Lisa McCombs joins authors in Kingwood

Lisa McCombs

Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977, author of several children's books and Monongah Middle School language arts teacher, will be at the Christmas Tea and Treats with West Virginia Authors at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Kingwood Public Library in Preston County.

Writes Lisa:

“Come visit me and WV authors at the Kingwood Public Library this Saturday for tea and treats. Need a special holiday gift? A signed book is a one-of-a-kind present. See you there!

The Kingwood Library is at 205 W. Main Street in Kingwood, famous for its Buckwheat Festival.

S.J. Brown, author of a wildlife photography book, will provide tips on how to photograph nature scenes.

Her latest book is “I Have MS What’s Your Superpower?” Lisa is an expert on multiple scleroris, since she was diagnosed with the disease.

The children’s books triology for Lisa, Y-Teens sponsor at Monongah Middle School, is “Opening Pandora's Box,” “Abby” and “Raspberry Beret.”

Lisa is married to Harless McCombs, Class of 1976, Monongah Fire Department chief.

Fairmont’s Diana Pishner Walker, a Clarksburg Notre Dame graduate, will be a familiar face for Lisa McCombs. Diana wrote ”I Don’t Want To Sit In The Front Row Anymore” and “Spaghetti and Meatballs: Growing up Italian.”

Other Christmas Tea and Treats Authors:

WVU School of Journalism grad Georgeann Swiger, former anchor/reporter at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg. She’s substitute teacher who lives in Reedsville with her husband and two children.

Thomas H. Williams, a former high school biology teacher, school administrator and college professor who lives near Tunnelton.

Novelist Eliot Parker (“Breakdown at Clear River,” “Making Arrangements” and “Fragile Brilliance.”  He teaches writing and literature at Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington.

Morgantown’s Theodore Webb, author of the young adult dystopian novel, "The STARLING Connection."

Huntington’s Laura Treacy Bentley, author of a psychological thriller set in mythical Ireland, “The Silver Tattoo: Night Terrors.”

Dublin, Ireland native Patricia Hopper who lives in West Virginia and is a WVU graduate. Her debut novel was “Kilpara.”

Mount Carbon’s Trinny Sigler, writer, social worker and mother of two. Her poetry book is “Unsweetened T.: Come Sip With Me.” Another poem with an interesting title, “The Velvet Jesus After-Party,” first in the emerging poets category at the WV Writers Inc. conference this year.

S. J. Brown is a wife, mother, grandmother, wildlife photographer & author.

Hedgesville’s Amber Decker, poet, artist and musician. She is the author of a chapbook, “True North.”

Horror author Danielle DeVor.

Jennifer Graham

Susan Hardesty

Renee Nicholson

Great article about Brother

This is an excellent article about Brother – Alabama football coach Nick Saban, quarterback of the 1968 Monongah High state championship team, by Rachel Baribeau, a TV sports reporter who covers the Crimson Tide.

There’s more to Saban than just being a coach

By Rachel Baribeau

He is vilified. He is criticized for his news conference rants. Years ago, he was the poster child for a controversial practice known as “grayshirting.”

But I know a different Nick Saban. I’ve seen a different Nick Saban.

When I think of Nick Saban, I think of him as a high-intensity coach, yes, but also a caring husband. One of my most impactful memories of the 2015 season is seeing him walk in hand in hand with his wife to his post-game media responsibilities.

MEETING NICK SABAN

I go back a long way with Nick Saban.

I moved to Tuscaloosa in the fall of 2009. I didn’t know a soul. I also was an Auburn graduate.

My move there was sudden. I attended SEC Media days in August when a representative from the Tuscaloosa News recognized my reporting tenacity. Three days later, he asked me if I would like a job covering Alabama football. In a matter of weeks, I was on campus. Looking back, it was a seminal moment in my career, the moment I became a bona fide, objective reporter.

I remember early on someone telling me, “Nick Saban won’t know you from Adam’s house cat.” As a newbie reporter, I was white noise. This was just the way it was and that’s the way I operated, as an unknown. I was there to do my job, sharing information and stories with my audience.

I still remember the first time I asked Saban a question that he teed off on. It was late in the 2009 season, not yet to the SEC championship game, and I used the word “reflect.” I instantly realized that was a huge no-no. He went on to light up the room, going on an epic rant. The tirade was featured on SportsCenter. I received nearly 100 calls and text messages. I was famous, sort of.

After the epic rant, though, came a thoughtful answer, one intended first for his players, then the media and public. You see, Saban always is carefully speaking to his players through the media.

