Issue 228

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Publisher: Jalon Smith Burton

From: Roleta Smith Meredith, Creator/Editor of WI Newsletter

I seldom ask you for a favor for anyone. 

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT

We need to come together on this.

  

All of you know the work that Tm Cork (WI 1962) has done to preserve the history of his family, Clarksburg and anything connected to WI.

Tim has been so great to our newsletter. He copied every one of the WI yearbooks ever published and they are always available here at the top of this page  just for you! He is responsible for most of the available files re: WI that are here only in our newsletter.

TIM CORK IS FACING A TOUGH MEDICAL SITUATION

He has been fighting an infection which caused a blockage in his biliary tract and it is looking like he will have surgery soon. We need to come together and show him that we are thinking of him and hoping and praying that he gets well soon.

Tim is too weak and uncomfortable to get on the computer so the best way for him to know how much we care for him is to send him a card via postal mail. (I have permission from his wife to share his mailing address.)

Let’s flood his home with cheer.

Stop right now and send him a card while you are thinking of it:

Tim Cork

1475 Luke Lane

Lawrenceville, GA. 30043.

Please do this for Tim and his wife Judy.

Pieces of the Past # Two

From: Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955)

Above is pictured the 2018 WI Newsletter Scholarship Quilt. # Two, Seeing Red, was the 2018 WIN Scholarship quilt. This quilt raised $4,260.00.

The WINner of the quilt is Mere Gurson Schwartz (WI 1957), Jacksonville FL.

The red fabrics in the quilt blocks are vintage fabrics purchased several years ago at an estate sale near Martinsburg WV.

Packets of the red fabrics with newer off-white fabrics were sent out to the WIN quilters:

Carolyn Layfield Cady, Liz Custer Carder, Gwen Clark (Victory HS), Verna Workman George (new quilter this year), Dianne Jeffries Kanzler, Sherry Keith (2 blocks sent), Joan Merrill, Joyce Reed Royse, Kitty Sager (Don Sager), Mary Sue Clark Spahr, and Lin Stricker (Dave Stricker).

These ladies made a block of their choice and sent it back to be sewn into the quilt top which Sue Selby Moats quilted on her longarm quilting machine. Kudos to the group for another outstanding cooperative effort.

We missed several of our "regular" WIN quilters who were not able to participate this year and hope they'll be able to join again for 2019. New quilters are welcome to join in with the WIN Quilters.

Thanks to all WIN readers who gave to this wonderful scholarship fund to help Clarksburg youth attend college.

Please keep up your generosity for 2019.

Editor’s Note: Above is a picture of the very first WI Newsletter Quilt made by Sue Selby Moats (WI 1955) and a group of ladies to earn money for the fund.

The quilt pictured raised $785.00 for the FUND in 2006. The winner of the first quilt was Pat Hardman Nicholson (WI 1956).

The WI Newsletter readers who have given to support the scholarship each year are responsible for our success.

THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP

The 2018 WIN Scholarship was presented to Haley Thomas, a 2018 graduate of R.C. Byrd High School which is our Clarksburg Consolidated School. Haley is so appreciative of the $5,000.00 Scholarship which we awarded to her this year.

This month I sent a check for $2,500.00 to Fairmont State University Financial Advisor. This check is the first installment of her scholarship. It is put in her Financial Account to be used only for educational needs (usually tuition and books, etc.) The second installment of $2,500.00 will be sent to this account in December after she enrolls for the second semester.

If you wish to SUPPORT the WIN SCHOLARSHIP:

You can always make a gift to help support the WIN scholarship throughout the year and become a part of the project by writing your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

And mailing it to:

Roleta Meredith

3025 Switzer Avenue

Columbus Ohio 43219

No Gift is Too Large or Too Small

Thank you so much for your support of this newsletter and this scholarship.

The above information is available to you throughout the year by looking to the top of this page on the right side menu.

Every cent collected goes directly to support the WIN SCHOLARSHIP.

HELP A CLARKSBURG STUDENT GO TO COLLEGE

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Was there ever a male cheerleader at WI? If so name him, tell us his year of graduation. Where is he now?

Was there ever a male drum major a WI? If so, name him, tell us his year of graduation and where is he now?

AND DON’T FORGET: Send us a picture!

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

DR. FARRELL

From: Brooke Beall (Notre Dame HS 1958)

I am writing in response to memories of Sally Anne Pulice and Dr. Farrell. Dr. Farrell was also my and my brother’s pediatrician. Before Dr. Farrell’s office was in Gore Building it was in a home on Main Street. A grey stucco. I don’t remember the exact location. We moved to Clarksburg in September of 1946 and one of the first things my parents did after establishing a residence was find a doctor for my brother and me.

As Sally Anne said, the Farrell’s had two sons. John David, a graduate of St. Mary’s HS. He was 4 years ahead of me. He, like his father, was a doctor. He passed away a couple of years ago. Marcus was a stock broker in NYC. He was a friend and a year ahead of me at St. Mary’s and Notre Dame HS.

My parents were about 5’ 5” or so and my brother and I are over 6’. Dr. Farrell would often tell my dad that it was all the good care he gave us growing up that contributed to our height. My father would counter with it was all the good food he provided. The Farrell’s and my parents became friends over the years. When Dr. Farrell passed away, his wife Mae, and my mother continued the friendship until Mrs. Farrell passed away.

