July 5, 2016

Issue 203




Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton






GOD BLESS AMERICA



GOD, PLEASE BE WITH THE FLOOD VICTIMS
IN
WEST VIRGINIA







AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY


By: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS 1957)


About 50 years ago, I was working for Ben Tom Supply Company as chief estimator for heavy and highway construction projects in Ohio. My wife, Roleta (W I 1959), and I had moved to the Columbus area four years earlier. Ben Tom was a major supplier of products related to highways, dams, tunnels and heavy construction in general in Ohio and West Virginia, plus they did installation of guard rail, fence and overhead signs in many states throughout the mid-western and southern states.

One day, I was told that there was a man waiting to see me about fabricated steel products. Since we furnished this type of material to most of our customers, I welcomed another source. The gentleman introduced himself as Bernie Cohen and said that he had recently opened a fabricating plant in Reynoldsburg, a suburb of Columbus. I talked a little about the industry, explaining the role of our company. I asked Bernie about his background and he said he was from Clarksburg, WV. Of course, that perked my interest, since my wife was from the same city. During the next few minutes, I discovered that Bernie knew Roleta's brother, Roy, and had graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1956. Right then, I knew for sure that I could work with this guy.

Over the next 16 years, I bought many jobs from Bernie's company, Ohio Central Steel. In 1982, Roleta and I started our own company, but we continued doing business with Bernie. We became very close friends over the years and came to admire him as not only a fine businessman, but an honest and loyal friend. In other words, he was a true West Virginian and American.

Fast forward to June 23, 2016… On that day, Roleta and I attended the 50th anniversary of Screen Machine Industries, formally known as Ohio Central Steel. Yes, from a small 5,000 sf building in 1966, Bernie's company has grown to occupy a state-of-the-art, 125,000 sf facility at I-70 and SR 310, east of Columbus. The company no longer fabricates small steel jobs. Under Bernie's leadership, they now are one of the nation's leading producers of industrial screening plants, crushers, shredders and conveyors. Bernie is mostly retired now, but the company is still lead by a Cohen. His son, Steve, is the president and his other son, Doug, runs the plant. In addition, Doug, a graduate of MIT in mechanical engineering, holds seven patents for products used in their equipment.

Some of you may remember that Steve spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2012. In fact, the last time Roleta and I were in their plant, was to see Mitt Romney speak during the 2012 presidential campaign, but this day was all about the Cohen family. Bernie, his wife, LeJune, his daughter, Natalie and his two sons are truly a family success story. Through hard work, tenacity and integrity, they have created a business which exemplifies the American dream. I am honored to have been a small part of their success and Roleta and I count each of them as among our greatest treasures---true and loyal friends.

Pictured above left to right are: Steve Cohen, Bernie and Doug Cohen receiving recognition from the community and businesses for a superior job.


Pictured above left to right are: me and Bernie, long time good friends.






NEW

Gene “Ron” Sanders (WI 1963) bearcat1967re@comcast.net
Martha Lou Morrison LaLance (WI 1958) lulunboro@comcast.net

CHANGES

Marcia Lynne Fox Schatz (WI 63)
            change LSchatz@crown-chicago.com to LynneSchatz@gmail.com
Ralph Sturms (1965)
            change sukiralph@wildblue.net to dogsrbs@gmail.com

In June newsletter I had a name incorrect, please note CORRECTION:
            Frederick Heflin (WI 1953) FRH1472@gmail.com

DELETE

Patti Crigler Henderson (WI 1968) patbellemarie@aol.com
Jennifer Cone Wells (WI 1972) jwells76@cfl.rr.com or jencone@cfl.rr.com






WHO ARE THESE MEN?


From: Gloria Caruso Shaffer (WI 1958)

Not sure, but the first man looks a lot like Joff Rolland, who was plant superintendent at Adamston Flat Glass.
As I said I’m not sure, but it sure looks like him. I worked for him for 6 years.
He had a temper, but he was a great boss.






WOW!  WHAT A DIFFERENCE
but yes, 
WAGES ARE DIFFERENT NOW, TOO


From Roleta Meredith

Think back to where you were in 1962 and how you were living.  Bill and I were married with a son.  We rented an apartment for $40.00 a month and our food budget was $15.00 a week. (If I could stay under budget, Bill got to buy a beer!) Whoopee! Looking at the list above, now I understand why I know so many ways to cook hamburger. We didn’t have a car; Bill paid a lady to ride to work with her. We lived in Sunbury, Ohio and he worked at the Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Company in Columbus, Ohio.  Times were really hard for us!  Makes us appreciate what we have now.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!







July 4 2016

Significance of Independence Day 2016
Independence Day 2016, also known as Fourth of July, is a federal holiday observed yearly on July fourth. It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence of the United States of America from Great Britain in 1776.

History of Independence Day
The history of Independence Day 2016 dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare independence of the United States from Great Britain. On July 2, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 and most have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as it is commonly believed. The holiday remains to be celebrated on the fourth of July. Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

Traditions of Independence Day
Independence Day 2016 is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom and patriotism. Many people display the American flag outside their homes or buildings. Additionally, Independence Day 2016 fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem and, in capable military bases, a salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a "salute to the union", is fired on Independence Day 2016 at noon.




July 24, 2016

Significance of Parents' Day 2016
Parents' Day 2016 is a holiday celebrated, annually, on the fourth Sunday of July that combines the concepts of a Fathers' Day and Mothers' Day. It is a day that commemorates parenthood and appreciates all parents (including mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers, stepmothers and stepfathers, and foster mothers and fathers) as well as their contribution to society.

