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Peeking into the past

117 babies born at Pittston Hospital in 1968

With Jack Smiles

Question: In the December 26 issue in 1948 rosters were listed for the West Wyoming, Wyoming, Avoca and Moosic high school basketball teams. See if you can guess within five how many of the 48 boys listed were listed at above 6-feet tall.

30 years ago – 1978

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This winter photo was taken in the 1920s in front of 336 Race Street in West Pittston looking toward Montgomery Avenue. The photo is courtesy of Boyd Hitchner

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The post Christmas issue in 1978 fell on New Year’s Eve. There was a page of pictures of the annual Charity Ball at Fox Hill on December 28. The club was beautifully outfitted with decorations and candle light and the Joey I band entertained. One of the photos showed the committee members Mr. and Mrs. John Connell, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Melvin, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schevets and Mr. and Mrs. William Lloyd.

In West Pittston three councilmen questioned the paying of Blue Cross and Blue Shield for the solicitor, secretary and zoning officer and suggested the elimination of two part-time positions in order to reduce the budget for 1979, but their motion was defeated by a 4-3 vote.

The Pittston Area chorus, under the direction of Elizabeth Brogna, presented a program of ethnic Christmases. Food was served and songs performed representing France Germany, Spain and the United States. Among the menu items were poluet cordon blue and kongberger klops.

New Year’s Eve specials at the Villa Savoy at 1133 Wyoming Avenue in Exeter included lobster, shrimp and crab meat casserole for $6.95 and baked stuffed flounder for $4.35.

The Capri at the corner of Monument and Third in Wyoming had an open house for New Year’s Eve with music by Two Plus Two.

In high school basketball Wyoming Area won the Dallas Holiday Tournament beating Dallas in the title game 78-65. Scott Yeomans had 23 for WA, Bill Hoover had 19 and Don Casey, 14.

Al Harris a tight end/linebacker for Wyoming Area football was the first Warriors played to be named to the AP All-State First team.

The weather in 1978 was about the same as it is now, rainy with temps above freezing.

40 years ago – 1968

The post Christmas issue in 1968 fell on December 29. A story on page two said that 117 babies were born in the Pittston hospital in 1968, including two sets of twins – a boy and a girl to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Kurinitis and a boy and girls t Mr. and Mrs. Leo Granahan.

The Dupont-Pittston Township branch of the First National Bank of Pittston was having a grand opening on Rt. 315 at the corner of Oak Street. They were giving away a brand new 1969 Buick Skylark in a drawing.

Joseph Rinaldi of Panama Street in Pittston was promoted to Army First Lt. in Korea. He was pictured getting pinned by Colonel Douglass A. Randall of the Second Infantry Division.

The Pittston Area and Wyoming Area boys basketball teams played each other in the opening round of the Wilkes-Barre Invitational Tournament the week between Christmas and New Year’s in 1968. Pittston Area won 53-50.

Rich Serino had 14 for WA and Joe Gillespie had 13. For PA Matty LoPresto scored 16 and Mike DiMaggio had 14.

50 years ago – 1958

The post Christmas issue was on December 28 in 1958. On page three there was an artist’s depiction of the Luzerne County Home for the Indigent, which was being designed for Luzerne County residents who are infirm or disabled an unable to pay for care.

Excavation was under way this week in 1968 for the $4,500,000 facility which was projected to open in June of 1960 and would become known as Valley Crest.

A Santa Claus was stolen from the porch of the Mogavero home at 11 Pine Street. Police had to remove two men who were drunk and disorderly at a Christmas mass at a local church.

The Charlie Masters Dixie Teeners, a band of 13 year olds from all over the area, were pictured in the December 28 issue in ’58 to promote their appearance on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour , a popular National TV show.

The boys in the band were Joseph Szewczyk, Colman Dirham, Bill Dorfman, Steve Premon, Alan Swantkowski, Tommy Pernot and Joseph Naylor.

The annual YMCA Freshmen-Sophomore Basketball Tournament was underway this week in ’58. In first round action in the 12-team tourney: Pittston Township beat Jenkins Township 33-17. Alicene had 21 for Pittston Township and Corcoran had seven for Jenkins.

Hughestown was awarded a forfeit when Moosic couldn’t field a team. Duryea beat Pittston 37-24. Joe Barlick scored 25 for Duryea and Marranca had nine for Pittston.

West Wyoming hammered Dupont 69-14. Pealer had 22 for WW.

West Pittston beat Exeter 37-29. Searfoss had 14 for West Pittston and Cassetori had 11 for Exeter. St. John’s beat Wyoming 44-25. Joe Makalusky scored 25 for St. John’s. Turskowski had nine for Wyoming.

St. Rocco’s Church had a New Year’s Eve Dance for teenagers with music by the Anzalone Brothers.

60 years ago – 1948

The post Christmas issue was on December 26 in 1948. The Bell Telephone Company bought the Lenahan Building on Charles Street in Pittston this week in 1948. The phone company intended to use the building to install a new dialing system in the city.

Lazarus, a clothing store at 20 North Main, had a sale of dresses for $1.69. Fur trimmed coats were $48. “A Southern Yankee” starring Red Skeleton was in the American Theater.

Frigid weather was predicted with temperatures expected to drop below zero on Sunday night.

In high school basketball St. John’s beat West Wyoming 39-36. West Wyoming led by two with a minute left but Joe Loughney, Chick Miller and Joe McGlynn of St. John’s scored the last five points to win it.

Answer: If you guessed five or fewer you are right. None of the 48 was listed at being over 6-0. Eight were listed right at 6-0, five of those on the West Wyoming roster.