National honor for Monongah's Haley Cochran

Monongah’s Haley Cochran, at Fairmont State, was named National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association’s specialist of the week by NCATA.

Cochran helped Fairmont State start the season with a 1-0 record after helping the Falcons to five scores of 9.50 or better in events 2-5, including a perfect score of 10.0 in pyramid heat one. The senior added a trio of 9.60 scores in the synchronized pyramid, open pyramid 450 salto toss.

Haley’s parents are Duane Cochran, a 1982 North Marion grad, and Monica Shelosky Cochran, a Saints Peter and Paul School grad who went to Monongah High before her 1982 graduation from North Marion and later Fairmont State.

Quint Cochran is Haley’s brother. Quint played wide receiver in football for Fairmont State after an outstanding career at North Marion.

Lions gather in Florida

By Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

Six Monongah High School alumni gathered at our home in Sarasota, Florida on February 26, 2018, along with three other spouses, for a great day of food, fun and storytelling.  We started at 11 AM and the last people left at about 4:30 PM.

My wife, Roleta, served a wonderful meal, which was complimented by several delicious items brought by our guests.  Everyone ate until they were overfilled, but nobody complained.

Since all of us had graduated in the late fifties, most of the stories were about that era.  We talked about our classmates, families, teachers and much more.

We were sorry that many more friends from Monongah HS were not able to join us. We only had nine people total, down from 20 last year.

Next year, we will again gather in Sarasota.  The date will be Saturday, March 9, 2019, at 11 AM, at Twin Lakes Park.  

Since my wife is from Clarksburg and held a picnic for her hometown folks for many years in Sarasota, we decided to combine our groups.  That will mean more wonderful West Virginia people to meet and enjoy.  

So, save the date.  We hope to have a big group attend.

I have attached two pictures.  One is of the entire group who attended this year and the other is of the MHS graduates only.

MHS Graduates--Left to right are:

Bill Meredith, Lyla Cosner Howell, Bob Arnett, Barbara Enoch Arnett, Lloyd Schell and Joe Martin

All attendees---Left to right are:

Bill Meredith, Lyla Cosner Howell, Bob Arnett, Barbara Enoch Arnett, Lloyd Schell, Roleta Smith Meredith, Len Howell, Arlene Martin and Joe Martin

John Olesky note:

Last year Lions Barb Arnett, Bob Arnett, Sandy Cook, Lyla Cosner Howell, Joe Martin, Bill Meredith, John Olesky, Peggy Rauer Orsini, Lloyd Schell, Ruth Enoch Starcher and Mary Fleming Toothman showed up.

In 2015 Joe and Arlene Martin, Lloyd Schell, Merlin and Patty Timms Davidson, Len and Lyla IMeredithand Louis “Kipper” Fabian showed up in Punta Gorda.

In 2013 in Sarasota Bob and Barb Arnett, Lloyd Schell, Lyla and Len Howell, Sandy and Bob Cook, Joe and Arlene Martin, Bill and Roleta Meredith and John Olesky and Paula Tucker gathered.

In 2012 it was Joe and Arlene, Lyla and Len, Barb and Bob, Sandy and Bob, Bill and Roleta and John and Paula.

I  couldn’t find information on the 2016 Florida pride of Lions reunion information.

Ah, McKinzies cooking in Monongah/Idamay history

Mike McKenzie

Mike McKinzie, who won the Prunty’s Pub chili cookoff, lives in Idamay with wife Lena McKinzie.

Lena’s father was the late Charles “Sonny” Barta, 76, of Bingamon, formerly of Idamay. Her mother was the late Ida “Toots” Barta.

Sonny’s sister is Monongah’s Lucy Wells. Their parents were Steve Barta, Sr. and Stella Tossone Barta.

 

The late Edward Porter and Maude Poling McKenzie were the parents of LaVerne Mascara, widow of Frank C. Mascara, and Barb and Harlan.

LaVerne’s children are Debbie Light of Greensboro, North Carolina, Patsy Mascara and wife Kim of Everson, John Mascara of Monongah and Tina Mascara of California.

Johnny Mascara, Class of 1941, is famous for  unintentionally backing over Wheelbarrow Willie’s wheelbarrow and rushing to Fairmont for a replacement – but had to settle for a wagon.

