It was difficult writing a headline for today's Bob'n'Along column, mainly because it contains a series of items I've had -- some for quite a few days -- that I'd like to finally include. Maybe you've sent me something recently but it hasn't yet appeared, and maybe isn't included today. If that's the case, my apologies. Hopefully I can get it next time.

Before beginning, attention Doddridge Countians, especially! I'd like to mention that in Bob'n'Along next Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I'll be reprinting "West Virginia's Great Train Robbery at Central Station, Doddridge County." Be sure to look for it.

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My friend Carol at One Valley Bank stopped me in the bank lobby recently to ask whether I could remember the Shamrock Club, located along what was then U.S. Highway 50, just up from Victory High School.

I can remember it being there, but I can't say I recall whether it was a supper club or not, what kind of place it was or during what time period was its heyday. If anyone remembers, please let me know -- by e-mail or "snail mail" (Exponent Telegram, P.O. Box 2000, Clarksburg, WV 26302-2000.

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Theresa Gibson of 605 Stealey Ave. brought up the small amount of space there is for parking behind Washington Irving Middle School.

She said, "It is woefully inadequate for the teachers and visiting parents of the school. I understand that there are several condemned houses around the school. Could the city make the owners of these dilapidated houses tear them down? Then the Board of Education could acquire the land to provide more parking for WI's faculty and visitors."

She also suggested inclusion of a "green area" outside of the school where students could enjoy fresh air and sports. Thanks, Ms. Gibson.

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Grannis Lazier of 4282 Ridge Road, Cortland, Ohio 44410, sent me a request in the mail. He said he's originally from the Clarksburg area and would like to hear from any of the men from Harrison County who were in the draft of September 1944.

He added that he plans to be in Clarksburg, in front of the Harrison County Court House on Veteran's Day, where he would like to meet any who may still be in the area.

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Having read my column about northbound rivers of the world, a friend of mine called me to say the Cheat and the Shenandoah rivers both flow north. He also said the West Fork River is just that -- the west fork of the Monongahela River and that the Tygarts Valley River is the middle fork, both of them meeting at Fairmont to form the "Mon."

But he said the Cheat River is actually the east fork of the Mon, because although it flows into it at Point Marion just north of the Pennsylvania state line, the Cheat flows predominantly through West Virginia.

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Finally, a brief note to say that the good people of the Pine Bluff community in northern Harrison County will be holding their annual Fall Festival Oct. 6-7. Pine Bluff is about seven miles from Shinnston. Take Highway 19 through Shinnston and Enterprise to Bingamon Junction Road, then go about a mile to a fork in the road. Turn left at the "Y" in the road and it's about another three miles.

The announcement came from Mrs. Thelma Martin, president of Pine Bluff CEOS, sponsor of the festival.

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