Arthurdale FDR’s 1^st resettlement town in America

Reedsville Project, which became Arthurdale

Arthurdale, east of Morgantown, was the first FDR New Deal resettlement town built in the country. It was begun in 1934 as the Reedsville Project, but the name was changed to the man the government bought the land from, Richard Arthur.

Land was purchased, residents were selected, homes were constructed, more residents were selected, more homes constructed until there were 165 homes and several community buildings including a school complex, built on 1,200 acres in Preston County. 

Most of the buildings still stand and are part of the New Deal Homestead Museum.

Many of the new residents were displaced miners from the Scott’s Run area near Morgantown and government employees -- teachers, physicians, surveyors, engineers, secretaries.

The homesteaders were responsible for paying rent, working and farming their allotted acreage.

The federal government liquidated its holdings in Arthurdale in 1947, selling the homes and community buildings to private owners.

Later in 1934, another FDR community was built in what today is Eleanor, named after FDR’s wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, it began as the Red House Settlement in Daily, East Daily and Valley Bend.

Other FDR communities were built in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

It was FDR’s attempt to build infrastructure, reduce unemployment and bolster the national economy. 

In that vein, he created the Works Progress Administration, which built the stone Fairview High gymnasium that hosted high school sectional basketball tournaments for years and dwarfed Monongah High’s bandbox gym, and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which provided employment and a healthy outlet for teens and young adults while improving America’s parks and forests.

To read more about the Arthurdale project, click on http://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/history/

Cherry blossom time for Steve Mikulski

Steve Mikulski, wife Holly in Washington, D.C.

Steve Mikulski, Class of 1964, who grew up in Carolina, and wife Holly White Mikulski are enjoying the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.

Fairmont State grad Steve is a teacher of engineering design for Project Lead The Way, an engineering program for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Steve and Holly live in Germantown, Maryland.

Daughter Kristen Mikulski Mitchell, who lives in Istanbul, Turkey, and is married to Nick Mitchell, is a 2004 WVU grad.

Other Mikulskis at Monongah High include:

o    

Violet Higginbotham Mikulski, Class of 1944

Thomas Mikulski, Class of 1966

Caroline Prahl Mikulski, Class of 1966

Kathy Mikulski Rogers, Class of 1969

Later, Steve provided more details about himself. 

I am originally from Carolina, WV. I was born at my Grandmother's house on First Street and I remained in Carolina until I graduated from college. I lived in a house that was on 4th street with my family. I then moved to Maryland in the DC suburbs and have been here ever since. My brother, Dave Higinbotham, lived with my grandparents on First Street so I spent a lot of time there when I was growing up.

• Harold Dean Kniceley responded:  Steve, I remember you and David. David was in my class at school. We lived on 5th st, last house up on the right. We always had big gardens and a big yard, with a small house. I remember your dad walking up 4th street always whistling. Good to hear from you.

  
  
• Steve Mikulski Hi Harold, I remember your house well. You lived next to the Martin's or close to them. I use to play with Gary and Terry when I use a kid. 
• 
  
• Harold Dean Kniceley Steve, I have a lot of good memories from my days growing up in Carolina. Do you remember the Ashleys? We used to keep slops for their hogs and every year Bess would bring us fresh sausage after butchering time. We all shared stuff on 5th street, garden vegetables, tools, and work Those were good times..

If you have memories of the Mikulski family, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add the information to this Monongah High Alumni blog article.

Sam Lopez, Sr. (white sweater) at bridge re-naming dedication

U.S. 19 bridge near Gypsy named for Sam Lopez, Sr.

Sam Lopez, Sr.

Sam Lopez, Sr., father of Linda Lopez Gandy, Monongah High Alumni Association president, will have a bridge on U.S. 19 named for him on Friday.

Linda, Class of 1965, married to Jim Gandy, explains:

“On Fri. May 2nd at 11:00 a bridge on Rt. 19 south of Shinnston by the community of Gyspy will be named in honor of Sam Lopez, Sr., a survivor of the USS Indianapolis. We his family are very proud.”

