Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
RETIRING FROM THE NEWSLETTER
Judy Daugherty Kimler
has been my partner for 16.5 years of doing the WI Newsletter. She was the one who took my written words and
directions and created a very colorful and interesting newsletter which has
stood the test of time. We often
discussed the fact that I couldn’t do what she did and she couldn’t do what I
did. And, boy, right now I am finding
that out for sure!
About 3 years ago
Judy was told that she had cancer, they operated, she took chemo, but, it
fought to stay in her body as hard as she fought to get rid of it. It is again
in her body and can not be removed.
About two months
ago, her husband, Larry, was diagnosed with cancer also and is now undergoing
chemo treatment. He is her strong one,
he saw her through all of her cancer battles and now they are both battling it
at the same time.
About two weeks
ago, Judy had a stroke. She was watching
television, got up from her chair, went to the computer and sat down, her
husband Larry said that her entire left side just collapsed. He immediately call 911 and she was rushed to
the hospital. Judy told me that there
was a blood clot at the base of her brain.
The doctors said they could either leave it there or perform a new sort
of experimental operation. They did,
they removed the blood clot and she was walking the next day. A miracle for
sure.
She has tried and
tried to do the newsletter for February.
She loves March as she is Irish and it is the month of her birthday, she
really looked forward to the upcoming issue of the March newsletter. She told me she was going to do it and then
she might retire. Due to the stroke, her
left hand just doesn’t react the way she needs in order to do computer work so
she told me Monday that she was retiring.
We are all going to
miss her so much.
If you would like to
send her a note, here is her address:
Mrs. Judy Kimler
I miss her and she will
remain in my thoughts and prayers.
2015 CLARKSBURG PICNIC
The Clarksburg Picnic will be held on March 7, 2015 in Sarasota , Florida
If you are going to attend, I will need to know the names of each person attending. I can not plan how many WV hot dogs to prepare if I don’t know how many people will be there to eat them. Write to me at Roleta1@aol.com and make your reservation.
If you are coming from out of town, Fred Alvaro (WI 1959) has arranged with Country Inn and Suites which is very close to the picnic area. (Just off I-75 at another exit). The motel has set aside 15 rooms with special discount if you mention the Clarksburg
Are you attending the picnic and are you going to be in Sarasota Sarasota
We have a very busy time coming up for the first week-end of March, actually I have something on my calendar every day of that week. WHEE!
I am really looking forward to seeing each of you again this year and hopefully some new faces too.
Who knows? This may be our last picnic.…..Life is so fragile, we never know from minute to minute if we will be alive or healthy. So while we are alive lets get together and celebrate our lives, our friendships and being from CLARKSBURG
Now, please, please get in touch with me.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I
pledge allegiance to the flag of West
Virginia
As unanimously adopted by the Secretary of State's office after being duly moved and second by Charles S. Smith and Carol J. Calvert, respectively, and voted upon by twelve signatures
February
8, 1977
The
above was sent to us by Brooke Beall (NDHS 1957). It is from the West Virginia Archives &
History.
Very
interesting. I did not know this. Did you? Have you ever been someplace and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the
West Virginia Flag? What experiences
have you had with this? Write and tell
us: Roleta1@aol.com
James
S. Stout (formerly Lost Creek - school there through Junior
year. Graduated Weston HS
1948 ) jsstout@juno.com
Randy
McCue (WI 1968) 07cherryultra@gmail.com
Mirth
L Spangler (WI 42)) mirthlspangler@msn.com
Ronald
Harvey (WI 1955) change to w4rrhwva@gmail.com
BEING
DELETED FROM MY RECORDS FOR 1956 - These emails no longer work
Judith
Heaberlin Lemasters jlemaste@wlgore.com
Jane
Burnside Anderson janders19@verizon.net
Anthony
Selario aselario3257@hotmail.com
Janet
Molle Morse (WI 1954) jmorse@lcia.com
Bob
Davis (WI 1959) rad29063@aol.com
CherylMcIeMcCartney
(WI 1962) clmccartney@henrieoschools.ord
Kitty
Wysong Cobb (WI 1962) wysong44@hotmail.com
Della
Sue Armistead Sheline (WI 1963) F1277@aol.com
Susan
Courtney (WI 1963) sdorrsml@yahoo.com
Edward
N. Evans (WI 1963) evansplus1@aol.com
Bob
Feltner (WI 1963) Bobf@eft.rr.com
Dave
Morris (WI 1963) ncbl76@charter.net
Chuck
Spann (WI 1963) ewspann@verizon.net
Linda
Warner Kuhlin (WI 1965) Kulina@mteer.com
Diana
S. Cleavemger Swiger (WI 1966) dianaswiger@frontier.com
Susie
McDonald Howell (WI 1966) kennyhowell@netzero.net
Greg
Merril (WI 1966) MERRIL.GREG@comcast.net
Johanna
Chpaman Stutler (WI 1967) JWStutler@yahoo.com
Randy
Weekley (WI 1967) weekleys@juno.com
The
above names listed have been removed from our records as we have found that
these email addresses no longer work. If
you know any of the above, notify them and we will reinstate them when we
receive an active email address.
