Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
... and WRITE
It doesn’t make any difference what subject
you write about, just write to the newsletter. Pick any subject or memory you
have, write it down and send to Roleta1@aol.com.
Some people have told me that they had some
story they wish they had written but they couldn’t do it now because that
subject was already discussed.
This newsletter should be called something like
a HARRISON COUNTY MEMORY-LETTER, as we share memories more than we share news.
And we have grown so much that it includes anyone from Harrison County!
You'all are welcome to write no matter where you grew up or no matter where you live.
... and just in case you don't remember, it's Roleta1@aol.com
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
I asked you in the April letter to share
your prom picture and memories with us.
From: Jim Strider WI 1955)
Remembering the prom and the Robinson Grand
My date was Marian Brown Faulkner (WI 1955). We doubled with Bob Twigg (WI
1955) and his date Carolyn Spelsburg (WI 1955) in my dad’s brand new 955
DeSoto. As an incentive for the kids to stay off the streets, the Robinson
Grand would show a first run movie after the dance. In 1955 the movie was
“Daddy Long Legs” starring Leslie Caron and Fred Astaire. After the movie we all
headed for Lake Floyd. See Picture above.
From: John Teter (WI 1961)
I remember going to a prom my JUNIOR year at
WI, and my date for that prom was Patty BARMAN (who was a SENIOR), and I had
the pleasure of seeing her at my brother's 50th class reunion, back in
2010. We double dated with my brother and I think his date was Judy Daugherty.
I do not remember where the prom was held, but it might have been at the VFW in
downtown C-burg.
I also remember going to another formal
dance my SENIOR year at WI, and my date for that dance was Edith KLINE (now
MAY), but I do not remember if it was a prom or just another formal dance. I
remember that Edith and I went alone, as it was one of the few times that I was
able to use my dad's car for anything.
From: Fred Alvaro (WI 1959)
Unable to get a
prom date with a classmate for the 1959 prom, I took Sue Rudd who was a
"sophomore" at the time. Her family who resided on Milford St. had
moved here from North Carolina that year. The prom dance was held in The
Carmichael Bldg. See picture above.
From: Mere Gurson
Schwartz (WI 1957)
With preparing
for Passover, I didn't get to you.
Went with Fred
Dunham, Junior year and
Sam Urso, Senior
year.
Great dates and
great classmates.
Great Memories!
Just a reminder: If you wish to see 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.
Below is the only picture we received and added this month, but we are missing some names... click over there now. Can you help us?
CLASS OF 1958
see Picnic Time page for caption with names
If you were at the picnic and you have any pictures from the picnic, please email me a copy of them.
Thanks, Roleta
MAY 8th
DID YOU KNOW?
The official
Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900's as a result of the efforts of Anna
Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. Following her mother’s 1905 death, Anna
Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers
made for their children. After gaining financial backing from a Philadelphia
department store owner named John Wanamaker, in May 1908 she organized the first
official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton West Virginia.
That same day also saw thousands of people attend a Mother’s Day event at one
of Wanamaker’s retail stores in Philadelphia.
Following the
success of her first Mother’s Day, Jarvis—who remained unmarried and childless
her whole life—resolved to see her holiday added to the national calendar.
Arguing that American holidays were biased toward male achievements, she
started a massive letter writing campaign to newspapers and prominent
politicians urging the adoption of a special day honoring motherhood. By 1912
many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday,
and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help
promote her cause. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing
the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
Anna Jarvis had
originally conceived of Mother’s Day as a day of personal celebration between
mothers and families. Her version of the day involved wearing a white carnation
as a badge and visiting one’s mother or attending church services. But once
Mother’s Day became a national holiday, it was not long before florists, card
companies and other merchants capitalized on its popularity.
While Jarvis had
initially worked with the floral industry to help raise Mother’s Day’s profile,
by 1920 she had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized.
She outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying
Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies. Jarvis eventually resorted to an open
campaign against Mother’s Day profiteers, speaking out against confectioners,
florists and even charities. She also launched countless lawsuits against
groups that had used the name “Mother’s Day,” eventually spending most of her
personal wealth in legal fees. By the time of her death in 1948 Jarvis had
disowned the holiday altogether, and even actively lobbied the government to
see it removed from the American calendar.
MAY 21st
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single
holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their
patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced
the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine
Corps and Air Force Days.
The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the
Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
MAY
30th
Memorial Day is a
United States federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May
commemorating men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed
Forces.
Initially
(officially since 1868 - proclaimed by General John Logan) Memorial Day was a
holiday in memory of the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The feast was
supposed to be a step towards national reconciliation. The original name
(Decoration Day) comes from placing flowers on the graves of the soldiers.
Memorial Day was
celebrated differently in different states. Until 1890 it was celebrated in all
the states of the North. After World War I the nature of the holiday changed to
honor the memory of all Americans who died in any war - not only Civil.