Surviving the July 1945 sinking of the USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea after a Japanese submarine torpedoed the Indianapolis was a remarkable feat. Only 316 did, out of 1,196 on board. 

The ship sank in 12 minutes but was never missed so the crew floated in shark-infested waters with no lifeboats till they were spotted accidentally four days later.

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

Linda’s mother, Joanne Vandetta Lopez, daughter of Frank and Olga Grandoni Vandetta, passed away in 2012.

Linda’s brother,  Sam Lopez Jr., lives in Fairmont.

Monongah Town Jail, before (Chris Martin photo) & after demolition

Monongah demolishes town jail

Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah, reports that the Monongah Town Jail on her street has been razed.

Writes Kitty:

“After walking down to see I can understand why they would need to tear down. It's a mess and I guess dead animals had been in there, roof coming down and some bricks falling. Probably cost too much to keep. Just seems strange because it has always been here.”

Fairmont Times report on the Monongah Town Council’s decision to demolish the building, which hasn’t been a jail for a long time:

Monongah council to demolish old jail

By Jessica Borders Times West Virginian

MONONGAH — The Town of Monongah plans to tear down the old jail on Lyndon Avenue.

During its meeting Monday night, town council passed a motion by a 4-to-1 vote to demolish this structure, which was formerly used for storage but has fallen into disrepair. Council members Bill McCombs, Bertha Wilson, Charlie Parker and Sanford Carr voted in favor of the recommendation, and Warren Sloan voted against it.

Sloan felt that the structure should be saved because it is one of the oldest buildings in town and has historical value. He suggested that maybe council could look into funding options for fixing up the old jail.

Carr commented that he thought repairing the building would cost too much money, and he’s afraid someone is going to get hurt there. He said the old jailhouse is dangerous and needs condemned because of the brick that is falling down and the unstable garage door, and the outside frame of the building is in bad shape overall.

Plus, Monongah has been trying to address the issue of dilapidated properties in town, and needs to take action against its own blighted buildings, Carr said.

In other news:

• Family Dollar will soon be coming to Monongah.

Mayor Greg Vandetta said the store will be on Route 19 at the site of the old Huntington Bank building. (Camden Avenue at Walnut Street) Within a month, residents should start to see demolition work and other site work to make way for the new Family Dollar.

• Council addressed the town’s attempts to collect delinquent payments on water service by sending letters or making phone calls to individuals. They talked about what dollar amount for unpaid bills should warrant taking people to magistrate court to further pursue the money owed to Monongah.

The members decided that a $100 delinquent payment should be the minimum for the town to proceed to magistrate court.

Happy birthday, Shelosky & Shirley

Today is the birthday of Fairmont East High 1965 grad Linda Mazza Shelosky, widow of Bernie Shelosky, Class of 1965, who passed away Jan. 14, 2013.

Bernard and Linda lived on Cottage Street in Monongah. Bernie’s aunt, Sophie Dudiak Shelosky, passed away in 2009.

Bernie’s parents were Julia Lazorick Shelosky and Stanley “Strob” Shelosky. Julia died Nov. 27, 2013; Strob, in 1993.

Julia and Strob’s children included Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961, of Fairmont, and Tom Shelosky, who lives in Monongah.

Sheloskys who graduated from Monongah High also include:

Barbara Shelosky, Class of 1968

George Shelosky, Class of 1932

Stanley Shelosky, Class of 1958

Wednesday will be the birthday of Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1964, who lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

Other Monongah High Alumni birthdays:

May

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

June

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

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  

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

13 – Ronald Shea, Class of 1954

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

August

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

19 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

September

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

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

24 – Joe Fazio, Class of 1974

25 – Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948

25 – Jim Davis, Class of 1964

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 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

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

16 – Jaimie Feltz Riley, daughter of Betty Lynn Wilson Feltz, Class of 1952, and late Coach Jim Feltz

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.