History of Parents' Day
The History of Parents' Day 2016 dates to 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law. The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Trent Lott. According to the Congressional Resolution, Parents' Day 2016 is established for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children”.

Traditions of Parents' Day 2016
As a part of Parents' Day 2016 traditions, children send cards or gifts to their parents or parent figures or make a special effort to them, some people to send gifts, including flowers, cakes and food hampers. It is also a time for families to come together for lunches or dinners. Special tributes to parental figures are made through local announcements at church services or at local community events.






 TONY BELLOTTE’S GRANDSON


From: Tony Bellotte (WI ???)

I have 17 grandchildren and am proud of all of them. This is Trevor Belotte, my grandson who is also QB of Football Team, and on the Lacrosse Team. This is from the newspaper.

Trevor Bellotte, a Severna Park, Senior 182: Bellotte went 32-7, 32-7, including a county title and a fourth-place finish in the region, and captured three regular-season tournament crowns. “He missed counties last year so for him to come back and win counties, speaks volumes about his character and work.





ASHLEY NEWBROUGH


From:Rich Newbrough (???)

Dick Sprout (RW in 1957), graduated the same year as his sister Pat(my wife).
Ashley would be their niece-our granddaughter. If you get the Hallmark network, you may catch a rerun of a movie "LOVE UNDER THE STARS" This movie came out last August. She did a series 3 years ago called “Privileged” which only lasted a year.
Remember the "Birds" by Hitchcock...she starred in a remake with one of the original stars--Rod Taylor.
Pat and I are so proud of her career.


Keep checking the Hallmark channel for 








From: Joe Malone (WI 1952)

I just finished your latest Newsletter. I particularly appreciated Mike Snyder's memory and photograph of Joan Baez. I recently watched a PBS "Great Performance" celebrating her 75th birthday. It was captivating. She is just as gorgeous today and her voice as pure as in his piece. I once sat near her in a restaurant on the Stanford campus and couldn't take my eyes off of her. Regardless of how you may have feel about her political views, she was and still is a wonderful performer.

I also enjoyed reading the articles on Louis Johnson. During the 1940's, I lived on Rosemont Ave near Mr. Johnson's home on Buchannon Ave. during the time he lived in Washington, DC while serving as Secretary of War (?). I remember playing on the grounds of his magnificent but vacant estate. Occasionally, we would discover an open window and (harmlessly) explore the "innards" of the main house. (Grandpa's little secrets. Tsk, tsk.)

Jim Kopp's article on the Fourco Glass Co. was well crafted and interesting. I knew of the glass industry in Northview/Adamston but had no personal connection or knowledge of the extensive history. My thanks to Dr. Kopp for his efforts. Well Done!


From: Harriett Stout Noel (W.I.1959)

Hi Roleta!
Thank you for another terrific newsletter! Little tidbits caught my eye and I am compelled to send you a quick story from my youth.

In the newsletter I saw the picture of the Methodist church celebrating its 100th birthday......another mention of Palace Furniture Co.......and more folks writing about their experiences with which I could identify.

I worked at the Palace Furniture Co. my junior and senior year before leaving for the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (Bobbie Johnston was my roommate for our first year there). I, too, remember the wonderful designer, Mr. Peter Massenberg, and the excitement of working the switchboard. My mother had painted a mural in the home of Mr. Massenberg and his partner Mr. Steiner so I had met him before working there. My cousin, Nancy Carskadon, also worked at the store during her summers and her mother, my Aunt Irene Carskadon, was the church secretary for many years at the Methodist Church. I, too, still have my little cedar box from the Palace Furn. Co. Do you remember getting those......I think when we graduated?

Now to my story: In 1952 I was still living in Beverly, W.Va. and my mother was quite a weaver and artist. Our Beverly Presbyterian Church was celebrating it’s 100th birthday that year! The church had wooden floors, no carpeting. Mother decided to weave 100 yards of rag rug carpeting and donate it to the church for the celebration. She amassed huge piles of upholstery fabric which had to be cut into strips, sewn together, wound into balls (how well I remember those darn balls), put on shuttles and then threaded through the loom. She asked 5 of the senior girls at Beverly School (there were only 17 in the graduating class) if they would come after school and weave. She had it all figured out as to how long it would take to weave that much carpeting in order to be ready for the celebration – the amount of 1 yard a day stands out in my mind but for how long I cannot remember. When the rug project was completed she decided the girls needed a special thank you. She gave them each $5.00 and took them to Clarksburg for the day. Now, remember, many of those girls had never been more than 10 miles from home so that was a huge “deal” to go to a big city! Everyone was to meet back at the “man on the horse” at 5:00 pm. Everyone arrived but LaVere Swecker. Mother sent us all scrambling down Main Street to try to find LaVere. We found her in the Palace Furniture Company elevator, still with her $5.00! All she had done the whole day was ride that fascinating elevator!

Now the follow-up to that story! Last month my husband and I headed back to my beloved hills for a working vacation. We were privileged to be at the Greenbrier Inn for a conference for four days. Leon loved trying alligator for the first time and I loved the tour of the bunker and all the history. Afterward, we rented a car and drove all over W.Va. ending up in Beverly and Clarksburg for good reminiscing time. A big thrill was to walk into the Beverly Presbyterian Church on Mother’s Day and to see a piece of that carpeting hanging on the wall in the church. It had been on the floor for 40 some years! Needless to say, we sat right by that piece of rug and all the memories of the weaving, LaVere getting “lost” and Palace Furniture Co. came flooding back. The whole trip was a “walk down memory lane”. I only wish I could have seen some of my wonderful classmates while on this trip.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to the Newsletter. Roleta, you do such a good job in keeping us all “in the loop”. Have a wonderful summer! As another contributor mentioned, you can use this or discard. I just wanted to write it all down since it was fresh in my mind.



