okinawa, Japan. Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg and actively involved with the choir. He was also a devoted member of the Harrison County YMCA, Sunny Croft and Clarksburg County Club golf courses and the B.P.O Elks #482

He was a classmate of Buzz Floyd’s at Victory and Buzz tells us:

Bob Smallwood was in my class, VHS 1956, as was his wife, Sancie. Two really wonderful people. Bob lettered in football, basketball, and track, and was in the Glee Club, and A Cappella choir.



ANNABELLE WHITE

Annabelle White, of Bridgeport, passed peacefully at Meadowview Manor, on May 21, 2013, in her 92nd year after a brief illness.

She was born on April 6, 1921, in Doddridge County, daughter of the late A.W. Adams and Margaret Elizabeth Snider Adams Rice.

She is survived by a sister, Mary Margaret Hood of Bridgeport; 5 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis E. “Pete” White in 1988; great-nephew, David Andrew Hood; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ralph and Laura George.

Annabelle graduated from W.I. High School in 1938 and later graduated from the WV Business College. She enjoyed playing bridge, doing jigsaw puzzles and collecting antique glassware.



PAUL D. HARDMAN

Paul D. Hardman, 66, of Clarksburg, passed away unexpectedly on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, 2013, at his residence.

He was born in Clarksburg on March 17, 1947, a son of the late Paul Jacob and Virginia (Taylor) Hardman.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Ware Hardman, whom he married October 29, 2006.

Also surviving are two sons, Eddie (Shawna) Hardman; and Michael Hardman and his companion Kurt; five daughters, Angel Dawn Hardman (James) Cox, Jennifer Martin Prince, Sarah Gail Albright, Stephanie Leeza Long, and Rebecca Martin and her companion Danni, and his grandchildren; a brother, Mike (Linda) Hardman; a sister, Patricia Nicholson.

He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Dewayne Hardman.

Paul was a graduate of WI High School. He was a truck driver, having driven for Morgan Mail, Shuman Mail Contracting and Nowsco Well Service. He was the owner and operator of Mountaineer Phone Center, from 1987-1992, and started Hardman’s Towing in 2002. He was a former police officer for the Town of Anmoore and was a member of the Anmoore Volunteer Fire Department for over 34 years as a firefighter and driver. He was a currently a van driver with Community Action.

He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed carpentry and was Catholic by faith.



JACK LEON FREELAND

Jack Leon Freeland, 75, of Quiet Dell, passed away following complications of surgery on Sunday, June 16, 2013.

He was born in Bridgeport on Aug. 17, 1937, the son of the late Robert L. and Pauline V. (Zinn) Freeland.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Marilyn Ann (Spencer) Freeland, whom he married on Aug. 6, 1960.

He is survived by his daughters, Jacqueline Ann (Freeland) Patterson and her husband, Steve, Quiet Dell, and Cindy Lee Freeland of Midlothian, Va. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Alicia Ann Betarie of Quiet Dell and Hannah Olivia Peters and Clarice Isabella Peters, both of Midlothian, Va.; two sisters, Jean Prange of Burkburnett, Texas, and Joan Lafferty and her husband, Robert, Quiet Dell; and three nephews.

Jack was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1956. He was a veteran of the Army and a 32nd- degree member of the Masonic Lodge 155, Clarksburg.

Jack held several jobs throughout his lifetime, including working for his father at the filling station they owned in Nutter Fort, PPG Glass, Kitt Energy Mines, and the Department of Highways, from which he retired. He was a member of the Quiet Dell United Methodist Church.

Jack enjoyed camping, fishing, visiting family and friends and lending a helping hand whenever needed. He loved his time spent with his granddaughters and enjoyed teaching them how to fish, ride bikes and 4-wheelers and got them interested in boating. He was an avid fan of the exciting high bank dirt racing at Eldora Speedway. His favorite races were the World 100 and the Dream. He enjoyed camping there with his racing buddies and the great friendships he acquired through campfire conversations and rooting on his favorite drivers.





Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index