THE WI NEWSLETTER 05/14

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 177

May 2014

NOTE FROM JUDY: I would like to thank everyone for the cards and emails following my recent illness. I wish I could find the words to express exactly how much I appreciated them. I was overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. I am doing much better and I know that your prayers and get well wishes helped.

THANK YOU

Judy and I were very surprised to find the wonderful recognition given to us and the WI Newsletter in Segment 5 of the WI History last month.

I have been wanting to tell you about an event that made me cry, have goose bumps and the hairs stand up on my arms. If you believe in a greater power, one who knows all., the one I call my GOD, then read this brief story.

In about June or so of 2013, I thought it would be wonderful if we could have a history of WI written for the newsletter. It really weighed heavy on my heart that some way that dear old school should be honored for being around 100 years. I gave it so much thought but I knew I didn't have the ability to do it. I asked several people if they would do it for me but no one would. I had the idea that there would be some history about W I in 2 or 3 months newsletters leading up to the month when the Centennial would be held in Clarksburg—(I had heard rumors of some planning’s of a Centennial). I really tried and felt let down that I couldn't make it happen.

On September 3, 2013, I received an email from Tim Cork....he wanted to talk to me about an idea he had about something leading up to the Centennial Celebrations...SOUND FAMILIAR? I didn’t know Tim well but had met him a couple of times. I wrote him an email and told him to call me whenever he wanted. When he called and told me his idea, I cried, I had goose bumps, there was truly something happening here. He was planning on copying the yearbooks but he didn’t know how on earth he could do it in 2 or 3 months which was my idea. I was so excited, I said then do it however you want. He had no idea that I had been trying to find someone to do a history of WI for the newsletter. He explained it would be exclusively for the newsletter. My God was in control. God works in mysterious ways. Now you know the story behind the WI History.

Now FOR AN UPDATE. Many year books have been loaned to Tim. He has copied them and returned all of them to their owners. However, he is still missing a few. Here are the UPDATES TO THE WI HISTORY that were done in April so check them out. You might find some relative or someone you know.

1920, 1921, 1922 were added to segment one. 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1946 were added to segment three

SEVERAL YEARBOOKS ARE STILL NEEDED
FOR
THE WI HISTORY
Below is a list of yearbooks that Tim still needs in order to complete the WI History. I hope that you can or know someone who will lend Tim some of these yearbooks. It is simple to loan the books to Tim, just take them to the Post Office and they have a box you can ship them in for a set price. Then Tim will copy all needed information from the yearbooks and return them to you. For Tim’s address and any information contact Tim via email at: tpcork@bellsouth.net.

Tim supplied the list below to me:

Total yearbooks still needed: 28 total

9 in bold promised, but I have not received them to date.

1919, 1925, 1935, 1940, 1941, 1947, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1973,1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995.

William Seckman Class 1961 - 1961 is on the way to me.
Cindy Miller Murphy Class 74 - will scan 1972, 1973 and 1974
Bob Summerville promised 1966
Thomas Beatty promised 1976, 1978 and 1979
Carol Schweiker has 1925. Joy (Gregorie) DeFasio has contacted her.
Joy said on 4-30-2014, "it's on its way to me."

THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS GETTING CLOSER
Most of the plans for the celebration of WI’s 100th birthday on Saturday, August 23, 2014, were finalized by the WI Centennial Committee this week. With just four months until the BIG EVENT, the committee is focusing on getting the word out to “EVERYONE” who either graduated or attended classes in the big red brick building on Lee Avenue in Clarksburg.

Activities will include a tour of our alma mater, a picnic and a banquet at Robert C. Byrd High School with a program in the theater to follow.

Reservations are not required for the tour or the picnic. Those who plan to attend the banquet which will be catered by a noted local caterer and program in the RCB theater are asked to send in their reservations or a verbal commitment to attend by June 15. All reservations must be paid by July 15.

The morning tours of the school scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. will be self-guided with several current students on hand to direct traffic and answer questions.

The 14th Annual Picnic will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Osborne Shelter at the Clarksburg Veterans Memorial Park. The park is adjacent the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital. Signs at the entrance to the park will direct traffic. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish which can be either homemade or purchased at a local deli or fast food restaurant. Meatballs in sauce, Italian bread, a variety of soft drinks, and table service will be provided. A free will donation will be collected at the registration table.

The banquet is being catered by a local caterer and will be served on china tableware.

Menu for the banquet is:

Garden Salad
Baked Chicken
Baked Steak
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Pie
Bread & butter
Coffee, Tea, Soda, Water

Program in the theater will include a performance of song and dance by WI Middle School students under the direction of Degee Warne as well as a number of recognitions and a salute to our veterans. Other details for the program are not yet complete.

Questions may be addressed by e-mail to wihilltopper@gmail.com.

GOODBYE TO A TRUE MOUNTAINEER

When we are young, we all think we will live forever. Yet, when we are in the twilight of life, as I and most of my friends are, we come to realize that we are not eternal creatures here on earth. We yearn for just a few more years for ourselves and our friends.. Sometimes the Lord grants our wishes and sometimes He doesn't.

This past Wednesday, we lost one of those friends. Bob Clousson was not someone I'd known for many years. Oh, I knew of him alright. I actually went to school with him for two years at West Virginia University. I knew him as a basketball player on my favorite team. I knew he was from Clarksburg and played for Washington Irving High School, because I was a huge sports fan then, just as I am now. After WVU, I lost track of him. I moved to Ohio and was busy working and raising a family. I did hear that he was coaching in Ohio, but that was about it.