Dr. Marcus Farrell and Dr. Andy Weaver took good care of me until I left for USAF boot camp in 1963. Shots, stiches, x-rays, all the above.

From: Steve Griffith (NDHS 1960)

I remember Doctor Farrell well.

My mother took me to him when his office was on Main Street, across from DeSales Hall, the nursing school for St. Mary's Hospital.

His office was located just about where the parking lot is for the Senior Citizens Center. I continued to see him when he moved to the Gore Hotel Building, until after I graduated high school.

I also remember his sons, John David and Marcus, and I am pretty sure I remember Mrs. Farrell too, but I only saw her at church.

From: Cheryl Corder McClure (WI 1964)

I absolutely loved Dr. Farrell. I was so fortunate to have had him as my pediatrician! I went to him until I went to college.

Dr. Farrell had been and looked up to my Grandfather Dr. R.J, Nutter I think he did a residency under him.

He was the best doctor of all when I had infectious mononucleosis he came by my home to Check on me several times a week. I was home for close to a month I avoided a spinal tap because of this wonderful man, I’m not sure of the year but sadly he suffered a heart attack while mowing his grass or shoveling snow. I’m embarrassed to say at 72 I do forget some things Although I still feel a tear thinking about it. We’re all lucky to have this man for our pediatrician. There aren’t many doctors like that anymore.

From: Roleta1@aol.com

Believe it or not, I was not a very well child. I suffered nearly the entire school year, every year from chronic bronchitis. This continued my entire life until we moved to spend the winters in Sarasota, Florida. I still say that I am allergic to snow as I was sick if there was snow on the ground. Anyway, the reason I have said this is to get to Dr. Farrell. I think he was my pediatrician, too. Can you tell me, was he bald and did he wear a white doctors coat all of the time? If so, he was my childhood doctor and he was a very kind gentle man. 

Write and tell me if I remember correctly.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

HARK, I HEARD A CANNON ROAR.

ITS SOUND REVERBERATED THROUGH THE HILLS OF CLARKSBURG

From: Debbie Sayre Stoikowitz (WI 1969)

Your Newsletters are always a great reminder of home and WI High School.

In regard to the cannons placed around Clarksburg, I remember one in the cemetery beyond Stanley Ave. My grandfather Floyd Sayre lived at 606 Stanley Ave. My brother and I would go to the cemetery while visiting my grandfather. I remember that cannon and was always curious why it was placed in the cemetery.

Hope you are enjoying the summer Roleta!

From: John Teter (WI 1961)

I can remember that there was a cannon on the Court House Plaza on Main Street. Stonewall Jackson was to the left as you walked into the courthouse and I think that the cannon was to the right. It may have been at the base of Stonewall's statue, but I do seem to remember that there was a cannon in the grassy area of the court house plaza. I can vaguely remember the cannon that was brought to WI home games at Hite Field and being fired after each WI touchdown. I never knew whose cannon it was.

Editor’s Note: The cannon that John said was brought to the WI home games has been mentioned before, does anyone know who owned it, who transported it, and what happened to it?

From: UNKNOWN

Well done job on the newsletter, mam. Thanks.

Has anyone sent a picture of the old “Civil War” type cannon that once sat in the “south end” of Clarksburg? Where Route 19 left to follow the Wet Fork River to Weston?

I recall rumors that one Halloween (late 1940’s or early 1950’s???) some vandals loaded it with powder and some trash and lit the fuse. The trash hit a “Red Light House” near the railroad station in Glen Elk??

Editor’s Note: This letter is the very reason I asked people to write in about cannons in or around the Clarksburg area. Do you remember hearing any stories about such a prank about an old cannon?

Let's try to get a response to see if this story is true or not. 
Know any other stories? Who sent this story?
Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

From: Robert Lear (WI 1971)

My dad, William A. Lear, class of 1942, is the man with the ramrod in his hand. As I said, he designed and painted the gun carriage and BG Gaston “poured” the gun barrel on his foundry. I don’t know what year BG graduated but I think he may have been 3-4 years younger than my dad. My sister, Libby Lear Herron, class of ‘69, sent me a text showing dad and BG with the cannon probably before a football game. I don’t know when this picture was published in your newsletter. I also don’t have pictures of either cannon but there are pictures in the ‘71 and ‘69 WIHS yearbook. Good hunting!

ANOTHER CANNON IN CLARKSBURG

Above picture is of a cannon sitting near the railroad tracks in Glen Elk. Date unknown but it is shown below in the picture outside the VFW.

Above picture is the Spanish cannon, and in this picture, it is shown sitting in front of the VFW Post 573. I am not sure if this cannon is still sitting there. Do you know?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

Above pictures provided by Bill Floppannie.

To see all current information we have received about any upcoming High School class reunions, 'get-togethers' or even the Chestnut Hills Reunion, please click on the CLASS REUNIONS tab at the top of this newsletter. All of the information was in the June and July issue and I am not reprinting them all again here.

Remember after you read the reunion news, just go back to HOME tab and you will return to the newsletter.

