Volume 4 Issue 7 Rev1

P.O. Box 517, Weirton, WV 26062

Volume 4 Issue 7 A Dozen “Rosies” Honored at WAMCC July 30, 2012 Their Stories of Working on the “Home Front” Heard Before Record Audience Newsletter Composer : Dennis Jones

JULY In this issue: A Souvenir from 1937

See Page 5 Museum Officers : Elected 7-7-2012 Anita (Sepkoski) Varney Mary Banketas Gloria Kotur Irene Boby President/Exec. Director Weirton Steel Co. Weirton Steel Co. Follansbee Steel Co. Briggs Mfg. Co. (Detroit) - Weirton Steel Co. Overhead Crane - Truck Driver Coil Bundler - Defense Dept. Crane Operator - Hot Mill Inspector - Shell Plant, Weirton Dennis R. Jones

Vice President Pamela Makricosta

Treasurer Paul B. Zuros

JULY Secretary Kim Salter Museum Location : 3149 Main Street Weirton, WV 26062 Museum Hours : Kathleen (Boley) Starr Margaret (Rujak) Rojak Senator Thais Blatnik Carrie Wildman Curtiss-Wright Corp. - Beaver, PA Weirton Steel Co. Weirton Steel Co. Weirton Steel Co. Mon: 10 - 3 Welder - Aircraft Propellers Bullet Line - Sheet Mill - Shipping Expeditor - Shell Plant, Weirton Oil Cellar Tues: 10 - 3 Wed: 10 - 3 Thur: 10 - 3 Fri - Sun: Closed

You may call to set up an appointment for other possible times. Email Address: [email protected] Museum Phone :

JULY (304) 224-1909 Website: Lorraine (Ogle) (Colesante) Petrella Anna Dato Diantonio Edna Brown Thelma Grossen Weirton Steel Co. www.weirtonmuseum.com Weirton Steel Co. Curtiss-Wright Corp. - Beaver, PA Curtiss-Wright Corp. - Beaver, PA Tin Mill Shell Plant Welder - Aircraft Propellers Welder - Aircraft Propellers

See Pages 2 thru 4 for more details about WAMCC’s Ice Cream Social with “Rosie the Riveter” A Dozen “Rosies” Honored at WAMCC (cont.)

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Rick Smith Shortly before welcoming everyone to the museum, WAMCC President Dennis Jones Mayor George Kondik spoke briefly and shook the hand of each “Rosie” chatted with each of the “Rosie’s” and verified their names and place of work. In photo thanking them for the job they did on the “Home Front” during World War II. above, Dennis is talking to “Rosies” Gloria Kotur and Margaret Rojak.

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Rick Smith WAMCC’s “Rosie” Event Chairperson Pamela Makricosta and Mary Zwierzchowski had On this Saturday, July 21, 2012, Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center hosted a spoken beforehand to several “Rosies” and relatives of “Rosies” and invited them to record crowd of about 150 people, who watched (many with tears in their eyes) and come this day and tell their stories. Pam is compiling all their names and stories. eagerly listened to the heartfelt memories.

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Rick Smith

The 12 “Rosie-the-Riveter” ladies were each given a rose and seated up front during Anne Montague also presented a movie titled “ We Pull Together - Rosie the Riveters, the event. In photo above Anne Montague, Executive Director of “Thanks! Plain and Then and Now.” Anne was invited to the museum by Dennis Jones after Ann had Simple, Inc.,” is speaking to the audience about her organization’s efforts to locate contacted him about the museum’s shell plant movie, because of the many “Rosies” and recognize all the women who worked on the “Home Front” during World War II. shown working in the film. Weirton’s 1945 Shell Plant movie was also shown during Saturday’s event.

Page 2 Volume 4, Issue 7 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter A Dozen “Rosies” Honored at WAMCC (cont.)

