PD Peeking into the Past

21-inch snowfall blanketed area in 1964 - 01/22/2012
Why were there cheers of joy at an Exeter Borough meeting in January of 1964?

Local unemployment rate 16.8% in 1959 - 01/08/2012
In 1949, Pittston Township approved the purchase of a new fire escape for the Barry School in the Browntown section replacing the one that had been stolen. Meanwhile in Hughestown there was another mystery evolving, the case of th ...

Len Pesotini led nation in receptions in ‘76 - 01/01/2012
What Pittston Landmark was sent to the junkyard in 1956?

Adamitis starred at GW 49 years ago - 12/04/2011
What good news did Pittston city employees receive in December of 1952?

Moose Lodge burned mortgage in ‘65 - 11/20/2011
In 1955, Erminio Cefalo petitioned the Luzerne Board of Elections for a recount of votes after learning he had lost the Pittston city treasurer seat to James Cosgrove by only one vote. What tw ...

Dispute over $300,000 pay for miners in 1949 - 11/06/2011
In 1959, what did Dupont native Ann Blockus do that helped gain the city of Pittston statewide attention?

New homes got state-of-the-art coal furnaces in ‘47 - 10/30/2011
What happened in 1947 that bound the families of two local soldiers John Doyle and William Bolin, even though both circumstances concerning the men occurred many years apart?

Cathy Price Wilkes tennis MVP in 1981 - 10/23/2011
In 1971, what law changed something we did on the fourth Monday in the month of October, but only for five years?

‘Shag’ Ardoline hit .350 for an Army team in ’53 - 10/16/2011
Question #1

Capt. Connors awarded Bronze star in ‘54 - 10/09/2011
In 1954, Pittston celebrated its Centennial, which included a special dinner, pageant, parade and carnival.

Dills answered important call in 1948 - 10/02/2011
The Community Chest game cards were included in the world famous board game, Monopoly, in the 1920s. What other game also had these cards?

Burglar was on unusual mission in 1956 - 09/25/2011
An article in the Duryea section of the September 25, 1956, issue of the Sunday Dispatch noted that in 1892, Duryea was known by what other name?

Jefferson Park dedicated 59 years ago - 09/18/2011
Notes: Members of the John C. Kehoe Sr. family recently contacted us. They are looking for an issue of the Sunday Dispatch dated November 5, 1961 featuring Mr. Kehoe on the front page. The Dispatch does not have that issue in its ...

37 new teachers at PA and WA in 1967 - 09/11/2011
What currently sought after resource did several Pittston residents claim was in plentiful supply in this area in 1957?

Topps employees at Pocono Playhouse in ‘71 - 09/04/2011
By what other name did miners in Greater Pittston and surrounding communities refer to the Labor Day holiday?

St. John’s cheerleaders tops in 1974 - 08/28/2011
Joseph Thomas Jr. of Avoca was in good company. He and 6 other gentlemen, Harry E. Caines, Olyphant, Ronald C. MacDonald, William Bennie, Karl Thomas, William Schrader of Moosic and Alfred Shafer of Oliver Mills, were honored for ...

Wyoming Theatre was PA’s oldest in 1980 - 08/21/2011
Last week I wrote about the ninth annual Dispatch Cup 1988 Golf Tournament set for Fox Hill Country Club and asked if anyone remembered the outcome. Len Coleman the golf coach for the combined Wyoming Area and Pittston Area team c ...

Avenue Lanes opened 53 years ago - 08/14/2011
In 1948 what threatened to “bankrupt” local amateur baseball teams?

Fahey gives details of ‘Ski Squad’ win - 08/07/2011
Why would most of James “Jimbo” Gubbiotti’s friends say he was a lucky kid in 1956, while his Mom might have remained apprehensive?

Daddy Gilrain’s team was 10-2 in 1965 - 07/31/2011
What simple delivery in July of 1955 may have uncovered the evidence of the seamier side of life in Pittston?

Young David Bartuska a hero in 1963 - 07/24/2011
In 1953, the Greater Pittston Jaycees presented the Pittston Hospital with an Isolette, or incubator, which provided a constant temperature and oxygen supply to premature infants over a four to six week period. What strange way wa ...