Any questions, please write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

Once a month I would like to run a letter from one or two readers about a car you have owned. You can send downloads of pictures of the cars. Be sure you tell us the car’s manufacture name, the model name and year it was made. Also tell us the year you owned it and why it is your favorite.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

A LETTER TO YOU

From: Roleta1@aol.com

Many of you I have never met and I wish there was a way to meet each and every one of you. I also would love to see people I haven’t seen for a while. Bill and I will be traveling to Clarksburg, WV the later part of August. We already have our hotel reservations. We are hoping to see many friendly faces in just a few days stay in WV. This will be my opportunity to see you. We plan to be at the WI ANNUAL REUNION PICNIC on August 25, 2018 at the Osborne Pavilion, starting around 11:30. You can read all about it in the Reunion News page (tab at the top of this newsletter). If you want to attend, just bring some money to put in the pot to help cover the expenses and a covered dish to share.

I HOPE to see all of my WI Classmates there! Let’s ALL make an effort to be together, visit, talk and catch up on what has been going on since we last saw one another.

See you there!

GREAT JOB, TIM CORK

From: Ken Menendez (Victory 1958)

Please pass on to Tim Cork what great work he did in capturing the names of the 13,000 plus WI grads. I scrolled down the entire list just looking for names I recognized regardless of age. Found one of my Victory High teachers from the 1932 class, who was a friend of my mothers.

Here is one for memory lane.

Does anyone remember the time in 1957 or 1958 when we painted the doors at WI green? This was after the song “The Green Door” that was popular at the time. A lot of WI students surrounded Victory that night to retaliate. Bunch of us got in trouble at the time and had to apologize to the Victory student body. This was done before the annual football game at Hite Field. The rivalry between the two high schools that spanned the years until closure of each high school was special. Great rivalry and friendships.

Again, great newsletter.

COACH CLAY B. HITE

From: EmmaLee Hite (WI 1960)

Got the July WI Newsletter and want to thank you for using the WI that my Father designed and started using when he became head coach at WI for his lettermen in 1921. 

Did y'all know he was an Engineering major at WVU and was captain of the WVU Basketball team when he was a sophomore (unusual at the time and still is). He was elected Captain of the WVU Football team but did not serve so he could volunteer to go to WW1 as an officer (USA had a draft but after he volunteered). He was on duty outside of Paris as a rifle instructor to the fellows headed to THE FRONT! Some of them had never shot a gun! 

When WW1 was over he went back to WVU but didn't finish in Engineering because he had decided to dedicate his life to "Making Men from Boys". He was on the great 1919 WVU Football Team that beat Princeton University 25 - 0. Still considered one of WVU's greatest victories. That year IRA Rodgers won WVU's 1st All American honors and Clay B Hite was an Honorable Mention All American both were on Walter Camp's List. Camp is considered The Father of American Football. He met Virginia West (from the state of WV where her parents decided to make their home) at an Ice Cream Social on campus (they both loved ice cream the rest of their lives and that was the only thing he ever cooked and he cooked it from scratch). He went to Fairmont State to get his teaching certificate and applied to the Harrison County Board of Education for a teaching position and the rest is history! I'm sure some of his athletes felt he was preparing them to go to The Front the rest of his days. Back in the '50s one of the Oliker twins was the WVU Mountaineer and would come into the stands and fire The Musket next to his old coach sitting on the aisle. My Father' was the happiest I think I ever saw him. Then one of the Oliker twins either Dick or Dan went to the service and had survival training. His 1st leave he went to see his old coach and told him he was the only one in the group that gained weight " because he never quit".

Sports Editor: Bill Meredith

billmere@aol.com

please email our Sports editor with your comments, questions and especially your memories

WHO ARE THESE GUYS

From: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)

The handsome guy on the left number 33, is none other than my younger brother Larry Alvaro. He was a pretty good athlete. I remember getting off work early some Friday mornings and driving from Atlanta to Clarksburg to watch him play on Fri night and then back to Atlanta Sunday morning. I am not sure of the other two players are.

From: Bryan McIntyre (WI 1965)

Number 33 is Larry Alvaro, 51 is Jim Ayers and 45 is Mike Lambiotte, all from the class of 67. I recognized Alvaro and Lambiotte but had to use the Yearbooks tab on the Newsletter website to identify Ayers. My cousin, “Big Dave” Williams, class of 68, played with them, as did the other Dave Williams, also class of 68.

West Virginia University's football teams have won 742 games in the history of the program. This, along with 493 losses, gives them a winning percentage of 0.597. The win total places them 14th on the all-time win list. However, what is interesting is the fact that each of the 13 teams ahead of them in total wins has won a national championship. Could this be the year the Mountaineers change that?

In case you are wondering, the WVU basketball teams have won 1,756 games. This ranks them 22nd in the country in total wins with three more than defending national champion, Villanova. Unfortunately, no national championship for the BB team, either.

Send your thoughts and comments on this or any other sport's subject to me at billmere@aol.com.

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

Thank you.

 A HEISMAN TROPHY IN MORGANTOWN?

Much has been written already about the possibility of Will Grier winning the Heisman Trophy for the best college football player in the upcoming season. The school has created a marketing campaign and Grier has already been chosen as the preseason offensive player of the year in the Big 12 Conference. No player from WVU has ever won the Heisman award.

So, what do you think? Can a player from West Virginia University win the Heisman? What would it take for this to happen. Remember, the ballots are cast prior to the national championship game, so your team doesn't need to "win it all" for you to be considered. However, if your team is in the final four, it certainly wouldn't hurt your chances.

