Wednesday, August 31, 2022

DR. BRUCE EDMOND NAMED ITALIAN MAN OF THE YEAR IN WEST VIRGINIA



Dr. Michael Bruce Edmond, Class of 1979, was named Italian-American Man of the Year for 2022 at the annual West Virginia Italian-American Festival held every year in Clarksburg, the most Italian city in the state.

Rachel Romano was named Italian-American Women of the Year.

Stephen McCoy was named Honorary Italian-American Man of the Year.

Pamela Hotsinpiller was named Honorary Italian-American Woman of the Year.

Josephine Columbo Quinn was named Italian Mother of the Year.

Louis Spatafore got the Distinguished Pillar Award.

Dr. Edmond, who prefers to be called Bruce, has been married to Laurie Jean Lyckholm since 1994. Bruce was co-valedictorian of the Class of 1979, the last Monongah High graduation class before the merger with other Marion County schools into North Marion. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Edmond. His father is Class of 1957. Lisa Marie Edmund Johnson, Bruce’s sister, lives in Monongah and is chief financial officer at FCX Systems after being at Martin & Lambert CPAs and getting her education at Pierpont Community and Technical College and University of West Florida.

Bruce’s co-valedictorian was Anthony Joseph Saverino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Savereno.

 

Dr. Edmond is a world-famous pioneer in the treatment of C.Diff (Clostridium difficile), an infectious disease that is dangerous and sometimes fatal to hospital patients. He came up with a unique and successful way to treat the illness: Using feces of a close relative to battle and usually cure C.Diff. It works 90% of the time.

 

The lifesaver is being used around the world. Dr. Edmond’s book is titled “The Power of Poop.”

 

Dr. Edmond is a West Virginia University graduate who was chief quality officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Virginia Commonwealth University before becoming Chief Medical Officer of WVU  Medicine in Morgantown.

The 1979 class’ valedictorian was Brenda Lee Graffius, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Graffius. Her siblings are David Graffius and Ed Graffius.  Michael Delligatti, Evelyn Prahl KurtockPam Prahl Johnson and Eleanor Slavik Varga are her cousins. Jennifer Linn-Foster is her niece.

State Senator Roman Prezioso, Class of 1967, was named Italian-American Man of the Year in 2017. The same year that Catherine Joan Tiano Mancina was named Mother of the Year. She is the widow of Joe Mancina, once my roomate during my WVU days. Joe was a tax auditor for the state for three decades.  

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

36TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR JAY AND DEBBY MICHALSKI

 


Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate, and Debby Mason Michalski celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary.

Debby posted:

“It’s been 36 years since I said I do.”

Debby is a United Security Agency sales representative.

Jay retired after working for a Fairmont recyling company.

 

His parents are Ramona Fullen Michalski, who lives off Bridge Street Extension just outside the Monongah city limits, and the late Frank Michalski, in the Class of 1949 and an outstanding Monongah High football player.



Jay’s siblings are Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974, of Kilarm, married to Dave Westfall, Class of 1948; Mike Michalski, living in Monongah with wife Jan; and Ramona Michalski, who lives with mom Ramona in Monongah.

Other children Mary Frances Michalski Gapen, Class of 1968, married to Rick Gapen, passed away in 2012 and Carol Michalski Drake passed away in August 2021. 


Monday, August 29, 2022

CAROLYN AND CHUCK TICE IN MOTORCYLE ACCIDENT



Monongah Christmas Lights Committee vice president Carolyn Kelly Tice and husband Charles “Chuck” Tice were in a motorcycle accident Saturday, August 27.

Carolyn is in WVU Medical Center's Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Chuck said they hope she'll be released Tuesday.

Susan Staron Sanders, founder and president of what I call The Charge of the Lights Brigade, posted:

Sending out prayers to two of my very special members. V. P. Carolyn Tice and hubby Chuck Tice who were in a motorcycle accident on Saturday. Love her so much.  Chuck is my backbone he helps me so much.

 

Carolyn is from York, Pennsylvania, who graduated from West York Area High School and at Meagher’s Irish Pub, where Chuck once was a cook, and Buffalo Wild Wings, as did Chuck. Chuck, who is from Bridgeport, West Virginia, also is into auto companies, working at Toothman Sowers Ford since 2019 and before that was in the parts department at Wilson Ford-Lincoln.

