March 5, 2018

Issue 223




Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton





From: Roger Young (WI 1972)

My name is Roger Young. I grew up in Clarksburg and am a 1972 graduate of WIHS. For many years I have known of this newsletter and have enjoyed excerpts from my mother initially and more recently via my siblings. I am long overdue requesting that I be included on the distribution list. I would appreciate receiving future issues.


From: Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WIHS 1952)

Roleta, you have a fantastic ministry with this newsletter.
As we age, no doubt you see where we can tend to wonder if we are still making a difference in the world. For sure, you are making a difference in many, many lives. People may not respond the way you would like to see but the ability to connect and restore memories is providing a therapy for all who read it.
I'm sorry I draw a blank when I try to think of something to contribute, probably many others have this experience. But we love the newsletter, it is a work of art and allows us to connect with a past that is personal to us. It would no doubt be discouraging when you don't hear from anyone but I hope you guys hang in there until someone else feels the inspiration. Seems it could win awards somewhere.
The February issue was just excellent. Not only providing memories but also the marvelous history regarding Bridgeport. Photography is so special as well. Guess I tend to repeat myself but it still holds. "THANKS"


From: Ruby Mathews Casto (Victory High School 1947)

I believe the Methodist Church on 2nd Street burned in 1952. I worked at Imperial Ice Cream at the time and we were working late and we could see the fire and we stood up by Bland’s Drug Store and watched it burn. Of course, there were no cameras handy. The large crowd at the Carmichael, picture in January newsletter, could have been a healing service by Katherine Kulhman as I remember taking my mother to it. I looked to see if I could see us in the picture but didn’t find us. I know that place was jamb packed that night and that was in the early 50’s.






W V PEPPERONI ROLL POPS UP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WTOP

Click here to read all about it.






THE FEBRUARY MYSTERY PICTURE




Above is the inside ticket booth (the February mystery picture) at the Robinson Grand. After you got your ticket, you would walk up to the inside door where you would give your ticket to Mrs. Nuzum.


From: Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI 1957)

The picture looks like the ticket booth at the Robinson Grand theater. I loved that place and am glad they are going to use it again. I have been watching the progress on the outside but haven't been inside to see the renovations. As a young girl, there was always a group of us going to the movie together. Then after I was allowed to date, most of the time, that is where we went. (Usually went to Sky castle or dancing until curfew after the movie,) Sometimes we went to the Ritz, but Robinson Grand was my favorite. I went to a beauty contest there in 1957 or 58 and then in later years, Mr. Buffington sponsored Summer Theater there for all the Harrison Co. kids who were interested in being in plays or the orchestra. My son starred in "Oliver", was the king in "The King and I", he was also in "Guys and Dolls" and a couple of others. Summer theater was such a great thing for the young people. They had fun, were kept busy, and made friends from other schools since it was for the county. My children loved it and were all in involved in one way or the other. As dancers, in the band, or doing scenery. During the first few Italian Festivals, well know entertainers performed there. Bonnie McGowan taught my girls dancing and her recitals were held there. I have so many good memories associated with the Robinson Grand. Also had a friend who sold the tickets out of this booth. Those were the days!!




Above are two pictures of uniforms worn by ushers at the theater. The theater was often so crowded that the usher would find you a seat. If you arrived a little late to the movie, the usher used a flashlight to guide you down the aisle to an open seat. This was big City kind of thing, wasn’t it?


From: Linda (Nutter) Gimmel (WI 1966)

I think it is the ticket window at the Robinson Grand Theater. In the mid 1990's the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant was held there and I was chairman of the house committee and worked 3 nights behind that glass. I also remember standing in line to purchase tickets to see Fidler on the Roof with Mike Simons. Let's hope they save some of the icons of the building in the rebuild soon to be completed.
The Miss WV Scholarship Pageant is the conduit for Miss WV who represents WV at Miss America. It had been held in Harrison County for many years. Originally by the Jay Cees, later by a board of directors run by Al Cox for many years. It was held at Lincoln High School for several years then moved to the Robinson Grand Theater and finally to the new Robert C Byrd High School for 3 years when it opened. It is currently held in Monongalia County each year sometime in June. The board was made up of local men and women dedicated to raising scholarship money for ladies to pay tuition. The final night of the pageant was actually televised live on WBOY with the late Mike Simons for several years when it was in Clarksburg. It took about 50 volunteers to produce and tech the three-night event. The Miss America Organization is the largest source of college scholarship funding for women in the United States.
The local board attended the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, NJ for nearly 10 years as well as national meetings in NY and CA to represent WV with our winner.
I think it was either 1995 or 1996 that JonBenet Ramsey along with her mother, Patsy (previous Miss WV) and father attended our pageant at the Robinson Grand Theater. I actually held that beautiful little girl while her mom rehearsed for her part in the show during the afternoon of the finals night.
Hope this gives you a thumb nail sketch of Miss WV and the Robinson Grand Theater.
Thanks again for all you do.


Thanks to Eugene Jaumot (Victory 1954) for the Robinson Grand pictures shown here:





Interested in reading about the history of the Robinson Grand Theater or about the project now underway? CLICK HERE -You can spend a few hours reading and searching around through the different pages offered.






