Issue 200

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton

From: Jalon Smith Burton (WIN Publisher)

Before we go any further...

did you happen to notice the number of 

this month's issue?

______________________________________

Please join with me in wishing

THE WASHINGTON IRVING NEWSLETTER 

a very, very, very

HAPPY 200th ISSUE BIRTHDAY

... and may you have many, many more...

THE  VERY LAST CLARKSBURG PICNIC

SARASOTA FLORIDA

From: Roleta1@aol.com

The last Clarksburg picnic was held on March 12, 2016 in Sarasota, FL. The weather was perfect. Looking back over all the years that I had the picnic, it never rained, it was near perfect weather every year. Once it was a little cool but by about 1:30 pm it warmed up enough that we were taking off our jackets. I am sure all who were there remember that we did have a terrible wind storm one year. Jalon, my sister and publisher of this newsletter, was there with Tim who is a housing contractor in Georgia. Bill and Tim went to Home Depot and purchased firing strips and a big roll of plastic. They actually constructed a wall so we could protect the food and ourselves from the wind, the flying leaves and sand. But even that picnic was a great one.

Over the years the crowd has gotten smaller and we have missed those who are no longer attending. Most who don’t come are either ill or have passed away or have lost a spouse. Others just don’t come because??? Who knows why but it was their loss. Of course the food was good, it always is. I will admit that I think that my hot dog chili got better every year and this year it was the best. Even better than a lot of hot dogs I have had in West Virginia. Even with the great food, the best part about the picnic was the people.

Over the years the group attending was smaller but hey, face it, we are all a good bit older. 90% of those attending were over 70. There were a few more canes, which became a joke to a lot of them.

It was nice to see so many of our old friends and our new friends too. Many of these people were just names to us before I started the picnic but now they are friends. Many graduation classes never have a formal get together after their 50^th reunion, usually this is due to the fact that no one wants to be in charge of the reunion as it is so much work. The picnic did serve as a reunion for many groups of friends each year. I got to see some of my classmates each year too. I have often said that my greatest pleasure at a picnic is to see people get reacquainted with someone they haven’t seen for years. It happens every year. So many of the classmates have reconnected and spent a lot of time together over the week-end in Sarasota, FL. This year a man came up to me and said he was just talking to an old friend who he hadn’t seen in at least 55 years. Now that would warm the coldest heart, wouldn’t it? There are so many stories. I can’t sit here and write about them as I know I will miss telling a great story about something that happened at the picnic over the years. I hope the readers will write and share their favorite experience with us. Write a favorite memory of a Clarksburg Reunion Picnic with us.  Write to Roleta1@aol.com

Bill and I received so many nice cards with lovely notes of appreciation in them. We were crowned King and Queen for the day at the picnic in a sweet ceremony that we enjoyed as I shed some tears with some attending. We also received several gifts that day and since and we certainly thank you for your sincere appreciation.

I plan to continue the newsletter as long as you readers help me to make it interesting. And the WIN Quilters have told me that they will continue making a quilt to raise money for the scholarship as long as Sue Selby Moats is willing to do the work required to make it possible for a quilt to be completed.

DON’T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT

From: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)

The picnic has been a wonderful event for me. I have seen friends from HS that I would never have seen again in my lifetime had you not had this picnic. Remembering Jack Borror who was my first boyfriend and who never came to reunions. Sadly, he died less than a year after I last saw him at a picnic. Roy Feldman moved to PA, he was a childhood friend and classmate who left Clarksburg before HS. Oh, how joyous to see him again at some of the picnics. Delores Boone was a childhood classmate and friend and I got to see her again. Others that I've seen over the years but always so very happy to see are Jim and Fred Alvaro Don and Kitty Sager, Jim Brown, Rusty Rutan, Babe Cashman, Marolyn Tustin Jett, Janet Webb and her dear mother (God love her), Bob Dennison and his mother (God love her too,) Bud Collins, Barbara Allen Gordon, Bill White, Augie Malfregeot, Marjorie Jones who lived just across the street from me when we were growing up. Roleta, the list goes on and on and on of those whom I would never have seen again in my lifetime and the thanks is all yours for organizing and hosting this wonderful picnic. I know I've left out some near and dear but my brain is mush.

From: Jim Nutter (WI 1971)

Thank you for the Annual Clarksburg Reunion Picnic. This was our fourth visit to your Sarasota event, since Joy and I have only been living in Florida for that many years. Although Joy was raised in Kentucky, she always felt welcome. I think I looked forward to eating your Clarksburg style hot dogs as much as she enjoyed staying at Long Boat Key or North Redington Beach. Within two hours we can be at a nice beach on the east or west coast. However, we can't get good hot dog sauce like yours.

This year's visit was especially enjoyable for we were reconnected with two members of the 1970 WI class: Andrew Vac and Tom Thompson. When we were little, Andy lived next door and Tom lived three houses down. Tom moved away before first grade, but Andy, along with Stephen Cooksey were my best friends and neighbors up to and through Carlisle Grade School.  Andy and I shared memories of our grade school friends such as Ricky Berman, Paula Raeder, and Eann Hodges. An older lady recognized Tom and stated that she used to baby sit him. She affectionately called him "Little Tommy Thompson" and for the remainder of the picnic that was his name. Tom being a very pleasant and good natured fellow tolerated our ribbing.

I take special notice of those that help to make my retirement life enjoyable. You and your husband have put a lot of effort into this annual event and I understand that all good things come to an end. It was fitting that you and Bill were made Queen and King of the picnic. Long live the Queen and King.

Above are pictures of Marolyn Tustin Jett and Jim Alvaro making a presentation and proclaiming Bill and Roleta King and Queen for a day.

If you wish to see more pictures from the most recent - and the very last - Clarksburg Reunion Picnic, click on the link in the 'Picnic Time!' section (which includes the picnic basket image) located to the right on the sidebar of this page.

We will be adding more pictures next month.

If you were at the picnic and you have any pictures from the picnic, please email me a copy of them. Thanks

There were many nice messages and cards received. 

Thanks to all, Roleta and Bill

THE 2016 WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

This year's WIN Scholarship Quilt was named Mandala Quilt. Ticket sales for the quilt raised $4,211.00 and the winner of the quilt was Pam Wolfe Brown (WI 1960). Pam just happens to be one of the WIN Quilters who made one of the squares in the quilt. I think I am correct; she made the square on the bottom row in the far right hand corner.

Her husband, Jim Brown (WI 1957), had bought tickets via mail a couple of months before the picnic. The day of the picnic, Pam decided to buy some more. The winning ticket was one of the tickets that Pam had bought that day. One just never knows.

The WIN Quilters are expecting to make another quilt for 2017.

Thank you to all who support the WIN Scholarship by buying tickets for our  quilts.

MARCH MYSTERY PICTURE

From: Jackie Morris Corsini (WI 1949)

The house is the Israel home on East Pike Street. Sarah Margaret Israel was an English teacher at Central Jr. High School. She died this past year and was over 100 years old. She had two brothers, Robert (Monk) and Dick. The house is still there, just down the street from Southern States.

From: Cathy Merrifield (WI 1975)

The mystery picture for March is Sarah Margaret Israel’s house on West Pike St. It is located across from what was once the Dairy Queen. She recently passed away, but no one has lived there in a while. I'm friends with Bob Israel. He takes care of the house. It's in very poor shape as it's very old

From: Catherine Custer Burke (WI 1952)

This looks like the home of Miss Sarah Margaret Israel, longtime English teacher at Central Junior High School. The house at 410 East Pike Street is on the same side of the street and close to Raymon’s Restaurant and the Holy Rosary Church. Miss Israel died recently at over one hundred years of age.

From: Bob Sommerville (WI 1966)

Miss. Israel for 7th or 8th grade (?) English. Diagramming sentences! Seems like it was every day.

Thanks go to you and all who work on the newsletter!

Grandparents’ day. How many does everybody have? I have 4.

