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Fred Young
USA
22 Posts |
 Posted - 11/04/2006 : 15:10:47
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Does anyone recall Jennis Studio. My grandfather owned the store and was a well-known photographer in the area. My uncle was Don Young, Class of '49. My father Earl Young attended high School elsewherre I believe.
I love the site and just wondered if anyone recalled the store.
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Janet Ballengee Estep 68
USA
119 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2006 : 17:56:39
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Yes, I remember Jennis Studio very well. It was on Main Street near where the hardware store is now, I think it was the same block as Mosrie's Store.
I don't know any of the other people you mentioned, but I had my graduation picture in my cap and gown made at Jennis Studio. It was a neat place full of a variety of items. My sister gave me the graduation portrait as a graduation gift. |
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Evelyn Utterback Drake 56
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2006 : 21:32:19
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I graduated in 1956 with Bobby Young. I believe he was the youngest. I recently saw a picture of Bobby and it was unreal how much he looks like your grandfather. I don't recall Earl. Would he have been younger or older? Tommie graduated in 1954 and I have seen her several times at our all school reunions.
Jennis Studio was certainly an important part of our community for many years. Somewhere I heard that the name Jennis was the maiden name of his wife. Is that right?
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ML2006
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2006 : 22:05:36
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I remember your grandfather very well. He did all of our family portraits including graduations from the time we were very small children. I think just about everyone knew Donnie Young. He was such a nice man and known as an excellent teacher. I understand he passed away just recently. Like your grandfather, Donnie had such a good personality, easy going and friendly.
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Andy Aide Pendleton 64
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2006 : 22:28:38
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Welcome Fred,
Yes, we all knew Jennis Studio ...Your Grandfather's studio was the one and only one in Rainelle...I have also had several pictures taken by your grandfather...Your Grandfather was well known for his great photographer.....I can still see your grandfather and his flash camera......Fred, do you have any pictures you would like to share with our website? A thrill indeed !!!!
Your Uncle Donnie was loved by everyone in the community and the surrounding area. Donnie was known for his love of teaching and his photography. I believe Donnie had taken pictures for Meadow Bridge High School yearbook where he taught for many years.....
Donnie and his saddle oxfords...his personal trademark...
Andy |
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Fred Young
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 01:03:13
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Thank you all for the responses. I lost my father, Earl, on June 3 2005 to the ravages of Alzheimers. A terrible end to a great mind and a loving and caring teacher and father. He lived in Beckley for many years with his grandmother. Both he and Donnie taught together in their early years. In fact, my father went to Marshall with his younger brother Donnie so Donnie would not get one up on him with a teaching degree!
We lost Donnie this July. The two men loved each other tremendously. I cannot describe the love my father had for his brother here. It's not possible. And, in turn, they loved their father Louis Young, or Mr. Young, as I always heard my Mom, Mae Forren Young, call him.
I spent the last 14 years building a career, and I know now stupidly put aside the treasures I had in these men, and my other family. I am trying to somehow, in my little way, rebuild a memory in my mind through what you offer here to carry with me.
My father spent rolls and rolls of film, with hundreds, of not thousands of photographs remaining, of Rainelle and its fine residents from the poast-war 1940s. I am happy to dig through what I have, and can send along what might be relevant or of interest. If anyone wants to contact me to find a way to better digest what I may have left, please e-mail me.
I still carry many memories of Rainelle, of my time in Jennis Studio. This was named after My Grandmother, Jennis Lillie. She was from the Ball family. I remember the Moose lodge, and for many years was a member, albeit froma distance. I remember the restaurants you describe, the stores and Donnie's Ac eof Spades nightclub. Please keep telling mores stories. I know there are many more that want to revisit these memories before they are lost to time.
Tommie is my dear aunt. She still loves in Rainelle. She is now Tommie Spade, or more legally speaking, Venora Spade. I hope she forgives me for using her given name.
Bobby is the youngest. He lives in Maryland.
Please let me continue to vist your site and maybe occasionally comment. Your memories of those things preciouos to me are more important than I can put into words here.
Thank You
Fred Young
Springboro, Ohio |
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Fred Young
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 01:06:50
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and I forgot to mention, those damn saddle oxfords. I always thought Phyllis would teach him better.
I'm glad she didn't. |
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wilda gaye martin 51
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 02:53:16
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Dear Fred.
Your grandparents lived and worked across the street from us for as early as I can remember. My father had a jewelry repair business and we lived there too. Your grandmother was a very good friend of my mother's RUBY MARTIN, and visited us very often as did Earl, Donnie, and Tommie. MY brother AFTON was closer to your dad's age and I was between Donnie and Tommie. We all played together when we were children like kick the can, hide and seek and board games in the winter. We always had a lot of kids at our house then. because it was big. I was so sorry to hear about Donnie, he was always a great friend. Please tell Tommie Hi for me.
Wilda Gaye Martin '51
WILDA GAYE MARTIN |
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Pudge Miller Vandall 58
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 06:51:37
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| I remember when the Studio was build over the bridge next to Blind Mitch's popcorn stand. Maytag was on the other side , then Roselee's Lunch Room. Does any one remember that far back. It was when we first moved to Rainelle. We lived over top Roselee's in an Aparment. I think I was about 2 yrs old then. Hey that was a long time ago. |
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Evelyn Utterback Drake 56
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 10:23:16
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Pudge, that was probably when the post office was across from Rosalee's. Lots of memories.
