Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
MANY OF YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THIS
Photo is of Allegheny Mountain Ramps taken
Friday the Thirteenth, April 2018
by Jill Snyder (wife of Mike Snyder
WI 1957)
CLARKSBURG WAS HIT BY RAIN
From Eugene Jaumot (Victory 1954)
Pictured above is the new baseball field at Norwood Park.
Elk Creek over flowed on April 15 2018. The cost was 1 million dollars to
build the new baseball field which was finished about two weeks with only one
or two games having been played on it before the flood. Look at what appears to
be green waves, it is actually the new Astroturf which is rolled up due to the
water flooding onto the field. Now the cost to get it repaired is about 30-40
thousand dollars.
MEETING FAMOUS PEOPLE
From:
Betty Jo Nichols Laine (WI 1949)
My
husband, Peter Laine, was a journalist with the Knight Ridder Newspapers.
Therefore, we were fortunate to meet many famous people. The one that stands
out in my mind was His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, in
Miami Beach, Florida on March 9th, 1966, for a reception and dinner at the
Fontainebleau Hotel. There were 350 persons attending this lovely evening.
From:
Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958)
Famous people I have met:
I was a military aide for Ronald Reagan at the 1972
Republican Governors Conference at The Greenbrier. Though I only shook hands
with him twice - in a receiving line and at the Lewisburg airport before he and
Nancy boarded separate Lear jets for their return to California, I spent much of the five
days with his state police entourage. Evenings I got to kibitz in The Old White
Club as Reagan advisor Michael Deaver played piano and Mrs. Reagan’s personal
secretary, Nancy Reynolds and others sang along.
I was amused at some state
troopers I was riding with as they scouted the areas along roadways and woods
leading to the nearby Kate’s Mountain Lodge where a barbecue was to be held.
They were noting potential sniper locations, while I was wondering how a
hilltop in WV could provide a better kill zone than much of Sacramento, CA. (I
kept my wondering to myself.)
Some may recall musical comedian Pete Barbutti (he's
still around) from television appearances. He memorably played
"Laura" with a straw broom on a stand-up microphone-you had to see it
to believe it (and I can't find it on YouTube). I ran into him at O'Hare
airport in 1977, gushing my appreciation for his talent. He asked my name, and
we chatted briefly. Eleven years later, I stopped by the Clarksburg Italian
Festival after a WVU football game (which the Mountaineers won 62-14 over
Bowling Green, en route to the National Championship game). Pete Barbutti, in a
tuxedo, was the warm-up act for Jerry Vale. After his funny performance I was
leaning on a parking meter in front of the then Sheraton Hotel and suddenly
became aware that he was standing, in a sports jacket, next to me. I said hello
and related our earlier meeting and told him that I'd thought of a funny line
five minutes after we parted. I told him I should have yelled as he walked
away, "Hey Pete, I'm not really Terry Shorr."
Pete said, "Yeah, man, you should have told me
you were Paul Anka!"
A favorite memory of a favorite comic, that I got to
meet twice.
To stay up-to-date on all Class
Reunion information, past, present and future, please visit our CLASS REUNION page
HERE or look for the Class Reunion Tab at the top of the Newsletter site.
WI CLASS OF 1958
September 29 2018
The WI Class of 1958 is planning their 60th
Reunion to be held on Saturday, September 29 for one day only. We will gather
together at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
The class has been meeting for several years at our
local restaurant FOP on the second Friday of the month for breakfast. Penny
Boyles was instrumental in getting the group together. Sadly, she passed away
April 19 2017.
We still have some classmates that we cannot locate. If
anyone knows where they are living we would appreciate contacting:
Connie
Ferrell via email ferrellcc@aol.com
Linda Pritchard via e-mail
moolinda9@msn.com
Sonny Donaldson via e-mail shedrickdonadso@gmail.com
Barbara
Bradshaw Beth
Ann Hill
John
(Jack) Byrnside Dean
Henry
Sandra
Wamsley Bennet Dave
Hodges
Lorena
Smouse King Jim
Jackson
Steve
Lynch Becky
Highland Havn
Mike
Matthews Skip
and Sharon Smith
Larry
Layman Deanna
Digman Hunt
Ross
Marano Ann
Pears Jones
Louise
Posey Lanier Susan
Milstead Namy
Jean
Dillmore Mason Jay
Scott
Frank
McDonald Jim
Selario
Carol
Vanhorn Dean Dick
Rockenstein
John
Carothers Evert
Myers
John
Funk Joyce
Rice Nickelson
Yvett
Stockman Hertzig Cynthia
Mole Oats
Jeanne
Wilson Panttl
WI CLASS of 1963
55th REUNION
From:
Sara L Hall Howe (WI 1963)
September
28th and 29th 2018.
Casual dress both evenings.
Friday
night will be held at Progressive Woman’s association (“old YWCA”) on
Washington Ave. (Parking is close by.)
Saturday will be at the Best Western Plus on Lodgeville Rd.
Doors open at 5:00 -5:30 pm
CLASS PICTURE at 6 pm
DINNER at 6:30 pm
If you need any further information, contact saralhowe@yahoo.com.
THE
WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL REUNION PICNIC
ATTENTION ALL WI ALUMNI
August
25 2018
From:
Penny Shanaman Donnelly (WI 1964)
I know we are
all busy planning our summer vacations, which may include a trip home to
Clarksburg to visit family and friends, so be sure to include the Annual WI
Picnic at the Veterans Park on August 25th from 10:00 am to whenever. Look for
the Osborne Pavilion across from the Amphitheater.
We have been
able to contact a lot of the graduates from the classes of 1972 to 1980 who
were not aware of this wonderful event for all alumni. Now how can that be with
all the noise we make? Everybody in Clarksburg should know we are in town.
We have a lot
of giveaways and there is always loads of great food. We provide the tableware
and drinks, you just need to bring a covered dish and a donation to cover the
cost of renting the pavilion.
MARK your
calendars for August 25th. Can’t wait to see all our classmates again and catch
up on all that has happened since graduation.
CLARKSBURG WINTER PICNIC
SARASOTA,
FLORIDA
March 9 2019
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and make your
plans now!
One more time for old times' sake.
It will
be the first time in 3 years and the last
ever.
One final time to see everyone
and have some good times sharing
memories one more time.
NAME
THOSE PICTURED
WHERE
AND WHY WERE THEY GATHERED?
Jim Brosius, Janet Long’s husband, found this photo among her pictures
and passed it on to Joy Gregory DeFazio. She doesn’t remember the occasion but
feels certain it was about the time of the WI Class of 1959 graduation. If
anyone can identify any of them, please write and identify those pictured and
the reason they are gathered together.
Write to
Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you
did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
SCHOOL
NEWSPAPERS
From: Tony Marchiom (WI 1955)
When I was an English teacher at Washington Irving
(1973–81), the English students published a literary magazine called
SALMAGUNDI. It was a collection of original poetry, short stories, antidotes,
and even art work that the students collected and published quarterly. It was
really good. There were some really talented writers at that time. They chose
the title SALMAGUNDI from a satirical periodical that was created and written
by the author Washington Irving in the early 1800’s. The word salmagundi is a
mixture of chopped meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and anything else that the
cook decided to throw in and serve as a way to get rid of leftovers, and so the
title was very fitting to the hodgepodge content of the magazine. Washington
Irving got in trouble with his publisher for some of his articles, and his
publication was suspended after only twenty issues.
VETERAN SEARCHES
From: Dave
Kuhl (WI 1962)
Are you
a veteran and want your story told or do you know a veteran whose story you
want to tell?
HERE is a website provided by the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). Use the search window at the upper right of the above
site to search for special collections such as the “Revolutionary War”.
Caution: Watch the
address in the upper left to see if you have been tricked into following a site
outside of the Archives.
