Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
THE NEWSLETTER STORY
Many of
you may not know that my family moved to Stealey when I was in the 5th
grade. I graduated from WI when I was just 17 years of age. Then, I went to
Fairmont State College and my parents sold our home and moved to Ohio. Yes, I
only lived in Clarksburg for 8 years. But I loved everything about it and it
certainly became my home. I made contact with some classmates after many years
and started attending any reunion that was held. I even worked on many of them.
In
1999, after finding it difficult to locate people for a class reunion and keep
track of them, I started the Newsletter for my classmates, so we could stay in
touch. Judy Daugherty, a classmate, was married to Larry Kimler, a computer
guru. They found a website where we could post the newsletter. Thus, we were on
the road!
As you
know, many others became interested and after a few years, I decided that in
order to make them feel welcome, I would rename the newsletter the WI
Newsletter. I have always welcomed anyone to become a reader and, of course,
their task was to write and share some memories with us. Thus, the newsletter
grew. Little did I know that we would, in time, be reaching people from most of
the other Harrison County schools (and further). I have received correspondence
from many people who are from Clarksburg, but live all around the world.
In
2002, I had the first Clarksburg Picnic in Sarasota Florida. It was so much
fun. The reason behind it was to get people from WI/Clarksburg together “down south”
... for those who lived there or vacationed there.
In
2004, I came up with another idea! If so many people really loved Clarksburg
enough to want to write and trade memories of that great place, why couldn’t we
combine our efforts and raise money for a scholarship to benefit a child
graduating from R.C. Byrd High School? Pay it forward, if you will? Thus, in 2005,
you responded to my request and we gave $500.00 to a student. What a great
feeling it was to be helping others.
In
2006, Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) organized a group of women who were interested
in quilting and they started making a quilt each year to help raise money for
the WIN (WI Newsletter) Scholarship. They made a quilt for 13 straight years.
The last one was awarded in 2019. Through the years, this was the only money
maker we ever had. All additional funds for the scholarship were from the
generous gifts of our readers.
Thanks to Sue Selby
Moats and her group of WIN Scholarship Quilters for helping us raise money to
support the Scholarship growth.
In
October 2009, I talked Bill, my husband, into being my Sports Editor. He loves
sports and will talk about WVU sports with anyone. Plus, he seems to know a
little bit about most other sports. He is indeed a “Sports Nut!” and has done
an excellent job for ten years.
Thank you, Bill, for
helping me.
Sadly,
in 2014, Judy Daugherty, my high school friend and my assistant for 15 years in
this venture, passed away. I was devastated. My daughter created a Google
account for me so that we may move the newsletter to a Blogspot address, but that
was all Greek to me. Thankfully, the newsletter could be patterned after my
sister Jalon’s existing Google Blogspot. I was hoping that she could help me learn
how to use it. The biggest problem was that I am a hands-on type of learner and
my sister lives in Georgia, while I live in Florida. Thus, again I was getting the
newsletter proofread and published via email. So, bless my little sis's heart, she
has been doing the Blogspot newsletter now for the last 5 years.
Thank you so much,
Jalon.
Now it
is 2019 and the Newsletter has survived and prospered. A little less than a
year ago, I set a goal. I would complete my twentieth year doing the newsletter with
the 240th August 2019 issue and this would be my last one.
I am
sure many of you are asking, “Why didn’t she tell us?” I know you realize that
this is a very difficult decision for me and I didn’t want to prolong it. The
decision was too hard to share earlier and discuss over and over again. So, I
thought it best to do it this way.
It has
been wonderful getting to know so many of you. And a lot of you have been very
helpful to me. I made friends and lost friends which was very hard for me
emotionally. There are so many special people here. I don’t want to try to
thank you all by name, because I don’t want to miss anyone.
So, thanks to everyone
for sharing your memories!
I can
never explain how great it has been. But it is time for me to move on to some
things that I have been wanting to do for years, but never had the time. Part
of my heart will always be in Clarksburg and memories of my friends old and new.
And a piece of my heart will especially be with the people I met through the WI
Newsletter.
I will
forever love the beautiful state of West Virginia; it is in my blood!