From: Roleta1@aol.com
I am looking for a picture of you having fun
in some summer activity.
Send me the picture and tell me who is in the picture,
where it was taken, etc.
You know the routine by now. Sign your name, school
and year of graduation.
THIS IS FOR ANYONE
READING THIS NEWSLETTER.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
From: Joe Malone (WI 1952)
First, let me thank you and Jalon for the fine treatment you
gave my tribute to my sister on her 90th birthday. She was very pleased.
I seem to remember you asking for some input on "First
Jobs, etc". My employment history in Harrison County consisted of three
jobs spanning some 16 years.
1. My first employer was my older brother, Bob, who
subcontracted 50% of his evening paper route with the Clarksburg Telegram to
me. We covered the area around Carlisle Elementary School - East Main St.,
Maple, Clay, Carr Ave., etc. 180 subscribers. I had Main, Carr, Elm St. &
Despard (?). I was 10-13 years old and NEVER RICHER! All cash money and zero
expenses.
2. When I got to Central Jr. HS (1947), I was hired (after
school) by Wilbur A. Marr Jewelers at the time located on Court St.
between the Goff Bldg. & the Courthouse. I got a Social Security Card and a
W-2 at year's end. I was Mr. Marr's "gopher". I washed windows;
vacuumed the floors; polished silver; washed chinaware; made Post Office runs,
etc. As you may recall, Marr's was the premier provider of high quality
"wedding" items from diamonds to silver, china, etc. I delivered many
of these items to the bride's home by way of the City Bus Lines. (Occasionally
I pocketed a small "tip"). The Marr's were very good to me. I stayed
with them through their move to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Bldg. and beyond
until I got a driver's license.
3. In the summer of 1951, I went to work for the Palace
Furniture Store as the driver of the shuttle truck between the store on Main
St. and their warehouse on Oak St. off E. Pike St. Between runs, I worked with
the installers of Venetian shades and window/porch awnings. I worked for the
Palace every summer until I graduated from college in 1956. The management and
staff of the Palace were all equally good to me - at 75 cents per hour.
None of the above was very exciting or challenging. I didn't
labor in a factory, go down in the mines or sweat with the State Road
Commission. But - I worked with & for good people who provided me with a
revenue stream throughout my formative years that kept me off my "Parent's
Payroll". I never saw an "Allowance".
Thanks for all you do.
Write about your first job
and send it to Roleta1@aol.com
THE FIFTIES
VERSUS THE SIXTIES
By: Roleta1@aol.com
I have been
hearing a lot recently about the 60’s. Young people today (this includes my
granddaughters at times) think that the 1960’s were a wonderful time. They want
to wear the clothes, they love the music and think I am an old “fuddy duddy”
when I say the 60’s were scary to me.
Some of the
things I think about when I think of the 60’s are:
1961-1962 The
Cuban Missile Crisis involving our enemy Russia it all took place just a short
distance from Key West, FL.
1963 President
Kennedy was killed. Leaving out nation shocked and suspicious of the reasons
found for the murder. Also, it hurt us to see that his beautiful young wife and
lovely young children were left to grieve. It was the end of Camelot.
1965 Rioters
burned down Watts (basically their own homes and businesses) in California.
Race riots became a common thing.
1968 Robert
Kennedy, candidate for president, was killed.
Experimenting
with psychedelic drugs became more of a problem than ever before.
1969 Charles Manson and his group murdered people in CA.
In the 1960’s, The
Vietnam “conflict” was in full swing. And was where so many young men from West
Virginia served and many never returned.
In addition:
In addition:
- The Flower Children
- Woodstock
- The British Invasion of Rock Stars
- Bellbottoms, long hair for guys and gals, Afro and mullet haircuts
- Free love!
- Decline of Morals
- Recession!
Where were you and what were you doing during the 1960’s?
A few great things that did happen that still are in my life. I got
married, we moved to Ohio, I had a son and a daughter, we bought a home, we
started settling in and are still settled in!
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
and tell me if you think the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s were the best years.
... and then there was:
... and then there was:
AMERICAN PIE
I have listened to the words to American Pie for many years. I
thought I understood everything that was being sung.
However, when the words are put together with pictures and film
clips, the song takes on a lot of meaning. Sure brings back lots of memories. Very well done.
American Pie (1971) is about the 1960’s and an allegorical song by Don McLean that starts on the death of Buddy Holly in an airplane crash in February, 3rd 1959, the day the music died...
Click on the below video to watch a wonderful and very powerful presentation
I am certain several of you recognize some of
these men. Many of you may even be related to some of them. Write to me with
the identities. Only correct guesses will be published, if you know a little
about this person, please tell us. Do you know why they are all sitting here?
Give us any information, we are interested.
Thanks to Eugene Jaumont (54) for sending me this
picture.
WIN
SCHOLARSHIP
I am still receiving money for the Washington Irving Newsletter
Scholarship.
