THE WI NEWSLETTER 01/15

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 185

January 2015

Publisher: Judy Daugherty Kimler

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FROM THE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
OF
THE WI NEWSLETTER

L to R Roleta and Judy.

5 YEAR OLD PICTURE BUT I BET WE HAVENT CHANGED A BIT!

MYSTERY PICTURE

A different view showing Crosby's location on 3rd St down from Loar and White.

submitted by: Patti Porter (WI '72)
Hi. I believe this was the jeweler on 3rd across from Broidas and down from Parsons Sauders. My first boyfriend, Rodney, bought me a diamond ring there my freshman yr.

submitted by: Bob Kramer (WI '65)
slimedawgg@aol.com
This is Crosby jewelry. They sold class ring with a stone in it. It was run by Mr Palesdrant. They were located on Third street, next to Loar and White.

submitted by: Marion Ribas Cottrell (WI '58)
I am almost positive the picture is Crosby's Jewelers. The store was owned by my uncle, Ken Palestrant. I worked there during Christmas making bows and gift wrapping.

MYSTERY PICTURE FOR FEBRUARY

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.

Please add a memory and include your name, school and year of graduation.

PARENT’S OCCUPATION
submitted by: Barbara Allen Gordon (WI '56)
barbaraallengordon@gmail.com
My father was Dr. Ross Allen. He had his practice on Court Street. His office faced the county jail. He was an internist, a cardiologist, a radiologist and an allergist. He read all of the x-rays at the various hospitals in town. I worked in his office after school when I was in WI. During the summer before I went to college I actually acted as his secretary and assistant. It was something that I will never forget. The patients who came to him were beautiful people from many walks of life. I learned so many important life lessons by working in that office.

submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
mysto99@aol.com

Batman 1939
My dad C.D. Cooper, was supervisor of the C&P Telephone company storeroom building on Traders Avenue, he managed the trucks, equipment and supplies including telephone poles to wire and bolts. I would go to his little office you can yet see from Traders as you pass there and look in, it was tucked away into the back right side but the building was full of trucks and equipment in those days of late 1940's and early 1950's.

On Friday nights after school at Towers, Central, or WI, around 3:30pm, my visit would usually mean dad would give me a fifty cent piece. That would take me to the Ritz newsstand for a bag of cheeze-its, or pop-corn, 5-cents, then to the Moore's Opera House of about 20-cents ....western, B-movie, serial..then to the street car "barn" I would spend another 10-cents for a comic book or maybe a couple. and then 14-cents for a streetcar ride to Spring Hill Stop, walk past the Country Club up another hill and be home around 8:30 -9:00PM. I might break loose another few cents and go to the Ritz or Grand for a first run movie. But hardly never to the Orpheum on Main Street that played the cheap made movie.

One night the snow came down and did not quit as I was walking in the dark. No big flashlight and before cell phones. I was lost in the blinding white snow coming down. Suddenly heard a voice of my neighbor Jimmy Boles who my dad had sent out to meet me, luckily we yelled at each other until he found me. He carried a big oil lamp and we trudged through the 2 foot snow up the last hill safely home. Jimmy was a true boyhood friend.

My dad hired him to work for the Telephone Company. Jimmy married a beautiful young lady. . I worked with her later at the local newspaper office. I was best man at his wedding .. He helped me deliver new telephone directories. We went to a rural house near Buckhannon, WV. On the porch shelling peas, was his future wife. Jimmy said to me as we were leaving," that young lady with that dark long hair is going to be my wife". I laughed., He didn’t. Only years later did he meet her again, visiting me at the local newspaper office where she and I were both working in the advertising department.. Jimmy was really the best man.

TWINS OR TRIPLETS
MULTIPLE BIRTHS
submitted by: Jim Combs (WI '66)
Does any one remember two Brothers name Port and Brandy - lived on Heartland Hill Last name: Sourwine.

Thanks for all you do !! It's a joy to try and get the old brain to work !

submitted by: Linda Jenkins Purnell (WI '67)
There were a set of triplet girls that lived in Stealey. I believed they lived on a street off of Duff Street near Duncan Street, if memory serves me.

This was in the 60’s, they were not identical. I just remember being very fascinated by them. Does anyone remember them? They were a little younger than me, if I remember correctly.

submitted by: Jim Ashley (WI '62)
I wish I could remember the exact number, but I know that there was an article written for the Hilltopper while I was at WI (1958/59 – 1961/62) that listed all the twins in school and I’m sure the number was in the teens. Sounds like a project for Tim Cork to go through the yearbooks for that time period and pick them out for us (I know he will thank me for volunteering him). I guess life would have been easier if the yearbook staff had named all the underclassmen each year instead of just the seniors.

submitted by: Chris Williams (WI '60)
cmw_millersville@yahoo.com
I remember Marilyn and Carolyn Wolf. They lived on South Chestnut Street in Chestnut Hills. They had an older sister named Barbara who was my age and they were a couple of years younger.

submitted by: Jackie Evans Cotter (WI '53)
There might have been one set of twins in my class of 1953 but for the life of me I can't remember their names. Maybe someone else will remember.

But I do know in the class of 1951 there was Dick & Dan Oliker, the Ogrens, Ronnie & I'm not sure of the other one's name. Also Ronnie & Donnie Sedars. They were all in my sister's class.

Thanks again for all you do to keep this news letter going. Merry Christmas to all of you.

submitted by: Corinne Tannenbaum Levy (Would have been: WI '59)
The twins that worked at the Workingman's Store were Jerry and Don Berman.

