Boggess keeps Shenasky building alive

Evelyn Kasper Boggess’ son

Adam Michna, the extraordinary Monongah historian, re-posted this 2015 Goldenseal Magazine article about John Boggess.

His parents are Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, who lives in her Frogtown childhood home with husband Okey Boggess, a retired coal miner. Frogtown is on the left as you’re driving south on U.S. 19 toward Swisher Hill.

John bought the former P.P. Shenasky Grocery building on U.S. 19 next to Thoburn School and across the street from the former Manzo and Hanus groceries, the PNA Tavern and Joe Hanus Garage.

Amelia Shenasky Zentz, the blonde daughter of Pete and Nell Shenasky who often worked behind the counter, is closing in on a century of living on Shenasky Lane. Its entrance is across U.S. 19 from the store.

Amelia golfed, bowled and danced, good enough to be invited to New York City to perform.

Al Williamson, who delivered groceries for the Shenasky store, brings them to Amelia nowadays. His home is next to Amelia’s. It’s the house Carrie Shenasky lived in; after her death, Al moved into the house.

Last time I checked, Al was in the produce department at the Shop & Save Store in Shinnston.

Al’s parents were Ruth and Doug Williamson. His sister, Kathy, is Class of 1978; his brother, Johnny Williamson, worked at Meffe’s bar on Jackson Street. Doug Williamson worked for years at Alasky’s in Farmington.

Margaret Salabor used to help Amelia out. Now her helpers, for the last three years, are Casey Cunningham and Casey's husband, who cuts Amelia's grass.

Evelyn’s brother, Bob Kasper, Class of 1950, has been my best friend since first grade at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Monongah. Bob lives in South Lyon, Michigan and has a summer home on Grand Lake in Presque Isle, Michigan where I join him every summer for a week of golf on the Rogers City golf course.

Bob, who we called Satch during our teen years at Monongah High, visits me at our Tallmadge home every fall and goes to a WVU game in Mountaineer Field with me.

We have exchanged the same two Christmas cards since 1955, and the names on them each year reflect births, marriages and deaths.

The two cards are living two-family history documents. When one of us goes to That Great Holler in the Sky first, the other will have a treasured remembrance.

Bruce passed away years ago. Irene Shenasky, widow of Amelia’s brother, dentist Dr. John Henry Shenasky, passed away last December.

 

Irene was the piano teacher who convinced my mother to “save your quarters” and stop paying the Sisters of the Auxiliaries of the Apostolate nuns 25 cents a week for my piano lessons. Irene listened to me perform “The Black Hawk Waltz,” after five years of lessons.

My mother sold the piano the next day.

If you have memories of the Shenasky store, email me at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com or just click on the No Comments or (numeral) Comments below this article and type away. When I approve it, it will show up on this blog.

I remember when Nell would give us a piece of candy when were young and we came to the store with our parents. I'm sure others have fond memories of P.P.'s store.