Amelia Shenasky Zentz was ecstatic on the phone, talking to me about her 100^th birthday party in the Monongah Town Hall.

“I was really surprised,” Amelia said. “I got all kinds of goodies.”

She continued: “I got a birthday card from the President. I got a birthday card from the Pope.”

Amelia also got a Facetime phone call from Alabama football coach Nick Saban, quarterback of the 1968 Monongah High state championship football team, congratulating her on the milestone.

“I got 145 cards,” Amelia said. I could hear the joy bubbling from her voice.

My response to Amelia: “You know that everyone in Monongah loves you.”

Diana Hartzell-Wheeler of Mannington, Amelia’s caretaker as arranged by Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah, said:

“Amelia did really good for her 100th birthday! She ended up with 145 regular cards, a birthday blessing from Pope Francis, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent her a birthday card, a birthday poster from WVU football coach Neil Brown and an autographed WVU football and basketball from Coach Bob Huggins, 48 colored pics from some of the students from Monongah grade school and a lot of others goodies. She had a beautiful party and is still talking about it.”

Monongah made Amelia very happy. That made me proud of Monongah, by birthplace in my Olesky grandparents’ house on Walnut Street at the Pike Street intersection.

Later, we moved to a Thomas Street rental, the home nearest to Church Street, and then across the street to the Church Street home on Camden Avene (U.S. 19) my parents purchased from Consolidation Coal Company, which knew it would closing the mine in 3 years and began selling off the rentals to make more money.

Amelia said she was so happy that “John Henry,” son of her brother the dentist, showed up. His father came to our house when I was a child to do dental work on me because I had developed a phobia of dentists after hearing my sister scream in the dental chair when I took Jackie to Fairmont. My parents figured maybe he could kind of sneak up on me before I could work up my phobia. Well, he touched my teeth and I fainted.

I asked Amelia about the candy corn I gave her during my December visit to her Shenasky Lane house. When I was a child Amelia and her mother, Nell Shenasky, would let me dip my small hand into a bowl of candy corn and I got to keep and eat what I could grab with one try. So I brought her a bag of candy corn, told Amelia the story and gave it to her.

“We finished it right away,” Amelia said. Her and a young relative accomplished the task.

Amelia’s parting gift to me: “I love you and good night.”

I love you, too, Amelia. I am amazed how your memory is so much better than mine, and I’m only 87 years old.

When I asked her what she planned to do for her 101^st birthday, Amelia responded: “My doctor wanted to know what I would do for my 105^th birthday.” That’s her goal. God bless her.

As for the town of Monongah: I give you a giant pat on the back for honoring the Grande Dame of Monongah.

Her parents, Pete and Nell Shenasky, let coal miners run up a tab when the coal operators held out stubbornly during long strikes so that their children wouldn’t starve.

After the strike, my parents paid off every penny. Some people did not. But Pete and Nell were more concerned about the children than about piling up a mountain of money.

My family, and many other families, have been forever grateful to the Shenasky family for that.

No wonder I am so in love with Monongah and my childhood there.

Amelia is a "Walker, Texas Ranger" fan, too. That Chuck Norris stirs her blood, too, I guess. Or maybe Amelia just wants to give martial arts a shot.

The series lasted 8 seasons, which is impressive. Amelia gets that longevity by a lot!

Monongah is planning a major blowout for Amelia Shenasky Zentz’s 100th birthday Saturday, January 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Monongah Town Hall.

Amelia is the cute blonde behind the counter at her parents’ P.P. Shenasky Grocery during my childhood who let me grab a handful of candy corn when I visited with my mother.  

Today Amelia lives on Shenasky Lane not far from the building where Pete and Nell spend their days. These days it is owned by John Boggess, son of the late Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and the late Okey Boggess, who once was a coal miner.

Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah, cares for Amelia.

The whole town owes the Shenaskys a debt of gratitude. They didn’t just run a grocery store. They made sure that the miners’ children, during long strikes by the UMW, didn’t starve by letting their parents run up a tab for groceries which were repaid by most, but not all, after the strikes ended.