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)
The class of 1961 had one set of twins: the Martin brothers - HUGH and WILLIAM. From my record keeping for the class of 61, Hugh has passed away, but William is still living in West Virginia (but not Clarksburg, which is where Hugh was when he passed away).

submitted by: Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
I, of course, remember Terry and Jerry Warne WI 1959. I also remember two girls named Bluey and Brownie. They were not identical. I heard that when they were babies the only way to tell them apart was one had blue eyes and one had brown eyes. As they grew up they were totally different. Bluey was taller and had blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Brownie was smaller and had brown hair, a darker complexion and brown eyes. I don't think I ever knew their real names.

BLACKWATER FALLS
submitted by: Linda Jenkins Purnell (WI '67)
I have a story about Blackwater Falls.

When I learned to drive, which was probably 1971- I was a late bloomer-ha

My brother-in-law, Larry Myers, was my driving instructor. Once I got my license, I proudly drove him and my sister-in-law to Blackwater Falls. My sister-in-law and I both had the gift of talking too much. I was driving on a very narrow, winding, downhill road, just talking away. I got very animated in conversation, sorta forgot what I was doing, and almost ran us over the cliff. Luckily my brother-in law grabbed the wheel from the back seat and saved us. He never lets me forget that I almost killed him- well all of us. I must say the trip was well worth it as Blackwater Falls is beautiful. I have been back several times since and I actually drove there in August when I was in town visiting- still well worth the trip - beautiful

submitted by: Jim Burnell (WI '60)
I recently began getting the WI Newsletter and am enjoying reading about people and events. Thanks for including me.

The Photo of Black Water Falls brings back some specific memories that I thought others might find humorous. But first, a little background.

My wife Dede and I were married on March 8, 1969. On that weekend, there was a major snowstorm making roads treacherous, especially in the mountains. At that time, WV DOH hourly employees were attempting to organize a union and get bargaining rights with the state government. Despite road conditions, they did not report to work to do any snow removal. Arch Moore was Governor at the time and he publicly told the employees they would be fired if they did not report to work. They did not report and all were fired. I have never experienced worse road conditions and did not even have snow tires on my car. However, we had reservations at Blackwater Falls for the weekend and nothing was going to change those plans.

Our honeymoon was brief because both of us were attending Fairmont State College and I was working rotating shift work at PPG in Stonewood. We returned to Fairmont late Monday afternoon and I used the time available to study for an exam the next morning. I then drove to Stonewood and worked the 11 to 7 shift, returned to Fairmont, and took the exam at the 8:00 AM class. Now the intelligent thing to do would have been to go home and go to bed. NOT I.

I went to my history class which happened to have a door that opened directly out side. Since it was very cold, I sat adjacent to the door to try to stay awake. Sometime during the class, I woke up because my head was banging the door as I slept and the Prof. asked someone to wake me. I have been very tired a number of times in my life but that was absolutely the worst.

Immediately after the class, I went to the student union to the table reserved for my wife’s sorority. When I approached the table, one of her sorority sisters looked up and saw me. She stood up and in a voice loud enough to be heard in the entire area she shouted “Dede, what did you do that poor guy?”

Although my wife failed to see the humor at the time, we have had a lot of laughs about it since then and we still enjoy an occasional visit to Black Water Falls.

submitted by: Jim Nutter (WI '71)
You posted a beautiful winter picture of Blackwater Falls. That was the location of where my dad, Oscar Nutter (WI 1928) proposed to my mother, Betty. I also chose that wild and wonderful site to propose to Joy. Enclosed is our picture. You can tell by my smile that she said yes. At the time I was 29, and she still makes me smile.

submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
Great Newsletter. Blackwater Falls, photo is beautiful, but I remember young people fooling around and drowning there some summers ago. It looks innocent, but deeper then expected in spots.....the mystery picture.

MY NAME
submitted by: Bryan McIntyre (WI '65)
My first name was my uncle John Bryan McIntyre's middle name. My grandmother liked famous politician and orator William Jennings Bryan and chose his last name as her first son's middle name. A 1908 Presidential Campaign umbrella has been handed down through the McIntyre family. My middle name Ford was also the middle name of my grandfather L. Ford McIntyre, who went by Ford.

submitted by: Jim Nutter (WI '71)
I was named after my Grandfather. James is a popular name in the Nutter family. When I was a freshman, there was a senior Jim Nutter and when I became a sophomore, there was a freshman Jim Nutter. There was also a Jim Nutter that was mayor of Stonewood. Perhaps the most famous Nutter at WI was Virginia Lee Nutter. Students would ask me if I was related to her and most of the time the question was with a threatening tone. It was rather incriminating that we also had the same middle name.

Among the excellent teachers was Mrs. McGee. She was known to be a serious English teacher. First day in class, she asked me a question, to which I promptly and sincerely replied, “I do not know”. Fully expecting a verbal beating, she instead complimented my honesty and further implied that if new students already knew the answers, she would have nothing to teach. At least that is how I remember the exchange and also respecting her for treating me with respect. Since I never personally experienced Miss. Nutter, maybe she was not as authoritarian as her reputation. At least she was born with a good name.

WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT
Each year the appreciative WI Newsletter readers send money to support the Washington Irving Newsletter (WIN) Scholarship. A major fund raiser for this cause is a WIN Scholarship Quilt. Some ladies are kind enough to make quilt squares and Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) puts them together to make a quilt top, then she quilts the entire project into a lovely design usually appraised at well over $2,500.00. This year the quilt has been named “Mary’s Friendship Garden” in memory of Mary Harbert Nophsker (a WI 1958 graduate who was a WIN quilt square maker. Mary died in 2014 and her quilting club finished her square for our quilt).