29 – Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956

31 – Patty Steele McCombs, Fairmont East graduate.

 

November

1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

19 – Jim Weaver, Class of 1948

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

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

21 – Denver Browning, MHS grad, brother of Dorothy Browning Woods, Class of 1955

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

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

If your birthday isn’t on the list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com with your full name, including maiden name, birthday date, graduation year and current hometown and I’ll add you to the list.

Mr. Hoagie reopens store May 1

Brian Coleman

Brian Coleman, aka Mr. Hoagie, who was injured in the March 1 fire that destroyed his home, will reopen Brian and Ann’s restaurant Thursday, May 1. He spent a month in the West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh and benefits were held – coordinated by daughter Ashley Hunt -- to help the Coleman family recover from its loss.

Brian/Mr. Hoagie’s Facebook post:

“Good morning to all. Just an FYI. My wife and I will reopen the restaurant on Industrial Park Road on this Thursday May 1st and we will be open Monday thru Friday 11 to 6. It will be at least June b4 I’m healthy enough to begin our mobile route again. I’m sorry for that.

“I hope every one of our wonderful customers will come to the restaurant to see us. We will be waiting to see everyone. Thank you for supporting us the past couple of months.

“It has been tough but God is always faithful and I’m still here to greet everyone. Have a blessed day.

“Mr. Hoagie.”

The Heavenly Hoagie food truck parks itself for most of the day in a community as part of the mobile route – Monongah, Fairview, Farmington, Shinnston. Once Brian gets better, than practice will be resumed.

The Industrial Park address is 1139 Booth’s Creek Road in Monongah. The phone number is (304) 709-2333.

Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Hoagie.

Running out of time to get your Monongah High Alumni reunion form printed, filled out and mailed in with your check.

Stanley, 1 of 9 Monongah Brzuzy children, dies

Stanley Brzuzy, born in Monongah in 1939, passed away Saturday, April 26.

Brother Walter Brzuzy was Class of 1950.

Sister Freda Brzuzy Rogers was Class of 1945.

Brothers John Brzuzy of Richmond, Indiana, and Stephen of Grassy Run, Fairmont, survive.

They are among the 9 children of Wladyslaw “Walter” and Stephania Zuzak Brzuzy, who immigrated through Ellis Island, New York.

Stash is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sue Strawderman Brzuzy.

The Brzuzy family owned the PNA Tavern across from Thoburn School in Monongah, the site of many poker games and State Police raids when wives complained about their husbands losing their paychecks gambling.

Walter, an excellent baseball pitcher and basketball shooter from today’s 3-point range despite the lower Monongah High gym ceiling, ran the PNA for his dad in later years.

When I was Monongah High manager and insisted to Coach George Ross that I wanted to bat against Walter, he struck me out on three pitches – all curveballs – to the amusement of Coach Ross and the other players.

Walter passed away in 1986 in Monaca, Pennsylvania, where he lived for 30 years and coached the Monaca American Legion baseball team. He retired from Jones & Laughlin Steel’s blast furnace department.

Walter and wife Ruth Ann Butcher Brzuzy had a son and two daughters.

When the Brzuzy family moved from Monongah to Country Club Road in Fairmont, John became a star football and basketball player for Fairmont West. Even in Richmond, Indiana he is deeply involved in the Boys and Girls Clubs.

John was the passing leader for Fairmont State in 1953 and 1954 as the Falcons’ quarterback.  He was the total offense and scoring leader in 1954. In 1953 he threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nick Moreman, former Fairmont East High star, against Salem College.

His other claims to fame were that he took the paddle away from the nun at Sts. Peter and Paul School and ran away and that, when a baseball hit him in the head on the playground, it changed directions 90 degrees and flew onto Church Street and then bounced into the hollow. That meant an extended recess while we went to look for the poor baseball. And it was my introduction to the term, “hard-headed Pollock.”