EDITOR’S NOTE: THE RUG: my, my, I loved the story of THE RUG and how it was made.






WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT


In the June newsletter, I suggested that you write:

  • What was one fad that became popular when you were in high school?
  • What year was it popular? 
  • Do you have a picture of something about the fad?

I received one answer:

From: John Teter (WI 1961)

The only FAD that I can recall from the early 60's is MEN wearing BELL BOTTOM PANTS. I remember having a pair of purple bell bottom pants that I used to wear anywhere that I went and I can remember other guys doing the same. I also remember wearing (what I considered) a "lab coat" as a jacket for a period of time after I moved to the Washington, D.C. area (which would have been in 1962).

NOTE: Thanks, John. Reading about your lab coat... Could that have been a Nehru jacket? I remember they were popular in the mid to late 1960’s.

Does anyone have any memories to share about the type of clothes that were popular when you were in high school? I never wore saddle oxfords, did you? Were they comfortable or did you just wear them because they were popular? I wore penny loafers, I think I wore them because no only were they popular but I could get them on and off easily. I still love to kick off my shoes and walk around (inside mostly) bare footed or do you say bare foot or do you say bare feet? That is another thing you could write to me about.


GUYS: What types of shoes were popular when you were in high school?

GALS: same question as above.


Write to Roleta1@aol.com










MUSIC FROM THE 60’s
click on the Videos below to enjoy the complete music experience


From John Teter (WI 1961)

The two songs that come to my mind in regard to your "songs from back in the day” are SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME and SHOUT!!


The Drifters and their classic song SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME has been a topic of discussion with one of my friends from the class of 1962. She told me that she went into a Wal-Mart in Saint Mary’s, Georgia and they were playing this song over the PA system. She said that it brought tears to her eyes.


The Isley Brothers and their classic song SHOUT

SHOUT was such an amazing song. It could go on for 3 1/2 minutes or 30 1/2 minutes, depending on the time of night and/or the number of people still dancing at wherever.



EDITOR’S NOTE: I remember dancing to Shout. John is correct, sometimes we got the short version and other times we got the FALL DOWN DEAD rendition, being when it was over you were ready to fall down dead.

...as the classic movie ANIMAL HOUSE depicts so brilliantly in this video clip



There were so many great songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s. What were your favorites? Bill and I really loved the slow music and still really like to dance to it. Now it seems the fastest I go is The Electric Slide



Do you dance to line music?


LEARN TO LINE DANCE
This video breaks down all the Electric Slide dance steps with the song
You'll learn every move step by step as we teach you how to be a sliding expert
HAVE SOME FUN!


Write to Roleta1@aol.com






JULY MYSTERY PICTURE


Can you tell me about this picture? What is the building now used for? Do you remember ever being in the building? What was this building when you were young? Were you ever there? Why did you go there? Where is this building located?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com 
Share some memories of this structure with us.




Sports Editor: Bill Meredith




Are Sporting Events Really Important?


From:Bill Meredith (Monongah 1957)
billmere@aol.com

Summer is well underway and so is the wacky weather. As all of you know, floods of epic proportions hit parts of West Virginia recently. Many people died and many more lost their homes. As a result of the floods, The Greenbrier Classic golf tournament was cancelled. This seems trivial when compared to the tragic killing waters that hit the southern part of our state. As always, the people have stepped up to help each other. That's what West Virginians do. Hats off to Jim Justice for hosting a few hundred people (those with no place to live), in the Greenbrier Hotel, until they can get back on their feet. Let's all keep praying for our people.

While all of this was happening, several things of note took place in our sports world. The WVU baseball team advanced to the finals of the Big 12 Tournament, but failed to receive an NCAA invitation. Bridgeport won another state title, this time the AA baseball crown. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup. The Big 12 did not add teams, but did schedule a conference football championship game next year. Finally, the Cubs still have the best record in baseball. Will this be the year they finally win it all?

Remember to send your comments and thoughts on any sports subject to us and keep praying for those flood victims. This is a long term tragedy which will affect their lives for years to come.


From: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com

Below is part of an article written for wvusports.com by John Antonik. The title of the article is "Seven Football Hall of Famers Who Likely Won't Be Hall of Famers", referring to the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. No. 2 on his list is Clay B. Hite. Many thanks to Joe Malone, WI 1952, who wrote to me about the article.


