Memories of Eugene "Gene" Parrish

by Patsy Reckart, friend and classmate

I remember it was Sept.1947 when Rev.Parrish and his wife Naomi and their son moved to Orlando, when Rev. Parrish became the minister at the Orlando United Brethren Church. Gene was very popular with the youth group of the church. He was very good looking and had the most empressing eyes, and all the girls had their eyes on him.

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Left: Eugene Parrish, died 2010.

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Rev. Parrish was very impressed that the church, had a very active youth group. They met once a week but I don't remember what night it was. Belonging to the group were Gene, Mildred (Morrison) Mc.Nemar Betty (Riffle) Stout Doris Riffle, Patsy (Morrison) Reckart Roy Stout who at the time was dating Betty, Bud Conrad, Jimmie Godfrey, Max Hamilton, Louie Mae Beckner, Jake Riffle, Maggie Hamilton and Bill Barrnett, our Sunday school teacher and youth leader. Sometimes we would meet at the parsonage and pop popcorn and set on the porch and sing.

It has been more than 65 years ago but I can still remember all the good times we had. We had no televison or computer but we always stayed busy. We had a 4-H Club called the Orlando Tip Toppers, we went on hikes in the woods around us, in the winter we would sled ride, I remember when we had a pretty good snow, we would burn an old tire and sled ride untill way after dark. somtimes riding double. We would start at Mike Moran's garage and ride way past Brown's store, One time Gene went up in Mike's yard, and he missed making the turn and went over the hill down to the rail road track, thank goodness he wasn't hurt. Other times we would walk the rail road rails, or swim in the creek we never heard of drugs, no one smoked or drank, I'm happy to say we were pretty good kids.

Gene was so musically talented, he could play any instrument and he also had a great voice, Sometimes he would get in trouble with his Mom> when he would add a little boogie to the hymn he was playing. Oh I could tell so many wonderful stories about our child hood and our youth group. Gene was in the band at Burnsville, when Miss Amos was the director, he was the drum major and won many awards with his wonderful talent, I don't remember when they moved but Gene did not graduate with us, I think he graduated from Buchannon.

As I look back to those days it really saddens me to think all of our group is deceased except Mildred, Betty, Doris,and myself. But it is still wonderful to think about the good ole days.

Chris Conrad, DO, son of Randal and Lana Conrad of Orlando, West Virginia, graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, on Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Dr. Conrad graduated from Braxton County High School in 2001, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Glenville State College in Glenville in 2005.

Conrad is married to Karla Conrad. He plans to enter the Emergency medicine internship program at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Orlando Reunion Board News

by Marilyn Posey

The Orlando Community Reunion held a Bean and Cornbread Dinner along with a raffle @ the Burnsville Community Center on Saturday, November 21st. A tree stand was purchased from Jerry's Sporting Goods and tickets were sold in advance by officers and board members. Anyone that purchased a ticket received$1 off their meal. 2009 Reunion votives and a 50/50 tickets were also sold. All proceeds benefit the 2010 reunion.

The winner of the 50/50 drawing was Joe Bragg of Maryland and the lucky ticket holder for the tree stand was Robert Posey of Weston. It was purchased from Peggy Ramey, Sec/Treas. of the organization.

The organization met on November 16th to finalize plans for the dinner. President Marilyn Posey, asked officers and board members if they would be willing to participate in the Angel Tree project that is held each Christmas season. It was discussed and voted upon to choose a boy and a girl for sponsorship this holiday season.

The group will meet for "Just Dessert and Us" on December 14th @ the 79er Restaurant in Burnsville for dessert, coffee and a gift exchange.

The Orlando Community Reunion officers and Board Members wish to thank all who purchased raffle tickets and attended the dinner. Your continued support helps us to make the reunion a great success.

The interest in the reunion is growing daily and we can hardly wait till September 2010. This reunion is for anyone who has ancestral ties to the Orlando Community. We welcome everyone who wishes us well and wants to take part in a fine, old time celebration. We'd love to have you!

If you have any ideas or suggestions you would like to pass onto us, please contact Marilyn Posey at mposey525@aol.com Thank you once again for your support!

Beans & Cornbread Dinner

Beans & Cornbread Dinner
fried potatoes, applesauce
coffee, tea
homemade cookies
Sat. November 21, 2009
3:00-8:00 p.m.
@ the Burnsville Community Center
(former Senior Center)
$6.00 for adults and $3.50 for children 14 and under.

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. . . Raffle . . .
Strong Built Tree Stand
w/safety harness/450lb. weight capacity
$5 each or book of 5 for $20
from any officer or board member.
Drawing will be @ the dinner, approx. 7:30 p.m.
NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN!