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Rick Smith

WAMCC’s “Rosie” Event Chairperson Pamela Makricosta conducted a “town hall” Joan Yoho of Pittsburgh, PA., told about her cousin, Lois Marie “Jane” Wise, who was type of session to hear stories, first from the 12 “Rosies” and then from relatives of a “Rosie” that worked for the B&O Railroad as a welder. Craig Howell, Managing several more “Rosies” who were unable to attend. Each had stories to tell about what Editor of Weirton Daily Times, is in background covering the event. WAMCC thanks it was like working in the mills, plants, and factories during World War II. the Weirton Daily Times and other media that helped spread the word about this day.

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Rick Smith Many people brought pictures and write ups about the “Rosie” in their family. In photo Dave Zwierzchowski (right) spoke about his mother, Mary Zwierzchowski, who worked above, Denise Spensky tells about her mother Dorothy Blanc, who was a “Rosie” at as a bundler at Weirton Steel Co. during the war. His mother was unable to attend the Weirton Steel’s Shell Plant during World War II. Several others in attendance told event, but his wife Mary is here by his side. Mary Z. also helped with the event, and about their relatives who were “Rosies” working on the “Home Front” during the war. we thank the Mary H. Weir Public Library for printing several large “Rosie” posters.

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Dennis Jones Mayor George Kondik is shown speaking to Senator Thais Blatnik and her family. The 12 honored Rosie’s were first in line to get refreshments, served by WAMCC’s Senator Blatnik was an expediter at the Shell Plant in north Weirton during the war. hard workers Shirley Whanger and Kim Salter (at right). Shirley, Kim, Andrea Ander- She also served in the WV State Legislature for several years and was City Editor son, and Susan Spencer Smith also donated several goodies. for the Weirton Daily Times .

Page 3 Volume 4, Issue 7 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter A Dozen “Rosies” Honored at WAMCC (cont.)

Photo by Rick Smith Photo by Rick Smith In front of the refreshments table are Dave & Mary Zwierzchowski, Linda Stankiewicz, USW Local 2911 President Mark Glyptis and his mother Angelina par- and “Rosie” Lorraine Petrella, who is shown at the bottom of the front page of this ticipated in the event. Angelina spoke about her sister “Rosie” Anna newslettter with one of the Klondike Ice Cream bars that were offered to everyone free. Rangos, who worked during the war, and Mark thanked all the “Rosies.” Photo by Rick Smith

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Rick Smith Above: Sports legend Bob Kelley (left) is talking busi- Mayor George Kondik is shaking hands here with Duke Victor Greco (right) attended the event with much of his ness with videographer Rick Smith. Bob is also a 2012 Horstemeyer, a 2012 inductee into the Weirton Hall of family including his granddaughter Megan Lamp (left). inductee into the Weirton Hall of Fame. Congratula- Fame. Congratulations Duke ! ! ! Victor was recently voted to be an Emeritus Board Member of WAMCC. tions Bob and Thank You Rick Smith ! ! !

Photo by Rick Smith

Photo by Rick Smith In photo above, Anne Montague (left) is taking notes as As the event quieted down, several “Rosies” were able to stay at WAMCC and be interviewed next to “Rosie” Anita Varney is being interviewed. WAMCC the big 8” Howitzer Shells, produced in Weirton during World War II. Above, “Rosie” Anna Dato DiAn- hopes to visit and record interviews with all the “Rosies” tonio is being interviewed by Pam Makricosta. The interview was recorded for future generations. who were unable to attend or be interviewed this day. Page 4 Volume 4, Issue 7 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter Souvenir Bat from 1937 Championship Game Donated