Go
Hilltoppers!!! (that will never die as long as some of us are still kicking).
Let’s
Go Mountaineers! Bill and I will be WVU fans forever.
My
email address is still Roleta1@aol.com and I am always here. I hope you will
drop me a line, I will be retired from the newsletter but I would still love to
hear from you.
Roleta
Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com
SPORTS
BELIEVE ME, IT HAS BEEN FUN
Many
years ago, when Roleta asked me to handle the sports for her newsletter, I was
very reluctant to take on the task. After all, this was a newsletter about
Clarksburg and I had never even lived in Harrison County. However, I agreed to
give it a try, because I've always loved to discuss sports with just about
anyone. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. As the title of this piece states,
"It has been fun".
Through
the years, you and I have written about sports at a lot of high schools, like
Washington Irving, of course, but so many others - old schools from Victory to
R W, from Kelly Miller to Salem and all points in between. I even got in a few
lines about my old high school in Monongah. We've also discussed sports at R C
Byrd and Bridgeport, in addition to most of the current high schools in North
Central West Virginia. We remembered conferences - the Big Ten and Big Nine,
Little Ten, Mason-Dixon, NCAC and a couple of others.
Then,
there are the many college teams and conferences we have recalled. Although our
coverage leaned toward the Mountaineers, there was always time for Marshall,
Fairmont State, Salem, WV Wesleyan and other state schools. We lived through
WVU's acceptance into the Big 12 and some of us still question the move. We
lived (and died) with Bob Huggins' teams, especially the last one. Yes, we were
disappointed a lot, but we continue to love every minute of the action,
regardless of the season.
Individual
athletes we've discussed are too numerous to mention. Let's just say that North
Central WV has produced some great ones and I'm proud to have known several of
them.
Most
importantly, I want to thank all of those readers who have taken the time to
write to us. I've met dozens of wonderful people through your letters and comments.
As I've said many times, you were the newsletter. I was just the conduit
through which you delivered your thoughts and opinions. I am thankful that we
had very few complaints, even though there were some lively discussions.
Finally,
I want to thank my wife, Roleta, for 20 years of faithful service to you and
me, our readers. Yes, I read the newsletter and enjoy it as much as anybody.
While my small part of this undertaking only required a few hours each month,
this newsletter consumed most of Roleta's spare time since 1999. By my rough
estimate, she has spent somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 hours working on
your great newsletter. After being introduced to the WI Newsletter, several
people from all parts of the country have told us that it is the finest
newsletter of its kind they have ever seen. All I can say is, "I
agree".
Remember,
my email address won't change and I would still love to hear from you about
sports. Plus, you won't have to wait until next month to get my reply. Stay
well and keep smiling and may God Bless each of you.
Bill
Meredith (Monongah HS 1957)
billmere@aol.com
TAKING CARE OF SOME
FINAL BUSINESS
Even though we have stopped publishing the monthly newsletter, you will still be able to access the
past newsletters and all of our history. This Blogspot address and our WI Newsletter will be here. The WI History and all the things that Tim Cork created for us will be here, including the WI Yearbooks, WI Graduates and WI Teachers links. You can come back
any time and read the facts and shared memories.
winewsletterwv.blogspot.com
Write
down this address (or bookmark it) and it will get you here, so that all you have to do is search
around this HOME page and explore. Just click on the Newsletter's additional page tabs located
across the top of any page to enjoy plenty of great additional information. You can even read old WI newsletter issues by
scrolling down the right-hand side menu of any page of the newsletter to the ARCHIVE section (for the last 5 years) and click on the newsletter you wish to read.
winewsletterwv.blogspot.com
This
address will bring up the last newsletter we published, August 2019 (the HOME PAGE). Jalon has formatted the site so
that everything is available to you on the right-hand side menu column of any page and the additional page tabs located above.
Thank you, Jalon Smith Burton for the splendid job you have done each month proofreading, formatting and publishing this newsletter.
WHAT ABOUT THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP?
With
the 2019 WI Newsletter, we have given back through our gift of education the
amount of $70,000.00 as a way to say thank you to our great hometown of
Clarksburg and the state of West Virginia.