Sports Editor: Bill Meredith
billmere@aol.com





THE WINNER


We announced in the December Newsletter that Bernie Cohen was the winner of the Fearless Forecast Contest, by predicting the correct final season record for the WVU football team last fall. Below is a picture of Bernie with his prizes, a WV Desk Caddy and assorted golf ball markers. It pays to play.

We'll be asking for your predictions again in the August newsletter, so do your homework on the team and submit your guess for a chance to win.




AN INCREDIBLE VIDEO


If you would like to see an incredible video of helicopter/ground crews capturing elk in Arizona to be shipped to West Virginia, take the following steps.

1. Go to wvmetronews.com

2. Click on "OUTDOORS"

3. Click on "Incredible video of elk capture in Arizona"

Many thanks to Mike Snyder (WI 1957) for sending me the link. Mike mentioned that he is a lifelong WV hunter and is proud that some of the hunters' dollars are being used in the ongoing effort to restore the majestic elk to southern West Virginia.

I certainly agree with you on that, Mike.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)





Hats off to Mike Patrick (Frankhouser), WI 1962, who retired as a broadcaster from ESPN, doing his last event on December 30, 2017. Mike has been with the network since 1982. His career included doing Sunday Night Football, college football and basketball and the Women’s Final Four.
He was and I’m sure still is a loyal Mountaineer fan. Clarksburg and the entire state of West Virginia are proud to call him one of ours and we will miss hearing him call the games. This link is to a nice article about Mike from the Charleston Gazette-Mail.


Blaine Stewart, the son of the late WVU head football coach Bill Stewart, was recently hired as a Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach by Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Steelers.
The young Stewart, a recent college graduate, began his collegiate career at James Madison and later transferred to the University of Charleston.
His father hired Mike Tomlin for his first coaching job at VMI when Bill Stewart was head football coach for the Keydets.
Mike Tomlin just got another fan.


Congratulations to the WVU Rifle Team: They recently won their 5thstraight and 11th overall Great American Rifle Conference championship. Their season record was 13-0 and they were 9-0 in conference.
On March 9 and 10, the team will be competing in the NCAA Championships at The Citadel, where they will be going for their 6thstraight national championship. A win this year would make it an even 20 for the team, which remains the only sports team at WVU to ever win an NCAA championship.


“LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!”



Send your comments on sports to me at: billmere@aol.com




WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN


As you might expect, I have a few comments on the Mountaineer basketball season. Before the season began, I was hopefully optimistic. Although I didn’t see a great team, I thought they would be competitive in most games. This proved to be true. I also thought they could compete for the Big 12 championship. This proved to be a little more difficult.
If anyone would ever stop the steak of conference crowns won by Kansas, this was the year and WVU had the talent to be that team. However, along the road, several things happened to derail the train and it didn’t happen. If you watched the games, you know what those were. Blown leads, inconsistent defense and offense, bad (or biased) officiating and losing critical home games were just a few of the struggles.
There is nothing to be gained by rehashing broken dreams, but I do want to point out a few “What Ifs”
What if the “Press" had been nearly as good as last year?
What if the team had won every game in which they had a double-digit lead?
What if someone had stepped up to take the place of a graduated Nathan Adrian on defense?
What if Daxter Miles had been as consistent as Javon Carter and Sags Konate?
What if Teddy Allen had not gotten into Huggins doghouse and had continued to score in double figures the entire season?
And finally, what if Esa Ahmad had played to his potential (which Huggins claims he has)?
Unfortunately, we all know that "What Ifs" are for dreamers and not realists. The reality is that we look forward to the Mountaineers putting together a few good games and winning the Big 12 Tournament. Then, they could do the same thing in the "Big Dance", making a deep run and showing us and the country, what Mountaineer basketball really looks like. Or am I dreaming again?

Bill (billmere@aol.com)






MYSTERY SPORTS PICTURE


Tell us about this team. What school? What year? Name as many players as you can. Do you know any of those pictured? Where are they now?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.



  


SUGGESTIONS TO JOG YOUR MEMORIES
... SO PLEASE WRITE


From: David Bates (WI 1951)

Does anyone know why the Friday morning's program at WI was called "Chapel"?
I'd always thought that chapel was a church service. Let's remember. First period, every Friday, or, first period most Fridays?????? Freshmen in the balcony, sophomores, main floor right side, juniors left side, seniors in the center. At the end of last program of the year, the seniors vacated their seats which were then filled by the juniors. Tears flowed. We sang songs from the "Hit Parade" and we learned from, or were entertained (or both), by the presentations. I would love for some of you to "fill in the blanks".

EDITOR’S NOTE: I believe the seating arrangements were the same as when I was at WI. I like the idea of the seniors vacating their seats, but I don’t remember that happening when I was at WI, do you? I remember senior chapel and the Friday pep rally type of chapel during football and basketball season. I remember as a Freshman, somethings would be extra special and the balcony would start stomping their feet only to be hushed very quickly by the home room teachers. Mine was Miss Nutter.

What do you remember? Were you ever on stage at WI on Friday morning? Why? Write and jog our memories!

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.







METHODIST CHURCH


From: Ruby Mathews Casto (Victory HS 1947)

I believe the Methodist Church on 2nd Street burned in 1952. I worked at Imperial Ice Cream at the time and we were working late and we could see the fire and we stood up by Bland’s Drug Store and watched it burn. Of course, there were no cameras handy. The large crowd at the Carmichael could have been a healing service by Katherine Kulhman as I remember taking my mother to it. I looked to see if I could see us in the picture but didn’t find us. I know that place was jamb packed that night and that was in the early 50’s.