What do you need to get started? I recommend
you start with a fact sheet. List
their name as it appears on their birth certificate and every variation
including nick names. List their date and place of birth. List their parents’
names. List every fact you know or think you know. Then get started. Save every
fact and particularly look for differences from your facts.
Once
you acquire a military unit number, you will be able to do general searches on
line. Every period has different resources for searching.
For
example, this is the Civil War era website.
The
Revolutionary War era has the DAR patriot index. After WW II, the government
published unit histories. When you get results from your search put a summary
together and share it with the WI newsletter readers. Maybe you can help
someone else. Maybe they can help you. Everyone may have different experiences
in their searches.
- Good luck.
- Good luck.
WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE
The
drawing for the quilt will be the end of May, so you do have time to still buy
tickets for the quilt drawing.
The
quilt is a red and white quilt. What I have seen so far, it is beautiful.
Here is one of the squares that will be in the quilt. The square was made by Gwen Clifton Clark
(Victory HS 1956). Thank you, Gwen, for sharing your talents with us.
The
tickets are 6 for $5.00 and 12 for $10.00.
It keeps doubling up. So if you send
$50.00, you will get 60 tickets. For $100.00, you will get 120 tickets put in the
drawing. For $200.00, there will be 240 tickets put in, you can do the math...
Now's the time - send
your check for your last chance to be in the drawing.
Make
out the check to Roleta Meredith c/0 WIN Scholarship
And
mail it to:
Roleta Meredith
3025 Switzer Ave
Columbus Ohio 43219
THOSE WHO GAVE IN APRIL ARE:
Jerry
Winerman (WI 1957)
Thank you for your continuing gifts.
Terry
Shorr (WI/ELKINS 1958)
Your continuing support is greatly appreciated.
Bob
Teter (WI 1960)
Gift given in memory of Bob Secret.
Bob
Teter (WI 196o)
Gift given in memory of classmates Ronnie Shaw and Jim Collins.
Joe
Malone (WI 1952)
Thank you for your continuing support of the WI Newsletter.
Augie
Malfregeot (WI 1956)
Thank you for your support of WIN Scholarship and the WI
Newsletter.
Penny
Johnson (WI 1960)
Thanks for your continuing support.
Sandy
Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1956)
Thank you for your support over all of these past
years.
UPDATE ON A PAST WIN QUILTER
From:
Joe Malone (WI 1952)
This is a photo of my sister, Sara Jean (Sadie) Graham (WI 1943) celebrating her 92nd
birthday with her son, Ted, wife Amy, Granddaughter Allison and our
"Brobob", Bob Malone (WI 1949) @ Oliverio's on April 5th. (Note the
smile and lunchtime Margarita!) She has adjusted to the Clarksburg Rehab
Facility and has adjusted quite nicely over the past year and become "The
Bingo Queen".
I was
motivated to update you on her status as a result of your promotion of the
Annual Quilt Raffle. At one point, Sadie participated in Sue Moat's quilting
project and in fact has a small quilting frame with her in her new environment.
In recognition of her birthday, I'll buy my usual chances on the raffle (The
check's in the mail.) I think the ladies have done a marvelous job with the
red/white quilt and this has to be my year to win!
I'm
happy you and Bill are back home and enjoyed your visit to "The Promised
Land".
A shout
out to Arreta (Radcliffe) Jaranko (WI 1940)! I always enjoy her newsletter
entries!
WHO
IS THIS PERSON?
The
mystery person pictured in April's newsletter is Vincent Fragomene (WI 1959). Vince
retired from the Navy and lived for many years in Hawaii. He is now living in
the Seattle, Washington area with his wife. In the picture, he helping out his
daughter by delivering a cider keg to a downtown pub. His daughter is a part of
small group of owners that established “THE CIDERY” 2 years ago. Business is
booming and Vince likes to help out!
From: Linda
Oliverio Kolosky (WI 1960)
The Mystery
Person in the picture is Vincent Fragomene. Vincent, his brother Frank, my
brother Donnie and I all walked to school together when I was in fourth grade.
I say we walked together but the boys all walked in front and left me behind.
My family
rented a house from Vincent’s family in Glen Elk #2 for several years. It was a
great place to grow up. I lived beside my best friend Pudgy Ribas. We all
played together, the Tiano’s, the Ribas girls, Carolyn Pinella Warne, Billy and
Becky Price, Bobby Barrett and his sister and more that I can’t remember.
I live in
Annapolis, MD and my husband and I sponsored Vincent’s son when he went to the
Naval Academy. He and his family live in Seattle, Washington.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Do you have a recent picture of yourself that we can use in the newsletter? A picture showing you doing some activity? Either try to get your friends to recognize you and what you are doing or try to fool them.
Send me a picture via e-mail
and include a description of the picture.
Make sure you sign your name, school
and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you for helping out with this
new section!
Write to
Roleta1@aol.com
And remember: When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you
did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
Sports Editor: Bill Meredith
A
SPORTS MYSTERY PICTURE
Above is a
picture of a person, the mystery is, who is he? Where did he go to school and
play basketball? Do you know anything interesting about him? Share your memory.
Write your guess
to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing, please include your
name, school and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
THE 1955 WI TRACK TEAM
This picture was sent to me by Fred
Maiocco (WI 1955). How good is your memory? Send me the name of as many of
the team members as you can. In addition, include a memory about them, such as,
"He was really fast", "He dated my sister", or "He
went on to run track at Salem College". Write anything that made him stand
out in your mind.
Send your comments to me at: billmere@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
HOT ROD
To Bill:
It would be a gross exaggeration for me to say I "knew" Rod Hundley. He was a "peer" (although two months younger and a year behind me in school); I played one summer league nighttime game with him on an outdoor court in Parkersburg ('54?); As a non-scholarship, end-of-the-bench "Walk-on" @ Penn State, I got one minute of courtesy "garbage time" @ home vs. WVU; I was fouled and scored 1 pt (40/g avg.?); Drank beer/shot pool w/Rod in a local bar afterwards. My college career ended shortly thereafter. (No connection. I had to go to class per my Dad.)
Fast forward some 40+ years later while attending a Golden State Warriors/Salt Lake City Jazz game in Oakland, CA I spotted Rod (as the Jazz announcer) hanging out before the game. I approached him and he kindly waived off the security folks. He didn't know me from Adam, yet he graciously spent 10-15 minutes schmoozing with me about old times in WV. He's gone now. There are a lot of stories out there and perhaps you'll hear some. Mine simply is at the end of the day, IMHO he was a good guy!
Joe Malone (WI 1952)
Reply to Joe:
As always, it is great to hear from you. I really like your story about "meeting" Hot Rod. I'm sure most of our readers, including me, would have loved to have done what you did. The closest I ever got to him was watching his games in the old Field House. He was definitely one of a kind. I've followed college basketball since the late 40's and have never seen or heard of anyone quite like him. I, for one, think we need more of his type, who played because they loved the game, as opposed to today's "money players". I'm pretty sick of the "one and done's" and "none and done's". Bring back the four-year student/athlete.
Stay well until your trip back east. We hope to see you as you make your way through the Midwest. Safe travels.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
Bill,
I was privileged to speak with Hot Rod Hundley five or
six times over the years, always for brief exchanges. I saw him play live just
once, at the Davis and Elkins gym while he toured with the Hundley All-Stars,
following his WVU career and before he went to the NBA
Favorite memory was December, 2014, when the
Charleston YMCA gym was named in his honor. Already failing with dementia, he
didn't speak, while others did, but remained seated, natty as always in suit
and tie close to a podium on one side of the gym without bleachers. A large
audience was opposite the gym floor with 8-10 boys and girls seated on the floor
in basketball togs.
While a speaker was relating a Hot Rod story, Hundley arose
and walked across the floor, knelt down on a level with the kids and shook
hands with each, asked their names, about school and their teams, then quietly
returned to his seat. There may not have been a dry eye in the place.
Three months later he was gone.
I'd bet Hot Rod would be as excited as the rest of us
awaiting Jordan McCabe as a Mountaineer.
Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958)
Reply to Terry:
Thank you for that great story. Our family, like many
others, has been touched by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Friends and
family are invaluable at those times. Rod was certainly a unique individual and
stayed that way right up to the end.
What I often wonder when hearing stories like yours,
is what memories the children who met Rod that day will carry with them as they
grow older. They met a legend and will be able to relate the experience to
hundreds or perhaps thousands of people. That is what makes some moments in
life special. I know meeting Hot Rod would have been a highlight for me, as it
was to you and thousands of others. Unfortunately, I never had that pleasure,
so I only hope each of those children will cherish the memory.
It is nice to hear from you again. I love to hear your
stories, because they are written from both a Clarksburg and Elkins
perspective. Elkins will always be special to me, since my Mother graduated
from high school there in 1919. Wow, next year will be 100 years. I must be
getting old.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
THE MARCH SPORTS
MYSTERY PHOTO
From: Bud Collins (WI 1955)
That was the basketball team from Central Junior High
School and we were all in the eighth grade.
Left to right, front row: Bob Hart, Herman Jones, Bud
Collins, holding ball, Bob Clousson, Sam Snyder.
Left to right, back row: Ron Chartrand, Monk Junkins,
Ed Westfall, Carl Hurley, Doc Hutson.
From: James Strider (WI 1955)
From left to right I believe they are: Bob Hart; Ron
Chartrand; Unk; Unk; Bud Collins; Ed Westfall; Bob Clousson; Buck Tustin; Unk; Possibly
Jim Hutson.
Obviously, it is Central Jr High School, taken during
the 1950-51 school year. I believe Hart,Chartrand and Clousson are no longer
with us.
NORTH/SOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM
The North Team participated in the
1955 West Virginia North/South Football Game in Charleston. In the April
Newsletter, I asked for our readers to identify any of the players they
recognized. There were several from the Clarksburg area.
We had a three people who remembered
some of the players. Fred Maiocco, (WI 1955), who sent the picture, identified
Charles Moorhouse #42, Sonny Siriani #45, Rudy Columbo #62 and Fred Maiocco
#35.
Jim Alvaro, (WI 1956), recognized
Siriani, Columbo and Maiocco. In addition, he thinks that #36 in the first row
might be Paul Clayton. Also, the player in the 3rd row, second from the right
is Freddie West, who played quarterback at West Virginia Wesleyan, when Jim
played there.
Bud Collins, (WI 1955), identified
Ron Chartrand (WI) #47, Fred Maiocco (WI), Paul Clayton (WI), Rudy Columbo
(RW), Sonny Siriani (RW) and Freddie West (Unidis). He also thinks Jim Hutson
(WI) is on the team.
Many thanks to those who helped us
identify these local players. It is obvious that Harrison County was well
represented on this team.
YOU
NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’LL MEET
To Bill:
WVU Rifle
Coach Jon Hammond has spoken to the Charleston Area WVU Fan Club, and I've
watched Ginny Thrasher shoot in four matches. Ginny, most should know, garnered
a ton of international media coverage upon her Gold Medal in Air Rifle at the
2016 Rio Summer Olympics (which was a few months after she had won BOTH Small
Bore and Air Rifle NCAA Championships, as a freshman).
At an Olympics medalist recognition ceremony in Morgantown, Ginny signed
a photo for my granddaughter. Months later, back in Kentucky, I mentioned Ginny
in a conversation and my granddaughter asked, "Who's Ginny Thrasher?"
I responded, "That's her autographed picture you put on the
refrigerator."
Coach Hammond
related to our fan club a story about he and Ginny during their attendance at
the October 2016 International World Cup shooting championships in Italy (Ginny
placed third in 10M Air Rifle). As they strolled on a Rome street, a tourist
couple from Atlanta, GA noted them. Jon was wearing WVU gold and blue warm ups
and Ginny was wearing Olympic garb. Immediately the American couple was upon
them, remarking, "Wow! An Olympics fan. And WVU. Didn't WVU have the girl
winner of the first Rio Gold Medal?" Jon responded, 'Yes they did." And
the wife said, "I'll bet she is very popular when she is traveling to
other places." And Jon said, "Yes she is."
The couple
then said, "Very nice to meet you" and departed.
And they'll
never know who it was they'd just run into.
Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958)
Reply to
Terry:
Thanks for the
interesting story. An old saying from my younger days, "Who you don't meet
when you don't have your gun", is especially appropriate for this story.
It had to have been hard for the coach and Ginny to suppress their laughter.
I'm sure he will tell the story again and again, as well he should.
With all of
their championships, it is easy to like the WVU Rifle Team, but this goes one
step further, showing the human side of the coach and his player(s). Of course,
everybody loves a winner, but I have another reason for loving this team. I
don't recall anyone from rifle ever leaving school early to turn
"pro". They stay for four years, baby, and that's the way it should
be in all sports.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
From:
Bob Swiger (WI 1961)
Very sorry to hear of you and Bill’s
illness overseas. Very glad you’re home and better.
The two of you have been such a “God
Send” to all of us!!
The recent passing of some of our
classmates has once again made me very thankful for growing up in Clarksburg
during the times we did. To great extent because of your newsletter old
classmates have renewed acquaintances, caught up on each other’s lives and
celebrated and mourned with each other.
Your trip to the Holy Lands, even
with the sickness, may have been a “thank you “from the one that was born
there.
Again, thanks for all you do.
From:
Shirley Pouch Berkley (WI 1961)
I always look forward to your
newsletter and appreciate the time put into it. I especially enjoyed reading
about your trip to the Holy Land. I noticed my husband's grade school picture
(Leroy Berkley) in the newsletter, along with other students in his grade
school class and some names I recognized from high school as his classmates.
Husband graduated WI in l960.
You asked about some memories:
I remember attending the circus at
Carmichael Auditorium. I would take my younger sister Linda and one memory is
meeting and sitting with Danny Pettry, my "boyfriend" at the time. I
was in Ms. Brown's 5th grade class at Morgan, and Danny was in 6th grade and
was a patrol boy. Funny things a person remembers. I remember Danny wearing a
white toboggan in winter while on duty as a patrol boy. He patrolled bottom of
the hill from Morgan School near Duncan Ave., first street to the left downhill
from school. Was it Ash Ave? Strange what you remember and what you don't.
That's the only time I remember being with him, of course we were too young to
"date". I believe I read his obituary in your newsletter a few years
ago. I don't write for the newsletter often, but once before mentioned I began
dating Leroy Berkley right after his high school graduation. I had 1 more year
of high school left. We had both been in Mr. Hall's typing class together. We
married in August, l962. 56th anniversary in few months. We've lived in North
Carolina most of those years. Two of my high school friends were Sharon Lantz
(Hurley) and Carol Greynolds (Cleveland). Both of them have settled in North
Carolina also, I'm near Raleigh. They both are in NC mountains. We have met in
the mountains when husband was on business there but haven't seen Sharon or
Carol since he retired. Mary Jo Pulice (Benedetto) also a high school friend,
visited me once in North Carolina when she was on a business trip to Raleigh.
Well those are my memories for now. Seems when you're older you only retain so
much information. I have a hard time figuring out some of the pictures posted
and being asked to respond to what some of the buildings are. Good there are
some that do remember. Again, thanks for your dedication to the newsletter and
also your sister and husband.
From: John
Harrison (WI 1956)
I was
driving from Parkersburg to Clarksburg last week and just past Park Kubota
Tractor Sales there was a sign "Freeway ends 1/2 mile
follow
detour". I found myself on a narrow 2 lane road headed toward Salem. As I
entered the main street I notice that nearly every house
that I
passed was empty, boarded up with broken windows. Block after block it was the
same.
The
concrete arch on the left still read SALEM COLLEGE but it seemed to be a reflection
of the dying community surrounding it. My great aunt once lived and taught as
Salem College and I remembered as a young child visiting her in that community.