2. Clay Hite (HB) 1914-1958

In the early teens, West Virginia’s new football coach, Sol Metzger, began mining the state’s high schools and prep schools in search of the best homegrown talent he could find. Among Metzger’s Mountain State discoveries were the school’s first All-American players, Ira Errett Rodgers and Russ Bailey. In fact, Metzger stocked West Virginia’s cupboard so fully with outstanding players that Pennsboro’s Paddy Lambert had to go to Michigan for playing time, where he earned All-America honors in 1917.
Included among Metzger’s outstanding West Virginia’s discoveries was speedy Huntington halfback Clay Hite, who became Rodgers’ No. 1 pass catching target on the great 1919 Mountaineer team that defeated Princeton and finished the season with an 8-2 record. Hite caught an inordinately high number of aerials that season - 15 for 286 yards and two touchdowns - including a 45-yard scoring pass from Rodgers in West Virginia’s big, 30-7 victory over Rutgers.
Against the Scarlet Knights, Hite was the recipient of West Virginia’s “lay out play,” which required him to sneak off to the side of the field and lay down flat on his back right before the ball was snapped. Then, when the ball was put in play, he would jump up and run down the field where the strong-armed Rodgers was capable of heaving the ball a long distance, usually right into Hite’s arms for another long touchdown.
Hite was also an exceptional runner, eclipsing 100 yards or more in a game four times, including a 180-yard, one-touchdown performance in West Virginia’s 19-0 victory over Virginia Tech in 1915. Hite, not Rodgers, was actually WVU’s top grounder gainer that season with 531 yards on 103 totes. He produced 11 total touchdowns during his three seasons playing for the Mountaineers.
“The University never had a finer athlete,” Rodgers said in 1952 of his WVU teammate. “(Hite) played the game hard and fair and had a desire to win.”
Hite became a noted prep coach and teacher at Washington Irving High in Clarksburg until his death of a heart attack in 1958.
Clay Hite (1914-1958) Hite came from Huntington, West Virginia in Cabell County.







WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?


(I will only print correct answers so come on and guess, you won’t be embarrassed)

Picture was sent by Jim Strider (WI 1955)

Who are these children? Can you name them? Do you have any memories of any of them that you can share with us?

Please write to Roleta1@aol.com






WI ANNUAL PICNIC in CLARKSBURG

AUGUST 27 2016


Note from ROLETA1@aol.com

This is important, since this is going to be the last WI Picnic, as  no one has volunteered to head up this event, I hope to see a couple of hundred people at the final picnic.

This event is the only way to visit with people from WI who aren’t in your graduating class but that you know.
Your attendance would be a nice way to say thank you to the ladies who have worked on it for years and show them your appreciation. Bill and I plan to be there and I hope to see you there too!

VETERAN’S PARK OSBORNE PAVILION
across from amphitheater

ANY AND ALL HELPERS ARE NEEDED
Beginning at 9:30 am

PICNIC 
from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

BRING A COVERED DISH TO SHARE

WI CLASS OF 1961 
will be there celebrating 
THEIR 55th REUNION

For additional information regarding this Class Reunion (or any other Class Reunion),
please visit the  Newsletter's 'CLASS REUNIONS' page.

NOTE: This will be the LAST WI PICNIC, unless someone younger steps forward to run this event

There are tables to unload and be covered & Drinks and food to unload and supplies to put in place.

Can some of you volunteer to help these two ladies. Joy has undergone operations on her legs and Sharyn’s husband is very ill, plus two of the regular helpers have died.
Please get in touch with me if you can help and I will send the messages to them

If you can help write to me at Roleta1@aol.com

Thank you






From Pete Dakan (Bridgeport HS 1960)

I am officially appealing for the recipe for the Ellis Drive-in Suboagie. I remember a lot of foods from Bridgeport Hill- Clique Club rib-eyes, Hill-Top (Parkette) hot dogs- almost got the chili recipe but can come pretty close-Wonder Bar filet mignon, Twin Oaks pizza and hoagies, salads from all four, the dressing was very similar. But what I am craving now is the suboagie from Ellis Drive-in. I remember the Italian sausage, hot peppers and even the anise seed. The submarine roll-hoagie bun came wrapped in silver tin-foil after being baked. We've tried to make them several times but haven't quite got it. Anyone remember these and better yet how to make them?



EDITOR’S NOTE:
I don’t remember anything about a Suboagie. Do you remember what it was?  

SOMEONE HELP ME

Do YOU have a RECIPE? If so, please let us share it here.

Write to me Roleta1@aol.com with any information you have about a suboagie. 

Thanks







JUNE MYSTERY PICTURE


NOTICE RW READERS:  Maybe you can help us out with some names.
This first section of the letter may be interesting to you.


NUTTER FORT SWIM TEAM

From: Mike Snyder, (WI 1957)

Nutter Fort Pool, 1962, the year the pool opened (Mystery Photo). I was just back from the sand and piney woods of Camp Geiger and was hired by Ray Paine as pool manager and head lifeguard.  All of these great kids pictured—future Roosevelt Wilson students, and some Notre Dame, became good pals I had a lot of fun with.

We started the swim team there and many, if not all, of these kids in the picture were on it. Helping me coach was the late Smiley Martin, Hill School '62; he is pictured in the back row, to my left, wearing glasses. Davey Rowe, WI '62 was also a guard as were Jill and Beth, RW gals.

This picture resurfaced after many years just recently. The girls on this team and the other North central West Virginia swim teams were the first female athletes in competitive sports that I am aware of. Remember there were no girls' scholastic sports in those days. These were the first girls I coached. And we had some outstanding competitors on the Nutter Fort team, both boys and girls. No one beat us except Stealey, the team we started back in 1958.

The Stealey Pool closed a year ago or so, and the Nutter Fort Pool has been gone for quite a few years.

I will add this: One day I was going off duty at Nutter Fort and in my summer shorts and shirt.

Right at my feet almost, an older girl went straight down, her eyes as big as tea cups. I knew instantly she was drowning. Pure reflex took over. I kicked off my loafers and jumped in. I got under and behind her with my feet on the bottom. I grabbed her by the hips and propelled her upward to the edge of the pool where she could grab hold. She was safe and sound without any after effects.

STEALEY SWIM TEAM

Back in summer of 1959 the Stealey Pool just opened, and Bill Lear hired the late Arthur Michie, WI '57 and this writer as lifeguards. I was a diver on the swim team at WVU, where Arthur and I were students. So we decided to start a swim team, the first ever in our part of the state. My young pal, Smiley Martin, was a back stroker in prep school and would ride his bike across town every practice day to help out.