Fast forward about 45 years. I'm mostly retired and living in Sarasota, Florida. My wife has been hosting an annual picnic for folks from Clarksburg, WV, her home town, for a few years. The year she informed me that Bob Clousson would be coming to her picnic, I was excited. I wanted to meet him and talk WVU basketball with him. As they say, "The rest is history".

Bob became one of the reasons I and many others enjoy the get-together so much. Nobody could get reservations at a busy seafood restaurant on a Friday night during season. Especially not for 35 to 40 people, but Bob Clousson did! And, they didn't kick us out of the joint for singing "Country Roads" as loud as we could sing. In fact, they applauded. Why? Because we were friends of Bob Clousson.

Bob became a regular each year and enjoyed seeing his many friends and fans. I loved to discuss the highs and lows of Mountaineer basketball with him and all the guys. We always listen to a WVU game on that picnic Saturday and I can still see his face when WVU upset Kansas this year. I'm told there are good friends and there are true friends. Bob was not a good friend of mine, but he sure was a true friend and I'll miss him. On behalf of all of us at the W I Newsletter, Roleta, Judy and me, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Darlene and the entire Clousson family.

The WVU cheering section in heaven got another voice on Wednesday. I can almost hear them saying, "Welcome Home Mountaineer".

Bill

Below is a link to an excellent article about Bob, written by Mickey Furfari.

http://www.timeswv.com/wvu_sports/x360412820/FURFARI-COLUMN-Ex-Mountaineer-Bob-Clousson-dies-at-77

MYSTERY PICTURE IN APRIL NEWSLETTER

Corner of Hornor and Chestnut. It is still there

Picture by Maria Koutsobaris Alex

submitted by: Kathryn Johnston
It was my grandparents' home, a private residence, prior to it being owned by Sacred Heart. My grandparents Charles D. and Eva Johnston and their three sons Charles, Robert (my father) and James lived there. They weren't the original owners of the house. I'll have to look that up some time. The nuns added the tower addition on the right. It's on Hornor Ave. My grandfather purchased the reviewing stand that was built for John W. Davis when he came and spoke in Clarksburg during his presidential campaign and put it in the yard for a gazebo. Most recently, it was Genesis Youth Center. After my grandparents moved, the nuns remained friends with my grandmother and visited often.

submitted by: Pat Elder (ND '57)
st1pat@aol.com
I think the pic is of the Sacred Heart Orphanage that looked down over Chestnut St. toward Hite Field. I used to play basketball with & against those guys. They were all very nice & I made some good friends that used to come over to our house & out to the farm at my grandfathers to ride horses. I have lost touch with all of them now.

submitted by: Elizabeth (Libby) Teter Akin (WI '56)
libakin@aol.com
The building was the Sacred Heart Children's home on Horner Ave. in my day (1940's -50's). I visited that home several times either as a Girl Scout or with other organizations I belonged to, taking gifts or entertainment to the residents. I remember feeling it was a warm and comfortable place. I think those children went to school at Pierpont and to Central and WI, but I don't remember any specific children that I knew lived there. According to Dorothy Davis's History, that facility opened in 1928. It was operated by sisters of the Capuchin Order and accepted both boys and girls in order to keep brothers and sisters together. The children all attended public school and the churches of their parents. It closed in 1970.

I was at first a little confused because I was thinking it was run by the Catholic Church, but when I try to remember what it was called, all that came to mind was the Kappa Sigma Pi home. The Kappa Sigma Pi home was on Pike Street between Locust and Sycamore, with a camp at Laurel Park. That organization began as one for boys but eventually provided a home for homeless boys and girls.

submitted by: Fred Alvaro (WI '58)
falvaro33@aol.com
The mystery picture is Sacred Heart Home that housed orphans.

submitted by: Rebecca Allen Ausmus (WI '70)
beck0643@aol.com
The Mystery picture is the KAPPA SIGMA PI home for children located on Horner Street maybe behind WI High School. I had a good friend who lived there. Remembering very fond memories.

There were dorm rooms for boys and girls. This was an orphanage type setting. The children went to school in our area attending the Public Schools. I only knew one girl who was in my class that lived at the Kappa Sigma Pi Home. She was somewhat shy and was treated as a sort of misfit. I befriended her and we stayed friends long after graduation for many years. I remember seeing the children of all ages at Buffalo Lake during the summer months at times. They had teachers and chaperons with them. They stayed in a group and came and went on a bus. They did not wear uniforms as they were schooled in public schools.The one girl I knew was very kind, very shy. I also saw them shopping in a group once at Hills Department Store. I kept in touch with my friend for many years until she and her husband relocated to Spartanburg South Carolina and I have lost touch. My family took her on a weekend trip with us once to the beach and she was alot of fun. That was long after she left the home and out on her own. The unit on the right was built in later years I do believe. It was not apart of the original home. I don't know how many children were housed there but there seemed to be a couple dozen anyway. I know they all ate in cafeteria style three meals a day. They all seemed to be very well taken care of. My friend said her Mother put her there when she was around 12 because she could not take care of her and she never knew her Father. I hope in some small way I made her life a little better. I tried as I always felt sorry for her being such a loner. I hope her life is full of many Blessings today.