Each year we have been giving a $3,000.00
scholarship to 2 different graduates from R.C. Byrd High School. This school is
where the kids who would have gone to WI and RW now go to high school.
The counselor at R C Byrd selects the
winners each year. The winners of the 2016 WIN Scholarships are:
Dale Cottrill and Cassidy Pinion
Hopefully I will
have more information for the next new setter.
The Scholarship is our way of coming
together to help benefit a child who wants to go on to college. Education is so
important and so expensive. If you were to give $5.00 to $100.00 to a child to
help them with their education, it really wouldn’t help much but by a lot of us
giving to the WIN Scholarship any amount of money, we can group it together and
make it a gift that really means something.
Won’t you please give by writing your check
to:
Roleta Meredith
c/0 WIN Scholarship
Pleas mail your check to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Thank you. Every gift no matter how small or
how large is certainly important.
From: Anita White (WI 1948)
The United Church
of Christ in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. presented a concert to honor former music
director, Julia Frances Young Lawson. She led both chancel and bell choirs.
During her tenure, she composed many cantatas, anthems that were performed by
the choirs. For their 125th Anniversary, she wrote The Anniversary Song, which
was featured at the concert along with various others she had composed. Julia
graduated from Washington Irving and will be 94 years young in June.
Congratulations, Julia!!
From: From: Sally Anne
Pulice (WI 1969)
Miss Sarah Margaret
Israel and my Mother resided in the same Assistant Living Facility until they
moved on nearly the same day to a Skilled Care Nursing Home in June 2015. Miss
Israel looked exactly the same, and I recognized her immediately when I first
saw her again in 2008. I think there was a span of 43 years from my eighth
grade year till 2008. She was always so elegant, calm, and kind. Miss Israel
was a wonderful teacher, and she may have been the first teacher to instill in
me a love for language and communication. My Mother will soon be 96.
When I was in 7th
and 8th grade, I would often stop in at the Red Cross
Office/Building on my way home from Central Jr. High. This Red Cross Building
was across the street from the McGlumphy and Davis-Weaver Funeral Homes. My
friend, Joyce Ware, and I would make art projects and placemats I think for
hospitalized patients. Did anyone else do this?
I lived in Broad
Oaks. I think I may have lived in Upper Broad Oaks (as the Alvaro brothers have
referred to this part of town.) I did not know of that distinction when I was
growing up but I walked DOWN the hill to Alta Vista. Does that mean I resided
in Upper Broad Oaks? I do recall that
the Alvaro brothers were legendary in their athletic success. My family
followed the WI sports teams during their time at WI! You had admirers from
afar, Jim and Fred.
My family would go
to 9:30 Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church on Sunday AM, then I would
attend Catechism classes that were held in the St. Mary’s elementary school. We
would be home by noon for a quick lunch, and back at Notre Dame’s gym for
Sunday boys’ basketball games. That was a fun day.
4-H Club was a fun
activity for me during my elementary school years. I think I can still recite
the 4-H pledge. We would meet monthly in the homes of our members. My memory
(not as reliable as it used to be) is that we were all Alta Vista students.
Thank you to Patty Logue’s and Jane Lynn Davidson’s moms who were our leaders.
It was always a rush to get those individual projects completed on time. Whew!
Roller skating at
Carmichael Auditorium on Saturday afternoons was fun. We had a Senior Class
Roller Skating party there….picture of such in our 1969 yearbook.
Genevieve Broughton
was one of my all time favorite teachers.
Senior English class
and Journalism I (junior year) and Journalism II (senior year).
Kudos to Nancy
Diamond, who was the Editor of our senior yearbook. It has stood the test of
time, Nancy. I still like perusing all four of my yearbooks (’66,’67, ’68,
’69.) Sadly, it now seems to link student pictures of those that have passed
away….not a fun part of my current age.
Speaking of Nancy
Diamond…it was my perception that seniors who were in good academic standing
would be invited to be in the Senior Chorus. This group would perform at all
activities leading up to and including Graduation Night. So I was surprised
when most of my friends and I were NOT invited to be in Senior Chorus, cause we
were doing OK academically. I remember I asked Nancy if she knew why we weren’t
invited. Nancy, being the Editor of the yearbook, put in long hours at school,
and I thought she might have heard something from one of the teachers. Nancy
replied, “Yes, they said they don’t want night owls and hell raisers in the
Senior Chorus.” How did the teachers know that indeed there was a group of us
keeping some mighty late nights our senior year? Personally, I blame that on
the Junior Class of 1968-69. Giggle-giggle.
Anthony Bellotte’s
memory that was printed in April’s newsletter got me thinking. Mr. Flanagan was
the Principal at Alta Vista. (I don’t recall his first name; help somebody!) He
taught our sixth grade class in the afternoon. I remember vividly that he had a
transistor radio on his desk during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. I
didn’t fully understand the situation, but I knew it had to be of concern if
our principal was listening to the radio during class.