Music lessons at Pittston parks in ‘54 - 07/10/2011
Eighteen-year-old Joe Nardone of Wilford Street, Pittston, placed something in a paper bag for safekeeping stating he would “one day show the contents to his grandchildren.” What was it?

Peter Pace started free concerts in 1947 - 07/03/2011
There was a mob-like atmosphere on North Main Street in Pittston on July 2, 1947. What was going on?

45 years ago, Moose Demich tosses no-hitter - 06/26/2011
Michael Smigel of Duryea received an Air Force award for performing a duty most would think impossible. What was it?

PHS 75th commencement 50 years ago - 06/19/2011
After purchasing the Lincoln Theatre in 1959, Joseph Burgio discovered something special in an old pretzel can found inside the theater. What was it?

Avoca Horseshoe League gearing up in 1980 - 06/12/2011
Anna Lillis of Browntown and Mary A. Mulcahy of Cork Lane shared the distinction of being the first women to achieve a milestone in 1950, what was it?

Ringling Bros. Circus in Pittston in 1949 - 06/05/2011
A column in the June 5, 1949, issue of the Sunday Dispatch stated that Pittston was the site of an event that was the last of its kind. What was it?

In ’48, workers told to denounce Communism - 05/29/2011
Why did Memorial Day of 1948 hold an even greater reason for area residents to visit area cemeteries, pause and pay tribute to our brave veterans?

Peeking into the past - 05/22/2011
In 1974, new moneymaking devices were popping up in the city of Pittston. What were they?

Jimmy Foxx here in ’62 for new ball park - 05/15/2011
In May 1952, John Saltis of Pittston was a very busy fellow working in his lucrative side business repairing something mostly everyone owns. What was it?

In 1887, Pittston had 40 police officers - 05/08/2011
In the May, 1956, issue of the Sunday Dispatch, a comparison of the statistics in the 1887 and 1948 Pittston directories was discussed. As explained in the 1887 directory, what did the city do to save on energy expenditures?

Unionized painters spruced up library in ‘61 - 05/01/2011
In 1970, Mrs. Anthony Atkachunas of Pittston received a letter from the Smithsonian Institute regarding a small but valuable piece of history. What was it?

City able to lower per capita tax in 1947 - 04/24/2011
School students in 1947 were happy to hear that they would be given an unscheduled day off from their classes to allow teachers to travel to Harrisburg. What was the purpose of their trip?

Captain Andy’s Showboat Minstrel in 1955 - 04/17/2011
In 1965, a deal was finalized for the construction of the new Topps Chewing Gum Plant in Duryea. Topps was known for including baseball cards in their signature bubblegum package. What other collectible Topps cards were gaining po ...

First volleyball team at SJE 37 years ago - 04/10/2011
In 1964, Exeter Township was sponsoring a “hootenanny.” What was done at one of these events?

Teen shoplifters apprehended in 1949 - 04/03/2011
In 1949, after years of indecision, most communities were deciding to adopt Daylight Saving Time.

Remembering the Johnnies of 1973 - 03/27/2011
Stephen Hannon of Shavertown, supplied information and a photo of the State Class C Basketball championship pitting St. John’s Johnnies against Bradford Central Christian at the Pittsburgh Field House in 1973.

SJH band in NYC St. Pat’s parade in 1950 - 03/20/2011
In March of 1950, John O’Malley was the first person in Pittston to receive one of these, what was it?

Good Samaritan lost coat in ’53 scuffle - 03/13/2011
In 1973, a book entitled The Great Flood of 1972 by Paul W. Warnagiris and John J. Rygiel hit the shelves. According to Charles McCarthy’s account detailed in the book entit ...

Vets returned looking for jobs in 1947 - 03/06/2011
After World War II, returning servicemen hoped to come home and resume the jobs women held while they were away. What was done in order to persuade women to return to their homes and continue their roles as wives and mothers?

Ned Jones clears up ‘ching-way’ question - 02/27/2011
Ned Jones of Avoca called in to answer my question from last Sunday’s column, “what is a ching-way?”

Father Skursky collected pennies in 1952 - 02/20/2011
Monday February 21, we will celebrate Presidents’ Day. The observance started as a holiday to commemorate George Washington’s birthday but was extended to include Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and to honor all U.S. Presidents in 1971 ...

J.C. Penney visited Pittston store in 1958 - 02/13/2011
In 1958, the country was in the throes of a major recession, much like the one affecting the country today. What did President Eisenhower do to improve the economy?

