Thursday, May 14, 1964
From the desk of Mrs. Jane Price Sharp
Centennial Bear is Dead
Lucky, the Centennial Bear, is dead. Recently placed in a cage with two adult bears, Lucky seemed to be getting along well with his companions, happy in his new surroundings.
Then during some bear-like play, Lucky was bitten by one of the adult bears. A major artery in his groin was severed and the young bear died from loss of blood before he could be reached.
Weighing nearly 250 pounds when he died, the two year old bear had become a national celebrity. He had toured the state and nation as part of West Virginia’s Centennial celebra- tion, and has become a household word to most West Virginia school children.
But, according to Fred Trainer, manager of the French Creek Game Farm where Lucky was kept, all is not completely sad. A new bear, Lucky II, is now being reared at the game farm.
And so the West Virginia bear tradition, new though it is, is being carried on.
Cass Railroad
This Saturday the Cass Railroad begins its second season. Trips will be made every Saturday and Sunday until June 15 and then trips will be made every day of the week. Three trips will be made, 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. A pilgrimage of antique cars to Cass for the first day is planned and several special groups will make the train trip in the next few weeks.
Kenneth Caplinger is now Park Superintendent at Cass.
PARADE
The number of Parade entries was a little less than the peak Centennial year but the quality was good and the weather was fine. A tremendous crowd was in town Saturday for the festivities. The dogwood tree honoring Mrs. Merle Wimer was planted on the Court House Lawn and for a surprise a tree was planted on the hospital lawn for Mrs. Virginia Mason, Leo Davis and Guy Faulknier for their work on the program through the years.
Forest Fire
A fire burned about 25 acres of private land belonging to the Young heirs about a mile and a half below Clover Lick last Friday and got over on Seneca State Forest and burned 35 to 40 acres there. It apparently started from burning on the railroad right-of-way.
Students
Miss Linda McCutcheon, a senior at Green Bank High School, recently represented her school as a member of the West Virginia All State High School Chorus. This chorus, which was comprised of outstanding high school musicians throughout the state, was presented in concert with the All State Band and Orchestra in the Memorial Field House in Huntington on April 11. The chorus was under the direction of Don Craig, professor of music at Ithaca college, Ithaca, New York.
Nadine Clutter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Clutter, of HIllsboro, a junior in Hillsboro High School, won the Essay Contest in Pocahontas County on “Forests, Our Heritage,” sponsored by the Greenbrier Valley Soil Conservation District. Nadine went to Lewisburg to compete with Monroe and Greenbrier entries for the final prize.
Boys and Girls in Service
Thomas R. Dunbrack, aviation electronics technician third class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Winters A. Dunbrack, of Marlinton, was nominated for “Outstanding Sailor Award” March 27 while serving with Patrol Squadron Eight at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland.
The award is presented quarterly to the sailor making the greatest contribution to the squadron during the preceding three months.
Dunbrack, a graduate of Marlinton High School, entered the service in August 1961.
His wife is the former Patricia Dixon, of Marlinton.
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Goode, of Beard, a daughter, named Sondra Louise.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wilfong, of Marlinton, a son, named Daron McCoye.
DEATHS
Joseph William Wood, age 85, died in Denmar State Hospital; born at Mingo, a son of Andrew and Linnie Warewood Wood; burial in Mountain View Cemetery.