Only 23 alive for USS Indianapolis Reunion

The 2016 USS Indianapolis Survivors Reunion Banquet will be 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9 in Indianapolis.

Sam Lopez, Sr., father of Linda Lopez Gandy, Class of 1965, is one of 23 USS Indianapolis survivors still alive.



Sam Lopez, Sr.

The USS Indianapolis was returning from delivering components for the atomic bomb that later struck Hiroshima when it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945. The ship sank in 12 minutes. In America’s worst naval tragedy of World War II, 880 died.

A month later, Japan surrendered after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Because no one else knew about it, 900 men floated in the ocean for four days until they were discovered by accident when a Navy PBY search and rescue plane piloted by Hoosier Adrian Marks discovered them floating in the ocean.  

By then, only 317 men still were alive.

The USS Indianapolis was the flagship for Admiral Raymond Spruance while he commanded the Fifth Fleet in the Pacific.

To read about the harrowing documentary, as told by the survivors, click on

http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-amazing-documentary-tells-the-tragic-story-of-the-uss-indianapolis-in-the-crews-words

2 tables left for Christmas lights fundraiser

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, has two tables left to rent for the Huge Multi-Family Yard Sale 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Town Hall. $10 each.

It’s a fundraiser to buy more Christmas street lights for Monongah to go with the seven that White Hall donated last year. An earlier fundraiser paid for material to erect the former White Hall lights on the posts.

Susan, an administrative assistant at Personnel, and husband Ron Sanders live on Thomas Street, as I did till the Olesky family bought and moved across the street to the Church Street house at the U.S. 19 (Camden Avenue) intersection.

Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973; Teena Field Ailstock, 1984 North Marion grad; and Mareca Savonarola have been Susan’s lieutenants in this drive to light up Monongah brighter and brighter for the holidays.

The Fairmont Times story on the fundraiser to add Christmas lights to Monongah’s streets:

Monongah resident continues fight for Christmas lights

By Kelsie VanderWijst Times West Virginian

MONONGAH — A Monongah resident continues her efforts to light up the town.

Susan Sanders, a longtime resident of Monongah, said she has wanted Christmas lights for the town for a long time.

“I started it last year, in 2015, around July,” she said. “I have lived in Monongah most of my life, and I always wanted Christmas lights here in the town.”

She said Monongah seems to be the only town that doesn’t have lights each year.

Despite being told the town couldn’t afford it, she decided to host fundraisers to raise the money.

“I got a hold of the Town of White Hall, and they gave me some excellent tips on how to proceed and what to do,” Sanders said. “They even donated seven Christmas lights to us for the town to get started.”

Sanders said there are a lot of senior citizens in the town who love having the lights.

“I am a people-person, and I love to make people happy,” she said.

Since the start of the project, Sanders has formed a committee of five women.

“I don’t know what I would do without my girls,” Sanders said.

Committee member Mareca Savonarola said she wants to see the lights because bigger towns have them, so why can’t a smaller town have them, too?

“We have a sweet little town here, and I think it would make it nice for when other people came through,” she said. “I think it makes it really nice for the people around here, too. I have only lived in Monongah six years, and I think it is a sweet little town. So if we can help it a little bit, why not?”

Sanders said they have been pretty successful so far.

“We went around to maybe 15-20 companies asking for donations, and everybody has been just fabulous,” she said. “Almost every one of them gave us something.”

Despite the success so far, they need more to reach their goal.

“My goal is to (have lights for) this whole town,” Sanders said. “One thing is the lights are very expensive. They start probably at $350.”

She has been working with Mosca Design to work on some packages.

Last year, the lights were displayed when people came into Monongah at the post office and ran along U.S. 19 past the Circle K.

“There are a lot of side streets, and I would like to do over by the fire department and up the hill going out of Monongah,” Sanders said. “There are a lot of nice areas in Monongah that would love to have lights. That is my goal.”

Instead of donating, people can purchase a light to donate.

“Maybe they have lost a mom, a dad, a child, (are) newlyweds or (have) a new baby, and what the Town of Monongah will do is donate the banner with the name to that person,” Sanders said.

The next fundraiser will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4 at the Monongah Town Hall, located at 434 Bridge St. Residents are encouraged to stop by the multi-family yard sale, bake sale and craft sale.

For donations, people can make a check to the Town of Monongah with Christmas lights in the memo, Sanders said.

“They then fax me a list of everyone who has donated,” she said. “Last year, I probably raised close to $2,000, and every person that made a donation, I hand-wrote a thank you to each and every one of them. I will still continue to do that.”

Sanders hopes people will help make the town shine.