That is the Monongah I remember from my childhood.

If you live in Monongah, or close enough to get there, be sure to show up at 430 Bridge Street at the Town Hall to show your respect and gratitude to a Monongah legend, Amelia.

Elite Barnyard Couture manager and Fairmont State graduate Jolynn Baranski Taylor, Amelia’s goddaughter, speadheaded a cadre of caring citizens hosting the event.

It is SO Monongah.

 

Amelia with one of her many Easter cards

Love poems to Amelia from a grateful town

By John Olesky, Monongah High Class of 1950

When Monongah coal miners went on strike in the 1940s seeking safety and survivable income, Pete and Nell Shenasky, owners of the P.P.  Shenasky Grocery next to Thoburn School, let their families run up grocery tabs so their children wouldn’t go hungry.

When the strikes ended, some as long as eight months, the miners would work off the tremendous “loan” as quickly as they could. The only interest Pete and Nell had was in aiding its customers.

Monongah never forgot the Shenasky helping hand when its residents needed it the most.

So, for Easter, 84 Easter cards have reached Amelia Shenasky Zentz, 98, with more on the way, in response to a “bombard Amelia with love” suggestion from Mary Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah.

The goal is to have 98 cards, one for each of Amelia's years on this Earth.

It’s a “thank-you” from grateful people with memories that go back eight decades.

Many of the cards, such as the one with Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, recall the generosity and kindness of Amelia’s parents and their blonde daughter behind the counter who was beautiful enough to be a model.

Kitty and Personnel administrative assistant Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, the angel of Thomas Street who led the Charge of the Lights Brigade that put 21 Christmas street lights in Monongah, visit Amelia often. Their emotions ping-pong between delight and amazement.

Amelia was the blonde behind the counter of her parents’ grocery store. Amelia and Nell, her mother, handed out free candy to the children of the parents who shopped at P.P.’s place.

Amelia was amazing then and now.

She was a fantastic dancer and was invited to compete in ballroom dancing in New York City. As Amelia recalled, “When I was 19, I went to New York City and danced in the Cotton Club.”

Her partner, the late Walt DeWitt, was her dancing partner for years, including in West Virginia. They were the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of Monongah.

Joining Amelia behind the Shenasky counter was Bruce Zentz, her husband. In 1968 George Shaw built their Dairy Kone on property that once housed Joe Hanus’ garage. It was across U.S. 19 where children played baseball in the 1940s and where brothers Angelo and Alec Catania built the Sinclair service station that covered part of the baseball field where children played before the Catania family  -- father, the brothers and two sisters – moved to Covina, California.

Belinda Morgan Sheppard, Class of 1969, recalls working for Bruce and Amelia for three summers (1975-1977). “I loved working there,” Belinda writes. “They even gave me a baby shower in 1977.”

After 18 years, Bruce and Amelia – married for 55 years -- sold the Dairy Kone to Chris Martin, Monongah’s #1 photographer, who had worked for the Zentz couple for a few years.

Later owners were Patty McCombs, Milton Hurley, Larry and Donna Anderson, Gary and Diane Masters and Lloyd and Sandra Parrish.

Pete and Nell bought the Shenasky building from Mr. Martin in 1921. Pete, who passed away at the age of 69, sold the building to John Boggess, son of Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and retired coal miner Okey Boggess, who still owns the building today.

Amelia and Bruce also accumulated a roomful of bowling trophies. This woman could do anything, including play a wicked around of golf that brought her more trophies. But, most of all, she could make the children of Monongah smile with a few pieces of free candy and a “welcome!” greeting.

Bruce passed away years ago from Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS, amyotropic lateral sclerosis), after 55 years of marriage to Amelia. Her brother, dentist Dr. John Henry Shenasky, also passed away.

Amelia is as famous in Monongah as Amelia Earhart was to the world with her solo flights into history and death.

At 98, Amelia has a fantastic memory. You mention a name from Monongah’s past and Amelia is an encyclopedia of their life events.