Finally, I have three questions:

1. What kind of statistics does Will Grier need to put up to be considered?

2. How many games does WVU need to win for Grier to win it?

3. Based on your answers to the above questions, will WVU quarterback, Will Grier, win the Heisman Trophy in 2018?

I hope you are as excited as I am about Grier's Heisman chances. 

Send you answers to my questions to billmere@aol.com.

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

Thank you.

From: Bob Swiger (WI 1961)

I enjoyed the first two stories in the July issue. Victory HS was WI's biggest rival and if we won that game in football, we had a good year. We set a scoring record in the 1960 game, with Mr. Outside (Bobby Secret) and Mr. Inside (Gene Donaldson) in beating them. But, 1961, my Senior year, was the complete reverse. They beat us pretty good. The starting team in 1960 had graduated and we (1961) didn’t have the "horses". RW always had good teams, but I think they were AA and they won the State Championship with Sonny Sirianni, who went on to play at Marshall. Barry Brinkley was their quarterback, I believe, and he was a good one. Most of the ball players (football, baseball, basketball) in Clarksburg area all knew each other from either playing with or against each other in Summer baseball or pick-up basketball and football games. It was fun to compete with them on our high school teams. I know these people have probably been mentioned many times in your newsletter, but during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Victory had Bob Schneider, a great basketball player, and of course all of the Knight brothers. I believe Turtle Knight was an All-American High School football player along with Bobby Secret and Gene Donaldson. We didn’t have AstroTurf fields and tracks were cinders. The high jump track was grass or dirt and we landed in a sawdust pit; with the same in the pole vault and broad jump. Clarksburg was a wonderful place to grow-up. We were a town of maybe 32,000 in the 50’s and 60’s, but we all knew of or directly knew each other.

Reply to Bob:

Thank you for the excellent letter about sports in Clarksburg in the 50's and 60's. I love letters like this and encourage others to follow your example. You are correct in saying that beating your biggest rival meant the difference between a successful or bad season. The three football players you mention, Secret, Donaldson and Sirianni, are legends in Harrison County and were all well known throughout the state and area. Also, I know the advantages of consolidation, but I miss the old days, when Clarksburg had several high schools and small towns like Lost Creek, West Milford and Salem had their own high schools. As I've mentioned before, when the high school closes, a big piece of the town dies.

I wonder how we survived without the fancy facilities? Most young people today don't know what "cinders" are. I had to play basketball in high school in an oversized swimming pool. Today's athletes seem to have the best of everything and I guess that is OK. We want the best for our sons and daughters.

Thanks again for your letter. 

Be sure to send me your forecast for the WVU football season.

Write to Bill (billmere@aol.com)

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

Thank you.

QUESTIONS 

In my reply to Bob Swiger, I mentioned how I was not a fan of consolidation of high schools. I think both he and I miss the good old days when the crosstown or cross county rivalry was the game of the year. I would like your opinion on some or all of the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of consolidating local high schools?

2. What are the disadvantages?

3. As related to sports, how does consolidation affect the cities and towns where it occurs?

4. How does it affect the student/athletes?

5. Do you have a story you can share about how consolidation affected an individual student or student/athlete in your area or some other area?

I realize we can never go back, but it is always fun to talk about the old days and what might have been. 

Send your comments to Bill at (billmere@aol.com)

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

Thank you.

MOUNTAINNEERS ARE EVERYWHERE

Thanks to Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958) for sending this to me. I enjoy some of Willie Nelson's music, but now, I might just pay more attention to him!

FINALLY...

FOOTBALL SEASON 
(and our Fearless Forecast)
IS ALMOST HERE

  

It's that time of year when the dog days of summer are coming to a close and fans all over the land dust off their tailgate equipment to be ready for that first college football game. If you are like most of our readers and live and die each Saturday with the WVU football team, you are definitely ready for the season to begin.

Many questions remain unanswered about our Mountaineers. Will the offense live up to the hype and be among the best in the country? If so, will the defense be able to slow down the high-powered offenses of the Big 12 enough to enable the team to compete in every game? Is the schedule too difficult? Can this team really start the season with three wins over Tennessee, Youngstown State and N.C. State? Will this be the year that we win our first Big 12 Conference championship? Am I dreaming or can the Mountaineers actually make the college football playoffs?

Wow!! Those are a lot of questions! If you can answer most of them correctly, then you will join the list of winners in our "Fearless Forecast" contest. This is the fourth year we've asked you to give us your best guess on what the final regular season record will be for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team. The defending champion is Bernie Cohen. He always seems to be at or near the top in our contest and I'm sure this year will be more of the same.

Send me your forecast now. Do it before you forget or, if you're like me, you get your mind on something else that seems more important at the time. The winner will receive a nice gift with a WVU theme. Please include a short paragraph as to why you think your guess is correct.

Email your forecast to me at billmere@aol.com

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

Thank you.

