Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970, who lives in Sarasota, Florida, and husband Train Morris weathered the Tropical Storm/Brief Hurricane Hermine quite well. Only a few limbs and small branches in their yard.

Reports Pat:

“We have gotten so many phone calls from family and friends up North regarding the storm. We really aren’t affected except for a few limbs and small branches in the yard, no loss of power or water. Lots of rain and wind. It’s very calm. We spent yesterday watching college football, WVU and Alabama. Both won so we are all good today. The sun is out; it’s 89. Thanks for your concern.”

No wonder friends up north were worried. Sarasota was mentioned frequently as Hermine approached Florida. One of the homeless who live in Ocala Nation Forest (there are about 10,000 living there without homes; only tents) was killed by a falling tree.

Hermine struck in the Big Bend area (the armpit of the northwest Florida peninsula), but rain and wind hit from south of Sarasota to Tallahassee.

Even today (Sunday, September 4), residents in Pasco County were forced to leave their homes because of rising water in the Anclote River, which crested at 25 feet.

More than 325,000 homes lost power. 58,000 still don’t have their electricity back on yet.

The Gulf Coast towns of Cedar Key in Levy County and Steinhatchee suffered severe damage.

Pat and Train had just returned from an August visit to friends in West Virginia.  That and their June cruise was much more fun than worrying about Hermine.

So was their Sarasota reunion with fellow Monongah High grads Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958; Bill Meredith, Class of 1957; Joe Martin, Class of 1957; and John Olesky, Class of 1950, and their mates.

Pat’s dad Stanley Slovekosky Sr., who worked for Joe Hanus at Joe's service station next to the PNA Tavern. It’s on land that houses the K Market service station today, at U.S. 19 and Jackson Street. Her mother was a Scarcella from the Camden Avenue (U.S. 19) family. Stanley Slovekosky Jr., Class of 1964, lives in Wellsburg.

June Slovekosky, widow of Walter Slovekosky, lives in Fairmont. Stanley, Sr. and Walter were brothers.

Pat and Train were married on Lido Beach, which is south of St. Arman’s Circle on the islands off Sarasota. They return their every year for their wedding anniversary. If I counted right, it’s been 11 years. If I counted wrong, it’s more than 11 years.

Pat recalls her mother being friends with the late Carlena Thompson Zirkle during Pat’s childhood in Worthington.