When I phoned Amelia once, and said, “This is John Jr. Olesky,” the almost-century-old Amelia responded: “Johnny and Lena’s boy, on Church Street. I remember you and your sister, Jackie,” Class of 1955, who today lives in Rivesville and sent Amelia an Easter card with a note thanking the Shenaskys for letting the Oleskys avoid starvation and the free candy.

Astounding! Many of us can’t remember what we ate yesterday, but Amelia recalls accurately, without prompting, what happened in 1940 and 1950 to people in Monongah. They aren’t even her family. Actually, they ARE her family, thus the out-pouring of Easter cards to the lady who lives on Shenasky Lane, which was renamed to honor her family.

Coal mining towns do not forget incredible acts of kindness and generosity. The dear hearts and gentle people who live in Monongah are repaying Pete and Nell’s daughter.

There isn’t a movie made that can beat this emotional payback.

John Olesky graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic elementary school and Monongah High School, in 1950, before attending Fairmont State for a year before graduating from West Virginia University School of Journalism and embarking on a 43-year newspaper career as founder of the West Virginia High School All-State selections, 15 years as a sportswriter, later a newsroom electronics coordinator, State Desk assistant editor and Television Editor. He retired in 1996 and has traveled to 56 countries and 44 states and has had season tickets to Mountaineer Field for more than 30 years, thanks for his Monongah upbringing and education.

When I phoned Amelia on Easter Sunday to wish her a Happy Easter, she reminded me that she was the 1935 Marion County jitterbug champ and that she still can "kick her leg up." Oh, yeah!!!

 

Amelia behind Shenasky Grocery counter; with husand Bruce; today



Let’s cardbomb Amelia!

Mary Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah when she’s not traveling, is trying to drum up as many Easter cards as possible for Amelia Shenasky Zentz, who is bearing down on reaching a century of life and who lives on appropriately named Shenasky Lane in Monongah.

Kitty wrote:

“Amelia Zentz loves to get cards from all her family and friends. Let’s see how many Easter cards she can receive between now and Easter.”

Address the cards to:

Amelia Zentz

PO Box 9005

Monongah, WV 26554

I remember Amelia as this vivacious blonde who got my teen testosterone kicked into high gear when she worked behind the counter of the P.P. Shenasky Grocery owned by her parents, Pete and Nell Shenasky.

In 1968, after she married the late Bruce Zentz, they built and opened up the Dairy Kone, which still exists today but has passed through a string of owners.

George Shaw built the Dairy Kone where the Joe Hanus service station used to, after Joe switched venues from the building across from Thoburn school that housed the Hanus Garage, the PNA Tavern run by the Brzuzy family and the Hanus Grocery run by Joe’s parents.

After 18 years, Bruce and Amelia – married for 55 years -- sold the Dairy Kone to Chris Martin, Monongah’s #1 photographer, who had worked for the Zentz couple for a few years.

Later owners were Patty McCombs, Milton Hurley, Larry and Donna Anderson, Gary and Diane Masters and Lloyd and Sandra Parrish.

Pete and Nell bought the Shenasky building from Mr. Martin in 1921. John Boggess, son of Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and retired coal miner Okey Boggess, owns the building today.

I have phoned Amelia several times at her Shenasky Lane home where she grew up and still lives at the age of 98.

 

Her voice still sparkles. Amelia golfed, bowled and danced. Oh, how she danced! Good enough to be invited to New York City to perform.

Personnel administrative assistant Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, the angel of Thomas Street who led the Charge of the Lights Brigade that put 21 Christmas street lights in Monongah, visits Amelia often, with Kitty at her side.

So, how about it? Why not send an Easter card to a Monongah legend?

Again, the address is:

Amelia Zentz

PO Box 9005

Monongah, WV 26554

You’ll make a lady who brought a lot of joy to a lot of coal miners’ children (remember the candy Amelia and Nell handed out to us when our parents shopped there?) very happy.

And feel damn good about yourself when you do.

