Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith
Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton
GET TO KNOW OUR
NEWSLETTER
FEATURES
From: Roleta1@aol.com
Before
you go any further… if you do this, you will be amazed at all the information
that is available in our newsletter. When I tell people what all we have
available for our readers, they just don’t believe me.
I think it
is time we tell you all the things that appear
on the WI NEWSLETTER
blog
besides just
the newsletter.
In a
letter below, Dave Kuhl, has explained all those file tabs across the top of
the newsletter that you now have on your screen. A lot of work has gone into
the Clarksburg and WI History. All of this is thanks to Tim Cork (WI 1962).
Read
below as Dave Kuhl explains what you can find by just clicking on a tab every
once in a while.
YOU WILL BE
AMAZED
IT’S MORE THAN
JUST A NEWSLETTER
By Dave Kuhl (WI 1962)
Have
you really looked at the newsletter site lately? There is so much more to the
site now.
You can go to the WI Newsletter Home page at anytime
by going to
And when you scroll up to the top of the display...
you will find the following subheading
“page” title tabs
“page” title tabs
in the banner across the top:
“Home” page
where the latest newsletter is posted. Move your cursor to this
location and click the left mouse button on the page name to go to that page.
On
the right side of this page are also links such as how to subscribe and how to
submit letters.
There are also links to older newsletters and our policies.
You can check out
any of these areas but when you are finished with one file, return to
the newsletter to check out another one.
“About” page tells
about the history of the newsletter. This is about, Roleta Smith Meredith, the editor
and her classmate, Judy Daugherty Kimler, and how they started the newsletter
in August 1999.
This page
is on the newsletter site. Therefore,
clicking on the “Home” page tab will
take you back to the most current newsletter.
“WI History”
page provides access to edited copies of all of the WI
yearbooks. Looking for your yearbook or you want to see someone else’s
yearbook? Just click there.
On that
page, you will find the instructions: 'Take a look now by clicking on the
below link:" Scroll down and click on “Washington Irving High School History” (in blue).
This will
display blocks of years in 17 blocks. The first block “1914-1919” also includes
early history. The first yearbook was in 1916 but they were able to get
information from newspaper microfilm and other sources on 1915 and other
history. Click on other blocks and take a virtual trip through history.
This history
was compiled by Tim Cork, class of 1962, for the 100-year history of WI in
2014. Many volunteers helped with collecting, borrowing and loaning yearbooks
and Tim will always be grateful to them.
There is
also a link on that site to the “Clarksburg My Hometown” blog by Tim.
Clicking on
Home there will take you back to the introduction to the history (not the HOME
page of the newsletter).
To get back to the newsletter, click
on https://winewsletterwv.blogspot.com/
“WI Teachers” page is one of the newest features and provides a list of
all of the WI teachers and staff listed in the yearbook.
On that page you will
find the instructions “Just follow the directions below:” Scroll down and click on “… link” (in blue).
The
actual location of this list is:
If you
spot an error or have something to add, Tim would like to hear from you.
* For example, are Susan Manley (1974) and Rebecca Manly (1975) the same person? Or sisters? Notify Tim at: tpcork@bellsouth.net
* For example, are Susan Manley (1974) and Rebecca Manly (1975) the same person? Or sisters? Notify Tim at: tpcork@bellsouth.net
NOTE: Any additions, comments or corrections, please contact Tim Cork at: tpcork@bellsouth.net
On that
page you will find the instructions “Just follow the directions”
Scroll down and click on “… link” (in blue). This page also offers you instructions on how to use the outside site.
The
actual location of this list is:
Tim has
added a date of death where known and other information such as married name. This
needs a lot of work. Each year needs to be carefully proofread against the
original yearbook. Look up your friends and family. Is there something to add? Again,
Tim would like to hear from you with corrections and additions. The list is
presented both alphabetically and by class year.
NOTE: Any additions, comments or
corrections, please contact Tim Cork at: tpcork@bellsouth.net
“Class Reunions” and “Picnic Reunions” pages will take you to messages about upcoming reunions and
picnics as well as pictures of past reunions and picnics.
Both of
these pages are on the newsletter site. Therefore,
clicking on the “Home” page tab will
take you back to the most current newsletter.
2018 WIN
SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations
to Haley Thomas
who is the winner of the
$5,000.00 WIN Scholarship for 2018.
$5,000.00 WIN Scholarship for 2018.
Haley wrote to those who gave to the scholarship:
Dear Mrs. Meredith and those readers who helped with
this award:
I want
to extend my sincere graciousness and gratitude for believing in me and helping
to give me the opportunity to follow my dreams. You have lifted a great
financial burden for me and my family, and for that we are truly grateful.
I
promise to work hard, stay focused and continue reaching for the stars.
Again,
thank you for this blessed gift and opportunity.
Sincerely,
Haley
Thomas
From: Roleta1@aol.com
Haley lives on Factory Street in Clarksburg. She will
be attending Fairmont State University in the fall with intentions to become an
OB-GYN Registered Nurse. She has been active in school activities while
attending RC Byrd.
We all wish the best for Haley.
I will send the first half of her scholarship to FSU in August and the second installment in Dec.
Haley said that her mother raised three children on her own for over 10 years with little to no help most of the time. Living paycheck to paycheck her mother was unable to save to help with Haley’s college education She states that this scholarship with give her the opportunity to further her education in hopes of securing a better future for herself and her family without coming out of college with a huge student loan debt.
We all wish the best for Haley.
I will send the first half of her scholarship to FSU in August and the second installment in Dec.
Haley said that her mother raised three children on her own for over 10 years with little to no help most of the time. Living paycheck to paycheck her mother was unable to save to help with Haley’s college education She states that this scholarship with give her the opportunity to further her education in hopes of securing a better future for herself and her family without coming out of college with a huge student loan debt.