 

Larry Mazza & Linda Mazza Shelosky

Mazza magic may melt away

Linda Mazza Shelosky, who is a Fairmont East High grad but has lived in Monongah for more than 40 years and is a widow of Bernie Shelosky, Class of 1965, is a daughter of Jimmy Mazza, who passed away in 1973, and Ginny Retton Mazza.

Her brother, Rick Mazza, was on the football coaching staff at Monongah High for the 1973 state football championship and has a successful high school coaching career in North Carolina.

Linda and another brother, Larry Mazza, are the subject of a Fairmont Times article about Mazza’s Restaurant, a fixture in East Fairmont for more than a half-centur.

Linda still lives on Cottage Street where she made her home with Bernard for 44 years until Bernard passed in 2013.

The Fairmont Times article:

FAIRMONT — “Thanks for the memories.”

That’s the message on the sign outside Mazza’s on Alta Vista Avenue, a restaurant located near the old East Fairmont High School and East Fairmont Junior High and, now, East Fairmont Middle School.

Friday a large crowd was on hand much of the day as the restaurant was open for a final day — for now.

Larry Mazza, who worked lunch hours in the 1960s as an East Fairmont student when his late father James was running the business, would like to retire and sell it.

“I’d like to retire,” he said while taking a break late during the afternoon. “I will. If I don’t sell, I’ll come back in August and work until about Christmas and that vacation in school and then go down and be with my son.”

That’s in Boca Raton, Florida, where his son Rocky Mazza lives and Larry Mazza has a condo.

“I like the lifestyle,” Larry Mazza said. “I’ll be really close to a basketball court, a tennis court, a swimming pool. They have a lot of oldies concerts there. It’s really nice. You can ride a bicycle for miles. It’s a little different from back here.”

He wants to retire while in good health.

“I’ve seen too many people retire, and they’re no longer here,” he said. “They worked all their lives.”

Linda Mazza Shelosky, like her brother Larry, worked lunch hours at Mazza’s while in high school.

“Except the times I kind of fibbed and told my dad I had a meeting,” she said with a smile.

She continued to help her dad and has been working with her brother since the 1980s.

James Mazza had Mazza’s from 1948 until his death in 1973. Larry Mazza then took over until 1993, when the school changed to closed campus.

He had a number of other businesses and continued living in the same location as Mazza’s.

This is the fourth year the original Mazza’s location has been reopened.

“It’s just different because it’s junior high kids and middle school kids instead of high school, but it has still been great because you pretty much know the kids’ dads, grandpas and others,” Mazza said. “It has been really good.”

He said his father “really built a great name for himself.”

“When I took it over, I did not want to tarnish the name at all,” Mazza added.

Pizza buns, which were first offered about 1975, have been a popular item over the years.

The original menu featured such items as hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes.

The pepperoni rolls offered at Mazza’s now feature cubed rather than sliced pepperoni.

“They like that better,” Mazza said. “There’s more bite to it.”

Mazza hopes the restaurant can continue under a similar philosophy for decades to come.

“I’m hoping to sell it to somebody who will be similar to myself and my father, who was active in East Fairmont,” he said. “They can keep that alive and have a thing where they can look back, like myself, and say after 30 or 40 years, ‘Oh, look here. All the good memories.’”

Shelosky said she has “loved the people” over the decades.

“You have to be a people person in this business,” she said. “The only reason why I don’t like the days we’re really crowded is you really can’t connect with people. It’s good for business. Every business person wants to make money.

“Today there were so many people who came back from the ’60s. We were so crowded. It was early out (from school). It’s wonderful that these people always support you. It’s going to be a sad day, but it’s a happy day, too.

“It’s sad because that’s really my connection with people. This is my socialization since my husband passed away. It’s like a connecting path. But it’s good to let go. Larry has his son in Florida and his granddaughter. That’s what it’s all about.”

Wauneda & Don Evans

68^th Evans wedding anniversary

 

Wauneda Evans, mother of Brian Evans and mother-in-law of Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972, and Don Evans celebrated their 68^th wedding anniversary.

 

Brian and Patti DeMary have been married 41 years. They live in Fairmont.

 

Fairmont State grad Patti is a retired nurse (1987-2006) and the daughter of Tina “Peaches” Aldridge DeMary, Class of 1945, and Frank DeMary, Class of 1947, who ran DeMary Grocery in Monongah at the end of the Brookdale Bridge. 

 

Patti's sister is BettyAnne DeMary, Class of 1979.

Patti and Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973 and married to Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, have been friends for 60 years.

 



155 Lions roared loudly

The 93rd Monongah High Alumni Reunion on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus in Fairmont was a rousing success – with a surprise bonus.

155 showed up, which was more than the 125 who made it in 2015.


And the Monongah High Alumni Association was ready to end the scholarship awards for lack of money, but a surprise donor donated $5,000 to keep the fund going.


I suspect I know who did it, but I’ll need to confirm to be sure.