EDITOR’S NOTE: My goodness, Bob, you graduated in 1966 and you have 4 living grandparents? My parent’s are even dead now. Both of my parent’s would be 101 years old this summer. Do any of you readers have parents or grandparents living? Write and tell us about them and their age.  Write to Roleta1@aol.com

From: James D. Smith (Victory 1962)

The house is located on East Pike street down the street from Holy Rosary Church. I believe that Nuns used to live in the house. Not to far from Dent's Drug Store.

EDITOR’S NOTE: After asking one of my readers, who is very familiar with the house, if you were correct, he said, “Well, he did identify the location of the house. But we don’t believe NUNS ever lived there”.

From: Becky Allen (WI 1970)

beck0643@aol.com

This house is on Main Street in Clarksburg WV

Mattie Israel taught at Morgan Grade School and Sarah Margaret Israel taught at Central Jr. High.. A great aunt Nellie Cost lived there as well. She was the owner of the Cost Farm which is now Stonewood hence Cost Ave. The wisteria had to be cut down due to the City Of Clarksburg ordering it done as a nuisance vine growing on a structure. The house and the store are to be sold as one to the best offer. If interested my number is 304-622-6211. The problem with the house and store is that they were built around 1865. They did not have electric or indoor plumbing. That was installed as they were invented so they have been upgraded over the years but are not up to code. Therefore no bank will finance them. The sale has to be to someone that has cash. If the purchaser has cash then there is no problem and they can upgrade as they please. The brick in the house was baked on the site and they used horse hair mortar to lay the bricks. They used carpentry practises that were in use in the 1800's such as Mortise and tenon joints in the floor joists. In around 1890 there was a drought that dried up most all the wells in Clarksburg but the well in the yard was good and they (distant relatives) could hear people pumping the pump non stop day and night, so the story goes. Personally I think the city could restore it as a Store and House of that (Period, 1860 Clarksburg - as there are almost none of them left) Maybe install the old well and a horse hitching post and fill both with Clarksburg memorabilia. I have a leather bound ledger book from the store that has the purchases listed and the people that made the purchase. Tons of transactions with names of LOTS of families that anyone from the area would recognize as their great great grandfather etc.

From: Lloyd Miller (RW 1962)

The mystery house picture is located in the 400 block of East Pike Street. On the right side of house is Southern States Farm and Home Garden store.

The building beside the house in the picture was the old Sears warehouse and is no longer there. The home was known as the Israel home.

Across the street from the home was the old east end Dairy Queen. Now it is the Tobacco Outlet.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It is very possible that there were several homes in Clarksburg that were built by the same builder or at least built with the same floor plans and design. However, the Israel home was the answer I wanted.  I can’t honestly say that the others who wrote were incorrect as they did identify the house just not the house in which Ms. Israel lived. Several people mentioned some of the home sites so to be fair; I will print their letters here:  I even asked Barbara Paugh Patton to check it out. This is the first time I have run into this!!!

From: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI 1961)

Checked out house on Chestnut St and Ms Israel house and they are not the same. The color and trim are not the same. Same as the one on Washington Ave colors are not the same. So as far as I know Ms Israel’s house here is one of a kind due to the paint. The colors are
white in the other 2 houses and those 2 have the same trim.
So my guess was truly wrong. It got me to get out and run around town. I sure enjoyed that little work for the newsletter.

Also, the Israel home has a small porch. The others have porches as long as the house. Will look at the one on Washington Ave tomorrow.

From: Susan Morrison Johnson (WI 1963)

The March mystery picture looks like my Great Aunt's and Uncle's home that was located on Washington Avenue. If you were walking up Washington Ave., towards WI, it would be on your right side about 2 or 3 lots past the back of the jail. The home was owned by Clarence and Zella Sommerville.

I believe Clarence was a County Assessor and worked in the Court House. I stayed with them frequently between 1960-1963. After they passed away the home was sold and was occupied by a mortgage company and an insurance company. I'm sure there were many homes that looked similar. But it looks like their home to me.

SARA JEAN (SADIE) GRAHAM

(WI 1943)

A BIRTHDAY SALUTE

From: Joe Malone (her brother WI 1952)

First, I want to praise you for the overwhelming tributes (Mine among them) you paid to "Coach Alphonse" recently. That said, it motivated me to reverse the order of things and pay tribute to my sister, Sara Jean (Sadie) Graham, (WI1943) who turns ninety, (count 'em 9-decades) on April 5, 2016. It occurred to me that many things said at a memorial would be better said before. 

So...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!

I'm guessing that Sis is one of your "older" readers with kudos to Arreta Jaranko (WI 1941). She was an early subscriber and, as you know, she and some of her friends from the Fort New Salem Quilting group contributed squares to your Quilting Project for many years. She still lives independently in her cottage at Lake Floyd and looks forward to your monthly epistle.

While my brother Bob and I left WV in the mid-fifties, Sis took her Masters degree in Library Science at WVU; married Jim Graham (WI-1941); raised two sons (Jay/Ted); taught within the Harrison County School District and, ultimately retired as the Librarian at Salem College. As a career Librarian, she was my "Google/Siri" before there was a "Google or a Siri". All I had to do was call her and ask my question. She never failed me. (It just took longer.) Bob has since returned to WV and I visit annually. However, neither of us have local identification other than Sadie Graham's "Little Brother" or Sadie's "Other Brother". She paid her dues and stayed home. We didn't. Nevertheless, she has been of insurmountable support for both of us over the past 10-15 years.

Sadie and Joe at a NY Eve party (circa 1956)

On her front porch swing at Lake Floyd during July 4th (circa 2010)

Coopers Rock State Park near Morgantown (circa 2013) 

Joe and Sadie ended their day. 

(There's gotta be a story in there somewhere.)

In summary: We Love Ya, Sis! And not just me, but a whole lot of friends throughout Harrison County and beyond!

Sadie, all the readers of the WI Newsletter would like to wish you a 

Very Happy 90^th Birthday!

Sports Editor: Bill Meredith

billmere@aol.com

From: Jim Alvaro (W I 1956)

Front Row: Augie Malfregeot, Lyndal Jenkins, Howard Smith, Freddie Miocco, Bobby Jo Hart, Ron Chartrand, Doc Hutson, Ron Grow, Charlie Wagner, Mickey Lynch, Paul Clayton, Bud Collins, Bobby Cathers, Roy Smith.

Second Row: Bobby Henline, Doug "Put" Sinsel, Roger White, Dave Arnett, #33 Jim Alvaro, John Harrison, Don Cinci, Dave McMun, Mike Tricot, Ronnie Walters, Eddie Christie, Doug Bailey, Dave Bell,

Third Row: Bobby Dennison, Biss Hutson, Skip Bowie, Guy Vestpoint, Sonny Talkington, Sammy Ware,Roy Bever, John Allen, Jimmy Allen, Jim Heaberlin, Carmen Romano, Snyder.

Fourth Row: ??......, Jimmy Vestpoint, Bob Fulton, Anthony Belotte, ??........,??....,??.......,Harold Sloan, Greg Myers, Teddy Waroblack, Jim Hall, XX.....,XX.....,

Fifth Row: ??.....,??......, Jimmy Westfall, Danny Backus, Sargent McQuillan, ...??...,..??..,??....,??..., Rudy Garten, Barry Mazzie, Jimmy White, Gary Bailey.

Six Row: Coach Tony Folio, Coach Garrett, Coach "Fuzzy" Moore,

Mgrs, Conrad, Benny Kibbey, David Zinn, Bobby Turner

Note: Some of the spellings were just guessed. You notice the further the rows got back, the more the question marks. It is amazing how much you remember what they look like then, but I'm guessing I wouldn't recognize most of them now.

Reply to Jim:

Many thanks for identifying the players in the picture. You were the only reply I got. Can anyone fill in the question marks? Surely someone remembers the names. I look forward to hearing from you guys and gals who graduated in the mid 50's.

Bill billmere@aol.com

To read a nice article about W I grad, Dr. Brooks Gainer, written by Mickey Furfari, CLICK HERE.

SAD ENDING

It took me awhile to determine what, if anything, to write about the WVU basketball team and season. Like most fans, I am a bit shell-shocked. This team didn't just let me down; they dropped me like a wrecking ball into a big hole. I actually thought that with a few breaks here and there, they could win it all. They had played something like 68 halves of basketball before the NCAA's. During that time, I felt they only played poorly in 7 or 8 of those. Put together a couple of strong games and who knows what could happen.