For all
of you that have given over the years, pat yourself on the back. These kids
will never forget you!
The
Scholarship will continue. I will continue collecting your gifts and will work
with the RC Byrd Counselors to select a recipient. We will be issuing
scholarships until the WIN Scholarship bank account runs dry.
If you
still wish to help with this scholarship, make your checkout to:
Roleta
Meredith / WIN Scholarship
Mail it
to: Roleta G. Meredith
3201
Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota
Florida 34240
Remember,
you will no longer be receiving a reminder. This is my last plea!
Thanks
to all for giving from your heart.
REMEMBERING THE YEARS
THAT HAVE FLOWN BY
WHERE
DID THEY GO?!
I
received this from several friends of the newsletter who wrote often through
the years. Thanks guys.
Now I am sharing with you.
Enjoy…
Enjoy…
We danced
to this music a lot at the Clique Club, Friends Place, The Melody Manor, Mill Club,
and especially Green Parrot! Sorry, this may not touch you but I am sitting
here listening to this and crying... remembering my youth and my friends for the
past 20 years. Yep, I am a sentimental fool!
We were very fortunate to have lived in such an era.
Enjoy
the past as revealed here.
Who knows what the future will bring?
A CLASSIC 1957
From
Mike Snyder (WI 1957)
1957 Pontiac Super Chief Convertible
Remember When
As a
member of the WI class of 1957, I had to get a picture of this beautiful chunk
of Detroit sculpture.
I
spotted it on July 5 at the Elkins classic car show. And how could I turn down
the great chance to sit behind the wheel of this monument to the Fabulous
Fifties when our All-American city of Clarksburg and our state and nation were
enjoying the greatest prosperity in our history.
Mr. Summerfield, class of 1956
Tygart Valley HS, is standing beside yours truly (who's waving). The Summerfields
have owned this beauty since the 1970's. Nephew Josh, present owner, from
Belington snapped this photo.
THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP
This
month I received a nice check for the scholarship fund from Cinda Frenzel
O’Neill (WI 1966). Thank you Cinda for helping us to say thank you to our
school, town and state by helping these kids with their first-year college
expenses.
Elise
Pettrey Guthridge sent a nice check to the WIN Scholarship fund. Thank you,
Elise. That was very nice of you to think of the kids in Clarksburg who will
soon be going to college and your money will go toward helping to ease the
expense of their first year.
I also
heard from Terry Snider Fazio (WI 1967) who sent a nice gift to the Scholarship
in memory of Brenda Stewart Morrison, and Brenda Stealey Houge. What a
wonderful, thoughtful jester to do in memory of your friends. Thank you.
I received
a check from, James D. and Mary Ann Burnell (didn’t give school or year of
graduation) Thank you so much.
Thanks
to all for giving from your heart.
HERB COTTRILL
(WI 1952)
Written
by Joe Malone (WI 1952)
In the
WI 1952 class there was a guy named Herb Cottrill. He grew up on Baltimore St.;
attended Point Comfort Elementary School, and Central Jr. HS and somehow ended
up at WI. He was the "little guy" on our basketball team, An
"ankle-biter"; rug-rat; high speed; good shooter; not as good as Bob
McCarty but a whole lot better than me. That's how I first met him.
After
graduation, we didn't see or talk to each other until our 25th and 50th
Reunions 1977 and 2002. By then, Herb had picked up a Masters from WVU; married
Jeannie Bevan (WI 1956) w/a handful of kids & grandkids; had coached in MD
& VA high schools and gone into administration; was retired from
Charlottesville VA public schools, but still working as a consultant to School
Boards while living in Charlottesville, VA. We hooked up, and, along with
McCarty, we attended several years of ACC & NCAA basketball tournaments.
Trust me - It was high school all over again, only better.
Over
those years, we lost our spouses. Bob's now gone also and Herb lives in a condo
in C'ville along with his canine constant companion, "SADIE". I am
fortunate to be able to visit with Herb in C'ville annually and have met Sadie.
She is clearly the "Love of his Life". They take 3-5-mile walks daily
and he claims that, at 85, she is the reason he's alive.
