OF FLAGS ON THE 4TH AND FUN IN MONONGAH TOWN HALL ON JULY 17TH

 

What a glorious thing the VFW and Boy Scouts do in Marion County for July 4^th, Flag Day and other holidays!

Homeowners send a check to the VFW once a year.

VFW gets Boy Scouts to plant flag on the lawns in containers. They are removed easily later.

That way an entire neighborhood is lined with flag lawns! What’s more America than that?

My sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1950, who lives in Rivesville, told me about it.

As Jackie posted: “It’s a beautiful sight when the wind blows!” Indeed. Old Glory waving as far as the eye can see!

More communities should do this, if they aren’t already doing it.

Makes me want to stand up with my hand over my heart and sing The National Anthem!

By the way, if you haven’t made your reservations for the July 17 J&J&Lions Get-Together in the Monongah Town Hall, call Jackie at (304) 278-7157. She will give you directions to her home where she has Reservation form for you to fill out, including stating that you have had you covid vaccines (NO entry permitted without prior vaccine shots). You pay Jackie $20 per person IN CASE ONLY at this late date, then show up at 6 p.m. in the Monongah Town Hall for dinner, music till 9 p.m. and a chance to buy raffle tickets for items that Alabama football coach Nick “Brother” Saban sent to me in a large box.

Mayor Johnboy Palmer and Councilwoman Susan Sanders will be there along with Jackie and me, the co-hosts (as in J&J).

You’re running out of time to join the fun. Be there or be square.

NO ONE will be allowed into the Town Hall July 17 without Registration in advance! We want this to be as safe and fun and full of nostalgia for family, friends, neighbors, Monongah High Alumni, residents of Monongah who did not go to Monongah High and anyone who wants to return to normal and chat with people they like.

Those who will be there include:

Lea Ann Barnes, Jackie’s daughter who works for the FBI forensics in Clarksburg (so watch where you leave your fingerprints at the Town Hall).

John C. Barnes, Lea Ann’s husband.

Jim Birdsell, 1982 North Marion grad and Monongah firefighter.

Jim Birdsell’s guest.

Charlette Borelli.

Donna Davis, Class of 1961, Monongah Alumni Association treasurer.

Bill “Carney” Davis, Class of 1958, on the Monongah Alumni Board and Donna’s husband.

Cora Fazio, my cousin, who operated Fazio Health Care on Stoneylonesome in Monongah.

David Fazio, Class of 1975, my cousin and Cora’s husband.

Jim Roy Foster, Class of 1971, husband of Linda Phillips Foster, Class of 1977.

Kathern Herndon Loss, Class of 1942, maybe the only one older than me (I’m 88) at the gathering.

Jay Holman, Class of 1971, super organizer for his graduation class. They have more reunions than any MHS class as far as I can tell.

Monnie Ann Johnston, my daughter from Brunswick, Ohio, named for her late mother, My Mona Lisa, who was named for her grandmother, Monty Compton.

Bob Johnston, Monnie Ann’s husband and one of two remarable sons-in-law that my two daughters married.

Aaron Justice, Class of 1972.

Judy Mills.

Belinda Morris, Jackie’s daughter, who is a lab tech at United Hospital Center.

David Morris, Belinda’s husband.

Christina Orwig.

Roseann Loss Orwig, Class of 1969.

Tim Orwig, North Marion Class of 1997.

Judith Lemley Shaffer Mancino, Class of 1971.

Kitty Morrison, Class of 1968, who is up to her eyeballs in charity work in Monongah.

Judy Niells  (no sure of spelling; handwriting was as bad a mine).

John Olesky, Class of 1950. Ahem, the co-host. 1954 WVU School of Journalism, 43-year newspaper career, traveled to 56 countries, 44 states and more than 30 winters in Florida of up to 4 months. Thailand is #1 place to visit in my book. If you’re thinking of traveling, talk to me in the Town Hall and tell me where you’re heading and I’ll give you tips about the best spots in that country.

John Larry Olesky, my son, who does all the heavy lifting for me these days.

Mayor Johnboy Palmer, who will draw the winning raffle ticket for the Alabama football autographed by both Nick Saban and his wife, Terry Constable Saban, both West Virginians.