READ THE BOOK
From Herb Cashdollar (RW 1957) hcash@visi.com
I read with pleasure Mike Snyder’s e-book, “Bury
Me in West Virginia, Memoirs of a Mountaineer” (available as an Amazon e book) I
believe that any 1950s teen in Clarksburg or the WVU campus will recognize the
people and places which were so real to me at times that it seemed I was
reading my own memoir. Thanks, Mike, for the memories.
Editor’s Note: To purchase this book, go to
Amazon.com.
KNOW ANY TRIPLETS?
From: Gladys Williams
(WI 1971)
My
sister Anna and I were born 5 min. apart at Saint Mary's Hospital in Clarksburg Chestnut Hills
Grade School
From:
Roleta Smith Meredith (WI 1959)
My
father’s brother, Russell Smith, was married to my Aunt Thelma who was a
twin. She used to tell me about how
close they were even though one lived in Ohio
From:
Elizabeth Akin (WI 1956)
First,
I am surprised that Judy didn't remember the "real names" of the
Faulkner twins. Helen and Marian. I think Helen was "Bluie" and
Marian was "Brownie." Might be wrong about that, but that's my
memory. They lived on Locust Ave.
From:
Linda Oliverio Kolosky (WI 1960) axlin@aol.com
You
asked about twins and I don’t know if anyone mentioned the Roda girls, Betty
and Thelma. They were not identical and were in my class of 1960.
Thank
you, Roleta and Judy for all the work you do each month putting the newsletter
together.
From:
John Teter (WI 1961)
I
meant to send you an E-mail to add to my article last month regarding twins,
but the Martin brothers were identical twins.
In
reading the most current WI Newsletter, I happened to remember Linda and Diane
White who were also identical twins. I looked thru some paperwork that I have
for the classes of 62 - 64 (knowing that they graduated one of those years),
but I could not find anything on them.
From:
Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940)
Re:
The Twins: there were twins who lived on Duncan Avenue Florida
From: Becky Allen Ausmus (WI 1970)
The triplets from Stealey were the SMITH TRIPLETS. SHERRY DEBBY AND CLAUDIA. CLASS OF 1969.
Added by Linda Purnell
(WI 1967)
Sherry has been in a
Nursing home a long time. Claudia is married to Tom Brewer. DEBBY lives out of
state doing well. I am Ann Perdue Buddy and JO ELLEN ALLEN's sister. The
article from Patti Porter, brought back memories. I was a friend of Diane Mayle
(Class 1966) she was a friend of Patti’s. I use to go with her to The Stonewall
Jackson Hotel. We rode the elevator with Patti and her sister, who was in a
wheelchair, to the Penthouse. I just thought the penthouse was so glamorous.
This memory just took me back to that time.
LIVING IN CLARKSBURG ,
WEST VIRGINIA
I am not sure who sent this to me as it was not
signed with any information but I thought you might enjoy reading it. CLICK HERE to read more.
THE
NEWSLETTER WORKS IT’S MAGIC AGAIN
BRINGING
PEOPLE TOGETHER
From:
Brooke Beall (NDHS 1958) NDHS CLASS OF 1958
I received a note from
an old friend today, reminiscing about a shared friend that was killed in Vietnam Potomac State
TRANSPORTATION
IN/OUT OF
CLARKSBURG
1940's - 1950's
A few years ago my "hip" surgeon told me he
discovered I was from WV - so he chose a longer "transplant" piece
for my second hip so I could walk around the hills sideways!!!
I attended Lost Creek schools for 11
years - but spent my senior year at Weston HS - graduated with the Class of
1948. I rode the streetcar / later bus - back and forth to Weston -
B & O Railroad --Two passenger trains both East and West bound. afternoon local and midnight "National Limited" to and from Washington D.C. and St. Louis. Lots of freight trains---coal, automobiles, live cattle and more coal.
NOTE: There were no thru passenger cars beyond St. Louis. Different Unions on western railroads. You could ride across in sleeper "pullman cars. You could ride in the sleeper pullman cars same union coast to coast. Also, daily railroad service to and from Lost Creek, Weston, and Richwood. Possible connections to Buckhannon and Charleston at Weston. Possibly also North bound trains to Fairmont and Wheeling....perhaps connection at Grafton.
Greyhound Bus Lines--Service to and from many points--Washington, D.C. and beyond East bound. West bound to Cincinnati and St. Louis. Perhaps 8 buses per day.
Trailways--Similar. Perhaps also service to Chaleston and Elkins.
Major Local and Interurban Service--West Penn Transportation (Subsidiary of West Penn Electric Company).
Electirc Streetcar Service to and from Shinnston, Weston, Bridgeport plus "Local in Town" service to Grasselli and other local points. All originated at the terminal on West Side of Clarksburg near the Carmichael Auditorium (also near bus terminal). Fare was $0.07 per zone. Seventy (70) cents from Clarksburg to Weston.