If
there are any readers out there who knew Herb 70 years ago, they would agree
with me that he would have been one of the last people to put pen to paper at
the age of 15-18, however read his poem below.
WALKS
WITH SADIE
Long,
long walks through a park. Things I have never seen before.
Sadie
has allowed my eyes to open. Sadie has allowed my mind to see.
The
swan that I never saw before. The Heron perched on a pond rock.
The
turtles just emerging from the winter sleep. The ducks moving together with mom.
The
trees with new buds emerging. The crocus breaking through the winter ground.
Walks with Sadie have opened my eyes. Walks with Sadie
have allowed my mind to see.
At age
85, I have found what I have missed Sadie.
“GOLD AND BLUE”
From:
Judy Ash Guy (WI 1950)
In the
July issue of the WI Newsletter you posted an article requesting information on
a school song "GOLD AND BLUE" by Charles Gianque.
In
1949-50, Mr. Gianque was a new music teacher at WI. He wrote this song and
tried to replace the old "Hail Washington Irving" (the alma mater and
fight song) with his new offering. As you can see, it didn't work. The student
body rejected it and kept belting out "Hail Washington Irving" at all
the school programs, games and parades.
As you
noted, the original “Hail Washington Irving” was written by E. W. James (of
James & Law) and Miss Yoak.
Another
tidbit - the James family lived directly across Lee Avenue from WI.
Note from
Editor:
Thank
you, Judy, for the information and the interesting tidbit about Mr. James and
Miss Yoak.
WI CLASS OF
1965
PLANNING THE
55th CLASS REUNION
Hello Classmates.
Time has gone by so quickly and
before you know it, it will be time for our 55th reunion. I recently
sent out mass emails to my current email addresses. We are getting a very
positive response. It looks like another great reunion. If you already
responded, it is not necessary to respond again. If you did not receive an
email, check your spam, as some mass emails end up there, or email me your
latest email address to WI1965@aol.com (Marsha Golden Caplinger).
We wanted to reach out to each of
you a little early in order to give you some idea of the results of our first
committee meeting. We discussed several options and came up with a few ideas.
It was suggested that we could have the reunion sometime in August or even
extend the time into September 2020, since most all of us are now retired and
our children are grown. Then if some of you would like to go to a football game
at the Robert C. Byrd High School that could be an option. We could possibly
arrange for a tour at Washington Irving. We also discussed possibly for Friday
night maybe a gathering at Twin Oaks. For Saturday night, as some of you may
know, the old Robinson Grand Theater has been restored and is now open! It has
been a very successful venue for concerts, movies, local talents, and many
other events. They also have available rooms for large groups to meet for many
uses and especially for our class reunion.
This is just the beginning
suggestions to start. If any of you have any suggestions or recommendations, we
ask that you please let us know, such as what month you desire, or places to
have our gatherings, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
We will be forwarding information
through Facebook, but mostly our contact will be by email, since Facebook
postings do not seem to reach everyone and I’m afraid it is not that reliable.
We will be sending out emails first to our current email list and request
updated email addresses.
Unfortunately, it seems like every 5
years many addresses change, so we would request that each of you take the time
to send an email to WI1965@aol.com.
Please jot down your name (ladies add
your maiden name), current mailing address and email address that you prefer we
use to notify you of all events. This will enable us to know for which
classmates we have correct addresses.
PLEASE help us. Even though
it is early, we would ask that you let us know your interest in attending in
2020, if you plan to come, are interested in coming, or are unsure. Please let
us know something so we can have an idea how many classmates are interested in
attending. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest opportunity.
WI CLASS OF
1974
PLANNING THE
45th CLASS REUNION
Class of 1974 we are planning our 45th
reunion this October 19th at the Robinson Grand Theater. We are still in the
planning stages but trying to reach as many as we can without mailing out a
notice. If you are interested even if you were not in our class but at school
with us please feel free to contact me! Jackie Donnellon Costello. You can
friend me on FB at Jacqueline Donnellon Costello or on our class Page
“Washington Irving High School Class of 1974 and others” or email me at
discomom56@outlook.com.