It was alive, vibrant and each home was neatly cared for with nice lawns.
There
were still businesses down town but the atmosphere was that of a dying town
which has become the norm for so many small
towns
across WV. I am sure the folks at Lake Floyd would be saddened as I was to see
what is happening at Salem, WV.
From:
Catherine Custer Burke (WI 1952)
In the
unidentified marching band photograph in the March issue, I recognize it as the
Washington Irving band marching on Main Street in Clarksburg. As soon as I saw
the long-skirted band sponsors, I suspected it was Washington Irving.
At the
far right in the line of band sponsors, (what they were called in those days),
is Elizabeth Braham and next to her is Barbara Antoine, both of the 1952
graduating class. Visible in the background is the entrance to the Arcade and
Aarons Shoe Store.
Had I read the entire newsletter
earlier I would have written that I remember the Masonic Temple as the location
of our Junior-Senior proms and the Order of Rainbow Girls meetings.
From:
Don Ogren (WI 1950)
I’m from class of 1950, and I enjoyed seeing the
picture of the 1952 WIHS band. Ann Brannon, I understand, wrote the story that
went with.
From: Sara Hall Howe (WI 1963)
Just a note of gratitude for your hard work and for everyone
involved in writing the newspaper. I enjoyed reading about your trip!
Thank you again.
This mystery
picture was sent to us by Eugene Jaumot (Victory 1954).
Tell us
anything you remember about this place.
The name, the location, what
was its use, any of your memories...etc.
Share
with us.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and
year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
IDEAS TO WRITE TO US
FOR THE NEWSLETTER
From: Jackie Donnellon Costello (WI 1974)
I graduated in 1974 but was a teacher in New York State until 2012! Have
been retired now but busier I think! I will be seeing my cousin Vincent
Fragomene later this month heading out West to see my daughter! Trying to think
of ideas for you how about how many of us have left WV but our children return
there for college?? 2 of my 3 did! I feel still connected to my roots! Really
proud of teachers who fought recently to be heard! I taught a few years in
Clarksburg before getting married and moving near Syracuse! I still love coming
HOME to Clarksburg and my sisters!
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and
year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
From: Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI 1958)
How many telephones did you have? Where was it? More
than one? How long was the cord? Anyone have a party line? Did you ever hear
anything juicy on the line, or any uncooperative party line users?
Where did you have lunch? Did you bring your lunch?
What was in it? Did you buy your lunch? How much did it cost?
Write your memories of these subjects to
Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and
year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
PIGEONS, PADDLES AND METHODISTS
By Mike
Snyder (WI 1957)
Let me
see if I can connect the dots on this heading. It was in early 1950's when
David Zinn and I were in the seventh grade at Central and the big Methodist
church burned down. David and I were budding explorer-archeologists and the
blackened ruins of that historic landmark loomed invitingly right next door to
the junior high. The dust was still settling from the aftermath of WWII, and for
two inquisitive boys like us, it was just too tempting for some exciting lunch
time adventures. We would take our sack (poke) lunches with us and stealthily
slip into the ruins. On different days, we made various forays all through the
lower levels, but it was the bell tower that beckoned us the strongest. Over
the charred timbers and burnt stones, our feet crunching on stained glass, rock
dust and assorted rubble, we climbed clear to the top as far as we could go.
Here we perched with the pigeons high above the city where we could look out
over the rooftops of all the buildings in that part of Clarksburg. We felt like
we were Maquis fighters in the bombed ruins of wartime France. And we had to be
super secretive because even though the Nazis were done for, we had to escape
the notice of all of our ever-vigilant teachers and any other authority
figures. But, alas, one day our lunchtime fantasy adventures came to an abrupt
and screeching halt. When we strolled back into school fresh from “our tower”
on that fateful day, it was not the head Nazi awaiting us, but a pretty scary
guy anyway—Principal E.J. Lowther himself. And gasp, he directed us to march
directly into his lair. Out came his paddle and we were told to assume the
position. Painful—very, he was an especially vigorous paddler for an old guy
with a limp. This all took place in near silence—except for the loud paddle
cracks and our yelping; and while he never did mention our ecclesiastical
explorations, we knew it was time to face the music. Our sublime lunch time
adventures had come to end with a final, inglorious thud. Who our informers
were, we never found out. Maybe it was the charcoal marks on our trousers, the
plaster dust on our shoes--even the pigeons were silent.
AMY ROBERTS VANCE
Carol Ann Schweiker (WI 1956) writes articles for the Harrison
County WV Historical Society called THE WAG*
Here is one that she wrote and is sharing with the
readers of the WI Newsletter:
Often,
we overlook a woman whose life is unrecognized because of the men in her
family. Amy Roberts Vance is now recognized as only one name of our historical
structure, The Stealey, Goff, Vance House. Her son, Cyrus Roberts Vance, was an
important part of the history of the United States and the role he played
during the Presidency of Jimmy Carter. The Vance family, and their close
relationship to John W. Davis, who ran for the US Presidency in 1924, and his
family, are part of the connections to American history and that of West
Virginia. But just who was Amy Roberts Vance, and how did her influences
encourage major social and civic development in Harrison County? Mrs. Vance Amy
Roberts, was born into a prominent family in Philadelphia in 1881. Amy Roberts
married John Carl Vance II, of Clarksburg, and would have two sons, John Carl
Vance III, and Cyrus Roberts Vance, who was born in Clarksburg in 1917. Mr.
Vance, a prominent business man, decided to move his family to Bronxville, NY
to enlarge his business as an insurance broker. He would then work with a
government agency during WWI. Unfortunately, Mr. Vance died in 1922, when his
boys, Cyrus was only 5, were still young. Following his death, Mrs. Vance would
move with her sons to Switzerland where they would attend school and learn
French. Back in the states, she may have lived with her family while the boys
were schooled. (I have not verified that period of her life.)
Mrs.
Amy Roberts Vance would eventually return to Clarksburg, West Virginia in 1934.
The boys, now young men, had gone to elite schools and were moving up in the
world of business and politics. Amy’s ties to Clarksburg were many, with the
various families who had offered their comfort during her travels and the
growth of her sons. John W. Davis, whose
ties with the various civic, political and social development of the county,
had become an “adoptive” father to young Cyrus.
Davis would mentor and introduce the young man to the world of politics
and law as he grew. Amy, in the meantime, would begin to imprint her talents
and organizational skills into the community at a time when many in Clarksburg
were needy as a result of the Depression.
Harrison County was actually booming with industry and economic development
in the 1930s. However, the need to fill
the nutritional, medical and diverse needs for many people, especially children
and young mothers, was great. Class
distinctions were very difficult to overcome. Amy stepped up to the plate, so to
speak, and her cultural and civic contributions
would
become well known. Her contributions to
such organizations as The American Red Cross, The League for Service and
“Inasmuch Baby Clinic”, were outstanding at a time when the investment by women
in volunteer and organizational efforts were most needed. Women were wives and
mothers first, but their skills were for free.
Women
in the previous century, were known as Mr. Smith’s daughter or Mr. Smith’s
wife. Through the 1980s when women were mentioned by name in newspapers, or
listings of organizations, were known as Mrs. John Smith, not Mrs. Mary
Smith. Amy Roberts Vance would defy
convention in many ways by being a driving force for the social and
intellectual community that was thriving during Clarksburg and Harrison
County’s best of times. Mrs. Amy Roberts
Vance would be involved in leadership of the Tuesday Club, a literary society;
The League for Service, the Clarksburg Country Club; The Goff Plaza Garden
Club; board of directors and founder of the Clarksburg Community Concert
Association; and the board of the Clarksburg Public Library to name just a
few. Many of those meetings were held in
her home, the “Vance House”, which she had remodeled and updated. Mrs. Amy
Roberts Vance, a widow with young children to raise on her own, was a product
of her birth and social standing; but she became a leader in her time of
widowhood and become part of the development of a community with many needs.