Prof. Ron Pearse, Class of 1961, who once lived (maybe still does) next to the Olesky home on Church Street (although he was on U.S. 19/Camden Avenue).

Julie Pearse, Ron’s wife.

Mary Chris Ramsey, my cousin who once worked at the bank on Walnut Street.

Tom Ramsey, her husband.

Susan Schrader, Class of 1971, one of the amazing Ahouse siblings (along with Kitty and Mike).

Amelia Shenasky Zentz, Class of 1938, 101 years old and still going like 130 mph.

Amelia’s caregiver.

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, and on the Monongah Town Council and a major help to me preparing for the July 17 event despite providing constant care for her husband, Ron Sanders.

Jackie Straight Olesky, Class of 1955, my sister and co-host of J&J&Lions event who lives in Rivesville.

Renee Straight, Jackie's daughter and WVU Medicine pharmacist across from Mountaineer Field.

Kayla Tolssone.

Steven Tolssone.

Shelly Yankie, 1982 North Marion graduate who is helping Susan Sanders decorate the Town Hall for the July 17 yippee-ki-yay time.

If you want to have fun and chat with any of them, call Jackie and join the charming crowd.

If you want to see Ron Pearse, Class of 1961, a psychology professor at Fairmont State with his own professional services on Locust Avenue,  dance with Emily Gallagher during the Marion County Dancing With the Stars United Way fundraiser, click on

http://m.timeswv.com/ron-pearse-and-emily-gallagher-during-marion-county-dancing-with/youtube_529d4dee-7577-11e5-a0bc-2b9e703d6ed9.html?mode=jqm

Ron is the son of T.J. and Madge Pearse of Monongah. Ron’s flower gardens were featured in a Fairmont Times article.

T.J. is a former Marion County schools superintendent who changed his family Prezioso name to Pearse.

 

The Pearse family had the brick home on the elevated land off U.S. 19 just behind the coal shed on the Olesky property on Church Street. A wall kept the Pearse dirt from cascading onto the sidewalk alongside U.S. 19 and the Olesky property.

The late Madge Pearse is connected to Arnold (J.B.) Loss, husband of Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948, of Mill Fall, by blood or marriage. Which means that I may have a round-about tie to the Pearse family since my mom’s sister, Gezala Loss, was married to Frank Loss, brother of Arnold’s dad. Frank and the original J.B.’s siblings were Elizabeth Loss, Rose Tropea (of Tropea Grocery), Mary McGraw, William Loss and Virginia Loss.

T.J.’s parents were Alexendra and Lavania Serge Prezioso. The other children are Ramon Paige of Shinnston, Teresa Prezioso Mangino, Lenora Prezioso Romeno, Elvita Prezioso Knight, Jeannette Prezioso Domico, Nick Prezioso, Celic Prezioso, Roman Prezioso Sr., Arthur Prezioso and Albert Prezioso.

The next generation of Preziosos, besides Lavinia, include Josephine Prezioso Westfall of Monongah, Bea Prezioso Mangino of Michigan, Brulina Prezioso Sweeney of Vienna, Barbara Prezioso Vozniak (married to  Mitch Vozniak) of Monongah, Marie Prezioso of Charleston, Eugene Prezioso and wife Pat of Michigan, Nick Domico and wife Ellen of Fairmont, Dr. Ronald Pearse and wife Julia of Fairmont and West Virginia state senator Roman Prezioso and wife Debbie of Fairmont.

It turns out that Ron Pearse wasn’t the only one tripping the light fantastic at the Marion County Dancing With the Stars United Way fundraiser in October.

Virginia “Ginger” Larry Zaccagini, Class of 1944, and husband Rudy Zaccagini cut a pretty mean rug, too. And the Fairmont Times photo captures the moment. The other part of the montage was when they showed up at the 2012 Monongah High Alumni Reunion, undoubtedly doing so pretty impressive dancing then, too.

Ginger’s sister was the late Agnes Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950, who passed away in Nevada in September. They grew up in Carolina with another sister, Gloria Larry Boehm, Class of 1959.