Bill, thank you for
the sports column, I always enjoy reading your perspective. As you so aptly
said, my heart was broken 'when it was dropped like a wrecking ball into a big
hole' when WVU lost in the first round of the NCAAs. Didn't see that one
coming. On to 2016-17.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If anything that Sally wrote jogs your
memory, write to me and tell me your memories. Roleta1@aol.com
MORGAN GRADE SCHOOL PICTURE
1946-1947
Submitted by: Jim Strider
Most of these kids
were in the Washington Irving graduation class of 1954.
Interestingly 3 of
these young ladies became a 1954 Class Princess.
Can you name these people?
You know the
routine. Same as always.
Name the child in
top row left to right, put a ? if you don’t
remember a name. We will call that Row 1 (top row)
Row Two—same way ? if you don’t
recognize and a name if you do.
When you are
finished, send to Roleta1@aol.com.
Sign your email with your name, name of
school from which you did or would have graduated and year.
Thanks
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
JULIA
FRANCES YOUNG LAWSON
A BIRTHDAY SALUTE
From: Anita White
(WI 1948)
Enjoy each
edition on Newsletter, such a good job.
The United Church
of Christ in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. presented a concert to honor former music
director, Julia Frances Young Lawson. She led both chancel and bell choirs.
During her tenure, she composed many cantatas, anthems that were performed by
the choirs. For the 125th Anniversary of the church, she wrote “The Anniversary
Song”, which was featured at the concert along with various others she had
composed. Julia graduated from Washington Irving and will be 94 years young in
June.
Congratulations, Julia!
Julia, all the readers of the
WI Newsletter would like to wish you a
WI Newsletter would like to wish you a
Very Happy 94th Birthday!
APRIL
MYSTERY PICTURE
From: Wayne White (WI 1960)
This is the Southern Steel Products Co. Located 411 Ohio Ave.
They are a steel fabricators company.
From: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)
Southern Steel was owned by
Bernie Cohen's father. I knew about Southern Steel before I knew Bernie. My
Uncle Edgar Rhodes worked for the company probably back in the late 40's or
early 50's. He graduated as a Chemical Engineer but I don't know if he worked
there during college or after. I think I remember him mentioning some of his
work was in the drafting dept. I could be wrong. My Aunt Rosie Conch did mention
that Uncle Edgar liked working there. I'm sure Mr. Cohen was a great person to
work for as I know Bernie would be. The company was located over in Pee Kay
Addition on Ohio Ave that connected Montpelier to Glen Elk. Pininick Hill was
also in that area. My wife Sonja and I would visit her grandparents, the
Krosmico's, who lived up near Pininick Hill when we went home. I had several
friends from WI living in that area at that time. I believe the company is in
the same location and is still operating, according to Bernie when we got
together in Sarasota in March.
From: Bob Kramer (WI 1965)
I think this is a
picture of Southern Steel. It is located in the PK section of Clarksburg. They
fabricate steel for buildings. They fabricated steps for our second floor after
the fire at our old location on Pike Street. PK addition is named after
Pininick St
From: Bob Twigg
(WI 1955)
This is the home of Southern Steel Fabricating on Ohio Ave
From: Rod Kidd (WI 1970)
The picture for April appears to be the
Southern Steel Products Buildings on Ohio Ave. just up from the Florence Street
Bridge off of Pike Street. The lower building in the photo would be their shop
fabrication area. Didn’t realize how long it had been there, but have done
business with them since the later 70’s on several occasions.
From: Bernie Cohen (WI 1956) (Owner of
Southern Steel)
Southern Steel is on Ohio Ave. and began in 1948 as a
fabricator. It started in the building across the street which is now the
Oliverio Pepper plant. It made Structural steel for many buildings in W.V. and
in the surrounding states. Jobs included Robert Byrd High School as well as
structural steel for a number of WVU buildings including the press box. During
the Vietnam war, they made many items for the Allegheny Ballistics Lab in
Maryland including 12 inch thick backup plates for testing rocket engines.
These plates would last a short time as the rocket fire would destroy them.
Then we would make more. The meters attached to these plates determined the
strength of the rocket power. We could not unload them as they weighed more
than we could lift. They were fabricated on the truck. We also made fallout
shelters for a while which did not make it very far. In 1976 as my Dad retired,
I took over the plant and it is still running and providing good paying jobs at
this time. Even though I had started my own plant in Columbus, Ohio, I was able
to hire a very good manager who has done a great job running the company for
me. It is now (just in this month) for sale. The Company has always done well.
My children have no interest and no knowledge in the business because they have
a great job at the plant I started in Columbus. By the way your husband, Bill
Meredith, helped me a lot when I was getting started. I want him to know that. What
a great friend!
So are you!
Thanks
MAY MYSTERY PICTURE
Above is a new building which was recently constructed. It is
located in Clarksburg. Do you know what it is and where it is? Picture submitted by David Corsini of Clarksburg.