SAVE THE DATE


From: Roleta Smith Meredith (Roleta1@aol.com)

Have you ever thought, “Oh, if I could do it one more time?” As much as I hate to admit it, our time on earth is running out. We are closer to the end than the beginning. I know that each year more and more of the people I know are no longer with us and I think, oh, if only we could have seen them one more time.

Well, that is what I have been thinking. If I could only see the people from Clarksburg one more time.

So, the spot has been reserved. I hope you will save Saturday, March 9, 2019 on your calendar to attend a Clarksburg Picnic in Sarasota, Florida at Twin Lakes Park.

Anyone from Clarksburg is invited to attend.

Contact friends in Florida and tell them to save the date!

I hope you are interested.

Just one more time - I know I said never again.

But I miss my Clarksburg, WV friends. We will do it and it will be a simple get together. Please plan to come and join us!

More information later.


 




2018 WIN SCHOLARSHIP



The goal for the 2018 Scholarship is to give one scholarship worth $5,000.00 to a graduate from R. C. Byrd High School.




So far, I have only received $1,715.00.

This is the worse response I have ever had in the history of the scholarship. Won’t you please help out with this worthy cause to help a student with the expenses of college?




It is a way for you to say thank you for your education from a Clarksburg school. A way to reach out and help someone from the younger generation. Don’t you wish someone would have helped you get a start into college?




Thanks to those who gave in February 2018:
Eleanor Ruth Kuhl (WI 1957)
Marcia Young Fletcher (WI 1964)
Sharon Gordon DiMaria (WI 1961)
Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)
Barbara McNemar Weaver
Jim and Sonja Alvaro (WI 1956 and Bridgeport 1958)
Catherine Custer Burke (WI 1952)
Gladys Williams (WI 1971)
Leslie McKinley Wallace (Would have been WI 1960)




Remember the drawing for the WI Scholarship Quilt will be drawn in May so hurry and get your check to me now. PLEASE DON’T FORGET!




Tickets are on sale in these amounts…$5.00 gets you 6 tickets. $20.00 gets you 24 tickets, $50.00 gets you 60 tickets and $100.00 gift gets you 120 tickets in the drawing.




Write your generous check to:
Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

Mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34240




DO IT NOW BEFORE YOU FORGET.
We are counting on you!









WI CLASS OF 1968

50TH REUNION


The WI Class of 1958 will hold their 50th Class Reunion Get together on Labor Day week-end, Friday, August 31, 2018 at Maple Lake Club House.

Saturday evening there are plans for a dinner/cruise leaving from Marietta, Ohio.

Gerald Workman is coordinating everything and can answer any questions.

Contact Gerald at rgw1968@yahoo.com


 







MEETING FAMOUS PEOPLE 


From: Blair Gloss (WI 1961)


Like all of us, I have had the opportunity to meet famous people like Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Bush (yea he was Vice President when I met him) and others. Below are a few words about some famous people I got to work with and thus got to know.
I had the good luck to work with and get to know several Astronauts. The two most famous are Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. I worked on the staff of a Presidential Commission where I worked with Buzz for about a year. Talking about his Moon experiences just did not happen but would always like to talk about the future; like how we should protect the earth from asteroids, meteors, etc. Typically, the astronauts I knew never talked about their space experiences while at work. Also, during my time working on the Presidential Commission, I worked with and got to know Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, author of a number of books and TV personality on NOVA (I can recommend his NOVA shows since he is a great teacher and public speaker). When I got to know Neil Armstrong, he was the head of the NASA Aeronautics Advisory Committee. Some of the things that struck me about Neil was he was very smart, always a gentleman, demonstrated a sense of grace that you don’t see in many people, would not sign autographs (people would sell them and he did not approve or that) and he believed that each person was allotted only so many heart beats and he did not want to waste any of his doing something he did not want to do.


From: John Teter (WI 1961)

I remember running into (meeting) actor Martin Sheen at a rental car facility at Dulles Airport in Virginia several years ago. I do not remember exactly why I was renting a car, but there he was. I asked him for his autograph for my girlfriend at the time, and he gladly signed "something" with her name on the paper as well. I gave it to her when I next saw her, but I can honestly say that she was not a "collector" of celebrity signatures and that signature was probably tossed out.
I asked Martin what he was doing in town (like he was an old friend), and he told me he had come into D.C. for some kind of charity dinner.
Living in the Washington, D.C. area, I would often run into Washington Redskin football players, but I do not remember ever talking to any of them.
I saw Joe Jacoby at a 7-Eleven (I am 6 ft 4, and I had TO LOOK UP TO SEE HIS FACE)
I saw Joe Theisman at a McDonald’s
I saw Dexter Manley at a Safeway
I saw Charles Mann visiting Dave Butz at a house close to where I used to live
I saw Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, and some of the other Redskins at a restaurant in Alexandria
All were very interactive with the people in each of these places.


From: Martha Jett (RW 1979)

I would like to share an experience I had with a celebrity. Back when television had commercials for cigars, the name of Edie Adams was very well known. She was the spokesperson for Muriel Cigars in the 1960’s. People might remember her famous line, “Why don’t you pick one up and smoke it sometime?” Edie was also a famous television, screen and stage star. She had been married to the great comic, Ernie Kovacs. She appeared on Broadway and had her own television series called “Here’s Edie”. One of my favorite movies she stared in was “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”.




