Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
From: Roleta Smith
Meredith, Jalon Smith Burton, and Bill Meredith
A CHRISTMAS
KEEPSAKE
You will probably soon be decorating your home for
Christmas.
Take a moment; look around, what is your favorite
Christmas ornament, decoration or keepsake? Tell me how you got the decoration;
is there a story about it? Won’t you please write and share the story about
your keepsake? Send me a picture if you can do so. Send story and picture to Roleta1@aol.com
Here is a story from Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956)
about her favorite ornament.
This ceramic "Frosty the
Snowman" was given to me by my Mother. It was made by a Hartland neighbor,
Francis Helmick. The date on the bottom is Christmas 1973. He has had a special
place under our Christmas trees since that date. All of my kids and grandkids
look for "Frosty" if they come to visit during the Holiday Season. He
has managed to stay in perfect condition through numerous moves and storage.
What is your favorite Christmas decoration? Perhaps it is
a family heirloom, a gift from someone, something your child made you, etc.
Write and tell us about it. Please write to Roleta1@aol.com
DELETE
The following email address no longer works, please remove it from your file:
Sue Brown Eicher (RW 1960) eicher39@yahoo.com
UPDATE
The following email address no longer works, please remove it from your file:
Sue Brown Eicher (RW 1960) eicher39@yahoo.com
UPDATE
Gary
Wamsley (WI 60) Gary.Wamsley@comcast.net
George
Cinci (WI 60) GCinci@comcast.net
SALT
RISING BREAD
EDITOR’S NOTE: PLEASE DON’T
SKIP OVER THIS ARTICLE -
IT'S VERY INTERESTING
From: Marty (Sonny) Ashland (WI 1959)
Salt Rising Bread: A rose by any other name would smell as
sweet.
When my dad emigrated from Helsinki, Finland to the United
States, he was a baker by trade. His training and skills allowed him to bake
just about every type of bread and pastry in all of Scandinavia. Unfortunately,
the one exception to his repertoire was West Virginia's famous salt rising
bread. The bakers, who my dad worked with, told him that salt rising bread was
an old secret recipe developed way back in the hills of West Virginia.
Additionally, there was no way the hill folk would impart those secrets to a
non West Virginian from a country they never heard of.
Well, that was all it took. The gauntlet had been thrown
down and the challenge was on, so the diminutive Finlander went into action.
On a summer Saturday morning about 60 years ago, I woke up
to an odd smell throughout the house. By the way, I know it was a Saturday
because dad worked 6 nights a week and Saturday was his only day off.
Back to the smell: The entire house smelled like aged
Swiss cheese that had been sitting out for a couple of days. When I asked my
dad what he was baking that smelled so bad, he didn't immediately answer, but
instead he handed me a jar and said "take a big whiff." As a good
son, I did as requested and that big whiff cleared my sinuses for 3 days. The
powder in the jar was baker’s ammonia and is one of the ingredients used in the
salt rising bread. If you have ever had reason to use "smelling
salts" then you know the smell. Now multiply the experience of that smell by
10. In case you weren't aware of it, ammonia is the ingredient that provides
the pungent smell in urine. Evidently during the dough mixing process as well
as during baking, the sweet smell of ammonia rears its ugly head.
When the salt rising bread came out of the oven and was
cool enough to eat, we all buttered a slice and gobbled it down. It was very
tasty and fortunately, that special smell does not stay in the bread, though it
did linger in the house quite a while. The next day an executive decision was
made by my mother. The decision was that no more salt rising bread would be
baked at home. Now patiently bear with me for just one more Finnish bread story
I found odd but interesting.
Reikaleipa aka Hole bread: One of my dad's favorite breads
was called "reikaleipa." No one in the family could pronounce its
Finnish name so we used its nick name "hole bread." This bread looks
like a 1" thick pizza shell (no toppings just the shell ) with a 1"
hole through the center. The hole in the center was there so that these discs
could be mounted on spindles. In Finland they would bake hundreds of these at a
time to conserve baking heat. Then they would insert as many as they could get
on each spindle. I don't know for sure, but I would envision that they put 10
to 20 discs per spindle. They were mounted high on the wall to continuing
drying. Dad told me that as this bread aged, it would become so hard that the
only way it could be eaten was to soak it in water. I have eaten some of this 2
month old bread which I softened by soaking it in coffee. It had a very good
rye bread flavor with no stale aftertaste. Hope you enjoyed this short trip
through Finnish bread culture.
THE NOVEMBER MYSTERY PICTURE
From Barry Mazza (WI 1958)
My guess the Moore’s Opera
house used to show all sorts of great movies of lesser known stars, westerns
etc. and it only cost 15 cents to get in.
The other movie theaters were a
quarter.
From: Wayne White (WI 1960)
This is the Moore’s Opera
House. It was located at 110 S Fourth Street. Operated till 1956. The opera
house was build by Jack Marks. It opened in June, 1918. The first movie shown
there was “A Dogs Life” with Charlie Chaplin.
From: Fred Alvaro (WI 1959)
The Mystery Picture is the
Moore's Opera House downtown on Fourth Street. My father would take my brother
Jim (WI '56) and I there many Saturdays to watch his favorite Cowboy movies,
which were many. We would be there many hours and we even brought our own
popcorn. At that time, the charge for the three of us was less than one dollar.
From: Betsie Demaraisn (WI 1965)
I believe it is Moore's Opera
House located between Pike & Main St.
I attended my first Opera
there. La Traviata. Saturday Mornings for 10 bottle caps & 10 cents we
could see cartoons & a western.