Sign your name, the name, name of the school you attended and
year you did or would have graduated. Incorrect identifications will not be
published.
JIM FRAGALE
New York writer, Peggy Healy (the entertainment guru), was
so impressed after reading Jim Fragale (WI 1958) first novel "The Answer to Life" that she asked him to write an introduction on 'how it's
done" - that is, how they entertain in Clarksburg, WV' - for HER new
book, 'Entertaining Houseguests.'
Sports Editor: Bill Meredith
OLYMPIC CHAMPION?
As a follow-up to
the article submitted by Mike Snyder (WI 1957) for last month's newsletter,
below is an article written by Bob Hertzel for the Register-Herald and other
newspapers in West Virginia. You may recall that Mike wrote about the NCAA
Champion WVU Rifle Team.
This article
tells about Ginny Thrasher, a team member, who was recently named to the U S
Olympic Team. That is quite an honor for a 19-year old college freshman.
Congratulations
to Ginny Thrasher. The entire Mountaineer Nation is very proud of you and your
team for bringing honor to WVU.
By Bob Hertzel
For The Register-Herald
MORGANTOWN — Once
upon a time Ginny Thrasher thought she’d be the next Peggy Fleming.
She was growing
up and ice skating was her sport.
“I always wanted
to go to the Olympics in ice skating,” she said. “Then, about the time I
started high school I started shooting.”
That was when she
realized that if she was going to have Olympic success, it was going to be as
the next Annie Oakley.
Her grandfather
took her hunting and she was hooked.
“Ice skating
became a hobby and stress reliever when I went to high school,” she said.
The challenge
came from shooting, but who could have imagined in four years this petite
blonde, just 19 years of age, would become the NCAA rifle champion as a West
Virginia freshman and now a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
“This first year
of college has been such a learning experience, such a whirlwind,” she said.
Think of it. Most
kids come to college and get used to a new roommate, being off by themselves,
maybe sneaking off for a beer or two ... growing up.
Ginny Thrasher
came to college and became one of America’s top shooters -- if not THE top
shooter. Next Tuesday, while her classmates are in class, she’s leaving for
Brazil, site of the Olympics, for the Olympic test event.
But there’s
something very interesting in this young lady.
Is she excited?
Yes.
Is she blown
away? Nervous? Awed? Not one iota.
“It’s nice to be
so supported by the Morgantown community and WVU,” she said. “People come up
and stop me, congratulate me. The other days, someone wanted to get a selfie
with me. It’s nice to get attention, especially in a sport that is not so well
publicized.
“But has it
changed me? No. First I’m a student-athlete. Like, I’m going to be missing
these two weeks of class but its nice that the teachers are accommodating me.”
She has remained
very much down to earth.
Her coach, Jon
Hammond, is not surprised by her rapid ascension in the shooting world.
“She has a great
work ethic. She’s willing to put the hours in,” he said. As a coach, she’s
incredibly coachable. She listens to everything we have to say. She’s willing
to try things, She listens and absorbs everything. She has dedication, drive,
motivation.”
She has the
perfect approach.
“I’ve gotten to
this point by focusing on my process and myself, not thinking of the outcome,”
she said.
She is not result
driven.
“I’ve been told
I’m an old soul,” she said. “I want to master the sport. I don’t care if I win or
go to Olympics.”
What she has done
doesn’t make sense for someone as inexperienced as she is
“To make the
Olympics in four years is not super normal,” Hammond said. “Shooting is a
unique sport with a large age spread. There are people 40 and 50 year old
competing. Experience plays a big part. It’s unbelievable freshman year to win
the NCAA and qualify for the Olympics.”
To make what she
has accomplished lately even more amazing, she has done it with new guns.
“I love my two
guns. I treat them like gold. They are only about 6 weeks old, but it has been
fun adapting to them. Some people get nervous when they make a change but my
Bleiker rifle has been great.
“I immediately
took to it. It was a fast transition. Some guns take six months to a year to
adapt to,” she said.
“It took her
about two days,” Hammond said.
BASKETBALL
Below are a couple pictures of the 1955 basketball team at WI. There is also a picture of
the 1959 WVU team, which included two players from the 1955 WI team. Jim
Alvaro, WI 1956, challenges anyone to come up with a better high school
basketball team than the one shown here.
Can anyone think of a better team from Harrison County?
Send your comments to: Bill (billmere@aol.com).
Can anyone think of a better team from Harrison County?
Send your comments to: Bill (billmere@aol.com).
During the last month or so, Mike Snyder, WI 1957, and
I have been discussing Olympic athletes who attended West Virginia University. hanks
to help from the Joe Swan, Director of Athletic Publications at WVU, Mike was
able to supply us with the list below.
Both Mike and I thought that perhaps James Jett was
the last Mountaineer to participate. Boy, were we wrong. As you might guess, I
sat next to Bruce Meredith in a chemistry class while attending WVU. I also met
Jerry West. Those are the only ones from the list I have met
Does anyone know any of these athletes? If so, send
us your comments about how you met them and your thoughts on their
accomplishments.