“Mary’s Friendship Garden”
All money we receive goes to the scholarship fund and each year we have been offering 2 scholarships to graduates of R.C. Byrd High School in Clarksburg, WV. Each are awarded a $3,000.00 scholarship paid to their student account at the college of their choice. This money is paid as $1,500.00 before the fall semester starts and $1,500.00 before the winter semester starts. This money may only be used for tuition, books, or other on campus educational expenses. The 2014 WIN scholarship quilt earned $3,370.00 which certainly helped the cause.

This has been a wonderful "pay forward" project as a thank you to our community, educational system, our principal and our teachers in Clarksburg, WV.

Won't you please give some money to the Scholarship fund or buy some tickets to try to win the 2015 WIN Scholarship quilt?

Tickets are 6 tickets for $5.00 and 12 for $10.00…..so increase your chances by buying lots of tickets. The winning ticket will be drawn at our annual CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC which will be held in Sarasota, Florida on Saturday in March 7, 2015....Mark your calendars to be there. You do not have to be present to win. I will ship the quilt to the winner.

You can even sell tickets to relatives, friends or neighbors. We don't care who wants to buy.

Make your check out to:
Roleta Meredith /WIN Scholarship

And mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, Florida, 34240

WITH YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PLEASE INCLUDE A NOTE

Tell me your full name, you school and year of graduation Indicate if you want tickets put in the drawing in your name. Also, tell me if you want tickets assigned to your name.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO GAVE A big thanks to each of the following who gave to the WIN Scholarship thru gifts to the Scholarship or by buying tickets. All of the money goes to the same bank account!

Barbara Palmer

Darlene Clousson Gave a very nice gift in memory of her husband Bob Clousson (WI 1955)

Liz Teter Akin (WI 1956) Thank you for the lovely letter which I shared with Judy. Your letter was greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support to the WIN Scholarship.

Sam Selario--- (WI 1957) Thanks for your continuing support to the scholarship.

John Teter (WI 1961) Thank you for your continuing support to the scholarship and to the newsletter.

Mary Stump Harrell (WI 1955) Thank you for supporting the scholarship.

Fran Barrett (WI 1950) Thanks for your continuing support to the scholarship and the newsletter.

BELOW ARE TWO MORE BLOCKS THAT WILL BE IN THE 2015 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

I graduated in 1964. I live in Daytona Beach, FL now and for the last 24 years. I learned to sew in Clarksburg .. friends Melinda Mazza Sutter and Linda Rogers helped me learn to read patterns and all. When my children were small, I sewed lots of clothes for them.

They were fun to make and back in the 1960's also volunteered through my church to make clothes for orphans of the Viet Nam War. I have loved fiber arts for years, and do a lot of hand sewing creative things.

I sewed two blocks for the first WIN Quilt. One was called Lowdnes Hill and the other Clarksburg, WV Jewel of the Hills..viewed from Bridgeport Hill. I have only been pieced quilting for 2 years or so. My pieced contributions were this years Rhododendron and last.

I also have an ongoing quilt I am making for my grandson in WV , it is a transportation/boy theme .. it has been a challenge, and I am very excited about it! So far, I have researched and planned it all myself.. fun, fun, fun!

I just love contributing to current students from WI area in some way. Loved all my friends and family there... feel so fortunate to have known everyone from there...

Sherry Hutchinson Keith (WI '64)

Sherry's block is RHODODENDRON BUSH

Block sent by Kitty Sager, wife of Don Sager WI 1956

Kitty's block is APPALACHIAN SNOWDROP

UPDATE ON JIM FRAGALE
JIM FRAGALE ('58) RE-VISITED

Dateline Sunday, December 21, 2014, Richard Johnson’s column in the New York Post: “James A. Fragale has a great way to memorialize his mother, Louise, who died of breast cancer. The author of “The Answer to Life”* picks up pennies he finds on the street. At the end of the year, he takes his collection, plus a check for $150, and donates it to the American Cancer Society.”

If you’re inclined, check out a similar story in Newsweek, by James A. Fragale, “In Praise of Humble Coin."

*Five Star, http://amazon.com/, novel

MEMORIES OF WEST VIRGINIA ACCENTS,
ICE CREAM AND THE CLARKSBURG LIBRARY
submitted by: Mary Stump Harrell (WI '55)
msharrell2005@frontier.com
I have two stories about WV accents. The first involves our neighbor, Mrs. Greer. Mrs. Greer taught English literature in Towson, Md for a couple of years, and then began teaching in Romney, WV. She told me that she found it much easier to teach Shakespeare to the rural children in Romney than to the "sophisticated" students in Towson (a well-to-do- Baltimore suburb) because the Romney students still spoke and understood many of the idioms found in Shakespeare's plays.

Second story is from a friend of mine. Bridget and I were roommates in grad school in the DC area. Bridget was Irish - having lived the first eleven years of her life in Ireland and then moving to the Bronx where her family lived when we roomed together. She went to Ireland one summer and was on the boat to the Aran Isles when she heard the man next to her talking to his wife. She said his accent sounded exactly like me and she turned to him and asked him if he was from Clarksburg, WV. The man was astonished -- it was Steve Griffeth (the owner of the VW dealership in Clarksburg). (And apologies, because I am sure I have spelled the name incorrectly. - Griffiths?)

As to ice cream -- never was there a more wonderful source of ice cream than the Pure on E. Pike Street across from St Mary's/ Notre Dame. Ice cream was a nickel a dip and I always bought a double dip vanilla/chocolate mix. Not very original, but most delicious. Of course Hagan's was a good place for ice cream, too - but they were down town; the Pure was walking distance from our neighborhood. Dairy Queen arrived further East on Pike Street as we got older, and lured us away from Pure -- but I have never forgotten summer evenings walking to the Pure to get a cone.

