The annual Clarksburg Reunion in Sarasota, Florida was held on March 1, 2008. We had about 130 people present. The weather was magnificent. No big winds, just a gentle breeze. The sun was pretty warm but we had plenty of nice shade provided by the large pavilion and the lovely live oak trees with the hanging Spanish moss.
Many people come to Sarasota from out of town on Thursday. Some of us visited on Thursday night at a nice little Greek restaurant. On Friday many more people arrived in town and about 30 people stayed at the local motel on Friday and Saturday nights. This enabled people to not only visit at the picnic but to also share daytime fun and some meals together. It was a fun filled week end of laughter, good food and visiting with old and new friends. Many people make a week trip to the southwestern part of Florida at this time of the year and they join us at the CLARKSBURG REUNION. Others spend the winters in Sarasota or nearby areas. Some come for a 3 or 4 day week-end. And of course, some of us live in Sarasota. Hopefully more people will come join us next year.
The food consisted of covered dishes brought to the picnic by each couple attending. Each person brings their own drink. Then we pass the hat to collect money to help cover the cost of the picnic. Thank goodness we collected enough to cover this year’s expenses. The rent for the pavilion has doubled for next year but the people attending the picnic voiced their opinion to me about moving elsewhere. Everyone loves the surroundings and the quiet serene setting where we hold the picnic, so we will stay at the same place next year. But the costs will increase.
This year Sue Selby Moats undertook the making of a quilt to raise money for the WIN Scholarship. With the help of a group of lovely ladies who are all interested in sewing and using their abilities to sew squares for the making the quilt, Sue and her helpers produced the 2008 WIN Scholarship Quilt. This year the quilt was named “Spring Sensations” and was made of material with different patterns in lovely lavender colors. Sue put the backing on, bordered the squares, trimmed it all up and quilted it into a very professional quilt which would probably sell in today’s quilt markets for over a thousand dollars. Sue also undertook the selling of tickets for the drawing and the WIN Scholarship received $1,500.00 from this project. This enabled us to have a $3,000.00 scholarships which will be given to 2 students in Clarksburg who will graduate from R.C. Byrd High School in 2008. Scholarship applications are available at the school counselor. If you know anyone who is in that school and would like to apply for the scholarship, have them ask Mr. Jim Moore for an application for the WIN Scholarship.
The counselors and the principal pick the recipients.
I asked people at the picnic to send me pictures they took at the picnic. The pictures in this were sent to me by Marolyn Tustin Jett and her husband John, Don Sager, Sherri Greitzner Dial, Jim Alvaro, Bill School and my pictures too. If I missed naming someone, please tell me and I will acknowledge you also. Since I didn’t receive pictures from too many people, many of the pictures are of the same people.
I have listed 129 people at the picnic but some people forgot to register at the desk and were not on the list when the count was made. Some people are not in pictures because they left before pictures were taken and the prizes were given away.
I hope each of you will try to attend the CLARKSBURG REUNION PICNIC next year. It is up to you to spread the word. I have no way of advertising other than through the nearly 2,000 who now read the newsletter. That is a lot of people to talk this up. Get it in your neighborhood newspaper, or the newspaper in your town, tell those who vacation in Florida , spend some winter months in Florida or have moved to Florida. Tell them the details. The next CLARKSBURG REUNION is March 7, 2009 in Sarasota, Florida. Watch the WI Newsletter for information throughout the year!
WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US
NEXT YEAR. THE MORE THE MERRIER!
THE HOT DOGS WITH CHILI SAUCE (CLARKSBURG STYLE)
WERE AGAIN A HIT!
WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT “SPRING SENSATIONS”
Pictured above are Roleta Smith Meredith and Sue Selby Moats holding the WIN
SCHOLARSHIP QUILT named “SPRING SENSATIONS”. The winning ticket
was drawn at the CLARKSBURG REUNION which took place in Sarasota,
Florida on March 1, 2008. The sale of tickets throughout the year for the quilt
earned $1,5000.00 for the WIN Scholarship. The winner of the quilt was Judy
and Sonny Talkington, who bought their winning ticket at the WI Picnic in
Clarksburg in August 2007. We will again sell tickets at the WI picnic in August
for the WIN Scholarship which will be given away next March 7, 2009. We will
also be selling tickets throughout this year.
The group gathers for a hot dog made with chili from a Clarksburg restaurant recipe.
Pictured above left to right are Jay Sharp, next in the WV hat is Mike (Henessee), Jay’s
cousin. In the yellow sweater is Martha Ann Jefferies Rice and with the plate in hand is
Sara Stevenson Laber. Behind Jay is Bryan McIntyre and behind Mike are Eve and Frank
Muscari—in the white cap is John Jett.
