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The Spiker Gazette |
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Oxford, WV
Volume 2
Issue 7 July
7, 2008 |
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Written by: Bobbi Spiker-Conley
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I recently stumbled across an old postcard written to Gay
Spiker. The card indicated the postage rate was only a penny.
(How times have changed!) Looking over the worn edges and
perfect script, I wondered whether Mr. and Mrs. Spiker sent letters to
my father when he was in the service of his country (and, if so, how
often). One thought led to another and I was intrigued to know
more about how the postal system affected their lives during WWII.
How long did it take for a letter to arrive at its destination?
How much did it cost? Was this their primary, or only, method of
communication? What modes of transportation were used to get a
letter from the U.S. to another country? Were envelopes placed
in a box that was situated close to home or did one have to travel
many miles to a Post Office to post their letters?
A quick internet search of postal rates revealed that a
first class stamp cost a mere three cents in 1863. And a
more in-depth search provided fascinating details of the
history of the
Postal Service from its creation to present. But I wanted to
know more about how my grandparents' and my aunts' and uncles' lives
were directly affected by what we now consider an almost passé means
of communication. So I decided to ask our readers.
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(continued from left) Do you have old
letters in your possession that you will share with us? If so,
scan it and send it to me along with your personal insight or thoughts
on the sender, the recipient, and the purpose behind the mailing.
Can you read the postmark? How much did the stamp cost?
Do you know when it was written? To whom? From whom?
And let's get our children and grandchildren involved in recording
our family history. The next time one of them has a History
writing assignment, encourage them to take a look at how their topic
may have influenced the times and lives of their ancestors. Then
ask them to share their written report with us so that we can publish
it here.
Although Gay and Jake cannot tell me whether they wrote to my
father, perhaps we can get a glimpse into how vitally important
letters from home were to the morale of "our boys" overseas by
revisiting the history of that time and attempting to bridge the
generations through understanding.
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Announcements
Added
07-20-08 Submitted by John Bob Spiker -- Announcing
the 2nd Annual Championship Bull Riding event to be held at John and Sue
Spiker's farm in Jane Lew, West Virginia on Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Gates open at 6:00 PM. Click here to view
the rodeo poster for ticket information.
As reported to Cathy Gregis: Briana returned to Japan after
26 years. In 1982, she went as an International 4-H Youth Exchange
(IFYE) Student. (In April) she returned there and visited her 1982
families. She saw seven of her families and was there April 30
through May 21. The return trip was a dream come true. It
was truly blessed. Now she is back at work both at WVU in
Morgantown and Potomac State College in Keyser, WV. (Son) Pete is
21 years old and enrolled at WVU. (Daughter) Kari is 19 years old
and attends WVU. Both are happy, healthy and well.
Submitted by Paula Nolan: Camden Blair Thrush (son of Ryan
and Barbara Thrush) named his favorite stuffed animal, "Spiker". Camden
is four years old, lives in western Colorado and unfortunately, has not
met many of his Spiker relatives. However, of all the names on the
planet, he somehow chose this particular name with no direction from
anyone. To his grandmother, Paula, this seemed like some type of
miracle! (Click here to see a picture of Camden and
"Spiker").
Submitted by Bobbi Spiker-Conley: Melanie Fouse has done it
again. Check out the scrapbooking page she created of the Spiker
Family Reunions. (Click
here to open the Spiker Family Photo Albums, then click on "Reunion
Photos" to see her latest submission.)
Submitted by Bobbi Spiker-Conley: A new recipe has been
added to our cookbook. We think everyone
will love Marty Spiker's "Potatoes-on-the-Grill".
Hmmm...sounds like something I'll try this weekend.
Submitted by Dean Spiker: Cathy's grandchildren have had a
bit of bad luck recently. First it was Shelly's oldest son,
Clayton, who is experiencing pain due to a trampoline spring that broke
off and lodged into the white portion of his eye. It was
successfully removed and we do not anticipate any long-term damage.
Then it was Keri's youngest daughter, Phoebe, who had to be hospitalized
with a fever of 107 due to an infection. Thankfully, both of our
kids are improving and are expected to be fully recovered very soon.
Submitted by Mark Spiker: The annual Spiker Reunion was held
Sunday, May 25, 2008 at the Spiker Family Farm on Holbrook Road in
Ritchie County. The following attended the reunion:
| Brada Stotts |
Evans, WV |
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Brock Stotts |
Evans, WV |
| Paula Nolan |
Columbia, MO |
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Mark Spiker |
Pennsboro, WV |
| Marilyn Spiker |
Pennsboro, WV |
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Katie Spiker |
Pennsboro, WV |
| Jeana Spiker |
Pennsboro, WV |
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Mike Spiker |
Ripley, WV |
| Marty Spiker |
Ripley, WV |
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Drew Spiker |
Arlington, VA |
| Ann King Bunner |
Harrisville, WV |
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Kari Deremer |
Morgantown, WV |
| Briana Spiker |
Morgantown, WV |
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Cathy Gregis |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Larry Gregis |
Jane Lew, WV |
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Clayton Yeager |
Salem, WV |
| Devon Yeager |
Salem, WV |
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Mikayla Yeager |
Salem, WV |
| Sarah Smith |
Charleston, WV |
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Connor Smith |
Charleston, WV |
| Kate Smith |
Charleston, WV |
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Chris Swiger |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Jonelle Swiger |
Jane Lew, WV |
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Slate Swiger |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Sawyer Swiger |
Jane Lew, WV |
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Angie Benson |
Hurricane, WV |
| Robby Benson |
Hurricane, WV |
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Sue Spiker |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Byron Spiker |
Jane Lew, WV |
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Alice Spiker |
Marietta, OH |
| Melanie Fouse |
Kearneysville, WV |
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Rheanna Hess |
Kearneysville, WV |
| Cameron Hess |
Kearneysville, WV |
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Adreanna Hess |
Kearneysville, WV |
| Tyler Weidlic |
Kearneysville, WV |
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Taylor Weidlic |
Kearneysville, WV |
| Alison Spiker |
Ripley, WV |
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Adelene Spiker |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Ruth Burnside |
Jane Lew, WV |
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John Spiker |
Jane Lew, WV |
| Gene Burnside |
Jane Lew, WV |
|
John Hicks |
Romney, WV |
| Kelly Hicks and sons |
Romney, WV |
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Chris Chambers |
Keyser, WV |
| Renee Chambers |
Keyser, WV |
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Ella Chambers |
Keyser, WV |
| Byron Chambers |
Romney, WV |
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Melinda Chambers |
Romney, WV |
| Shelly Curry |
Salem, WV |
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Rob Currey |
Salem, WV |
| Robby Curry |
Salem, WV |
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Pete Deremer |
Morgantown, WV |
| Lauren Hart |
Morgantown, WV |
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Zach Chaplin |
Morgantown, WV |
| Dana Hurst |
West Union, WV |
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Keri Hurst |
West Union, WV |
| Morgan Hurst |
West Union, WV |
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Phoebe Hurst |
West Union, WV |
| Dean Spiker |
Lost Creek, WV |
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We are looking for contributors to The Spiker Gazette.
Please send your newsy tidbits to our staff for insertion in future
editions. |
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