 

Carolyn in 2020 replaced Michelle “Shelly” Yankie as vice president. Carolyn moved to Monongah a few years ago with husband Chuck Tice. They bought the McCombs house on Main Avenue. Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977, is married to Monongah fire chief Harless McCombs, Class of 1976. Lisa is a retired Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s book author.

 

The Charge of the Light Brigade in 2022, who will have about 60 Christmas street lights in Monongah this Christmastime, really lighting up and brightening up the town:

President - Susan Sanders

Vice President - Carolyn Tice

Secretary - Chelsea McCann

Treasurer - Linda McCullough

Alternates Chuck Tice - Josh Scritchfield

Volunteers Teena Field Ailstock - Rae Ann Carter - Amanda Hawkins - Robert Hawkins - Marsha Fluhardy - Sheila Runyan – Beth Campbell -- Bill McCullough (who helps wife Linda with the cooking at fundraising events).

  

Saturday, August 27, 2022

33rd WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR STAN CAMEON AND CHERI SLAMEN CAMEON

 



Stan Cameona 1981 North Marion graduate after 2 years at Monongah High before the 1979 closure to merge with North Marion, and 1980 North Marion graduate Cheri Slamen Cameon are celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary.

 Stan’s parents are Pete Cameon, Class of 1958, and Connie Cameon. Tia Wolski is the girlfriend of Stan's son, Drew Cameon.

 

He is a nephew of Nathalee Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948; Linda Cameon Mezzanotte, Class of 1966; Bill Cameon, Class of 1960; Virginia Cameon Mezzanotte, Class of 1953; Pete Cameon, Class of 1958; and Albert Cameon, Class of 1947.

 

Nathaleen is the widow of Sam Oliverio. Nat and Sam went to Indiana more than 60 years ago to make a new life away from the dangerous coal mines. Monongah High Alumni Association president Linda Lopez Gandy is related to Sam.

 

Nataleen once told me why:

“I had three sons and I didn’t want them going into the coal mines. I had heard the whistle blowing and seen miners carried out of the mines, injured, and I just didn’t want that for them.”

The sons are Dominick, Lowell and Tom. Dominick became a psychologist who worked in federal prisons. Tom became an Illinois State Trooper captain. Lowell became a police officer for Lowell, Indiana.

 

Nat's siblings are Linda Cameon Mezzanotte, Class of 1966; Bill Cameon, Class of 1960; Virginia Cameon Mezzanotte, Class of 1953; Pete Cameon, Class of 1958; and Albert Cameon, Class of 1947; and Arthur, Joe and Rudy Cameon.

 

They are the children of Clyde and Maggie Cameon, who are Stan Cameon’s grandparents.


Friday, August 26, 2022

SHIRLEY SMITH MATTHEWS HAS 83rd BIRTHDAY

 Happy 83rd birthday, Shirley!

Shirley Smith Matthews, Class of 1957, celebrated her 83rd birthday Friday, August 24.

As Patty Steele McCombs posted:

“You are definitely a Monongah icon!”

Shirley is the widow of Simon Matthews Jr., Class of 1956. They were married for 53 years and once owned The Den in Monongah. Simon passed away in 2014. His parents were Simon Paul Matthews, Sr. and Marguerite (Tropea) Matthews. Simon, Jr., a graduate of Fairmont State with a Masters Degree from West Virginia University taught at Farmington High School, Monongah High School and Miller Junior High School. He also coached football, basketball and track at Monongah High School and Farmington High School.

Simon and Shirley’s children are Paulah Matthews Sloan, Paul David Matthews and Todd Matthews, Sr. Simon’s siblings are Rose Matthews Ilich and  Muggy Matthews Stottlemire.