GROUP PICTURES
Thanks to Don Sager (WI 1956) who took these group pictures. He was assisted by Babe
Bisping Cashman (WI 1956) who recorded the names and her husband Stu Cashman who
used the megaphone and got the people together…
GRADUATES FROM BRIDGEPORT HIGH SCHOOL
Front row l-r: Sonja Grossa Alvaro, Karen Poe Alvaro, Dokie Boone Natcher Back row l-r: Butch Grossa, Joe Charles, and Larry O’Grady
ATTENDING FROM VICTORY AND SHINNSTON
Hey, what happened this year to all the people from
Shinnston and Victory? We used to have a nice size group from both schools. You know
this is called the Clarksburg reunion so all of you come next year please. You read the
newsletter, and that is why I have the reunion. So please come and join us next year!
Terry Fleming (VHS 1963) and Sharon Ashcraft Fleming (VHS 1963)
WI CLASSES 1951 TO 1953
Front row l-r: Bernice King McHenry (WI 1952), Shirley Kopp Gainer (WI 1953)
Back row l-r: George Scholl, Lawrence Kinney, Bill Strickler, Ron Gainer
SPOUSES NOT FROM CLARKSBURG
Pictured below are our supporters…those who come each year and enjoy the picnic with
us. They are our friends. We have gotten to know each one of them and they are now
part of our Clarksburg family.
Lajune Cohen, Mike Donato, Sandy Strickler, Ray Snead, Carol Brassine, Emil Johnson, Donna Drummond, Barbara Charles, Eve Muscari, Kitty Sager, Jim Davis, Martin
Schwartz, John Jett, Virginia Scholl, Betty Jennings, Bob Jennings, David Shachat, Carolyn Dennison, Stu Cashman, Bill Meredith, Lou Dial, Dave Moore, Eric Larson
WI GRADS FROM 1940 TO 1950
Gerry Wright (WI 1950), Ron Ogren (WI 1950), Betty Beverlin Miller (WI 1948),
Marvin Miller (WI 1945)
WI GRADUATES OF 1960
Penny Christie Johnson, Linda Oliverio Kolosky, Mary Elizabeth Weaver Snead, Pam Wolfe Brown, Trudy Morelan Moodispaugh, Mickey Drummond, George Cinci
WI GRADUATES 1962 TO 1965
Vicki Limbers, Marilyn Hurst Lee (WI 1963), Bryan McIntyre (WI 1965), Carol Findlay Cinci (WI 1964)
NOTRE DAME GRADUATES
We hope the Notre Dame Grads in the Sarasota area will attend next year. And any of you who live farther away, remember a lot of people make this a week end trip so come join us for memories, fun and loads of laughter.
Liz Brummage Tustin (ND 1959), Roberta Brassine Larson (ND 1957)
WI GRADUATES FROM THE CLASSES OF 1954 AND 1955
Lady in all blue on the left is Barbara Boreman (WI 1955), Martha Jeffries Rice in the yellow sweater—celebrated her birthday with us…Happy Birthday Martha (WI 1955), Sara Stevenson Laber in print top (WI 1955) , Bill Brassine on far right in blue shirt (WI 1954), Joe Boomer—in light blue shirt (WI 1954), Bud Collins in center in brown shirt (WI 1955) , Sue
Moats—lady in lavender top on far right (WI 1955), Bucky Tustin in WV hat back row on left (WI 1955), Bob Clousson far right back row in blue shirt (WI 1955)
WI GRADUATES OF 1956
This class has the largest attendance. They make a fun filled week end reunion centered around the picnic….they enjoy shopping, touring, visiting and sunning around the motel pool. Perhaps this is where they will hold their next reunion!
Front row l-r: Bernie Cohen, Sue Roland Waroblak (in brown top), Mary Ann Baily Donato (with shirt open), Sherry Greitzner Dial in her nike shirt, Bobo Swiger Christenson (front right in black shirt)
In back row l-r: Jim Alvaro, Marolyn Tustin Jett, Mary Ellen Killingsworth Shachat, Babe Bisping Cashman, Don Sager, Dokie Boone Natcher (Dokie graduated from Bridgeport but had gone through many years of school with the class of 1956), Augie Malfregeot
THE WI CLASS OF 1957
Mere Gurson Swartz (front left in tan slacks), Patty Morelan Gyorda
Back Row l-r: Bob Dennison, Tom Allen, Jim Brown, Rusty Rutan, Sam Urso and Frank Muscari
THE WI CLASS OF 1958
Front row l-r: Beverly Ellis O’Grady, Sharon Dillmore Smith, Martha Kinney Kesler, Dotty Taggart Rutan
Back row l-r: Skip Smith, Ted Waroblak, Jim White, Tom Lee
THE WI CLASS OF 1959
Front row l-r: Clara Jason Davis, Roleta Smith Meredith, Randy Moodispaugh, Connie Bailey Casto, Carolyn White Rector.