GOOD LUCK

GO MOUNTAINEERS

NEW

Roger Diaz (Victory1959) aiko1@ma.rr.com

Jack Bowen (WI 1957) jackrbowen@gmail.com

JoAnn Sutton Herring (WI 1966) gmjoey5@icloud.com

Robert Lear (WI 1971) learjet417@gmail.com

Mary Margaret (Anderson) Skidmore Price (WI 1972) mizandoo.mp@gmail.com

Leslie DeLaPena Wheelock (WI 1975) leslie.bernadette@yahoo.com

Harry Mitchell (WI 1975) harrymitchell50@msn.com

Brad Rogers (WI 1975) br5418@aol.com

Lisa Stout Rogers (WI 1976) br5418@aol.com

Rhonda Kim Kuhens Sabo (WI 1977) rhondakim.sabo@gmail.com

Kimberly C. Ludwick (WI 1977) kwildt@sc.rr.com

Diana Miller (WI 1977) dkmiller@rocketmail.com

Brian L. Floyd (WI 1977) (Fish6bf@aol.com)

Ruth Ann (Gibson) Spino (WI 1978) Angels4RandN@hotmail.com

Fran Lopez (WI 1979) evilwitchcat@yahoo.com

Robert Walls (WI 1985) robertwalls1967@icloud.com

Jamie Oliverio (WI 1988) jamieoliverio@yahoo.com

CORRECTIONS

Emma Lee Hite (WI 1960) Emma.lee1042@gmail.com (the number is 1042-not 1942 as I had published last month)

CHANGE

Sargent P. McQuillan (WI 1957) sargentpmcquillan@gmail.com

AUGUST MYSTERY CHILD

Above is a picture of a young boy. Do you recognize him? Tell us his name and do you recognize what he is doing? Do you have any memory to share of this young boy?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

4th of JULY

From: Joe Malone (WI 1952)

This week will be only the second time in the last 20 years that I haven't been at Lake Floyd for the July 4th Celebrations. Parade; Games on the "Beach"; Road Bowling; Picnic; and above all, The Fireworks @ night; etc. etc. My kids found me "pouting" at home so they gathered for a pool party at my place. 

The below picture is a photoshopped "selfie" featuring my daughter-in-law and moi on my back deck.

The other photos are from earlier visits just to provide background color. I particularly like the one taken last year of my Sister Sadie (WI 1943) with her favorite nephew, my son Rob, on the Clubhouse porch.

From: Terry Shorr (WI/Elkins 1958)

Growing up in Broad Oaks and attending the Broad Oaks Methodist Church, I managed to cross paths with the local Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) chapter, whose leaders enlisted Bobby Neal, Denny Norman and myself (and maybe 1-2 others whose names escape me) for membership in the Loyal Temperance Legion (LTL), a subsidiary for grade schoolers.

BTW, two infamous alumnae of the WCTU were Carrie Nation and Lizzie Borden, both otherwise renowned for their heavy-duty cutlery skills.

As loyal LTLers we were persuaded to attend Temperance Camp (twice) for a week at Camp Caesar in Webster County, a pleasant week for us all. While there we learned of the evils of demon rum and of smoking or chewing tobacco. I recall watching a cigarette smoked by chemistry set apparatus with about a cc of nicotine tar collected in a test tube, a vivid deterrent to tobacco use, at least for the moment.

I drove past Camp Caesar a few years ago and found the campgrounds, particularly the swimming pool, much smaller than I'd remembered it as a 10-11-year-old.

While in LTL, and at the Camp, we earned the following, which I have remembered verbatim all these years:

"I promise, God helping me,

Not to buy, drink, sell or give

Alcoholic liquors while I live.

From all tobaccos I'll abstain,

And never take God's name in vain."

That vow kept me straight until the 7th grade...

COOLING OFF

Above photo provided by Mike Snyder (WI 1957)

My wife Jill, daughter Joy and grandkids Anna Grace and Evans enjoying themselves this summer in the North Fork downstream from Seneca Rocks.

AUGUST MYSTERY PICTURE

SENIOR SKIP DAY

WI CLASS 1952

From: Joe Malone (WI 1952)

I ran across it looking for some Lake Floyd photos.

It's "Senior Skip Day" for the Class of 1952. I can't date it beyond sometime in May/June of 1952. I can't remember the venue either but I think it was one of the three "Lakes" or maybe a State Park?

I dare anyone to name these Beauties!....... You may have heard me use the colloquialism "Working the Herd"? Well, this was my "Herd" (and I never even scored.)

BTW: One person in the group was "Miss WVa" in the Miss America Contest. I visited her in Atlantic City, NJ during the contest. Her mother would only let me waive to her from the street as she leaned out of their hotel window. Someone could earn a substantial contribution to next year's WIN Scholarship "Quilting" raffle tickets if they can could name "both of them".

JULY MYSTERY PICTURE

From: Shirley Heidelmeier Williams (WI 1957)

This was Ms. Israel, a teacher at Central Jr. High. A very nice lady. She happened to be in Assisted Living in Bridgeport, WV. When my dad went in. They were neighbors, apartments next to each other. She was 101 or 102 at that time. She would speak to me in the hall and at lunch. Of course, I don’t think she remembered me. She was a very attractive lady. Good memories of her.

From: Leslie McKinley Wallace (would have been WI 1960)

I think the July Mystery Woman is Sarah Margaret Israel. She was a teacher at WI for many years. I can't remember what subject she taught, but it might have been English.

From: Cliff Cleavenger (WI 1970)

I believe she is Miss Israel, my eighth (maybe seventh) grade English teacher at Central Junior High School. I have very favorable memories of her as a teacher. Even though I was not a good student, she was a good teacher.

If so, she lived on East Pike Street. I don't believe she was married. I have memories that she lived with her mother. Not sure if that is true or not. The house appears to still be standing (from BING aerial photography). It is located at 410 E. Pike between A. Lea Hess Upholstery and an open parking lot that used to be the site of a four or five story brick building that housed Sears warehouse, Otis Elevators, then Southern States storage before being raised. It was also directly across the street from what was the Sportsman's Inn from the late 60's to 70's.