In 2004 I visited a friend in Hollywood who worked for the Screen Writer’s Guild. She asked if I would like to meet Edie Adams. I was a huge fan of Ernie Kovacs and loved Edie I was very excited to have the opportunity to meet her in person. We went to her house in Bely Hills. She was so gracious and welcomed me into her lovely home. There were photographs all over her walls, signed photos of Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx, etc. It was jaw dropping memorabilia. She asked me to be seated on her sofa while she got us drinks Here was this little farm girl from Lost Creek, West Virginia on Edie Adams’ couch! On one end was an Emmy Award and on the other end a Tony Award. Well, I felt like I was in a dream. Later we went into her kitchen and sat around the table eating ice cream She told stories about working with such stars as Steve McQueen, Henry Fonda and others. Edie was wonderful and made me feel so at home.
I invited her to be a special guest at the Buster Keaton Celebration in Kansas the upcoming September and she agreed to attend. I was on the committee for the event, so we centered our Celebration on Edie and her deceased husband, Ernie Kovacs. Ernie had worked with Buster Keaton on a television show and Edie worked with him in the “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” movie. She was honored to get the award we presented her an was such a delight.
Her great beauty was not at all like it once had been. But, her love for show business never diminished over the years. As soon as a camera was on or am audience was around she was in the star mode
I was honored to have met her. We kept in touch until the time she passed away in 2008.
That was this farm girl from West Virginia’s brush with fame. It was an experience I will never forget.




From: Carolyn Burnside (WI 1952)

Lord Harold Wilson former PM of G B. Our daughter invited us to his lecture to her class. We entered the elevator with two other occupants. After all said Good Morning the man next to Cappy asked ‘Where in the states are you from?’ WV. I've been to the Greenbrier!!! Imagine our delight in London that last someone who knows there is a West V. We enjoyed a fine conversation until he was called for his lecture and then continued after when Cappy took the photograph. An interesting pleasant man.
I grew up in Stealey. Always thought it was Angle Inn.



  



AMERICAN MUSEUM OF GLASS



From: Mike Snyder (WI 1957)

It was billed as the Valentine Chocolate Festival and was to be held on February 10 at the American Museum of Glass on Main Street in Weston. So, this writer figured it would be an interesting winter break and also make a nice Valentine observance for his wife.
The festival lived up to its billing and delivered unlimited chocolate treats in every possible concoction imaginable. But it also exposed us to an even greater West Virginia and American treasure—a rich and vibrant remembrance of the great era of glass making in this country focusing on the years from 1800 to the present. Weston was an important manufacturing center of hand-blown crystal.
Many Washington Irving grads, along with additional thousands from the Clarksburg area's other schools are a part of this heritage. Those who were glass workers, and those whose fathers, mothers, and relatives worked in this once-mighty industry are urged to visit this large museum collection of some 84,000 cataloged pieces of American glassware, 18,000 pieces of which are on display. There's an almost endless variety of patterns, colors, and forms...from early glass bottles, tableware for everyday use, to the most elegant hand-cut, etched and decorated pieces, even marbles. The Steuben Glass crystal sculpture display in the front is especially an example of glassblowing expression in highest form. All of the records of the American Flint Glassworkers Union are archived here. Many names connected to Clarksburg are in these records.

DISPLAYING TRIBUTE TO THE CRAFTSMEN

Very importantly, strong attention has been paid to the industry's skilled artisans and tradesmen and the tools they used which are prominently featured. I especially related to the mould making exhibit, as my father Enoch, WI 1929, earned our family's livelihood from this skilled trade at the Hazel Atlas. Another display paid tribute to the Belgians who brought their flat glass making and glass cutting skills to West Virginia, and especially to Clarksburg. Maybe the resourceful Tim Cork can find out just how many thousands of jobs, many of which were union, there were in the Clarksburg area when glass making was at its peak.
If and when Lewis County experiences a financial windfall from the burgeoning gas industry boom now underway, envision this: a very handsome architecture-designed building with lines inspired by the graceful shapes of the most beautiful pieces of hand-blown crystal. Located on a lovely tract of greenery with curving driveways and a large parking area—to lodge a continuous influx of travelers drawn to it by interstate signs and billboards throughout the area.
This writer was so moved by this rich heritage memorial to our fathers' great and illustrious industry, that he is signing up for a supporting membership in the museum to contribute to its continuing efforts and also to receive its handsome quarterly magazine.
For more information go to: www.magwv.com






THE MARCH MYSTERY PICTURE


Name the building above and tell us who went there and why? Tell us anything you can about the building, including location if you can.

I only publish correct answers that have your name, school and year of graduation.

Thank you for trying to identify this building.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.






WERE YOU IN THE MARCHING BAND?


Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.