MHS Alumni President Linda Lopez Gandy was absolutely and understandably giddy about the turnout.



Pat Fleming Satterfield,
Class of 1962; Ramona
Fullen Michalski,
Class of 1949 

Linda wrote:  




“Another alumni has come and gone. What a great group last night. Last year 125, this year 155. The Knights of Columbus were perfect hosts. The dinner, was delicious, the band Stepping Stone was great.

"Our 2 scholarship winners were Andrew Combasky and Anne Spatafore. Since the alumni started the scholarship fund we have had 27 recipients

and have given out $43,000.00. Isn't that something?   “But last night I was ready to announce this year was our last to give the scholarship. We only have $1,898 in the bank and we were going to give a small donation to another source. Also we were going to pass the basket like we always do.   “WELL!!!!! When we were having roll call for the classes a generous person said he was donating $5,000 to the fund. WOW!!!! We're on for next year and the year after.   “Thank you all for coming and your generous donations. You make our jobs so much easier.”   Donna McGinnis Suppa, Class of 1963, was at the Reunion with other thoughts on her mind.   She’ll be moving on Friday to her new house in Shinnston after living forever in Worthington.   Writes Donna:   “It is going to be emotional. I am leaving and selling my family home and the home that Jack and I bought from my mom 41 years ago and raised our daughters in.”

Have $1 million + ? You can buy town of Sugar Grove, West Virginia

If you top the current $1 bid, you can own a West Virginia town. It’s Sugar Grove, with 80 single-family homes on 122 acres, a 3-story building with 53 small suites that could handle 105 people and other buildings.

The former Naval Base is in a national quiet zone, which means radio stations and cellphones can't penetrate it.

It’s in Pendleton County, the “armpit” of the Eastern Panhandle on a map of the state, about 40 miles south of Senca Rocks. Sugar Grove is east of U.S. 220 and midway between U.S. 33 at Brandywine and U.S. 250 at Head Waters.

The U.S. General Services Administration is selling the Sugar Grove Station, 133 Hedrick Drive, Sugar Grove.



Class of 1971 got MHS Reunion off to roaring start

The Class of 1971 got a head start on all the other Lions by having a roaring good time at Kip Riley’s house in White Hall on Friday evening.

There were 61 graduates in 1971, but 16 showed up at Kip's house. An impressive turnout.

My thanks to Sue Ahouse Schrader for providing identifications for everyone in the top group photo. 

I’m sure there were other classes having reunions on Friday, but I haven’t found any on Facebook yet.

The 92^nd Monongah High Alumni Reunion for all classes will begin Saturday, May 28.

Honor class photos will begin at 5:30 p.m. for 1956, 1961, 1966 and 1976 grads.

The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m., the dancing to the Stepping Stone at 8:30 p.m.

 

Monica Shelosky Cochran, a graduate of Saints Peter and Paul School and, in 1982, North Marion High, and Duane Cochran, also a 1982 North Marion grad, are celebrating their 27^th wedding anniversary.

Monica and Greg Shelosky are the children of Tom Shelosky, son of Julia Lazorick Shelosky and the late, amazing Green Hills golfer Stanley “Strob” Shelosky.

Tom’s sister, Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961, lives in Fairmont.
George Shelosky was Monica’s uncle.
Monica’s SP&P classmates included Melanie Ann Pagliaro, daughter of Rosemary Raymond Pagliaro, sister of the late Bob Raymond and daughter of Angelo Raymond and Mary Dudiak Raymond.

And Joanne DeMary, daughter of Joe DeMary and Laurelle “Lou” Costello Hustead and sister of Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979, of Red Bank, Tennesee; Joe Jo-Jo DeMary, who lives in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee with wife Yvonne King DeMary;  and Julie Ann DeMary, also of Soddy-Daisy.

Melanie Ann was one of the bridesmaids at the wedding. The others were Debbie McCardle Stiles, Lenora Boord Montgomery and Shelly Carvillano Watson.

    

 

Sister of Monongah’s Josephine Williams Stewart passes away

Patty Williams Carpenter, sister of Josephine Williams Stewart of Monongah, passed away Wednesday, May 26.

Patty’s obituary:

Patricia Viola Carpenter

·         BORN: March 27, 1941

·         DIED: May 25, 2016

·         LOCATION: Fairmont, West Virginia

Patricia Viola Williams Carpenter, 75, of Fairmont, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at her home.

She was born on March 27, 1941, at Montana Mines, a daughter of the late James Monroe and Dorothy Madeline (Haught) Williams.

Patricia was a loving, caring mother, grandmother and friend. She attended West Virginia Junior College in Fairmont, where she studied accounting. Her many interests included arts and crafts, and drawing, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her precious family, especially her grandchildren. Patricia was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and also a Notary Public. She was retired from nursing and private healthcare after many years of being an excellent caregiver and will be missed by all who knew her. Heaven has another Angel.