I remember the Library very well. One day in particular stands out in my memory -- it was early winter, cold and grey, and I was there for some school project. The library had gas stoves in various rooms, and I remember the smell of the gas fire and looking out the window of the second floor to watch the snow falling. Don't know what the project was, but I distinctly remember the feeling of comfort, the warmth, the smell, and the snow. I spent many hours at the Library over the years - don't know why that particular day stands out --- it is a beautiful old building and I am sorry it is no longer the Library. The new one is necessary, I am sure, but it is cold and institutional --not cozy like the old Lowndes home.

Thanks again to you and Judy and all who help you get this newsletter out --- I enjoy it every month - all things stop when it arrives, and I spend an hour or two reading it. I am eager to hear all about the Reunion in the next few months

MEMORIES OF MY YOUTH IN CLARKSBURG
submitted by: Bob Secret (WI '60)
When I was a kid I can remember the 17 cartoons at the Ritz Theatre on Saturday mornings for maybe a quarter... I had fun at the Orpheum and Moore's opera houses watching movies of Alan Rocky Lane, Tim Holt, Whip Wilson, Lash Larue, and Randolph Scott all westerns...use to love the marshmallow sundaes at the Candyland on corner of Pike and Fourth....at Peps Cutrite in Glen Elk was the best malt-a-plenty milk shake as thick as any blizzard shake today... Also I couldn't wait to trade a Micky Mantle baseball card’s for a couple of marbles I could use in the afternoon matches.

Those places are gone now.... Peps Cutrite was Phillip’s Restaurant as recent as 3 years ago . The ole Candyland was a beauty shop , but is now an empty corner lot...a bank, a library, and several small businesses have replaced Moore's, Ritz, and the Orpheum respectively....the Robinson Grand Theatre is being remodeled for future restoration into The Arts

I thought I was a real wheeler-dealer I just felt like writing and happily being a small part of your wonderful newsletter. Thanks so much for being so kind and passionate in your deliverance these many years. God Bless you both.

GROWING UP IN THE STONEWALL JACKSON HOTEL
submitted by: Patti Porter (WI '72)
plphome@aol.com
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: I found this fascinating and Patti and I wrote back and forth several times and the results of our conversation turned into what you see below.

My Father was the manager of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel from1959-1972. We lived in the hotel. We had what they called the penthouse, but actually 2 apartments . There was a foyer then a 1 bedroom apartment on the left and 2 bedroom apartment on the right, we had a private stairway up to it. I grew up there, there was not a part of it I did not see, play or work. The dining room and kitchen for the hotel was downstairs from the lobby. The Ballrooms were on the 2nd floor.

You would not believe all the people I met there. Had cookies and milk in the service kitchen with Jackie Kennedy while J.F.K. was giving a speech during his campaign . His brother, Bobby, stayed at the hotel for weeks during that time and would ride with my Mher and oldest sister to therapy, He loved the whirl pool for his back. Pat Paulson during his "Paulson" for president campaign, Hubert Humphry, were there too. Harry Truman came for my sisters 16th birthday ( he and my Dad had been friends for yrs. All the bands that came thru town stayed at the Stonewall........and so many others. Martin Sheen and an entire movie crew stayed while they were filming a civil war movie nearby, don't know if it was ever released.

Another story I dearly love. When one of the new roads was being built, Dad gave 1 floor to the workers and I guess the state a better rate. I was working the front desk one Sunday night when one of the guys came to check in. I think he was drunk, but he signed in and when I told the rate he asked if I went with the room, now I was at WI at that time so a minor, I took his card he had signed in on and the room key back and said he was not welcome to stay and gave directions to the Gore. All this time knowing my Dad was in his office with the door open and hearing all of this. The guy went nuts and wanted to see the manager so I turned around and very sweetly said, "Dad could you come out here for a minute?" This guy’s jaw dropped to the floor when my Dad came around the corner and said "Sure honey what’s wrong?" My Dad was Leonard Porter.

I think the hotel is my only fond memory of Clarksburg. Although I do have some very dear friends I still keep in contact with.

SPECIAL WAY OF WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR
submitted by: Mayf Nutter (Bridgeport HS '59 )
mayfnutter@att.net
During my years growing up in Harrison County, our family, we had a special way of welcoming THE NEW YEAR.

No fireworks, no booze, but lots of family fun.

Each member of the family would select a pot or a pan from the kitchen and a spoon -wooden or metal- and sometimes a big ole lid from a kettle or big pan.

We would all gather outside our house as midnight approached. Counting down the minutes, then the seconds, the excitement kept growing.

At the stroke of 12 midnight on New Year's Eve we would begin pounding on the pots and pans and yelling, 'HAPPY NEW YEAR"!

Sometimes neighbors would hear the racket and bring their own pots and pans outside to join in the fun with us.

I have kept that family tradition alive with our three California-grown children and their families.

If we are not able to be together at the moment the New Year arrives…we call each other on the phone.

The pots and pans ring in the NEW YEAR across the country.

And the joy spills over all of us, as we welcome in yet another, "HAPPY NEW YEAR".

I have my "really loud" kettle lid all set aside. There will be lots of loud GONGING goin' on

Happy New Year shouting here in Bakersfield, California….real soon now.

My wish for you is that you have a HAPPY NEW YEAR and that you just STAY HAPPY!

Common now…STAY Happy!

MEMORIES
submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
My dad and I used to get haircuts from Young Jimmy who is located across from the Methodist church, I am still his customer. His dad Frank died a few years ago. It is the place to go to learn the latest street news. I listened to John Peters on WPDX-Radio in the morning when I went to WI. He was my favorite DJ. When WBOY-TV started, John was the News director and I was staff announcer also doing a live kids show weekdays at 5PM. John served as general manager of WDTV the other new TV station in Harrison county and as a bailiff of the Harrison County Sheriff. John allowed me to use his office at the court house later to phone in vote results to the radio station where I did play by play sports and special events broadcasts. His film segment was great stuff. I believe the Coca-Cola building is yet standing in Glen Elk and I had to read the WI newsletter to learn my next door neighbor, Cathy Streogen, got her middle name after my older sister Lavaughn, an early WI graduate now in a Clarksburg nursing home at the age of 99......