If you know someone who graduated in
1974 or close then, please share this information with them. The more the
merrier!
Thank you so much!
We have a FB page! Our page is
“Washington Irving High School Class of 1974 and others.”
WI CLASS OF
1961
PLANNING A
DINNER/MINI REUNION
WHERE: Twin Oaks
DATE: August 23rd 2019
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
If you are interested in joining us,
please contact:
John Teter at: jateter@aol.com
or
Patty HICKMAN Cravey at:
patanncravey@gmail.com
You will be responsible for your own
dinner and drinks, but the FUN and STORIES will be at the expense of those in
attendance.
THE WI HIGH SCHOOL REUNION PICNIC
AUGUST 24 2019
The WI Annual Picnic will be held on August 24 2019 at
the HILLTOP PAVILION at the VA Park. Arrive around 11:30 and start visiting and
seeing old friends from your past.
We have a lot of new things for you this year as we
like to keep everyone excited to attend. We have prizes for the person who
comes the farthest, the person from the oldest class and the person from the
youngest class.
We are providing the drinks, the plates, cups and
utensils as usual. We are also providing the main entrees, which include wings,
meatballs and hot dogs in chili. This will give you an idea of what you might
like to bring as your contribution to go with these main dishes. Some
suggestions are potato salad, cole slaw, macaroni salad, garden salad, veggie
tray, relish tray, chips and dip, pretzels, nachos and dip and all of these
items can be picked up at Walmart or Kroger at East Pointe. Of course, we
always welcome your favorite homemade dish and deserts. A favorite of everyone
is pepperoni rolls too.
So, let’s start making plans to get together again
this year.
Any questions, please contact Penny Donnelly
pennydonnelly46@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS WISHES IN
THE 1955 HILLTOPPER
(above photo)
Recognize any names?
Recognize any names?
JUNE MYSTERY PICTURE
From:
Greg Merrill (no school or year was given)
Sorry I
am late on the June Picture - truck o tel - I have been traveling a lot. I lived by
WHAR and we owned the land behind the motel and next to Truck o tel. The
Fazzini family ran the truck O tel for years as well as the hotel that was
owned by Sam Salerio (I believe). I visited Truck O Tel many times during my
high school days. They had a pin ball machine and other games that in most
cases helped my weekly allowance to be expanded. The State Troopers would come
in often to visit and were good friends and customers with the Fazzini. On
Sunday, the blue law would not permit them to play jukebox or open for business
until around 12-1pm. Ate there often at the counter. As a High School kid--hamburger,
fries and a milk shake. Upstairs were showers and small sleeping facilities for
the truckers. Got to know Bernie Fazzini well and still stop in and see him
when visiting Clarksburg.
Note from
Editor:
Thanks
for writing a very interesting letter. I remember the Blue Law. I sort of wish
we still had the Blue Law. One reason, I go to church on Sunday and I think
perhaps a lot of little neighborhood churches would not be struggling as much
if the stores were closed on Sunday morning. Also, I remember coming home from
church and it was a family day with all of us sitting down to have a meal
together. Boy those were great times, weren’t they?
Just a
small look into my youth: My father was always involved in church activities.
As a child if my brother or I were too sick on Sunday morning to go to church,
we were not allowed out of the house until after church let out and people had
enough time to get home. So, there was actually no reason to fake sickness to
try to get out of going to church, because back in those days the fun things
were outside!
JULY MYSTERY PERSON PICTURE
From: Bob Kramer (WI 1965)
This is me
in 1967 in my 48 Anglia that I WAS building to drag race at Eldora Drag Strip.
We would go to the drag stop on weekends and then go to the Satellite and see
the cars that were at Eldora.
From:
John A. Teter (WI 1961)
In the
July issue of the newsletter, I wrote about a dance I attended while in high
school. I also had a picture of me and my date; however, I provided the
incorrect name of my date.