From: Lloyd Miller (RW 1962)
The mystery picture is the
Moore's Opera House on 4th St. across from the old Candyland. I remember going
to the movies there on Saturdays for a Quarter. Happy Day's for sure.
From: Don Marple (WI 1953)
I think the mystery picture
is Moore’s Opera House on Fourth Street, where movie serials like “Flash
Gordon” played on Saturday. As I recall, admission was one quarter.
Italian-American kids from my
neighborhood, Northview, went there to improve their English in preparation for
the first grade.
From: Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956)
I was born in this log cabin. It
is located on Rt 19 North less than a mile from RT 50. At the time of my birth
the cabin was owned by Harrison County Sheriff W. B. Grimm. The log cabin is
still located behind the large brick house that was Sheriff Grimm's home. My
parents rented the cabin from the Sheriff for a short time.
I stopped and talked to the
owner while in WV on our trip this summer. He did not know the cabin was that
old. Some neighbors told him they thought it was built in the 50's. I assured
him that it was there in Aug of 1938 when I was born. Some of the neighbors
think it should be torn down. I told him he should contact the "barnwood
builders" TV show and maybe they could give it a new life. He has taken
the floor up and excavated under it and now uses it as a garage. You can not
tell that it has been changed from the street level. Every time we go home we
drive by to see if it is still there and take a photo. Hope others will pick up
on this subject and make it interesting.
NOTE TO READERS: Please write to me and tell me where you
were born.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
IT’S A SMALL WORLD
From: John Teter (WI 1961)
SO, I was down in Manassas,
Virginia this past Friday at the McKay Used Book Store and when I was checking
out, the girl that was waiting on me had on a WV jacket and a WVU sweatshirt.
SO, I mentioned to her that I was from Clarksburg and she told me that she had
been to Clarksburg a couple of weeks earlier and had the most awesome thing to
eat PEPPERONI ROLLS!
I told her that she was making
me homesick as my mother used to make the BEST pepperoni rolls and now when we
go in, we normally bring some pepperoni rolls back from either Tomaro’s Bakery
in Glen Elk or Denunzio's in Northview. I also to her that this was something
that you could not find in the Northern Virginia area - which is a shame.
I told her the next time she
was in Clarksburg; she should go to Ritzy Lunch for some HOT DOGS for lunch and
then go to Twin Oaks for a HOAGIE for dinner.
SMALL WORLD!!!!!!
QUILTS, QUILTS, QUILTS
I LOVE THEM AND I NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THEM
From: Joe Malone (WI 1952)
Ro -
You never seem to get enough "Quilts" or at least photos of them. I
was cleaning out some drawers today and found a rolled-up "Xmas
Quilt" wall hanging. Apparently, my sister sent it to me as a Xmas gift in
1993. The attached note in excellent hand-scrolled calligraphy read:
Fort New Salem
Living History Center at Salem-Teikyo University
Salem, West Virginia
From the Quilting Ladies' Shop
1993
Folk Art Santa
Limited Edition of 5
#2
I thought it might fit well
into your December (Xmas) issue as well as promote your Quilt Raffle?
DRIVE THROUGH CLARKSBURG WV.
This great video (above) is from You Tube. I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too.
From: Augie Malfregeot (WI 1956)
We all know the Ritzy Lunch restaurant. More than likely
90% of us have eaten there many times. Here is a great link, check it out HERE.
THE
CHORDS/PRODIGALS
From: Leandra
Folio (daughter of Gerard Folio)
Hello,
I am
emailing because I was searching for pictures of my grandfather's band from the
1950’s on the internet, and I came across postings in this newsletter that
mentioned the band. The postings were on the old website; the issue was 103
published in February 2008. Someone had made a posting where they requested
that if anybody had photos of the band while they were performing or young, to
send them to the provided email address. I tried contacting the email, but it came
back in my email that it could not be delivered to that address. So I was
wondering if you had any photos of them in your archives The original band was
called The Prodigals, but they started out as The Chords. My grandfather was a
member of the band; his name is Gerard Folio.
Thank
You
EDITOR’S NOTE: I hope
you can send us a picture of The Chords/Prodigals. All of us would like to see
a picture and remember, so send the picture to me. You can scan it and email it
to Roleta1@aol.com
or have a copy made at Wal-Mart or a photo center and mail it to me.
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
and I will make sure Leandra
receives it
Thank
you.
SANTA DELIVERS
Santa
delivering toys during the Blitz in London in 1940, WW II
INTERESTING WV PROPERTY FOR SALE
WANT TO
GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?
WANT TO
HAVE A “SAFE PLACE”
FOR A
FEW SELECT PEOPLE?
From: Mike Snyder (WI 1956)
Most
folks up this way have known about it for years, but outside the region? It was
a big, super-spook NSA spy operation--via electronic and telemetry--listening
to people, governments, militaries, etc. around the world. It was manned by
U.S. Navy sailors and officers deep in the mountains of Pendleton County. I
have been there on occasions when I was over in Sugar Grove--close to the
Rockingham County, VA line.
Then,
bang, about two years ago it was closed and everyone left but security guards
and now it is on the auction block. A chance to buy a genuine spy village in
the middle of nowhere.
Any bidders!
I'll let you know if I hear who buys it.
One
hundred and twenty three acre mountain retreat! Has a town already! Just bring your relatives and start your own
town? It even has a 6 bay fire department garage!
Check
it out! CLICK HERE
SUGAR GROVE STATION, W.Va.
Secret Code
Name – WSJ
My
thanks to the following who sent their gifts to the WIN Scholarship this month.