Those times of glory are past. Harrison
County is entering a new era of possibilities for women and girls to learn from
the past; you too can become a leader in civic and social growth, no matter the
circumstances. Thanks to some of the informative sources provided by Carolyn
Reynolds Burnside and her book “Unto the Least of These”, History of the
Clarksburg League for Service; and Dr. Helen Jones for some of her valuable
collections of research materials. Lastly, to M. Linn Maxwell for her memories
of taking tea and luncheon on the Vance House patio with her childhood friends
Amy, Grace and Camilla outfitted in their proper dresses, white gloves and best
manners. Linn’s memories of entering the Vance house from the front entrance
and seeing her young friend sitting on the stairs waiting for her, were so
touching. This makes our 1807 historic house come alive with memories of the
people that lived there. Women of all sizes, colors, social, economic, cultural
and academic levels have minds and will create, organize, and contribute. Yes,
we can!
CARMICHAEL AUDITORIUM
From:
Bob Teter (WI 1960)
I do remember playing home basketball games at this
venue for several years. I was not aware other Clarksburg schools played their
home games there as RW, Victory and Notre Dame had gyms for that purpose at the
school. I especially remember the Victory gym as it was a difficult place to
play being a real cracker box!
Thanks for all you do to keep this newsletter
interesting.
Do you
have any memories of the Carmichael? Why did you go there? Write your memories
to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and
year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
From:
John A. Teter (WI 1961)
I can remember my first date from "back in the
day". It was with Nancy LOWTHER (now Pekera). I can remember walking up
Broaddus Avenue from my parent's house to where Nancy lived, as she lived in an
upstairs "apartment" at the corner of Mulberry and Chestnut Streets.
I do not remember where we went, but it was probably to a movie, as I think
that we were too young to be going to a dance.
I later saw Nancy on a flight to or from Washington,
D.C., and also at one (or more) of the WI class of 61 reunions, as she
graduated with me.
Write to The
WI Newsletter and share some of your memories about your first date.
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 BAND
From: Don Marple (WI 1953)
I was in the WI band my
freshman year, 1949 – 1950. I played the small tuba. There were two or three
big ones.
The band had its own set of
bleachers at the corner of Hite field, and we had a good time during the home
football games. We played, flirted, and came up with several of our own cheers
– none of them are printable here.
We went on two buses to the
away football games—one for the boys, one for the girls. After the game
everybody piled into the two buses for the return trip. Two of the boys, Donnie
Hawkins who played the bass drum and a boy named Crawley, whose first name I
don’t remember, put scarves over their heads, tied them under their chins and
got on the girl’s bus.
From what my girlfriend told
me, the boys sat near the back of the bus and joined in the singing all the way
home, their bass voices resonating throughout the bus. Nothing untoward
happened, and nobody minded. Everyone on the bus had a good time.
From: Penny
McKeone Donnelly (WI 1964)
To all
my WI Band Alumni. This was a very exciting time in my life as I am sure it was
for many in the band. Always had great memories of the Festival Parades in
other cities, but the best was the Band Festival in Clarksburg. Three glorious
days of bands from all over the area. We always had students from other bands
staying with us. This particular picture of me in my majorette uniform was most
memorable because it was the first time wearing our new uniforms made of gold
velvet with blue cords. We had a great afternoon getting measured for them and
then the day we picked them up was even more memorable. It was like
Christmas!!!
From: Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958)
Until I moved to Elkins in 1957, I was a snare drummer in the WI band
for three years, playing alongside Gary Robey, Dottie Taggart, and Terry
Harrison. Junior year I played tympani in the concert band.
Until my first parade at the August 1954 Shinnston Frontier
Days I had only stood still with a lightweight (seemingly bamboo) drum hanging
from a strap over my shoulder. Now I'm a ~ 135-pound freshman, carrying the
heavy WI drum with a leg guard slicing at my kneecap with each painful step,
and I managed to drop a drumstick seven (sic) times during the short parade.
Sophomore trumpeter Ernie Bastin, marching directly behind me, picked up the
stick and handed it to me, each time with a darker glare in his eyes.
After the parade, Ernie steely said to me, "Don't
ever do that again."
I marched in front of him for three more years and
never again dropped a stick.
(I don't think Ernie ever saw the duct tape wrapped
around my hands and sticks...)
Thanks again, Roleta, for the epic work of art that is
the WI Newsletter.
Pat Fiorenza DeLille (WI 1956) pfd4289@gmail.com
Don Ogren (WI
1950) clpa4029@gmail.com
Fred R.
Maiocco, Sr. (WI 1955) frmaiocco@charter.net
Anne Talkington (WI 1966) atalkin107@aol.com
David J Andre (WI 1960) datarman@gmail.com
WHAT
HAVE YOU BEEN DOING
SINCE
HIGH SCHOOL?
From: Richard George (WI 1965)
Life's works started when I graduated in 1965.
Started with Fairmont State Collage (three Semesters) and then into the USAF as an air traffic controller.
Spent 4 years plus of being a "scope dope". Then headed home.
Back in Fairmont to become a welder on mining
equipment.
Sucked on the gases and blew smoke rings. Yea, I
smoked then.
After 2 years of welding we went to Miami for some
clean air.
Worked as a weight and measuring tech on diamond scales
thru railroad track scales.
A 50 lb. weight dropped on your big toe really hurt.
Back again to Fairmont and an Engineering firm
developing a way to burn coal cleanly. It was a DOE project.
Then on to work in Israel. Oh, the sound of a
"105"at night time is scary! Worked for a General in the Corp who
gave me a stand up thank you at the Hilton. That was a proud time! I had the
opportunity to work in Israel.
It was a Corp of Engineering project in the 80's. My
firm provided support for the Corp.
One of our guys had a niece that gave us a personal
tour guide for the country.
I remember sitting in some Roman ruins looking out
over olive groves. What a thrill!
Do not ever pluck an olive from the tree and just pop
it into your mouth. No wine or bread or cheese can remove the taste!! I was
told to go to any Israeli home for shelter if anything bad happened. I was
always treated with respect and all liked to talk about the USA.
Working there was a thrill of a lifetime!
Back to Fairmont and I joined the Power plant side of
Monongahela Power Company. Worked there for many years and then went across the
Mon River to work at a new recycling pulp mill. I was laid off after about a
year plus of work.
Then I went into real estate and bought a few rentals.
This is my story and I am sticking to it.
Yea, I may have left something out.
Write
and tell us about your life after high school.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and
year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
From: David
Ellis (WI 1960)
A few
months ago, I wrote about living on Main Street, and going to Pierpont Grade
School. I continue with some memories of Pierpont, and Central Junior High
School.
Shortly
after starting Pierpont Grade School, we moved from Main Street to Dale Avenue.
Dale Avenue is the street that runs from Chestnut to Sumner Street. Across from
where Dale intersects with Chestnut set the Old Saint Mary’s Hospital. Remember
the Thanksgiving snow of 1950? We had just moved to Dale Avenue when that hit.
Unlike today, schools did not panic and shut down back in those days. I
remember walking to school, down Dale Avenue and Sumner Street, on sidewalks
that were partially shoveled, with snow piled up on both sides, well above my
head.
In the
early fifties, my father and uncles were in the pool room business. They were
also in the grocery store business, restaurant business and even used car
business. There were three pool rooms on one block of Pike Street, between
Second street and Third street. Two uncles owned the Strand and the Recreation
and ran the pool hall operations. My dad and another uncle ran the lunch
counters at the poolrooms. The lunch counter was separated from the pool hall
by a set of swinging doors, old west saloon style. Of course, there was no ESPN
back in those days, but we had ticker tape feeds and would post ball scores on
a huge blackboard in the pool room.