MANY MEMORIES OF SCHOOL AND CLARKSBURG
submitted by: Jim Hovey (WI '62)
Knowing that we readers are accountable for the content of your great newsletter, I’ve finally gotten up the nerve to put some thoughts on paper for possible inclusion in the January 2015 edition. It is somewhat intimidating to write in that those that do write regularly evidently actually listened to Miss Nutter and generally do an excellent job of conveying their thoughts on paper (or cloud).

Very seldom does a day go by when some remembrance of growing up in Clarksburg doesn’t flash through my thoughts. Now, at the end of a year and during the holiday season, memories of celebrating the season return. Going to the Stonewall Billiards during the day of New Year’s Eve – drinking too much beer and then going home to try to sober up so I could make a somewhat presentable appearance to pick up my date to ring in the New Year at a party, was always a challenge. And I wasn’t alone.

I do have an interesting memory of one holiday season in particular. I returned from Vietnam in late November of 1967. In the weeks that followed and during that Christmas Holiday season, I dated several young ladies. I went to one young lady’s house to pick her up, rang the doorbell, (I never attained the stud status required to sit outside in the vehicle and blow the horn until the girl came out of the house), and was invited into the home. I walked in, was introduced to the girl’s brother (whom I knew from WI), mother and father. The look on the father’s face was one I will never forget. It was sheer terror. He stammered about for a few minutes until his daughter and I said our good nights and left. I successfully tried not to think about what had transpired until later. The young lady and I spent our date sitting at the bar at the Purple Tree. She was a delightful person and I had a wonderful time. We never went out again. It took a while but I finally figured out what had happened. My father was in the Exchange Club in Clarksburg. Since Vietnam and what was going on there was still generally unknown, he had asked and I agreed to speak at the weekly meeting about my experiences there. I put on my Marine uniform (I was actually a Navy Corpsman assigned to the 1st Marine Division) and answered questions the members had about my experiences. One questioner asked how many ears I had cut off of Viet-Cong soldiers. Others had equally brutal questions – things they had heard via rumors etc. (for the record, I never nor did I see anyone else ever cut off anyone’s ears). The girl’s father had been in the audience. And even though I denied the horror stories attributed to me and the guys I was with in Vietnam, he was unable to get past them. I see this man’s face every holiday. And I wonder what became of his delightful daughter.

MARCH 7, 2015
ANNUAL CLARKSBURG PICNIC
FOR ANYONE
BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING AWAY FROM CLARKSBURG
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER AND SHARE STORIES
I have already received several reservations for the picnic and also many have stated that they will be staying in the hotel….so if you plan on attending, please let me know. If you plan to stay in the hotel please read below for information. The16th Annual Clarksburg Reunion Picnic will be held at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Florida on March 7, 2015.

We start about 10:30 setting up. We start visiting around 11:00. We have lunch, laugh and visit. I usually have a few door prizes to give out. (If you have anything that you would like to bring to give as a door prize, just put it in a gift bag and bring it to me---new things only, of course).

The picnic is a covered dish type of meal. You only need to bring a covered dish and your drinks of choice. If you bring an alcoholic beverage, you are requested to drink it from either a plastic or Styrofoam glass. The menu is Clarksburg, WV style hot dogs as we remember them, except I haven’t figured out how to steam approx. 250 buns at a picnic,,,,other than that, it seems that people really look forward to them each year. And for those not from Clarksburg who eat slaw on their hot dogs, we even have some slaw for you. We have fried chicken that a group of out of “towners” who stay at a nearby motel get together and furnish for the picnic. We pass the hat to collect money to pay for the facility, the table service, the hot dogs and all that goes with it to make a successful day!.

Tickets for the WIN SCHOLARSHIP Quilt will be for sale at the picnic but it is much easier for everyone if you will please purchase your tickets by mail from me, but some ladies will volunteer to sell tickets in case you forget to buy yours. We will have the drawing for the quilt after we take the group pictures so don’t leave early! Pictures will appear in the April 2015 Newsletter.

Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) has talked to Country Inn and Suites and has a block of 15 rooms set aside for the picnic. If you want any information about the location or the prices, (same location as last year for you regulars) please contact Fred Alvaro at falvaro33@aol.com or call the motel at 941-363-4000 and make sure you say that you are with the Clarksburg West Virginia Group. REMEMBER, there are only 15 rooms, so better call now if you need one. It is so much fun to stay at the hotel and continue visiting even more after the picnic is over.

If you are going to attend the picnic, please let me know. I NEED your reservation. I don’t want to buy and prepare food for 100 people and have 200 show up. That is only a courteous thing to do, right? Send me an email with the name of those attending (if from WV….give me their school and year of graduation). Please always sign your letters to me with your name, include maiden name if it applies, your school and year of graduation. Write to Roleta1@aol.com or call me at 941-342-0030 with any questions.

Thank you and I hope to SEE YOU AT THE PICNIC!

WHY DO I FEEL DISAPPOINTED ???
The WVU football season is over and I hate to see it end. You see, I enjoyed watching this team. I felt early on that they had the pieces in place to have a great season. Then the last minute disaster against TCU happened and things began to change. They lost to an average Texas team, lost their starting QB and the game against a pretty average Kansas State team and won with a back-up against a poor Iowa State squad.

For some reason, I thought Skylar Howard might be the answer. I was wrong. I forgot that he has only started two games and against Texas A & M, it showed. That, coupled with the rushing offense AND defense not showing-up for the bowl game, and the punting game looking nothing like it did during the regular season, equaled an eight point loss to another average team.

