Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

First Posted: 6/17/2014

1962 – 52 YEARS AGO

Parents met in protest at the proposed closing of the Roosevelt School building at the “forks of the road” in Pittston. The school board members announced the closing would save the school district approximately $6,000 per year. The parents, however, maintained that the school building was the finest in the city and its beauty enhanced by the vine growth along the entire front of the structure.

Hughestown borough for the first time, offered a hometown Little League program. The four-team league season opened with a parade and exhibition play. League president, Kenneth Davis tossed out the first ball. Mangers of the four teams, David Evans, Robert McDonald, John Hensley and Warren Jenkes had hoped to pass out new shirts and caps, but they did not arrive in time for opening day.

A U.S. Marine Guard unit raised a flag at the dedication of the new headquarters of WPTS radio just off Parsonage Street. Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Fiorani, station operators, were honored at the dedication which also marked the station’s ninth anniversary.

Forty young Avoca girls vied for the title of Miss Little League. The judges had an overwhelming task of picking just one. Marilyn O’Mally received the crown from James McLane, mayor of Avoca. Theresa Bilaski and Deborah Gaskowski were chosen as attendants.

1972 – 42 YEARS AGO

Reports were slowly coming in from communities affected by the swollen Susquehanna River as a result of Hurricane Agnes.

  • Jenkins Twp: Firemen had a 40,000 gallon per hour pump in place for cellars when waters recede. Ladies Auxiliary accepted food and clothing.
  • Pittston: Insalaco’s Market was opened. Owners Sandy and Lenny with Joe Gitkos walked across the Erie Lackawanna Railroad bridge, hitched a ride to get to their store.
  • A member of the coastguard almost drowned while saving a woman and her two children. He was pulled from the water by a fellow guardsman just before being swept away.
  • Pittston Hospital was at the ready.
  • West Wyoming: Atherton Park section suffered the most damage. One hundred twenty families were evacuated.
  • Exeter: First ward section was about 10 feet under water, 200 homes affected.
  • Port Blanchard: 60 homes affected.
  • Duryea: 40 families affected.
  • West Pittston: National Guard troops were deployed to secure evacuated properties.
  • Wyoming: Wyoming Area cheerleaders found to be safe and staying with friends and relatives on the East Side of the river. They had been away at camp and could not make their way home.
  • After being forced from the family home, one young mother gave birth to a son at the Wyoming Area High School.

This year marks the 4md anniversary of Hurricane Agnes, one of the most costly natural disasters in Pennsylvania history. According to the National Weather Forecast website, “Nationwide, there were 122 deaths, 50 in the state of Pennsylvania. Total damages from the storm reached over $3 billion dollars nationwide, with over $2 billion dollars in losses occurring in the Susquehanna River basin.” It has been estimated that damage figures based upon today’s dollar value would be more than $16.5 billion dollars.

1992 – 22 YEARS AGO

Dedication ceremonies were being planned for the unveiling of the Newtown Coal Company’s Twin Shaft Disaster historical marker located at North Main and Union Streets in Pittston. Grace O’Brien Flintermann, former resident of Pittston, submitted several requests to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and also raised money to fund the marker installation at the site. The marker was set to be placed June 27, 1992. On June 28, 1896, 58 men and boys were buried in a cave in at the Twin Shaft Colliery. Although there were heroic rescue attempts, the bodies were never recovered and remain 2,500 feet below the surface.

2002 – 12 YEARS AGO

As the 01-02 school year came to a close, a year in review of high school sports and their outstanding players were the focus in the Sunday Dispatch. Named Most Valuable Players in their respective sport were Dave Hurko, golf, Wyoming Area; Tim Cotter, football, Pittston Area; Charlie Rogers, boys soccer, Seton Catholic; Missy Morgan, girls volleyball, Wyoming Area; Rita Kaluzavich, girls tennis, Seton Catholic; Marcus Magyar, boys cross country, Wyoming Area; Carissa Homeschek, girls cross country, Pittston Area; Danielle Simonson, field hockey, Pittston Area; Pat O’Hara, Wrestling, Pittston Area; Carle Testa, swimming, Pittston Area; Ann Brennan, girls basketball, Seton Catholic; Dave Troynacki, boys basketball, Pittston Area; Bob Smith, boys volleyball, Wyoming Area; Celestine Calpin, girls soccer, Wyoming Area; Chris Yonki, baseball, Pittston Area; Nikki Kotula, softball, Pittston Area; Jen Menchi, girls track and field, Pittston Area; Andy Castanaro, boys track and field, Wyoming Area and Dominique Cassetori, boys tennis,Wyoming Area.

“Graduation is only a concept. In real life, every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.” – Arie Pencovici