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
Jalvaro@aol.com
This is just a wild guess where this place is. I am sure it is located towards the end of Lee St., near Chestnut St. It used to be a children's home and maybe turned into an apartment building. I believe we walked out there every day to WI Field for football practice.

submitted by: Bill Phillips (would have been WI 1960 but graduated from Elkins HS)
CAPTBILL2001@aol.com
Bill Phillips (would have been WI 1960 but graduated from Elkins HS) CAPTBILL2001@aol.com The mystery picture is Sacred Heart on Horner Ave. Next to Harvey Harmers Home. I ended up with his law books from the 18 hundreds. I had all of Mr. Harmer’s law books and gave them to USC Berkeley. Still have his father and his office chair and law book cabinets

Is the Sacred Heart Orphanage on Horner Ave.?

Thanks,

submitted by: Bob Angotti (ND '75)

submitted by: Eugene Jaumot (VHS '54)
and help from Mr Duez
The building was call Sacred Heart for Orphanage for Children and was run by the Catholic Church Nuns. It started about 1920 and was run till 1970. Now this is from another source it is or was now called Genesis Youth Center for older Girls and Altarista for younger children. I don't know if it is still in operation? Sacred Heart Children Home was on Hornor Ave. It was started around 1920 till 1970. As Mr Duez and I found out it is called Genesis Youth Center. Is it still open is the question.

You asked about Kappa Sigms Pi and it was located on Laurel Park Road off of Rt 19 South out of Clarksburg. in 1959 I believe it went out and Presley Ridge took over.

MYSTERY PICTURE FOR JUNE

Picture submitted by: Tim Cork (WI '62)
Can you identify the above picture? Please take a guess, I only print the correct ones. If you want to play our game, write your guess to Roleta1@aol.com.

THE CHOIR PICTURE
FROM THE APRIL ISSUE

My wife and I knew lots of folks in that picture. Those unidentified included:

Row 1: no. 1 - Sandy Lough, no. 2 - Charlotte McGlumphy, no. 3 - Jayne Rose
Row 2: no. 3 - Judy Dennison, no. 5 - Arthur Michie, no. 6 - Carol Grow, no. 7 - Sheryl Langlet
Row 3: no. 4 - David Spelsberg

All these folks were in our class.

Good issue.

Sandy (Lough) and Steve Limbers, both class of 1957 WI.

MYSTERY PERSON FOR JUNE

Do you recognize this man? Send your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember I only print correct guesses.

HILLBILLY TERMS
Do you know some sayings, words or terms that are recognized as “Hillbilly” ?

Do you know of some that you can share with us? Use the word in a sentence so we can figger it out! Now you use the word figger in a sentence. Write yours to Roleta1@aol.com.

Here is a place you might enjoy visiting and recollecting? (Remember recollection?)

http://wva.homestead.com/WVaTalk.html

EDITOR’’S NOTE: Are you reading this? The only way I know is if you respond.

I try to come up with subjects that will jog your memory and help your brain stay young and healthy…HELP ME HERE….I need to hear from you.

GIVING
If you wish to give to the WIN Scholarship. Please make out your check to

Roleta Meredith / WIN Scholarship

And send your check to :

Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43219

We will be awarding scholarships this year at $3,000.00 each to 2 different students who will graduate from R.C. Byrd High School this year. Your gifts make it so much easier for these children to be able to afford their first (and most expensive) year in college. With the 2014 Scholarships we will have given back $50,000.00 to Clarksburg as our way of saying THANK YOU. It is our way of paying it forward. Won’t you join the many readers who have given. No amount is too small or too big.

This month I received a check from Herb Cashdollar who graduated from RW in 1957 and has been a great supporter of the scholarship. Thank you Herb.

MILITARY SERVICE

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy two weeks after graduation from high school. Boot camp and electronic technician schools were at Great Lakes, IL. Then submarine school at New London, CT. Two and 1/2 years of my service was spent aboard the USS Barbero, a World War II diesel-electric submarine that was converted to carry two Regulus missiles in a "pod" behind the conning tower. (Nuclear submarines carrying Polaris missiles eventually replaced us.) Pearl Harbor was our home port. My job was to stand radar and sonar watches and service that equipment.

My time served was from June 1957 to March 1961. As my time was during the "Cold War", we rotated deterrent patrols with other submarines in waters off Siberia. My longest submerged time without surfacing was during one of these patrols--45 days. My only harrowing experience was in 1959 riding out Typhoon Freda, on the surface with all hatches closed, off Okinawa.

In 1964, the Barbero was sunk by our navy for target practice, having been replaced by the nuclear navy. I remain good e-mail friends with one of my shipmates, a torpedo man now living in Santa Fe, NM. thought "What have I done to myself!"). I was most fortunate, and thankful, that my service time was basically during peace.

Bill Bryan (RW '57)
pbrnrx64@aol.com

NOTE: If you served in any branch of the military, won’t you please write and tell us about it? As far as I know, Bill is the first and only person I have ever met that served on a submarine. I know I couldn’t, I would hyperventilate due to claustrophobia.

submitted by: Dr. Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontienet.net
The sponsors of my graduating class were Miss Taylor and Mr. Showalter. With the history of WI being so much a part of the recent Newsletters, it made me think how history repeats itself. I guess a person has to live as long as I have to really notice it. Maybe, I am not sure. Anyhow, I will never forget Mr. Showalter. He taught history and I had him for World History. I had elected his class because I wanted to learn about WWI. We never got to it but that is beside the point. I was in high school when Hitler was marching all over Europe and one day

Mr. Showalter said, "There is going to be a war, and YOU are the ones who will fight it". I am sure my classmates and I did not realize how prophetic his words were and I wonder if he had any idea that he would be one of the first casualties. He was in the North African campaign against Rommel, the German commander of the elite tank corps. I have never forgotten him and what he said, probably because his words were so true. I heard my father saying the same thing as he read the evening news.