Proceeds to benefit the
Orlando Community Reunion
To purchase a chance thru the mail
call Marilyn @ (304) 853-2368

Orlando Reunion

board members and officers
Marilyn Posey

Dochie Wymer

Peggy Ramey

Sonny Wymer

Charlie Cole

Jerry Wilson

Nycole Wymer

Ann Willey

Dana Ramey

Nate Burgett announces. . .

Nate Burgett, son of John & Terry Burgett who live near Weston, nephew of Roger and Sandy Conrad of Three Lick, sent us an announcement of his graduation from WVU in civil engineering. With the announcement was the following note from his assignment in Iraq.

23 September 2009

Greetings from Iraq,
I apologize for the fact that this announcement is reaching you so late. In March of this year, I was notified that I was being transferred to a unit that would be leaving for Iraq shortly after my graduation. I did not have the chance to send these out before I had to leave. Now, over four months later, I finally have managed to find the time to send this to you. In a way, getting to send this to you from here makes this a little more special. After all, how many people can say that they received a college graduation announcement from Iraq?

Things are going well. This is a very critical time to be here in this war. Even though we are preparing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, there are many projects and challenges that we will face in the months ahead. It is a very pivotal time where we are transferring complete control back to the Iraqi military, police, and civilians.

I have received the privilege and honor, along with a handful of other soldiers, to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to help oversee some of the projects in the Kirkuk region. It is very exciting to get to use my degree to help with the development and reconstruction of this country. Even though there is still violence and fighting, there are a lot of great things happening here.

The majority of the people here are very grateful for our help. We are helping to provide them with things that are often taken for granted back home. In this region alone, USACE is overseeing the construction and rehabilitation of drinking and waste water treatment facilities, roads, hospital additions, schools, courthouses, libraries and irrigation systems. These projects will impact the quality of life of several thousand Iraqi citizens.

In an effort to help build the economy of this region, these projects are contracted out to local construction companies and use materials obtained from local businesses when possible. Our primary job is to assure that the contractors are providing what is specified in the contract while adhering to standardized safety and building codes. As this formalized process is new to many of the contractors and laborers, it is our additional duty to guide them as they become more proficient in their responsibilities.

Left: Old photo of Kirkuk, from the internet.

The job isn’t over when the construction is complete. Before the facilities are turned over to the public, local citizens are hired and trained in the operation, upkeep, and maintenance of these facilities. Our focus is not only to provide the local populace with quality products, but to set them up with the foundation to maintain these products for many years after we are gone.

I am grateful to be part of this process, and to have the opportunity to serve USACE, the Army, and our great country. May God watch over and bless you, your family, and our nation.

Respectfully,
Nathaniel Paul Burgett

3rd Orlando Reunion

Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, September 5, 2009.

The 3rd annual Orlando Community Reunion was held on Saturday, September 5th at the Jared Mace property in downtown Orlando. President Marilyn Posey welcomed everyone to the reunion and thenAsked for a moment of silence in memory of Dave Riffle, one of Orlando’s own, who lost his life in a tragic accident a few weeks prior. the Rev. Bob Mitchell, of the Oil Creek Methodist Church delivered the invocation for the group. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Peggy Donaldson Smith, our House of Delegate representative.

Games began @ 10:30 under the direction of Nycole Wymer, activity director. Games played were hillbilly golf, corn hole, tire tennis and oil pan golf. Mrs. Smith and her mother Gerry Donaldson made their way to the game area to be the first at showing their gaming skills. Mrs. Posey outlined the days activities and announced that a door prize would be drawn every hour. However, due to the numerous prizes donated by businesses mainly in Braxton and Lewis County, they were able to give away 8 every hour. Sandy Burgett Conrad of Sandy’s Designs, once again created and donated a one of a kind hand cut glass vase commemorating this years reunion. Her donation each year helps to generate funds for the organization by auctioning the piece off to the highest bidder. New this year was the crowing of a King and Queen of the Reunion. Each attendee was provided the opportunity to vote for their choice of a man/woman, who would hold that position for one year. Names submitted were required to be present at the reunion. Mrs. Ruth Gay and Mr. Raymond Posey were this years winners. Mr. Larry Gay and Mrs. Peggy Posey Ramey were asked and honored to crown their parents as the Queen and King.