15-inch snowfall cripples area 50 years ago - 02/06/2011
In February, 1961, Pittston and surrounding areas were digging out of a crippling winter storm that dumped 15 inches of snow across the region.

Avoca receives 11-year-old bill in 1960 - 01/30/2011
In this week’s Peeking into the Past, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are discussed. During the early days of coal mining operations what was used to alert miners to this deadly odorless gas?

Hughestown H.S. document found in 1953 - 01/23/2011
This week’s Peeking into the Past reflects the popularity of high school bands in the 1940s and ‘50s. When and in what school was music first taught as a subject.

Information on John Kehoe discovered - 01/16/2011
Question:

First PA Patriot wrestling team in 1972 - 01/09/2011
In January of 1952, Pittston Hospital announced that there were 754 children born at the hospital throughout 1951, most of whom were girls. What were the most popular names for girls and boys at that time?

Borini mural adorned Orioles Club - 01/02/2011
The Pittston Post Office had a record-breaking year in 1967. When did the United States Postal Service initiate the ZIP code system for processing mail and what does ZIP stand for?

GP Charity Bowl raises $5,000 in 1994 - 12/26/2010
Leslie Lynch King Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1913. In 1974 his Whip Inflation Now drive led by Paul Dominick of Pittston, was popular at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Leslie Lynch King Jr was a very prominen ...

Drillerettes sing for stranded soldiers in ‘66 - 12/19/2010
James Murphy of Hughestown found something unusual on Keyser Valley Road in 1956 that led him to some surprising information. What did he find?

Staircase Lounge on cutting edge in 1978 - 12/12/2010
Bill DeAlba of Pittston shared his memories of the St. Rocco’s Church dances held during the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Dances were held Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m. Joe Nardone and the All Stars performed at holida ...

Harding man thrills racing fans in 1981 - 12/05/2010
In 1961, West Pittston Girl Scouts helped to raise funds for polio research. The name March of Dimes was tagged onto the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis shortly after its inception in 1938.

Browntown resident declared MIA in 1950 - 11/28/2010
In November of 1950, local football star Ralph Charney of West Wyoming was creating quite a stir as a running back at Georgetown University, gaining national notoriety as the Player of the Week in a game against ...

PA Press Club launches ‘The Patriot’ in 1969 - 11/21/2010
Ralph Toole Jr. of Pittston called to identify his father in the photo of the Veterans Day Parade in the ‘60s published in the Nov. 14 Peeking Into the Past. His father, Ralph V. Toole, was a ...

An Aero Willys was $1499 at Ridolfi’s in ‘53 - 11/14/2010
The photo in today’s Peeking Into the Past, supplied by Greater Pittston Historical Society, is of a Veteran’s Day Parade in 1964 or 1965. If anyone can give us the names of any of these gentlemen, please call us at 602-0168.

Mancia brothers raised turkeys in early ‘60s - 11/07/2010
The city of Pittston received a $3.38 commission in November of 1962, which usually totaled 50 cents. What strictly enforced rule brought about an increase in commission from a source that in today’s world is practically obsolete?

GOP outnumbered Dems in City in 1955 - 10/31/2010
In October of 1955, Specialist Third Class Walter Knecht, of Avoca, was scheduled to take part in Operation Sage Brush, the largest combined Army, Air Force maneuver since World War II. What was this military ex ...

‘Hazel’ did damage here 56 years ago - 10/24/2010
In the early 1950s all American’s were well aware of the procedures thought necessary at the time to protect themselves in case of nuclear attack. At school, children were taught to duck under desks and hide their eyes. Homeowners ...

Coal tax voted down in W. Wyoming in ‘48 - 10/17/2010
In the ‘50s taking in a movie at one of the many theaters in the Greater Pittston Area was one of the most popular ways for families to spend an afternoon or evening. What did some area theaters do in order to entice customers to ...

39 years ago Patriot mascot was a piranha - 10/10/2010
In 1971, W.T. Grant stores teetered between success and failure. What ultimately brought down the merchandizing giant in 1976?

Freedom Train passed through in ‘47 - 10/03/2010
The first thing Albert Wertz wanted to do as the new commander of the John D. Stark Post, American Legion in 1947 was revive the traditional Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps, the hallmark of the post locat ...

