Monongah Fire Department battling Three Ways Inn blaze

The fire that destroyed the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont today removed a Marion County landmark and a favorite place for Monongah High Alumni to have reunions on the Friday before the Saturday Memorial Day Weekend Monongah High Alumni Reunion at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont.

According to a 911 dispatch, the fire began just before 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 2. Crews from Bridgeport and Shinnston Fire Department, as well as Marion County Rescue Squad, among many others, battled the fire.

On my way to one of my annual winter trips to Florida I reserved a large room that drew 21 Monongah High alumni to a reunion.

Linda Mazza Shelosky, widow of Bernard Shelosky, Class of 1965, used it for reunions or her Fairmont East Class of 1965.

Linda still lives in Monongah, on Cottage Street where she made her home with Bernie for 44 years until he passed away in 2013.

Even Brenda J Bevins-Johnston, who went to Grafton High and Columbus Franklin Heights, has ties to Three Ways Inn. She posted:

·         “My baby brother was the kitchen manager/ head chef; a niece was a waitress.”

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Human Resource Development Foundation Region 6 One Stop Coordinator April Pierson, a Fairmont State graduate, is offering to help Three Ways employees put out of a job by the fire. She posted:

o    “Please have any employees affected by this to call my office. 304-363-0654 ext 51262. I may be able to help them.”

Three Ways Inn, which has been around for nearly a half-century in White Hall, is known for its hoagie, home-made pierogies – and class reunions. The restaurant had banquet rooms that seated up to 100 people.

Owner Greg Apanowicz got the pierogies recipe from his mother.
Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, who lives in Monongah, said it best:

·         “John, I enjoyed the get-togethers with you at Three Ways. (Especially the ones you picked up the tab.) Think I attended all of them.

·     ·  “My grandson, Brad, was a bartender and his wife, Britney, was a waitress during their college days. My granddaughter, Tracy, also worked there during her college days.

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“We had many family dinners there during the winter months. I will miss their steak and pierogies and French onion soup.”

·        Ramona closed with a sentiment every Monongah High graduate and, indeed, all of Marion County feels:

    
“I hope they rebuild!”