From: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS 1957)

I was in my high school band for three years. During that time, the band attended many festivals and parades. In fact, the reason I was a band member was due to an appearance our band made at the Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood, WV.
We had four sousaphone players in the band. These instruments are commonly called bass horns and are quite heavy. Apparently, while attending the festival, three of the bass players acquired some moonshine or hard cider and got a little tipsy. When this was discovered by the band director, they were dismissed from the band upon arriving back at the high school.
The following Monday morning I along with two of my male classmates were recruited by the principal to be the new bass players. We were not given a choice, we were told what our new role would be. That’s the way it was done at our school in the late fall of 1953. The principal was the king and you didn’t cross him.
Everything went well until we were selected to compete in the state band festival in Huntington, WV that spring. I had never marched in a parade, any parade, let alone one carrying a heavy bass horn. Then, we were told that the parade would be about a 5-mile march. I knew that I was in trouble. Although I was tall enough, I probably weighed about 145 lbs. soaking wet.
I don’t know if the parade route was five miles long or not, but it felt like 20 miles while I was marching with that horn. I made it, but not by much. The next morning, I was so sore in my groin area that I could barely walk. My fellow bass players never complained, nor did I, but I could tell they were definitely feeling the pain.
We all marched in dozens of parades after that, including some long ones, but I never had a problem again. Overall, I had a great time as a band member and have fond memories of the good times we had and friends I made during those years.




Above is a picture of a high school band marching. Tell us what school they are from? What year was it? Do you know the town? Do you recognize any of the stores? Are you in the picture? Do you recognize anyone pictured? Tell us anything about this? Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.






HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS


Did you have a newsletter at your high school that was put out by students? Tell us about it. What was the name who ran it, who wrote in it? What all was included? 

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.






DATING IN THE 1950’s


From: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)

Though I didn't date much in junior high or high school, I did date enough to learn the rules. First, a girl never, never, never called a boy if she was interested in him. It was, in my world, the job of the boys to do the phoning and asking for dates. Well, heck, what if the boy you liked didn't even know you were on this planet (or that's the way he acted?) There were little things a girl could do. She could dress nicely, smile a lot and try to put herself into his line of vision. If he had the same study hall she had and often went to the library, she might go to the library more frequently. I don't know how much reading would get done, but a little would be better than none. She might also join some of the clubs to which he belonged. Additionally, if she had a close friend who knew the guy, she could share that she had a "crush" on someone in the hope the friend would suggest that the girl was available and was very nice. If an organization to which the girl belonged had a "Sadie Hawkins" dance, that would be the perfect time to invite the guy. Oh my, oh my, I can still remember having palpitations and tachycardia as I tried to dial his phone number. I feared he'd hang up when I told him who I was. I feared he'd turn me down. Mostly, I think I just feared trying to talk to him and tell him the reason for the call. I only remember ever calling two boys and both of them said yes.
I don't know how kids of today manage the dating game, but I'm sure the rules have relaxed quite a lot.
Do any of you ladies remember the same things remember? Did you ever call boys? Did you ever have a friend arrange a blind date? Are you happy that girls now experience more freedom than they did in the 1950’s?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.

Tell me what it was like when you were dating, waiting to date, getting a date, etc.?

Another subject----Who was your first date? Do you remember? Where did you go? Who ask who to go out? Did you know this person from school?

Write and tell us---Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.
  





From: Fran Barrett (WI 1950)

These are some I have noticed:
From "Appalachian Quick Reference Guide"
myep-ya = May I help you?
mear-mint = Come here a minute.
Rat-chere = right here (or thar)
y'all = you all
all-y'all = plural of y'all
pur-n-nir = pretty near


From "Hill’n Holler Expressions"
Crick = a stiffness. I got a crick in my backside.
Dat = Quick spoken form of that
Far = Used for cooking and heating
Fetch = bring
Fur piece = Long distance

Do you recognize any of these? Do you remember people saying them? Do you have any that we can add to the list?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.






What is the craziest thing you can remember anyone ever doing at the high school?

Was it a stink bomb in the basement? Was it a liquor bottle places in some teacher’s desk? Was it someone who jumped off the second floor? Was it a crazy trip up route 50 at 80 miles an hour? How about a race to the top of Bridgeport hill? Or a race to cross the railroad track when a train was approaching?

Get the idea? Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.






Gary Robey (WI 1957) robey_g@yahoo.com

Delete the following:

Lola Louise Skufe Cox (WI 1960) LolalCox@aol.com
Cheryl Fain Cummings Mehulic (WI 1974) ccredd46@ma.rr.com








From: James Fragale (WI 1958)

Row 1 might be Peter J. Fragale?






FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN SCHOOL IN CLARKSBURG


Below are 2 of the exchange students who were at WI in the 1950’s.
Were there any others? Wonder who arranged all of this?

What a wonderful opportunity for all involved.

If you remember an exchange student or anything about one, please write and tell us as this is WI History.  Write to Roleta1@aol.com

When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

Thank you.


UDO THIEM

From: John Teter (WI 1961)

There was a foreign exchange student in the WI, class of 1961. I am not sure but I think he may have been from Germany? Rick Wilson may know more about Udo, as I think that Udo may have lived with Rick's family back in 1961. Udo is in the picture of the 1961 track team that was in last month's WI newsletter. It would be interesting to know who went to the country that Udo was from, as our exchange student?
I had the displeasure of trying to track down Udo a few years ago, as I am the "record keeper" for our class. I somehow got in touch with his sister and found out that Udo had passed away. SAD.