SHARING MEMORIES
Hi to all….

So glad to see this month's newspaper & to thank Roleta and Judy once again for news of home!! I do have a few memories to share.

1. Sara Younkin was the organist of First Methodist church & played the beautiful chimes at noontime, which we could hear all over town! She, also, played at Stonewall Jackson Hotel, but I never got the opportunity to hear her there. My memory consists of her playing at the church & I was a member of the youth choir, and one year I was picked to solo "The Lord's Prayer" & she practiced with me & gave me confidence to sing aloud for everyone. My Mother was so proud & I'll never forget the compliments for I was very shy at that time. Her music was wonderful!

2. Mr. Cubbons was my principal at WI & he always encouraged me to be better. My Jr & Sr year was sort of crazy as I started dating & let my grades slip a bit. Still graduated but I certainly could have done better!

3. I thank Tim Cork for all the yearbook pictures. I didn't know that my Uncle Cecil Duncan attended WI & graduated there. My Mom, also attended Wi but circumstances made her quit before she graduated. She had a lot of the teachers that I inherited when I went there & some of them remembered her! She was a person to be proud of!!! I didn't see her picture, but I did see a distant cousin, Agnes Flowers.

4. I am so proud to be part of the quilt making team!! I look forward to making the squares each year & learning new techniques. My quilt making started 12 years ago with my first great grandson & after 14 of them & several g-nieces & g-nephews, I look forward to learning more. Great job on the Scholarship Fund! You should be very Proud of yourselves, Roleta & Judy!!

Well that's all for now. I can't come back to WV anytime soon. But look forward to all the news each month!

Sincerely,
Mary Virginia (Duncan-Johnson) Wilke
WI Class of 1955
mwdusty1@aol.com

TELEPHONES
Did you have a telephone in your home when you were in school? How many phones did you have? Where in the house was it located? Tell us who answered you phone…….Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

DO YOU REMEMBER?
JUST FOR A LITTLE FUN
OK, here's a little fun trip back in time. Let's see how much you remember and how many you can recall. Play fair, don't cheat! Oh, you'll need a piece of paper and a pencil to record your answers # 1 - 20. Answers at end.

1. In the ’50s, if you had a flat rear tire, you often had to remove the …?
a. Necker knob
b. Curb feeler
c. Fender skirt

2. What color flash bulbs did Dad use for color film?
a. Blue
b. Pink
c. Plaid

3. What was the “parking brake” called when you were a kid?
a. Emergency brake
b. Pull ‘n’ Stop
c. Breaker. Breaker.

4. Way before Air Jordan, what was a kid's shoe of choice?
a. Buster Brown
b. PF Flyers
c. Old Stinkers

5. In what year did “Dewey Defeat Truman” according to the Chicago Tribune?
a. 1946
b. 1948
c. 1952

6. Before the Orkin Man, what technology was part of most homes’ bug deterrence?
a. Shoe Fly
b. Fly paper
c. 50 mm Phlit gun

7. Dixie cups had what printed on their tops?
a. Secret decoders
b. Movie stars
c. WW II propaganda slogans

8. What was the prevailing method of birth control in the ’50s?
a. Heavy lifting and cold showers
b. Fear
c. Girdles and crinoline petticoats

9. Jimmy Durante said what at the end of every show?
a. “Aloha, my friends.”
b. “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”
c. “Remember, wherever you go, my nose will get there first.”

10. “I'm Popeye the sailor man; I'm Popeye the sailor man. I’m strong to the finish, _ _ _ _ _ , I'm Popeye the sailor man.”
a. “’cause I eats me spinach”
b. “my dad was big and Finnish
c. “isn't the music a bit tinnish?

11. In the quaint greasy spoon jargon of yore, what did “knock the horns off one, and drag it through the garden” mean?
a. 86 the customer, then kick him out the back door
b. Rare hamburger or steak with tomato and lettuce
c. Cooties

12. Lincoln Logs were for what use?
a. A diary of the presidency
b. Keep track of fat cats who sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom
c. Building toy structures

13. Ward and June bring what to mind?
a. A popular TV series called “Leave it to Beaver”
b. A Chicago family of butchers and knife sharpeners called The Cleavers
c. Inventors of the clicker, Jack Ward and Ernest June

14. Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, and Zorro are all forms of what?
a. Alcoholic beverages
b. Capitalism
c. Children's play

15. What was the cheapest way to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle?
a. Baseball cards in the spokes
b. Rig an electric motor with a very long cord
c. Turning left into the path of a Harley

16. Tinkertoys date back to when?
a. 1914
b. 1949
c. 1967

17. In grade school, what was the worst thing that could happen to you when being picked for a team?
a. Getting picked last
b. Getting your uniform dirty
c. Not having the team tattoo

18. If we dared to swear and our parents heard us, we immediately found out what _ _ _ tasted like.
a. Meatballs
b. Soap
c. Sarsaparilla

19. What was one thing the Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers would never do?
a. Kill someone
b. Shot a squirrel
c. Eat lima beans

20. What convertible offered an optional radio that automatically increased its volume as the car accelerated?
a. 1912 Franklin
b. 1943 Jeep
c. 1957 Ford Thunderbird

ANSWERS

1. c) Fender skirts, attached to the rear fenders, covered fully half the wheel streamlining the car.