Former sewer district president Paul Maxie Morris passes away

Paul Maxie Morris, former Greater Marion Public Service District president, passed away Wednesday, February 21.



Paul took over the PSD after the original foursome stepped down following $3.3 million in damages awarded the PSD and the 450 home owners in the Worthington area.

Paul Maxie Morris



Thrasher Engineering designed the sewer system. The litigation ran on for more than five years.

Paul’s brother, Gene Morris, was a starting tackle on the 1947 Monongah High football team. He is married to Mary Jo Heldreth Morris. They live in Enterprise just past Whtecottons store at Bingamon Junction in a  brick house on left after you cross the bridge.

 

Paul's obituary:

 

Paul Maxie Morris

March 12, 1935 - February 21, 2018

Paul Maxie Morris, 82, of Carolina, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. Paul was born March 12, 1935, son of the late Earl and Josephine Hunt Morris.

Paul retired from the Owens Illinois Glass Plant, was previously employed by Mountain State Auto Auction, and enjoyed selling insurance. He was a veteran of the United States Marines and member of the Fairmont V.F.W. He was a member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Whitehall. Paul also enjoyed attending his grandson Joshua’s sporting and band events, and loved his pets.

Paul is survived by his wife, Zelda Morris; daughter, Ava Beatty and husband Jeff of Morgantown; a grandson, Joshua Beatty and longtime girlfriend Isabel Raese of West Palm Beach, Florida; three brothers, Gene Morris and wife Mary Jo of Enterprise, Jeffrey Wayne Morris and wife Ester of Rivesville, and Robert Morris and wife Paulette of Idamay.  Paul enjoyed the visiting and company of many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes Greynolds Morris; and three sisters, Ruth Keener, Kathleen Rumer, and Leatrice Morris.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Paul will lie in state at Trinity Assembly of God in Whitehall on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday at the church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Richard Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery in Shinnston with full military rights conducted by the Marion County Honor Guard at graveside. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com . 

SERVICES

Visitation

Monday, February 26, 2018
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Domico Funeral Home
414 Gaston Ave.
Fairmont, West Virginia 26554

Visitation

Tuesday, February 27, 2018
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Domico Funeral Home
414 Gaston Ave.
Fairmont, West Virginia 26554

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Lie in State

Wednesday, February 28, 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Trinity Assembly of God
70 Maranatha Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554

Top of Form

Funeral Service

Wednesday, February 28, 2018
11:00 AM

Trinity Assembly of God
70 Maranatha Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554

 

Last chance to join Lions reunion in Florida

Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, passed along the RSVP replies for the annual Monongah High Alumni reunion in Florida on Monday (February 26).

Bill’s email:

“John,

 

“Those attending are;

 

“Bob & Barb Arnett

“Joe & Arlene Martin

“Lyla and Len Howell

“Sandy & Bob Cook

“Bill & Roleta Meredith

“Lloyd Schell

 

“I haven’t heard from Peggy Orsini. I’ll try to get pictures to you.

 

“Bill”

 

The reunion will be at the 3201 Charles MacDonald Drive home of Bill and wife Roleta, a Clarksburg Washington Irving graduate.

 

If you will be near Sarasota on Monday, call Bill at (941) 342-0030 or (614) 582-0335 so he can put your name at the guard station to permit your entry into his gated community.

 

This has been going on about a decade.

 

The party will start at 11 a.m. and usually runs till late afternoon because no one wants to leave the pride of Lions gathering.

 

Bill said that dress is casual, with shorts appropriate if the weather is warm enough.

 

Roleta will provide ham, buns, baked beans and coleslaw.  Iced tea and soft drinks will be available.  

 

The Merediths live about 2 miles east of I-75, Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road).

 

Last year Barb Arnett, Bob Arnett, Sandy Cook, Lyla Cosner Howell, Joe Martin, Bill Meredith, John Olesky, Peggy Rauer Orsini, Lloyd Schell, Ruth Enoch Starcher and Mary Fleming Toothman showed up.

 

Bob, Class of 1957, and wife Barb Enoch Arnett, Class of 1960, live in Scherr, West Virginia, but were vacationing in Florida.

 

Sandy, Class of 1959, and husband Bob live in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

Lyla, Class of 1958, and husband Len live in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

Joe, Class of 1957, and Canada-born wife Arlene Kitchin Martin live on Treasure Island, Florida.