Other Lions birthdays:

August

1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

5 – Robert Tennant, Class of 1971

6 – Wauneda Evans, Patty DeMary Evans’ mother-in-law

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

8 – Sandra Ashcraft, Class of 1964

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

15 – David Kelly, 1980 North Marion grad after 11 years at Thoburn & Monongah High

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

17 – Twins Earnest Hayes & Chester Hayes, both Class of 1965

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

18 – John Fazio, Class of 1970

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

20 – Connie Warash, Class of 1975

21 – Robert Howard Edwards, Class of 1959

24 -- Shirley Smith Matthews, Class of 1957

24 – Sean Patrick Fazio, 2015 North Marion grad

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

 

September

 

1 – Claude Domico, Jr., Class of 1959

3 – Debra June Knight, Class of 1973

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

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 Tennant, Class of 1974

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 – Doris Jean Menear Basnett, Class of 1938

29 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

29 – Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969

 

October

 

1 – Janet Sowers Rinehart, Class of 1964

2 – Stanley H. Vance, Class of 1964

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

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

14 – John Prunty, Class of 1949

18 – Kim Glover Ice, Class of 1975

19 – Ronda Colisino, Class of 1978

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

20 – Richard Edwards, Class of 1978

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

22 – Mike Uram, 1981 North Marion graduate

 

 

25 -- Rachel Vivian Stalnaker Sloan, Class of 1962.

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

31 – Helen McDougal Mudry, Monongah High grad

November

1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

4 – Roger Harbert, Class of 1960

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Richard “Ike” Chickerell, Class of 1970

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

10 – Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945

13 – Elwood Toll, Class of 1951

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

20 – Kathryn Toothman Crim, Class of 1950

22 – Mike Ahouse, Class of 1968

23 -- Antheai Justice Turner, North Marion 1982

25 – Gerald Nelson Hartley, Class of 1955

27 – Roy Foster, Class of 1945

28 – Danny Fullen, Class of 1961

29 – Dave Westfall, Marcia Westfall Michalski’s son

 

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

3 – Goldie Mae Martin, Class of 1964

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

5 – Frances Victor Eates, Farmington grad, wife of Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970

6 – Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

10 – Richard Weaver, Class of 1957

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

16 – Henry Moore, husband of Beth Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

16 – Paula Rossi Wiley, Class of 1976

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

23 – Jim Fullen

25 – Charles Melton, Class of 1973

25 – Chris Shamrock Henning

27 – John Yokay III, son of John Yokay, Class of 1953

29 --  Dolores Edwards, Class of 1955

30 – Deborah Prunty Poluck, Class of 1973

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, former 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

4 – Cheryl Boydoh Fordyce, Class of 1963, lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

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

15 – Clarence William “Bill” Woods, Class of 1952

18 – Nancy Carol Davidson Kantura, Class of 1955

20 – Barbara Melton Earl, Class of 1978

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 -- David Edwards, Class of 1976.

28 – Josephine Popovich Jones, Class of 1952

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

15 – Judy Stewart Monell Razook, Class of 1959

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961 

18 – Aaron Justice, Jr., Class of 1972

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

 

May

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

5 – Louis Poluck, Class of 1973

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, wife of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1953

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

17 – Lorraine Hulderman, Class of 1968

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

22 – Toni Pflock Hennis, Class of 1955

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

29 – John Woods, Class of 1957

29 – Scott Rogers, Class of 1973

30 – Dave Westfall, Class of 1948  

 

June

1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

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

5 – Ann “Peaches” DeMary

8 – John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944

8 – Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970

10 – Bill “Carney” Davis, Class of 1958.

13 – John Melton, Class of 1975

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

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

14 – Pamela Morrison Bombardiere, Class of 1967

14 – Regina Levelle Humphrey, Class of 1973

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

20 – Shirley Ann Woods Merchant, Class of 1953

22 – Prudence Deane Tetrick Funk, Class of 1960.

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Class of 1969

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

24 – Judith Lemley Mancino, Class of 1971

July

1 – Roger Fisher, Monongah High grad

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

5 – David Gowers, Class of 1971

5 – Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

7 – Alex Fazio Huff, North Marion 2005 grad

10 – Mary Fleming Toothman, Class of 1960

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

16 -- Debbie Moore O'Dell, Class of 1969 

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

19 – Arlene Martha Edwards Costelac, Class of 1958

20 – Catherine Reckart Boyce, Class of 1973

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973  

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972