2. a) Blue

3. a) Emergency brake. We grew up in much more dramatic times.

4. b) PF Flyers. BF Goodrich patented the Posture Foundation insole, an innovation in comfort and performance, and began adding the new technology to its action shoes. Goodrich shoes with Posture Foundation became known simply as “P-F” in 1937. Fashion trends in the Forties and Fifties saw PF Flyers escaping gyms and ball fields to become fashionable active footwear for everyone. “Everything you do is more fun with PF” read one 1947 magazine ad. In 2001, New Balance acquired the rights to the brand.

5. b) It was November 3.1948, when Truman upset Republican, Thomas Dewey, in the first Postwar presidential election. Trib publisher Col. Robt. R. McCormick got the news late.

6. b) Sticky fly paper hanging from kitchen ceilings was common in American homes until insecticides like Flit became available in ’40s.

7. b) Most people over 55 recall with nostalgia the Dixie Cup ice cream picture lids that appeared all over America from 1930 to 1954. In the final year, the lids were in 3D, full color, and styled in left and right action poses. These were used in stereo card viewers for the 3D effect.

8. c) This is a tough one, but the answer is girdles and crinoline petticoats.

9. b) “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”

10. a) “cause I eats me spinach”

11. b) Rare hamburger or steak with tomato and lettuce. Other examples: Axle grease – butter; Blowout patches – pancakes; Bowwow, barks, or groundhog – hot dog; Baled hay – shredded wheat; Bessie – roast beef; Bessie in a bowl – stew; Cackleberries – eggs; Rabbit food – salad; Sinkers – donuts; and Sweep the kitchen – hash.

12. c) Building toy structures.

13. a) A popular TV series called “Leave it to Beaver,” perhaps the most unrealistic, misleading and shallow depiction of family life ever produced for TV.

14. c) Children’s play.

15. a) Baseball cards in the spokes. Who among you never did this?

16. a) “1914 – Good then, 1935 – Good now, 2000 – Good always,” read the back cover of a 1935 Toy Tinkers catalog. Charles H. Pajeau and Robert Pettit, the founders of The Toy Tinkers of Evanston, Illinois, and the creators of the TINKERTOY construction set, knew that the “Thousand Wonder Builder” would continue to inspire the imaginations of children because of its easy-to-use, yet versatile construction system. They're still made today, now by Hasbro.

17. a) Getting picked last. As an expert on this particular humiliation, I assure you that getting picked last was far better than not getting picked at all.

18. b) Soap. Was this a regional thing? Where I grew up, spanking was the generally preferred method for punishing any childhood misdemeanor. We wouldn't have known a “time out” to save our lives.

19. a) Kill someone. I cant remember ever seeing the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers or other cowboy heroes actually kill someone. They would just shoot the gun out of the bad guy's hand. There was no blood, no violence, just folks wondering who that masked man was.

20. c) 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Hard one but, let's face it, easy answer. The option was available only that year.

JAMES FRAGALE
submitted by: Jim Fragale (WI '58)
jamesafragale@yahoo.com

I finally finished my novel early 2014, at age 74, just in time for Mother’s Day. (That significance: On Page One of the love-wine-popular music-family-West Virginia novel is dedicated to my Italian mother -- and mothers everywhere. It’s not hard to guess there is a strong matriarch in the story. (Note: I wrote about my mother before in a Newsweek, April 8, 2008 article titled “The Humble Coin.”)

The book is titled “The Answer to Life” The book is dedicated to my mother.

. If you are interested in purchasing this book you will find it available on Amazon.com in paperback and kindle for $ 12.00.

Link: www.amazon.com/dp/1494243644

QUESTION:
1. Someone sent me this suggested topic but I lost the name of who sent it.

Write and tell us:

What was the single most important/influential course you took, from 1st grade through the last college course? Why? Who taught it?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com.

2. From: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940)

I wonder how many remember Producer's Dairy? They delivered milk right to your door along with other dairy products. My children still remember that delicious milk. It is impossible to buy milk like that today. When I lived in Nashville, every time I came home to Clarksburg, I made it a point to get up early on Saturday morning so I could stop the delivery man and buy milk, cream and butter. When I went back I always added cottage cheese to that list and took as much milk, cream and butter as I could with me. When they went out of business, my family sure missed them. Well, that kind of service sure doesn't exist today and neither does the good dairy products. Thanks to you and Judy for the Newsletter.

NOW THE QUESTION: Do you remember milk being delivered to your door? Do you remember the name of the dairy? Did the milkman walk right into your house and put the milk in the refrigerator, did he leave it sit on your front step or what? About what year did you or your family quit getting milk delivered to the home?

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com.

NEW READERS

Jennie Shanaman Donnelly (WI '64)	donnelly.jennie@yahoo.com
Gloria Hunter Kennedy (WI '57)	gloknn@comcast.net
Randy McCue 1968	Ramccue@coca-cola.com

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS:

Martha Blair Norris Chartrand (WI '56)

mbchartrand@verizon.net

ORGANIZED SPORTS
OFFERED IN HIGH SCHOOL
submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)
Concerning sports in high school, my school offered only four varsity sports for boys. Those were football, basketball, baseball and golf. There were no track or cross country teams and no sports at all for girls. I don't know when girls basketball was discontinued, because it was definitely offered in the 30's. Perhaps it was stopped during World War II for some reason.