They always used to say teams that press don't like to be pressed. As soon as I discovered who WVU would play in the first round, a pressing team, I thought of that old bit of wisdom. Then, I found that their coach knew Huggins' style of coaching very well, having been one of his assistants at Kansas State. With that information, I knew we were in trouble, without even considering that they had won something like 20 in a row.

Other 14-seeds included Buffalo, Wisconsin Green Bay and Fresno State. Why not play one of those teams? Unfortunately, the NCAA tournament is all about making money and TV IS money. This is "March Madness", where fans love an upset. Did those making the pairings know that? Of course, I'm sure they were anxious to see the two pressing teams face each other and it presented the perfect match for an upset. They were right on all counts. Put these factors together with the Mountaineers playing, perhaps their worst game of the season and the old wrecking ball had all the momentum it needed.

Regardless of the terrible loss, the season was a good one. Finishing second in the tough Big 12 was quite an accomplishment. Sweeping Iowa State was sweet. Beating Kansas at home was a great win. There were a few low points, but far more high ones.

So, where do we go from here? Losing Holton and Paige hurts. As I've mentioned before, I don't see anyone filling the void, yet. Perhaps with a new point guard, Carter will be "The Man" we need. Ahmad needs to improve on both defense and offense. Adrian needs to score more, as does Macon. And, of course, Williams*** needs to stay in school. If all this happens, we'll be right back in the Big Dance next year and I'll be hoping that the wrecking ball doesn't pull me and thousands of other fans down to another low point, as we live and die with every game.

Any thoughts or comments on the past season or what you think will happen in 2016-17 play? Send them to:

Bill at billmere@aol.com

***Since I wrote this article, Devin Williams has decided to test the waters in the NBA draft. According to his Mother, he has not and will not hire an agent until he determines where he might be drafted. Until he hires an agent, he can still opt to return to play his senior year for the Mountaineers.

My personal opinion is that he should stay and play one more year of college ball. I saw a lot of improvement through his first three years and would expect that to continue if he chooses to stay in school. This year, he often tried to "bull" his way to the basket. That didn't work at WVU and it won't work in the NBA. He needs a lot of work in that area and it will be easier to do it in Morgantown than in the "D" League, which is where I see him ending up if he insists on an NBA career at this time. Of course, there are always the foreign leagues, but how many "want-a-be's" make it big over there?

Stay tuned.

Based on the next article, it seemed only appropriate to publish this. We all need a good laugh to help heal our wounded egos.

Many thanks to Mike Snyder, W I 1957, for sending me his article below, about the wonderful accomplishments of the WVU Rifle Team. I believe they are the only Mountaineer team to ever win an NCAA championship.

MOUNTAINEERS WIN

2016 NCAA RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP

The WVU Mountaineer rifle team shot its way to a fourth consecutive NCAA championship title at the University of Akron on March 12, 2016. The victory was the 18^th NCAA rifle championship the Mountaineer shooting dynasty has captured. Runner-up to WVU was Texas Christian University in the near-40 team event.

Lead shooter for the Mountaineers co-ed team was 5’-l” freshman Ginny Thrasher who won both the small bore and air rifle events. This feat has only been done three times previously, one of which was also by a Mountaineer. Thrasher, a petite blonde from Virginia, became interested in shooting when she shot her first deer as an eighth-grader and went on to became a top competitor on her high school rifle team.

The other top shooter for the Mountaineers was senior Garrett Spurgeon of Missouri, who along with Thrasher was named to the All-American rifle team. He will compete this summer for a spot on the U.S. Olympic rifle team. Thrasher also earned All-American honors as did senior Patrick Sunderman and sophomore Elizabeth Gratz.

Earlier this season the mighty Mountaineer sharpshooters won the Great American Rifle Conference Tournament, a feat they have accomplished more than any other NCAA member teams.

Great Britain native Jon Hammonds, himself an Olympic shooter, has led the WVU team to international renown, recruiting numerous top European shooters to become key Mountaineer rifle team members, including nationals from Wales and Croatia this season.

Interesting facts: past WVU President David Hardesty dropped the rifle team nearly a decade ago.

But fervent alumni and other rifle supporters refused to let the team die. Their vocal and financial support leads to the team's reinstatement and its lofty status as royalty in this Olympic venue sport.

The muzzle loading rifle in the hand of the WVU Mountaineer is a highly symbolic icon of WVU itself. The state seal of West Virginia features a liberty cap atop two crossed muzzle loading rifles-the symbolism of which is plain and clear to all who view it.

DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY?

First, we thank you for your service and second, we would love for you to write and share some memories of your military service.  Whether you served on the front line, or were back home in a military assignment.  Wherever you served, we would like to hear from you about it. Thank you for supporting the newsletter!

WEST VIRGINIA'S LIVING LEGEND

By Mike Snyder, WI 1957

The U.S. Marine Corps battle of Iwo Jima, in February and March 1945 was the bloodiest battle of WWII and in the history of the U.S. Marines. There were numerous young West Virginia men who fought in that five-week long battle. This article is about one of them. Hershel “Woody” Williams grew up on a dairy farm in Marion County. In May 1943 at age 19, he joined the Marine Reserve at Charleston.  After boot camp, he was trained in the use of flame throwers on the West Coast. He was sent to the South Pacific and in the summer of 1944, landed on Guam, and survived 15 days of intense combat in which more than 1,350 Marines were killed and 6,964 were wounded. The Japanese saw 17,000 of their troops killed and 450 captured.

LANDING ON IWO JIMA

It was in February 1945, in the horrific fighting on Iwo Jima where Woody's heroism carved his name in the storied annals of American fighting men. Iwo Jima (Sulfur Island) was a pork chop shaped chunk of volcanic rock and ash some five miles long and 2 ½ miles wide. It is located 2 ½ air miles due south of Tokyo and was the first true Japanese territory invaded by America. Defending it were  21,000 Japanese troops dug so deep into 600 some subterranean bunkers, tunnels, caves, and pillboxes that six weeks of naval and aerial bombardment hardly fazed the fanatical defenders. Their fighting code of Bushido permitted no surrender, only fighting to the death.

The Japs had the beaches zeroed in with withering, transecting lines of fire covering it and almost every surrounding meter of land with a veritable wall of death from artillery, land mines, machine guns and rifle emplacements. The Marines mission was to destroy these defenders and capture the island for their airfields on which to base fighter escorts for B-29 Super fortresses flying from Saipan to bomb the Japanese homeland and also as an emergency landing field for stricken bombers returning from their air raids.

KILL OR BE KILLED

The first wave of 30,000 Marines hit the black, volcanic sand and ash 3,000 yard-long beachhead on Feb. 19. Tons of supplies, guns, equipment, and dead and wounded covered the scant 200 yards gained on that momentous day by the Fourth and Fifth Marine divisions. Three days later, Cpl. Woody Williams hit the beach with the Third Marine Division. By day four, Mt. Suribachi had been taken and the American flag was hoisted on top by five Marines and a Navy corpsman providing the most famous battle photograph in history. Two of those Marines did not survive the Iwo fighting and a third was killed in later fighting. Nearly five more weeks of virtually indescribable fighting lay ahead.

The terrain on Iwo Jima was like that of a rock quarry with steep slopes covered in volcanic sand and ash that was extremely laborious to walk in and filled in foxhole attempts as soon as trench shovels made the first swipe. Meanwhile Marines were being killed and wounded constantly in the midst of spewing sulfur fumes, Sherman tanks providing cover with shell and flame bursts, the smoke from support fighters, napalm bombs and machine guns, plus the continuous barrage of rifle firing and screaming from combatants fighting to the death.