From: Alex Thwaites (WI 1965) now in Minneapolis, MN

The lady in the July Mystery picture is Ms. Sarah Israel, a 7th grade English teacher at Central Junior H.S. I recall Ms. Israel as a very soft-spoken individual who thoroughly enjoyed her career as a teacher.

From: Lyle Corder (RW 1957)

The mystery woman is Ms. Israel who taught at Central Junior High School and perhaps other schools. She and my dad Richard Coplin Corder, the seventh-grade shop teacher, were great friends. Dad worked many hours at her home doing all kinds of odd jobs. They were buddies.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNION MEMORIES

From: Bill Meredith (WI 1957)

On May 26, 2018, Roleta and I attended the Monongah High School Alumni Association’s 95th annual banquet in Fairmont, WV. What is unique about this event is the fact that it has taken place every year since 1923, with the exception of one year during World War II. It is the longest running annual high school alumni event in the state of West Virginia.

Even though the high school was closed in 1979, due to consolidation, the alumni continue to gather each May to honor the 40, 50 and 60-year graduates. Obviously, attendance is lower now than in previous years, but 150-225 people still gather to see their old friends and classmates. Distance does not seem to prevent the regulars from attending. Each year there are usually several from states like California, New York, Florida and other faraway places who show up. The alumni officers hope to “keep it going” five more years until they reach the magic 100th.

Below is a picture of Roleta and me at this year’s event. The gentlemen on the right is Lloyd Schell, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and is one of my classmates. Lloyd is 79 years young and still hits the slopes of Canaan Valley, WV and Colorado to snow ski every winter. I reminded Lloyd that I did not snow ski, since I always felt that I was mediocre at enough sports already.

Below is a picture taken at the event. Left to right are Bill Meredith, Roleta Meredith and Lloyd Schell, a classmate of Bill’s.

ALTA VISTA 4^TH GRADE CLASS REMEMBERED

From: Don Sager, (Alta Vista, CJHS, WI-1956, WVU-1964)

I’m not sure that it is fair to ask that we remember Broad Oaks and Arbutus Park kids from SEVENTY years ago when I can go down to our garage to run to the store and MY CAR WON’T START since I forgot my keys. But here goes:

Row 1—Principal Lawson, Diane Wamsley, Roy Feldman, Susan Caplan, Ronnie Lewis, Sandra Shreve, Eddie Lantz, ?? , Richard Flowers.

Row 2—Carolyn Lawson, Walter Wiltzy, Anne Moore, Mary Skidmore, Harold Brewster, ?? .

Row 3—Terry Riley, Betty Cooper, (me Don Sager), ?? , Connie Welling, Jack Borror.

Row 4—Jeanne Taylor, Kenny Watson, Sandra Squires, Jim Alvaro, Anne Hollingsworth, Bob Kopp, Janet Webb, Bob Simon, Dokie Boone.

Row 5—?? , Ruth Straight, Tommy Tucker, Mary Sue Clark, ?? , Sandra Poling.

If I am right so far, I got about 85% correct. Not ready for the HOME yet. And a fine lookin’ group if I say so myself!!

From: Mary Sue Clark Spahr (WI 1956)

Here are the names as I remember them:

Top Row (l to r):

1. Mr. Lawson, 2. Diane Wamsley, 3. Roy Feldman, 4. Susan Caplan, 5. (?), 6. Sandra Shereves, 7. Bud Lantz, 8. Rose Marie Rodriquez, 9. (?)

Second Row from Top:

1. Carolyn Lawson, 2. (?), 3. Ann Moore, 4. Mary Skidmore, 5. Harold Brewster, 6. (?)

Third Row from Top:

1. Terry Riley, 2. Betty Koverman, 3. Don Sager, 4. (?), 5. Connie Welling, 6. Jack Borror

Fourth Row from Top:

1. Jean Taylor, 2. (?), 3. Sandra Squires, 4. Jim Alvaro, 5. Ann Hollandsworth, 6. Bob Kopp, 7 Janet Webb, 8. (?), 9. Delores Boone

Front Row:

1. Charles Sears, 2. Ruth Straight, 3. (?), 4. Mary Sue Clark, 5. Chester?, 6. (?)

A new section for the newsletter. Have you had a book or books published?

I would like for you to write me a letter to use in the newsletter.

Tell us a little about yourself and give us the names of the books you have had published. I will use one or maybe two letters each month.

From the way it looks, there are a lot of authors from WI and surrounding area schools.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

Here is our first featured author: 

Pictured above is Nancy Swing, second from right with patriotic scarf around her neck.

From: Nancy Swing (WI 1961)

Wanted to share this photo of Russell and me assembling to march with the Central Coast Writers in Monterey's 4th of July Parade. The crowd of some 10,000 was very enthusiastic, and we had a lot of fun. As we rounded the corner, halfway through the mile-long route, I thought, "74 and still kickin'." Hope all my 1961 classmates are the same. Thanks for all you do for all of us.

Editor’s Note: Here are the books that Nancy Swing has written:

MALICE ON THE MEKONG takes place in Laos, where we lived in the 1990’s.

CHILD’S PLAY is the first in my trilogy of mysteries that take place in a fictitious small town in WV.