The
Ellis Drive-In Theater and Restaurant was constructed in the early
fifties. Drive-in theaters were big
business back in those days because the movies were the preferred form of
entertainment before TV. Clarksburg did not get cable TV until around 1956, and
the only station we could try to bring in with an antenna prior to WBOY and
cable was KDKA in Pittsburgh, and that required a very high antenna to get a
fuzzy, snowy picture and staticky sound.
The
Drive-In was a family affair, with all of us pitching in to do some of the
work. My older brother and cousins helped direct traffic, and my Cousin Mary
Ellen worked as car a hop. When we first opened, the orders were taken at the
car windows, but later we installed speaker-phones to take orders. My jobs
started out when I was around 11 or 12, doing things like popping corn, forming
and filling popcorn boxes, and cleaning the drive-in theater field. Later, as I
got older, I advanced to washing dishes, waiting on customers at the counter,
working in the theater concession stand, and taking orders on the speaker
phones.
The
picture of the front of the restaurant, taken from Route 50, shows the drive-in
restaurant parking area after speaker-phones were installed. You can see the DJ
booth, where disk jockey’s from WBOY Radio would broadcast live from the Ellis
“Sky Castle.” That got the drive-in a lot of activity from teen-agers, dropping
by to order pizza, hot dogs, etc., and listening to the DJ and music. Dick
Husted was one of our premier early DJ’s.
Another local broadcaster that worked at the Ellis was John Peters. I
don’t recall John broadcasting from Sky-Castle, but he played organ and
appeared regularly in the main dining room playing dinner music.
About the same time that the Ellis opened, when I was in
the sixth grade at Pierpont, my friend Chris Hill and I decided to put on a
talent show at school. Mrs. Whalen, the principal, agreed, and we planned two
shows, one during the day for the students, and one after school for the
parents. Chris and I were school boy patrols at that time, and I
remember auditioning several hopeful singers and a clarinet player during our
patrol duties. We were stationed at the corner of Chestnut and Main Street and
I remember taking the auditioning students across the street, then going back
to the other side and asking them to sing or play. I guess we wanted to see how
loud they were. We could have gotten in trouble for that, but I don’t remember
being caught. We had comics, singers, dancers, music and a skit in the talent
show. I was M.C. and played the trumpet accompanied by my brother Sam on the
drums. I think Chris may have played the clarinet in the show.
Leaving
Pierpont, I attended Central Junior High, with just about everyone who ended up
going to WI. Chris Hill lived on Chestnut Street, and I would meet him just
about every morning and we would walk together to Central. Chris was brought up
Methodist, and Republican. I was raised Catholic and Democrat. We clearly had
some differences of opinion, and I remember on one of our walks to school him
hauling off and hitting me with no warning after we had a bit of a disagreement
about something. I was more surprised than hurt. I weighed about 180 pounds in
those days, and Chris probably weighed about 90. Whatever the disagreement was,
it was quickly forgotten, and Chris remained a good friend throughout or days
at Central and WI.
On our
walk to Central heading up Main Street we passed the Arcade, Hagen’s, Home
Industries Bakery, the 5 and 10 cent stores, and many other businesses that are
long gone from Main Street. The loss of the Arcade was particularly sad for me
because my grandfather had a shoe repair shop in the Arcade. He was a true
craftsman from Italy, and he could make shoes from scratch, or make an old pair
of shoes as good as new.
I loved
visiting his shop, and clearly remember the drive shaft running along the wall.
Turned by an electric motor, it would drive belts that wound around pulleys on
various machines he used to cut, polish, stamp, and sew leather. I remember
that I loved the smell of the leather, dye, polish, and hot glue that he used
in the shop. I guess you could say it
was an intoxicating smell, and that may be literally true. He never reopened
his business after the Arcade burned down in 1957.
I
seldom ate lunch in school during my days at Central Junior High. Hot dogs at
Hagen’s were a treat. If you recall, they were not the traditional West Virginia
hot dog on a steamed bun. Hagen’s served their dogs on what I called a grilled
“English bun.” Now before you ridicule my use of the term “English Bun,” I am
aware that true hot dog aficionados refer to the buttered, toasted bun as a
“New England” style bun. But all I ever heard them called during my youth was
“English Bun,” so I use the term to this day. Unlike many West Virginia hot dog
connoisseurs who eschew the grilled English bun, I liked it and don’t mind
eating them today, if they contain the requisite mustard, chili, and onions.
Additional great lunch places in downtown Clarksburg were the counters at
McCrory and Woolworth five-and-ten-cent stores. The cold subs, with salami,
bologna, and slaw were particularly good. Also, let’s not forget Ritzy Lunch,
another great hot dog place.
Two
years at central Junior High were fun, except for dodgeball. And too soon, it
was on up the “hill” to WI. But this article is getting too long, so I will
save that for next month. I hope some of my memories jog your memories of
growing up in the fifties. And if you need something more visual and audial to
take you back to DJ’s, drive-ins, ducktails, dating, dancing, skinny ties,pedal
pushers, pegged pants, car hops, and sky castle, CLICK HERE, kick back in your chair, darken the room, and remember:
Close your eyes, baby. Follow my heart. Call on the
memories, here in the dark.
We'll let the magic, take us away. Back to the
feelings, we shared when they played.
In the still of the night. Hold me darling. Hold me
tight.
Oh, it’s so real. Say it’s so right. Lost in the
fifties tonight.
These
precious hours, we know can't survive. But love's all that matters while the
past is alive.
Now and
for always, ‘Till time disappears. We'll hold each other, whenever we hear:
In the still of the night. Hold me darling. Hold me
tight.
Oh, it’s so real. Say it’s so right. Lost in the
fifties tonight.
EACH YEAR,
WE SEEM TO BE LOSING
MORE AND MORE FRIENDS
WE SEEM TO BE LOSING
MORE AND MORE FRIENDS
I am sure you have heard this old saying. And isn’t it the truth? Here is someone who is feeling the loss of a lot of friends recently.
From: John Teter (WI 1961)
In the past 3 months, I have sent out obituaries on WAY TOO
MANY FRIENDS from "back in the day" (James Correll, Bobby Secret, Jim
Collins, Ronnie Shaw, Brooks Gainer and Bill Post). Losing my friend Bill Post
really hits me hard as Bill Post was my best friend at WI, from 1959 to 1961. Bill
and I used to go everywhere together, as his dad let him use the family car.
Bill and I used to walk the farmlands out on Davisson Run. We used to go over
to Stealey playground to play basketball. I had kept in touch with him over the
years and had the pleasure to visit with him last August when I was in
Clarksburg for the WI picnic. Bill, Bob Swats, Dave Corbett, Jim McIntire and I
were "besties", and sad to say - Bob and I are the only two remaining
of the FAB FIVE. SO BOB, please stay HEALTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REMEMBERING BROOKS GAINER
“TRAINER GAINER”
WI 1961
Dr. Brooks Gainer of
Morgantown, died Thursday, March 29 2018, in Ruby Memorial Hospital.
From: Gary
Dawson (WI 1961)
Everyone
in the WI Class of 61 who played sports worked with and appreciated our trainer
Brooks. He was always encouraging, caring and tried to make sure that you had
everything you needed if he had it. Brooks was really a good and caring person.
In my Junior year I played a defensive back position and in the game with
Parkersburg Coach Moore put me in the game and as Mike Dyer (Parkersburg), was
running through our defense like crazy, I dove for him as he did a stutter step
and I landed with all of my weight on my small finger on my left hand. When I
got up and headed back waiting for the next play I saw that my finger was
totally bent backwards and I grabbed it and pulled it back into position and we
had two more downs before I went to the sidelines. On the sidelines my little
finger was now swollen and I was holding it in place and asked Brooks if he
could tape it up, he looked at it and said you need to see Dr. Mills who was on
the sidelines. Dr Mills looked at it and said "I’ll bet that damn thing
hurts" and told Brooks to wrap it up, he’s ok. It was broken and took
weeks to heal and as I recall I went to Joe Manchin's clinic for therapy
afterwards and it took several months before I had use of it. My finger really
was sensitive to the cold and is still crooked. I know a lot of us smile and
remember. We are all at the age where we remember those little things.