There was no age limit, and our swimmers, all male, ranged from sixth grade to B.G. Gaston, in his thirties. Arthur and I also competed. We got out the word and soon Bridgeport, Clarksburg Country Club, and Lake Floyd had teams, maybe another I've forgotten. We had the first meet ever at Stealey which we won pretty easily. It was the beginning of competitive swimming, nowadays offered by many West Virginia schools, with both boys and girls teams, including Robert C. Byrd.

Bob Kramer, WI '65 was one of “my boys”. Bobby told me four of our swimmers had college scholarship offers. Bobby, who later placed in freestyle and backstroke in state AAU competition, swam for awhile at Marshall, and Tim Waroblak, WI '66, won the West Virginia Conference diving championship at Wesleyan.

Kramer insists I kept him and his buddies out of jail while I was their mentor.  He says we broke every rule in the book when there was no one in the pool but our team boys—Pete Bowie, Davey Hood, and the Palestrant Brothers are the ones I remember best, as well as Bob and Tim. We also had campouts on Stealey Hill. Kramer was the kid who got his coach hooked on chewing tobacco. The Stealey Invitational went on to become one of the state's premier swim meets.

During my second year at Stealey, I decided to quit in the middle of the season, which I later regretted, and Wirt Wolfe, WI '59 and I hitchhiked to Atlantic City and worked on the Boardwalk. This ended my life guarding and swim coaching until four years later at Nutter Fort. I'll always remember this period as the most rewarding of my college years. I went back to WVU in the fall after Nutter Fort and graduated the following summer. I guarded at Lakeview on Cheat Lake that summer.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Where did you swim in the summer? Did you swim in a lake or a pool? Were you ever on a swim team? Write and share your memories of swimming in the summer.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com






 SUMMER FUN


From: Dr. Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940)

I think of Joe Malone and Lake Floyd! I used to go there. One of the families from church lived there and would invite me and I used to go to Maple Lake too. My oldest brother knew of a river where he and his buddies would go to swim and later when my younger brothers and I were able to swim, he would take us there. And I cannot remember where that was. I don't think I knew then. Take care.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you remember going to Lake Floyd? Tell us what you remember, write to roleta1@aol.com











At this very moment, I am baking a cake. I walked into the kitchen to look in on the cake; the oven door slipped out of my hand and banged shut. The first thing that entered my mind was, “OH, No, I bet the cake falls!”

Why did cakes fall? I guess they don’t fall now if we use a cake mix?

Do you remember growing up tip toeing around the kitchen when mother was baking bread or cakes? I do, but I don’t remember seeing one that fell.

Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com






BOB-n-ALONG: 
Remembering WI High School, 
Algebra and Some of My Favorite Teachers


Written by Bob Stealey (WI 1960)

Lots of people have problems remembering very much at all about their high school days--what subjects they took, who their teachers were for their respective subjects, which classes were the most difficult and so forth. Probably I'm one of those with a recollective mind regarding their school days.

How do I remember these trivial matters? Well... Click HERE to continue reading.







CONGRATULATIONS


From: Steve Goff (WI 1972)

I am very excited to be the incoming President of this dynamic, vibrant, and talented tribe. Here's how I explained it on my page, along with a few photos. "Last weekend I was elected President of West Virginia Writers, Inc. (WVW). I am humbled and honored, and I did not see it coming. In fact, after my close friend, and former two term WVW President, Terry McNemar  (WI 1970), passed away in August of last year, nine weeks after the 2015 conference, I had decided not to return to the summer gathering at Cedar Lakes for the first time in eight years. Sit out a year or two. Too much of my buddy associated with the gathering.
But then, the phone rang. In March, my friend, and current officer with WVW, Eric Fritzius called and asked if I'd consider letting the Nominating Committee put my name forward as President. As I said, I did not see this coming. I told Eric I'd consider it, talk it over with Beth, and get back to him in a few days. I knew from having worked closely with the last five WVW Presidents, this volunteer position can be a full time job. We have over 450 paid WVW members, and a social media community of over 1,700. There are eleven WVW regions in the state. Also included are the overseeing of a major conference, a major writing contest, newsletter, public relations, grant writing, etc. I had held several positions with the organization, but never been a board member. But in a previous life I had been the Executive Director of a number of non-profit organizations, so the WVW job fits my skill set nicely.
Also influencing my decision to take the job was hearing the advisory voice of my friend Terry telling me, "Oh, you're doing this. You can crush this one, Stevie." I miss his reliable encouragement. And finally, I did a little research and noticed that WVW was founded in 1977. In 1978 WVW put together the first Writers Conference. This means during my two years in the position (2017-18), WVW will commemorate in consecutive years the 40th anniversaries of both the organization and the conference. This will give us a great set of opportunities to celebrate and promote the West Virginia Writers during my term.
I called Eric back later that day saying, "I'm in". I take office July 1. I am very excited about being at the helm of an organization that has been good to me, in a position once held by my friend Terry. Write on."
Contact me at wvwritersgoff@gmail.com






THE VIETNAM WALL

QUESTION?

Did you write to me about the Vietnam Wall or the Vietnam War? I expected a lot more replies. I only received one letter. So either your letter was lost or you didn’t write?

Won’t you please write and tell me:
  • Where were you during the Vietnam War?
  • What were you doing?
  • Where were you serving or where were you working?
Those were such strange times; please share your memories with us.