Thanks to those who gave to the 2018 Washington Irving
Newsletter Scholarship. The money given to purchase tickets for the quilt
totaled $2,790.00 and money given to the scholarship without receiving tickets
totaled $1,470.00 bringing the total put into the WIN Scholarship bank account
to $4,260.00.
Mere Gurson Schwartz (WI 1957) is the lucky person who will be receiving the
2018 WI Scholarship Quilt.
Congratulations, Mere!
Those who gave to the scholarship this month were:
Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI 1956)
given in memory of Marianna Warblock Coey (WI 1956).
Teresa Snider Fazio (WI 1967)
given in memory of Susa Kennedy Tustin (WI 1967).
Barbara Charles
thank you for your continuing support of WIN
Scholarship and quilt.
David Saucer (WI 1951)
thank you for your support of WIN Scholarship.
MAY MYSTERY
PICTURE
From: Mary
Stump Harrell (WI 1955)
I think the mystery picture is surely Holy Rosary
Catholic church on East Pike Street. To the left in the picture is the school
connected with the Church. My mother took me to Mass there one time when I was
about eight or ten years old and I was fascinated by the beautiful blue
interior. But most fascinating to me then was that the Scriptures and sermon
were said in Polish! This was in the days when the Mass was celebrated in Latin
with only the Scripture readings and sermon in the vernacular. I had never
heard Polish spoken before and instead of being bored by my lack of
comprehension, I remember straining to distinguish words - anything! - that I
could understand.
We regularly attended Immaculate Conception Church
where the vernacular parts were done in English. Also, we occasionally attended
St. John's, the Italian church on Water Street --but I do not remember that the
readings were given in Italian. St. John's was a memorable experience for me
because of the warmth and friendliness of the people there.
One year, I think I was in high school, we saw a
performance of Othello by the Catholic University Theater group. The stage was
such that when an actor exited stage left and next had to come back on stage
right, he had to climb out a window, run around to the other side of the
building, and climb in a window on that side.
In those days there were five Roman Catholic churches
in Clarksburg--we knew them as the Irish, the Italian, the Polish, the Slavic,
and the church in North View, which so far as I know, had no ethnic identity. I
remember during the Kennedy campaign for president, reading an article in Time
magazine about West Virginia. Religious issues were very much in the forefront
of things because of Kennedy's nominal Catholicism. The magazine stated that WV
was 3% Roman Catholic and I was astonished at such a low percentage because my
experience in Clarksburg included such a large number of Catholic churches and
Catholic friends.
From Mary
K. (McDaniel) Bellisario (WI 1965)
I think the May photo is the Eastern or Greek Church,
on East Pike Street in Clarksburg. Always thought it was beautiful. I clearly
remember attending Dr. Jim Genin’s wedding to his wife Stephanie there. Jim was
a member of the W.I. Class of 1964. Hope he sees this! This wedding service was
definitely an orthodox service, with the appearances of Greek or Russian
Orthodoxy.
From: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)
The name of the church in the mystery picture is Holy Rosary Roman
Catholic Church. Sonja said years ago they had mass in Polish and people
referred to it as called it as "the Polish Church". She said that she
attended church there when she was a little girl.
From: Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI 1959)
Mystery picture is of the Catholic Church by Southern States on east
pike and later a performing arts place for concerts. Also, beside it was a
school which later became a day care center. Now the day care center is closed
and the Church is now a Baptist Church.
JUNE MYSTERY
PEOPLE
Who are these people? Tell us who they are and share
some memories you have of them.
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 HiY CLUB FOR BOYS?
Tell us about the organization.
Some suggestions that you might write about:
Some suggestions that you might write about:
How were you selected to be a member? Who selected?
Was it based on grades, popularity, activities participation in activities
outside of school? Was this just a club at WI, or did other high schools in the
area also have HiY Clubs? What was the purpose? How often did you meet? Where
did you meet? Did you go to summer camp? Was it for guys of all grades or just
seniors? Were there officers? Did you vote on the officers or were they
appointed by the directors? Who were the directors? (By calling them directors, I mean the adults in charge?)
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
From: Allen Alvarez (WI 1958)
I have a small world story about a friend of mine who
did all the planning for my 70th birthday. She had told me that she had spent
some time with her aunt at Lake Floyd in the summers when she was growing up.
So, her aunt was visiting her and I had her ask her aunt if she had every
stopped by the Dairy Queen in the west end of Clarksburg and she said they had.
She asked my friend my name. She found out that I went to college with her aunt
at Salem college. Her maiden name was Janet Van Horn and later went on to
become a professor at the college and retired from there. Her married name is
Janet Thorngate and we both were surprised that we had known each other for 10
years and just found out that her aunt knew me. When she went home to Salem and
found an old Salem College year book of her Junior year and sent my friend a
picture of me in the yearbook. So that 6 degrees of separation is really true.
I have had this happen a lot of times in travel because I do business all over
the United States and many foreign countries. I will be talking to strangers
and come to find out I know someone that they know.
Keep up the good work with the newsletter and all the
people that help you put it together. You are doing a wonderful job of keeping
us in touch with our home town.
NY TRIP FOR THE CLASS OF 1974
From: Penny Shannan Donnelly (WI 1964)
It was an all-night bus ride, but
most of us slept. We drove into the city just as the sun was rising. It was a
very exciting 3 full days of sightseeing. The trip included the Empire State
Building, a show with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, the boat ride out
to the Statue of Liberty and the last hoorah was a dinner at the Jack Silverman
Night Club with a floor show of scantily clad dancers which I am sure the guys
couldn’t keep their eyes from starring holes through. We got to dress up
semi-formal and have a night out on the town. Mrs. Dodd gave us the treat of
our young lives that Easter weekend. It is a shame she is no longer around to
continue this tradition.