From: Bob Swiger (WI 1961)
A friend of mine passed away a few weeks ago. It was
unexpected, but I think he was in a hurry to join his wife Suzanne. We’ll miss
him, but I’m sure if given a choice, Brooks would stay right where he is and
not come back. I met Brooks in Cub Scouts gazillion years ago in the 1950’s.
Others in our troop were Tom Kearns, Irvin Miller, Artie Asby, Mark Mills, and others
who I apologize that I can’t remember their names. In high school at WI, Brooks
was our student trainer for all sports. He may have been the first student
trainer in the state of West Virginia. Brooks’ treatments included wrapping
knees, ankles and wrist and mid-sections for bruised ribs as well as applying
ice or “atomic bomb” ointment to an injured area. Brooks also understood the
importance of us being hydrated as we practiced in August two-a-days. The norm
in those days was to be given a big salt pill as we left the locker room to go
to the practice field and no liquids on the field. Brooks told me one time to
drink as much water as I could both before and after practice. A couple of
times I got my “bell rung” and Brooks gave me the good old smelling salts and
tried to convince the coaches and me to stay out of the game, normally to no
avail. Brooks was ahead of his time!!! Brooks’ help to his classmates didn’t
stop at high school. Many of us have called Brooks over the years to get his
opinion on some health problem that we or a spouse were enduring. It always
made me feel better to get Brooks opinion and suggestions. I knew he cared and
would continue to take care of his friends wherever they might live. Two things
that stand-out about Brooks is his love for Suzanne and for animals. Brooks
also had a deep love for his friends, and we all sensed that. That’s why we
kept coming back for advice from our “Trainer”.
From: John
Teter (WI 1961)
I have more memories of Brooks Gainer from
post-graduate times than I do from days at WI (other than knowing that he was
"Trainer" Gainer and very well respected at what he did).
I remember his being an "unofficial" doctor
for one of our classmates and also always seemed to go out of his way to get to
any funerals for WI graduates, class of 61 or not. I remember my brother
telling me that Brooks was at Bobby Secret's funeral service back in December.
Bill Post's wife (Marian) told me that Brooks was at Bills funeral service just
a few weeks back.
I remember his hearing about one of the class of 61
having a heart attack and being taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital. Brooks went to
the hospital and checked in on the classmate. He even talked to the person's
nurse and made sure that the nurse kept him posted on the person's condition.
And, he passed the person's condition along to the rest of the class of 61.
This was not a one visit situation, as I know that Brooks either went to check
on the classmate when he was at Ruby Memorial, or he would call to find out how
the classmate was doing.
I remember him bringing his wife to the class of 61's
55th reunion at the Best Western on Bridgeport Hill back in 2016. He brought
her in in a wheelchair and was immediately surrounded by several of his
classmates trying to offer their assistance in getting he and his wife taken
care of as far as dinner was concerned. Brooks said "Don't worry, as I got
this". BUT, none of the classmates (including me) backed off and continued
helping Brooks and his wife get their plates filled from the buffet.
The other time that I had the privilege of spending
quality time with Brooks and his wife was at our Twin Oaks dinner last August,
and they sat at the same table as did my brother (Bob) and I. You cannot imagine
how shocked I was to hear that his wife passed away the next day.
He will be missed.
From:
Nancy Swing (WI 1961)
"Trainer
Gainer." That's how I first knew Brooks, a smart boy who took all the
tough courses and still found time to be student trainer for our athletic
teams. Our family moved to Clarksburg when I was in eighth grade, so that was a
year when I didn't really know anyone, too busy with getting adjusted to new
house, new town, new school. But by the time I got to WI, I was beginning to
feel at home and also aware of Brooks, not only in classes but running out onto
field or court to help injured players. I remember him recommending to the
coaches that a football player with a concussion not return to play that night.
Only now are we fully realizing how dangerous these head injuries can be.
Brooks was way ahead of his time not only in that way but in having a vision
for his path forward. His life of service began at WI, continued at WVU and
later as a doctor and passionate volunteer. We lost contact during those
after-WI years, but happily we got back in touch at our class dinner last
August, when I had the pleasure of meeting his wife, Suzanne. She was the love
of his life, and its center too. Her precipitous death the day after that
dinner was so stunning that Brooks never really recovered. I happened to be in
Morgantown a few days later and suggested we get together for dinner so he
might get out of that sad, empty house for at least a few hours. We sat at a restaurant
by the river and talked of old times and new, of loss and redemption, of the
strength to carry on when all we can see ahead are dark days. After that
evening, we stayed in touch by email, sharing hopes and challenges, mostly just
being there for each other. And now he, too, is gone with a suddenness that
beggars belief. It is hard to fathom how two such remarkable people can be
taken so abruptly, but we have to accept that and go on. I take comfort in
knowing that this extraordinary pair, who loved each other so deeply, are
together after only a short while apart.
From:
Mitch Davis (WI 1961)
May you be at peace in the company of your loving
wife. Your time on earth was well spent. All will remember you with deep affection.
God Bless You Brooks.
From:
Rick Wilson (WI 1961)
Probably
similar to many of Brook's friend's memories in his WI trainer days was seeing
him running out onto the football field, kit in hand to tend an injured player.
We'd know it was serious if a doctor would follow. Little did we know Brooks
would someday become one himself. I'd lost track of him for some years but got
reacquainted when he attended some of our later class reunions. We shared our
wives' illness stories, care and concerns. Brooks was very helpful in my
Susan's placement in nursing homes. He had good useful advice. God bless him
and all his family.
MEMORIAL FOR BROOKS GAINER
Brooks Gainer Memorial Service
Saturday, May 19, 2018
2:00 pm
West Virginia University
Erickson Alumni Center
1 Alumni Drive
Morgantown WV
There
will be time set aside during the service for friends to share their memories
and thoughts, and the family is hosting a reception at the Center afterwards.
CHARLES R. LONG
Charles R.
Long, 93, passed away on April 2, 2018, at Ruby Memorial Hospital following a
brief illness.
He was born in
Clarksburg, WV, on December 3, 1924, son of the late Robert E. and Anna M.
Lanningham Long.
Charles
graduated from WI in 1942 and then joined the U.S. Army, serving in Europe
during World War II with the 286th Engineering Company as a reconnaissance
officer. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant.
On May 8,
1946, Charles was united in marriage with Regina A. James, with whom he enjoyed
nearly 55 years of marriage before her passing in 2001. They were the parents
of three daughters who survive. Nancy D. (Claude) Kittredge, Cathryn S. (Garland)
Walker, and Susan J. (Frank) Moore. Charles was Grandpa to several
grandchildren and he had four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his sister-in-law, Lorraine Bond and her husband Lawrence.
Charles was a
faithful and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He worshipped at the Clarksburg
Baptist Church, where he held many offices over the years, including Deacon
Emeritus and Chairman of the Trustees and Executive Board. He also worked for
many years with the Nannie E. Monroe Memorial Fund, culminating with the
construction of the Monroe Building at the church. Charles helped the Baptist
church in Zulueta, Cuba acquire property and a building for their worship. He
also supported a student through Friends of Fort Liberte, Haiti. Charles was a
life-long church choir member from childhood until his passing.
For 36 years,
Charles was dedicated to the work of Kappa Sigma Pi of W.Va. as a board member
and past president. He was proud of its service as an independent children’s
home and its eventual association with Pressley Ridge Schools.
Charles was a
member of the Hermon Lodge No. 6, AF&AM, and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite
Mason with membership in the Clarksburg Body. He was a member of the American
Legion and was an alumnus of The University of Hard Knocks, Philippi, WV.
VIRGINIA KAY
LASHER
Virginia “Ginny” Kay Lasher, 68,
passed away suddenly Nov. 21, 2017, in the ER at UHC.