To read the Oct. 19 Monongah High Alumni blog article about Ron Pearse, Class of 1961, a psychology professor at Fairmont State, click on

http://jo4wvu.blogspot.com/search?q=if+you+want+to+see+ron+pearse

ONLY 4 MORE DAYS TILL THE MOST MEMORABLE PARTY IN JULY!

Got your party face on?

Are you ready to party?

Since the weather will be so hot it will be casual wear for the 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 17 J&J&Lions Get-Together in the Monongah Town Hall. It’s more important to be comfortable and have fun than to be in a tuxedo, right?

Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the Town Hall. Say-Boy will provide coffee, iced tea and lemonade for the drinks, plus the food. There also will be a large cake with a drawing of Monongah High School on it.

There will be nametags at each seat at the tables so that everyone will know where to land, but it’s OK to switch seats if someone agrees to change seats with you. Take your nametag wherever you are seated. They can be taken home as souvenirs or to use later for another event.

I will bring an extra-large framed poster of the Monongah High Lion, an 8 x 10 foot WVU cloth wall hanging, a picture frame with 1,400 photos revolving through it, 10 seconds per photo, of family, friends, Monongah High graduates, previous Monongah High Alumni Banquets and a lot of other things to spark the memories of those in attendance and my iPod and speaker will continuously play the 72 songs that are on the iPod, including “Country Roads,” of course.

NO ONE will be admitted unless their name is on the Registration list. Everyone there has their COVID vaccine shots, including the Say-Boy owner and his staff who will be there to supervise distribution of the food. We want it to be safe and fun and memorable.

There will be a raffle to draw tickets to see who gets the items that Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Class of 1969, boxed up and sent to me. Mayor Johnboy Palmer will draw the first ticket, to see who gets the football autographed by Brother and his wife, Terry Constable Saban. 

The first drawing winner will draw the next ticket to see who gets to choose from what’s left on the Nick Saban giveaway table. Then the next winner will draw for the next winner till no items are left from Brother's givewaway table.

Those who will attend the party include

Lea Ann Barnes

John Barnes

Jim Birdsell

Charlene Borelli

Donna Davis

Carney Davis

David Fazio

Cora Fazio

Jim Roy Foster

Jay Holman

Monnie Ann Johnson

Bob Johnston

Aaron Justice

Kathern Herndon Loss

Judy Mills

Belinda Morris

David Morris

Judy Niells

John Larry Olesky

John Olesky

Roseanne Loss Orwig

Christina Orwig

Ron Pearse

Julie Pearse

Mary Chris Ramsey

Tom Ramsey

Renee Straight

Jackie Olesky Straight

Kayla Tollsone

Steven Tollsone

Judy Mancino

Susan Schrader

Kitty Morrison

Mayor Johnboy Palmer

Susan Staron Sanders

Tommy Sanders

Mandi Sanders

Shelly Yankie

OK, let’s get ready to rumble! And ramble on about the good ol’ days at Monongah High and living in Monongah or Marion County.

My goal is for everyone to go home with a smile on their face and tell everyone they meet later what a great party it was.

See you in the Monongah Town Hall!

HERE'S WHO YOU'LL CHAT WITH IF YOU COME TO JULY 17 FUN IN MONONGAH TOWN HALL

 

These are just some of the people who will show up in the Monongah Town Hall on July 17 for the J&J&Lions Get-Together of family, friends, Monongah High graduates, North Marion graduates, Monongah residents who didn’t graduate from MHS or MNHS.

 

Mayor Johnboy Palmer will be there. He’ll draw the raffle ticket to see who gets the autographed football provided by Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Class of 1959. 

Both Nick, or Brother as many call him, and wife Terry Constable Saba autographed the football so it’s doubly special.  

Brother also sent me a boxful of items that will be handled out to other raffle drawing winners.

Only those who made Reservations in advance and paid for them will be allowed inside the Monongah Town Hall. And only those inside the Town Hall can purchase raffle tickets for the Saban items, including the autographed football.

Monongah Town Councilwoman Susan Staron Sanders also will be there, lighting up the place the way her zillions Christmas street lights light up Monongah during the Yuletide season. So will Shellie Yankie, on Susan’s Christmas lights committee and, with Susan, handling black and red streamers (Monongah High colors), the cake with the Monongah High building image on it and pastries with an “M” for Monongah High.