Patty
Gemma was an actual person, but not the one in the picture with me in the 1960
formal wear. Patty Gemma may have actually gone to Notre Dame. I knew her as
she lived on Main Street in Goff Plaza where Main Street and Buckhannon Pike
intercept - across from what is now Hardee's. The reason that Billy May's wife
caught my error was that Edith Kline May lived on the other side of the
intersection and was friends with Patty Gemma, AND, my best friend during my WI
days (Bill Post) actually dated Patty Gemma at some point when I was "sort
of" dating Edith KLINE May.
Sorry
for the blunder on the last name.
Given
our mutual interest in our youth, answering the last question in the song certainly is near impossible but it is worth listening/watching for memories.
Although
Don McLean only released the song in 1971, for those of us who grew up in the
50’s and 60’s, this is a great piece with some very poignant moments in the
history of those times.
And for
those of you who did not, it’s a taste of what you missed!
I have
listened and sung American Pie for many years and I thought I understood what
was being sung but now realize that I didn’t!
However,
when the words are put together with pictures and film clips the song takes on
a new meaning.
It took
a lot of thought to produce this and it brings back lots of memories and also
makes the lyrics really come alive!
So walk down Memory Lane with me one more time!
JULY MYSTERY PICTURE
From:
Linda Nutter Bimmel (WI 1966)
The
picture is Stealey United Methodist church on Milford Street across from the
Stealey playground.
I was
married there in 1967 and attended until I went to San Francisco with my late
husband, Ernest while he completed a military commitment at the Presidio.
Ernie's
entire family was charter members last name Holden. The church is still there
and operating but has a very small membership now.
Thanks
a million for the work on the newsletter. I look forward to reading every word
every month.
From: Marcia Young Fletcher (WI 1964)
The
July Mystery Picture is of the Stealey United Methodist Church, formerly called
Stealey Heights Methodist Church, on Milford Street (US-19) in Stealey. With
weekly church services, Sunday school, vacation bible school, Boy Scouts,
Methodist Youth Fellowship, choir practice, bible study groups and other
organized activities, my family members spent many hours there between 1946 and
1975.
On
March 18, 1952, a Cherub Choir performance was broadcast live from the church
over WBLK radio. Age 5, I sang a solo, "Can a Little Child Like Me,"
for that performance. I remember learning the words by following pictures my
mother drew for me, but I don't remember the performance itself. My dad left a
work meeting to listen to it on his car radio, and I have a record of the
performance in my possession. Someday I may actually make the effort to find a
record player to listen to it. (Note: Some of you will remember my mother, Mrs.
Young, WI Librarian, 1964-1968.)
From:
John Probst (WI 1964)
This is
the Stealey Heights Methodist Church, now Stealey United Methodist. I lived
just behind it on Musgrave St. My dad was on the church board and mom sang in
the choir in the 50s and 60s. I got married to my first wife Joyce Scolish, (WI
class of 1964) there in 1987.
It had
a real pipe organ and a system that played chimes out of speakers in the tower
before church. The part on the right was the Education Building added, I think
in the 60s. I used to DJ dances in the church basement when I was in high school.
From: Mary
Anderson Price (WI 1972)
The
picture is of Stealey United Methodist Church.
My son
attended the Cub Scouts in the late 70s early 80s I believe.
They
also were the site for a public Child Care Center and I was their child care
center licensing specialist through the state.
It is
still an active church and recently became part of the Stealey United Methodist
Temple Charge. They also have a food pantry located there.
From:
Helen R (Anne) Keith (WI 1949)
Not
only did I attend this church, but my father was a Sunday School teacher there
until he was in his early 90’s!
From: Willard ‘Bud”
Wheelock (WI 1960)
In
regard to the July picture- it is the Stealey Methodist Church on Milford
Street. I and my family attended there until 1977 when they got involved in
local politics and We went elsewhere.
From: Bob Alton
(Victory High School 1955)
The picture
is of the Stealey Methodist Church. I lived in the apartment building next door
(519 Milford St) in the mid-fifties. My cousin had a contract as a janitor at
the church, and many times I earned a few dollars helping him.
I also
worked across the street at George's Cities Service all through high school. I
recognize many names that appear in the Newsletter. Lots of good memories!
Thanks
for your efforts on behalf of the rest of us!