From: Rick Wilson (WI 1961)

Udo Thiem, was a West German exchange student in the WI class of 1961. Udo’s host family, the Roses, lived on the corner of Carr and Elm St. in Clarksburg, down near Elk creek. John Rose, potentially WI class of 1962 was a reciprocal (I believe Rotary Exchange) student sent to Germany for the same school year, 1960/61. John’s older sister is as you might know Jane Rose. I don’t have handy her married name.
Rudolph (Udo) was from Hanover-Kleefeld, an urban community in greater Hanover.
Winsener Strass 23 etched in memory from correspondence. His mother has probably passed away but his sister may live there now. Udo’s father was killed on the Eastern Front in WWII when Udo was an infant. His mother was an architect, a widow, and raised the children in pretty tough, post WWII times.
Udo was one of my best friends my senior year of 1961 when he was here. He mentioned that his WI graduation credentials from 1961 would not count when he returned to Germany to attend a delayed last year at a rigorous Gymnasium. Udo’s chosen field in School and later in college was ancient and modern languages. He wanted to become an archivist or related vocation at a library or similar institution in his future. He was already well versed in Latin and spoke standard English with a slight British accent as well or better than most of us. Udo also took fencing (epee and all) back in Germany and practiced leaps, jumps, thrusts and all kinds of stuff related for exercise. We were impressed. My mother came from her bedroom once into the living room wanting to know, “who’s doing all that stomping?” Udo graduated from the University of Tubingen and did find work in his chosen field.
When here, he taught me some elementary German; you know, the kind of stuff that sailors talk about in foreign ports.
When Udo first arrived in the States, Linda Matthews, now Largay and also WI 1961, suggested we befriend Udo and introduce him around. We all hung out together pretty much the rest of that school year and we were together for other activities such as the Moose dances locally. I remember also Udo was with us on the New York City Christmas trip sponsored by Ms. Pat Dodd in late 1960. Ms. Dodd was well acquainted with the owner of Jack Silverman’s International Restaurant in NY, a night club where we had a wonderful dinner after seeing all the sights, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Bldg., and the Rockette’s Radio City Music Hall Christmas show. All of us stated we were 18, so we could imbibe freely in NY City in those days. Big stuff! Udo and I ate at least two meals in NYC that trip at “Louie’s” a block or two right off of Times Square because the food was great and the $2.00 dinner cost only twice one in Clarksburg.
I think someone has already mentioned Silverman’s night club before in one of your letters and sent in the group picture. I also still have my original in a folder. My, -what memories.
Udo once walked about five or six miles from town south on US 19 to go sled riding with us in his street shoes through a heavy snow. Showed up, sat by the fire and told us, “how quick the walk was.” So, even more impressive since he didn’t know the old street-car tracks shortcut.
I could go on and on with Udo stories; I’m sure many will remember their own. Udo simply defined a “Gentleman and a Scholar.” I did see Udo later in life, around 1979 or so when he returned with a friend to the States and visited me in Tamarack, Pa. in the northern mountains where my family and I then lived in a Consolidated Gas (CNG) company house. They spent the night, toured the underground natural gas facilities and large compressor station there, then returning to Buffalo, NY where his friend lived. He had applied to emigrate to the US but never received approval beyond temporary visas. I’d lost track of Udo after that but did also exchange emails with his sister Frauke shortly after Udo’s death several years ago after John Teter tracked down the particulars.
Respectfully, and very thankful for all your newsletter work.


PER KRISTER GORAN BOETHIUS

From: Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI 1958)

Yes, there was an exchange student in the graduating class of 1957, Goran Boethius from Sweden. He was a year ahead of me but was in one of my classes.
I have a fond memory of going for a long walk in the snow with him.
Wonder if he stayed here.


From: David J. André (WI 1960)

In the February 2018 edition of the WI Newsletter you asked about exchange students. In 1956, my freshman year at WI, my family hosted an American Field Service exchange student who lived with us and attended WI. His name was Goran Boethius and he was from Gothenburg Sweden. Goran (pronounced ‘your On’) joined our family at our summer house in Chautauqua, NY in late August. Then he came home to Clarksburg where we lived on Milford Street in Stealey. Because he had actually already graduated from the Swedish equivalent of high school and was primarily here to improve his English and learn about the United States, he took a modified curriculum. He stayed with us until June of 1957 when he joined other AFS exchange students for a bus tour of the United States before returning to Sweden.
Since then he has been back to US many times. His parents and his two brothers and sister have all visited here many times. In fact, his sister went to the University of Wisconsin where she met and married a fellow student and lives in Madison.
Goran became a doctor, in fact an internationally renowned pulmonologist who has lectured at medical conventions in the US, Europe and Asia. He is married and has two children. He is now retired and lives in a small community on the west coast of Sweden. I visited him the summer of 2016 and stayed in the guest house Goran built himself next to his main house. He and his wife Brigitta are typical Swedes, starting their mornings with a swim in the cold ocean waters a short walk from their house.





SHARON LOUISE SUTTON



Sharon Louise Sutton, 66, of Clarksburg, WV, February 1, 2018, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg. She was born in Clarksburg on June 6, 1951, a daughter of the late William E. Sutton and Thelma (Moneypenny) Sutton.

Sharon is survived by three sisters: Mrs. James (Loretta) Corder, Mrs. Paul (Shirlene) Starr, and Mrs. Gail (Debbie) McIe. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Sharon was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, Class of 1970. She retired from the United States Army, worked at Anchor Hocking Glass Plant, and then in the mailroom and housekeeping at the VA Hospital in Clarksburg. She also delivered newspapers for Clarksburg Publishing for many years. Sharon was an avid fan of WVU Mountaineers football and girls’ basketball, and she loved bowling with family and friends.