Dinner will begin at 6 p.m., catered by Say-Boy Restaurant in Fairmont, where my father took me as a teenager for my first-ever ribeye steak dinner.

Coffee and ice tea will be available throughout the evening.

There will be music for listening and dancing till 9 p.m. And a photo frame with 1,400 revolving photos on it, a new photo every 10 seconds including photos of many at previous Monongah High Alumni Banquets.

I’m bringing a 28 x 36 inch framed photo of the Monongah High Lion, a 10 x 15 foot WVU wallhanging and there will be a speaker for the 72 songs on my iPod, including Kate Smith’s “God Bless America,” John Denver singing “Country Roads” and, as the finale, “The Party’s Over.” Non-stop music for listening and dancing.

There’s still time – barely – for you to make a Reservation for $20 per person as long as you have had your covid vaccine shots. But the ONLY way to join the party at this late date is to call co-host Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, at (304) 278-7157. Jackie will direct you to her Rivesville home. She has Registration form for you to sign. You hand over $20 per person IN CASH ONLY (too late for checks) to Jackie and you can join the fun.

 

Be there or be square.

 

Jackie and I look forward to seeing you there. Our Fazio cousins, Dave and Cora Fazio and Mary Chris and Tom Ramsey, will be there, too. Davie is Class of 1975.

 

So will Jackie’s daughters, Lea Ann Barnes (with husband John Barnes) and Belinda Morris (with husband Dave Morris) and Renee Straight, pharmacist at WVU Medicine in Morgantown across the parking lot from Mountaineer Field.

 

And my son, John Larry Olesky (3^rd of 5 Johns in our family, more than a row of outhouses), and daughter, Monnie Ann Johnston (named after my late wife, my Mona Lisa – actually Monia Elizabeth Turkette Olesky) and her husband, Bob Johnston.

 

So will Monongah Alumni Association treasurer for decades Donna Davis, Class of 1961, and her husband, Bill “Carney” Davis, Class of 1958.

 

And Monongah firefighter Jim Birdell, grandson of famous Monongah mailman Byron Birdsell.

 

And probably the oldest Monongah High graduate in attendance, Kathern Herndon Loss, Class of 1942. Hell, she’s even old than ME!

 

And Jay Holman, who organizes his Class of 1971 for reunions at the drop of the hat.

 

And the famous Ahouse sisters, Kitty Morrison and Sue Schrader. Kitty is lining up a Monongah food charity to take the leftover food from the dinner to be used to feed hungry children and their parents in Monongah. Waste not, want not.

 

And, to add even more class, Fairmont State professor Ron Pearse and wife Julie Pearse.

 

Also Charlene Borelli, Jim Roy Foster, Class of 1971, Aaron Justice, Class of 1972, Judy Mills, Christina, Roseanne Loss and Tim Orwing, 1997 North Marion graduate, Judy Mancino, Class of 1971, Judy Niells, Kayla and Steven Tolssone.

 

And maybe a few last-minute Registrations who phone Jackie.

 

Be there or be square!

J&J&LIONS GET-TOGETHER WAS A ROUSING SUCCESS !!!!

Veni, vidi, vici !!! 

I came 

I saw 

I conquered 

That pretty well describes the J&J&Lions Get-Together on Saturday, July 17 in the Monongah Town Hall. 

J&J stands for co-hosts Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville, and her brother, John Olesky, Class of 1950, who lives in Tallmadge, Ohio. But we had a lot of help from Monongah Councilman Susan Staron Sanders, her Monongah Christmas Lights Committee member Shelly Yankie, the effervescent Kitty Ahouse Morrison and her sister Sue Ahouse Schrader. 

And Say-Boy’s new owner, Keith Straka, who began there as a busboy, did a bang-up job as cook and organizer for the food. Everyone raved about the vittles. And Keith packed up about 15 to 20 meals for Kitty to take to Monongah food charities to feed the town’s hungry. 

My son, John Larry Olesky, did a yeoman job of helping Susan and Shelly decorate the Town Hall, hanging red and black (Monongah High colors) streams from the ceiling lights. Susan put alternating black and red table coverings on the seven tables for the 40 guests. 