Tickets for the quilt would make wonderful Christmas presents. It only takes
one ticket to win!
Those
who gave so generously to the WIN Scholarship in November 2016 are:
Allen Alvarez
Peggy Jane Morris
Jim and Sonja Grossa Alvaro
Herbert Cashman
Margaret and Brian McIntyre
James A Fragale
Barbra Charles
Doug Ash
Some of
those listed above, gave their money to the WIN Scholarship and did not want
tickets for the quilt. Thank you for
your gift to the scholarship fund.
If you
would like to help support the Win Scholarship for 2017 and get tickets set
aside in your name for the drawing which will take place on April 15, 2017...
MAKE OUT YOUR CHECK TO:
Roleta
Meredith c/0 Win Scholarship
MAIL TO:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
I thank
you and the students who will receive the scholarship thank you. This is a good
way to help a Clarksburg high school graduate with their first year of college
expenses. This is called pay it forward. You help a child with their first year
college expenses and hopefully one day that student will also help a student in
some way with their college expenses and it will continue to blossom and grow.
Thank
you.
JUST TO GET YOU
INTERESTED IN THE QUILT
From: Roleta1@aol.com
Of
course the most interesting thing about the quilt is that it gives you the opportunity
to help provide a scholarship for one of the young graduates from R C Byrd High
School. And by giving at this time of year, you may also purchase some tickets
in the drawing and you might win a beautiful quilt “Pieces of the Past”, is the
quilt made to earn money for the 2017 WIN Scholarship. This is our only money
maker. 100% of the money goes to the scholarship. You may give to the
scholarship without buying tickets. Just tell me what you want when you send me
your check. (See above for address).
Here is a sneak peek at some more of the
squares which will be incorporated into the 2017 WIN SHOLARSHIP QUILT:
Here's a beautifully appliqued
block from Joyce Reed Royse (WI 1962). Amazing that you could concentrate so
much while caring for your husband's health, however, imagine it was therapy at
the same time. Thanks so much for participating again this year.
From: Dianne J. Kanzler (WI 1953)
Here is my quilt block for the 2017 WIN quilt.
SCHOOLHOUSE
This pattern originated in the United States in the
mid-1880s. The design and its variations include House, Schoolhouse, Little Red
Schoolhouse, House on the Hill, Old Kentucky Home, The Old Homestead and Jack’s
House.
The third quilt square to be featured this month is:
From: Carolyn Layfield Cady (WI 1953)
JACOB LADDER
See photo below of my block for
the WI quilt. The name is Jacob's Ladder, an old block from the thirties or
earlier. I used the vintage fabrics that were in my packet, and two from my
Mother's and Grandmother's fabrics. I am pleased with the way it turned out
though it is different in style from others submitted so far.
A THANK YOU NOTE
FROM ONE OF THE RECEIPIENTS
OF THE
2016 WIN SCHOLARSHIP
Mid-Term
Results
From: Cassidy Pinion (RC Byrd
HS 2016)
Cassidypinion6@gmail.com
First off, I want to say thank
you again to you and the readers of the WI Newsletter for awarding me this
scholarship. Having this scholarship enabled me to pay for my first year of
college without taking out loans; which made my financial situation less
stressful.
Second, I would like to share
with you how I'm doing in school. I have A's in all of my classes except for
one B in my Bio Lab.
I love WVU! I love my classes,
teachers, and the atmosphere the school provides. I was somewhat surprised at
how well I was doing, but it just goes to show how much hard work (and many
late nights studying) pays off. I will be sending you another email at the end
of the semester to give you more information about my grades! If you need any
other information let me know!
Thank you.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have included Cassidy’s e-mail
address in case you would like to write a letter of encouragement to her and
introduce yourself as a supporter of the WIN SCHOLARSHIP. Kids love to hear
from people who care.
From:
Bob Twigg (WI 1955)
Someone
brought up about my cars. Well here goes.
My
first car was a 1927 Ford Roadster with a rumble seat.
I
remember one trip that was made to a basketball tournament in Parkersburg
around 1954. WI was playing, don't remember who?? There were four of us. Got to
Parkersburg and the auditorium. There was construction going on everywhere.
Parking was a big problem, construction around auditorium and the street was
not finished in front of building. It was a muddy mess so I bailed off into
that mud drove up to the front door, parked and went inside and watched the
ball game. After the game the car was still there with no ticket on it. We had
a motel room, stayed overnight and started home next morning.
About
half way home the car started to miss some and after awhile it just quit. I got
out and raised the hood and found the carburetor had come loose from the
manifold. I waited for the engine to cool down, tightened it down and drove on
to Clarksburg.
Later
on I traded the car for a 1936 Ford four door convertible. This is the one that
I painted with mom's vacuum sweeper. I had help from my friends.
I
remember a trip to Romney, Camp Peterkin, some of my friends had girl friends at
the camp so we went down to visit. I don't remember if we got to visit but I do
remember the sunburn that we got on the way down there. On the camp ground or
close by there was a nice trout stream with cool water. We used that to cool
off for a while and returned home. I learned one thing on that trip, don't ride
with the top down in the heat of the day.
From: Mitch Davis (WI 1961)
All of us take some things for granted but I'm happy to
say, receiving your newsletter is not one of them, the monthly newsletter is
always a special occasion. I hope you realize what a wonderful contribution you
are making to so many people's lives. Keeping us connected and maintaining long
established friendships, and simply keeping memories fresh - it's a wonderful
thing!
The November issue was a touching one for me. First, my
brother Paul Davis had his obit included. He was a faithful reader of the
newsletter.