Stephen’s wife, Eva Blanche “Banny” Hostutler Brzuzy, passed away in 2010.

Stash’s daughter, Fairmont East and Fairmont State graduate and FirstEnergy contractor Karla Brzuzy of Fairmont, wrote that “Our very close family member Reverend Oliver Rowen will be doing the service for Daddy.”

She added: “The greatest man I’ve ever known earned his well-deserved reward. We celebrate the life of the best Daddy/Pappy/Husband we could have ever asked for.”

After the calling hours for Stash, Karla posted:

"I have never seen so much love in one room as I did last night for my Daddy!! WOW!! the visitation line was endless all day, Mom Kristie and I are excited to plant all the flowers in memory of our Dad, and we have more food than we can eat in a week!!


"Today and moving forward will be the hardest yet!! 

"Today, we lay my Daddy to rest for the last time!!
Thank you all so much again!!


"I am so honored and humbled to be the daughter of Stan Brzuzy, and yesterday was a true testament of all the lives he has touched!"

If you have memories of the extensive Brzuzy family, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and they will be added to this Monongah High Alumni blog article.

Stash’s obituary:

Stanley Stan Brzuzy

·        BORN: September 17, 1939

·        DIED: April 26, 2014

·        LOCATION: Fairmont, West Virginia

Stanley Brzuzy

Stanley Brzuzy, 74, of Bunner Ridge Community, soared into the arms of his Savior on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 12:10 am with his loves of his life by his side.

Stanley was a man of truth and love. He was a dedicated husband, father, Pappy and friend. He cherished the Catholic religion attending St Peter’s Catholic Church as a child and currently attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

His first job was at the age of 12 as a caddy at the Fairmont Field Club. Growing up on Country Club Road, his mom made him ride his bike or walk to work. This job fueled his passion for the game and then you could always find him on a golf course. Especially the 19th hole, as it never rained there.

Stan retired from Lucent Technologies/AT&T after 34 years of service. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He loved to travel throughout Europe during his deployment.

He was born in Monongah on September 17, 1939 a son of the late Wladyslaw and Stephania (Zuzak) Brzuzy, both of whom immigrated through Ellis Island, New York.

Stan is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Sue (Strawderman) Brzuzy; his two daughters, Kristie Solheim and her husband Brent of Fairmont and Karla Brzuzy also of Fairmont.

Pappy cherished following his grandkids. He rarely missed one of their sporting events until Cancer stole his energy. His very special grandchildren are, Jordane Brzuzy-Hill, Jasmin Johnson, Devon Johnson, Myles Johnson, Zoe Leonard, Jaida Johnson, Daxx Leonard, Roman Solheim and Braelyn Brzuzy-Sowell.

Also surviving are two brothers, John Brzuzy and Karen Rankin of Richmond, Indiana and Stephen Brzuzy of Grassy Run; a sister-in-law, Lucille Brzuzy of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Stanley was preceded in death by his sisters, Freda Rogers, Edith Bland and Laura Yereb; his brothers, Chester Brzuzy , Walter Brzuzy and Edwin Brzuzy; sisters -in-law and brothers-in-law, Eva Brzuzy, Robert Rogers, Ruth Ann Brzuzy, Ralph Yereb and Cecelia Brzuzy

Stanley's family would like to thank Dr. John Azar and Traci Tannehill and their entire staff. They treated him as a family member. His family is grateful also to the nursing staff on 3B at Fairmont General Hospital. They would also like to thank the one on one providers who sat with him, Carolyn, Molly, Lisa and Rachel.

Family and friends may call at the Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home 209 Merchant Street, Fairmont on Monday, from 1pm to 9pm. A Vigil Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 8pm by Father Walter M. Jagela and Sister Stella Cronauer.

Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the funeral home from 11am to 1pm. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 1pm with Rev. Oliver Rowen officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Full Military Rites will be provided by the Marion County Veterans Council Honor Guard at graveside.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.carpenterandford.com