When the guests arrived I presented a rose to each of the ladies. The night was spent laughing, brimming with nostalgia and chatter. 

The raffle of items donated by Alabama football coach Nick Saban, Class of 1969 and quarterback of the 1968 Monongah High state champions football team, began with 1973 Farmington High graduate Cora Fazio, wife of David Fazio, Class of 1968, winning the football autographed by Brother and his wife, Terry Constable Fazio. And continued till all the giveways were gone. 

The raffle raised $200 for the Monongah High Alumni Association scholarship fund. John Olesky handed the jarful of cash to long-time Alumni Association treasurer Donna Davis to turn over to Mary Ann Spatafore, who handles the scholarship fund donations. 

There was non-stop music via my iPod and the speaker loaned to me by Paula’s brother, Raymond. It was available for listening and dancing. But no one wanted to stop visiting, remembering and laughing long enough to dance. So we just rocked the Town Hall with laughter and memories. 

It was a unique family reunion for me. As one photo shows, there were 13 of me and my relatives there. Jackie and I are seated next to my daughter, Monnie Ann Olesky Johnston of Brunswick, Ohio, who lives across the street from former WVU and Cleveland Browns receiver John Talley, and Jackie’s daughters Renee Straight, a long-time pharmacist at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown adjacent to Mountaineer Field, and Lea Ann Straight Barnes. Standing are Lea Ann’s husband John Barnes, Jackie’s daughter Belinda Straight Morris, a lab tech at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport and my personal shopper when it comes time for me to buy a gift for Jackie’s birthday or Christmas, Belinda’s husband Dave Morris, my Mr. Fix-It son John Larry Olesky of Tallmadge, Ohio, cousin David Fazio and wife Cora Fazio and cousin Mary Chris Fazio Ramsey and husband Tom Ramsey. 

David and Mary Chris’ mother, Frances Fazio, wife of Renzy Fazio, and my father, John W. Olesky, Sr., were sister and brother living one block away from each other in Monongah, Aunt France and Uncle Renzy, the #1 golfer in the family on Jackson Street and my dad and mother, Lena Futten Olesky, first on Thomas Street in a rental with an outhouse and then, thankfully, later at the home they purchased from Consolidation Coal Company on Church Street WITH INDOOR PLUMBING. 

I was SO happy as a child to no longer freeze my butt off using the 2-hole facility on Thomas Street. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven with the second floor bathroom adjacent to the attic bedroom where I slept every night with my teddy bear with the button eyes (my mom sewed them on after the stuffed friend lost its store-bought eyes). 

I had a great view of U.S. 19 traffic (Camden Avenue) from my second floor bedroom. I was such a sound sleeper that, when there was a 2-car collision that drew folks out of their homes on Jackson and Thomas and Church streets, I never woke up! Despite all the commosion! 

Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, when I visited her on Friday, gave me some of her many Monongah mementoes (her home is like an MHS Museum!) that were on display in the Town Hall along with my large framed photo of the Monongah Lions, an 8 x 10 foot WVU cloth wall hanging and Nick Saban’s boxful of gifts. 

Kathren Herndon Loss, 97-year-old Class of 1942, was so enthralled with Ramona’s golden sculpture of the Monongah Lion that she asked for it. I gave it to Kathren, for a price. A hug that she enthusiastically provided. 

Kathren is amazing. Amblatory with no need for a cane or any assistance, full of life and joy. Kathren is a regular at the annual Monongah High Alumni Banquets. “I want to be there when I’m 100 years old,” she told me. And she probably will make it! 

The Ahouse sisters, Kitty Morrison and Sue Schrader, are such a delight to be around. They travel almost as much as I do. I’ve been to 56 countries, 44 states and spent more than 30 winters in Florida for up to 4 months each time (damn Ohio freezing winters!). Kitty, Sue and brother Mike Ahouse don’t let much moss gross on them either, showing up in areas where English is not the main language regularly. 

It was Susan Staron Sanders’ great idea to come up with a replica of Monongah High School on the cake, which many used as the setting for a photo of them and the sugary confection. Susan was always on call for anything I could think of as we planned the party for 3 months, even after her husband, Ron Sanders, passed away. 

Susan’s son, Tommy Sanders, and his mate Mandi were at the Susan’s table. 