I am not sure of times of other routes but Weston route service was times so north boung and south bond cars passed at Lost Creek every 1-1/2 hours from 6:08 A.M. until 12:08 AM each day for 7 days a week service. This service discontinued in late 1948. Replaced by buses on similar schedules. Right of way was abandoned and rails and copper wire stripped and scrapped. I assume similar routes also were converted to buses. During the operation period, streetcars also carried freight: picked up 5 and 7 gallon cans of fresh milk shipped by farmers and hauled railroad tank cars to and from collection points such as "Drip Gas" collector near Jackson's Mill.
From: James S. Stout -- formerly Lost Creek in Harrison County 317-291-7227. Graduated Weston HS 1948 stout@juno.com Currently living in Indianapolis.
From: James S. Stout -- formerly Lost Creek in Harrison County 317-291-7227. Graduated Weston HS 1948 stout@juno.com Currently living in Indianapolis.
Jame is the Author of 2 novels, both are about West Virginia people and early settlers.
"The Best Summer - UBETCHA" -- Pub by Authorhouse
"Cherry Tree Bottoms" -- Pub by LULU - AN EARLY STORY OF RICHWOOD -- PRE 1900.
New West Virginia
From Mike Snyder , WI
Instate WI Newsletter readers might like to know
they can now order the new West Virginia IN GOD WE TRUST specialty license
plate for their vehicles. For an application call the official contact person,
Jill Snyder at 304/227-4565. She is with the WVDMV sanctioned sponsor, the Dry
Fork Recreation Center, Inc. of Harman ,
WV
The WVDMV requires 250 paid applicants of $70
each, with an annual renewal fee of $45.The Harman group reports application requests coming in from all over the state,
but they have yet to meet the required number to date. The plate itself
is now in the design stage and will be unveiled by Gov. Tomblin in a Charleston West Virginia and
the 20th state to feature IN GOD WE TRUST (the official U.S.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Design of newest plate has changed some from that pictured above. As stated newest design will be revealed at a ceremony when enough plates have been ordered.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Design of newest plate has changed some from that pictured above. As stated newest design will be revealed at a ceremony when enough plates have been ordered.
Letters
From: Jessica
Melet Brown jessica@ivyandaster.com - daughter of Melet Men's Clothing owner
From: Jim Fragale (WI 1958)
A new work from Jim Fragale. See what
you think: It’s the FOURTH BLOG on HUFFINGTON POST, "Is it Art?
Or, Is it Soup?"
This photo was taken at the reunion
- Becky is in the middle, Ann Perdue on the left and Linda Jenkins Purnell is on the right - August 2014.
- Becky is in the middle, Ann Perdue on the left and Linda Jenkins Purnell is on the right - August 2014.
From: Linda Jenkins Purnell
(WI 1967)
In August I went home
to the WI Centennial. Becky Runner, Mile Bissett, Ann Perdue and I spent the
weekend together. We all graduated from WI and had formed a
friendship on Facebook. We had such a great time, laughing and trying to find
places to dance. Dan Stainaker even came out with us one evening. It was like
being back in high school. To make a long story short. I left Clarksburg
I know this rambled on,
but it is still so new to us, and hurts to have lost this beautiful friend of
ours.
From: Alex Lancaaster (WI 1964) Alex@lancasterlawyers.com
I have several fond memories of Clarksburg Pike
Street
THIS MONTH WRITE ABOUT ANY OF THESE SUGGESTED
SUBJECTS
send to Roleta1@aol.com
What was the most favorite job you have ever had and
why?
What was you favorite 5 and 10 cent store in Clarksburg and w
Who was your favorite English teacher in high school?
Did you take a class in foreign language? Which one? Why did you select that class? Who was your teacher? Have you ever used that language since high school?
What car did you learn to drive in and where did you
take the driving test? How old were you? Did you have a car to drive when you were in high
school?
MARY’S FRIENDSHIP GARDEN
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE IN 2015
We
have about 30 days to go…so within the next 30 days or before March 1st….if you are interested
in helping the scholarship and also getting your name in the drawing to maybe
win the 2015 WIN Scholarship Quilt named MARY’S FRIENDSHIP GARDEN, you must respond now.
I
have explained for several months how the quilt is made, who makes it and
why. I don’t think I need to go into
that again. If you don’t know, reference
last month’s newsletter at wihs59.tripod.com and click on ARCHIVES and read up
on this project.
Tickets are 6 tickets for $5.00 and 12 for $10.00….The more
you send the more tickets will go into the batch from which we will draw the
winner. You need not be present to
win. You can also buy your tickets at
the picnic.
Make your check out to:
Roleta Meredith /WIN
Scholarship
And mail to:
Roleta Meredith
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.
THOSE WHO BOUGHT TICKETS THIS MONTH
Carolyn Eneix--- Thank you for your continued support.