I’m working on my legendary hand-made card (thanks to computer technology) already.

Make sure YOUR card is in the pile!



Monongah’s 2017 angels who light up the town for Christmas put a light in the eyes of Amelia Shenasky Zentz and a color-changing candle light in her hands when they paid a visit to the legend in her Shenasky Lane home in Monongah.

The Angel of Thomas Street, Susan Staron Sanders, the top wrangler responsible for the 21 Christmas street lights in Monongah this Christmastime, explains:

“Some of the Christmas Light Committee decided to visit Amelia because she was curious to know everyone.

“There was Linda McCullough, Kitty Morrison and myself. Not able to attend was Shelly Yankee, Josh Scritchfield, Bill McCullough and Breanna Stewart.

“We took her a candle that she loved that changes colors.

“We laughed and talked as she always has the best stories and a memory out of this world.

“Here is a photo to show you how happy she was. She said next visit she wants us all there.

“Amazing woman.”

When Amelia tells you to show up, it’s a command performance.

This is the once-blonde daughter of Pete and Nell Shenasky who helped her parents operate the P.P. Shenasky Grocery adjacent to Thomas School and across the street from Monzo Grocery.

Later, Amelia and her late husband, Bruce Zentz, built the Dairy Kone in 1968.

As for her memory, she’s 97 and, when I phoned her and said I was “John Junior Olesky,” she said, “Oh, Johnny and Lena Olesky were your parents and Jackie Olesky was your sister.”

It was more than a half-century since Amelia saw my parents or me across the counter at the Shenasky store. Steel-trap mind comes to mind.

And could she dance!

So well that she was invited to New York City to dance in the fabled Cotton Club at the age of 19. She pranced where Due Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ethel Waters and Lena Horne once performed.

Someone needs to take a tape recorder and let Amelia talk the night away. It would be a memorable history of Monongah and its inhabitants in the past 97 years. Just like Amelia.she was.
She said next visit she wants us all there. Amazing women.

This photo shows the legendary Amelia Shenasky Zentz, the blonde bombshell daughter of P.P. Shenasky and Nell Shenasky, with Susan Staron Sanders, whose Charge of the Light Brigade will have 20 Christmas street lights in Monongah before the end of the year, and Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, whose parties and travels are, well, legendary.

All together at Amelia’s home on Shenasky Lane in Monongah.

Amelia is 96 years old but her mind is about 50 years younger, judging by her memory. As a young woman she was invited to New York City for ballroom dancing with celebrities.

Kitty and Bertha Wilson each stay with Amelia a few nights a week.

As Kitty says: “She is indeed an amazing woman and a joy to be around.”

Amelia and her late husband, Bruce Zentz, built the Dairy Kone in 1968, after Amelia learned about business from her parents at the P.P. Shenasky Grocery on U.S. 19 next door to Thoburn School.

Susan and Kitty paid Amelia a visit. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that house at that time!

Kitty, Class of 1968, lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah but is equally at home in New York City, Key West, Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in the world.

Or, as you can tell from the shirt she's wearing, just back from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

With or without her sister, Sue Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971, who lives in Piscataway, New Jersey and Stoney Lonesome when she isn’t partying or traveling with sister Kitty or running the half-marathon in Chicago.

Susan Sanders, Class of 1971, is the angel of Thomas Street whose fundraising keeps adding Christmas street lights to her own.

Susan and husband Ron Sanders live on Thomas Street, next door to Mayor Greg Vandetta and his wife, Janice Manzo Vandetta.

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, retired Personnel administrative assistant, and Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah,came away from a visit with Amelia Zentz Shenasky as impressed with her memory and personality as I was when I talked to Amelia over the phone.

Amelia is 97 years old, but her mind remembers yesteryear as if it were yesterday.

Amelia is the widow of Bruce Zentz and the daughter of Pete and Nell Shenasky, who owned the P.P. Shenasky Grocery on U.S. 19 adjacent to Thoburn School.