So was Monongah firefighter and North Marion grad Jim Birdsell. I told him how Bill Birdsell, Class of 1950, Jim’s uncle, with me sitting on the handlebars of Bill’s bicycle, made a 90-degree left turn coming down Streetcar Station Hill and sent us plummeting down about 50 cement steps that led to the trolley tracks! I will NEVER know how we got all the way to the bottom without smashing ourselves to death on the cement or the iron railings! 

Jim’s grandfather was Byron Birdsell, Class of 1947, my mother’s favorite Monongah mailman. Mom always had a cool, refreshing drink for Byron on hot summer days. He took a break from his mail route to enjoy it and at her funeral told me about her welcome help. 

But that was my mother, always helping others. She NEVER let anyone who came to the door hungry leave without a cooked meal or a bagful of sandwiches. 

Dietta Harden Loss took me outside the Town Hall to show me the angel high up on the post at the children’s playground named for Brogan Raddish, Dietta’s granddaughter who passed away in her teen years. Dietta has raised $8,000 for Fairmont West High scholarship fund in Brogan’s name. Brogan was a student at Fairmont West when cancer finally ended her life. 

Jackie and everyone there got a big kick out of me telling about how she would stick her tongue out in anger at me when we where children when I did something that set her off, which happened often because I was an unsettling only brother to have around. That’s a great photo of Jackie laughing at the remembrance. 

Retired Fairmont State professor Ron Pearse, our adjacent neighbor along U.S. 19 with only an alley separating our homes, instead of inquiring about our parents or Jackie and me, wanted to know about our family dog whose house was a few feet from the Pearse property. 

“What was the name of the dog?,” Ron asked. “Fritzy,” I answered, “because he was mostly German shepherd but really a mongrel with about 15 breeds mixed in.” 

I told Fritzy all my problems as a young child. He listened and consoled me. Every kid needs a Fritzy when he doesn’t think adults understand his frustrations. 

Ron had a reunion with Lea Ann, his former Fairmont State psychology student. Professor Ron filled Jackie's daughter in on the other professors who taught Lea Ann in 1986 before she wound up in the FBI Forensics in Clarksburg.

 

On Friday, July 16 my son John Larry and I visited graves in Mount Calvary Cemetery including those of Joe Eates, John Larry’s godfather, my Aunt Frances and Uncle Renzy Fazio and Mother Ursula of Sts. Peter and Paul School who had the most wicked whacking with the 2-hole punishment paddle. 

I couldn’t find the grave of Mary Turkovich, #1 math/algebra/geometry teacher at Monongah High for me, because grass has grown over so many of the flat grave markers that I had to pull aside the grass to try to see what name was under the overgrowth. 

I distributed 5 dozen roses during my weekend stay to ladies and those who has passed on. 

I also visited Ann DeMary Eates, Class of 1945, John Larry’s godmother, at her Bridge Street home, where she told me “You have a wonderful son” so often that I thought John Larry’s head would explode with pride. 

But that’s typical Ann, sweetest lady I’ve ever met. My Mona Lisa and I chose the perfect godmother and godfather in Ann and the late Joe Eates, who probably still is making music in Heaven the way he did with the United Mine Workers Band. 

And Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, at her Bridge Street Extension home at the top of the hill. Her son, Mike Michalski, and another Ramona, her daughter, were there, too for the friendly recollections and hugs. 

And Leatrice Yokay Greaser, Class of 1950, whose singing voice made her the Kathryn Grayson of Monongah High (Grayson was famous in 1940s movie musicals) and got her a weekly radio show on a Fairmont radio station with Mary Jo Forte, Class of 1948, accompanying Leatrice on the piano. 

There’s a vacant lot today where the pharmacy owned by Mary Jo’s father, Patsy Forte, once occupied the center of the Monongah business district. Mary Jo moved to Las Vegas before passing away. 

Of course I NEVER come to Monongah without visiting Amelia Shenasy Zentz, 101 years old grande dame of Monongah, who says “that’s my boyfriend” every time I show up. 