Allen Alvarez -----Thanks for supporting the scholarship.
Allen Alvarez -----Thanks for supporting the scholarship.
John C. Allen----- Thank you for your continued support of the scholarship.
Lucy Wallace Ropp Hornor--- You are very thoughtful, thank you.
Debbie Burkholder (Mary Harbert Nospher's daughter) Thank you so much, your supporting the scholarship in memory of your mother. "Mary's Friendship Garden" is a small way for the quilters to thank your mother for her participation in this yearly fund raiser event.
Linda Oliverio Kolosky---Thank you for your continuing support of the scholarship, the newsletter and the picnic. See you there.
Sandy Zickefoose --- Thank you for all of the support that you and Al give to the scholarship, picnic and the newsletter.
Martha Jefferies Rice---I appreciate your continued support of the scholarship, newsletter and we will see you again at the picnic on March 5, 2015.
Robert Griffith (WI 1954)-- Thank you for buying tickets and supporting the scholarship.
Glen Cowgill (WI 1959)---Thanks to you and Nun for your continuing support of the scholarship. We will miss you both at the picnic this year but family is very important.
Robert Hall ---Thank you for your support of the scholarship and the newsletter. Since you won the last 2 times, I am sure there is a sigh of relief that you have run out of room to hang another quilt in your home.
Sandy Zickefoose --- Thank you for all of the support that you and Al give to the scholarship, picnic and the newsletter.
Martha Jefferies Rice---I appreciate your continued support of the scholarship, newsletter and we will see you again at the picnic on March 5, 2015.
Robert Griffith (WI 1954)-- Thank you for buying tickets and supporting the scholarship.
Glen Cowgill (WI 1959)---Thanks to you and Nun for your continuing support of the scholarship. We will miss you both at the picnic this year but family is very important.
Robert Hall ---Thank you for your support of the scholarship and the newsletter. Since you won the last 2 times, I am sure there is a sigh of relief that you have run out of room to hang another quilt in your home.
SPORTS
DID YOU EVER ATTEND A WV STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Some of my best memories as a youngster were of attending the West Virginia State High School Basketball Tournament in
Do
you have memories of this tournament, either in Morgantown
or Charleston Charleston
Did
any of you ever play in the tourney? If you didn't attend in person, do you
remember listening to the games on the radio?
Send
your memories and comments to me at billmere@aol.com
CRADLE OF COACHES:
Several
readers sent me the link below to a story in Bleacher Report by Ray Glier,
about successful college football coaches, born in North Central West Virginia.
Between them, they have won 15—national championships. If you add the three won
by Lou Holtz, Ben Schwartzwalter and Greasy Neale, the total for WV born
coaches is 18. CLICK HERE to read more.
THIS PLACE MATTERS
The
link below to a well written article in "The Bitter Southerner", by
Clay Skipper, was sent to me by a couple of readers. It is about the town where
I grew up in Marion
County
I
hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
To
Bill:
Our
team won the 7th grade basketball championship, but the Central Jr. High and WI
coaches were not impressed with my talents as a basketball standout. I really
did not look like a quintessential player, like Kishbaugh, Punky Goodman, or
Hot Rod Hundley, So, unhappy living with my older brother, I transferred to
Greenbrier Military in Lewisburg for my junior and senior years.
There,
I had a chance to show my brand. Juddy Martin, an ex-pal from WI, and I were
both on the football team. He was tough and fearless. I wanted to be a
receiver, but the team had two taller ends. So, loving contact, I started as a
defensive end. I fought the wide sweeps so the linebackers could make the
tackles. Our coach let me in on some plays as a receiver and I never dropped a
pass. We were undefeated my senior year and played against some top college
prep players, who later were stars in college. We played mostly other military
schools and also high schools in Virginia Hinton High School
Living
well is the best revenge. We didn’t fare well in basketball. Beckley Greenbrier Military
School
While
at WI, I was the head cartoonist for the Hilltopper News. I once made Coach
Hite angry with his profile, but the kids loved it. Maybe he and Coach Anderson
were wrong about my ability. (God will call you to where He has the goodies.
Just like Abraham, I got out of UR Clarksburg
Jim
Callis, Greenbrier Military 1953
Reply to Jim:
Once again, you have covered a lot of material. I can comment on a
couple of items.
I have seen some pretty good ball players not make teams in high
school, but go on to do well, either elsewhere or in college. One example is my
son, Victor. He played some baseball in high school, but had the misfortune of
having Paul O'Neill as a teammate. When Paul pitched, Victor started in right
field. However, when Paul didn't pitch, Victor sat on the bench. (Yes, THAT
Paul O'Neill, the one who later starred in MLB, first with the Cincinnati
Things changed when Victor got to college. He not only started as
a freshman, but led the team in hitting. Would he trade the experience with
O'Neill to have played more in high school? I doubt it.