From:
Bill White (WI 1956)
I
graduated from WI with the Class of 1956 and have been enjoying your newsletter
for a long time, but have been a very poor contributor for which I ask to be
forgiven. But I could not resist responding to the current mystery picture
which is the Stealey Methodist Church on Milford Street. My family moved to
Clarksburg from Uniontown, PA in 1946 and we occupied a house on Fairview Ave.
in Stealey until a year later when we moved into a new home on upper Stealey
Ave, where we lived until 1961. From the time we arrived in Clarksburg until I
left in 1966, my entire family attended the Stealey Methodist Church and I
literally grew up there. It will always hold a very special place in my heart.
As a
small boy, I attended a Sunday school class taught by Miss Jane Stealey who
lived up the street on Milford in a big White House. Mrs. Pierpoint, a 6th
grade teacher at Morgan School (where I entered Miss Israel’s 3rd. Grade class
when we came to Clarksburg) lived close by the Stealey’s. Later on, I became a
Cub Scout in the Pack at the church and then graduated to the Boy Scout troop
there. The troop dissolved a couple of years later for lack of a Scoutmaster.
The
funeral services for both of my parents were conducted by the Pastor of the
Stealey church
The
memories of the experiences at that church are dear to me and always will be.
Thank
you Roleta for the wonderful and dedicated job you continue to do to publish
this Newsletter to all of us.
Blessings
to you and Bill.
From:
Bob Kramer (WI 1965)
The
picture is of the Stealey Methodist Church across from the playground on
Milford St. We had Cub Scout meetings in the basement. Across the street was
George Kovacks gas station.
From:
Carolyn Reynolds Burnside (WI 1952)
The mystery picture is the Stealey United Methodist
Church on Milford Street. I grew up on Hall Street and attended Sunday School
there (before the addition on the right). Occasionally, Grandmother Harris took
me to a service. The minister Mr. Fox wore a morning coat with striped trousers
--- very formal. I also attended Girl Scouts there --- in the basement. As an
adult, I attended a funeral and was surprised that the sanctuary is small.
From: Helen
R (Anne) Keith (WI 1949)
Stealey
Methodist Church. Not only did I attend this church, but my father was a Sunday
School teacher there until he was in his early 90’s!
Note from Editor:
Yes,
indeed this is the Stealey Methodist Church located on Milford Street in
Stealey section of Clarksburg. My family moved to Stealey in 1951 years and
this was our church. Each of my family were church members. My sister, Jalon,
was baptized as a baby there. My father was on the board, and was a Sunday
School Superintendent of the youth department. I attended Sunday School, was in
the youth choir, attended MYF, represented the church at youth camp for several
summers, and helped out with Bible School several times. I can’t remember all
of the ministers that were there but I do remember Rev. Carlson who was
followed by Rev. Moore. We moved to Ohio
in 1960.
From:
Ray Allen (WI 1959)
I have
been gone from W VA for so many years that I have my memory refreshed by the
newsletter each month. I would not be one to contribute.
The
product you put out is terrific. Thanks for all you do.
From: Dr. Chuck Thomas (WI
1956)
Through the years, Don
Sager, Augie Malfregeot, Rusty and Dotty Rutan, and Bob McGee have kept me in
the loop, enabling me to stay in touch with many WI classmates and other WI
graduates. I consider you and your creation of the WI Newsletter like the
famous story of Alexander Graham Bell calling Watson from the room he was
working on his telephone: “Could you come in here, Watson?”
To lapse into a loftier
hyperbole, if I won the 20-million-dollar lottery, I would try to find a place
on a vacant hill in Clarksburg—one we could all see from our cars when we’d be
driving into our old home town—and to create a Clarksburg version of Mount
Rushmore. Except the visages we would be seeing would be of you, Roleta, Bill, and
those WI people who have helped you set up your electronic, WI Newsletter monthly issues, and
the Sarasota Reunions. I think you might be surprised how many of your WI
friends—old and new—would support that idea.
My wife has attended the
last few WI Summer Reunions, and we are both looking forward to attending the
next one on Saturday, August 24th 2019 at 10:30 AM.