Amelia’s parents, Pete and Nell Shenasky, owned P.P. Shenasky Grocery where the Boggess business is today (the late Evelyn Kasper Boggess’ son owns it). When I went to the Shenasky store with my mother, Amelia or her mother would let me put my hand into the candy cane container to grab the sweet stuff. One year I showed up at Amelia’s with a bag of candy corn. Amelia was delighted about it. 

Her body may be 101 years old but Amelia’s mind is sharper than many 61-year-olds. You mention a Monongah name and Amelia will give name family connections for that person. 

It was, indeed, a visit to Almost Heaven that was Heaven to me! 

Now I can’t wait for the annual Monongah High Alumni Banquet September 4 at the Knight of Columbus Hall in Fairmont, the longest continuous high school reunion in West Virginia. If you missed the July 17 whiz-bang blowout make sure you don’t miss the MHS Alumni gathering.

 Tickets are $30 per person, Alumni Association treasurer Donna Davis told me. Just make out your check for your reservations to the Monongah High Alumni Association and mail it to: 

Donna Davis 

858 Park Avenue 

 Monongah, WV 26554-1143 

If you have any questions, call Donna at (304) 534-5636. 

What a relief, after a year of the pandemic, to be able to talk to, hug and laugh with family, cousins, Monongah High alumni and Monongah residents who didn’t go to Monongah High. 

It was, indeed, a rollicking, rousing time!

Happy birthday, John Todd Moats, 1985 North Marion High grad who lives in Lynchburg, Virginia and is 48 years old today!

Which is a miracle, really, since his mother, Bonnie Nicholson Moats, Class of 1960, who lives in Rustburg, Virginia, is “39”! We’re not saying how many times Bonnie has been 39, but you do the math. J Well, Jack Benny is dead, so he’s not using 39 any more, so why not? 

Todd and wife Michelle's 20th wedding anniversary is Nov. 19. They are going on a cruise the 22nd.

John Todd was born in Monongah, went to Thoburn Grade School, Monongah Middle School and then, because Monongah High had its last graduation class in 1979, had to go to North Marion to finish his education.

As you can see, he’s very athletic – basketball at Thoburn, football at North Marion, boating and motorcycling throughout his life.

Bonnie and Johnny was a classic American story: Football hero (for Fairmont State) and majorette meet, fall in love and live the game of life happily ever after. 

Bonnie’s husband was a 1955 Fairmont East High grad. After Fairmont State, John went into the Army (thus the photo) and, when he got out of the service, married Bonnie.

John was a construction engineer for Consolation Coal Company. They lived in Monongah for 15 years, later we built a house in White Hall.

Bonnie was a school principal for 21 years at White Hall Elementary, Dunbar Elementary, Jayenne Elementary and Blackshere Elementary. She was a Monongah Elementary Title 1 Math Teacher with Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, who lives in Monongah, as Bonnie’s aide.

When John’s father passed away in 2005, Bonnie sold her house and, after two other residences and four years, she moved to Rustburg, Virginia, 5 minutes from son Todd and daughter-in-law Michelle. They gave her three grandchildren --  Ciara Brooke, Logan Wesley and Lucas Michael Moats. 

If you want to congratulate John Todd or Bonnie, go to her Facebook page. If you have memories of the Nicholson or Moats families, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll post them on this Monongah High Alumni blog.

Next up on the Monongah High Alumni birthday list: 

Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950, who has two “l’s” in her first name and who is enjoying the quiet life of Cottageville, West Virginia just outside Ripley and hopefully who will be joining the Class of 1950 at the 2015 Monongah High Alumni Reunion in Fairmont on Friday, May 22, 2015 in the Three Ways Inn (a combined dinner with the Class of 1955) and the all-classes Monongah High Alumni Reunion at the Knights of Columbus on Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont on Saturday, May 23, 2015. 

We’re planning a major Last Hurrah blowout for the Class of 1950. After all, we’ll be 82 or 83, so this may be our last chance to hoot and holler and laugh together in this life.

If your name is not on this list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com  with your full name, including maiden name, your birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown. 