Something I think of was how good a man Pete Tucci was. He owned the Alpine and Trail theaters and had snack stands in them. But he still allowed "Blind Mitch" to sell popcorn up and down the aisle prior to the movie, foregoing his own popcorn business.
Speaking of Rosalee's. I still remember how great the bar-b-que sandwiches were. They were sliced pork with tomatoes and mayonaise. Also open-faced roast beef sandwiches with gravy and mashed potatoes. I have never had any that good since then.
It seems to me that at one time Jennis Studio was on that street between Mosrie's and Murphy's. Just behind Mosrie's. |
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Andy Aide Pendleton 64
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 13:05:20
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I believe Jennis Studios was in the area of Mosries fashions....remembering an L shape building....?????
I am remembering Carolyn Phibbs had purchased the building which was used as a Christian Book Store and a printing shop...The actual building is now gone with the owner of Flints Hardware using the property for their business...
Andy |
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Fred Young
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 14:51:52
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Thanks for the responses. I am spending a bit of time this afternoon going through old albums to track down some relevant photographs for the site.
To further respond to some of the comments, I remember Dad (Earl Young) that the shop was originally over the river. He lived in either an apartment attached to the studio or another house over the river. He remembers being very cold in winter because of this and that the building was moved when flood control was added. I MAY have a term apaper Dad did on the flood control project that has pictures.
As far as the L-shape, here is what I recall. jennis Studio's later building was on the main drag and was attached to a second building with a door connecting in the rear that had a storefront believe what I am concluding was Mosries (sp?). The main drag building was bought for use as Christian bookstore, but then sadly later torn down when it was bought by the neighboring hardware store. The "L" behind Mosrie's I believe still remains. I recall that my aunt Tommie used it as a thrift shop of sorts after Grandad died.
We sold most of the photographic equipment to a photography supply house in Columbus. I wish I had the old Deardorff cameras today.
For those who may not know, my grandfather was a Vaudevillian, doing juggling and some magic, or whatever act was needed to fit the bill. I recall an article written by him that referred to him sharing the bill with either Kate Smith or Martha Rae. I think the local paper used to run ana rticle on him every few years. I will try to locate a copy of the articles we have left, but I am afraid the passage of time and several moves may have caused them to be lost.
Thank you for your itnerrest. You have a great site. I especailly like the golf photos. My wife and I are active golfers. |
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Patty Cox Osborne 67
128 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2006 : 23:51:33
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Hello Mr Young,
Let me join everyone elso in welcoming you to our website!
I am really enjoying your posts and walking some more of memory lane with everyone. I, along with hundeds of others, clearly remember the studio and your grandfather. I have many pictures with the studio "stamp" on the back! I can also clear up some other questions for you and anyone else who may be wondering what happened to the property in question. You see, my husband, Jerry, and I own the hardware store and the property that once housed the studio.
It was a Christian Bookstore for several years and eventually also housed a church in the back of the "L". The church fronted on 3rd Street behind Mrs. Mosrie. After Miss Phipps death, it was purchased by Mr. Tony Stewart and he had a consignment store there. During the time he owned the building the furnace blew up and caught the building on fire in what was the rear area of the studio. The fire did extensive damage to the building. I remember seeing the fire licking out of the top and worrying about Mrs. Mosrie. Her apartment and dress shop did suffer smoke damage. She, fortunately, was not harmed. I am not sure what year that was, but Mr. Stewart did not want to invest in repairing the building so, after a time, we purchased the property from him. That was about 10 years ago. We tore down the entire studio building but retained the part of the "L" that comes out on 3rd Street. We built a warehouse type building that faces the hardware store and also use the old part of the "L" as well. The entire area is used for warehousing building materials for our store. Miss Phipps had made apartments upstairs several years before her death but the fire damaged them as well so the upstairs is all used for storage as well.
By the way, our store is the oldest business in Rainelle. My grandfather, F. L. Flint, established Flint's Hardware in 1922...We are 84 years young!!! The old building that housed his store was owned by Dr. Wall and burned in December of 1983. In March of 1984 we purchased the old A&P Building and reopened our store in 'your old neighborhood'.
"What your eyes can't see...lives in your heart!"
Have a great day!
Patty |
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Connard Estep 53
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2006 : 19:22:37
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| I recall Earl Young as a young man when his Dad had the photo shop on the north side of Main street over the Creek, One hobby Earl had was bulding wooden model airplanes, he would hang them in the store front window for display and after a few days he would sell them for a few Dollars, I bought one or two of them ,take them home and get upon top of our home ,wind up the rubber band propeller and fly them until they were torn up. Yes I remember Earl. |
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Connard Estep 53
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2006 : 19:28:59
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| Welcome aboard Bobby Young, what took you so long ? Hope to see you and your wife in Elkton at the Bluegrass show again some time. Some good shows coming up. |
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Fred Young
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2006 : 21:09:11
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Welcome Uncle Bobby! Please fill in any blanks you can for me.
The note on the airplanes brings back fabulous memories. Dad taught me how to build those. I got pretty good with them, and most even flew. Brings back emories of a word I never use anyomre -- dihedral. Anyone know what that means?
I am sending Gerry several photos Dad took. He plans to scan them and put some on the site. I am also sending his college report on the flooding in Rainelle which has some pictures. I am still tearing the place apart for more. |
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Jennis Studio