Does anyone else have fond memories
of those trips?
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
From: Don Sager (WI 1956)
Today was a BIG DAY for our Hilton Head WVU Alumni
Chapter. Coach Bob Huggins came to a Meet and Greet this afternoon. He visited
with everyone and gave a rousing talk. We SURPRISE him with 2 old friends who
did the intro honors for us. Bobby Cremins, former BB Coach at Georgia Tech and
Les Robinson, from St. Albans originally, and former BB Coach at NC State.
Bobby lives locally and Les on Sullivan’s Island near Charleston, SC. They all
have been friends for years. Big news of the day was that Konate is returning
to WVU. The news broke about an hour prior to Bob arriving.
I was the “official photographer” for the Chapter today. I had
never met Bob and guess I figured I never would have a chance. Attached is a
picture of me and Kitty and Huggy-Bear. (Famous people)
We also took donations for the WVU Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research
Endowment Fund. Bob’s Mother. Our goal was $ 5000. We had over 100 in
attendance. The event was FREE to members.
WE RAISED OVER $ 18,000 THIS AFTERNOON. I could tell Bob was
really touched when we announced the total.
From: Les Hall (Victory HS 1955)
I have been
a WI Newsletter reader for at least 15+ years. Great format
for Clarksburg. I appreciate the Newsletter and have always admired WI,
especially with relatives going to school there and of course Martha, my
favorite WI dance instructor, who helped me make my next three
years in Paris absolutely enjoyable!
From: Roleta1@aol.com
Dear Readers:
For several months, I ran a list of COLLOQUIALISMS. I
tried to get you to think, to remember, to respond with some that you heard
growing up in West Virginia. I know we all heard these expressions. I got very
little response, so I figured you were not interested in remembering,
recognizing or responding to my plea. I wasn’t making fun of the “old Speech
Habits” of people in our area. I had read years ago that the style of speech to
which I referred was derived from England and Scotland and brought to our
country by our forefathers,
Have you thought of any yet?
Write to
Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you
did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
Below is a letter
referring to this:
From: Mary Stump Harrell (WI 1955)
On another topic---earlier you spoke about words and
expressions unique to our mountain state. Two stories came to mind--one was
from Mrs. Greer (a born and raised Clarksburg native and graduate of WI in the
early twenties) who taught high school English in Towson, Md for a few years
and then taught in Romney WV for few years. She said that she found it easier
to teach Shakespeare to the students in Romney because their language was still
rooted in the old English of the early settlers and they understood the idioms
used by Shakespeare because those idioms were still part of their everyday
speech. Whereas in Towson, a suburb of Baltimore, the old ways of speaking had
disappeared in the urban culture and the idioms had to be explained to those
students.
The other story comes from Sandy Jeranko--Mary Beth's mother,
about her experiences with the natives of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
She said that the "native" people there still spoke the remnants of
Cockney English because they were descended from the sailors who survived
shipwrecks in the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" and made new, but very
isolated, lives for themselves on the Outer Banks. Maybe if Mary Beth reads
this she will share some of her mother's examples. It is a shame that since
WWII we have slowly lost these unique manners of speed and have through
mobility and above all movies and TV begun to speak a fairly standard
English-losing many of the quirks of the earlier times.
I presently live in the mountains of Western North
Carolina and we still hear some unique ancient expressions from mountain folk
who until fairly recently were still very isolated in the hills and
"hollers" of this region.
One thing: Have you heard and used the expression that you
will do something "if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't
rise"? Did you, as did I for many years, envision a creek whose waters
might flood to prevent you from keeping your commitment? I learned only
recently that the creek is the Creek and refers to the Creek Indians! If we
live long enough we actually learn a few things...
From: Roleta1@aol.com
In
answer to what Mary wrote in her letter above:
I
remember that my grandmother from Braxton County had a lot of different
expressions than my grandmother from Barbour County.
I often
heard the expression about the “CREEK” as stated above in the letter from Mary.
Another
one is “Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face”? What could that mean?
We have
visited the area of the Outer Banks and have noticed that many of the natives
in that area speak with an English Accent and often use “Old English” terms.
Have you ever notice that?
Can you
add anything to this conversation?
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include
your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
From:
Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)
Here are a few old ones,
geet yet................."did
you eat yet"
no, jew..................."no,
did you”
squeet..................."let's
eat"
Jean Wells Himmel (WI 1959) jhimmel41@gmail.com
Boyd Waner (WI 1958) BoydLWaner@aol.com
James C. Jackson (WI 1958)
jcjksn.@frontier.com
Miriam L. (Ashland) Jackson (WI
1957) mimmyj@frontier.com
Jerry Belt (WI 1959) jerrybelt11@gmail.com
JUNE MYSTERY
PERSON
The
lady in the picture on the left is the Mystery Person of the month. Do you recognize her? Tell
us who she is and any memories you have about her.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
Sports Editor: Bill Meredith
From: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS 1957)
Even though the main stream media did
not cover it well, many of you may have still noticed that in early April,
President Trump hosted the National Champion University of Alabama football
team at the White House.
The fact that this happened was not
big news, since many championship teams in many sports have been invited there
over the years, including Alabama several times. However, two things stand out
to me about this visit. First, there was not one hint of any type of protest from
the players about going to the White House. I've read that Coach Nick Saban
told his team that they were going "as a team" and that they should
be honored to receive the invitation, since few Americans get the chance to do
this and it was something they could relate to their grandchildren. The second
thing that impressed me is the fact that after the formal proceedings had
ended, several of the players asked for and were granted permission to pray for
and with the President. I am told that very few media outlets reported this.
There are a lot of people out there
who do not like Alabama football and that is their right. However, I, for one,
was extremely proud of them for the way they handled themselves. It was
refreshing not to hear the controversy we've heard recently about such visits.