Photo Courtesy Greater Weirton Observer

Photo by Rick Smith Duke Horstemeyer donated the souvenir bat which Above: The National Champion Weirton Strip Steel team in Dayton, OH. Left to Right: John Bates (Co-Manager), was from the 1937 National Amateur Baseball Cham- Francis “Tubby” Freeland (lf), Rogers “Rajah” Rotoni (rf), Joe Emery (3b), Ignatius “Iggy” Podeszwa (c), Mike Cerato pionship in Dayton, Ohio ( see enlarged photo above ). (1b), John “Zip” Zapor (2b), Grubbs (cf), Mike Goda (ss), Paul Kolba (p), James “Lefty” Bradley, Irwin “Blackie” Black- burn, Joe Kobb, Floyd Giebell (p), Frank “Stokes” Stokosky, Taylor, Stout, Oris “Red” Channell, Gordon Hinkle (Co- Strip Steel - 1937 National Champs Manager), and in front John Nosko (Team Mascot). Others not pictured are John “Lefty” Ostrosky, and Mike Baloga. After defeating the Steel Works team in Weirton’s Interdepart- mental League Championship, the Strip Steel team immediately left for Dayton, OH, where they would play 8 games in the following 10 days at the National Amateur Baseball Championship Series. Although dubbed as a “dark horse” entry in the tournament, the “Strippers” defeated teams from all over the country Photo Courtesy Greater Weirton Observer Photo Courtesy Greater Weirton Observer including the two favorites Left to Right : Rotoni (rf), Goda, (ss), and Zapor (2b) tried out for Above: Strip Steel Catcher Podeszwa slides into home Cleveland Fisher Food Co. and the Cincinnati Reds after the Dayton Series. safely during the final game of the Championship Series. the Dayton Bobbies. Other Championship Game Sept. 20 teams they defeated included The rubber game (and champi- Pontiac Michigan, Waterbury onship game) between Weirton Connecticut, and the Toledo and Dayton was played on Sep- Scales. Weirton’s champs suf- tember 20 and featured a pitch- fered one defeat early in the ing rematch between Strip Steel’s tournament, which was at the Floyd Giebell and Dayton’s Pete hands of the tuff Dayton team, Engleman. Engleman had delt but they came on strong to de- Weirton its only loss in the tour- feat every other team thereafter. nament on Sept. 14 by defeating Championship Semifinal Game Giebell by the score of 2-1. On On September 19, the Sept. 20, before a crowd of 6500 Photo Courtesy Greater Weirton Observer “Strippers” had an opportunity and with the championship on to redeem themselves, as they Above: Weirton Athletic Director Ray Corll receives the Championship Trophy from the line, Giebell tossed a 6 hitter Mayor Brennan of Dayton. On the left is Commissioner Steve Cox. faced the undefeated Dayton and struck out 7 as Weirton Bobbies once again. Weirton’s came back to take the champion- Floyd Geibell Advances to Major League Baseball pitching ace Paul Kolba threw a ship by a score of 5-3. The Na- masterful game winning his 3rd In 1940, pitcher Floyd Geibell left Weirton and the Strip Steel tional Amateur Champs were team to join the Toledo Mud Hens Minor League Baseball team. game of the tournament and the welcomed back home with a Strippers pounded out 10 hits He was then picked up by the Detroit Tigers and won 2 key brass band parade starting from games for them in the American League Pennant Race. He (Zapor and Cerato each with 2) the train station in Steubenville in the 4-1 semifinal victory. pitched 6 shutout innings against Bob Feller and the Cleveland marching to Holliday’s Cove. Indians to clinch the 1940 pennant. Page 5 Volume 4, Issue 7 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter Business After Hours Held Festival Committee Meets

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Dennis Jones

Late afternoon of July 17, WAMCC and the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce On July 12, WAMCC’s Festival Committee met to mail out invitation letters and hosted a “Business After Hours” at the museum. About 35-40 people attended. continue planning for this year’s Festival of Nations. Around the table left to right : Ed Giacchino, Joe Stankiewicz, Despina Melonas, Lea & Bob Shirer, Dr. Dolly 25-Year Club Picnic Celebrated Luthra, Pam Makricosta, Dr. Juginder Luthra (Festival Chairman), and Victor Greco.

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Dennis Jones

On Saturday, July 14, the Weirton Steel Co. 25 Year Club held their Annual Picnic at the Serbian Picnic Grounds along Kings Creek.