Commemorative votives were available for a small donation. There are a few available. If you would like one, contact any officer/Board Member. A pamphlet containing stories taken from the website created/owned by Mrs. Donna Gloff of Michigan, was compiled by Board Member Ann Willey. Mrs. Donna Gloff also displayed a time line of events in Orlando, WV in respect to events that occurred elsewhere in the United States dating 1780-1940. Mrs. Gloff also provided a tri-fold brochure with noted points of interest containing pictures of Orlando in the past.

President Marilyn Posey and her cousin, Board Member Charlie Cole, known throughout the county as “ Slim Quinton Gospel” paid musical tribute to Orlando and her people with a song they composed containing memorable times in the “ olden days of Orlando”. The song will be recorded at a later date and will be made available. Mrs. Posey also sang a song written by her father, Harold Cole, 79 years ago, titled “Chicken Rooster Blues”.

Special presentations were then made to individuals who were key instruments in forming this organization, Mr. George Blake and Mrs. Pat Reckhart. Although they did not attend, their plaques will be presented at a later date. Mrs. Donna Gloff was honored for “ keeping Orlando alive” through her website and Mr. Jared Mace for allowing the use of his property for the reunion.

The Rev. Lonnie Ramsey, of the Orlando Baptist Church delivered the wonderful blessing for our noon time meal. After lunch, all remaining officers and board members were introduced and thanked for their hard work in making the reunion possible. Entertainment was provided by Buckhannon Mountain Bluegrass.

The 4th annual reunion will be held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in 2010, same location.

Those attending were: Mary/Frank Curtis, Donna/Davis Gloff, Ruth Gay, Jen Jefferies, Nick Wymer, Carl/Rena Bee, Judy/Brady Workman, Ken/Brenda Tolliver, Peggy Donaldson Smith, Gerry Donaldson, Bob Mitchell, Nina Smarr Craig, Clell Smarr, Larry/Nancy Gay, Dave/Barbara Jeffries Parmer, Helen Jefferies, Joe/Denise Bragg, Mary Alice Ryan, Sam Kochenour, John/Margaret Armentrout, Forrest/Mildred McNemar, Raymond/Sue Posey, Bob Pumphrey, Tom Pumphrey, John/Joyce Farley, Steve/Carol Barnett, Bill Beckner, Gene Parrish, Bill Barnett, Edna Skinner Mawell, April/Jessica Golden, Hannah Kelly, Rose Caltrider, Bertha Conrad Ratcliff, Sarah/Anita Hickman, Kenneth Youmans, Jo Skinner, Darrell Skinner, Kate Posey, Lonnie Ramsey, Douglas Foster, Lisa Mero, James/Sondra/Ben Dean. Brittany Lewis, Fred/Doris Bee, David/Toni Wymer, Donna Skinner, John Watson, Joan Doyle Stiltmer, Ethel Doyle, Michelle Smith, Nathan Lewis, Bob Rush, Jean Lantz, Mina Luzader, Shirley Williams, Junior Strader, Jared/Becky Conley, James/Laura Eagle, Melanie Conrad, Amanda/Quinton/Brayden Pullin, Bob/Barbara Fletcher, Janet Allen, Wayne/Jan Morgan, Carla Conley, Nina Hardman, Opal Hall, Bud Henline, Earl/Martha Edgell, Randy/Carol Strader, Bill Mick, John Moran, Mike Mick, Ernie Posey, Edsel/Norma Skinner, Darrell/Betty Blake Crites, Richard Strader, Peggy Nicholson, Charles Bennett, Charles/Edna Skinner, Claude Eata, Rita Ray, Doris Lowther, Arlie Cooper, Elden Pullin Jr., Zachary/Shayanne Canfield, Beluah Pullin, Alvin Conley, Jean Stilwell, Anita Scarff, Brandon Pullin, Brooklyn Redden, Gary Riffle, Willis Burrough, Denver/Denzil Claypoole, Don/Sue Brown, Jerry/Betty Cleveland, David/Gail Brown, Kirk Riffle, Pat Rowan, Terra Rowan, Codey Rowan, Kylie Rowan, Kyran Rowan, Sonny Wymer, Dochie Wymer, Nycole Wymer, Ann Willey, Jerry Wilson, Dana Ramey, Charlie Cole, Peggy Ramey and Marilyn Posey. Any person attending whose name is not listed may not have registered.

Thank you and see you next year.

Orlando Reunion President

Marilyn Posey

Vice-President

Dochie Wymer

SecretaryTreasurer

Peggy Ramey

Board Members:

Sonny Wymer

Charlie Cole

Jerry Wilson

Nycole Wymer

Ann Willey

Dana Ramey

Thanks to Rose (Strader) Caltrider and Davis Gloff for these photos of the 2009 Orlando reunion.