Do you think the fact that the head coach grew up in north central West
Virginia had something to do with the way this was handled? Yes, I'd like to
think that it probably did.
Send your comments on this or any
sports subject to me at billmere@aol.com
When
emailing, please include your name, school and year you did or would have
graduated.
Thank you.
GOODBYE TEDDY BUCKETS
From: Bill Meredith (billmere@aol.com)
One of my favorite WVU basketball players recently
left the Mountaineer program to transfer to Wichita State, namely Teddy Allen,
the 6'-5" shooting guard from Boys Town, NE. When I learned of the
transfer, I started thinking about why I liked Teddy. I think it was because he
was "different". You might call him a breath of fresh air. He appeared
to me to be his own biggest fan. The students loved him and so did the majority
of the WV fans.
When I was a kid, every story about Boys Town, NE was
a feel-good story. Maybe I related Teddy to those good old days. I really don't
know a lot about his background, except that he was the player of the year in
Nebraska his senior year in high school. Why did he end up in Boys Town, NE,
when he was from Nevada? Again, I don't know, but I'd bet Bob Huggins knew why.
It is strictly a guess, but I saw Teddy as a project that Huggins took on,
feeling that if he could dig deeply enough, he would discover an elite
basketball player Sadly, it didn't work out and I'll miss seeing Teddy Buckets
next year and I suspect, so will the WVU basketball program.
What do you think? Even though he had some problems,
do you think Teddy Allen should have stayed at West Virginia or did he do the
right thing by transferring? Send your thoughts and comments to billmere@aol.com.
QUESTION
I have not lived in West Virginia for over 50 years,
but still follow the local sports scene closely. Something that has intrigued
me, particularly in the past decade, is the amazing success of the sports teams
at Bridgeport High School. Regardless of the sport, their team always seems to
be competitive on a statewide level.
My question is, “Why does this happen”? Is it
coaching? Is it a superior youth feeder program? Perhaps they have excellent
facilities. Maybe it is “all of the above”. I don’t know, but I think our
readers probably can give me the answer(s).
Please
send your comments and thoughts on the Bridgeport phenomenon to me at billmere@aol.com. When emailing me, please include your name, school
and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
From: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI 1940)
Hi Bill:
There were lots of things going on in sports when I
was in high school. During football season, students would meet in Chapel on
Fridays, but depending on when and where the game was to be played. sometimes
we would have short "Cheerleading" sessions on other days. These
would be to send the team off feeling good about their performance. I have been
around for a long time. but I still remember David Brand and Jimmie Paugh.
Jimmie was the star of the team and was highlighted a lot. I also remember
another one but I can't think of his first name--- Bohensky. My brother, Carris
Radcliffe (WI 1942), played football and ran track. Coach Folio didn't play him
much in football, because he was so light, but he always held him up as a good
example. because Carris was always there and ready to go if the coach needed
him.
Reply to Arreta:
It is really good to hear from you again. I can
certainly identify with what we called "Pep Rallies", held prior to
football games. These were especially important if it was a big game or one
against a hated rival. (Do they do that anymore?) Plus, back then, the cheers
were known by the entire student body and everyone cheered. I think
cheerleaders today are just practicing for competitions. I, personally, can't
understand much of what they are saying now.
There were always players like your brother on every
team. They would show up for every practice and seldom got to play, but they
were still a vital part of the team. When a player is very small, sometimes the
coach is doing them a favor by not playing them much. Young men grow
considerably during their four years of high school and the bigger ones could
really cause injuries to smaller freshmen.
Thanks for writing. It is always good to hear from
you.
Bill (billmere@aol.com)
From: Fred Alvaro (WI 1959)
Bob Secret (WI 1960) and I were both on the Babe Ruth
League All-Star Teams at the age of 13. My team, the Clarksburg Americans, made
it to the 1955 Babe Ruth League World Series in Austin.TX. and came in third
place. This photo was taken at Norwood Park, when I had on my WV All-Star
uniform. Then at age 14, Bob and I played for a team in Zeising
Reply to Fred
Thanks so much for sending this. I'm sure you guys had
a great time representing the state in Austin. Anytime you can make a national
tournament as a youngster, it is special. I attended high school with a couple
of boys who were on teams that went to both the Little League and Pony League
World Series. They said it was one of the biggest thrills they ever had. I'm
sure you and Bobby felt the same.
It's good to hear from you. Don't wait so long to
write again.
From: Bill Bryan (RW 1957)
I believe the sports mystery picture is Lyle Corder, (R-W
1957). Still, I think many WI graduates are familiar with Lyle and will
identify him correctly also. Lyle was a very good student and succeeded in
life. And as I remember, he had a near-perfect "DA" haircut back in
the 50's! And most know his father taught at Central. A pleasure knowing him.
And thanks for having one more Sarasota reunion. We
appreciate your time and effort to accomplish this-as we do with the
"Newsletter." Always good reading!
Reply to Bill
I'm sure many of our readers know Lyle, but, for some
reason, they didn't write to identify him. I like your comment about the
"DA" haircut. Most of us wore a flat top back then and where I lived,
there were only a few barbers who knew how to cut it properly. Eventually,
those guys got all the business. Do you remember the hair wax and the round
plastic brushes? Those were the days!
Thanks for your note and the nice things you say about
Lyle. I'm sure he appreciates it and it is well deserved. I hope to hear from
you again soon.
From: Lyle Corder (RW 1957)
I was shocked to see my basketball
picture in the Newsletter. But, it is my favorite picture. It was taken in the
R-W gym where we played all our home games. They were done taking our pictures
when Coach Bonfili yelled at me: " Goose, take one with two balls"; so,
we did. I got the nickname Goose from the great Goose Tatum who often posed
that way. I had just turned 16 at the time. Attached is the only picture I have
of the real Goose; perhaps you can croup me out of it.