Even though I was “called out,” so to speak, I stood taller, my skin a bit tougher.

I distinctly remember another news conference right before Thanksgiving that same season. Saban was peppered with football questions, but I decided to go in a different direction. I asked him what he was most thankful for that year. He paused for a moment, looked wistfully out a nearby window, then said he was grateful for “Ms. Terry” (his wife) and the opportunity to coach football.

He went on to tell the room he had a friend recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. He explained how it made him ever so grateful for that relationship, for his wife and for life.

I saw a different side of Saban that day, which I will always remember. I saw Nick Saban, the thoughtful and appreciative friend.

THANKING NICK SABAN

The Crimson Tide went onto win a national championship that season and again in 2011 while I was in Tuscaloosa. Reflecting back, I could see him settling into the role of Alabama’s football coach, a beast of a job rife with wild expectations and a rabid fan base.

All the while, this young reporter with an Auburn degree was earning her stripes in Tuscaloosa. Covering two national championships at such a young age could only be described as magical. I pinched myself on a daily basis. I still do.

Often times, we miss the lessons life tries to teach us in the moment. Not me, not at that juncture of my life. I was so serious about my role at the Tuscaloosa News, about the opportunity to cover one of the best programs in the country – and arguably the toughest coach – that I was moved to write Nick Saban an email.

August 30, 2010

Dear Coach Saban,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have been meaning to write you for some time and let you know what an impact you have on my career.

I have been in sportscasting for about seven years now; before I moved to Tuscaloosa last September, I was in Columbus, Ga., for many years honing my craft as a sports talk show host, sideline reporter, sports editor and correspondent.  In Tuscaloosa, I am the online anchor for a site called TideSportsExtra.com; we are a premium site for the Tuscaloosa News. I thoroughly enjoy what I do; I am blessed to help people tell their stories (we all have them — some just need help telling them), as well as covering practices, press conferences and games.

I want you to know that you inspire me: You inspire me to be a better sports reporter and human being. I have heard you speak many times and I like your message that says no matter what you do, be the VERY best that you can be.  I know that you expect the VERY best from your players, coaches and staff; I also believe you expect nothing less from the media members that cover you on a regular basis. Thank you for keeping me on my toes.

I do not know what the future holds for my career, but I hope that my path leads to a national job in the near future. When it does and I interview you on the sideline or for a sit-down sometime, I want you to know that I am better for having covered you and the Alabama beat. Thank you again for inspiring me; I can’t thank you enough.

Sincerely yours,

Rachel Baribeau

RachelBaribeau.com

THE SOFTER SIDE OF NICK SABAN

Saban has tried opening up previously. This from Saban himself in GQ magazine in 2013:

“I think I’m pretty misunderstood, because I’m not just about football,” he tells me. “I’m kind of portrayed as this one-dimensional person who — this is everything to me.”

He gestures toward the football building around him.

“I almost feel like I’m not that way at all.”

You’re not, Coach. I count myself fortunate to have seen a glimpse of Nick Saban the man, even Nick Saban the husband.

I realized early on during my stay in Tuscaloosa that he loved his wife dearly. I recognized that she was the backbone of the “Saban operation.” There wasn’t a week that went by in a news conference that he didn’t mention Ms. Terry. He lovingly told us how she picks out his clothes each morning. I remember him recounting a story of how she allowed him to go back upstairs and watch more film on Christmas morning after opening presents. I recall him telling the media that he thought that was the ultimate gift.

She attends each one of his post-game news conferences on the road, sitting quietly in the back of the room, listening intently.

I wish more people could see Nick Saban, the husband, as I have. If they could, I think their opinion of Nick Saban, the coach, would soften.

Saban, though, doesn’t go out of his way to show his softer side, so I will.

I never found out if Saban read my email. I vetted it through the proper channels and sent it to his “gatekeeper.” I’d like to think he did because he knows my name today. He speaks to me, shakes my hand, asks about my life. I believe him to be genuine when he does. I am no longer white noise.

If I ask a question in a news conference that he doesn’t agree with, or one he knows he can send a message through, he’ll still tee off on me. I’m OK with that.

I know this for sure: I grew massively as a reporter – and human being – during my three years in Tuscaloosa; I partly have Nick Saban to thank for that.

 

The first December birthday on Monongah High alumni list is Adam Michna II, a 1980 North Marion graduate (after 3 years at MHS), a Monongah historian. I get a lot of my MHS Alumni blog photos from Adam.

His father was the original Adam Michna. The family tree includes Sister Rose and Sister Dolores of the Sts. Peter and Paul convent nuns, who educated the Catholic half of Monongah’s children.