From: Mary Beth Hilburn (WI 1955)

Thanks so much for your newsletter.
The statistics of the Vietnam Wall are too much to take in. They give some perspective of the costs some families paid. It used to be that every family made sacrifices when we were “at war". Women in my family served in WWII. War losses are not in the minds of citizens every day. Roosevelt sons went to war, Kennedy sons also. Many Presidents had daughters, but there have been no more children of Presidents lately who have been in the military. Of course, VP Biden’s son served.


From: Susan Madia (???)

John Madia (WI 1960) was in Viet Nam 1967-1971. He went to West Point, then to the USAF. Served 26 years, retired a full Colonel

Editor’s Note:  Thank you John for serving our Country. Thank you Susan for sharing this with us.
If you served in the Vietnam Conflict (War), please let us salute you and thank you.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com







  
WHO IS THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY?


Do you recognize this lady?

Write to me and identify her, tell us where you remember seeing her, did you know her and how did you know her? Did you like her? In other words, tell me something about her besides her name.

Write to roleta1@aol.com

Sign your name, school and year you did or would have graduated. 

Thanks






A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE


From Joy Gregory DeFazio (WI 1959)

Do you remember our Senor Program when I gave a
“Recipe For a High School Graduate"?

Makes One Successful Citizen
2 cups knowledge
3½ teaspoons sociability
1¼ cups goodness
1 teaspoon understanding
3 ounces wisdom
1 cup sincerity
8 Tablespoons ambition
3/4 tsp kindness extract

Sift knowledge, sociability and understanding into large mixing bowl; cream ambition and goodness until light. Add wisdom; mix well. Combine sincerity and kindness extract; add to other ingredients. Put batter in a senior mold.

Bake in an average high school (i.e.Washington Irving) for four years.

Completely cover the High School Graduate with a frosting made by dissolving a package of neatness into one cup of cleanliness. Then quickly garnish with a smiling face, and serve to the community.







ROXIE HEATER TIBBS
(She graduated from WI around 1935)

Roxie Elizabeth Heater Tibbs, 98, of Clarksburg, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016 following an extended illness. She was born in Clarksburg on October 13, 1917 a daughter of the late Flavius Josephus and Sarah Louvilla Carson Heater.
She was married to John Trevy Tibbs on August 12, 1941, who preceded her in death on November 3, 2001 after 60 years of marriage.
Surviving are two daughters, Jonne Terry Davenport and her husband Larry, and Carole Deanna Arnett; five grandchildren, Wendy Page (Tim) Moize, Patrick Sean McIntyre Tory Elizabeth Stout, Nicole Jaye (John) Perry and Kelly Delayne Arnett; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by eight sisters, Infants Beulah Heater and Ulla Heater, Flora Woofter, Lora George, Corrine Davis, Frena Floyd, Freda Peck and Mildred Kennedy.
Mrs. Tibbs was a retired bookkeeper and secretary with 12 years of service in the City of Clarksburg Finance Department, and was an 81 year active member of the United Methodist Temple


ELAINE SMITH KERN FOUST

Elaine Sue Smith Foust, 63, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away on May 22, 2016, at the Madison Center in Morgantown, following a brief illness.
She was born in Clarksburg, WV, on November 19, 1952, a daughter of the late David Kern and Laura Farnsworth Kern Smith.
Mrs. Foust is survived by one son, Byron P.(Stacie) Foust, one daughter, Mindy (Greg) Dawson and two grandchildren, Elijah Dawson and Allison Foust. She is also survived by one brother, Christopher Smith; three sisters, Pamela(Gary) Prince, Judy Huntermark and Karen (Greg); as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Cheryl Kern and three brothers, Mike Smith Charlie Smith and Bill Smith.
Elaine was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1970 and Salem College School of Nursing. She retired from the United Hospital Center with over 30 years service as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of the Duff Street United Methodist Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and was a Literacy Volunteer.


PATRICIA ELLEN WOOFTER OWENS

Patricia Ellen Woofter Owens, 52, of Mineral Wells, WV, passed away on June 22, 2016, at Pigeon Forge, TN, unexpectedly. She was born on March 1, 1964, a daughter of the late James Paul Woofter and Sylvia Jane Ashcraft Woofter of Clarksburg. She is survived by her husband, James A. Owens, whom she married on September 4, 1987. Patricia is also survived by one son, James Patrick; two daughters, Cynthia Jane Owens and Bethany Nicole Owens; three grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Larry (Marlene)Woofter and Jim  (Cyndi) Woofter; five sisters, Carolyn (Bob) Criss. Mary Woofter, Margaret (Dave) Summers, Theresa (Donald) Washington and Cindy (Harry) Yost, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Cathy Hudkins and Connie Alvarez. Patricia was a graduate of Liberty High School, Class of 1983, and attended Glenville State College for two years. She was an assistant manager for Walmart with over 20 years of service.