Sad to say, even with two balls we
didn't beat WI or Victory during my days on the floor. Thanks for the
publicity, I think.
Reply to Lyle
I'm glad we were able to show your
ball skills as a 16-year old. If anyone out there thinks that is easy, they
should try it. I know that I never could do it. It is said that Esa Ahmad, the
senior forward on the WVU basketball team has such large hands that he makes it
look easy. If he would only learn to hit the 15-footer consistently, it would
help my pulse rate during Mountaineer games. BTW, Goose Tatum was always a
treat to watch. Those Globetrotters were the best.
If I remember correctly, R-W was not
the only team that had trouble beating W I and Victory in the 50's. They both
produced some pretty good teams back then. Jim Alvaro refers to one of them
elsewhere in this newsletter.
Thanks so much for your comments.
Stay well and keep supporting us. We are always looking for interesting items
to publish.
From: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)
Buck Tustin sent-shirts like this to
everyone who played on the 1954-1955 great basketball team at WI. I think he
located just about everyone on the team who is still with us today. Buck heard
my big mouth cheering for these guys when they played at Carmichael Auditorium.
It was enough that he was so kind to send me one also, along with a couple
other "cheerleaders". Well, he said one size fits all. I made the 10
x 8 image look like the size of a newspaper. What a great team WI had that
year. Not only a great team, but a fantastic bunch of guys. Several of them are
still very dear friends today. I think it was very nice of Buck doing this,
although it did not surprise me. Over the years, I have received several
surprise gifts from my dear friend.
Reply to Jim
Way to go Buck!!! I've always said
that you will never have better friends than those who were your classmates in
your first 12 years of school. This is more proof of that. Thanks for sharing
the story and the picture. You never seem to age, Jim. It must be that Georgia
water.
WHO ARE THESE FOOTBALL PLAYERS?
Can you identify all or any of these
football players? I really like the uniforms and they all look like they are
really for Big 10 action.
Send their names and hopefully a comment about them to me at billmere@aol.com.
When emailing me, please include your
name, school and year you did or would have graduated.
Thank you.
Write
to me about summer camp. Did you ever attend one? Was it through or with an
organization? Where did you go? What did you do while there? Tell us all about
your memories.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
TELEPHONE
MEMORIES
From: Jim
Stout (Weston HS 1948)
Back in
the "good old days" (1945 ++) we moved to a small farm on the Lost
Creek-West Milford Road, about 1 mile west of Lost Creek. While Lost Creek was
hooked to the Jane Lew exchange of "Ma Bell" and had rotary dial
service, our new location was hooked to the West Milford (company?) plug-in
switchboard and our home phone was a "crank the operator" for
connection. Some 10 or more customers were also on this line! Our phone number
was 9r21 and our "ring" was 2 longs and one short.
One
number I frequently called had a "ring" of four shorts! Each customer
had a "wall" phone, or the newer "desk set"-which also had
a small "crank" on the base. Each customer also had a large "dry
cell" battery, and those who didn't replace this battery often enough
dealt with greatly reduced volume.
Before
cranking, it was cordial to lift the receiver to see if the line was
"busy"- and if it was wait until the line was clear to talk to the operator.
There were some customers who liked to listen as you talked – and the
condition of their battery was apparent to you if their battery needed
replacing.
From: John Teter (WI 1961)
I can remember "back in the day" when my
parents had one phone and that phone was located in the hallway just inside the
front door. During my time at Central Junior (1957 - 1958), I made three tables
in shop that adorned that hallway, two of which were still in place when my
mother moved out of the house back in 2007. The third table that I made had
been moved to the basement, as my mother had another "desk" that had
replaced the one that I had made. At some point, there was a second phone put
into my parents' bedroom, which was also there back in 2007. I also remember
"party lines", as we had one for some period of time. It was always
"something to do" if we caught someone on the party line, and we
would listen in. This was not something that we did very often, as we were
afraid of getting caught. I also remember that the first phone we had was a
"rotary dial". Can you imagine people using "rotary dial"
phones, and especially those who have their fingernails kept long and/or manicured?
From: Roleta1@aol.com
I was
born in Braxton County but my family moved to Harrison County when I was 4
years old. We lived in Wolf Summit where my father had a job as principal of
the school. I have not forgotten the phone number—
43
40W13
Yes, it
was a party line. For some reason I think it was a 3 party-line. I was so
young, I never listened in on a phone conversation. I probably never even used
the phone. Our ring was 2 or 3 short rings and that is how one recognized that
it as their call. There was one phone and it as located on a desk in my
parent’s bedroom. When we moved to Clarksburg, the house my parents bought was
about twice the size of the one before and was 3 stories high. The phone was
located just inside the front door. conveniently there as a small hall coat
closet there which became my private phone booth. We no longer had a
party-line. But it was the only phone in our house so if you were upstairs in a
bedroom, in the basement or on the porch, it was a mad dash for the phone.
Later my parents remodeled the house and we had a second phone which was on the
wall in the kitchen. What luxury!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you remember your first phone number? Did you
have a crank phone, did you speak to the operator? Did you have a party line?
What was your ring?
If you can remember any or all of these, please write and
tell us.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
SUBJECTS
SUGGESTED
FOR YOU TO WRITE ABOUT
From:
Jean Vickers Kennedy (WI 1958)
I was never in detention while in
high school, but, was there detention? What did they do when boys or girls (any
girls out there?) got into trouble? Would they share their mischief with us?
Did
any teachers ever use physical force to get a point across? What was the most
excited or aggravated you ever saw a teacher behave?