MICHAEL ROMAN

Michael Roman, 86, of Clarksburg (East View), passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at the WV Veteran’s Nursing Facility in Clarksburg.
He was born Aug. 10, 1931, a son of the late Charles and Susie Roman.
Michael is survived by two children, Mark (Kelly)Roman and Kimberly (Jeff) Swiger, four grandchildren, Jamie Swiger, Malori Roman, Michele Roman and Zack Seders; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Milo; two sisters: Margaret Saunders and Sue West; and his former wife Esther Kelley. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by four siblings, Betty Jacobs, Charles Roman, Mary Benda and Anna Libicer.
Michael was a graduate of RWHS and then served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1950-1954. He later retired from Anchor Hocking Glass Factory. Michael was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.


WALTER NOEL HARDMAN

Walter Noel Hardman, 81, of Clarksburg, passed away Jan. 30, 2018, at River Oaks Nursing Home with his wife and son by his side.
Walter was born in Flemington, Oct. 9, 1936, a son of the late Walter Worthington and Gertrude Irene Hamilton Hardman.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Lee Cornell Hardman, whom he married Aug. 29, 1964.
Also surviving are two children, Steven Noel Hardman, and Stephanie Joel Hardman-(Frank) Moore and one grandson, Justin Ryan Moore; one sister, Naoma (Harold) Boram; one brother, Norman (Sandy) Hardman; sister-in-law, Nancy; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Nelson E. Hardman; and one sister, Nina R. Pasternak.
Walter was a 1954 graduate of Victory High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-58. He was a member of the Air Force Police and trained the police service dogs.
He was a faithful Christian and had a direct line to God who watched over him for years and finally brought him home.


ROSEMARY CATHERINE MANCUSO

Rosemary Catherine Mancuso, 67, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away, January 26, 2018, at the River Oaks Nursing Home.
She was born in Clarksburg, on March 28, 1950, a daughter of the late Sam and Mary Waters Mancuso.
Rosemary is survived by her brother, Daniel F. (Sandra K.) Mancuso; two nieces and their children; one uncle, Paul (Theresa); and one aunt, Virginia Jeffries; special cousin and Sarah Reymond, as well as many cousins.
She was a graduate of RW in 1968 and retired after 32 years of service with the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital.
Rosemary was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.


JUDY ANN MICHIE HAYES

Judy Ann Michie Hayes, age 84, died in Dallas, TX on January 27th, 2018 of natural causes. Judy was born in Clarksburg, WV to Arthur Thornton Michie and Virginia Lough Michie in 1933. She was the oldest of their five children. She grew up in Clarksburg, WV, graduated in 1951 from WI and graduated from WVU where she met James (Jimmy) Lee Hayes, Jr, they married in 1956 and celebrated 46 married years together. Judy earned a degree in Education and worked as a teacher while Jimmy was in the Air Force completing his ROTC service commitment and pilot training. She retired when they started a family. After leaving the Air Force, Jimmy’s life-long career with Eastman Kodak took the family to many U.S. cities. While raising a family, Judy returned to college part-time when the family resided in Oklahoma City, OK and received a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. They returned to Dallas in 1973 and Judy resumed her career for a number of years as an elementary school librarian
She is survived by her daughter Susan Lynn Hayes and son James Lee Hayes III. She is also survived by a sister Virginia (Pep) Michie (Bruce)Culpepper; brothers-in-law Thomas M. Hayes (Donna) and David C. Hayes; sister-in-law Susan Jane Hayes and many nieces and nephews. Judy was preceded in death by her husband James Lee Hayes Jr., her parents, a sister Susan Michie Miller, and two brothers, Arthur Thornton Michie, Jr. and Phillip Michie.


ANDREW “ANDY” GEORGE KOVACH

Andrew “Andy” George Kovach, 87, of Clarksburg, passed away on February 6, 2018. He was born October 25, 1930, son of the late Joseph and Anna Kovach of Old Bridgeport Hill
Andy is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Lehosit Robinson Kovach; one brother, Stephen Kovach; three stepdaughters, Nancy and Craig Walker, Susan and Jeff Greaser, Rebecca Schmid; one stepson, Michael and Lea Robinson; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, John Kovach Sr, Joseph Kovach, Paul Kovach, and George Kovach in infancy; nephew, John Kovach Jr.
Andy graduated from Victory High School. He was a United States Air Force veteran and was an Aviation Mechanic Technician, serving at the Ramstein Air Base in Miesenbach, Germany. He attended West Virginia University.
Andy worked at Pittsburgh Plate and was in business with his brothers in building new homes. Andy and his brothers were co-owners of Central WV Vaults until his retirement. Andy was a devout Catholic, was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and loved to sing in the choir. He was also a member of the VFW and Clarksburg Elks.