Nancy is currently working on the second in the series, LAZARUS, which she hopes to have out in time for Christmas.

All of her books are available through her website, nancyswing.com.

Here is our second featured author:

Article about up-coming book by Jim Fragale (WI 1968).

Even though he was in the New York Post’s Cindy Adam column this spring, James Fragale is keeping a low profile. Jim’s finalizing his fourth amazon.com novel but not talking much. “It’s too tentative,” he says. The Post article mentioned The Company Store would be out in December and pays homage to West Virginia coal miners who perished in the last two centuries, concentrating on the 1907 Monongah explosion, the worst industrial disaster, ever. That’s all true.” Jim added, “As usual, Cindy Adams scooped everyone, but it’s too darn early. One, the title is not set. Two, the slated December release is more likely February 2019.

Mrs. Adams did get the gist of Fragale’s fourth novel. The Company Store includes the worst industrial disaster in American history, the December 6, 1907, Monongah explosion of Fairmont Coal Company’s No. 6 and No. 8-close to Clarksburg, where both of Fragale’s grandfathers worked. And well over’ five hundred lives were snuffed out – hardworking, gentlemen -- mostly immigrants -- who Paid Their Souls to the Company Store. Jim’s title of course comes from the 1946 Merle Travis song, the finger snapping, Number One, Million Seller, Smash Hit 1955 record by Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sixteen Tons.

Editor’s Note: Here is a list of books that Jim has written:

THE ANSWER TO LIFE

F.U.! (FOLLOW UP)! THE ANSWER TO LIFE REVISITED.

SEVENTY-SIX TROMBONES, LIFE AFTER THIRTY-NINE MADE EASY.

Jim’s books are all available on Amazon.com. or at many other bookstores.

From: Steve Limbers (WI 1957)

I remember her differently but I think the lady in the pic is Sara(h?) Margaret Israel of Room 210, CJHS. She was a favorite of mine. You may publish this even if I am wrong.

Glad to hear I was Don's favorite companion at the carnivals in Norwood. He never kissed me in a caterpillar, but I kissed Kay Lawson in one When I saw Kay at a FL picnic 15 or so years ago, I asked her if that kiss under the caterpillar tent was memorable. Her response: What kiss?

I had senior English with Mike Snyder and he was an angelic student by then. Glyde Bailey was such a class act that all of us were on good behavior in her class. Mike does wonderful things with words, as all newsletter readers know. I have often wondered whether Miss Bailey was at least partially responsible for that.

From: Anne Parsons Talkington (WI 1966)

Roleta, thank you for including my note to you in this recent newsletter, I have ALREADY heard from an "old" WI friend. It was such a nice surprise. I enjoyed the entire letter and praise you and your helpers for doing such a nice job, very professional. I will try to come up with a story or a picture to contribute. Toby Singleton was in a picture this time, she was my former sister-in-law. Thanks Again, Anne

  

From: Jim Strider (WI 1955)

In the picture above, I believe that the girl at far left could possibly be Carolyn Wilfong. The boy looking at the board is for sure John Allen. The girl center facing right looks like a lot like Toby Singleton. And of course, Mary Elizabeth at right.

Editor’s Note: Yes, Jim, you are correct. I, too, recognized John Allen and Toby Singleton. I wish others would have recognized them and would have written to tell us.

Thank you, Jim, for writing, at least that way I know someone saw the picture.

You could share your memories too.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

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

Thank you.

From: Mike Snyder (WI 1957)

I was a member of Hi-Y in my WI days. While I'm sure there were criteria for selecting members, it's my guess that if the older guys thought you were acceptable then they voted you in. I don't recall doing any significant activities as a member, perhaps other guys do. I feel that if we had had another sponsor rather than Mr. Gudekunst, a man who could have better related to and inspired young men, then I feel the organization could have had a much stronger influence on the school and the community. That's my opinion; perhaps some of the officers might have seen it differently. As I said in a previous article, I would have gladly followed the leadership of Coach Folio, Mr. Duckworth or Clay B. Hite.

From: John Teter (WI 1961)

I remember being in Hi-Y, my senior year at WI (1961), and I have always thought that the only reason I was selected to join Hi-Y was because my brother (Bob) had been in Hi-Y the year before.

I read in my senior yearbook just now that the purpose of Hi-Y was to direct traffic and sell programs at home football games; they attended church once a month as a group; sold candy to finance club projects; and formed a basketball team. The only thing that I can definitely remember from this list of what Hi-Y did was playing basketball, and the only game that I remember was playing the JV team from WI and at Carmichael. I have a vague memory that we sold candy.

I do remember going to camp, but I do not remember where the camp was. I do however remember a girl that I met at the camp whose name was HELEN. She and a couple of her girlfriends were there from Huntington High School. I remember that Helen and I had a very romantic camp experience during the week that we were there. I can also remember that she was beautiful. Richard Malcolm, me and some other classmate were invited to come to Huntington by the "girls". My parents would not let me go, but I think that Richard and the other classmate actually did go to Huntington to "visit" with their "girls". Richard and I have had many discussions at our Friday dinners at Twin Oaks in Augusts, and at our past reunions as to who the third member of our Huntington girls group was, but neither one of us can come up with a factual name.

It will be interesting to see if you get any responses from the ladies regarding their experiences in Tri Hi-Y.