Back Row l-r: Mickey Drummond—(I steal him into our picture each year because he went to Morgan and Central and lived near me), Jay Sharp, Bob Rector (half hidden behind Roleta) and Fred Alvaro
FOLLOWING ARE PICTURES OF PEOPLE ENJOYING THEMSELVES ON THE
CLARKSBURG REUNION WEEKEND
AT THE REUNION PICNIC AND OTHER PLACES
Penny Christie Johnson and husband Emil
THREE LOVELY LADIES
Connie Bailey Casto, Carolyn White Rector, Marilyn Hurst Lee
Stu Cashman, Bill Meredith and Don Sager
Bryan McIntyre and Ron Gainer
Don Sager and Vicki Limbers
Roleta Meredith, Babe Bisping Cashman and Kitty Sager prepare for the week-end
Jim Alvaro enjoying a little quiet time!
LADIES ENJOYING A FEW MARGARITAS
Left to right: Sonja Grossa Alvaro, Kitty Sager, Liz Brummage Tustin, Marolyn Tustin Jett and back to the camera Mary Ann Baily Donato
Mary Ann Baily Donato, Kay Collins, Kitty Sager
Women getting the chicken ready----Sonja Grossa Alvaro, Kay Collins, Mere Gurson Schwartz, and Roleta Meredith
Many thanks to Bud and Jim for bringing most of the chicken!
Bud Collins (WI 1955) and Bill Brassine (WI 1954)
50 YEARS LATER
Bill Scholl and Ron Gainer graduated from WI in 1952 and had not seen each other for 50 years. That is what the CLARKSBURG REUNION is all about!
MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Roleta and Carol Findlay Cinci (WI 1964) talking as Carol is making out a check for the WIN Scholarship.
READING THE NAMES AND THANKING THE LADIES WHO MADE THE QUILT
Sue Selby Moats selling tickets for the WIN Quilt drawing.
HEY GUYS, SMILE!
John Jett and Lou Dial visiting. Many others in the background just visiting.
Marolyn Tustin Jett and Sue Roland Waroblak enjoy lunch.
SOME FRIENDS VISITING
A NICE COUPLE
Dave and Vicki Limbers Moore (WI 1967)
Buck Tustin and Bob Clousson remembering the good old days
A LOVELY LADY, KITTY SAGER,
AND A VIEW OF PART OF OUR LOVELY PAVILION WHERE WE HOLD THE PICNIC
Kitty Sager relaxes in our wonderful setting in Sarasota. The park is beautiful, the weather was wonderful and visiting with friends was outstanding, making it one of the best CLARKSBURG REUNIONS yet! Hope you will join us next year!
NEXT CLARKSBURG REUNION IS MARCH 7, 2009
ENJOYING LUNCH
We have plenty of room and it is nice and private for all of us!
HEY COACH STEWART---
Here are some volunteers for the front line or are they armchair coaches?
WEST VIRGINIA FANS SHOWING OFF THEIR COLORS
Left to right: Bill Meredith, Buck Tustin, Don Sager and Babe Bisping Cashman
Sharing some stories
It was so great seeing Connie Bailey Casto and husband Dick Casto at the Clarksburg Reunion this year.
On the left is Marolyn Tustin Jett on far right is Liz Brummage Tustin
SHARING A TABLE WITH FRIENDS
Mere Gurson Schwartz, Don Casto, Liz Brummage Tustin, and Kay Collins
THE 2008 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT. “SPRING SENSATIONS”
Sara Stephenson Laber (WI 1955) and Joe Boomer (WI 1954)
Mary Ellen Killingsworth Shachat (WI 1956)
Mary Ann Baily Donato (WI 1956)
Ted Waroblak (WI 1958) and Jim White (WI 1958)
Kay Shephard (WI 1960) and Roleta Meredith (WI 1959)
Some out of towners
Left to right: in white - Bill Meredith, Karen Poe Alvaro, Fred Alvaro, Sarah Stephenson Laber, Pam Wolfe Brown and Jim Brown
Left to right: Rusty Rutan, Eve and Frank Muscari
Kitty and Don Sager with Jim Alvaro all sitting.
Standing is: Larry O’Grady (1st time at the picnic but I bet he will return)
Left to right: Marilyn Tustin Jett, Sue Roland Waroblak, and Ted Waroblak
First time at the picnic for the Waroblaks
Left to right: in blue sweater top Liz Brummage Tustin, David Shachat, Elizabeth Bobo Swiger Christenson, Mary Ellen Killingsworth Shachat, John Jett (in red shirt) talking across the table to Bob Clousson
The Dennison Family
Left to right: Carolyn Dennison, Bob Dennison and Vivian Dennison
Buck Tustin, Liz Brummage Tustin, David Schant, BoBo Christenson talking to Bob Clousson