Secondly, I was surprised by the list of deceased 1961
classmates. All in all, the list included 48 names. It totally over whelmed me.
I don't remember how many people were in the WI class of 1961 but I'm shocked
and deeply saddened by those who have passed. Their memories will live on in
our hearts.
Thank you for all you do to keep us from never forgetting
who we are and where we came from.
God Bless.
From: Nancy Swing (WI 1961)
As always, you do such a fine
job, and this one was especially interesting to me, because there was a lot of
news from the class of 1961 Yep, I remember The Electras, and I remember all
those departed classmates. Hard to imagine there are so many.
By the way, wonderful to see a
picture of you. We always wonder what someone looks like whom we only know in
print. Now I feel like I know you better, if only your appearance. And that's
pretty darn good!!
From: David Saucer (WI 1951)
Being so far away in California
I very much enjoy reading the newsletter every month and so much appreciate all
the effort you put forward to produce and you do produce it very well. Almost
all of my WV relatives are gone now and I have only a very few close WI friends
that I keep in touch with so I really enjoy the news about WI, Clarksburg,
class mates and activities.
I always have good intentions
to write or comment and will try to be more responsive.
As one of the shrinking
membership of the Class of 1951 I am happy that you print the obits of those
dear classmates/friends we lose too often lately.
Thank you again
From:
David B Bates (WI 1951)
The
Newsletter has been, and remains the most looked for email each and every
month.
From
the tone in recent months I get the impression that it is over working you and
that you feel the "audience" support of your noble efforts is not
being realized and fulfilled by them. The lack of participation, if it is so,
is pathetic.
As a
maybe humorous after thought, for years when I've read the address,
"winewsletter..." I've tried to figure out why. I was reading
"WINE..”
Thank
You and Cheers!!!
From: Arreta
Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940)
I just
happened to think of something that made us laugh one time when my brother
Carris (WI Class of 1942) came home on leave from the military. He had enlisted
in the Air Force right after his 18th birthday and the United States was deep
into WWII. When the war was over, he went to WVU and was enrolled when the
Korean conflict occurred. He was called out of the Reserves and was again
flying planes against an enemy. This time he decided to stay in the military
and make it his career. Skip a few years and I was working in Greece while he
was stationed in Turkey. He flew a circuit that included Athens so we would get
together for dinner every time he landed there. It was wonderful to be with him
so often because the military can keep you away from home a lot! He had been
away from the United States for a long while when he got a month's leave. He
was asking us at home what was new and what had been going on, etc. My brother
Darrell (WI class of 1944) said" you should know we now have electric
toothbrushes". Carris looked up at him and said" Now you don't expect
me to believe that!:" I haven't been gone that long!" and we all
assured him it was true. He still thought we were kidding until one of us brought
a toothbrush and showed him it was powered with batteries. We got a big laugh
out of his amazement. Lots of things can happen when you are far from home.
Carris was going to be stationed in the United States so he decided to buy a
car. When he bought it, he told the salesman, "You will have to teach me
to drive it. I can fly a plane, but I can't drive a car". Wow. Think about
it, when did he ever have a chance to either own a car or learn to drive one? I
think of these little things that WI graduates have endured. One of these days
who is going to tell the next generation?
CLASSMATES
MEET MONTHLY FOR BREAKFAST
From: Julia Davis Pinti (WI
1959)
I graduated in 1959 but my
husband graduated in 1958.
I wish to give a big thanks to
Penney Boyles (WI 1958). Penny organizes a get together Breakfast every second
Friday of the month for her classmates. We meet at the FOP in Nutter Fort. As
near as we can remember it has been going on four years now. It has grown over
the years. She has about 15-20 people attending each month. Yes, some spouses
attend, I am one of them! We have the best time with a lot of laughs. Sadly
some have passed away since this group started getting together.
Anyone from the WI Class of
1958 is invited to attend along with their spouses. But December the lunch will
be held at 11:30 as it is the Christmas Luncheon. You don’t have to make a
reservation to attend, just show up and they will add you a chair as they
always have extras.
If anyone has questions, just
call Penny at 304-623-4995.
Maybe we can hear from others
from different classes that meet.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you get together regularly with some of your
classmates? Write and tell us about it. Write to Roleta1@aol.com
WI
1956 DECEASED CLASSMATES
ALLEN, RICHARD
BESTERMAN, CARL
BRASSEUR, ALAN
BUTCHER, JACQLINE
CLOVIS, CARL
COLLINS, THOMAS
CONAWAY, SHIRLEY JEANNINE
COOPER, ESTELLA
CORRELL, LOIS JEAN
COSTON, CAROL
DAVIS BAILEY, TONI
DAUGHERTY, ERNEST LEE
DENNISON, TOM
DRUMMOND, DANA
EDWARDS, JOSEPH
FITCH, JOHN DICK
FITTRO, PATRICIA ANN
FOLIO DAVIS, YVETTE
GABBERT, CLARK
GARRETT, JAMES
GRIBBLE, NORMAN
HEITZ SMITH, SUSAN CAROL
HENLINE, ROSE
HORNSBY WOODS, DOLORES JUNE
HUDKINS, JUDY
HUMMEL DUNCAN, BETTY
HURLEY, TOM
IACONIS, CHRISTINE
JACKSON, SANDRA
JOSEPH, GEORGE
KELLER, HOWARD
KILLINGSWORTH, MARY ELLEN
LAYFIELD, LOUIS
LUNSFORD, JAMES
LYON, DONALD
MAYER, JR, HENRY
NEWPORT, CAROLYN
OLIVERIO BETO, MARIE
OLIVERIO, ROBERT
PALMER, SHELVIE JEAN
PECK, CHARLES
PETITTO, GENE
POLING QUEEN, SANDRA
RICE, JUDY
ROSS, FREIDA ANN
SCHAFFER, NADINE
STEALEY, SANDY
SHAW, WILLIAM
SMITH, MARJORIE
SNIDER, PATRICIA
STEMPLE, HOWARD
TRICO, MIKE
WHALEY, CLIFTON
WOLF, DICK
WOOD NUTTER, ALICE
This list was kept current and provided to us by Joe
Williams (WI 1956). Thank you, Joe
EDITOR’S NOTE: I hope to list the deceased
classmates from your class. If you will please contact the person who has kept
a record of your deceased classmates and get the list sent to me, I will print it in an upcoming newsletter. This is a
great service to others who live so far away from West Virginia.