 

Lloyd, Class of 1957, lives in Pompano Beach, Florida.

 

Peggy Rauer Orsini, widow of Tom Orsini, Class of 1950, lives in Titusville, Florida.

 

Paula Tucker and John Olesky, Class of 1950, live in The Villages, Florida and Tallmadge, Ohio, an Akron suburb.

 

Bill and wife Roleta also have another home on Buckeye Lake, Ohio.

 

Bob Arnett, Lyla, Peggy and Joe lived in Carolina during their Monongah High days.

The 2018 Monongah High Alumni Reunion in  Fairmont will be Saturday, May 26 at the Knight of Columbus on Mary Lou Retton Drive.

If you would like to attend the biggie gathering of Lions in Fairmont, phone Donna Davis at (304) 534-5636. She'll provide details, costs and dinner-dance reservation forms. 

If your class is an honor class --  1958, 1968 and 1978 -- then someone has to take charge, notify Donna who will spearhead that honor class' activities on Saturday and probably a one-class reunion on Friday.

If Otis “Sarge” Shriver can round up enough Class of 1948 members for their 70-year reunion on the 2018 Memorial Day weekend, Donna said they would also be an honor class.

Contact Sarge at (304) 290-0201. The ‘48s will be meeting the Friday before the Saturday all-class Monongah High Alumni Reunion in Fairmont.



 

Be like Mike

Find photos of your former MHS Classmates

This is a Facebook post by Mike Hess:

My beautiful sister Linda Postlethwait in her junior year at Monongah High School in 1967. She is at bottom of this page. Many thanks to John Olesky for taking the time to make all these yearbooks available for our viewing.

And I got this email from the DeMary clan:

Hi, John:
I was looking at your 1947 Monongah yearbook and can identify 2 members of the Letterman's Club --  my dad, Frank DeMary, and Jack Huffman.

Thanks so much.

 

ou also can look up Black Diamonds for your time at Monongah High as long as it’s between 1939 and 1967 or 1971-74. It took me years to pull it all together.

Try it for yourself!

You also can look up every article ever published in this Monongah High Alumni blog about anyone by typing in their name. If their name is in the article, it will show up!

If you want to find articles in this blog about former classmates, go to the white blank rectangle between the white B on the orange background and the drawing of a magnifying glass and type in his or her name.Then press the 
Enter 
key. Every article on the blog with that name will show up.

If you want to see an online Monongah High yearbook (from 1939 through 1967 and 1971-1974), click on 
http://jo4wvu.blogspot.com/search?q=1939-1967+%26+1971-1974+Monongah+High+yearbooks+free%21+ 

If you want to submit a Comment to an article, click on
No comments
or
x comments (if there already are comments, it will have the number of comments)

Type in your comment. Then it must be approved by me. To keep non-Lions bad guys from posting nasty stuff. But I'll approve all informational, polite posts, particularly if they add information about the MHS alum mentioned in the article. 

 
  

 

Hurricane killed Paula's bush in The Villages, Florida. 4 bags and trash can of limbs later, all clear!

It took a lot of sweat the bring that sucker down. Now we need to see if its sister bushes will fill the gap or if we need to adopt another bush.

Chopped-up tree in Jackie's ditch



Car stuck in White Rock floodwaters

Flooding,  as usual, in Marion County

Good ol’ White Rock was under water, as usual, on U.S. 19 between Monongah and Fairmont.

Paw Paw Creek came up over the road near the home of Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, in Rivesville. And toppled a tree across the highway.

Jackie was awakened at 4 a.m. by the sound of chainsaws trying to clear away the tree. Workers left the dismembered tree’s parts in Jackie’s ditch, which formed a dam that caused the rains to flow onto the road again.

Not every efficient cleanup.

Monongah playgrounds were inundated, too.

The Fairmont Times story:

FAIRMONT — High waters caused flooding and road closures across Marion County on Friday.
Many regions experienced high waters due to rain the past few days, though not at the level in August of 2017.
The closet observation point to determine rainfall accumulation for the area was located in Morgantown, which saw 1.44 inches of rain since the early hours on Friday, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Alyson Hoegg.