Thanks, Mike, for helping us with this.
WVU Olympians
Mike Anti (Shooting) - U.S. - 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008
Nicco Campriani (Shooting) – Italy - 2012
Nate Carr (Wrestling) - U.S. - 1988; was wrestling
coach here; bronze medal
Aileen Convery (Swimming) - Ireland - 1988
Rob Dennis (Track) - Liberia - 1996
Ed Etzel (Shooting) - U.S. - 1984 - gold medal
Jean Foster (Shooting) - U.S. - 1996, 2000
A.C. "Whitey" Gwynne (Trainer-Basketball)
- U.S. - 1968, 1972
Jon Hammond (Shooting) – Great Britain – 2008, 2012
Christian Heller (Shooting) - Sweden - 1980
Kay Iheagwam (Track) - Nigeria - 1996
Pat Itanyi (Track) - Nigeria - 2000; 2008 as a coach
James Jett (Track) - U.S. -1992 - gold medal 4x100 relay; ran in semis
but didn't run in finals
Dave Johnson (Shooting) - U.S. - 1992-competitor;
2008-coach
John Mair (Track) - Jamaica - 1988
Bruce Meredith (Shooting) - 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000
-competitor and coach for U.S. Virgin Islands
Ann-Marie Pfiffner (Shooting) - U.S. - 1992
John Rost (Shooting) - U.S. - 1984
Stefan Thynell (Shooting) - Sweden - 1976, 1980
Ginny Thrasher (Shooting) – U.S. -2016
Eric Uptagrafft (Shooting) - U.S. – 1996, 2012
Jerry West (Basketball) - U.S. - 1960 - gold medal
Web Wright (Shooting) - U.S. - 1988
Jack Writer (Shooting) - U.S. - 1968, 1972
Petra Zublasing (Shooting) – Italy - 2012
... ABOUT SPORTS
As always, this
is the time of year when there is not much action in college or high school
sports. About the only news from WVU is bad. Devin Williams has hired an agent
and is thus no longer eligible to play basketball for the Mountaineers. As
previously mentioned, I think he is making a mistake. I think one more year of
college ball would have been good for him. However, young people sometimes only
see the dollar signs and no amount of reasoning can prevent them from taking
the plunge into pro sports. All his fans can do is wish him well in his pursuit
of the gold at the end of the rainbow. Do you agree with my thinking?
The WVU baseball
team has a record just above .500. That won't win many conference championships
or get them into the NCAA tournament. However, they do have a fine new ballpark
and seem to be drawing well.
Several WVU
football players are being considered in the NFL draft. By the time you read
this, you will know how many were taken and where they were drafted. It appears
that Dwight Joseph has a chance to be a first round pick.
Finally, my guess
is that this is the year of the Cubbies. The long suffering Chicago team was
very active in the free agent market and is off to a great start. Plus, they
have what many consider to be the best manager in MLB. I watched Joe Maddon
lead the Tampa Bay Rays into the playoffs here in Florida and was always
impressed with his knowledge of the game.
Have anything on
your mind about sports?
Share your thoughts and comments with our readers.
We
especially like memories from years past about any sports subject.
Send them
to:
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
 |
| Yes, it's not a Flop... Does anyone have a picture of one? Do you have the original recipe you would like to share? |
RUFUS
From: Patty Morelan Gyorda (WI 1957)
Rufus worked at
Rogers Drug Store - many of us went there for lunch and loved their chili.
From: Pam Wolfe
Brown (WI 1960)
What found
memories!!! Rufus was the most delightful human being. He was always friendly
in the store and on the street even when you saw him years after we left the
Hill.
My favorite foods
were their meatloaf and of course peanut butter fudge Flops for 15 cents.
Couldn't go there often but I often think about times spent there.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks for the
memories. I loved his peanut butter flops. My mouth still waters when I think
of them. Rufus was one of a kind. I never saw anyone say one bad word to him.
He was so thoughtful. I am just sorry that I never once thought of tipping him
and I bet no one else did either as we were lucky to have the 15 cents to buy
the flop! What say you? Write to Roleta1@aol.com
Over the years we
have discussed Rufus many times. I don’t believe I remember anyone saying
anything bad about Rufus. I also think we took him for granted. We all liked
him very much and he was always there to help when we needed him. I know that I
didn’t know anything about him. I didn’t know his last name, where he lived, if
he was married or if he had children. I never returned to Roger’s after I
finished high school. Seems like I remember he retired from Rogers and a
collection was taken up to buy him a watch. But was that my junior year or
senior year? I don’t even remember. How old do you think he was? Wonder what
he did in his retirement years? Anyone know the answers to any of these
questions? I am sure he has probably passed away now. Does anyone have a
picture of him? I hope to hear from some of you. There are always new readers
who may have not read what you had to say before about a subject.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
Andrew Vac (WI 1970) andrew@andrewvac.com
Anita White (WI 1948) anitawhite30@gmail.com
Sheila Meredith Cornett (McVicker) (WI 1969) emeraldisl1@aol.com
Catherine Custer Burke (WI 1952) katierose052@frontier.com
THE ISRAEL HOME
From: Ted Wolfe
(WI 1974)
The building that
used to stand to the right (east) of the Israel house was used by Southern
States, after Sears quit using it for storage. Before Sears it held the Old
Export beer distributor, but it was originally built as the Clarksburg Brewery
in 1906. It was a brewery until 1914, and then from 1936 to 1941.