Thank you
DECEMBER MYSTERY PICTURE
Dear Readers:
Can you identify this building?
Where it is located? Do you know anything about it? (Don’t look up the information;
I want you to tell me what you know). It is in West Virginia. And all of us
know what it is!
Send your guess to Roleta1@aol.com.
I only print correct answers.
MY LETTER TO YOU LAST MONTH
From: Roleta1@aol.com
I wrote last month asking if
you wish to be removed from my mailing list to please let me know. The reason
for this letter is because I have heard that many people never even open my
email notification telling them that the newsletter is ready to read. I feel if someone doesn’t
want to open it, then it would be best to remove them from the list. I am not angry;
I am just trying to save my energy and the energy of those who help me out by
forwarding my letter on to the reader each month. (I have heard that many people do not open the email but check out the newsletter, each and every month. Are you one of them?)
I do wonder each month how I
can get an average of 2,000 hits on the blog site each month and not even receive
50 letters from readers re: the newsletter. I love receiving emails from you - just
keep on writing.
Write about anything or suggest
something that people may wish to read or write about.
Here are a few suggestions from this
month's issue:
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Suggested by Sandy Zickefoose Lindke
YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS KEEPSAKE You
might have a favorite ornament, Christmas card, favorite Christmas piece.
Whatever it is, write and tell us about it. Why is it your favorite? Where did
you get it? These are just a couple things to include in your email to me. Also, I
would love for you to take a picture of it and send it to me.
OPINIONS AND REPLIES I think this is self
explanatory.
MEMORIES Any memories you have
about family, home, friends, town, school, activities, etc. Memories are what make
up your character. We don’t know the future so we can only speak of the past.
Until
tomorrow!!!!!
Send to: Roleta1@aol.com
What were some of the FADS that
were popular when you were in school?
Here are some that Mary Sue Spahr remembers; can you add some from your
class? I graduated 3 years after Mary Sue and I don’t remember some of the
things she spoke about.
Write your memories to Roleta1@aol.com
From: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI
1956)
I loved the little white, lace trimmed collars that
we wore down inside the neck of the pullover of a sweater set. They were so
pretty and every girl had several. I wish that sweet item of clothing would
come back, but girls don't wear sweater sets anymore.
I remember some little hand held thing called a
nebbish that didn't do a darned thing except stay in your pocket or your hand.
How about cinnamon or clove oil toothpicks to annoy
teachers?
How about three tiered skirts with crinolines
underneath? Those crinolines were awful. Not only were they uncomfortable on a
warm day, but the only time they stood out as they should was when they were
new. I tried every variety of starch and never, ever got them stiff enough
after the first washing.
There were penny loafers and saddle oxfords, both
with bobby socks.
ID bands for some were a symbol of "going
steady."
Pegged pants, DA haircuts for the boys were quite
the statement.
FADS FOR GIRLS: What do you
remember? I am sure every girl in every graduation class can remember a fad or
two?
FADS FOR GUYS?: What do you
remember? Fads change from year to year and every graduating class had their own.
What was the fad when you were in school?
Thank you for helping me to
create an interesting article for the January Newsletter. Let’s see if we can
get more than 3 people to reply to this?
Thank you
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
Sports Editor: Bill Meredith
To Bill:
For someone that does not
normally follow WVU sports, I think that my prediction has to be no worse than
RIGHT ON, with my predicting 7 - 5 and them being 7 - 1 right now.
John Teter, WI 1961
Reply to John:
Most of those who guessed the
final record were at 7-5. With the Kansas and Iowa State wins and the loss to
Oklahoma, they are now at 9-2. I don't think many people thought this team was
good enough to win nine games, but they did it and have one game left against
Baylor. You did better than I did, John. We appreciate you joining all of the
WVU fans who predicted the season record.
Bill
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE
With the big win Saturday in
Ames, Iowa, the Mountaineers have exceeded the wildest dreams of most of us.
WOW!!! A 9-2 record going into their last game this coming Saturday with
Baylor. Win or lose, it has been a great season.
After the game yesterday, I was
trying to determine why most of us had been so wrong about this team. I don't
know about the rest of you, but I misjudged several things.
1. I underestimated the ability
of Skyler Howard. He has been inconsistent the last couple of years. This year,
for the most part, he has been much better. His long throws are as good as
anyone in the country.
2. The running game has
improved. It always starts with the offensive line and this year's line has
done an excellent job. Shell has run harder than in previous years, Crawford
had some great moments, McKoy was a pleasant surprise and Pettaway is a hidden
gem. They obviously needed all of that depth, because of injuries. However, if
four backs can consistently run for as many yards as these guys have run, there
has to be a constant and that is the O-line.
