Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, and Barry Vingle, born into the musical Vingle family of Monongah, just keep doing what comes naturally.

For Jackie, who has a proud brother in Tallmadge, Ohio (John Olesky, Class of 1950), it’s continuing her work with the Fairmont Soup Opera, which feeds the hungry in Marion County.

Jackie got Catholic Charity’s Salt and Light Award for her efforts a few years ago, but she doesn’t rest on her laurels.

Jackie also spearheads the drive to fill Easter baskets for disadvantaged children every year.

As for Barry Vingle, son of Anthony “Bugs” Vingle and Mary Martha Cavrich Vingle, brother of Scott Vingle and Robert Vingle of Fairmont and Brian Vingle of Concord, North Carolina and great-grandson of Peter Urban, the only survivor of the 1907 Monongah mines twin explosions that killed 362 officially and probably 500+ in reality:

The Fairmont West and Fairmont State graduate owns Stick Em Up Percussion on Skyline Drive in Fairmont, which produces percussion ensemble music for high school and elementary students.

He is also past President of the West Virginia Jazz Festival, in 1995 was named West Virginia Band Director of the year, in 1996 received the 25 years of Distinguished Service Award from the West Virginia Music Educators Association, in 1997 received The City of Fairmont Arts and Humanities Commission's Music Award and in 2002 was inducted into the West Virginia Music Educators Hall of Fame.

Barry has played with the United Mine Workers Concert Band, the Morgantown Municipal Band, the Jim Talkington Jazz Quartet, the Royals rock band, the Virgil Vingle Orchestra, The JR Farley Band, The Sydfx Rock Band and the Orlando Colombo Orchestra and today performs with the Subway Band out of Morgantown.

He has played drum set for The Four Aces, The Shanri-Las, These Three Tenors and Fabian.

At Fairmont West, his Polar Bear Jazz Band was outstanding high school jazz ensemble in West Virginia in 1992 and 1997, first place at the Orlando Jazz Band Festival in 1992, first place at the Virginia Beach Band Festival in 1993, first place at the West Liberty State College Jazz Contest in 1994 and 1995 and first place and Grand Champion at the Orlando Festival of Music in 1996.

At Mannington High School for six years, his Mannington Jazz Band won the state title in 1975.

In 1999, with a tip of the top hat to his father, Barry conducted the Fairmont West Percussion Ensemble in a tribute to Anthony “Bugs” Vingle. Bugs often played with the Joe LaRosa Band in Melody Manor, which is on U.S. 19 between Country Club Road and Westchester.

Barry’s mother passed away in 2011 at age 84. She lived in Fairmont.

Bernard Frank “Bernie” Vingle, Class of 1955, was part of the famous musical Vingle family, There was the Ray Vingle band of the 1950s. The United Mine Workers band with a Vingle as its leader, often playing in the UMW Union Hall in Monongah.

Delores Vingle Olender, Class of 1951, a vocalist with the Ray Vingle band, lives in Micco, Florida, which is the winter home for Ted Nagel, Class of 1954, who also has a domicile in Vinton, Virginia. Anna Sistok, Delores’ aunt, married Ted and 1949 graduate Jeanie Nagle Viglianco’s uncle, Walter Soyer.

Other Vingles include:

Irene Vingle Mazurek, Class of 1943.

Raymond Vingle, Class of 1945.

Ronald Vingle, Class of 1955.

Vincent Vingle, Class of 1939.

Virgil Vingle, Class of 1939.

If you have musical memories of the Vingle family – and who doesn’t – email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add them to this Monongah High Alumni blog. 

I remember as a teenager, and even earlier, listening to Vingles toot their horns and other musical instruments at the United Mine Workers Union Hall next to Pepsi Meffe’s service station where the Stoney Lonesome Road met U.S. 19 before you got to Urban Grocery.

Ah, sweet memories the Vingles provided to so many Monongah folks.