From: Diana
Calverley Haskell (WI 1960)
While I did not
have any relatives who worked in the glass plants, I do want to share this
brief story.
In the summer of
1962, I worked as a waitress in Yellowstone National Park. On one of my days
off, I traveled with friends to a small town in Montana. While we were waiting
to be served at the Red Lodge Cafe, I turned over my coffee cup and what should
I see but Clarksburg, WV! Later that summer after I had eaten numerous peanut butter
sandwiches and indulged in three scoops of ice cream after every meal (because
the food for the staff workers was awful), some neighbors from Clarksburg came
by and did not even recognize me because I had gained thirty pounds!
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
CLARKSBURG WV
From: Eugene Jaumot (Victory 1954)
Coal Mines were a
big part of Clarksburg before 1900. Perry Mines just out of town of Clarksburg
on Rt 19 North. a lot of miners from town worked there. Also on East Pike you
had PK Mines Tipple which loaded cars on the big B&O sidings running
parallel to East Pike street. Lots of Harrison County residents depended on
coal to heat there homes. They had Grates in lots of rooms and some had small
coal stoves, and along came coal furnace.
It took a large
amount of gas to run all the Glass furnaces in Clarksburg. In the beginning
there was the Peerless, Layfette, and Liberty, in Northview. In 1930 Rolland
was built by Gene Rolland after Peerless burned down. There was Adamston Flat.
Travis Glass was in Glenn Elk, they made stem ware. Tuna and West Fork was off
Broadway on Tuna Street. PPG, White and Bailey, Eagle Convex, located in
Norwood Glass 1925, McNicols China and Hazel Atlas. Salem Glass, Salem and
Ideal Glass in West Union. Coal, Gas and Glass made Clarksburg WV.
Below are a
couple of interesting pictures that Eugene Jaumont (VHS 1954) has shared with
us. He has shared several more which I will publish from time to time
Thanks to Juliana
Kopp (sister of James Kopp) for identities of those pictured above:
The picture is that of those men that
organized and started the Lafayette Cooperative Glass works in North View.
Sitting, left to right: Hippolyte Leuliette,
V.P., Eugene Rolland, Pres., Charles Moine, Sec. and Adrian Demeestter
Standing, Left to right: Louis Schmidt, Paul
Kopp, Tres., and Julien Caussin
Picture taken around 1913
Above is a picture taken of the Rolland Glass Company
(Clearlite) in 1986.
From: James Kopp
Thought you might want to see
the Fourco
Glass label that went out
on every piece of glass shipped as Clearlite glass.
MILDRED
BAMGARDNER
(WI
1949)
Mildred Baumgardner,
age 84, passed away on April 11, 2016, following an extended illness.
Mrs. Baumgardner
was married for 65 years to Dorsey R. Baumgardner Mrs. Baumgardner, born
September 18, 1931, was a daughter of the late Worder and Martha (Griffith)
Henline of Clarksburg.
In addition to
her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Glenda Sigley, Beatrice,
Rose Nuzum and Dorothy Henline (infant); and brothers Robert Henline, Worder
(Jr.) Henline and Kenneth (Red) Henline.
Including her
husband, Mrs. Baumgardner is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Mark) Boyce and
Doris Dean; three granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters Also surviving
are her sister, Catherine (Cathy) Riley; and a host of wonderful nieces and
nephews.
Mrs. Baumgardner
was raised in the Salvation Army of Clarksburg and was a longtime member of the
Calvary United Methodist Church in Adamston where she was a member of the
Crusaders Sunday school class, spent many volunteer hours at the church
throughout the decades, and loved her church family.
Mrs. Baumgardner
was a former 4-H club leader and volunteer 4-H summer camp counselor. She
retired in the 1970s from the G.C. Murphy store in Clarksburg, having worked
there for several decades. Mrs. Baumgardner was a 1949 graduate of WI.
DENZEL
CLAY CLARK
Denzel “Denny” Clay Clark, Jr., 68, passed away on April 5, 2016
at Ruby Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Clarksburg, WV on November 18, 1947 a son of the
late Denzel Clay Clark, Sr. and Lillian Ada Haslebacher Clark.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years Laraine S. Lushinski
Clark whom he married July 17, 1971 and who resides at their home in Mt. Clare.