WILLIAM DALE CORK

Ronald Dale Cork, 80 passed away peacefully at his home on June 23, 2016, with his family by his side.
He was born on July 23, 1935, on Davisson Run in Clarksburg, WV. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Pauline (McAtee) Cork and Frederick Mortimer Cork.
He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Francine (Steele) Cork, whom he married on August 14, 1997. He is also survived by a sister, Billie Ann Clevenger, and his three children: daughter, Teri Jo (Tim) Troke, Ronald D. (Dawna) Cork II, and Philip Bradley (Misty) and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by two nieces, a nephew and 6 great-grandchildren.
Ron was a 1953 graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953-1957, achieving the rank of sergeant. He attended Salem College from 1957-1958 and began work for Hope Gas in 1957 and also sold real estate. It was during the 1960s that he received a calling from the field of law enforcement, serving as a constable for Harrison County from 1967-1969. In 1968, he campaigned for and was elected to the office of Sheriff of Harrison County, an honor and achievement which he always held dear to his heart. He initiated new ideas and sought to promote the Sheriff’s Department by sending deputies to an accredited police academy, lobbying for the passage of the civil service bill for deputies, instituting a rank and promotion system for them, and establishing a detectives office for the Department.
After his tenure as sheriff, Ron also served Harrison County as a magistrate, deputy sheriff and entrepreneur. He owned and operated the Country Corner Restaurants in Lost Creek and West Milford during the 1980s. In 1985, Ron was appointed Harrison County Superintendent with the WV Department of Highways and remained with the organization until his retirement in 2000. Ron was a member of the following organizations: BPO Elks 482 Past Exalted Ruler, Moose Lodge 52, VFW Clarksburg, FOP Clarksburg, Shinnston American Legion, former member Jr. Chamber of Commerce and twice chairman of the Harrison County March of Dimes.
Ron grew to know and appreciate many people over the years and always enjoyed the time spent with friends. He loved history (particularly of Harrison County), politics, spending time with family, automobiles, animals and vintage movies. He never hesitated to help a friend in need, and to those past and present, we will always be grateful to each of you. He was an amazing provider and patriarch for his family and the love we shared is unwavering and will live on. He accepted the Lord as his Savior in 2015. Our family is extremely grateful to the emergency room staff and the doctors and nurses at United Hospital Center in 2015.


RUTH CORSINI SHARON

Ruth Corsini Sharon, age 87, formerly of Clarksburg, a Washington Irving graduate and long-time resident of Chevy Chase, Maryland, died June 2, 2016. She was born in Beaver Falls, PA, daughter of the Rev. Richard L Corsini and Anna Corsini.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Jean and Anna and a brother, Richard L Jr.
She leaves behind two daughters, Lisa and Laura, a son, John and four grandchildren. She was dedicated to her family, and inspired them with her strength and perseverance. Other survivors are brothers, David of Clarksburg, Timothy of Greenville, SC and a sister Priscilla of Wheaton, Ill.



PHYLLIS CURTIN

The renowned soprano and longtime Tanglewood teacher, died yesterday at her home on Seekonk Road. She was 94 and had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and circulatory ailments.
Curtin, at one time a star in some of the world's leading opera houses, taught her master classes at Tanglewood for 51 years before debility forced her to retire in 2015. The classes attracted students from around the world and graduated two new generations of opera and singers and recitalists.
Audiences knew the glamorous young singer best in such operatic roles as Verdi's Violetta and Strauss' Salome, but she was proudest of her role as a pioneering recitalist, championing American music, contemporary music and music to texts in English at a time when such things were not the custom.
Curtin retired from the stage in 1984 after a four-decade career as an internationally touring artist. By then, she had already begun a two-decade second career in academic deanships, first at Yale and then at Boston University.
Summing up her life in a 1988 lecture at BU, where she served for 10 years as dean of the School for the Arts, she said:
"Performing brought me every good thing of my adult life, and some of my youth Performing brought me my husband, took me and us to far parts of the world with all the attendant surprises. It livened up our parental skills as we tried to do our best by careers and family. It certainly added breadth and depth to my knowledge of people and their cultures. It made me know what a real republican, lower case, I am. It has kept me endlessly curious."
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Critics praised Curtin for intelligence rather than vocal acrobatics. In his book "The American Opera Singer," Peter G. Davis wrote that the "purity and silvery sheen" of her voice were "adapted to an amazing variety of styles."
Composers were similarly impressed. Making a distinction between singers who draw attention to themselves and those do it for the music, Ned Rorem, who composed for Curtin and accompanied her as pianist in recitals, called her "the most intelligent soprano I've ever known."
Phyllis Smith was born on Dec. 3, 1921, to church musicians in Clarksburg, W.Va., a town of about 30,000. She took the name Curtin from her first husband, whom she divorced after nine years.
Though she sang in a church choir while growing up, she majored in political science at Wellesley College, taking singing lessons on the side. Graduating in 1943, she did wartime work in Boston and found her way to Boris Goldovsky, who ran a Boston opera company and was starting up a pioneering opera program at Tanglewood.
In 1946, she spent the first of three Tanglewood summers as a student singing in Goldovsky's Tanglewood productions. Among them, in 1946, was the American premiere of Benjamin Britten's momentous "Peter Grimes," with the young Leonard Bernstein conducting. Goldovsky became a lifelong influence on her.
Curtin made her New York recital debut in 1950 and New York City Opera debut in 1953. It was at City Opera that the young beauty attracted the attention of Gene Cook, who had been assigned to photograph her for Life magazine. They were married in 1956 and remained close until his death in 1986.
Curtin's growing international career, which extended to appearances in Vienna and Buenos Aires, led only briefly to the Met. Former general manager Rudolf Bing, she liked to recall, enjoyed her as a lunch partner but preferred Italian singers in such roles as Violetta and Puccini's Tosca.
Violetta was nevertheless among Curtin's signature roles, along with Mozart's Fiordiligi, Strauss' Salome and Carlisle Floyd's Susannah. Floyd composed his "Susannah," one of the most performed of all American operas, for her.
Meanwhile, Curtin was also focusing on recitals, premiering new music as well as singing standard song repertoire. Aaron Copland, whose Emily Dickinson songs were a favorite of hers, was among the many composers with whom she worked.
In 1963, while at Tanglewood as a soloist in the American premiere of Britten's pacifist "War Requiem," she began her celebrated series of Tanglewood master classes. She was named an artist-in-residence the next year and looked forward to her Tanglewood classes as the highlight of her year. Among the noted graduates are Stephanie Blythe, Dawn Upshaw and the rapidly rising Angela Meade and Layla Claire.
As Tanglewood became a regular summer gig, Curtin and her husband, who were then living in New York, bought a country home on Seekonk Road. It became her full-time residence in 1999. She shared it with her daughter, Claudia d'Alessandro, and her beloved poodles, Winnie and Oliver, until their death.
The Tanglewood classes launched a teaching career that took Curtin to Yale in 1974 as dean of the School of Music and then to BU in 1981 as dean of the School for the Arts. BU's then president, the fiery John Silber, personally recruited her from Yale.
"She is not only a gifted artist but a very intelligent, learned person," he recalled a few years later. He wasn't looking for a bureaucrat for the job, he said, but for a leader with vision and artistic discrimination.
Curtin retired from BU in 1997 but for several years continued to teach there as well as in her home and abroad. Tanglewood feted her with a 90th-birthday tribute at the Tanglewood-on-Parade gala in 2011. Sixteen of her past and present students sang Vaughan Williams' "Serenade to Music" in her honor.
In addition to her daughter, Curtin leaves three grandchildren.