ONE MARINE'S HEROISM

Two days after landing, the surviving men in Cpl. Woody Williams sector where clinging to every bit of cover available in the rocks and ash on treacherous terrain where the Shermans could not maneuver. The West Virginian volunteered to attack the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, land mines and black volcanic sands. The weapon the 5-foot, six-inch, 130 pound Williams donned was the 70-pound flame thrower unit he was trained to use back in California. In a four-hour span under constant enemy machine gun and rifle fire, the corporal attacked and incinerated enemy positions. Two of the four Marine riflemen covering him were killed, but Williams fought on, making going back and forth for fuel refueling, and then advancing again and again. He wiped out one position after another; when enemy riflemen tried stopping him with bayonets, he destroyed them with a burst of flame. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the muzzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing their machine gun. One bullet hitting the fuel tank on his back could have immolated the intrepid West Virginian.

THE MEDAL OF HONOR

But, Williams survived, later to be wounded on Iwo during fighting on March 6. On March 26, 1945, Iwo Jima was declared secure and the battle ended. Over 71000 U.S. Marines fought in the historic saga of Iwo Jima, not stopping until every last Japanese defender was dead, all 21,000 of them. The cost in American blood was 5,931 killed and 17,372 wounded. Woody Williams returned to the States, and on October 5, 1945, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman, citing the action above, combined with “His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism. Corporal Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the naval service.” There were 24 other Medals of Honor awarded for the fighting on Iwo Jima, most of them posthumously.

West Virginia's Woody Williams is the last Medal of Honor survivor of that epic battle, and the last living recipient of the metal in our state. His honors still continue long after retiring from the 98^th Marine Reserve Company in Clarksburg as a chief warrant officer and chaplain of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.  Bearing his name are an armory in Fairmont, the Veteran's Memorial Field house in Huntington, a bridge, and various other sites. In January of this year, the U.S. Navy announced that an amphibious assault ship will be launched in 2018 bearing the name of Hershel “Woody” Williams.

Pictured above: Marine veteran Woody Williams of Cable County, West Virginia's last Medal of Honor winner was the featured guest speaker for the March 97^th anniversary of the Elkins American Legion Post 29.  The writer of this article, who served in the Marine Reserve, met our state's “Living Legend” at the event. Williams, a youthful 92, spoke about returning veterans, our duty to vote, police and firefighters, and 11,000 WV Gold Star mothers whose sons were killed in conflicts past and present.

OUR VETERANS

From: Anthony Bellette (WI 1957)

Yes in 1957 I graduated from high School and was having a boring time of it and decided to join the service. I had not preselected a choice of service, but just knew that I wanted to do it quickly. I tested with the Air Force and Marine Corps first but they both had a waiting list and could not to take me in for a few months. But a Navy Chief Petty Officer overheard the conversation and spoke up that he could get me out of town in three days. Great! I took him up on his offer and filled out the paperwork right then and there. Little did I realize that this rash decision would have a drastic impact on my entire life, up until this very day I am writing this paragraph. It is far more complex than I am stating as other individuals were involved, family arguments about my changing my mind, schooling etc, etc etc.  But I went through with it. In boot camp I was offered a school and without knowing more about it than what I was told, "Duties as assigned by the Department of Defense – Further Information - Classified" I said I'll take that one. I went to Communications Intelligence School and from there to speed this up, I went to work for the FBI in San Francisco; then off to the Island of Guam for 18 months; then back to the Naval Intelligence School in Washington D.C. and then off to Puerto Rico for three years as an Analyst, Linguist, and Equipment Operator. During this period, I had special training which had me assigned to the "Fly Away Team" of Admiral Rivero. It is a job that you may never get called upon to do but, unfortunately for me, the Cuban Missile Crisis happened and I was flown from Puerto Rico to Norfolk, VA. I was assigned to the Admirals Flag Staff on board the USS Pocono and set sail, along with a fleet of ships, to meet the Russian ships sailing south toward the island of Cuba. Our job, stop them and my job to provide intelligence information to the Admiral on a real time basis. (I was connected to other Intelligence Agencies during this time.) We were all pretty sure we were going to die, so we just got on with the task at hand. On the eighth day we learned that the Russian ships had been ordered to return to port in Russia. We sat there in the ocean for a couple of days longer, until we were sure they were not going to turn around and come back. And then set sail for home. The world sat on pins and needles during that time and we did come close to a nuclear war. Thank God, it did not happen. I was returned to Puerto Rico to finish out my time and then returned to Clarksburg, where I worked in the glass factory for 9 months until I received a letter from the NSA to report there as a civilian worker. My Navy training got me the job that lasted for the next 35 years and traveling to 100 different countries all over the world. I then finished out with 12 years as VP Engineering and Special Programs for Lockheed Martin and finally retired - well almost. I am still cleared and doing some consulting work. The Navy got me my BA from Maryland and the NSA got me my MBA from Michigan. I am now happily married with a wife and three children and a total family size of 28 members (including 6 great grandchildren) within 10 miles of my home here in Maryland. And all over one rash decision on a boring day in Clarksburg, to join the United States Navy in 1957. (There are no less than 1,000 individual stories in the above paragraph. Examples, Have dined with Presidents, Received Communion from Pope John Paul XII, Sang an Italian Opera duet, on stage, with Luciano Pavarotti, Visited the Giant Buddha of Japan, slept in the Jails of three different countries always innocent, done counter narcotics work in the Jungles of Colombia, etc, etc, etc,)

MILITARY SERVICE

From: Gary Robey (WI 1957)

Yes Roleta I served in the USAF from 1957 thru 1963. I am classified as a Viet Veteran. Makes no difference to the VA today if you are old and in need of occasional medical assistance they have each classified in categories so seems if you are old and your wars are long over VA care also wanes.

Thank You for the Newsletters. Have enjoyed them over the same time as you have offered them.

Mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser, guide, guru, counselor, consultant, and confidante. This can be a friend, relative or teacher. A mentor can be older or younger than you.

A mentor might be a friend.  One who is indispensable, they inform you, confront you, correct you and confirm you with a pat on the back.

Some relative may be your mentor. A cousin, a brother, an uncle, a parent or a grandparent who inspired you and urged you on to other things. A mentor might be a teacher. Teachers are a powerful presence.

“I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” John Steinbeck

Our best teachers share with us: they get us to ask questions.

At our age our mentor more than likely is no longer living.

Just pause and think who your mentor was? Who inspired you to choose your career path? Who was your trusted adviser? Your guide in helping you to figure out things or inspire you to make certain decisions? Who was your counselor? Your consultant? Your confidante? Who inspired you to ask questions?

Write and share with us Roleta1@aol.com. If you are not comfortable with naming the person, please use a false name but tell us that you are substituting a name as you don’t wish to divulge the true name.

However, if I were someone’s mentor, I would be very proud that the person had chosen me.

From: Jody Buffington Aud (WI 1977)

Communications Director, Biologics Operations

I know a little about Rexall (emphasis on the “little”) through my Uncle Russell (Bud) Bolton. He grew up in Morgantown and married my Aunt Ruth (Buffington) who went to Victory. Bud went to law school at WVU while Ruth was the secretary to the president of the University.  Early in his career, Bud went to work for a man named Justin Dart. Justin had been married to and was divorced from Sam Walgreen’s daughter. Sam had a great deal of confidence in Justin and when he retired from Walgreen’s he left Justin in charge of things which apparently didn’t sit well with the rest of the family! Once. Same passed away, the family took very little time in asking Justin to leave. So, Justin turned around and created Rexall Drug Company. Over time, Rexall became Dart Industries and they owned everything from Kraft Foods to EverReady Batteries to Tupperware! Interestingly enough, Dart Industries did NOT own Dart Drugs. In fact, Justin tried to sue Dart Drugs for copyright infringement, but he had never protected his own name, so he lost the lawsuit! When I was in my late 20s, I went down to SC to spend a week with my parents and Bud and Ruth were there having a reunion of sorts with some of the old Dart Industries executives, including Justin’s widow, Jane. She was a beautiful woman, had been an actress (Jane Bryan) before she got married and appeared in a few films with Bette Davis. She told stories about her goddaughter, Candice Bergen (!!) and she was best friends with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, because they had “grown up” in Hollywood together. And, here she was eating cheese and crackers in my parent’s kitchen! She was really such a lovely person and I understand Justin was exactly the same. I don’t think there are many CEOs like that around anymore.