Employ the Handicapped campaign 50 years ago - 09/26/2010
In 1950, at the beginning of the Korean War, American consumers feared the lack of goods and supplies they experienced during World War II. Some unscrupulous companies limited goods to justify inflated pricing. How was the America ...

Peeking into the past - 09/19/2010
A long-standing problem for the City of Pittston was solved in September of 1959, what was it?

Exeter Twp. celebrated centennial in 1983 - 09/12/2010
Mr. and Mrs. Vince Altieri of Hughestown and Mr. and Mrs Nick Gale of Duryea had reason to celebrate on September 11, 1983.

Railroaders gathered at Pascucci’s in ‘62 - 09/05/2010
While visiting family in New York State in 1962, Michael Baldo of Pittston discovered a part of Pittston history there. What was it?

Bowling lanes thrived here 45 years ago - 08/29/2010
In 1965, area bowling allies were looking forward to the start of league play. AMF Inc., bowling equipment manufacturer, was in the business of producing what type of equipment before engaging in the manufacture of the automatic p ...

Smurl home haunting in WP 24 years ago - 08/22/2010
In August of 1956, there was a slight increase nationally in the drafting of young men into the military due to the Suez Canal crises of 1956. What major change in world politics was brought about after this crises ended.

Tokash, McAndrew polka champs in 1979 - 08/15/2010
In August of 1969, a group of ladies from St. Mary’s Help of Christian Church in Pittston gathered to get ready for an upcoming quilt party to be held in Old Forge. What is one of the biggest myths written about quilting?

WP girls team made state finals in 1974 - 08/08/2010
In the July 25 edition of Peeking into the Past, we mentioned that in the summer of 1967, 43 years ago, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Duryea Little League were pitted against the Bar Belles, a team of gentlemen dressed in female cos ...

35 new students at Pittston hospital in ‘81 - 08/01/2010
In 1971, Norma Jones Klimasiewfski planned to run for the office of Mayor of Duryea. What Pennsylvania city elected the first woman mayor? What city claimed the second?

Gerri’s Bridal Shop opened 43 years ago - 07/25/2010
In 1957, West Pittston, Sullivan Park, Oregon Park Jefferson Park and Gilmartin Park were playgrounds attracting many youngsters eager to enter their favorite toy or doll into contests sponsored by the parks. What was the most pop ...

Remember the ‘Mission Farm’ of 30 years ago? - 07/18/2010
In July of 1970, Ralph Rostock of Pittston went fishing with his friends at Pleasant Manor Landing, Lake Winola. His record-breaking catch for the day was a large mouth bass, tipping the scales at 8 pounds 14 ou ...

‘King and his Court’ played here in ‘69 - 07/11/2010
In July 1969, Eddie Feigner, heralded as the greatest softball player of all time, was invited to bring his barnstorming four-man team to the area. What four baseball greats successively struck out when pitted a ...

Ground broken for St. Rocco’s rectory in ‘63 - 07/04/2010
Today many people will be amazed by the colorful firework displays scheduled in the Greater Pittston Area. What chemicals added to the fireworks generate the vibrant colors.

SJB Church noted 100th anniversary in ‘92 - 06/27/2010
In 1952, the Air Force called for volunteers to staff strategic observation towers and scan the skies for enemy planes. Many citizens believed this was a part of an underlying secret mission to observe something else, what was it?

Pittston man Liberty Bell guard in’65 - 06/20/2010
In June of 1965, Pittston received something very unexpected for the first time in the city’s history. What was it?

Locals on Gemini 9 rescue mission in ‘66 - 06/13/2010
In the May 30 Peeking into the Past I wrote about new licensing fees imposed in 1953 by the city of Pittston on businesses and activities. One group to be charged the fee was Edisonians. No description was provided as to what that ...

City joins in ‘Honor America’ in 1974 - 06/06/2010
The Borough of Exeter was formed in 1884. From 1920 to 1930 Exeter laid claim to something that other towns in the Greater Pittston Area could not. What was it?

Interesting meeting in Sorrento in 1950 - 05/30/2010
The Marcellus Shale is a geological natural gas field, extending over 575 miles from New York, through Pennsylvania and into West Virginia with a thickness of 900 feet. For many years, much of the gas has lain virtually untapped. ...