3. In my opinion, WVU has more
good receivers than anyone in the country. They all showed up this year. The
key has been the long ball. Once you complete a few of those, it keeps the
defense honest, which helps the running game. No one has put eight in the box
against the Mountaineers with any success this year.
4. The Big 12 is down this
year. Other than Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, the rest of the
conference is not very good. Kansas State is decent, but the rest would not be first
tier teams in any Power Five league.
5. Finally, the defense rose up
out of the ashes of all the players lost to the NFL and were amazing. That
points to one person only, Tony Gibson. I hope they never lose him. He did a
super job this year.
I didn't think that I'd ever say
this, but Dana Holgerson got it together this year. His job is safe, maybe for
several more years. I'm excited about next year and I hope you are, too.
Hats off to the Women's Soccer
Team, which is ranked No 1 in the country and playing in the Final Four. They
have been consistently good for years and here's hoping they win it all.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see another national championship for WVU? They would
join the Rifle Team as the only national champs in school history.
We'd love to hear from you.
Write to me about any sports subject. We need your input to keep this thing
going.
Bill
RIVALRY WEEK
I'm writing this on Sunday,
November 27. I feel a little "burned out" on sports. First, I was
very disappointed in the WVU basketball loss to Temple. The game just proves
the point that you need to do more than "show up" to win in
collegiate contests, regardless of who you're playing. I got the feeling that
the Mountaineers had read the score of the New Hampshire/Temple game and
thought the Owls would be an easy win. Boy, were they wrong. Coaches always say
that if you are gong to lose one, do it early in the season. Well, we did it. Maybe
now, this team will take every opponent seriously.
Living in the Greater Columbus
area for the last 55-years and having a daughter and several granddaughters who
are alums of Ohio State, Roleta and I are big Buckeye fans. I grew-up thinking
the WVU/Pitt rivalry was IT. Then, I saw first hand how 95% of the state of
Ohio won't even say the word "Michigan", referring instead to the
Wolverines as "That team up north". So, after an emotional basketball
loss on Friday, we gathered around the TV to watch THE GAME played in Columbus.
It was probably the toughest game I've "played" in several years. For
those of you who saw it, I'm sure you realize how emotional fans got on both
sides. It was a great one to win, undoubtedly putting OSU in the Final Four.
But, it was a tough one to lose as evidenced by UM Coach Jim Harbaugh's
reaction in his post game interview.
Now, it is 3:30 PM and time to
watch WVU/Iowa State. I lasted about 10-minutes before I realized that if I
continued "playing" this game, too, I would be in the ER by halftime.
So, as I've done several times in the past, I chose to tape the rest of the
game and watch it later. This gave me a chance to watch some of the
Alabama/Auburn game between chores. I always cheer for West Virginia born
coaches (even Rich Rod). When that game was about over, I went back to the
Mountaineer game and watched it all. It turned out that the game became a
"laugher", so my heart was saved for another week.
I finished the evening watching
Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles beat-up on Florida. My day of college football was
complete and very successful, my teams going 4-0. Now, if I could only go back
and find the WVU basketball team five more points, my weekend would have been
perfect.
Oh, I failed to mention that my
sweet wife prepared a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, which we shared with a
good friend of forty years. Sometimes, I forget how blessed we are to still be
reasonably healthy and able to enjoy all this life has to offer.
A Very Merry Christmas and
Prosperous New Year to All of You.
Bill
WAS THERE A "BO" JACKSON
AT YOUR SCHOOL?
As I was reading the Charleston
newspaper recently, I noticed a short article about a high school football
player named Jeremy Dillon. He is this year's starting quarterback for Mingo
Central High School in Mingo County, WV, near Williamson. According to the
article, Dillon is quite an athlete. He was an all-state choice in both
football and basketball at nearby Tug Valley High School, before transferring
to Mingo Central. He has accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Marshall
University.
 |
Courtesy Photo Jeremy Dillon (center), a junior
at Mingo Central High School, is pictured with assistant coach Mark Cline
(left) and head coach Dan D’Antoni. Dillon visited Huntington this past weekend
and attended the football game.
|
After reading the article, I concluded
that Jeremy Dillon might be the best all-around athlete to ever play at either
or both of the high schools he has attended. Then I asked myself, "Who was
the best all-around athlete at my high school while I was there?" The
answer was pretty easy. Frank DeMoss, who was two years older than me, would be
my choice. Frank played three sports and was a standout in all three. His
senior year, he pitched the 1955 team to the state baseball championship. Back
then, there was only one class for the entire state in baseball, so that was a
huge accomplishment for a school with only about 300 students. DeMoss went on
to be a lifetime scout for the Chicago Cubs. His son later played baseball at
WVU.
Every high school has had great
athletes. During your four years, who do you consider the best all-around
athlete at your school? Since we have readers of the Newsletter who graduated
in the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's, there should be dozens of male and female
athletes who would qualify.
You need not have been a graduate
of a Harrison County school to participate (I didn't). Just send me a note with
the name of your pick, where they attended school and why you chose them. I
hope to hear from so many of you that we can present them over the next few
months. Just click on the link below and let's have some fun with this.
Bill
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
From: Jim Strider (WI 1955)
That has to be the Zickefoose bunch, Rex, Sandy and Judy.
I remember Sandy and Judy from Morgan School. I was two or three years older
then they were, but I remember they always came to and left school together.