Write
about your experience to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
IT’S
SPRINGTIME
THE CARNIVALS WILL START APPEARING SOON
From:
Roleta1@aol.com
Do you remember the carnivals that
came to Nutter Fort, Clarksburg and/or Bridgeport? Did you ever win anything
playing any of the games at the Carnivals? What? Do you still have any of these
items? Remember Carnival Glass? Is that
where that type of glass received its name? By people giving it away at the
Carnival? What was your favorite game to play? What was your favorite ride to
ride? Did you ever work at a Carnival?
Write and tell us all about it so we
can enjoy your memories and remember some of our own.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
MAY MYSTERY
PICTURE
From:
Dr. Mary Clare Kane (WI 1959)
Just a note to say that I think the girl with the long
hair in the front row is Loretta Mayer. I believe she became a professor in
chemistry at Tuffts University in Philadelphia. She was in 1959 WI class.
Thanks for all you do.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Joy Gregory DeFazio (WI 959) sent the picture and
she furnished the names below.
Back row, l-r: James Highlight (RW
student), Eddie Kerns, unsure of the next two.
Seated Judy Davis, Loretta
Mayer, Joy, and we still don’t know her name.
None of us could remember the two boys on the right of
the picture nor the girl seated on the right in the front row.
Anyone know any information?
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
Pictured above is Mary C. Merendino
Kane (WI 1959)
She is the lady between the two men.
DR. MARY
CLARE MEREDNINO KANE
(WI 1959)
From:
Roleta Smith Meredith
I am
always asking you readers to tell us where you are and what you have been doing
since high school. After receiving a letter from Mary Clare, I
wrote and asked her what all the initials after her name stand for and where
she has been since high school, she should be very proud of her accomplishments.
Dr. Mary C.M. Kane,
Ed.S., MA, LMFT Clinical Member AAMFT
Ed.S., MA, LMFT Clinical Member AAMFT
She wrote: “The Dr. is a PhD in pastoral psychology; the EdS is an educational specialist in marriage and family therapy; the MA is a master’s degree in spirituality, the AAMFT is a professional organization - the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The BS from the Univ of Pittsburgh is not included in the “alphabet soup”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I also found out that Mary Clare retired as a NJ School Guidance
Counselor and now maintains a private practice. She and her husband have three
grown children and four grandchildren.
It looks like Mary Clare has been very busy since high school.
Congratulations on having a very successful career and home life. Thank you so much for writing to us.
Write and tell us what you have been doing.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com
When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or
would have graduated.
Thank you.
VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
ATTENTION ALL VICTORY ALUMNI
SAVE THE DATE: July 7 2018
From: Les Hall (Victory HS 1955) for Rita Bailey
The ALL VICTORY CLASS
REUNION WILL BE HELD ON July 7, 2018 at the Harrison County Recreation Center
on Rt 19, Clarksburg, WV.
This year (VHS’s 101st year in existence) will begin
at 11:00 am and will be hosted by the Classes of 1965 and 1966 with
the cooperative efforts of the Class of 1963.
The Reunion Committee will
provide ham, hot dogs and all the fixings. Class will provide bottled water. If
anyone needs something else to drink, please bring your own. Coffee will be
provided!
Please bring your favorite covered dish (casserole, vegetable, salad,
dessert) to share.
We are asking that each class
representative notify their class members and let them know the details. We are
looking forward to seeing all of you for an afternoon of getting reacquainted and
visiting with each other!
Any questions, please email Les Hall at engleh@aol.com
Thank you.
ANNUAL DINNER
WI CLASS OF 1961
SAVE THE DATE: August 24
2018
Followed the next day by the
The annual dinner for the class 1961 will be held this
year at 6:00 pm at the following location:
F. O. P. Mountaineer Lodge #78
1422 Buckhannon Pike
Nutter Fort, WV, 26301
Please let John Teter (jateter@aol.com) know if you
plan to attend the dinner, so that we may provide the restaurant with an
accurate head count.
WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL
REUNION PICNIC
ATTENTION ALL WI ALUMNI
SAVE THE DATE: 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.
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.
REUNION NEWS
WI CLASS OF 1958
SAVE THE DATE: 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.
For more information, please
contact Connie Ferrell via email: ferrellcc@aol.com, or Linda Pritchard via e-mail: moolinda9@msn.com, or Sonny Donaldson via e-mail:
Shedrickdonadso@gmail.com
50THREUNION
WI CLASS OF
1968
SAVE THE DATE: August 31 2018
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
55th
REUNION
WI
CLASS of 1963
SAVE THE DATE: September 28 & 29 2018
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. Best Western Plus on Lodgeville Rd.
Doors open at 5:00 -5:30 pm
CLASS PICTURE at 6:00 pm
DINNER at 6:30 pm
If you need any further information, contact saralhowe@yahoo.com.
CLARKSBURG
WINTER PICNIC
IN
SARASOTA, FLORIDA
SAVE THE DATE: March 9
2019
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and make your
plans now!
One more time for the old times.
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.
Come
join us!
LINDA JOHNSTON BINKLEMAN
Linda Johnston
Binkleman, of Charlotte, N.C. passed away on April 18, 2018 after a three-week
battle with leukemia.
She was a
graduate of Washington Irving High School with the class of 1959.
She is
survived by two daughters Courtney and Amnity; and her special friend Leo
Trapp.
CAROLYN KAY REED BONNER
Carolyn Kay Reed Bonner, 74, of Elk Horn Road, Salem,
departed this life on Thursday, May 3, 2018, in her residence surrounded by her
loving family.
She was born on August 6, 1943, in Dale, WV, daughter of
the late Troy Andrew and Mary Naomi McIntyre Reed.
On May 17, 1965, she married Roger Dale Bonner, who
preceded her in death on March 10, 2017.