November

1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

20—Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950               

20 – Kathryn Toothman Crim, Class of 1950

23 -- Antheai Justice Turner, North Marion 1982

25 – Gerald Nelson Hartley, Class of 1955

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

4 – Ronald Pearse, Classs of 1961

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

January

6 – Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940

13 – Beatrice Salisbury Mills, Class of 1951

17 – Susan Colaneri Monell, Class of 1949

18 – Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951

?? – Marie Bee Zwiegel, Class of 1951

18 – Bertha Pazdric Sullivan, Class of 1954

18 – Greg Vandetta, Monongah mayor, husband of Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

19 – Joe Martin, Class of 1957

19 – Joann Thompson, Class of 1962  

22 – Jo-Jo DeMary of Monongah, who lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is married to Yvonne King DeMary

24 – Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974

24 – Mark “Hooch” Aldridge, Class of 1973

29 – Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968

February

1 – Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

2 – Sylvia Edwards, Monongah grad living in Idamay

3 – Debbie Weaver Hurley, Monongah grad living in Monongah with husband Milton Hurley

3 – Rebecca Urish Anderson, Class of 1971

8 – Tom Fleming, Monongah grad living in Bridgeport

9 – Bob Nichols, Class of 1964

10 – Bonnie Nicholson Moats, Class of 1960

11—Linda Renay Hess Postlethwait, Class of 1968

15 – Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975

17 – Larry “Danny” Eates, Class of 1970

18 – Mark Tarley, North Marion grad

20 – Harold Dean Kniceley, Class of 1960

21 – Eva Huey Jarvis, Class of 1975

24 – Mary Kelly, Monongah & North Marion

29 – Betty Sikinow Cunningham, Class of 1954

 

March

5 – Phil Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963

5 -- Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971

6 – Karen Fitzwater Pausch, Class of 1961

9 – Richie Basagic, Class of 1975 

9 – Brian Evans, Monongah graduate married to Patty DeMary Evans

11 – Benny C. Morgan, Class of 1948

15 – Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, married to 1958 MHS grad Bill Davis

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

 

April

4 – Charlotte Walker Cahill, Class of 1954

5 – Bernie Fullen, Class of 1963

9 – Paula “P.J.” Hickman, North Marion 1983

11 – Leo Kubiet, Class of 1942

12 – Linda Sawyer Duckworth, Class of 1966

14 – Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961  

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

May

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, main squeeze of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

June

1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

3 – Jim Birdsell, North Marion grad from Monongah; married to Angela

7 – Kenneth Kincaid, Class of 1968

8 – John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944

8 – Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970

13 – C.L. “Roy” Parker II, North Marion Class of 1982

13 – Rick Morrison, son of Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968  

14 – Pamela Bombardiere, Monongah grad

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

17 – Dennis Jones, Class of 1954

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Monongah grad

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

July

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

4 – Bob Fox, Class of 1948

4 – Barbara Fleming Marsh, Class of 1947

5 – David Gowers, Class of 1971

5 – Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

7 – Alex Fazio Huff, North Marion 2005 grad

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973  

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

19 – Jane Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972

August

1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

3 – (Agnes) Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

12 – Angelo Catania, Class of 1943

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

18 – John Fazio, Class of 1970

19 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

20 – Connie Warash, Monongah grad

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

September

6 – Dave Domico of Monongah, Fairmont West grad married to Andrea Justice Domico

7 – Mary Louise Orsini, Class of 1948 (honorary)

7 – Phillis Tarley, North Marion grad from Idamay living in Fairmont

8 – Fred Moorehead, Class of 1964 

8 – Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955

13 – Karen Manzo, Class of 1974

14 – Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948

14 – Jim Shaver, Class of 1954

15 – Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948

17 – Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972

20 – Greg Patrick, Class of 1970

23 – Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959

24 – Joe Fazio, Class of 1974

25 – Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948

25 – Jim Davis, Class of 1964

26 – Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948

27 -- Bonita Lavencheck Waybright, Class of 1968

29 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

October

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

9 – Mary Frances Miller Myers, Class of 1951

11 – Felix Colisino, Class of 1947

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

12 – Brenda Manzo, wife of Danny Manzo, Class of 1957

20 – Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953

21 – Dorman Keith Beckner, Class of 1942

21 – Ken Slovekosky, Gilmer County High Class of 1976.

26 – Lori Hawkins Ice, Fairmont East graduate living in Carolina

29 – Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956

31 – Patty Steele McCombs, Fairmont East graduate who lives in Monongah