West Virginia 511, which provided live road condition updates on its Twitter (@WV511North), tweeted out a total of six advisories in the past 24 hours for the area, varying from mudslides to high water.
Mike Angelucci, director of the Marion County Rescue Squad, said they were dispatched to assist with a water rescue in Monongah in which a woman attempted to drive through high water but got stuck. They also had water rescue equipment staged in Worthington, but did not need to use it.
In Mannington, Water Street was closed for several hours due to high water. Mannington mayor Jim Taylor said the flooding was not as bad as it was in August, but that Water Street was closed because the culverts were not draining. He said that he didn’t receive any calls from anyone who experienced flooding in their homes.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System, at Whetstone Run near Mannington, the gage recorded a height of 23.19 feet Friday, reached at 7 p.m. and slowly on the decline since then. By comparison, the gage topped out at 13.76 feet on Thursday, and the maximum gage height is 26.17.
At Buffalo Creek at Barrackville, the top height of 11.60 feet was reached at 1:30 p.m. Friday. The gage topped out at 3.88 feet on Thursday.
Nearby areas experienced some different but equally troubling weather this week.
In Uniontown, Pennsylvania, about 49 miles north of Fairmont, AccuWeather confirmed that there was an EF1 rated tornado that touched down Thursday evening at winds of 105 mph.
“Winds of 105 mph are at the top of the EF-1 (Enhanced Fujita-scale) rating. It’s pretty rare to have tornadoes at this point,” Hoegg said.
The upcoming forecast hints at more precipitation and possible flooding in the area later in the week.

“There will be some rain and mixed snow starting (this) afternoon probably around 2 p.m. and will continue in through the evening hours coming to an end by 10 p.m.,” Hoegg said. “I do think it’s mixed rain and snow throughout the entire event with temperature (expected) to be around 40 degrees. So it’s going to be really hard for any snow to accumulate, but I could see some grassy surfaces picking up an inch of snow across the area.”
In terms of today’s rainfall, Hoegg expects to see another quarter to a half an inch overall.
“It might be enough to aggravate any ongoing flooding streets, but once you get past tomorrow I do think it will dry out for Sunday,” Hoegg said. “It should be a partly sunny day overall and temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.
A bigger concern to Hoegg was the potential of new flooding in the middle part of the upcoming week.
“There’s going to be another system coming through that will be in the Wednesday time period. So mid-next week there could be some more flooding, but I think it’s still a ways out then, and we will have to keep an eye on it for how much heavy rain potential,” Hoegg said.
 

 

Former Monongah resident Bob Sell passes away

Former Monongah resident Robert Sell passed away Saturday, February 10.

He was a member of the Monongah United Methodist Church, VFW Post 7048 and Green Hills Country Club.

Bob’s obituary:

Robert Roy Sell

·       BORN: July 23, 1925

·       DIED: February 10, 2018

·       LOCATION: Morgantown, West Virginia

Robert Sell
Robert R. Sell, 92, of Morgantown formerly of Monongah passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was born in Everettville on July 23, 1925 a son of the late Claude and Mabel Harvey Sell.
Robert was veteran of the United States Army. Following his military service, he was self-employed Vending Machine Operator and wholesale distributor. He was a member of the Monongah United Methodist Church, VFW Post 7048 and Green Hills Country Club. In his younger years he was an avid traveler. He loved playing cards with his friends.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife Martha L. Zehender Sell.
He is survived by one sister Barbara Koloff of Leesburg, Florida; nephews and many close friends; and his caregiver Mary Sell.
Friends may call at the Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 – 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 – 11 a.m. Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Russell Furr officiating. Burial will follow at the West Virginia Nation Cemetery in Pruntytown where full military rites will be performed by the Marion County Veteran's Military Council.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.carpenterandford.com  

Lighting up our life costs $$$

To those were disappointed that Monongah’s Christmas street lights didn’t stay up longer:

It would have cost $300 for the electric bill for the few extra days.

Let Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta explain:

“I know several people were disappointed that they were taken down early. We were told last year by the Mon Power that we could avoid a second electric bill if the lights were down by the first of the year. We paid a second payment last year of well over $300.00.”

His Honor added:

“I’m just a little behind in thanking everyone for what they have done and continue to do for our town. The Christmas Light Committee continues to work hard. I received several compliments on the lights. I personally think our lights are the best around.