Surviving are one daughter, Nichole Lyrae (Joseph II)
Thomas, two sons, Robert Wayne Bonner and Rodney Dale (Christine) Bonner;8 grandchildren;
and 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Royce, (WI 1962), and Janet DeVenuto,
(WI 1964); brother, Michael Troy Reed (WI 1968); and several nieces and
nephews.
Mrs. Bonner was a homemaker and was member of Cascara
United Methodist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother and sister and
will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at
www.harbertfuneralhome.com
CHARLES MARTIN PITTS
Charles passed
away on May 1, 2018 at the age of 81. He was a native of Clarksburg, WV and
graduated from WI in 1954.He then joined the US Navy and served 3 years before
attending Fairmont State University where he graduated with a degree in
accounting. He worked at Anchor Hocking for 30 years before retiring in 1991. He
is survived by, Mary Lou, his wife of 61 years; a son Randy and wife Carla. A
daughter Kelly and 3nhyyu grandchildren and a great grandson. Service to be
held in Hilton Head, SC.
D. R. BROOKS GAINER, II
Dr. R. Brooks
Gainer, II, 74, of Morgantown, died Thursday, March 29, 2018, in the J.W. Ruby
Memorial Hospital.
He was
born June 29, 1943, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to the late R. Brooks Gainer
and Geraldine Haggerty Gainer.
He is
survived by his daughters and their husbands, Kristin (Conrad) Hamrick and
Shelby Gainer (Jamie Weber), and his grandchildren: Hunter Hamrick, Abigail
Weber, Harrison Hamrick, Avery Weber, Kelcey Hamrick, Henley Weber, and his
special grandson Captain John Maxell. He also is survived by his sister and her
husband, Sondra Lee Gainer (Dennis) Koon, and his niece Melissa Dawn Koon, as
well as his Aunt Eva Haggerty Newlon and Uncle Bernard Haggerty, several loving
cousins, extended nieces and nephews, a host of dear friends, and his large
bunch of dogs and cats.
He was
preceded in death by his parents; his wife Suzanne Powell Gainer, who passed
away last August; and his in-laws, Deward G.
Powell and Ruth Lawson Powell.
Brooks
graduated from Washington Irving (WI) High School in 1961, where he began his
healthcare career as the first student trainer in the state of West Virginia,
before attending West Virginia University. At WVU, he continued his work in
athletic training and began his love of Mountaineer sports. He also met the
love of his life, Suzanne Powell, whom he married on June 6, 1965. Brooks was
involved with the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg, and then in
Morgantown, where he held various positions.
After
graduating from WVU School of Medicine in 1969, he did post-graduate training
in Akron, Ohio, before returning to WVU to complete his internal medicine
residency and his fellowship in infectious diseases. Brooks joined the
Morgantown Internal Medicine Group (MIMG) in 1974 and worked at Monongalia
General Hospital. He was also an associate clinical professor of medicine at
WVU, as well as an infectious disease and epidemiologist consultant for several
hospitals and organizations. Brooks was an active member of the Monongalia
County Medical Society.
In
2005, he retired from MIMG and shifted his primary focus from caring for people
to caring for animals. In 2008, he began volunteering with Mountaineer Spay
Neuter Assistance Program (M-SNAP). Initially a volunteer at the ReTails thrift
shop, he soon began driving fundraising efforts, planning events, and later
becoming the organization’s president.
Brooks
was a true Mountaineer fan who was a fixture at games and events and a frequent
caller into the WVU sports radio shows. He was a Varsity Club member and a
great supporter of the Pride of West Virginia.
Brooks
lived his life committed to his passions. He loved his patients and his
community: as a physician, he devoted 48 years in service, and as a citizen, he
gave himself to the many organizations and charities he represented. He was
always ready and willing to help out anyone in need. Brooks was forever
dedicated to WI and his former classmates, and as a Mountaineer, he pledged
unwavering loyalty to all teams that donned the old gold and blue. Above all,
Brooks adored his wife, his family, and his friends.
In lieu
of flowers, his family suggests a tribute donation in his name to any of these
organizations: M-SNAP Inc., P.O. Box 4335, Morgantown, WV 26504
(http://www.m-snap.org/); The WVU Medical School Annual Scholarship Fund; The
Pride Travel Fund. Contributions to the WVU organizations can be sent to WVU
Foundation, One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650,
Morgantown, WV 26507-1650.
In
Brooks’ memory, the family asks that you do as he did: Love, Give, and Live.
Please love and treasure your family and friends, find ways to give back to
others, including animals, and always cheer loud and proud for WVU.
Finally,
the family would like to thank: the staff and fans at the WVU Coliseum, the
EMTs, and the staff at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital for their attention and care
during his last 12 hours; his two lifelong friends for hanging in with him
until his daughters could arrive; and his friends, especially those in the
animal community, for helping with his beloved dogs and cats during this very
difficult time and transition. Brooks would be so proud and honored to see how
many have stepped up to help in his time of need!
Online
condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
MARY
NICEWARNER TUCKER
Mary, a
resident of Pasadena, MD passed away December 7, 2017.
She
married the love of her life, Jerome Tucker in 1961.
Mary
retired as owner of Tucker’s Exxon in Annapolis, Md in 2004.
She is
survived by her son John and wife Patti. Also surviving is daughter, Jennifer
and husband Robert Lee Eckman, brother James “Jim” and Robert “Bob” Nicewarner
and sister Claire Conley.
She is
preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Celestine Nicewarner; her husband
Jerome Tucker; her brothers Sonny and Joseph Tucker.
She
leaves behind several grand-children and great-grandchildren.
SUSAN HUSBAND YOUNKIN C.A.G.O.
Sara Husband Younkin of Peachtree Corners, Georgia,
passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters on February 25, 2018, at
Seasons Hospice in Cumming, Georgia. She was 99 years old.