We had only two coaches, who coached all sports. Since both had been football stars at Fairmont State College (Now University), they were better football coaches than they were in the other sports. The only reason we had a golf team is because at least 20-30 boys from our school, including me, caddied during the summers at the Fairmont Field Club. We were allowed to play golf at least once or twice per week and some of the caddies got to be pretty good golfers.

The only organized events for the girls were the class tournament games in basketball. Each of the four classes sponsored a team. The coaches were players from the varsity boy's basketball team. I probably enjoyed coaching those girls more than anything I did in high school, with the exception of playing in actual games.

We had a lot of success during my four years, winning a state championship in baseball and football in 1955 and playing in the football title game in 1956, losing to Huntington Vinson. Unfortunately, Monongah High School fell victim to consolidation and in 1979 the last class graduated. As I've mentioned before, consolidation takes the heart right out of small communities. I guess that is the price we pay for progress.

As for sports, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. Sports made high school fun and exciting. It is too bad the girls didn't have the same opportunity then that they do now.

GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Jim Alvaro's recent article concerning transportation to and from school in the fifties brought back some memories as I had to do a lot of walking to and from school in that period of time. I attended Morgan school thru grade 3 and lived on Hartland Ave which was a good hike. Grades 4-8 I attended St Mary's which was even farther, but in those days that was our fate. No rides were available unless we rode a bus which we sometime did in inclement weather. Grades 9-12 found me at Bridgeport High which was about 3 miles from where we lived at Maple Lake. We did have a school bus but rarely used it because it took so long. When the bus left the school it had to go up Bridgeport hill first and then back into Bridgeport and out route 50 to the Lake. In those days we used our thumb quite a bit. All we had to do is stand by Dye Motors and wait for the workers from the Carbon plant or Pittsburg Plate. Hitchhiking was safer in those days. Whenever the high school basketball tournament was held in Morgantown, we would hitchhike and buy up as many tickets we could and scalp them.

Just after graduation from high school Dave Ferraro and I flew down to Charleston via Lake Central to take in the North-South football game. Needless to say we blew the money we had and had to hitch back to BPort. We got the best ride ever! The guy not only took us all the way but he even treated us to a country dinner where you eat family style. Fried chicken, corn on the cob and home made bread-what a treat. In those days that car ride was a good 4 hours. All via the thumb. Later my thumb got me to Fairmont State and back many times.

Thanks for the efforts of you and Judy in keeping the newsletter going it is a worthy project and I hope many of your readers will answer your call for articles.

submitted by: Rich Newbrough (BHS '55)
pat_richnewbrough@rogers.com

To Bill:

I hope this picture comes through, so you can use it in the Newsletter. It is a picture of the W I track team. My brother, Carris Radcliffe, is the first one on the left in the second row. Just look at his black hair! In the 1932 WI yearbook that Tim posted, I found my sister in her graduating class and her hair is so black and beautiful. Guess that comes from my mother's side of the family. The second picture didn't come through for some reason so I hope you and Judy can get this picture of the track team. My brother played on the football team and ran on the track team. He would spend time in the morning, in the summer, running around the WI football field to stay in shape. I hope I can get the second picture to scan before you get the next newsletter organized.

Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko, WI 1940

Reply To Arreta:

We did get the first picture. Since it was taken in the spring of 1941, I wonder how many of the young men eventually "went to war" for their country? I have little doubt that, out of the 13 athletes, the majority of them served in the armed forces within the next few years.

Do any of you readers recognize anyone on this track team. Maybe one was a relative or neighbor of yours. If so, write us something that you remember about them. As always, thanks to Arreta for the picture and the memories.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
Spring is here and optimism is everywhere. Major League Baseball is well under way and every team is still in the race for the pennant. Spring football practice has come and gone and all teams are still undefeated. Even the WVU basketball team got some good news, when they signed Tarik Phillips, a possible replacement for Eron Harris, who is transferring. He comes with some baggage, but it seems almost all college basketball teams run into that problem nowadays.

Even the WVU baseball team is doing well, after sweeping a series from Kansas State this weekend. With a new stadium in the works, baseball may become a major sport in Morgantown soon.

We only received one letter for sports this month, which means that "The dog days" are coming early this year. In order to create some interest and to hopefully get some of you to write, I've listed a question, which I hope you will answer for next month's newsletter.

1. Who do you think was the best player (or participant) to ever compete for a Harrison County high school in your lifetime in the following sports?

Baseball (Boys)---Softball (Girls) if applicable.

Football

Basketball (Boys & Girls)

Track & Field

Other Sports ????

If you choose more that one, include them all and tell us why you made your selection(s). This will obviously include players from schools which no longer exist, such as Kelly Miller, Shinnston, Victory, W I, R W, etc. Send your comments and choices to :

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

RE: WI HISTORY
The past segments of the Newsletter and the WI History may be found by going to the main page found at wihs59.tripod.com Then click on the ARCHIVE button.

This is where you will always find the past newsletters and all of the past WI History segments which will continually be updated as Tim Cork receives new information. The WI History segments is an on going project.

Save this address someplace where you will always remember. Then just type wihs59 into your search space, then click on your ENTER key on your keyboard.

Any questions contact jkimler@frontier.com.

Two very popular teachers retired in 1970. Can you name them?

Click below and find out.

