New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio conducts an interview while signing autographs for fans at Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter in 1974.
                                 Times Leader file photo

New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio conducts an interview while signing autographs for fans at Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter in 1974.

Times Leader file photo

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New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio was in town for Italian-American Night at Pocono Downs in 1974, but he didn’t limited himself to the harness track.

DiMaggio made other stops, including at Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter. He also paid a visit to the Veterans Administration Hospital after some patients contacted organizers saying they would like to meet him.

“One thing is for sure,” DiMaggio said. “I’m not leaving this area until I get to that hospital.”

DiMaggio eventually made it to Pocono Downs and while in the clubhouse he was swarmed by fans any time he got up. He signed an estimated 1,000 autographs, including two dozen baseballs for one fan.

DiMaggio also spent time roaming the grandstands and greeting people.

“It was the finest reception I’ve received since I left baseball,” DiMaggio said.

1956

Two no-hitters and one protest highlighted Little League district play.

Bobby Varaley threw a no-hitter as Ashley defeated St. Therese’s American 4-0 in front of about 1,000 spectators at Bobby Strish Memorial Park in Ashley.

Tommy Iskra also tossed a no-hitter as North Wilkes-Barre defeated Forty Fort 6-0 before 600 fans at North End’s new field.

Meanwhile, Avoca protested its 1-0 loss to Minooka, arguing that Minooka failed to submit birth certificates.

1970

The General Municipal Authority of Wilkes-Barre reduced the season membership rates at Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course for the remainder of the season.

Membership without storage and soap and towel privileges was $65. With them, the cost was $75.

The same options for a husband-wife membership was $115 or $125. For seniors, the cost was $40 or $50.

Student membership would be $25. For women, the rate was $50. For clergy, it was $65.

Greens fees during the 1970 season were $2.75 on weekdays, $3.75 on weekends and holidays and $1.75 after 5 p.m.

1961

Joe Stencik had quite a 16th birthday. The Coughlin student won the club championship at Hollenback Park, dethroning defending champion Tony Sluhoski.

The two were tied 95-95 after 27 holes. Stencik dropped a 5-foot putt on the first hole of sudden death for a birdie. Sluhoski missed a 10-foot putt that would have forced another hole.

1999

The 2-Hip BMX freestyle bicycle team from San Francisco performed in the parking lot of Main Bike World at Kingston Corners.

2006

Denny Hamlin became the sixth driver to win both NASCAR Cup Series races in the same season at Pocono Raceway. He also became the first to do so while starting on the pole twice. He led 151 of 200 laps.

The race also marked the end of the career of Berwick’s Jimmy Spencer, who started 43rd and finished 36th. He only raced twice that season – both times at Pocono.

Spencer’s main job was as an analyst on the Speed Channel’s Victory Lane show.