You are certainly correct about Beckley
Thanks for the letter. They are always fun to read and very
colorful. We hope to hear from you again soon.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
WHEN MEN
PLAYED REAL HARD BALL
Gary
Robey, W I 1957, sent me the link below. It is a film clip of Art Donovan
appearing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It is very funny and reminds
us of the olden days of the NFL, when, as Gary
I'D RATHER BE LUCKY THAN GOOD
After
watching the WVU basketball team win the TCU game by one point, the only thing
I could think about was the above statement. Does luck play a big role in
college sports. Sure it does. But, you need to be in a position to take
advantage of the luck when it comes. It is a lot like a hole-in-one in golf. You
must be near the hole for it to go in.
I
am having a hard time trying to figure out this team. We know they win with
defense and rebounding. They really are not a good shooting team and don't have
a player who can "light it up" with 25 or 30 points on a consistent
basis. So, will they make the NCAA tournament? If so, how far will they
go?
Defense,
rebounding and hustle will only take them so far. The name of the game
is still putting the ball in the basket. My guess is that, barring a
complete collapse, they will make the big show. Two wins in the tournament
would be big. More than that would be enormous.
There
is still a lot of basketball to play and I must admit, this team is fun to
watch. Maybe, if Staten plays more like he did last year and one or two of the
freshmen get hot, Huggins could have another Elite Eight team. Just don't bet
the house on it.
How
do you think the Mountaineers will do in the tournament? Write your
thoughts and comments to me at:
Bill
(billmere@aol.com)
Following is part of an email conversation I recently had with
Mike Snyder, W I 1957. Some of it should be of interest to our readers.
To
Bill:
Thanks
for your reply. Mom was the Monongah valedictorian in 1932 and she and her twin
sister were cheerleaders there.
I
have been following WVU since 1957, when I was a freshman and got a letter
there as a diver.I think the Nehlen and Rodriquez-Stewart eras will not likely
be repeated in my lifetime. And Art Lewis also is in that number.
I
don't think Huggins can attract enough A-grade players to touch the Schaus
legacy. I frankly don't think he can duplicate what Beilein accomplished
either. His coaching and recruiting are separate, yet same
results--also-rans--for his best seasons. He achieved them with Beilein's boys and
hasn't done well since they graduated.
By
the way, our frat pledged Rod Thorn, who was straight A's in pre-med. He went
thru Hell Week and the guys cut him a lot of slack. I was back from the Marines
and came down hard on him as was the tradition. He dropped out of the frat
afterwards. I wrote him an apology years later and found out it wasn't me. He
didn't like the pledge master, plus all the other pressures he faced. He was an
exemplary young man, definitely highest caliber.
I
also knew Jerry West per my memoirs, but he was a quiet study. He really didn't
have anything to say. His statement was on the basketball court. How much he talked to his teammates, I'm not
sure. His teammates from W I (Clousson and Warrren) would have to say. Clausson
was a real happy, out-going guy, who everyone liked. Jim Warren was a Stealey
boy, a year ahead of me. Jodey Gardner was a Phi Sig also, but graduated ahead
of my frosh year and so was Clayce Kishbaugh. His aunt was the WI librarian and
he was named after her, I think.
Also,
did you know that my late cousin Carolyn's husband, John Gillespie, had
scholarship offers from The Citadel and Marshall, but went in the Marines
instead? John's still fit as a fiddle, but we don't see each other since he
moved to his daughter's in Pa.
In
closing, a pal said the Mountaineers will find a thousand ways to break your
heart. I changed that to 1001
ways!
Hats
off to Roleta's 15 years with the Newsletter, and we appreciate your sports
contributions as well.
In
God We Trust.
Mike Snyder, W I 1957
Reply to Mike:
I always enjoy hearing from anyone from West Virginia
I am the eternal optimist, so I hope there are more "golden
years" of Mountaineer football. We must remember that in the olden days,
we played a much different schedule. We are truly in the big time now, so wins
are more difficult to get..
As for Huggins and basketball, I don't like his style of play, but
this year, at least, he is winning with it. I guess an ugly win is still a win,
but I long for the "well oiled" machines of yesteryear when players
could make a 15 ft. jump shot. Inept shooting, plus the constant foul shots,
have almost ruined the game for me.
I didn't know Jerry West, but did have a class with Willie Akers
at WVU. I enjoyed watching them play and actually walked-on my freshman year,
but only lasted a week with the team. Those were truly great teams and their
quality may never be duplicated at WVU.
Finally, I went to high school with John Gillespie and knew your
cousin, Carolyn Burley Gillespie, well. I also played football with John, who
was a fine halfback. He started all four years at Monongah. I think he made the
all-state team while there. Carolyn's passing shocked everyone and I think John
had a very difficult time with it.
Thanks for your interesting letter. We hope to hear from you again
soon. (Don't let the big ones get away.) We hope to see you if and when we are
again in the high country of WV.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
From: Joe Malone (WI
1953)
Regarding the
"Cooper (WI-51) Challenge" in your latest WI Newsletter - The real
question should have been "Which one is John
Cooper????"
And the answer
is.......