Adam II’s birthday is Wednesday, December 2, which he shares with Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964, Monongah High Homecoming court princess who married her Homecoming parade chaffeur, Earl McDougal, Class of 1963. They have a blended family of seven children.

Saturday, December 5 will be the birthday of Duane Harbert, Class of 1951, who lives in Marlton, New Jersey with wife Mary. Duane was part of The Gang That Terrorized Marion County. His father, Frank Harbert, was the Thoburn School principal.

Then there’s Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948, born December 13, who still lives in Monongah.

Happy birthday, guys (and gals)!!!

If your name is not on this list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com  with your full name, including maiden name, your birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown.

 

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Barbara Sweede, Class of 1956

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

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

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

23 – Jim Fullen

25 – Chris Shamrock Henning

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

 

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

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

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

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

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

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

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961  

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

 

May

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, main squeeze of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

29 – John Woods, Class of 1957

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

7 – Kenneth Kincaid, Class of 1968

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

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

17 – Dennis Jones, Class of 1954

20 – Shirley Ann Woods Merchant, Class of 1953

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Monongah grad

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

 

July

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

4 – Barbara Fleming Marsh, Class of 1947

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

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

20 – Catherine Reckart Boyce, Class of 1973

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973  

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

19 – Jane Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972

 

August

1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

3 – (Agnes) Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950

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

12 – Angelo Catania, Class of 1943

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 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

20 – Connie Warash, Class of 1975

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

 

September

 

1 – Claude Domico, Jr., Class of 1959

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

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

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, 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

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 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

29 – Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969

 

October

 

2 – Stanley H. Vance, Class of 1964

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

9 – Mary Frances Miller Myers, Class of 1951

11 – Felix Colisino, Class of 1947

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

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

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 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 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

10 – Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

20—Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950               

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

 

 

Steven “Bucky” Satterfield, Class of 1949, is preparing for another family Christmas gathering.

Bucky, part of the faceitiously named Gang That Terrorized Marion County (article and photos about the “gang” was posted on this blog Nov. 20), lives next door to his daughter, Beth Satterfield Tate, and son-in-law Terry Tate.

Bucky also provided most of my misinformation about sex during my teen years. He had a vivid imagination and a talent for embroidering the situation.

The photo was taken last Christmas at son Steve Satterfield’s house in Winfield.

BACK ROW FROM LEFT

Beth Satterfield Tate (daughter), Steven “Bucky” Satterfield, Jared Tate (grandson), Meghan Tate (granddaughter), Terry Tate (son- in-law), Ryan Satterfield (grandson).

FRONT ROW

Rose Satterfield (Bucky’s wife), Jacob Satterfield (grandson), Steve Satterfield (son) and Joni Satterfield (daughter).

Bucky is a retired West Virginia State Police Officer living in St. Albans. The irony is that it was the police who showed up when the gang went swimming in the Fairmont Field Club pool at 3 a.m. long, long ago. So Bucky already was familiar with the uniform.

As explained in the Nov. 20 article about The Gang That Terrorized Marion County (with photos then and now), we would roam Marion County in cars provided by Bruno’s or Jake’s fathers, or hitchhike to Fairmont, or take a bus.

We were stupid and teenagers, which seems redundant, but we weren’t mean. We did hit a lot of Marion County booze joints, though.

Roy “Jaybird” Murphy, Class of 1966 and the 1966 Black Diamond yearbook editor who was a West Virginia State Police officer (1973-84) before spending 30 years in the retail business, remembers that “Bucky's sister married into the Thompson family that had the grocery store in Worthington." 

That was Violet Irene Satterfield Thompson, Class of 1942. She still lives in Worthington.

 Bucky's other sisters are Mary Virginia “Ginny” Satterfield Lipinski, Class of 1942, of Charleston, a Monongah High cheerleader who married Luge Lipinski; and Eleanor Louise Satterfield Kennedy, Class of 1946, of Vero Beach, Florida.
 

Bucky’s brother, Bud Satterfield, was Class of 1947. Another brother, Neil Satterfield, Class of 1952, passed away in February.

Others in the “gang” with Bucky and me were Frank “Bruno” Franze, who lives in Slidell, Louisiana; Donald “Jake” Halpenny of Fairmont; the late Lawrence “Sonny” Godby;  Anthony “Tony” Eates, who lives in Fairmont with wife Lucy; Robert “Satch” Kasper, who has homes in South Lyon and Grand Lake (Presque Isle), Michigan; the late Joe Manzo; and the late Tom “Judge” Starcher.