We owe Mike Snyder, my WVU
Signa Fi Nothing frat brother, BIG TIME for his article about my hitchhiking
and deplorable grades. But we need to continue the story. My wife finds it
hilarious that I barely graduated
from high school. I then saved $1,600 in the Marine Corps to begin to pay my
way through WVU by working three on-campus, part-time jobs simultaneously; as a
glasscutter apprentice at the PPG working one summer and on school breaks, and
graduated from college in 3 years and 6 weeks. Later, midway in my college
teaching career, I was presented the Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence
in teaching by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. In truth, I did fall
through the cracks in high school. To end up a university professor with five
academic degrees—including my doctorate—required endless hours of work and
admittedly is something rather ironic. My goal from the eighth grade on was to
go to WVU and be the wildest party guy that ever went to WVU. Fortunately, I
failed at that goal.
CHANGES
Ray Allen (WI 1959) jara222@comcast.net
Ken Menendez
(Victory 1958) menendezken82@gmail.com
Ruby Matthews
Casto (VHS 1947) rubycasto123@gmail.com
LYNN L. WELCH
Obit
was shared by Scott Welch (WI 1950), son of Lynn Welch
Lynn L.
Welch, 86, a good and gentle man, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
Lynn
was the third son of Preston Welch and Genevieve Allen Welch of Clarksburg, WV.
Growing up, he loved to spend time at Lake Floyd in the summers; being on the
Allen family farm with his uncle Wayne. He loved boating, fishing, hunting and
camping. He was very much a family man and enjoyed close relationships with his
brothers John (deceased) and Jim. Lynn met Janet Duncan in 1955 and they spent
64 years happily married, supporting each other in every way.
After
serving a tour of duty with the Army during the Korean War, Lynn returned to
complete his college education. An educator for over 30 years, Lynn taught many
years at North and Kenmore High Schools along with being the swim coach for
Kenmore. He cared for all of his students. He saw potential in each of them and
was proud of their accomplishments.
While
the last few years were challenging for Lynn as the Alzheimer's progressed; he
still found joy in his life and brought the same to those who interacted with
him. Despite the challenges, he kept his sense of humor, and remained more
concerned about his loved ones than for himself.
Lynn is
survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Lynn A. (Lillian) of North Royalton and
Scott (Carleen) of Hudson, OH; grandsons, Justin (Megan) of Brewster, OH and
Andrew and Evan of Hudson, OH; brother, Jim of Nashville; brothers-in-law,
Roger Duncan (Jody) of The Villages, FL, and Allan Duncan (Diane) of Grass
Valley, CA; as well as many precious nephews and nieces.
CLARENCE LEE SMITH
(WI 1953)
Clarence Lee “Clancy” “C.L.” Smith, of Kihei, Hawaii, formerly
of Somerdale, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2019, at age 83, after a
hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, Terry, son,
Mark, and daughter, Shari.
Clancy was born to Clarence Lester and Delma Bailey
Smith on July 1, 1935, in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He graduated Class of 1953
from Washington Irving High School and attended the University of Cincinnati,
where he studied Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1959, he moved to
New Jersey and began his career with RCA-Camden, where he worked for 41 years.
He was
married to Nancy Anne Mueller for 33 years and together they raised their
family in Somerdale. Following Nancy’s death in 1992, he spent time in Maui,
Hawaii, where he met, and in 1999 married, Terry Long. They enjoyed 20 years of
marriage and traveled between Canada and Hawaii, with numerous trips to New
Jersey and Massachusetts to visit his children and grandchildren.
Clancy
was a Corvette enthusiast, belonging to several Corvette clubs and attended
many car shows. He will be fondly remembered for his love of photography,
sunsets and the many thousands of photos he took of them. He was active in the
First Presbyterian Church of Somerdale and at the Kihei Baptist Chapel. His
travels took him throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and numerous
Pacific Islands. He enjoyed attending minor league baseball games with family.
Clancy
is survived by his wife, Terry; son, Mark (Maureen); and daughter, Shari
(Britt). He will be greatly missed by his five grandchildren, Samantha,
Leighann, Jacquelyn, Julia and Joseph.
