Pittston Dispatch // PD Columnists // Maria Montante - Maria Remembers

Sunday February 01, 2009 | 12:00 AM

As far back as I began reading I recall there was a cartoon that appeared daily in the local newspaper called Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! The cartoons were taken from incidents that were and are factual but at times the contents are so preposterous that may lead to doubt.

Robert LeRoy Ripley, who was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur, amateur anthropologist interested in playing baseball, created the world famous Ripley’s Believe it Or Not!

The newspaper panel series which began in the New York Globe featured odd facts from around the world, little known facts about unusual and exotic sites and items submitted by readers who supplied a wide variety of true American trivia.

The tales that I have written take on a context leaving the reader to decipher what to believe or not to believe.

During the Christmas Holiday when my Texas family was home to visit it was Alexander’s greatest wish was to see and play in the snow. After romping, making snow angels and throwing snowballs it was time to get out his mother’s and Aunt Mar’s sled. Gramps watched from the window as Alexander, Nicolas and Uncle Lyle attempted to pack down the snow in the alley way for the great ride.

Soon Gramps was dressed and became part of the snow group instructing Alexander how to use the sleigh to make it fly. Words were not adequate when to our dismay Gramps grasping the sleigh took a running start, jumped on it and went speeding down the alley. This is not an unusual fete for a grandfather. However, at age 89 it is incredible!

Several years ago, Chet’s classmate and dear friend Sam Montione attended a local fair in Buffalo, New York, and was fascinated by the adventurous young people harnessed and jumping off a tower called the Bungee Jump. The fascination led to a $50.00 bet from one of his buddies if he took the plunge.

Not only did Sam take the dare for the 50 bucks but repeated the jump because there was no film in the operators camera to record the daring fete of an almost 80 year old gentleman.

This occurred early New Year’s morning as a local couple was leaving our local casino when the gentleman tripped and fell to his knees. Unable to get on his feet under his own power or with his wife’s assistance they found themselves in a dilemma. They were feeling helpless when suddenly appeared an older model car, the car door flew open and out jumped a man dressed as Superman. He helped the gentleman to his feet asked if he was alright, jumped in his car and drove away. (Clark Kent is alive and well)!

One Sunday morning at a church service the congregation was in complete silence for the attention was focused on the preacher delivering the sermon. The preacher’s words and tone were creating an impact when suddenly a cell phone is heard ringing. Once, twice, three times and then a voice is heard saying “hello” followed by a conversation that was heard throughout the church. When the call was not disconnected the preacher reminded the congregation in a matter of fact tone that the only voice to be heard in the church was his. The following Sunday a notice was posted on the front and rear doors that all cell phones were to be turned off before entering the church.

A few summers ago while visiting with my dear friend Palma Lenza we attended Mass at a quaint old church in Lebanon. Palma, Chet and I were seated in the last pew.

While standing singing a hymn I felt two hands adjusting the upturned collar (style of the 1950s) of my blouse. Turning to both my companions they were engrossed in singing and innocent of the now turned down collar. I then looked behind me and there standing was the usher with his hands still in midair and a red face. Without thinking he was doing a good deed for a lady who he thought needed assistance with her apparel.

In the year 1917, The Dime Bank of Pittston was one of the first banks in the United States to install a School Saving Department to teach youngsters how to save money. Over 5,000 depositors were enrolled with gross deposits of more than $54,000.00.

During the school year ending in June, 1927, interest credited was $l,l52.74. To accommodate small customers a receiving counter was erected at a convenient height. Miss Mary Healy and Hannah Rutledge supervised the department.

The Dime Bank & Trust Company’s motto in 1927: “The Bank of Two Interests, PERSONAL AND 3%.”

This past Monday the women (we still call ourselves the girls) in the Pokeno Club met for lunch and then to play Michigan Rummy at the Senior Center. Ann Marie Conroy brought photo albums beginning from the inception of the club in 1963. Among the photos was the copy of The Sunday Dispatch Spotlight featuring on the cover a photograph of the girls in the Pokeno Club dated February 12, 1989 with their story of Love and Friendship. Since the printing of that photo and article another 20 years of life have transpired. There have been the experiences of joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, laughter and tears, trials and adventures shared together with the same concern and heartfelt sentiments that true friendships endure.

The faces and frames have changed a little (just a little) but the spirit and love is still strong and steadfast. The Pokeno Club members are: Evelyn Levendowski, Dorothy Manganaro, Ruth Colarusso, Celestine Bonfonti, Ann Marie Conroy and Maria Capolarella Montante.

Believe what you like but this is true: It is not too early to think about Valentine’s Day.

Maria Capolarella Montante’s memories of life in Greater Pittston appear in this space one a month.