From: Larry Miller (RW 1962)

I found this picture with a Rexall Drug sign on a store at the corner of Main St. and 5th St. Looking East.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is this where Rufus worked? What was your favorite thing to eat at their little soda fountain area?  Write Roleta1@aol.com

APRIL MYSTERY PICTURE

Above is a business located in Clarksburg. It has been there since 1948. Tell me everything you know about this location. Where is it? What do they do there? Who owns it? Did you or anyone you know ever work there? What is the name of the business? Tell us. Write to Roleta1@aol.com

KEEPING YOUR EMAILS UP TO DATE IS AN ONGOING PROCESS

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR EMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER, 

PLEASE LET US KNOW.

NEW READERS

Bill Coyner, (WI 1954) coynersandyhook@gmail.com

Harold Brewster (WI 1956) 2brews@gmail.com

Andy Moore (WI 1968) son of Coach Moore from the 50’s-60’s

wa_moore@yahoo.com

Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WI 1952) cdshaffer@att.net

DELETE

Barbara Morris (WIHS 1950) bibliobarb1@msn.com

Ray Allen (WI 1960) jara222@comcast.net

Marilyn “Jeanne” Long Dyer (WI 1960) DyersIns@aol.com

Linda Stump (WI 1960)Linda-P-Stump@bankone.com

James Alexander “Jay” Graham (WI 1969) jay.a.graham@gsk.com

CORRECTION

Annabel Day Davis (WI 1957) arddavis@gmail.com

Robert Abell, Jr. (WI 1960) theabells2@yahoo.com

Jim Burnell (WI 1960) jburnell2@gmail.com

George Serafino Cinci (WI 1960) 2lefty475@gmail.com

Russell Clarence “Mickey” Drummond (WI 1960) drummondmickey@gmail.com

Ralph Hardman (WI 1960) WeR1@aol.com

Dlenen Lasher Jurick (WI 1960) dellalou@aol.com

John McFarlin (WI 1960) Jmcfarlin@CBUnited.com

Richard Underwood (WI 1960) undie3423@yahoo.com

Leslie McKinley Wallace (WI 1960) momvol@aol.com

Jean Singleton Hornor (WI 1960) JYH2125@aol.com

Patricia Ann Snyder Winkler (WI 1960) travelinggrammy@frontier.com

Richard Lynn Underwood (WI 1960) undie3423@yahoo.com

James Edward Van Voorhis (WI 1960) jimvanwvu@gmail.com

Sharon Wendler Jacobson (WI 1960) smjhome@netacs.net

Wayne White (WI 1960) waynepawco@frontier.com

Judith Lynn Wilson Franklin (WI 1960) tfranklin@copper.net

MOUNTAIN STATE 

FABRICATING COMPANY

From: Chad Elmore

ensign100@gmail.com

Jefferson, Wisconsin

(920) 650-0433

I found the WI Newsletter while doing research for an article I'm working on that focuses on a part of Clarksburg's history.

The article is about Mountain State Fabricating Co., which built the Silver King farm tractor for two years, 1954-1956.

The company didn't make many of the tractors, although a few survive today. A dairy farmer in Indiana recently finished restoring one of the tractors, and that will be the focus of the article.

Very little is known about Mountain State Fabricating. Beyond a big fire in 1952 I can find almost nothing - I'm not even sure what the company made, or why it started building tractors. When I write the article I'd like to present new information, not simply rewrite what's already been done.

I'd love to have the opportunity to interview a former employee, or even someone who remembers where the company was located in Clarksburg! Can you or any of your members help?

The article will be published in Antique Power magazine in April. You can find more information about the publication and some of the other articles I've written for them here.

Thanks for your time, and I really appreciate any assistance you can provide.

Chad

P.S. Antique Power's editorial mission is to preserve history, and the story of Mountain State Fabricating and the Clarksburg-built Silver King tractor has never been adequately told. Thanks to all who have already contacted me to help make this article as complete as possible!

From: Nancy Van Horn Moore Stunger (WI 1954)

nas336@charter.net

I have been meaning to write for a long time and keep putting off. Today it’s rainy and I am trying to write about my friend’s parents Katherine and Norvel Tutwiler. Parents of Mary Katherine Tutwiler Gaskins WI54 better known as Petie. Its to the kids in Stealey there house was open on Bond Street. Many in the class of 1954 WI will remember Mrs. Kat as our Girl Scout leader and a great one!! We gathered at their house often and played monopoly. Mrs. Kat made homemade root beer and candied apples. In the summer we converged on the front porch and it was a place where we all were welcome and comfortable. I remember Jim Conley, Bill Milstead, Ebbie Henderson, Bob Twigg, myself, Petie, Ed Westfall, Eloioise Brasseur, Barbara Weekley, Bucky Tustin, Bob Willet, and others played croquet. Mrs Kat told the guys if they would cut the grass that she would take us to Audrey State Park for a picnic. I just wanted to share this fond memory that I often look back on.

From: Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WI 1952)

Amazing that you have put so much dedication into this fantastic project. I did receive the Newsletter for many years but have missed it in just more recent months.

From: Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956)

Jim Alvaro mentioned that the WI band marched curb to curb. That is exactly what Hank Mayer ordered. Only one problem, the smallest girls were the ones to clear the way. The majorette line had the tallest girls in the middle and the shortest at curb side. I was on the right end of the line and I think Patty Snyder was on the left end. I can remember asking a guy to stand out of the way but push came to shove and I had to use the swinging butt of my baton to enforce the rule. He followed me for quite a ways in a threatening manner but nothing came of it. Also, you kept your line straight and that meant you prayed for no horse poop in your line of march.

My favorite part of a parade was marching down the hill from the school to Main Street to the soft tapping beat of the drum sticks. That was really the good old days.

From: Bill Jackson (WI 1943)

bjmj60@gmail.com

First my wife, Mary Anne Richards Jackson died from Alzheimer's Feb 16, 2016. She graduated from RWHS 1949.

I am a veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific on the USS Colorado. It was scrapped several years ago and they are going to launch a Submarine named the Colorado, I believe in Aug. I would like to go to the launch if my son could take me. There is a group from the Colorado that is going. I enjoy your News Letters. Have a nice day.

From Jim Stider (WI 1955) wife Jo too

We came across your newsletter quite by accident while trying to locate an old classmate, Janie Rokisky (WI 1955). I started reading the 1999 editions and have now gone through March 2016. We appreciate the effort and love that Judy and now you and Jalon have put into this project.

Tim Cork, I also want you to know that the effort you have put into the yearbooks and history is greatly appreciated. I only have the 1953 and 1955 yearbooks, the ability to go back as well as forward have been most interesting.

Thank you for the great job.

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

Remember your high school prom? Or spring dances either fraternity or sorority

It’s time to dust off that picture and write and tell us about that special dance.

Remember to tell me the school represented, and the year of the prom. Sign your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Suggestions:

Who was your date?

Where was your prom held?

Where did you go after the prom?

Send to Roleta1@aol.com. Thank your for responding and supporting your newsletter.

NOTE to ALUMNI of any high school other than WI.

We would love to hear about where your school dances were held and how etc. Please write and tell us all about it. See the questions above.

Did you have rules about who you could ask to attend the dance with you? At WI, due to the size of our senior class each year, we were only allowed to ask someone from our school and in the junior or senior class. There weren’t many places in town that could accommodate the large number that would be attending otherwise.

Did you have after prom parties? Where?

CLASS 1961

55TH REUNION

IT'S IN THE PLANNING

We are making the plans for the 55th class reunion.

When:  August 26 - 27 2016

Where: To be announced at a later date

Friday: Meet and Greet 6:00

Saturday: Group Picture at 5:30

Buffet Dinner 6:00

We need to know an approximate number that will be attending by 

April 22, 2016. 

Just RSVP by either calling 304-566-7214 or 

by email to patanncravey@gmail.com.

Thank You,

Patty (Hickman) Cravey & Committee

WI CLASS OF 1966

REUNION UPDATE

From: Pete Bowie, 304 203-5093

Here is the updated information for the rooms reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn, for either or both nights, should you so desire to stay there.  304 326-9200.