She lives on Shenasky Lane, named for her family, which is the street

Susan wrote of the experience:

“Letting everyone know I had a wonderful visit with Ameila Zentz yesterday. I just love this woman.

“Kitty Morrison is sitting with her and also was there. We went through old pictures and, to my amazement, she remembered everyone.

“97 years old and she is as beautiful now as she was back then.

“I found a love letter from Bruce when he was in the service and had us read it to her. She remembered it very well.

“To put an end to this wonderful day, on the back of the letter has SWAMK. Kitty and I looked at each other, not knowing what it meant.

“She just giggled and said, ‘Ladies, that means Sealed with a Marine Kiss.’ ”

Kitty added:

“She amazes me each time I sit with her.

“Bertha Wilson and April Potts have gone through hundreds of old pictures while sitting with her.

“Kacie and Al have been amazing with her. I can listen for hours about her life.”

Al Williamson, Class of 1973, who once delivered groceries for the Shenasky store customers, lives next door to Amelia and helps her out.

So does Kacie Cunningham, who attended both East Fairmont High and Fairmont Christian Academy and lives in Monongah with husband Dan Cunningham, who also helps Amelia with the house and grounds.

Al Williamson began working at P.P. Shenasky Grocery at the age of 17 and eventually owned the store for 10 years.

Later, the store was purchased by John Boggess, son of Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and retired coal miner Okey Boggess.

Evelyn and Okey live in the Willow Road home south of Monongah where Evelyn grew up with siblings Helen Kasper and Bob Kasper, Class of 1950, who has homes in South Lyon and Presque Isle (on Grand Lake), Michigan.

April, related to Sharon Rose Wilson Core and Monongah Councilwoman and 1946 Fairview High grad Bertha Kennedy Wilson, also helps Amelia with her home. Bertha is running for re-election.

Bertha and David Wilson’s daughter, North Marion graduate Amanda Lee Wilson, born and raised in Monongah, headed fundraising efforts for a Big Mill Fall couple who lost their home to a fire in 2014. Amanda’s grandparents are David Wilson and Shirley Fox Wilson.

Sharon was one of the winners of the raffle baskets and 50/50 drawing in this year’s Susan Sanders’ Easter fundraiser.

During the visit to Amelia, Al confessed to Susan: “I had a crush on you at Monongah High. I still do.”

Awww.

Ron Sanders still has a crush on Susan, too. She’s his wife. They live on Thomas Street, the second house from Church Street, next door to the Olesky rental home with a two-hole outhouse when I was growing up. When I was a pre-teenager, the Sanders house was occupied by the Philomena Mangino family, who moved to the Germantown section of Philadelphia (I visited them when I was 18, on my hitchhiking tour of family friends and relatives in Chicago, Philadelphia and Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania that cost me $20).

Later, my father, John W. Olesky, Sr., and mother, Lena Futten Olesky, bought the first Church Street house off U.S. 19 (Camden Avenue) where I spent the rest of my life till my graduation from West Virginia University School of Journalism and a 43-year newspaper career that ended with my 1996 retirement.

Amelia was such a good dancer that, at the age of 19, she was invited to a national event and danced at the Cotton Club in New York City.

Even years after she returned to Marion County, Amelia and the late Walt DeWitt did a pretty good Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers imitation with their ballroom dancing.

Amelia also was an excellent golfer and bowler.

Debbie Moore O’Dell, Class of 1969, put it cleverly and succinctly about Amelia:

“She’s one in Amelion.”

Indeed, Debbie.

Debbie’s parents were Vera Pearl Moore and Bill Moore.

Debbie worked at both Urban’s Grocery Store in Monongah and the Dairy Kone (1968-69), which Amelia and Bruce built in 1968.

Debbie’s sister, Janet Moore Frazier, Class of 1972, also worked at the Dairy Kone, which provided spending money for a lot of Monongah High students over the years.

And some tantalizing snacks for the entire town.

Janet lives in Fairmont with husband Jack Frazier.

With Personnel administrative assistant Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, the angel of Thomas Street, digging into a project, The Grinch doesn’t stand a chance in Monongah.