Top Row - Frank Lowther,
Ross White, Elmer Mitchell, John Cooper*, Dick Oliker
Middle Row - ? Que no se
?, Jack Holt, Russell Saucer
Bottom Row - Dan Oliker,
Richard Wood, Howard Jordan, Sam Oliverio, Tim Corsini, Roger Hudkins.
*Note the menacing
eyebrows on Cooper. One tough 'ombre!
From: Dave Saucer (WI 1951)
Hi
Roleta. Alway enjoy the newsletter and
very much appreciate diligence and hard work you put forth to keep it going.
Very
much enjoyed seeing the photos of the 1951 team players and looking at the old
faces of friends and of myself.
The
fellows I recognize and can name are: Elmer Mitchell, Ross White, Tim Corsini,
John Cooper, Dick Oliker and not sure but think Dan Oliker is there also, Jack
Holt, Rich Wood, Frank Lowther, "Sonny" Jordan, Sam Oliverio and last
but hopefully not least, myself Dave Saucer. Great group of fellows and we had
great times under Coaches Clay Hite and Earl Orme.
Interesting
note. My Dad and maybe some of the other fellows' dads, played under Coach Hite
in his early years and we played at the end years. My Dad played on the 1924
team with new Coach Hite and they won the State Championship. Coach Hite was
sometimes a little hard on me because if I missed a block or tackle, he would
chastise me saying, "Russ would not have missed that shot!" Of course
that made me want to try harder.
TWINS ON
THE 1951 TEAM
From
Joe Malone (WI 1953)
Speaking
of twins (as you were) note the Oliker twins. They held down opposite ends of
the line. Top Drawer. The story was told that their father flipped a coin upon graduation
to determine which one went to college. Dan won the toss, graduated from WVU
and was the Mascot Mountaineer. Dick went to the USAF and later completed college
on the GI Bill. Win-Win !
MUSIC IN CLARKSBURG
THE BIG BAND
SOUND
NOTE: I asked this musician what he meant when he
referred to an “over-30” Dance. And to
please tell us about his career around Clarksburg
From:
Chris Hill (WI 1960)
Back in our
day (We are about the same age -- I graduated with Nina Meredith), an
"over-30" dance was an event intended for people older than 30. I
started playing with Heinie Hammel in 1958 when I was only 16, so legally I
shouldn't have been in those places, let alone working there, but I acted old
for my age. (I always acted old for my age until I reached about 50. Since then
I do my best to act younger than I am!) I doubt that people who planned
"over 30 dances" called them that, but the guys in the band business
did.
Heinie
Hammel had a very popular band in the 1950s. His was the band of choice for
many events in places like the Stonewall-Jackson and Waldo Hotels; the VFW,
Elks, Moose, Eagles and other private clubs; as well as venues around Central
WV. We played in Bridgeport , Weston, Fairmont , Morgantown , Parkersburg Clarksburg Charleston ,
WV
Heinie's
band was a classical "tenor band." The instrumentation was three
tenor saxophones, trumpet, piano, bass, drums, and Miss Rosemary Swayne on
vocals. The bassist was Sam Belcastro and the pianists I played with at one
time or another were Barry Brinkley and Sam's son, Joe. (Joe, who died way too
soon, had some success as a musician and composer in NYC. Here is a nice
tribute to him.
"Hoot" Morrison was the
drummer. I can't recall the guy who played second tenor; I played third.
We all doubled on clarinet, and I occasionally played baritone and soprano
saxes. The musical style was a kind of "small town" Guy Lombardo or
Lester Lanin. We played a mixture of ballads, faster tunes to a 4-4 beat known
as the "businessman's bounce," and novelty tunes--cha cha's, polkas,
tarantellas, and what I call "da-a-wat" tunes. Many of the tunes we
played were classics from what has come to be called the Great American
Songbook. We definitely did not play rock and roll...we didn't know how and
didn't want to. Some of my good friends were among the rock and roll pioneers
in Clarksburg
Earlier, I
cut my teeth playing popular music in the David Ellis Rhythm makers beginning
in junior high. David was on trumpet, his brother, Sam, on drums, Suzanne
Gabriel on piano, and me on baritone sax. David and Sammy are sons of big Sam
Ellis, who, with his brothers, owned the Ellis Drive-In Theater on Bridgeport
Hill. Later I joined the National Boy Scout Orchestra, which was a 14 or
15-piece swing-style big band sponsored by the Explorer Boy Scouts in Clarksburg Ohio University
I also
played occasionally in a big band led by Leonard Hannigan ("and his
Orchestra") which included a number of fine musicians from the Clarksburg
During my
undergraduate years at IIT in Chicago Madison , Wisconsin
THE MYSTERY PICTURE FOR FEBRUARY
Name the business pictured.
Tell us where it was located and share a memory about it. Such as: Why do you remember it? When did you go there? Why did you go there? How did you get there? Did someone go with you?
Thank you for participating and helping me do this without Judy.