Born on September 4, 1918, in Dawson in Southwestern
Pennsylvania, on the Youghiogheny River, her parents were David P. and June
(Miller) Husband. Her parents offered piano lessons, little Sara took the
streetcar trolley to her teacher’s house, and gradually grew in her keyboard
ability. At Connellsville High School, she was the accompanist for the
orchestra and solo musicians, one of whom was Jack Younkin, a handsome trumpet
player who later became her husband.
Jack went off to the Great War in Italy and North
Africa, and in August, 1944, their first daughter, Barbara was born. When Jack
came home after the war, he got a job locally, and in 1946, their second
daughter Elaine, was born. Wanting to make their way in the world, Sara and
Jack moved the family to Clarksburg, West Virginia, to start a new life.
In Clarksburg, Sara took a job as organist at First
Methodist Church, played for funerals at Davis Weaver Funeral Home, and
additionally became the organist playing Hammond Organ for popular music at
lunch and dinner at the famed Stonewall Jackson Hotel. With lots of important
travelers passing through, it was only a matter of time that Sara would be
discovered by a talent agent. Indeed, she had an offer to travel with a big
band (we were told it was Guy Lombardo) which she considered, but ultimately
turned it down in order to stay in Clarksburg and be a wife and mother. Change
came again in 1955, when Jack’s job uprooted the family from the hills of West
Virginia to the flat tidewater of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Settling in the town of Easton, Sara again found a job
as organist.
Sara’s husband of 52 years, John E. Younkin, passed
away in 1994. She was also predeceased by her brother, David M. Husband,
grandson Clayton Christopher Clark, step-great grandsons, Robert William
Stevenson, and Logan Kleier.
Sara is survived by daughter Barbara Park and her
partner, Frank Blake, daughter Elaine Bloomer and husband Gregory, and daughter
Jeanette Kleier and husband Mark. She is also survived by: several granddaughters,
step granddaughters; step-grandsons and great grandchildren.
KATHLEEN VIRGINIA HOSTUTLER
Kathleen
Virginia Hostutler Martin, 94, formerly of Nutter Fort, WV, passed away on
Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Bridgeport Health Care Center.
She was born
in Hundred, WV, on November 23, 1923, a daughter of the late David R. and Eva
Dye Hostutler, Sr.
Twice married,
Kathleen was preceded in death by her first husband, John W. Morrison, and her
second husband, Jim Martin.
Mrs. Martin is
survived by one son, Ed Morrison and wife Carol of Maple Lake; two
grandchildren, Brooke Carnes and Cory Morrison; two great-grandchildren, Bryce
Carnes and Brody Carnes; one nephew, William Hostutler; and two nieces, Ricky
Davis and Cindy Hostutler.
In addition to
her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by two brothers, William
Hostutler and Dave Hostutler.
Kathleen was a
1942 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School and retired from Dave’s
Restaurant after 55 years of service as their cook.
She was a
member of the United Methodist Temple, and a member of Bidawees Bunko Club in
Nutter Fort. She enjoyed bowling and being with her family.
MARIANNA WARBLOCK COEY
This was written by Marianna’s friend Marolyn Tustin
Jett
Marianna was a Stealey girl, attending Morgan Grade
School and Central Junior High, graduating from Washington Irving High School
in 1956. She went on to graduate from WVU.
She had
lived in Durango Colorado since 1971. In 1977, she began teaching in the
Foreign Language Department at Timberline Academy, a small boarding school. She
alternated years teaching French and Spanish and each year took the class to
either France or Spain. She also hiked, rock-climbed, kayaked and other outdoor
activities with her students.
Marianna
loved traveling and in precise detail, relayed stories of where she was and
what she was doing. This was seen in her Christmas letter to her many friends.
Each year, she wrote in great detail of her adventures and also provided pictures
and drawings. Many missed receiving her letter this past Christmas and wondered
about her. She had become ill and was diagnosed with cancer, spending three
weeks in November being tested at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,
Texas. She passed away on January 14, 2018.
Marianna's
life was full. She had planned to open a shop on her property with her
collections from far and wide when she retired at the end of the 2017. She
reached a milestone of teaching school FIFTY years. (I know of no one who has
accomplished that and I come from a long line of teachers). Her husband, Dan,
built structures to accommodate her “stuff”, as she called it, in anticipation
of her retirement and her next adventure. Sadly, this dream of hers was not
fulfilled.
Marianna's
husband, Dan Coey, has been the Head Master at Timberline Academy for many
years. Dan is from Ohio and survives her in Durango. Many reading this will
remember her brother Ted and his wife, Sue Roland Waroblak, and brother Tim
Waroblak all graduates of Washington Irving High School.
Marianna
is missed by so many but her legacy lives on in our memories and in the
children she taught.
JOHN CLEMENT KREYENBUHL
John Clement Kreyenbuhl, 77 of New Milton, departed
this life on Saturday, May 5, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born
on August 3, 1940 in Clarksburg a son of the late Clement Leopold and Regina
Droppleman Kreyenbuhl. On May 21, 1960 he married Charlotte Ragland Kreyenbuhl
who survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Terry K. Swisher and
husband Keith, one son, John Clement Kreyenbuhl Jr. and wife Tammy, Bristol, several
grandchildren; great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild, one sister,
Sister Mary Joan Kreyenbuhl, CSJ. One granddaughter preceded him in death.
Mr. Kreyenbuhl retired from Rish Equipment as a Parts
Manager with over 30 years of service. He was a member of I.U.O.E. Local #132 of which
he had served as Steward. John had served on the Doddridge County of Board of
Education from 1988-1994 and the Board of Directors of United Technical Center,
Gore. He was a 1958 graduate of Notre Dame High School and was a member of St.
Boniface Catholic Church.