Susan reports that the new Monongah Christmas street lights are paid in full and that $1,584 was raised in one week at the bazaar and other events. That adds eight Christmas street lights to the seven that the town of White Hall donated to Monongah last year.

FIFTEEN Christmas street lights will dazzle the good folks of Monongah and their visitors.

The Charge of the Lights Brigade has accomplished an awesome task.

Susan wrote:

“Wow is all I can say! What a way to finish out the year.

“The bazaar was wonderful thanks to all the vendors who supported us and came out with wonderful treasures to sell.

“A special thank you to my guys/Elves Josh Scritchfield, Seth Toney & Peyton. They helped not only us but helped the Vendors carry their stuff out to their cars. Great job.

“Thank you to Josh Scritchfield’s Mom for making the hotdog sauce. It was delicious. We sold it all.

“Then to my angels, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so blessed to have you. And Parma Fetty was awesome. I hope I didn't forget anyone. I love you all.”

One the seventh day, the angel rested – all day with a sinus infection.

Husband Ron probably was her nurse.

During the fundraising, Susan met Amelia Shenasky Zentz, 96-year-old daughter of the late Pete and Nell Shenasky, owners of the grocery store on U.S. 19 where the Boggess building is today.

Explains Susan:

“My grandmother on my Dad’s side was a Lawrence. Amelia knew her and thinks they may be related.”

I can tell you from personal experience that Amelia, even though she is approaching the century mark, has a steel-trap mind. When I phoned her and gave her my name, she spouted out the identities of my parents – John W. Olesky, Sr. and Lena Futten Olesky – and my sister – Jackie Olesky Straight. This is one cool nonagenarian.

Susan continues:

“My grandparents lived in Douglas, West Virginia where Amelia once lived.

“My God, Amelia was beautiful!

“She wants me to bring you up to her house (on Shenasky Lane in Monongah) when you come to town.”

That would be a singular honor for me.

I know all about Amelia’s beauty. As a kid going to P.P. Shenasky Grocery for my parents, I was flabbergasted when I saw this stunning blonde. So much so that I hardly knew what kind of free candy she dumped in my hand.

And could Amelia dance! Amelia recalled: “When I was 19 I went to New York City and danced in the Cotton Club.”

Even years after she returned to Marion County, Amelia and the late Walt DeWitt did a pretty fair Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers imitation with their ballroom dancing.

Amelia, who will be 97 in January, and her late husband, Bruce Zentz, built the Dairy Kone in 1968, across the street from where we played baseball as children in the 1940s and where brothers Angelo and Alec Catania built the Sinclair service station that covered part of our baseball field next door to the Godby house and behind the garages where Thomas Street residents parked their automobiles.

The Catania siblings and their father later moved to Covina, California, where Angelo Catania, Class of 1943, celebrated his 92^nd birthday in August with his sister, Mary Catania Heywood, Class of 1945.

It was Angelo who convinced his siblings and father Mandala Catania to make the move from Thomas Street to Covina, which he discovered and fell in love with during his Army Coast Artillery training days of World War II.

The Catania family lived on Thomas Street in the third house from Church Street. The Olesky family had the first house, the Mangino family the second. The Manginos also moved, to Philadelphia, in the 1950s. 

The late Alex Catania, Class of 1944; Josephine Catania, Class of 1952; and their father, Mandala Catania, went to Covina with Angelo and Mary.

Angelo married a Monongah girl, the late Pauline Layne Catania.

Angelo’s sister, Carmella Catania Allard, Class of 1947, wound up in San Antonio because her husband, Omer, still was in the Air Force when the Catania migration took place. He retired after a pair of decades in The Wild Blue Yonder.

 

Carmella and Omer still live in the city with the Alamo, where the famous 1836 Battle of the Alamo took place between Santa Anna’s 1,500-strong Mexican Army against 182 to 257 Texians, including Davy Crockett and James Bowie. Apparently Henry Warnell was the only Texian to survive.