She was the daughter of Pauline “Polly” and the late
Homer S. Lasher. Ginny graduate WI in 1967. She was preceded in death by one
sister, Delene Jurick.
After high school, she attended Fairmont State College
for a year, then she worked as a key punch operator, a nurse’s aide and a
private home health-care worker. For 13 years, she also had an Exponent
Telegram paper route in the Hill ’n Dale area of Clarksburg. Ginny loved her
paper route, and the people of Hill ’n Dale. She often dropped notes and small
gifts, including her mother’s famous banana nut bread, to the sick or the
elderly.
Unfortunately, it was discovered recently that Ginny had
a brain tumor, one that had been slowly growing for the last 40-plus years.
Ginny is survived by her mother, Pauline Lasher; one
sister, Beverly (Jim) Bragg; brother-in-law, Bill Jurick; five nieces, as well
as great-nephews and nieces.
DIANA SUE CLEAVENGER SWIGER
Diana
Sue Cleavenger Swiger, 69, of Eleanor, formerly of Clarksburg, passed away
March 7, 2018.
Diana
was born on December 26, 1948, to the late Robert and Gladys Cleavenger in
Clarksburg. She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Paul Cleavenger,
Steve Cleavenger and Charles Cleavenger.
She
graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1966. She retired from AT&T
(formerly C&P Telephone).
She
loved to read, walk, and spend time with the grandkids. She also loved Elvis
Presley and the Red Hat Society. She was a member of Telecom Pioneers. She
loved to participate in the Handicap Jamboree at North Bend State Park every
year.
She was
known to many as Momma Swag.
She is
survived by her sons, Doug Swiger (Neda) and Dan Swiger (Shannon);
grandchildren, Haley and Logan, Brendan, Nathan and Jordan; siblings, Margaret
Cleavenger McIntyre (Bryan), Dr. Ron Cleavenger (Pat), Cliff Cleavenger (Laura)
and Ernie Cleavenger (Lisa); and numerous other nieces, nephews, extended
family and friends.
RAY LESTER DENNISON
Ray Lester Dennison, 87, of Clarksburg, passed away,
March 29, 2018, at the WV Veterans Nursing Home Facility. He was born June 22,
1930, in Wallace, WV, son of the late William Jennings and Sybil Gertrude Stead
Dennison.
Ray graduated from Victory High School in 1948 and
shortly after enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight on the front line during the
Korean War, earning a rank of Corporal by the end of his military duty. A quiet
man with a kind soul, Ray drove a school bus over a decade for Harrison County;
he was also owner of Dennison’s Dairy and Ice Service and provided an
appreciated service to the local community.
Outside work, Ray was proud of his involvement in
community activities as a Mason and later a Shriner.
Ray married Molly Ann Abraham in 1957, who survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Susan Kay Dennison, and
husband William Plaxco.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death
by one son, Gary Ray Dennison, and his twin brother, Ralph Chester Dennison.
EDITH ELEANORE MENENDEZ
Edith Eleanore Menendez, 91, of Clarksburg, WV, passed
away March 27, 2018, in Kansas City, MO, where she had made her home the last
several years with her son.
Edith was born in Clarksburg on September 18, 1926, a
daughter of the late Daniel Koontz Sr. and Virginia Brannon Koontz.
Mrs. Menendez was preceded in death by her husband of
56 years, David Menendez on April 15, 2004.
Edith is survived by one son, David M. (Rita)
Menendez; two grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Anita Menendez; numerous
nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents and husband, Edith was
preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Koontz and Dan Koontz Jr.; a sister,
Caroline Shetzel; a sister-in-law, Flora Koontz; and brother-in-law, William
Shetzel.
Edith was a graduate of Victory High School class of
1943 and worked as an accounts receivable clerk at Credit Bureau in Canton, OH.
She was a member of the United Methodist Temple Church in Clarksburg, as well
as the Senior Citizens Center where she was very active when her health
permitted. While living in Missouri Edith was a member of the Platte Woods
Methodist Church in Platte Woods, MO.
CHARLES H. HART
WI 1964
Charles H. Hart, 71, of Mannington, went home to be
with the Lord on Thursday, March 29, 2018.
He was born October 25, 1946, in Clarksburg, a son of
the late Densel Lee and Wilma Doris Darnell Hart.
Charles was a retired service technician, having
worked for 3-M Co. and ComDoc for many years. He later worked as a courier for
IBA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Charles was a
longtime member of the Charity Baptist Church at Oakdale, where he faithfully
served the Lord and the congregation as assistant pastor.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Cristine
Golden Hart, whom he married June 25, 1970; a son, Cristopher Charles (Serena
Anne) Hart; a daughter, Carissa Jaye (Johnny Paul) Stevens; six grandchildren;
and a great-granddaughter.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in
death by a son, Craig Matthew Hart, who died in 1996; and a sister, Lenora Gay
Rogers.
KEITH ROACH
Davis Keith (D.K.) Roach Jr., 73, passed away March
17, 2018, at WVU Heart Institute in Morgantown.
D.K. was born in Clarksburg on December 5, 1944, a son
of the late Davis Keith and Elizabeth (Merrifield) Roach.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Terry (Hinesh)
Roach.
He a long-time member of Shriners International,
Clarksburg Scottish Rite and Hermon Lodge No. 6.
He retired after 40 years of service with Sheet Metal
Worker No. 33. Many special and caring friends were made over the years.
D.K. graduated from W.I. High School in 1962 and W.Va.
Business College in 1964.
His favorite enjoyment was watching a fast-paced
NASCAR race. He could always find a favorite driver to follow.
A special thanks to the entire staff at Fresenius
Dialysis. During his six years of treatments, he was not only treated as a
patient, but a very close friend.
He donated his body to WVU Gift Registry for education
and research. He’ll be cremated and returned to his family.
PATRICA LOUISE BICERS DAY
Patricia Louise Bickers Day, 87, passed away on
Thursday, April 12, 2018, at her residence following a courageous battle with
cancer.
She was born in Clarksburg on November 16, 1930, a
daughter of the late Bernard Basil and Florence Edna Jamison Bickers. She was a
loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and a surrogate mother to many.
Also preceding her in death were her husband of 35
years, John James Day; sister, Betty Ann Bickers Leggett and brother-in-law,
Randall Richard Leggett; mother-in-law, Anna Maude Davisson Day and
father-in-law, Walter Roy Day of Clarksburg.
She is survived by two children, Penni Day Rexrode,
and Mark; several nieces and nephews.
CAROLYN
TUSTIN GESSLER VITOLO
Carolyn Tustin Gessler Vitolo passed away at her home
in Melbourne, FL on March 14 2018. She was born Dec 31, 1934 in Tyler County
WV, daughter of Day Brohard Tustin and Carl Tustin.
Carolyn graduated from Washington Irving High School
in 1952 and received her Nursing Degree from Union Protestant Hospital School
of Nursing in 1955.
She was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Day
Tustin, her husband George Vitolo and younger brother Burlin C. Tustin.
She is survived by three loving daughters Michelle
Gessler Herbeck (Gary), Jenny Gessler Loffler (Barry) and Dayna Granston
(Lonny). Three adored grandchildren Alexis and Nicholas Herbeck and Jenny
Granston. Carolyn is also survived by her brother Harlen “Buck” G (Elizabeth)Tustin,
sister Marolyn Tustin Jett (John) and many nieces and nephews.
Carolyn enjoyed cruising and spent two months a year
in Cancun Mexico. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) along with her daughter Michelle and granddaughter Alexis. The
family of Carolyn will be laying her at rest on Saturday, May 12 2018 at 11:00
am with a graveside service at Bridgeport Cemetery Davis Funeral Home,
Clarksburg is in charge of arrangements. For any further questions contact
Marolyn Tustin Jett marolyn@jettlag.com.