DICK FITCH

A Valley tribute will be held in October for John Richard (Dick) Fitch who died in Kerrville, Texas, June 26, 2016. He was born in 1938 and was a graduate of Washington Irving High School with the class of 1956.
A man of many interests, Fitch was foremost a newspaper man. He was in the newspaper and publishing business for more than 48 years.
He was a newspaper editor and publisher with over 36 years serving the Imperial Valley Press. He retired on September 30, 1996. Fitch was a long time member and director of the California Newspaper Publishers Association and served a record-setting nine consecutive years as chairman of the legal affairs committee.
He also was a past president of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and was the founding president of the Imperial County Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) which helped locate two prisons and a General Dynamics facility to Imperial County. REDI was a precursor of what is today the Imperial Valley Economic Development Commission.
A strong believer in giving back, Fitch was a member of two service organizations — Kiwanis and Rotary. He was twice named Kiwanian of the Year of the Kiwanis Club of El Centro. He served as a director in each organization and was a past president and past distinguished lieutenant governor in Kiwanis. He was a member of the Kerrville (Texas) Noon Rotary at the time of his death. He accumulated more than 46 years of perfect attendance between the two organizations.
In his newspaper career, Fitch met Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Fitch often advised men not to have their photo taken with Reagan citing that the former president was so handsome he made others, including Fitch, look bad. As a boy, Fitch watched and listened as Harry Truman campaigned from the back of a train during a stop in Clarksburg, W. Va.
After retiring, Fitch authored and published four children’s books. He printed limited numbers of his books as he intended them mainly as eBooks. Fitch believed strongly that digital books would grow in popularity. When his first book went on Amazon, only two percent of books were selling as eBooks. Today, over 20 per cent of all books sold are digital.
In Kerrville, where Fitch lived at the time of his death, he would occasionally read his stories to gatherings of students at area schools when invited. Publishing his books, he partnered with former Imperial Valley Press illustrator/artist Margaret Silva-Chairez, now of San Diego, and credited her with making the books graphically pleasing to children. He often said her illustrations were more important to the books than the words he wrote.
Citing he was an absolute failure at “Retirement 101”, Fitch took on the duties of Director of Newspapers in Education at the Kerrville Daily Times in June, 2006, a part-time position he held until his death. He jokingly referred to himself as a “recycled publisher”. He grew that department and took it electronic almost immediately after beginning his employment at the Times. He worked with over 300 educators each year via the internet and put approximately 1600 newspapers daily into area classrooms.
In September, 2006, he started and managed a Teacher of the Month recognition program.
He also produced an annual coloring book and coloring contest for children through fifth grade which culminated each year with a “Celebration of Winners” ceremony. Fitch would present 45 awards to children of various ages who were judged to be winners. The contest would receive over 1,000 entries each year.
He was in the U. S. Marine Corps reserve as a high school student and upon graduating   enlisted in and served four years in the U. S. Air Force with tours in Chandler, AZ; Tokyo, Japan; and Waco, Texas. He was with the Pacific Stars & Stripes newspaper in Tokyo for two years where he was an artist/illustrator and compositor.
In Tokyo, Fitch joined the Meji Players Theatre and had major roles in Rain and The Drunkard. He also was in several one-act plays. On nine occasions, he participated in Kiwanis Kapers, a variety show performed three nights every three years, over many years, as a major fund-raising event for the Kiwanis Club of El Centro.
Fitch attended Baylor University, and was both a student and a part-time instructor at Imperial Valley College.
In retirement, Fitch transitioned from a horseman to a classic car enthusiast. In his lifetime he owned nearly 100 cars, many of them collectibles. He was a member of five car clubs, two in Arizona and three in Texas. He served in various capacities: president, vice president, tour master, bulletin editor and web master.
Fitch’s other interests included collecting a complete first edition set of books written by turn-of-the-century author, Harold Bell Wright, as well as gardening and collecting art — mostly western.
Fitch is survived by his wife, Dr. Diane Fitch, five children: Joanne Girkins, Troy Fitch, Victoria Dawson, Valerie Segraves and Megan Fitch, Michelle Macklin their spouses, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, all deeply loved by Fitch.