Please sign your full name, high school and year of graduation.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
THE MYSTERY PICTURE IN JANUARY
From: Diana Mayle Walker
(WI 1966)
I
am not sure of the use of this building when the photo was taken but I believe
that it at some point was the VFW building on W. Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Tom Reed (WI 1969)
The
mystery picture is of the Clarksburg VFW Hall and was probably taken in the
60’s before the wheelchair ramp and cannon were put into place. My question is, what are the 2 strange glass
structures in the right hand corner of the picture?
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Sarge McQuillan (WI
1957)
Look
s like the VFW hall on Like St. Clarksburg
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From James Alvaro (WI
1956)
I believe the mystery
picture for this month is the American Legion or VFW on Pike St
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Jack Emerick
I
will submit that the February mystery picture is the VFW Hall. I suspect that
the picture was taken a good while ago as the old Paul Meyer's Hardware
building is still standing to the left. I will further guess
(because of the pay telephone booths) that, if the picture were a video and the
cameraman were to pan to the right, we would see a small parking lot and on
it's right hand edge. The large, old, white frame home with the wrap-around
front porch that was the American Legion Home for a decade or two. Paul Meyers
was the last place that one could get the small fire brick radiant’s with the
intricate basket weave designs for the small un-vented gas space heaters. In
the later years just before it closed, these were 8 to 14 dollars apiece. They
also had the leather diaphragm pump heads for the old Wagner type pumps. There
were many different brands of these pumps that were the basic type of pump used
in water wells for farms and private homes. They had the long (8' or 10')
wooden rods that had a screw type fitting on the ends. Often there were 3 to 5
of them, depending on the depth of the well. The pump heads had a wooden plug
with a heavy leather disc which fitted tightly in the pipe and provided the
pumping action as the shaft went up and down
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Elizabeth Teter
Akin (WI 1956)
The
mystery photo is, of course, the VFW, built during the 1950s. The major
memories there for me were the dances..."sock hops"... held there.
Live bands, lots of fun! We were such a lucky generation to have had a
community that created so many opportunities for us to spend time in safe
places with our friends. The dances here and at the Moose Club are really fond
memories. I know that events like that continued through the '50"s, but
wonder if they survived the '60's. I am thinking those sock hops were held on
Friday nights, after the basketball games. May be wrong about that.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Kitty Hess (WI
1959) FHESS45@aol.com
Looks
like the VFW to me. Near the new library, well, as opposed to the old one we
all went to, and where my mother, Georgia Hess worked for many years.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Bill White (WI
1956) jovencita2@gmail.com
You
don’t hear from me very often, but I thoroughly enjoy the monthly newsletter
and thank you, Judy and Bill very much for your dedication all these years to
make it available to Clarksburgers. As to the mystery building, I think it is
the VFW on Pike Street
My
brothers and I grew up on the upper end of Stealey Avenue
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Diana Mayle Walker
(WI 1966)
I
am not sure of the use of this building when the photo was taken but I believe
that it at some point was the VFW building on W. Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Janet Cottrill
Kownacke (WI 1964) Moody@gulfstreampark.com
I
believe this is the VFW on West
Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: lpurnell@cricpa.com
I believe
this is now the VFW on Pike
Street-
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Ted Wolfe (WI 1974) wolfetm95@aol.com
The January
mystery picture is the VFW. Since I am not a veteran I don't have many memories
of it. I attended a 50/50 dinner there around 10 or 12 years ago, that as about
it.. I think it has an old cannon that the US
took from Puerto Rico after the Spanish
American War out in from of it now, about where the car is parked in the
picture.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: John Teter (WI 1961) jateter@aol.com
The mystery
picture in the January WI Newsletter is the VFW building, located on Pike Street
The
building still exists today - unlike a lot of the businesses/bars that were on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Carolyn Hinzman
Ramsay, (Weston HS 1952)
I believer the picture is of the old VFW building on Pike St.
Also I will be at the picnic with my cousin Nancy Alfred
Cleghorn, Bridgeport HS '63. We have our reservations at the hotel for Fri
& Sat. nites.
Thanks for all you do,
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI
1940)
The mystery
picture is the VFW on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Ernie Bastin – (WI 1957 ) bastin@ohio.edu
The picture
in the newsletter is the V.F.W. Hall. Growing up in Clarksburg
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Raymond
Carter (WI 1962) raycarter2001@yahoo.com
I believe this is the building that housed the VFW in Clarksburg Pike Street Vietnam
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Alex Lancaster
(WI 1964) Alex@lancasterlawyers.com
The picture
is the VFW which had a parking lot to the east and then the American Legion.
The building to the left had apartments upstairs and a hardware facing Pike.