SPECIAL WISH
WV STATE POLICE

Here’s a story that pulls at your heart strings. We do it here all the time for a charity that assist families with children who have life threatening illnesses, called the Make a Wish Foundation. This little girl is three year old Olivia Alexander, and her wish was to be with her state’s State Troopers. She suffers from Leukemia and the Troopers at West Virginia’s State Police HQ invited Olivia and her parents to lunch with them. She was given a ride in a patrol car, and guest of Honor for lunch at their Headquarters for the day…and also presented with a mini-uniform, and a few other gifts.

THE LAND THAT MADE ME ME
Shared by: Charlie Burkhammer (WI '59)
CBhammer12@aol.com
Even though this is not about Clarksburg, so much of it applies to the time many of us were in school in Clarksburg. When you see a building or place pictured I am sure your memory will substitute a picture of one that you remember from that time in your life in that special place we still refer to our Old home town…so just click on the link below and enjoy the memories….
https://www.youtube.com/v/J55S38xwxnQ

IN THE APRIL ISSUE
In the April issue of the newsletter, you asked us to write our memories about the principal of our school. Since I attended high school in the 50's, I can assure you that the principals of those days were much different from those of today. Their goals were probably similar, but today's school leaders have their hands tied by school boards and society in general, preventing them from preparing their students for what will be a tough world after they leave high school.

I attended a small high school with about 300 students. Our principal's name was Paul G. Michael. He ran the school with an iron fist. What he said was law. I do not remember ever hearing of a parent disagreeing with him. Without a doubt, he had more respect than the mayor of the town.

Not only did he have respect, he demanded respect for all of his teachers and other employees. I vividly recall him physically removing a senior, who was an all-state football player, from a study hall and literally kicking him down the stairs toward the office, because the student talked back to a teacher. He proceeded to send him home, with a note to his parents. Since this happened in mid-May, the note informed the parents that he would not be allowed to receive his diploma with his fellow seniors nor attend the graduation ceremonies. No appeal !! End of story.

I could tell you many more similar stories, but space wouldn't permit it. It is my wish that someday, the PC Police would not only get out of our schools, but get out of our lives for good. Then, maybe we could have the schools we are paying for and deserve..

Bill Meredith, (Monongah HS 1957)

BASEBALL PICTURE
IN THE
APRIL ISSUE
submitted by: Eugene Jaumot (VHS '54)

That baseball picture was taken of the first baseball team WI had.. The man in the second row third over was my Dad, Jules Jr Jaumot. He use to tell me he played on the first team WI had. He played one year had to drop out of school to learn the Glass Cutting Trade. That is the only picture I know of the team.

OBITUARIES

ROBERT GARFIELD CLOUSSON
(WI 1955)

Bob Clousson, 77, passed away in Sarasota, FL on Thursday evening due to unforeseen complications of open-heart surgery on April 24, 2014.

Born April 1, 1937, in West Virginia, Bob married Darlene (Bilby) Clousson, which was love at first sight, as described by many and recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary April 11, 2014.

Bob was educated at West Virginia University, where he played college basketball, leading to a NCAA Championship Game. Bob's career as a teacher and coach was a joy in his life, teaching at various high schools, including Glen Este, Batavia, and in Virginia. Touching the lives of countless students and young athletes.

In 1999, Bob and his wife Darlene moved to Sarasota, FL where they spent 15 years of life in the paradise of west coast Florida. Kayaking quickly became Bob's favorite hobby in Florida, with his best friends Jerry Craig and Chuck Welch.

Survived by wife, Darlene Clousson. Brother J. Paige Clousson & wife Carolyne and their three children. Also two sons: Troy Clousson, wife Cindy, two grandsons, Jeffrey and Matthew Clousson, and Danny Clousson, wife and two granddaughters. Also survived by nephew David Baker, and his two daughters, Claire & Emma, as well as niece Becky Rieder, husband Tommy, and their two children Madison and Austin.

Preceded in death by both parents, French W. & Garnette (Pitts) Clousson.

Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation Thursday May 1st 6 - 8 PM as well as the Funeral Service on Friday May 2nd at 10 AM. All at Evans Funeral Home 741 Center St. Milford, OH. Burial at Batavia Union Cemetery, Batavia, OH. Memorials to any SPCA Shelter or any charity of your choice.

CECILIA ANN COFFMAN
Cecilia Ann Coffman was born to Eternal Life on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the age of 90 years.

Daughter of the late Andrew and Quinta (Pinti) Palcich. Beloved wife of the late James Lee Coffman. Loving mother of Linda Jean (Vincents) Dindzans and Brenda Marie (John) Hagni. Dear grandmother of Andra (Greg) Morton, Karlis and Viktors Dindzans, Heather, Bianca and the late Garrett Hagni. Dear sister of the late John (Virginia), Alfred, Bernard and Marianne Palcich. Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Cecilia graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1942.

During World War II, she was proud of her contribution at Weirton Steel. As a member of the team in the chemical lab, she was responsible to help ensure the consistent quality of the steel that was produced during the war effort.

She and Jim, her husband of 60 years, lived briefly in Virginia, the n later in Maryland and finally in Wisconsin.

Cecilia was well named. Her love of music was shared with St. Cecilia, its patron Saint. She was a violinist with her high school orchestra and attended music conservatory. Later in life, she was a member of the Wilkinsburg Symphony and a vocal soloist and conductor of church choirs. She later taught herself to play the cello.