1. When making reservation, you must identify yourself with the "WI 50th Reunion Block" Group. This is to insure your room rate, ($104.00 per night). Also you must provide a credit card to guarantee that reservation.

2. The Inn will make every attempt to accommodate close proximity of your choice of rooms.

3. Transportation will be provided to and from the Sunny Croft Club as needed, via the Inn's vans.

4. We should be provided a website in the immediate future.

AND:

5. You MUST make reservations before or on July 19th, 2016 in order to take full advantage of the rate.

A reunion note: Please send in your registration monies as soon as you can in order to pay the bills as they come in, i.e. the DJ.

...........No later than August 1st, OK?

Chicken or Fish? Let us know!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This will be placed on the Reunion Page at the top of the newsletter where it will remain until the reunion date.

THE PINK PANTHER

From: Greg Scolapio (WI 1985)

This picture is from the WI class of 1985 class play "The Pink Panther" senior year. On left is Greg Scolapio, in the rear is Brian Swiger, Karl Kyle was the main character, and far right is Donnie Maybe. We were all of the bad guys going after him. This is from a rehearsal we were having.

 MARCH MYSTERY PEOPLE

ALTA VISTA SCHOOL CHOIR

From: Sandy Conway Mason (WI 1954)

The picture of the choir is Alta Vista Grade School in Broad Oaks. I recognize Steve Limbers, Bud Collins, and Don Sager. Any one of those should be able to name everyone else.

From: Steve Limbers (WI 1957)

slimberses@aol.com

I was probably in 2nd grade, maybe 3rd, when the picture was taken and don't remember many from the top rows. It would have been 1946 or 1947.

Here goes:

Row 1: Sandra Price, ?, Carol Grow, Steve Limbers, ?, ?, Nancy Straight

Row 2: ?, Jean Taylor, Susan Kaplan, Janet Webb, Alice Jean Fortney (I think), ?, Mary Sue Clark, Carolyn Lawson

Row 3: ?, Jim Alvaro, Sandra Shreve (I think), Alice Crim, ?, ?, Judy McDougal

Row 4: Gloria Smith, Joanne Stout (I think), Bud Collins, Ron Grow (I think), Don Sager, Bob Kopp

Row 5: The first kid's last name was Brown 

Row 6: ?, Jackie Loria

Have a great picnic.

From: Don Sager (Alta Vista, CJHS, WI-56, WVU-1964)

This is the Broad Oaks “World Famous” Alta Vista Grade School Choir from probably 1949/50 as I was in the 5^th grade. We are standing on the front steps of the school.

By looking at the names, you can tell that this was NOT a very serious group. Although the picture as printed makes us look like “Zombie Kids”. But with “Alvaro” always getting us to giggle it was tough to try and finish a song. We all made sure to take a “potty break” before lining up. Of course the girls were little angels and some of them grew up to look like angels, but that’s another story. I was trying to remember the songs but all that comes to mind are America, The West Virginia Hills and Faith of Our Fathers. I sing in the Church Choir now, so this was where I got my start.

Row 1 Sandra Price, Betty K., Carol Grow, Steve Limbers, ?, Ruth Straight, Nancy Straight.

Row 2 Ronnie ?, Jean Taylor, Susan Caplan, Janet Webb, Sandra Squires, Connie Welling, Mary Sue Clark, Carolyn Lawson.

Row 3 Ann Moore, Jim Alvaro, Sandra Shreve, Alice Crim, ?, Alice Fortney, Judy McDougal

Row 4. Gloria Smith, Joanne Stout, Bud Collins, Ron Grow, Don Sager, Bob Kopp.

Row 5 Ron Brown, Linda Horner, Glen ?, Rita Flowers, Sandra Poling, Dave ?.

Row 6 ?, Jackie Loria, Patty McCune, ?, Janet Shook.

From: Mary Sue Spahr (WI 1956)

I have to correct Don's dating of this picture. Since we were in Central Jr. High in the fall of 1950 and there are kids in the picture older than us, the picture has to be from 1948/1949. Anyway, Jim Alvaro likely has it dated and the names on the back.

The unidentified child in the front row is J. Bill Thornhill. All the girls loved him because he was so cute. How could I ever forget?  And, yes, he was called J. Bill.

EDITORS NOTE: Do you have any pictures that you could scan and send to me to use as mystery pictures in the newsletter? Send to Roleta1@aol.com

WI GRAD FROM CLASS OF 1961

PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL

By Nancy Swing (WI 1961)

sunswing44@gmail.com

I wanted to share with fellow readers the news that my first novel has finally been published (after 20 years of stop-start writing and revising).

Malice on the Mekong is a mystery, set in the expatriate community of Vientiane, Laos, where we lived in the early nineties. Hopefully, you’ll be entertained by the puzzle of how a controversial foreign woman drowned in the Mekong, as well as a view of what it’s like to live with many nationalities in an exotic country.

The book is available on www.amazon.com in either paperback or e-book download. Just go to Amazon and type in the title “Malice on the Mekong” for your preferred format.

Should you give it a try and find you like it, I hope you’ll pass on the word to friends and family. I’m told that word of mouth is the best way to sell books these days, so I’d appreciate a little help if it feels like the right thing to do.

Also looking forward to your feedback, if you care to give it. I’m working on a trilogy of mysteries set in a fictitious small town in West Virginia. The first book, Child’s Play, should be available in late fall. Feedback only makes a writer better, so let me know what you think, and I’ll try to keep growing.

The Plot:

Anjali Rao is a chocoholic Hindu grandmother who likes a gin-and-tonic now and then. Lately, her role as the wife of a U.N. diplomat hasn’t been treating her very well. But all that changes when the body of a popular Vientiane hostess is found floating in the Mekong. The dead woman’s Canadian Embassy and the Lao Government seem to rush to declare she drowned by accident, but the expatriate community doesn’t believe it.

The #2 man at the Canadian Embassy tries to persuade Anjali to investigate “because everyone trusts you and opens their hearts to you.” But she’s reluctant to get involved because of something that happened at her husband’s previous post. However, unforeseen events pull her in, and soon she’s in the thick of more malice than she thought possible. Suspects include two Americans — one a missionary and the other an academic turned consultant, a French womanizer, an Australian purveyor of Lao crafts, and of course, the dead woman’s husband.

As Anajali sorts through the facts and lies, she begins to discern that there’s more than one mystery here. In the end, she finds everyone is not whom they seem, but mysteries can be solved.

TOWERS GRADE SCHOOL

From: Mary Virginia (Duncan-Johnson) Wilke (WI 1955)

Towers Elementary School is where I attended the last half of my 5th grade and 6th grade, as well. In the 6th grade, our teacher was Ms. Heater. She always reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the North in Wizard of OZ. She was nice though but tall & skinny. Our principal was Ms. Richardson or Ms. Robinson (sorry my mind doesn't remember). She was so stiff with her posture that you could sit something on her backside. But she was friends with my Aunt Madge Duncan & always treated me well.

I don't really have anymore news right now, but please send me your next WI Newsletter. I always look forward to it. Your whole family does a fantastic job!

Thanks again.

From: David Corsini (WI 1950)

Towers grade school was not torn down on Feb 12th 2016. It has been down for many years as has Central Jr. High school. Nothing has been built on either lot. There has been talk of a conference center being built there, but to this point nothing

From: Prudy Robinson Coffindaffer (WI 1962)

I went to grade school as did my sister (Peggy Robinson). We walked from Lee Ave. through the Arcade and down by RHW First Methodist Church. I was in school from 1950 on. Nancy O’Brien and I sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at the foot of the main steps inside. I think that was first or second grade. Miss Miller was my first grade teacher. Bill Bowie walked along the railing of the second floor. Scared my mother to death. Mrs Coffindaffer was our fifth grade teacher.

From: John Cooper (WI 1951)

Towers was torn down years ago. I took my video camera to the top floor of the city parking lot that was above Towers as they were tearing it down. There were many kid's pictures that had been drawn by young students that were left on the walls. Why didn’t they give them to the kids? It was really interesting; I could look right down into the school rooms as the roof was being taken off. Some of the roof beams were very visible and the most interesting was the signatures and names written on those beams by the workers. I have no still photos, other then what is on those videos. You can see the city parking building in the photo of the school being torn down on the left. Central Junior was also torn down on the right. There is nothing but a big vacant lot next to the big Methodist Church. I have a lot of memories at Towers school

TOWERS CLASS PICTURE

CAN YOU NAME ANY OF THESE CHILDREN?