From: Jim Alvaro (WI 1956)

In an earlier WI Newsletter, the subject of a Mystery Picture was the Masonic Temple. I believe we held our WI football dinner/dances there as well as our proms. I don't know if the alley beside the building had a name but many times I would park there and wait for my wife Sonja to come out from the back door of the C & P Telephone Co. when she got off work as a telephone operator. Many girls got off work being picked up by parents,

boyfriends, and taxis at the same time. WI Hi-Y Club held meetings there also

Below is a prom picture of Jim Alvaro (WI 1956) with date Diana Folio (WI 1957).

Editor's Note: I can no longer accept a link to an obituary, nor photographs of a written obit. I can only accept obituaries that are ready to copy and paste into the newsletter. (Just look below at an obit… that is the way I should receive it).

If you love (or like) the person enough to want the obit in the newsletter, please take the time to type it and e-mail it to me. If there is a picture and you want it included, please copy it and paste it in the letter or download it as an attachment - or both.

I do have Facebook and I do have FB Messenger, but I do not work on the newsletter within any other field except my computer through emails. This is the way I have worked for going on 20 years and it is the way I must continue.

Thank you.

LARRY N. SMITH

Larry N. Smith (WI 1962) passed away 12 June 2018.

MICHAEL MINUTELLI, JR.

Michael Minutelli Jr., 88, of Clarksburg, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in the WV Veterans Nursing Facility following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg on December 12, 1929, a son of the late Angelo and Carmella Fiorenza Minutelli. He was married to Emogene Marra Minutelli, who preceded him in death on October 21, 2014. Surviving are two sisters, Colombia Sartoris of Murrysville, PA, and Rose Marie Calabretta of Moon Township, PA; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Salvatore V. Minutelli.

Mr. Minutelli was a 1948 graduate of Washington Irving High School, where he played football, a United States Air Force veteran, and was a retired supervisor with the Clarksburg Water Board. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where he was also involved as president of the Mens Club.

KAREN LESLIE CLAYTON

Karen Leslie Clayton, 75, of Nutter Fort, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at her residence with family by her side.

She was born June 20, 1943, in Clarksburg, WV, the daughter of the late Jackson Boyles and Ruby Swiger Boyles Posey.

Karen is survived by her two sons, Sean (Missie) Clayton and Robert Clayton; one daughter, Wendy Clayton; three grandchildren, Caleb Price, Wyatt Clayton and Jill McClure; and two half brothers, Jack (Mary) Boyles and Robert Boyles.

In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by her husband, Sebert “Zeke” Clayton on November 23, 2010; one grandson, Joshua “J.T.” McClure; one sister, Penny Boyles; and one half-sister, Nancy Boyles.

Karen graduated from Washington Irving High School, Class of 1961 and Salem College with a Bachelor in Education. She started her teaching career in Preston County and retired as a Math Teacher in Harrison County, teaching at Roosevelt Wilson, Washington Irving and Robert C Byrd High School with nearly forty total years.

Online condolences may be sent to Davis Funeral Home.

REMEMBERNG MARIANNA WAROBLAK 
(WI 1957)

Jack R. Bowen (WI 1957) wanted to send some thoughts about Marianna and invited any others from his class to also write their memories about her and send them to Roleta1@aol.com for the newsletter.

Please write your memories to the WI Newsletter, Jack would love to hear from any of his friends. Write to Roleta1@aol.com When emailing me, please include your name, school and year you did or would have graduated.

I am sorry to hear of Marianna Waroblak’s death and would like to comment on her to those who knew her. She was my French instructor when she was in graduate school at Pitt. Marianna was in the doctoral program at Pitt when I transferred there and was required to take 2 years of French. She was my French instructor. We soon figured out that she was from Clarksburg, from W.Va., and W.I. We became good friends and spent a lot of time together. I got an A in French. She was a very nice girl, but we lost touch and I would ask about her to no avail.

PAMELA HYRE CROPP RIGGS

Pamela Hyre “Pam” Cropp Riggs, of Bridgeport, WV, died at her home on Friday, July 27, 2018.

She was born June 20, 1943, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of the late Ruth Steele Cropp Schneider and Hosmer Hyre Cropp.

Pam is survived by two sons, Robert Matthew (Kim) Riggs, and Michael Wayne Riggs and his companion, Michele Berry; as well as her sister, Jane Alison Cropp (Eric) Acri. She is also survived by a step-grandson, Cody Williams, three nephews, Aaron Flinn, Phillip Cropp, Ercol Acri III, and two nieces, Ann Acri and Caroline Cropp.

Her husband of forty-seven years, Robert Wayne Riggs, whom she married June 12, 1965, preceded her in death on March 8, 2012. A sister, Carroll Ann Cropp, and a brother, Robert Hosmer Cropp also preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Richard “Nick” Schneider.

Pam graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1961 and from West Virginia University in 1965 where she was an active member of the Chi Omega Fraternity.

During her forty-five-year career as a nurse she worked at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center as well as Medbrook Medical Center. On the academic level she was an instructor of nursing at both Salem University and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Always an energetic person as well as a lifelong learner Pam was an avid tennis player, a member of the Oral Lake Fishing Club, and a devoted member of Coterie. She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Clarksburg, WV.

Her family request that donations in Pam’s member be made to: The Memorial Garden, Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1492, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

Per her request, she will be cremated.

There will be no public visitation. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.