Cecilia was a homemaker who considered her greatest achievement the passage on of her love of music. Classical music radio was constantly in the background at home. She taught both daughters to play the violin and later encouraged them to learn wind instruments. Her daughter Brenda plays flute professionally in Pennsylvania, and her daughter Linda sings with the Bel Canto Chorus in Milwaukee.

The family takes comfort that Cecilia now “sings Him a new song and makes music at her best among shouts of joy!” (Psalm 33:3)

“Bach gave us God’s Word.”

JAMES SUTTON
(would have been WI 1965)
Sutton James R. Sutton, age 67, of Pickerington, Ohio died Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2014 at his residence.

Born July 28, 1946 in Clarksburg, WV to the late John J. and Dorothy J. (Rutherford) Sutton, he was a graduate of Columbus Brookhaven High School and served in the U.S. Army.

He was retired from Master Foods. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and horse racing, and was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Janet Sutton; sons, Jimmy Sutton, Pickerington, and Tony Sutton, Reynoldsburg; grandchildren, Sarah and Tommy Sutton; brother, John (Debby) Sutton, Hilliard; sister, JoAnn (Paul) Herring, Reynoldsburg; sister-inlaw, Harriet (Pete) Brust, Ashville; nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his sister Barbara Elder.

WILLIAM D. “BILL” REED JR.
William D. “Bill” Reed Jr., age 77, of Stonewood, WV, passed away on April 16, 2014, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on August 11, 1936, and moved to Bridgeport, WV, when he was 6 months old, a son of the late W. Delbert Reed and Hilda Louise Kelly Reed.

In March 1960, he married Mary Ann Life Reed Abby, who survives. They were subsequently divorced and on December 27, 1981, he married Patricia S. Dent Benincosa, who survives.

He is also survived by one daughter, Kelly Ann Cox and husband Michael of Evans, GA; one son, W. Scott L. Reed and wife Peggy of Columbus, OH; two stepsons, William J. Benincosa II and wife Lisa of Ivoryton, CT, and Jeffrey L. Benincosa, of Boswell, PA; three grandchildren, Rachel Cox and Rebecca Cox, Evans, GA, and Sidney Reed, Columbus, OH; two stepgrandchildren, William J.“Trey” Benincosa III and Alyssa Benincosa, Ivoryton, CT; two sisters, Dian Reed, of Tampa, FL, and Judy Pease and husband Ron of Barboursville, WV; and a niece, Erin Pease Garrett and husband William of Walworth, NY.

Bill graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 10, 1955, and upon completion of Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., was transferred to Schofield Barracks, U.S. Army Base, Oahu Island of the Hawaiian Islands. During the 2-1/2 years on the island, his military duties included company Jeep driver, truck driver, company radio operator and assistant Mess sergeant and obtaining the rank of sergeant.

He received several letters of commendation and appreciation for culinary skills. Also while serving regular duties he volunteered to serve as the Assistant Boy Scout Master of the Army Base Boy Scout Troop and received letters of appreciation from the Region 12 Boy Scouts of America office for his service and dedication to the BSA troop 24, their parents and families.

In November 1957, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at Fort Sheridan, IL, with medals for Good Conduct, Sharp Shooter with M1 and Marksman Automatic Rifle.

In January 1958, he enrolled in the American Humanics Program at Salem College, where he was elected President of Alpha Phi Omega and President of the Salem College Humanics Program. In May of 1961, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Humanics and a minor in Psychology and Sociology. In June of 1961, he was employed by the Boy Scouts of America Council in New Britain, CT, as a District Scout Executive.

In March 1967, he purchased stock in Family Photography Studio in Clarksburg. Over the next 20 years, he became President and owner of Ideal Sayre Studio, Clarksburg, WV, Studio One and Film Express in Elkins, WV. During this time, he received state, regional and national recognition for his photography skills. He also served on the board, as well as being President, of the WV Photographers Association.

Due to health reasons, he retired from the photography business and in 1988 began working at what is now known as United Summit Center and received his WV State Social Workers License. He retired from United Summit Center in February 2001.

Bill was a member of the Clarksburg Baptist Church, where he served as Usher, Finance Chair, was a Trustee, and served on the board of directors of the WV Baptist Conference Center at Parchment Valley, Roane County, WV. He was also a past member of the Clarksburg and Elkins Rotary Club, served as counselor for Hospice Care Children’s Bereavement Camp Nabe in Marion County and was past president and on the board of directors of the Bridgeport Stage Crafters and presented its first musical show “South Pacific” in the mid-1970s.

THOMAS REASINGER
Thomas E. “Tom” Reasinger, age 73, of Clarksburg, departed this life on April 25, 2014, at the Mon General Hospital in Morgantown.

He was the son of the late Joseph Ruben and Mary Marcella Hergenrother Reasinger.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann “Patty” Ash Reasinger.

Mr. Reasinger is also survived by two daughters, Amy Reasinger Allen and her husband Mark of Bridgeport, and Tammy Reasinger Leaseburg and her husband Eric of Bridgeport; and four grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers-in-law, Dr. Rev. James Ash and his wife Patricia of Petersburg, WV, and Raymond Ash and his wife Linda of Clarksburg, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Hinkle and Barbara Moore, and one brother, Jim Reasinger.

Tom was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Class of 1958, and received his BS in Business Administration at Salem College. He was a veteran in the U.S. Navy. Tom was in sales for most of his life and retired from the FBI as an Analyst.

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