The upstairs of the VFW had a dance almost every Friday night after the
football games and on Saturday nights had a party for the adults where everyone
brought their own bottle. I spent many an evening to Shout there.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Margaret (Cleavenger) McIntyre
(WI 1965) mlmcintyre@cox.net
The mystery
pic is the VFW on Pike Street
Thanks to
you and your team for another wonderful newsletter, another trip down memory
lane.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Rod Kidd (WI 1970)
The mystery
picture looks to be the VFW building on Pike Street Clarksburg Baptist
Church Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Gladys Williams (WI 1971) Gwill1004@aol.com
It is a
picture of the VFW on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Jerry Hustead (WI 1963)
The picture
is of the VFW hall on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Chuck Wilson, (WI 1967)
The mystery
picture for Feb, is the VFW on Pike
St
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Janel Myers Fearing ( Victory 1970.)
I think the
mystery picture for February is The V F W on Pike St
From: Linda
Oliverio Kolosky (WI 1960) The picture
for this month’s newsletter is of the V.F.W. on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Bob Kramer (WI 1965)
This is the
new VFW located on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: John Petitto (NDHS 1964)
VFW on Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Marlene Parsons Andre (RW
1953)
That was or
is the home of the VFW and to the right was a 2 story white house which was the
home of the American legion
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Ruth Ann Martin Hill (WI 1959)
VFW next to
the Robinson Grand and the Weber’s Flower shop. We used to have sock hops after
ball games there.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Ruby Casto (Victory 1947) recasto47@frontier.com
The mystery
picture looks like the VFW building on West Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Sherry Ellen Hutchison Keith
(WI '64)
The Jan.
Letter Mystery pic. is the VFW downtown Clarksburg
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Bob Summerville (WI ’66) rjs4u2uz@verizon.net
VFW on Pike street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Barbara “Moore
I believe
the picture to be the VFW, on Pike
Street Main Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Chris Hill (WI 1980)
The
February mystery picture is the VFW hall on W. Pike Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Bob Alton (Victor 1955)
I think the
mystery building is the VFW Post on Pike
Street
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
From: Anne Byrnside Davis(WI 1952)
This is the
VFW on West Pike St.
JAMES HERSCHEL ATKINSON
James Herschel Atkinson, 79, of Bridgeport ,
passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2015, in the United Hospital
Center Washington Irving High School Bridgeport U.S.
SISTER JOHANNA (ANNA) ANGUILLI
Sister Johanna (Anna)
Angiulli, daughter of the late John and Mary Agnes Checchia Angiulli, died at Mount St.
Joseph Mount Clare , Harrison
County , West Virginia Victory
High Schools in Clarksburg , West Virginia Washington , DC Clarksburg and was employed as a secretary
at her alma mater, Victory
High School Catholic University ,
Washington , DC; Marywood
College , Scranton , Pennsylvania ; and Duquesne University , Pittsburgh ,
Pennsylvania St.
Joseph Grade School
in Huntington ;
Cathedral, Corpus Christi, and St. Vincent de Paul Grade Schools in Wheeling ;
St. Patrick Grade School in Weston; and St. Anne School in Bristol ,
Virginia Notre Dame
High School in Clarksburg and then served as school
librarian at Bishop
Donahue High
School Mount St.
Joseph
MICHAEL DAVID BOOTH
Michael David
Booth, 36, of Lost Creek passed away Friday, January 16, 2015, at Ruby Memorial
Hospital in Morgantown Clarksburg ,
WV Robert
C. Byrd
High School
KENNY LEE MOORE, SR.
Kenney Lee Moore Sr., age 83, of Bridgeport ,
WV , passed away on January 14, 2015, at Ruby Memorial
Hospital Daybrook ,
WV Meadland Road Washington Irving
High School
BARBARA
ANN BRUNETT-DEFAZIO
Barbara Ann
“Beeb” Brunett DeFazio, age 79, of Clarksburg ,
West Virginia Clarksburg Tampa , Florida and sister
in law, Janice Brunett of Clarksburg ,
WV Stonewood , WV
NANNETTE LOUISE BEAUGEZ LADEN KUHL
Nannette Louise Beaugez Laden Kuhl, age 71, passed away at home on
January 5, 2015. She was born in Winters, TX on October 13, 1943 and moved to
D'iberville, MS in 1945. The oldest of 5 children she grew up on Byrd Avenue Biloxi , MS Europe , telling them with such relish and detail that the
listener would be transported in time and place. After the death of her first
husband, she worked hard to raise 4 children on her own, selling real estate
all along the gulf coast of MS Biloxi
LUELLA MAE KESLING
Luella Mae Kesling, 91, of N. 16th Street , Clarksburg Clarksburg Victory High School United Hospital
Center
NANCIE GRAHAM BLEHSCHMIDT
Born in Clarksburg , WV
Graduated from WI in 1956
Nancie
Graham Blehschmidt, 73, of Dogwood
Ave. , Morgantown Clarksburg West
Virginia University Bridgeport Cemetery , Bridgeport ,
WV
DAVID ALLEN
OLIVERIO
David
Allen Oliverio, 68, of River Bend Apartments, Clarksburg
MILES
KITCHEN
Miles Kitchen was born in Clarksburg Clarksburg Notre Dame High School and was a United States Air Force
veteran, having served in Vietnam