From: Annabel Day Davis (WI 1957)

I began first grade at Towers 1946. I lived at Maple Lake at the time so my father dropped me off at school on his way to work. Consequently I was the first student to arrive so early. Occasionally the custodian would allow me to ring the school bell. He stood near-by so I didn’t go up with the rope.

I wasn’t able to go home for lunch. As a young student I took a packed lunch. When I was in a higher grade I would walk next door to the dairy lunch counter and buy soup. There were a few others who rode the bus so they stayed at school during lunch. We played indoor games during bad weather but when it was nice we went behind the school, found some cardboard that we used as a sled so we could slide down the hill behind the school. The girls all wore dresses to school. You can imagine that we started out the day clean but after sliding down the hill we tended to have a dusty look. If we tired or sledding or ran out of cardboard we played Mumbly Peg. Both boys and girls carried pen knives then.

I am enclosing a picture of all the students who had perfect attendance in 1947. Unfortunately I can’t identify the other students. I am first person on the left in the first row.

If you can identify any of those pictured above, 

please write to Roleta1@aol.com  

Thank you

EXPERIENCE AT HAZEL ATLAS

From: Marty Ashland (WI 1959)

A note from one WI grad to another WI grad about a fondly remembered learning experience in the Hazel Atlas mold shop.

Though I never worked as a mold maker I spent many breaks and much free time visiting the mold shop to observe them working their magic with a piece of wood or a chunk of steel.

First of all, the mold makers were the most respected skilled employees in the plant. Back in those days, (mid 60’s) when I did visit the shop it was primarily to observe them making sample molds. Many of the press ware sample molds were made out of wood (basswood I think), and at that time I was really into wood sculpting. (Called whittling in hill billy terms). Watching these guys produce precision design cuts, illustrated to me that at times what they accomplished required a lot of innate artistic ability to complement the skill they needed to become a journeyman.

If I remember correctly, in order for a mold maker to become a journeyman he had to work a minimum of 4 years as an apprentice, under the watchful eye of a journeyman. To give you some idea of what that was like, just think back when your dad taught you how to drive. And now visualize that experience repeating itself 8 hours a day 5 days a week over a 4 year period. Scary thought isn't it?

I did not know any of the mold makers personally, because these guys kind of lived in their own sphere of influence. I just felt fortunate that they allowed me to stand back and observe them, and I hoped my many questions didn't get me tossed out. Though at times they appeared to be gruff, but I think they actually enjoyed sharing their knowledge with the guy they referred to as the inquisitive snot nose kid.

Sadly, like many things that meant so much 50 years ago, good old mother time has her own way of saying "no good deed shall go unpunished" Her system is called progress. A few old time mold makers are still working today, but "progress" has replaced most of them. Unfortunately their skills have been replaced with the advent of cad cam systems, CNC lathes and 3D printers. However don't think that you will see the last of their efforts because that isn't going to happen. Though hand cut molds may no longer be common, many of the "press cut" glass pieces on the market today could have been manufactured by the molds produced in the 1960's. While in the industry I had seen automatic machines producing glass using molds that were over 60 years old.  In the hand blown glass industry like Lenox, (now shut down) they used hand cut molds that were over 100 years old.

I still do a lot of wood work and much of the detail requires techniques that I learned from the mold makers. I'm sure that many of these skilled workers were fathers and grand fathers of W I grads.

So remember, the next time you're at a department store, take a close look at a press cut piece of glassware. Hazel Atlas sold all those molds and they're still being used by other glass makers throughout the U.S.

GLASS PLANTS

From: Anthony Bellotte (WI 1957)

My dad worked AF for 43 years and my Aunt Virginia worked at Hazel Atlas. I worked at AF for 9 months and I can tell you I have three major cuts to prove it - one resulting in a stiff left wrist!!!!

From: Judy Noe Ashland (NDHS 1957)

It would be remiss of me not to reply to the letter regarding glass plants in Clarksburg. I hasten to add that Rolland Glass Company (one of the Fourco Glass Plants) was located in Northview along the West Fork river in 1899 .R.T. Lowndes offered a group of Belgian glass workers from the Pittsburgh area to relocate there. They raised $17, 500 to build the Lafayette Cooperative Glass plant. Similar offers brought as many as 60 families of craftsmen to the Salem area where they contributed $100 each to build the Salem Cooperative window Glass Co factory .Early on; the factories used the old pot system since they did not have the money to purchase a continuous glass process. The workers relied on their skill and tireless work ethic to produce the highest quality, handmade window glass. Rolland Glass, along with Adamston Flat Glass, Harding Glass Co of Fort Smith, Ark, and the Blackford Window Glass Co of Vincennes formed the Fourco Glass Company. The two Fourco plants here in Clarksburg employed 800 people by 1969 producing the finest glass in the world.

I am personally involved in the story of Fourco Glass as all Noe men were glass cutters, my grandfather; Albert Noe came to Clarksburg from Belgium with a wife, five daughters, and four sons: Albert, Louie, George and Hector. My father, Albert, worked at Rolland, my three uncles worked at Adamston. We were a large family and our home was the hub for work discussions, jokes, gripes and stories. I vividly remember work buddies, sitting in the kitchen sharing a beer or two, and relating work experiences with the group, while laughing and joking. Weekends were never quiet and I loved it. I always marveled at the fact that my dad NEVER got injured at work! I recall watching him setting diamonds in the cutting tool in our basement. My parents entertained a bevy of fellow workers and wives on Saturday nights playing cards, laughing, and eating. They had great times; the Reeves, Lilleiuettes, Andres, my aunts and uncles. What a close knit group! They're all gone now.

Our family was never rich, but my dad, even when the factory furnace was down for repairs, found ways to take care of us. He was a proud man and respected his profession. When he retired, he donated several cutting tools to West Virginia University. The Clarksburg valley was an area rich in history and housed many dedicated and proud glass workers. I guess most of the glass plants are gone now, but that rich history lives on.

Roleta, This article in the Feb .issue brought back many memories, both happy and sad. Marty and I have lived in a number of states, but I still consider Clarksburg WV to be home. We surely lived a Camelot existence. Thank you for all the work and effort to produce the newsletter monthly. Thank you!

EDITOR’S NOTE Do you have any memories of the glass plants in Clarksburg or of people working there? Please write to Roleta1@aol.com

IN-SCHOOL OR AFTER-SCHOOL PRANKS

From: Barbara Warren Williams (WI 1958)

bjwilliams94@icloud.com

When I was in Miss Nutter's class you had to walk up 2 or 3 steps then you went down a short hallway to the left to enter her classroom and this one time someone rolled a roll of toilet paper into the classroom.

  

From: Dave Rowe (WI 1962)

I was involved in “The Great Miss Nutter Whiskey Bottle Caper”, although I didn’t physically put the bottle in her drawer. Mr. Andre kept a whiskey bottle in the hole, which was to the left of the boys’ dressing room. I was a basketball manger so I was down in the hole a lot putting uniforms away and getting basketballs and training aids like the lid that went on the basket that helped the team polished their rebounding skills so I had keys to hole as well all the rooms in the school. I had seen Rene Andre nipping on numinous occasion and knew where he kept his whiskey bottle. The day of “The Great Whiskey Bottle Caper”, Mr. Andre drained the last shot and threw the bottle sealed inside a paper in the trash can. I retrieved the bottle as a joke but wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. The team was running the steps that day with consisted of me opening up the doors that led to the steps between the boys and girls’ gyms and the doors between the third floor study halls so the team could run the steps between the gyms then up to the third floor and around it then back to the gym. The coaches and the managers were position at different locations on the floors cheering on the team. The team repeated the drill several times before they practiced in the gym. As the team ran into Miss Nutter’s room, I handed someone the whiskey bottle and the player put it in Miss Nutter’s desk. I thought it was Bill Spears but he says now that it wasn’t him but I do know it was someone on the team. I know it wasn’t Dickie Lejeune as we have talked about it. It might have been Mike Strums.