The last time I saw Sandy was in 1986 at the classes of 1955/56 joint 30th
reunion . The last time I saw Judy
was June of 1958 after she moved to Wheeling. She knew I lived in Wheeling and
contacted me. A few days later I was off to the Air Force.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have any pictures of a
person or people which we could use in the newsletter, please send it to: Roleta1@aol.com
A CORRECTION:
LEFTIES
From Roleta1@aol.com
In the November newsletter there
was an article re: Stuttering and Left Handed People from Steve Limbers (WI
1957)
Steve wrote:
“I feel I have to
comment on the left hand vs. right hand thing as it pertains to stuttering.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: As we had been
hearing from left handed people for a couple months, and I am always commenting
to try to get people to write about any and all subjects I made the comment below
at the end of his article.:
“We would love to hear from other lefties”.
Steve Limbers
wrote to me in November after the newsletter came out that he nor his wife are
left handed. I apologize if Steve or anyone else who read my note of 8 words thought
that I was implying that he and his wife were left handed. I did not think they
were left handed, (I personally don’t care what hand anyone writes with.) I was
just trying to encourage other people who are left handed to write to me about
being left handed in a right handed world. We had heard from several people
about this subject in the last couple of months. I write a note below nearly
every article to try to encourage people to write to me about that mentioned
article or about anything and everything.
OCTOBER
MYSTERY PICTURE
NEW YORK SHOE SHINE
AND HAT SHOP
From: Hank Ross (WI 1959)
re: Identification of the man in
the picture
The October picture appears to
be the New York Hat cleaners later called the New York Hat shop. The owner was
Angelo Alastanos who sill lives in Clarksburg. The man in the picture is
Angelos brother Steve who has passed away.
The store was on Pike Street beside
the strand pool room.
When the shop quit business
some of the shoeshine chairs were sold to Muriales Restaurant in Fairmont where
they are on display today.
In reply to Roleta’s
question, “How
were the hats cleaned?”
From: From Jim Smith
(Victory 1962)
People would drop the hat off at the shop. I remember
Dobbs brand as nice hat. The shop also sold new hats. In the cleaning process,
we would put the hat in a compound known as “varsol”, which was toxic and had a
strong odor. The hat was totally emerged. After that It would go on a wooden
block to keep its shape. It would be further cleaned and brushed using steam.
Most times the old bands around hat was removed and replaced with a new one.
Roleta’s
Note: A Varsol™ fluid is described in the dictionary as:
Varsol
fluids are traditional solvents that are also known as mineral spirits or white
spirits
2016 WIN SCHOLARSHIP
QUILT RAFFLE TICKETS
Remember, anyone from any place in the world can buy tickets. We accept any amount of money. We have received money to buy tickets from $5.00 to over a thousand.
Ticket Price has not increased in 10 YEARS
The quilt for the
2017 WIN Scholarship
is named:
“PIECES OF THE PAST”
HERE IS HOW TO GET YOUR LUCKY TICKET
For $5.00 - I will designate 6 tickets to your name
For $10.00 - you will receive 12 tickets reserved for you
For $50.00 - you will get 60 tickets.
If you send $100.00 - you get 120 etc.
Your chances of winning keep increasing with the more you spend
Be thoughtful, be generous, and be kind
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Roleta Meredith c/o WIN SCHOLARSHIP
MAIL CHECKS TO:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34240
HURRY DON’T FORGET
Obituary Policy: I do not look in any newsletter
for any obits. If someone dies and you would like to see the obit in the
newsletter so their Clarksburg friends will know of their passing, please send
the obit to Roleta1@aol.com.
Not all obits are printed in their entirety; some must be shortened due to
space.
SALVATORE “CHA-CHA”
CLEMENTE, JR.
Salvatore Petro “Sammy” “Cha
Cha” Clemente Jr., age 86, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away peacefully at his
home on Sunday, October 23, 2016. He was born on June 29, 1930, in Clarksburg,
a son of the late Salvatore Clemente and Jennie Montasecco (Monsick) Clemente. Sammy
as he was known to family and friends is survived by his six children, Jan
Marie Clemente of Clarksburg, Salvatore Clemente and wife Tonya of Clarksburg,
Elizabeth Sampson and husband Jamie of Lumberport, Mark Clemente of Washington,
PA, Antoinette Kojsza and husband Dennis of Fairmont, and Annette Bruner and
husband John of Washington, PA; one brother, Joseph Clemente and wife Sue of
Reynoldsville; one sister, Palma Dale of Rockford, IL; seven grandchildren,
four great-grandchildren,; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Clemente was a 1948
graduate of Washington Irving High School and went on to honorably serve his
country in the United States Navy stationed on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
during the Korean War. He was a loving father and grandfather, and enjoyed
being surrounded by family and friends.
He consistently worked hard to
provide for his family. Sammy was very proud of his Italian heritage, traveling
to Italy on several occasions, and found great delight every year at the
Italian Heritage Festival.
CHARLES CHESTER WILLIAMS
Carl Chester Williams, 84,
passed away on November 12, 2016, at his residence. He was born on February 5,
1932, the son of the late John Everett and Velda Morgan Williams. Carl
graduated from Victory High School in 1950 and then entered into the United
States Navy for four years. In 1960, he graduated from West Virginia University
with a bachelor degree in Education, then later earned his master’s degree in
Education. Carl taught science at Gore Junior High School for 34 years.
Carl is survived by a sister,
Barbara Ann Arnett and a niece, Ruth Ann Blair, and many more nieces and
nephews. In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by four
sisters, Dorothy Jacobs and three infants; three brothers, John, Jimmy and Ray
Williams.