“I would also like to thank 4-H again for decorating the pine tree. It really adds to the town square.

“Once again a big thank you to Chris Martin (Monongah’s #1 photographer) for decorating our street signs. I heard from several people that complimented how festive our town looked with the pine and bows. I would also want to thank Joe, her husband, for taking them down.”

Janice Manzo’s mom passes away

Ron Manzo’s mother-in-law, Mary Ann Zabolotny, passed away on her husband’s birthday -- Friday, February 9.

Ron’s wife is Fairview High grad Janice Manzo, who works at Lakeview Fitness Center in Morgantown. Ron is Class of 1959 at Monongah High.

Janice is from Grant Town. They have been married more than 40 years.

Ron’s sister is Monongah’s First Lady, Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, married to Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta.

Ernie “Frog”, Joe, John “Duke” Manzo, Class of 1945; and Raymond “Pigeon” Manzo, Class of 1947, are his uncles.

Mary Ann's obituary:

Mary Ann Zabolotny, 90, formerly of Grant Town, passed away Friday, February 9, 2018 at Cedar Haven in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She was born on April 6, 1927 in Grant Town daughter of the late James and Frances Yarish Maruka.

Mary Ann was a devout Catholic and spent most of her life in service to the church. She was very active at the former St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Grant Town where she was active with the Altar Rosary Society, taught CCD classes, Eucharistic Minister, Lectern, and a very active in the church choir. She had also worked in the office at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She also volunteered at the Grant Town grade school.

Mary Ann is survived by one daughter and son-in-law Janice and Ron Manzo of Morgantown, one son and daughter-in-law Stanley M. and Susan Haught Zabolotny of Palmyna,Pennsylvania. She is also survived by eight grandchildren Matthew Zabolotny and wife Amanda, Patrick Zabolotny, Kywin Zabolotny, Evan Manzo, Andrew Manzo and wife Chelsea, Aaron Manzo and wife Sue Mi Kim, Ashley Manzo and husband Beau Frum and Jared Manzo and wife Amelia Martin. Also surviving are six great grandchildren Hannah, Lilly and Eowyn Zabolotny, Kiegan and Tripp Manzo and Oliver Frum.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Stanley "Stash" Zobolotny, one brother and sister-in-law Ross and Dolores Rote Maruka.

Friends may call at Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Thursday from 11:00 A.M. till 8:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, February 16, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watson with Fr. Vincent as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

The Rosary led by Deacon Lou Belldina will be recited Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com.

1948 class planning 70-year reunion

Otis “Sarge” Shriver is trying to round up Class of 1948 members for their 70-year reunion on the 2018 Memorial Day weekend.

Otis "Sarge" Shriver

Contact Sarge at (304) 290-0201 or  Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, June Paxton Rogers, John Matkovich or Dorthy Koon Ice. The ‘48s will be meeting the Friday before the Saturday all-class Monongah High Alumni Reunion at the Knights of Columbus on Mary Lou Retton drive in Fairmont.

Saturday, May 26 will be be the all-class reunion. Various classes will have reunions Friday, May 25 at various Fairmont venues.

The honor classes are 1978 (40 years), 1968 (50 years)  and 1958 (60 years) and, if Sarge and his 1948 grads can must enough bodies, 1948 (70 years!!!!).
 

Sarge lives on Old Monongah Road. His siblings are Jim Shaver, Class of 1954, who resides at Old Monongah Road when he's not visiting his wife's native Peru, and their sister, the Rev. Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Shaver Wycoff, who lives on the Shaver Farm on Old Monongah Road.

Sarge’s son, Mark Shaver, has a daughter, Audra Tucker, who is Sarge’s oldest granddaughter and lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Sarge frequently winds up.:)

June Paxton Rogers’ sisters are Mary Jean Paxton Ryan, Class of 1946, and Lois Paxton Dufour, Class of 1944, who is deceased. 

John Matkovich lives in Palm Harbor, Florida with wife Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953, and was on the 1947 Monongah High football team.

Marylee Hertzog Gwinn lives in Rockville, Maryland. She married E.J.  Gwinn. Her father ran the Hertzog Drug Store in Worthington.

To see the 1948 Black Diamond yearbook, click on https://picasaweb.google.com/115483244393507838338/1948MonongahHighBlackDiamondYearbook#