Also surviving are one son, Clay Christopher (Sherri) Clark; one daughter,
April Marie (Vernon) Santee four grandchildren; four step grandchildren; three
sisters, Elnora Ganoe, Sandra Hoffman and Donna(Mike) Fournier and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by four
brothers-in-law, Tony Ganoe, Stanley Grooms, John Lushinski, Jr., and Tom
Gawthrop and his mother and father-in-law John and Sophie Lushinski.
He was a 1965 graduate of Washington Irving High School and
attended electronics school for two years in Baltimore, MD. He then volunteered
in the United States Army having served in Vietnam where he was a recipient of
the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He graduated from Fairmont State College
with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. He retired after 31 years as a self
employed Tax Consultant in Mannington, WV and was a member of the Church of the
Nazarene in Stonewood, WV. Denny enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his
family and traveling with his wife. He loved spending time with his family,
especially with his grandchildren and following their sporting events.
DONALD LEE DOBBINS
(RW)
Donald (Don) Lee
Dobbins of Bridgeport, died on April 4, 2016, at the West Virginia Veterans
Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, WV, where he had been a resident since June
2015.
He was born on
December 20, 1927, the sixth of 11 children to Leroy and Lucy (Sandy) Dobbins,
who predeceased him.
He leaves behind
his wife Ethel, whom he married in 1957; two daughters, Bridget (Rob) Fouse and
Sheila (Shaun), two granddaughters; one great-grandson, and second
great-grandson due August 2016; surviving siblings, Delores Westfall, Charles
Dobbins and Ethel Patterson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was
predeceased by siblings, Genevieve Serafini, Eugene Dobbins, Ruth Chestnut,
Margaret Pence, Russell Dobbins, Bill Dobbins and Mary Kathrine Dobbins.
Don attended RW
and left to join the military. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving
in the Navy from 1945 to 1947. He also served in the Korean Conflict as a
wireman for the Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952. He served in the United Nations
Summer-Fall Offensive from July 9 to November 27, 1951. In May of 2014 he was
able to travel with other World War II and Korean veterans on the Honor Flight
to Washington, D.C., to see “their” memorials.
Mr. Dobbins
retired from Pittsburgh Plate Glass in 1983 after having to transfer to
Creighton, PA and later to Crystal City, MO, in order to acquire his
retirement.
TERI SAAS GOOTS
(VHS)
Teri Saas Goots,
65, of Clarksburg, passed away on April 11, 2016, at the United Hospital
Center.
She was born in
Clarksburg, WV, on February 24, 1951, a daughter of the late David and Ann
Saas.
Teri is survived
by her loving husband, Bobby Goots, whom she married on May 6, 1989.
She was a
graduate of Victory High School, and retired from Clemons Physical Therapy as a
receptionist. Teri raised therapy dogs and was a well known dog trainer. She
leaves behind her four Otter Hounds that were show dogs, Annie, Aksel who was a
champion, Luggy and Beep. Teri was known worldwide for raising and training
these wonderful dogs. She was Catholic by faith.
RUTH ANN BEVAN JOHNSON
Ruth Ann Bevan
Johnson, age 83, of Parkersburg, passed away on April 14, 2016.
She was born on
November 27, 1932, to the late David A. and L. Margaret Bevan.
She is survived
by her husband of 63 years, Richard D. Johnson, and their three sons, Steven
(Susan) Johnson, Mark (Priscilla) Johnson, and Christopher (Kimberly) Johnson;
six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister,
Margaret Brasseur; and a brother, David (Joan) Bevan; and several nieces and
nephews.
In addition to
her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Richard Bevan and
Robert Bevan, and a sister, Jeanne Bevan Cottrill.
Ruth graduated
from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg and earned an Associate’s
Degree from WVU Parkersburg. She retired from the U.S. Department of the
Treasury — Bureau of the Public Debt in Parkersburg after more than 25 years of
service. Ruth was a member of Stout Memorial United Methodist Church and was
active in many ministries in the church. She was also a member of the
Parkersburg Women’s Club and was a former volunteer at the Blennerhassett
Island historical site. For the last year of her life, Ruth was lovingly cared for
by her son, Christopher and daughter-in-law, Kimberly, at their home in Ohio.
CLIFTON WHALEY
(WI 1956)
Submitted by Bill
White
I am saddened to
announce the death of a dear friend, Clifton Whaley, from the WI Class of 1956
who died on April 4th, 2016 of a pulmonary embolism in Solvang, California,
where he and his wife Gloria had lived for many years. Clif was the father of
two daughters currently living in Colorado and in Arizona. For many years, Clif
worked for the Raytheon Corporation and retired from that company in about
2002.
Clif grew up on
Hart Street in Stealey and was a good friend of many of us in the class of ’56.
He will be missed by all of us.
Thank you, Roleta
for including this in the next publishing of the Newsletter. And thank you so
much for your unswerving dedication to keep the memories of our hometown alive
and well after all these years.
Blessings to you
and Bill