Let's face it, this was a game the Mountaineers should have won. They were the better team coming in, but lost all of their momentum after halftime. So, why do I feel disappointed? Because I'm ready for something better than 7--6. Because I don't mind losing to a better team as long as the effort is there. And, because I'm not sure that I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

As I've said before, we're playing with the big boys now, so to compete, we'd better start recruiting athletes who can play hardball. If we don't, you can expect many more 7--6 seasons or worse.

What did you think of the Liberty Bowl game? Are you optimistic about next year? Write and let us know your thoughts and comments.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

COMMENTS FROM READERS FOLLOWING THE LIBERTY BOWL GAME
To Bill:

I hoped WVU would win 5 games when the season started. Thanks to the hard work, they far exceeded my expectation, But, as Coach Bobby Moss said, "The name of the game is defense. You don't score on me, you cannot win." I guess I am from the old school. I still bleed gold and blue.

Bob Dennison, WI 1957

To Bill:

Our Quarterback was very bad throwing. 20 completions out of 45 is pretty poor throwing. He threw over their heads all afternoon. He hit a couple big ones, but receivers did a great job. Unless he improves, and I am sure he will, next year could be tough. We didn't play a bad game, just a few slip ups here and there. We could have won it. They still did better for the year than most people thought they would, including me.

Bud Collins, (WI 1955)

To Bill……….

Well, I'm glad that we didn't drive to Memphis. Seemed a lot like our trips to Charlotte and Jacksonville for previous disasters. I'm totally dumbfounded of how our players continually make bonehead plays—running into the punter, not covering opponents coming out of the backfield, catching punts inside the TEN, etc. These kids have been playing ball for many years prior to WVU and should know the basics. Nowhere to look except the COACHING, whether it be motivation and preparedness or just poor schemes. We didn't have a good season except for the Baylor game. We keep being told that we are recruiting excellent players. Maybe a truly great QB will emerge (Trickett and Howard were transfers). That’s the key in all the college landscape. Now for some ROUNDBALL.

Don Sager, (WI 1956)

To Bill:

With Trickett, WVU wins by 3 touchdowns. He would have controlled the flow. There would have been no six straight three and outs with Trickett. It looked like we got out coached, but our defense just got too tired.

Bob Secret, W I 1960

What happened in the second half? Another case of where adjustments made by the opposing coaching staff at halftime were not recognized by Holgorsen and countered. Howard certainly didn't look good, except for a couple of long bombs. He couldn't hit intermediate receivers and overthrew often, so far overthrown that they couldn't even be intercepted! The defense was worn down in the second half, because they were on the field so much.

Things don't look good for next year. How good is the Big 12, now that Oklahoma got blown out? We will see.

Stu Cashman (LaSalle HS, Niagara Falls, NY 1956)

OUT OF LUCK:
The resignation of Oliver Luck as Athletic Director at WVU was not a big surprise to anyone. Apparently, he was reluctant to accept the job in the first place. He is very well respected in the college ranks, as evidenced by his selection to the very first panel, which decided the participants in the initial college football playoffs. Even his detractors must admit that he is a very intelligent guy.

He had at least as many fans who disliked him as those who thought he did a wonderful job. Count me as one of those sorry to see him leave. He gave WVU a voice on the national stage unlike any they have ever had in the past. He improved the athletic department finances and facilities, more so than any of his predecessors, and got us into a major conference, when it seemed possible that we would be left out and in a second-tier league.

He made a few mistakes, but only those who don't do anything avoid making those. Perhaps, he could have been a little "nicer" in some of his personnel moves. Or, he could have waited for the ACC to issue an invitation to join, but WVU had only been waiting since 1953 for that to happen. As with most controversial people, only history decides their greatness. I have a feeling that he will be missed in Morgantown much sooner than most expect.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIDGEPORT HIGH SCHOOL---CLASS AA CHAMPS IN FOOTBALL

"HUGS" TO THE WVU BASKETBALL TEAM:
The pre conference schedule is over. Now, it's on to the big time games. The Mountaineers are 12--1 and in reality should be undefeated. This has been quite a turnaround for the team from the past two seasons. This team is fun to watch seem to be enjoying the games.

They are not the best shooting team in the nation, but they play very hard, are always in the other team's face on defense and rebound with the best around. They won't match up well with Kentucky or Duke, but I'd give them an even chance against about anybody else.

IF, they can get just a little bit of consistency in their shooting, they will be a "tough out" for the teams in the Big 12. We wish them luck and look forward to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in March.

CAN YOU NAME ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS 1951 WI FOOTBALL TEAM?
submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)
mysto99@aol.com

WV LIVING
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

WRITTEN BY LAURA WILCOX ROTE
PUBLISHED ON DEC. 2, 2014
A great article about Clarksburg, Laura takes you on a drive through Clarksburg and surrounding area. She talks about the way it was and the way it is today. It is very interesting. WV Living is an on line magazine. “Clarksburg, West Virginia” written by Laura Wilcox Rote is a featured article.

Click on the address below or Copy and place in your search engine: Enjoy and write and tell us the way you remember things.

http://www.wvliving.com/Winter-2014/Living-in-Clarksburg/? utm_source=Sneak+Peek+-+WV+Living+- +Winter+14&utm_campaign=WVL+Sneak+Peek+- +Winter+2014&utm_medium=email#.VH-lPWBLfCI.mailto

GENEALOGY
submitted by: Dave Kuhl (WI '62)
dbkuhl@bellsouth.net
How to find records about your relatives who served in WW II.

Collect every detail you can from every available source and file it in one place on your computer. Set up a file label system which will sort your notes together. Example:

Spangler, Robert Hutton (1922-2004) SSDI.