DEBRA C. HAMRIC WILLIAMS

Debra C. “Debbie” Hamric Williams, 62, passed away on February 11, 2018, at the WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
She was born in Clarksburg on June 11, 1955, a daughter of the late John Dennis Hamric Sr. and Violet Lois (Grandstaff) Hamric.
Surviving are three sons, Derek Lee Hamric, Justin Andrew Hamric and Issac Gene Hamric Williams; six siblings, John D. Hamric Jr, Donna M. Baker (Ritchie), Rita C. Griffith (Charles), Marsha K. Rawls (Robert), Lisa G. Ashbaugh (John), and William L. “Bill” Hamric; and one grandson, Ryland Ian Goots. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by one brother, Stephen M. Hamric.
Debbie was a graduate of Victory High School, worked as a nurse’s aide for many years in local nursing homes, and then went on to work for the Summit Center for nearly 20 years. Debbie attended the Reynoldsville Baptist Church throughout the years and was a member of the Wilsonburg Lions Club.


ROSE MARIE SEFTICK

Rose Marie Seftick, 80, of Clarksburg, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Meadowview Manor Health Care Center.
Ms. Seftick was born August 18, 1937, in Clarksburg, daughter of the late Vendel and Mary Dallas Seftick.
She is survived by her brother, Ronald S. Seftick of Clarksburg, and was preceded in death by her brother, Donald J. Seftick.
She graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School and retired from Union National Bank where she was the Supervisor of the Proof Department.
Ms. Seftick attended the Holy Rosary Church as a youth and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarksburg. Rose was a very devout Catholic and in previous years was involved in many Catholic organizations and traveled extensively to various countries on Catholic Pilgrimages.


ROBERT LEE VAN HORN

Robert Lee Van Horn, age 86, of North View, formerly of Camden and Thorn Street, went to be with his Jesus on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
He was born November 2, 1931, in Clarksburg, WV, the son of the late James J. Van Horn and Nina Beryl (Davis) Van Horn.
Left behind to miss his beautiful smile and sense of humor is his compassionate loving wife of 7 years, Rose Marie Van Horn; his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Jeff Davis, his son and his companion, Roger Van Horn and Lori Evans, all of Clarksburg; a daughter-in-law, Melissa Lamp of Clarksburg; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two stepsons and their families; three sisters-in-law, Lucille, Alda and Eula Currence; and several nieces and nephews.
Awaiting him at the gates of Heaven will be his first wife of 57 years, Rosalie Van Horn, his daughter and son-in-law, Debra & Harold Mauller, his son, David Van Horn, his daughter-in-law, Michelle Smith and he will finally have the joy of holding his granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Rose Van Horn for the very first time.
Bob was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Vivian Plum, Alice Titchnell, and Nancy Lejeune and a brother, Jim Van Horn.
Bob was a 1951 graduate of Washington Irving High School. He got married and joined the Army where he served 4 years. He worked for Sears Roebuck and Company for 27 years where he retired in 1991.
Bob was a member of Freedom Southern Baptist Church where he served as a greeter and an usher.



ROBERT EARL BRYAN

Robert Earl Bryan, age 71 of Clarksburg, WV passed away peacefully on February 17, 2018 at his residence. He was born February 4, 1947 in Clarksburg, WV; the son of the late Charles E. Bryan and Mary A. (Vajda) Bryan. Robert is survived by his daughter, Danielle Renee Bryan & her fiancé, Willie Freeman; two nieces, Simone Marie Lopez and Susanne Michelle Golden a sister, Susanne Rogers. In addition to his parents, Robert is preceded in death by his brother, Charles “Butch” Bryan. Robert retired in 1994 from the City of Clarksburg Code Enforcement Division. He was an avid sportsman, outdoorsman, and carpenter. Robert was well known by everyone in Clarksburg for helping others.


FRANK JOSEPH ANGIULLI

Frank Joseph Angiulli, 91, of Bridgeport, WV, passed away February 16, 2018, at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility following an extended illness.
He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on January 19, 1927, a son of the late John and Mary Checcia Angiulli.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Jean “Boots” Straley Angiulli, who passed away March 27, 2009.
He is survived by one sister-in-law, Virginia Angiulli, and several nieces and nephews.
He is the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Angiulli and Mike Angiulli; one sister, Sister Johanna “Anna” Angiulli; and one sister-in-law, Roanna Gay Angiulli.
Mr. Angiulli retired from Lockheed Martin in 1986 as the director of Contract Operations with 28 years of service. He was a 1944 graduate of Victory High School and later attended Salem College, where he earned a business degree in 1951. Frank was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was Catholic by Baptism.


WONDA “CHIP” HOPE VAN HORN GRIFFIN

Wonda “Chip” Hope Van Horn Griffin, 84, of Bridgeport, departed this life on February 14, 2018.
She was born in Clarksburg on July 17, 1933, a daughter of the late Harry Corbett and Pauline Mary (McGuire) Van Horn.
Surviving are her husband, Ernest Nile Griffin, whom she married on May 3, 1958; one son, Scott Carlton Griffin; one daughter and son-in-law Sara and Jerry McDaniels; two grandchildren, Dustin Nile Evans and Julia Catherine McDaniels. She is also survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou and Charles Pitts, of Hilton Head Island, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Dolores June and Ralph Lee Ritter.
Wonda was a graduate of Washington Irving High School, class of 1950. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where she served on Church Council and many other committees. Wonda was an active member of The Elizabeth Guild. She coordinated Red Cross Blood Drives at the Church for over 30 years. She also was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and was one of the “quilting ladies” at Fort New Salem. For over 30 years, Wonda volunteered at the Mustard Seed, where she served as co-chairman. After two battles with cancer, this is what kept her going.