Mrs. Carpenter is survived by her son, Brian Eugene Carpenter and wife Carly, of Fairmont; her daughters, Nancy Estelle Polis of Fairmont, Patricia Faye Dolog and husband Herb, of Independence, Kentucky, Dora Mae Beavan and husband Frank, of Mannington; her brother, Ernest Eugene Williams of New York, New York; her sisters, Josephine Stewart of Monongah, Beatrice Bell Metz of Fairmont; ex-husband, Dewain Carpenter, Sr. of Virginia; and daughter-in-law, Bernadine Carpenter also of Virginia.

She is also survived by her granddaughters, Amanda Morgan and husband Chris, Nikki Composky and husband Rick, Christina Woody and husband Jr., Anita Mancino; her grandsons, Christopher Mancino, Benjamin Mancino, Dewain Carpenter III, and Harvey Carpenter, Jr.; 4 step-grandchildren; and 23 beautiful great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Patricia was also preceded in death by her sons, Dewain Edward Carpenter, Jr., Harvey Monroe Carpenter; her five brothers, Earl Williams, James Monroe Williams, Jr., Eugene Williams, Jackie Williams, William Williams; and her sister, Madeline McElfresh.
As per Patricia wishes, she will be cremated. There will be a memorial service held at a later date.

 

Jim Nottingham, Class of 1961, has been hanging out with his friends for 68 years.

From first grade in Worthington through Monongah High graduation, it was a pair of Jims, Nottingham and McDaniel, Class of 1960, who today lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, who were constant companions.

In recent years Jim has been meeting monthly in Worthington with Edward Burley, Class of 1962, widower of Katherine Ely Burley; Roy “Jaybird” Murphy, Class of 1966; Joe McCullough, Class of 1962; David  Willis, Class of 1961; Clifford Morgan, Class of 1961; Harold Maze, Class of 1961; Wilbur Smith, Class of 1960; and Howard Shuttlesworth Jr., Class of 1972.

Roger Hartbert, Jim McDaniel, Jim Nottingham

Saturday at the 92^nd annual Monongah High Alumni Reunion he will be with Roger Harbert, a Monongah High grad who joined Jim Nottingham and Harold Maze to visit Jim McDaniel in Rehoboth Beach a few years ago. Both made their reservations. Jim Nottingham also attended the 2011 MHS Alumni Reunion.

The pair of Jims – Nottingham and McDaniel – were patrol boys at Worthington Grade School and made a 3-day trip to Washington, D.C. for their reward.

“We are still best of friends,” Jim McDaniel says of Jim Nottingham.

Darin Nottingham, North Marion Class of 1987, is Jim’s son. The late Mary Ellen was his sister.  

Linda Nottingham Willis, Class of 1964, a majorette and class officer at Monongah High, and John T. “Tommy” Nottingham, Class of 1968, married to Victoria Blocker Nottingham, Class of 1969, are his cousins.

Jim Nottingham missed a year of school at Monongah High after being shot in a hunting accident near Harter Hill.

Roy “Jaybird” Murphy played basketball and baseball for a Monongah High team that made the state baseball tournament in Parkersburg.

Jaybird lives in West Milford with Patricia Beccaloni Murphy, Class of 1964, daughter of Margaret Browning Beccaloni and Mario Beccaloni, sister of Robert Beccaloni and stepdaughter of Steve Sinkovich.

There’s something about Worthington that creates life-long friendships. Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948, of Rockville, Maryland; Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948, of Pompano Beach, Florida, and Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948, of Mill Fall were Monongah High cheerleaders from Worthington who were known as the Three Musketeers because they ran around together so much during their MHS days.

And remained in contact with each other even though they lived up and down the Atlantic Seabord, till Suzi passed away.

Nottinghams are all over my Monongah High records.

Mary Ellen Nottingham, Class of 1965, is from Fairmont.

Victoria Blocker Nottingham is a daughter of Lucille Loss Blocker, daughter of J.B. Loss and Josephine Dieling Loss. Her siblings were the late Barbara Ann Blocker Tennant and Scott Blocker, Class of 1968.

Sharon Nottingham DeNoon also went to Monongah High.

As for the 92^nd Monongah High Alumni Reunion, which was started in 1922 by Greta Martin Mike, who married barber Jimmy Mike and lived in Monongah:

SATURDAY, MAY 28

At the Knights of Columbus, Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont.

5:30 p.m. Honor class photos (1956, 1961, 1966, 1976).

6:30 p.m. Banquet.

8:30 p.m.  Dancing to the music of Stepping Stone, a father-son duo.

156 reservations have been made, well in excess of the 125 who showed up in 2015.