I remember Miss Nutter made her classes swear on a bible that they had no part of it plus she assigned additional home work. I didn’t have her for class so she never knew who was behind “The Great Miss Nutter Whiskey Bottle Caper”. I’m sure Mr. Andre knew it was his whiskey bottle.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I think the pranks were often pulled on Ms. Nutter as she would make such a big fuss about it that it actually became funny. She turned red in the face and stomped out of the room with smoke coming out of both ears. If she hadn’t made such a big deal over each thing that there would probably only have been one prank. There would have been mo reason to pull another one.

Do you remember any school pranks?

Did they involve and one particular teacher?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

MARY JANE EARNST

Mary Jane Earnest, age 84, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016. She was born on June 8, 1931, in Grafton, WV, a daughter of the late Clyde W. and Dolly Marie (Hayes) Barnes.

Janie was a graduate of Victory High School, Class of 1950 and was a great homemaker. Janie sang a cappella in choir and even tutored others in class. She also mastered in short hand. Janie was also a member of the Glen Falls Baptist Church for many years.

Janie is survived by her children, Danny, Cheryl, Vanessa, and Timothy; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Janie was preceded by her husband of 64 years, George Allan Earnest, whom she married on June 10, 1951. She was also preceded in death by siblings, Clyde W. Compton Jr., Betty Lee McQuain and Darrell Ray Barnes.

STEVEN BRUCE FORINASH

Steven Bruce Forinash, 61, passed away on March 1, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV on April 2, 1954, a son of O. Clarence Forinash of Craigmore, WV, and the late Bertha Mae Davisson Forinash.

He is survived by his wife, Robin Kay Harbert Forinash, whom he married on December 31, 1994. Also surviving are two brothers, David (Rebecca)Forinash, and Michael Forinash and fiancé Jennifer; one sister, Dawn (Jeff)Hogue; one special sister-in-law, Gwen  (Ron) Fisher; several nieces and nephews. Along with his mother, he was preceded in death by one sister, Donna Lee Forinash.

Steven was a 1972 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School and was a Roll Grinder with Precision Coil.

BRYAN KEITH GORBY

Bryan Keith Gorby, age 51, passed away February 2, 2016. He was born in Fairmont on October 6, 1964, a son of Kenneth L. “Sarge” Gorby and his wife Nancy of Stonewood, and Betty L. Long and her husband Donald of Georgia.

Also surviving are his daughter, Gabrielle “Gabby” Gorby, and his brother, Dr. Bruce Gorby, along with several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Bryan was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1982. He received his Board of Regents degree from WVU of Parkersburg. He was formerly employed at the Lakin Correctional Center in West Columbia, West Virginia, as well as the Saint Marys Correctional Center in St. Marys, West Virginia.

Bryan was most proud of his service in the United States Army. He was a Paratrooper in the 187th Airborne Infantry, an expert rifleman and received his Parachute Badge, Expert Badge with M16 Rifle Bar and Expert Badge with Hand Grenade. He served his country for 7 years, having been stationed in several locations, including Panama and Bolivia. He also served on border patrol in New Mexico for one of his seven years of active duty.

KRISTI ANN LUCAS GRIMES

Kristi Ann (Lucas) Grimes, 40, passed away on March 1, 2016. She was born in Clarksburg on April 27, 1975, a daughter of Michael G. and Brenda Jean Wolfe Lucas of Clarksburg.

She was married to Chad Alan Grimes on April 3, 2008, who preceded her in death on July 6, 2015. In addition to her parents, Kristi is survived by three brothers, John Mark (Nanette), Paul David (Kris) Lucas, and Basil Franklin Lucas. Her beloved nieces and nephews, whom she thought of as her own.

She was also preceded in death by one son, John Michael; and one brother, Michael G. Lucas.

Kristi was a 1993 graduate of Washington Irving High School and was formerly program director at WBOY-TV. She was Catholic by faith.

DAVID L. JONES, JR.

David L. Jones, Jr. passed away on March 23, 2016, at the age of 90.

He was born in Big Isaac, WV, on October 27, 1925, a son of the late David L. and Olive U. Carder Jones, Sr.

Mr. Jones attended RW and was a graduate of WV Business College. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served during World War II from 1943 to 1945. On November 28, 1946, he married the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Masto, who preceded him in death on December 15, 2001.

For most of his working life, he was employed by Pure Oil Company and its successor, Union Oil Company, where he served as plant and terminal manager, having retired in 1985.

Surviving are his two children, David L.(Susan) Jones, III, and Debra Jones (Steve); five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildrenand two sisters, Georgia Frye and June Ferree.

RUSSELL MICHAEL McGARY

Russell Michael “Rusty” McGary, 53, passed away on February 28, 2016, at the United Hospital Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Parsons, WV, on August 31, 1961, a son of the late Russell H. McGary and Eva E. Lowe McGary.

Rusty is survived by his companion Betty Stull of Bridgeport.

He is also survived by one daughter, Chelsey (Kevin) Martinez-Palma ; two brothers, Gene  (Robin) McGary and George (Brtty); five sisters, Donna (Buck) Richards, Sharon (Ed) Moore, Marlene(Pat) Zippilli, Media Zevios (Joseph) Myer, and Dee Zevios-Upright. He is also survived by Toni Lewis Caulder.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, David Michael McGary.

Russell was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School.

JAMES GENNARO OLIVERIO

James Gennaro Oliverio passed away on February 22, 2016, at the age of 70.  Jim was born in Clarksburg, WV, April 23, 1945, the youngest of six siblings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sophia Oliverio; brother, Carmine Oliverio; and sister, Mary Oliverio.

He is survived by two sisters, Lucy Barberio and Patti Suarez; one brother, Ross Oliverio; two sons, Jim Oliverio and John Oliverio; two daughters, Deanna Arnold and Elaine Oliverio; and seven grandchildren.

Jim graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962, went on to study for a year at West Virginia University and then graduated from Fairmont State University in 1967. He moved to Tampa in 1969, where he had lived ever since. Jim was a retired business owner of Computer Systems and Services Inc., and proprietor of Bacco and Venere restaurant in Temple Terrace. Jim loved to travel and has made friends all over the world. His favorite pastimes included researching family genealogy, heated political “discussions” and hosting family gatherings.

JAMES JOSEPH SWICK

James Joseph Swick, 68, of SC, died March 16, 2016.

He was born July 17, 1947, in Clarksburg, WV, to the late William Raymond “Ray” Swick and Emma Etta Queen Swick.

Surviving are one daughter, Paula Jo Swick; one son, Dr. James J. (Lisa) Swick II,; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Barbara (Randy) Skinner; two brothers, William R. Swick (Johnny Cusack), and H. David (Judy) Swick, several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Edwina Palmer, and his former spouse, Dorothy Swick.

He was a 1965 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School and a graduate of Fairmont State College with a degree in math. He worked as an engineering technician for Equitable Gas and Equitrans for more than 30 years.

CONSTANCE L. ZINN McINTYRE

Constance Zinn McIntyre age 83 (WI 1950) passed away on December 29,2015, her wedding anniversary. Connie graduated

from WI in the top 10% of her class.  While at WI, she was

involved in many extra curricular activities including National Honor

Society, band (clarinet) and Thespians to name just a few. She married her high school sweetheart, William David McIntyre who in the Air Force rose to the rank of Senior Chief Master Sargent of Tactical Air Command (the highest ranking NCO in that command, a rank of Lieutenant General in officer rank equivalency). Being the wife of such a high ranking NCO she would have been partially responsible, not only for his achievement of such a high accomplishment, but also for the morale and well being of every enlisted family under his command, a tremendous responsibility and thankless job.

Constance was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, William McIntyre. She is survived by 2 daughters, Karen (Paul) and Debra (Jeffery) Garber; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Constance attended Denbigh Church of Christ and was a member of the Heritage Garden Club. She was an avid bowler, a talented artist and enjoyed volunteering her time at the Waterman’s Museum.