Carl’s happiest years of his
life were spent with The Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member for
over 50 years and secretary of Adamston IOOF Lodge 263; a member of the Ivy Rebekah
Lodge 112 and Jurisdiction Encampment No. 200; Canton Tucker No. 8, Elkins, WV,
Grand Patriarch 1970 – 71; Grand Encampment of WV IOOF; Grand Master 1978 of
the Grand Lodge of WV IOOF; served as Sovereign Grand Master of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge 1992. In 197 years, he is one of three persons from West Virginia
to have served as Sovereign Grand Master. Carl was chairman for 34 years of the
WV Odd Fellows Visual Research Committee; secretary for 34 years of the WV IOOF
Grand Lodge Educational Fund; and is one of three honorees of the WV IOOF
International Drill Team Association.
SHARON BOSENAC
ROKISKY
Sharon Sue Rokisky, age 70, passed
away on October 29, 2016, following an extended illness.
Sharon was born in Clarksburg,
WV, on August 5, 1946, to Joseph and Mary Bosenac.
A 1964 graduate of Notre Dame
High School, Sharon married her high school sweetheart, Thomas F. Rokisky, on
June 29, 1968. She was a graduate of the Morgantown Beauty Academy. Sharon was
an active member of the League for Service in Clarksburg and a member of the
Holy Rosary and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches. She and Tom resided in
Berkeley Springs, WV, before moving to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, in 2013.
Sharon is survived by her
husband of 48 years, Thomas F. Rokisky; two children, Krista (Scott) Henderson
and Joseph “Jody” and wife Kerri Harman Rokisky
Sharon was the loving “Nanie”
to four grandchildren. She is survived by one sister, Shirley Ann Bosanec;
sister-in-law, Barbara Roman and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by
her infant daughter, Tonya Renee Rokisky, on July 23, 1969; her parents, Joseph
and Mary Margaret (Barbino) Bosanec; sister, Sarah “Weezie” Rymasz; her loving
in-laws, Frank and Mildred Rokisky, all from Clarksburg; and brother-in-law Lew
“GeGee” Roman of St. Albans.
HELEN WUCHER PERKINS
Helen (Flavion)
Wuchner-Perkins, passed away on October 31, 2016, surrounded by her family.
She was the daughter of the
late Rene and Netta (Reigel) Flavion.
Helen is survived by her
children, Michael and Regina Wuchner, Marilyn and Bill Fox, Marlene and David
Sheridan, Mark Wuchner and Donna Marshall, Rusty and Cathy Moore; 12
grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a
sister-in-law, Cissy and Betty Perkins.
In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by her loving husbands, Lewis G. Wuchner and Hillis J.
Perkins; sisters and brothers-in-law, Genevieve and Leo Stadler, Louise and
Sylvester “Punk” Naumann, Donnie, Woodrow and Ronnie Perkins.
Helen graduated from Victory
High School and attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She was a member of
St. James Catholic Church.
Helen worked for the City of
Clarksburg in the Waste Department for many years. Upon retirement, she volunteered
at a local health clinic.
PHYLLIS JEAN HUGHES VINCENT
Phyllis Jean Hughes Vincent,
83, Shinnston, passed away, Sunday, October 30, 2016, with her family by her
side.
She was born September 18,
1933, in Harrison County, to the late John R. and Minnie Bagby Hughes.
Phyllis is survived by her son,
Gary L. (Carla); one granddaughter, Amber Vincent; one sister Marian E. Spulock;
and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents,
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Vincent; two brothers,
Carl and Ronald Hughes; and two sisters, Hazel Brown and Vivian Hughes.
Phyllis was a graduate of
Washington Irving High School. She was a hardworking and dedicated lady,
retiring after 37 years of service with Kroger. She fought breast cancer and
won that battle in 2010. Phyllis had a strong faith in Christ being a member of
the Stealey United Methodist Church and attended the Faith Christian
Fellowship.
JEFFERY ALAN THORP
Jeffrey Alan Thorp, 51, of
Reynoldsville, passed away suddenly on October 26, 2016, at the United Hospital
Center.
He was born on January, 31,
1965, in Clarksburg, to Kenneth E. Thorp and Linda M. Valentine Thorp
Greathouse.
Jeff is survived by his parents
and wife, Carol Conner Thorp; two sons, Jeffrey A. Thorp, Jr., and Daniel
Thorp; two brothers, David and Jason Thorp; one sister, Lori (Mike) Rhoades;
two nieces and one nephew; many aunts, uncles and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his
maternal grandparents, Harry and Lula Valentine, and paternal grandparents,
Oscar and Ruby Thorp.
Jeff graduated from Liberty
High School in 1983 and then served six years in the U.S. Air Force until being
honorably discharged. He most recently worked as a field employee for the Sun
Valley PSD.
RALEIGH EVERETT BEDELL, JR.
Raleigh Everett Bedell, Jr.,
age 74, of Clarksburg, WV passed away on November 19, 2016 at Fairmont General
Hospital. He was born December 3, 1941 in Calleo, Missouri; the son of the late
Raleigh Everett Bedell, Sr. and Margaret Ann (George) Bedell.
Raleigh is survived his
step-mother, Stella Bedell; former wife, Barbara Bedell; a daughter, Elizabeth
Lebanc; a son, Richard Bedell; three granddaughters and one grandson; two
brothers, Thomas Bedell and Michael Bedell; and a sister, Rebecca Grantham
In addition to his parents, he
was preceded in death by a brother, John Anthony Bedell.
Raleigh was proud to graduate
from Washington-Irving High School in 1960. He attended Fairmont State College
and was a longtime President of his local Lions Club in Maryland. He was a
veteran and served in the Army Reserve during 1960 -1966.