In this file, I placed information from the SSDI (Social Security Death records Index) which was available at the free website https://familysearch.org/.

Then I compiled the following note which I sent to a cousin who had a subscription to Ancestry.com. If you don’t have a contact who will look something up for you, go to a library which has free access to Ancestry. You will need as much detail as you can get to make sure you have the right individual. This is particularly important with common names. You can also get a free temporary or longer term paid membership to Ancestry.

-----------------------------------------------------

Look up request for Ancestry.com.

Please see if you can come up with WW II enlistment and service record for my cousin

Enlistment was likely in WV in 1941 or 42.
He served in the US Army Air Force as a nose gunner on a B-26 and later crew chief.
Rank: sergeant
He flew out of Libya and Sardinia – that was probably under the 15th Air Force. I would need the Squadron Number to look up his unit on reunion sites, unit history, etc.

Known facts:
Name: ROBERT Hutton SPANGLER, “Bob”
Born: 11 May 1922
Place: Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV
High school: Washington Irving class of 1939

It turned out that he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Ohio. The information acquired from Ancestry.com is displayed below. I assigned a file name to the record so that I would not have to start over from scratch the next time I wanted to research more on my cousin. Save every detail, you never know what information will become important. Other steps may include paying for records from official sources. You want to have “all of your ducks in a row” before you start spending money requesting official personnel records where you may not get your money back if you have the wrong person or a bad service number. Good luck.

File Name: Spangler, Robert Hutton (1922-2004) WW II Army enlistment.

Source Information:
National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

OBITUARIES
MARY LOU FLOYD HAYES

Mary Lou (Floyd) Hayes – was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on November 5, 1931 and passed away in her sleep on December 1, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. She had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease caused dementia.

She is survived by her brother Carl (Buzz) Floyd and sisters; Sally Jo Basinger and Rebecca Anne (Becky) Litsinger.

Mary Lou was the Mother of two children, David and Frena (Libby) Brantly; with Libby preceding her in death. Grandmother of four and Great Grandmother of four. Mary Lou was the eldest daughter of Frena Heater Floyd and Carl P. Floyd.

Mary Lou graduated from Victory High School in Clarksburg, Class of 1949 and subsequently moved to Jacksonville, Florida when she married Carroll J Hayes. A long life living in Jacksonville gained her many friends and most of her family lived nearby. She will be missed.

SHIRLEY JO ANDRE CAREY
Shirley Jo Andre Carey, 78, of Van Buren Street, Clarksburg, passed away Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at United Hospital Center following a brief illness.

She was born June 12, 1936, in Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Gus and Ilene Wolf Andre.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Clement Carey, whom she married June 10, 1956. Also surviving are three sons, Bruce Carey and his wife Pam, Clarksburg, Mike Carey and his wife Cheryl, Morgantown, and Scott Carey and his wife Patty, Bridgeport; 10 grandchildren, Megan Carey, Kelly Baker and her husband Roger, Chris Carey and his wife Erica, Chelsy Smith and her husband Wellington, Craig Carey, Chelby Carey, Sean Carey, Kayla Carey, Jason Carey and Justin Carey; and two great-grandsons, Caden Carey and Isaac Baker.

Mrs. Carey was a 1954 graduate of Victory High School, graduated from LPN school through St. Mary’s Hospital and very proudly worked as an LPN in Dr. Paul Gordon’s office. She was a member of the Adamston United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards

MARY ALICE KACINEC CONLEY
Mary Alice Kacinec Conley, age 40, of Mount Clare, WV, departed this life on December 7, 2014, at the United Hospital Center.

She was born in Clarksburg, WV, on August 18, 1974, a daughter of John Kacinec and Wilma Rexroad Kacinec, both of Clarksburg.

Her husband, Sean Michael Conley, whom she married on October 23, 2007, resides at their home in Mount Clare.

She is also survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Julia Conley, at home; a brother, John Kacinec of Clarksburg; a niece, Bailee Ann Kacinec; brother-in-law, Christopher “CP” and his wife Carri Conley of Clarksburg; her mother-in-law, Brenda Jo Conley; nephews, Zane and Aiden; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins including her Aunt Betty Shawhan, Aunt Marilyn Wolford, Aunt Polly Wilfong, Uncle Raymond Rexroad and Uncle Jimmy Rexroad.

She was preceded in death by her Aunt Barbara Midrock, Uncle Robert Rexroad, Uncle Chuck Rexroad and Uncle John Shawhan.

Mary was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1993 and attended Fairmont State. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the Norwood P.T.O. and a cheerleading mom with Clarksburg Little Eagles.

ROBERT P. MORAN
Robert P. Moran, 76, of Clarksburg, passed away on Friday afternoon, December 5, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1938, in Clarksburg, a son of the late Charles Moran and Virginia Talkington.

He is survived by his wife, Delores Jean Snyder Moran. He is also survived by four sons, Mark A. Moran of California, Ryan R. Moran of California, Eric R. Moran of Ohio and Ivan A. Moran of Clarksburg; four grandsons, Justin D. Pierce, Tyler Moran, Robert P. Moran and Devan Moran; two granddaughters, Makayla C. Moran and Chloe Moran.

Mr. Moran was a graduate of Victory High School and from there was employed with Anchor Hocking for 30 years until its closure. He loved to travel, visiting many states throughout the United States.

JAMES M. GUIHER, JR
James M. Guiher, Jr., died on December 17 in Columbia, Maryland. Beloved husband of Elizabeth “Liddy” Hart Guiher and father of Catharine Brownfield Guiher and Deborah Guiher Chamblee. The only child of Ruth Souders and James M. Guiher, Sr., he was born in Clarksburg, WV, on February 21, 1927. He was raised in Clarksburg and graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1945. After military service as Private First Class in the Army in post-World War II occupied Germany, he attended Princeton University on the GI bill, Class of 1951. He attended Harvard Law School, but did not finish, opting instead to get an MFA degree from the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston in 1954.