Above : 25-Year Club old timers came by to see the old movies of Weirton Steel and the 1938, 39, 40, and 50 Weirton parades, courtesy of Weirton Area Museum. In Picture Above Left to Right : Mark Apesos, Ernie Nicholas, and Cecil Williams.

Photo by Dennis Jones

Over 600 members of the 25-Year Club came to enjoy the good food and fellowship.

First 25-Year Club Picnic Was July 13, 1946 The Weirton Steel 25-Yr Club was first organized on March 23, 1946, with the following officers elected: Thomas J. Long (President), Walter Bedortha (1st Vice President), Elmer Phil- The new officers for the coming year were announced during the picnic. Standing lips (2nd Vice President), Glenn Hughes (Exec. Secretary), on stage Left to Right are : Mark Apesos (Nominating Committee & Past President), David Cowan (Assistant Exec. Sec.), and Charles Sweitzer Carloyn Norcea (Incoming Secretary), Ron Baker (Incoming President), Brenda Ice (Treasurer). Annual membership dues were set at $1.00 and (Incoming Vice President), and Rich Young (Incoming Treasurer and President for the first picnic was held on July 13 at the Cove Police Lodge. past couple years).

Page 6 Volume 4, Issue 7 Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center Newsletter WAMCC Board of Directors Elected on July 7 Nine Members on Board On July 7, 2012, Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center membership held its elections for Board Members. Starting in July, WAMCC will have 9 members serving on its Board of Directors. The 9 official Board Members now serving WAMCC are (left to right in photos) are: Paul B. Zuros, Pam Makricosta, Den- nis Jones, Kim Salter, Ed

Giacchino, Bob Shirer, John Photo by Mary Zwierzchowski Pandelios, Dr. Juginder Lu- Photo by Dennis Jones thra, and Joe Stankiewicz. Above: WAMCC Officers of the Board (left to right): Paul B. Above: WAMCC Board Members serving as WAMCC’s Governance Zuros (Treasurer), Pam Makricosta (Vice President), Dennis Committee (left to right): Ed Giacchino, Bob Shirer, John Pandelios, Dr. After the Board Member Jones (President / Executive Director), and Kim Salter Juginder Luthra, and Joe Stankiewicz. The governance committee is elections, WAMCC officers (Secretary). All the above were re-elected to their positions. responsible for holding elections and enforcing the museum by-laws. of the board were elected. Re-elected to their positions were Dennis Jones (President Here Comes “Henry” Again and Executive Director), Pam Makricosta (Vice President), When it is parade time in Weirton, it is Kim Salter (Secretary), and also time for Victor Greco to bring out Paul B. Zuros (Treasurer). his prized Classic 1950 Ford pick-up, The remaining 5 Board Mem- who he has named “Henry.” “Henry” bers Ed Giacchino, Bob has been appearing in Weirton parades Shirer, John Panelios, Dr. for several years. Victor was recently Luthra, and Joe Stankiewicz appointed to be a WAMCC Emeritus will serve as the museum’s Board member along with Richard Governance Committee. All Reinard and Herman Capito. They Photo by Dennis Jones elections are for a 2-year serve WAMCC in an advisory capacity. On June 30, WAMCC entered the 1950 Ford Pick-up named “Henry” in the Weir- term. ton Independence Day Parade. The proud owner and driver is Victor Greco. Truck Loads of Good Stuff Donated in July

Photo by Dennis Jones Photo by Dennis Jones On July 20, Angelo Semenick donated a trailer full of military On July 17, Ed DiBacco (left) and John Ritchie (right) delivered a truck load of Weir High Sports Materials materials, including the paratrooper uniform, photos, and donated from the Collection of the late Bob Rossell. Bob was a long-time public address announcer and medals of his uncle Angelo Canei, who was killed during the historian for Weir High School. Donated materials include several 16mm movie reels of Weir High Foot- Normandy “D-Day” Invasion, which began June 6,1944. More ball and Basket-ball games from the 40’s thru the 70’s, including team pictures and yearbooks. details will be included in future newsletters.

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