He married Liddy in 1954 and they settled in New York City. Jim worked for Prentice-Hall Publishing Company, where he rose to be the sponsoring editor for art and geology books. His crowning achievement there was publishing the textbook edition of H.W. Janson’s History of Art. Later, he became editor-in-chief of the elementary and high school textbooks division.

He retired from publishing in 1976 to pursue a writing career and intellectual pursuits. Valuing the wisdom of Greek pagan culture, he wrote two Greek-themed plays, “Aphrodite” and “Candoo!”, which he self-published in 2010.

In later life, he had become increasingly concerned about political discord and religious intolerance, both in the United States and around the world, and felt that the Greek philosophy of “everything in moderation, nothing to excess” held the key to the world’s problems.

Jim devoted great efforts to preserving family history and artifacts. He ensured that the avant garde films of Liddy’s uncle, Jim Davis, were housed at Anthology Film Archives, curated by Robert Haller, and that numerous family historical documents were housed at the West Virginia and Regional History Center at West Virginia University, curated by John Cuthbert.

After living in NYC for 60 years, he moved to Maryland in October 2014 to Charlestown retirement community, where his daughter Deborah works. He was looking forward to a new chapter of his life and to continue working on disseminating his wisdom and insights through his writings, but increasingly nagging health issues resulted in his time being cut short.

His parting wish for humanity is for people around the world to follow a path of moderation rather than fanaticism.

SARAH STIREWALT
Sarah Stirewalt, 77, of Willow Beach, passed away Saturday morning, December 13, 2014, in Heartland of Clarksburg. She was born in Clarksburg on September 9, 1937, a daughter of the late Paul Douglas and Mary Rose Notch Ruckman.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Max R. Stirewalt.

Also surviving are two daughters, Cindy Holbert and her husband Art, Twinsburg, OH, and Mary Carpenter, Clarksburg; and a son, Jody Stirewalt of NC; seven grandchildren and a great grandson, Grayson Stafford; three sisters, Pauline Jett, Lost Creek, Judith Pennell of Florida and Betty King, Berea, OH; and several nieces and nephews complete her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Randy Stirewalt; a granddaughter, Moriah Holbert; and two brothers, John and Kenneth Ruckman.

Sarah was a graduate of R-W High School, Class of 1955. She was a member of Bible Baptist Temple, Stonewood, and she loved working in her yard and flower beds.

CHARLES KENNETH BROOKS
Mr. Charles Kenneth Brooks went to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, December 11, 2014, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV.

He was born on September 22, 1928, in Pennsboro, WV the son of the late William Henry Brooks and Opal Markle Brooks.

After serving as class president for three years, he graduated from Victory High School in 1946.

He served in the United States Coast Guard from March 1949 to March 1954. He worked at the Adamston Flat Glass factory, Fourco Glass, and later was an International Representative for the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers International Union.

He was preceded in death in November 1993 by his wife, Wanda, his high school sweetheart, whom he married on March 22, 1952.

He is survived by his daughter, Jody Brooks Holbert, and son-in-law, Steven “Gooch” Holbert, of Bridgeport. He was a devoted grandfather to his grandsons, Joshua S. Holbert with his wife, Heather H. Holbert, of Bridgeport and to Adam C. Holbert of Pittsburgh. He was also the proud great-grandfather to Jack Brooks Holbert, Will Steven Holbert and Charlie James Holbert. He is survived by his brother, William Brooks of Clarksburg; brother-in-law, Ron Michael and wife Linda of Clarksburg; sister-in-law, Joan White and husband Robert of Bridgeport, and Kathleen Michael of Chapel Hill, NC. He is also survived by his nieces.

WILLIAM RUSSELL ROMANO
William Russell Romano, age 85, passed away on December 18, 2014, at Meadowview Manor following an extended illness.

He was born in Houston, PA, on November 1, 1929, a son of the late William and Rose Marie Glass Romano.

He was married to Jennie Elizabeth Rome Romano, who preceded him in death on April 18, 2011.

Surviving are stepson, Charles “Sonny” Blake of Summit Park, and three step grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Catherine Malindzak of Bridgeport, and Virginia Christafore of Gore; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Christine Agrippe, his sister, Teresa “Daisy” Marozzi, and his brother, Anthony “Tony” Romano.

Russell was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He retired from Union Carbide as a brick layer after 30 years of service. Russell was a former member of Moose Lodge 52, B.P.O. Elks and Sons of Italy. He loved to play golf and enjoyed being a golf caddie in his younger years. Russ was an avid NASCAR fan and never missed watching a race.

KYLE E. RICHARDS
Kyle E. Richards, 77, of Bridgeport passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family.

He was born May 15, 1937, in Orlando, WV, a son of the late Clellie Richards and Edna Mae King Richards.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patty Tennant Richards, whom he married on May 3, 1957. He is also survived by two daughters, Janet Ferrell and her husband Robert of Pittsburgh, PA, and Christy Richards and her fiancée Robert Martin of Sugarcreek, OH; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and one niece.

He was also preceded in death by one sister, Jean Karickhoff, and one nephew, Stephen Karickhoff

Mr. Richards was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, Class of 1955, and from there he was a veteran of the United States Army, serving proudly from 1960-1962. He was also employed with the Oil and Gas Industry for 31 years until his retirement. Even though he was retired, he still was active, working for Carl Hays at Chamberlain Well Operators and then for Dody Spagnuolo at Spag’s Service Station.

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