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Peeking into the past

Bainbridge debuted as Rams coach in 1960

With Judy Minsavage

Thirty-three National Guardsmen were killed in a train accident near Cochocton, Ohio on September 11, 1950. Local soldiers listed were members of the 109th Field Artillery Battalion on their way to Camp Atterbury before being deployed to Germany, then to Korea. What was the cause of the accident?

1950 – 59 Years Ago

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The Dupont Community House, Suscon Road, circa 1938. In photo: teacher unknown; 1st row unknown, unknown, Andrew Meranchak, unknown; 2nd row - Mike Lafratte, unknown, Tina Rossi, Frances Rodula, Ann Kurtz, unknown, Betty Ann Adams; 3rd row - Tootsie Stupack, unknown, unknown, Ann Gross, unknown, Eleanor Mitchell, Leona Satwoski, Alice Slyzak

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Residents of Pittston and members of the ILGWU and Ewen Local 8005 United Mine Workers collected monies for families of the local soldiers killed in the Pennsylvania National Guard Troop Train accident in September of 1950.

ILGWU members collected $2,000 and the mine workers drive initiated by Charles Mecadon, president of the Ewen Local collected $1,500. Others who assisting in the fund raising were Robert Lynott, John Petkovyat, Michael Gentile, Dominick Alaimo, Anthony Argo, Charles Piasecki and Albert Smeltser. Mr. Mecadon presented the check to the Emergency Fund Headquarters.

On the same day as the train accident in Ohio, and well aware of the fate of the men who perished that morning, more Pittston guardsmen marched down the streets of West Pittston to the D.L. and W Station to board a train at 4:30 p.m. headed for Camp Atterbury. Captain Ferd C. Endres and his wife Crystal were married only a few weeks before his departure. Lt. Owen Golden had a difficult time saying goodbye to his little daughter and the family of Sgt Jackie Langan gathered to show support of the unit as well as say goodbye. Marching bands played and many Pittstonians lined the streets to bid farewell to the troops who would eventually be sent to fight in Korea.

On a beautiful weekend John Arnone went for a day of fishing with his fellow Pittston buddies Mickey DeMarco and Joe Amico. John had only an old bamboo stick, line, hook and worm, Mickey and Joe had all the latest fishing equipment. Arnone with his rustic gear caught a 23-inch pickerel from the Susquehanna. A feat in itself except for the fact that it was reported pickerel were rarely caught in the Susquehanna.

Coal prices were to rise 45cents per ton in 1950. Consumers were urged to fill their bins to save the higher cost. Of the proposed increase 25cents would be added for hauling.

1960 – 49 Years Ago

The Drury Clothing Company of Pittston working with the Bureau of Employment Security revealed that 50 per cent of their work force was male. At the time, unemployment among men was high and the need for power sewing operators was growing. A tour of the company showed male sewing machine operators working side by side with female workers. William Horowitz, president of the firm, acknowledged that the company’s yearly payroll was $650,000. The average hourly wage was $1.65

Congressional Medal of Honor winner Geno Merli was slated to be principal speaker at a dinner sponsored by the Wyoming VFW. The medal is the highest combat award the U.S. can bestow and presented to Mr. Merli by President Harry S. Truman. Gene Allegrucci, chairman and long-time friend of Mr. Merli announced Mr. Merli would speak on “Are the GI’s of the last war forgotten”.

Merle Bainbridge debuted as coach of the West Pittston Rams football team in a game against Scranton Central in September 1960. Although the Rams were impressive on offense and had the longest drive, the final score of the game was a 0-0 tie. A success considering Scranton had a huge win over Plymouth the week before and didn’t expect a determined well-drilled Rams team.

Some fun facts about 1960: Television shows featured Sunday evening, 7 p.m. Shirley Temple, Lassie, Broken Arrow; 7:30 p.m. Dennis The Menace, Maverick, 8 p.m. National Velvet, Ed Sullivan, 8:30 p.m. Lawman, Tab Hunter,

Detato’s Super Market, Pittston offered rib steaks at 65 cents a pound and fresh creamy tub butter for 61 cents a pound. Firestone dealer Wm. P. Bonser offered black wall tires for $19.95 each. J.C. Penney’s in Pittston advertised full fashioned nylons, seamed and seamless for 49 and 69 cents per pair and Barton’s Furniture, S. Main Street publicized Nelsonrest full size mattresses that could help one sleep like a millionaire for $79.50.

1970 – 39 Years Ago

In September of 1970, the Hughestown Borough Council unanimously adopted a resolution to rename Hughestown Park, “The Bob Yaples Memorial Park” in memory of Robert Yaples of Hughestown. Mr. Yaples was one of the founders of Hughestown Boys League and was instrumental in obtaining the land used for the playfield. Bob, who passed at the early age of 41, played football for Pittston High School and devoted his time to young people in the borough.

Bill Kasulis, was welcomed back to the Greater Pittston Area as football coach at Wyoming Area. Coach Kasulis was a 1957 Duryea High School graduate and went on to attend and play football at the University of Scranton. When asked what his greatest thrill was in sports, he replied “It will be when I am a coach on a championship team, and if that team is Wyoming Area and the championship is the WVC, so much the better.”

The opening line-up for Wilkes College football included seven Greater Pittston players. Neil Langdon, Ed Connors, Charles Graziano, Tony Iorio, Fred Gedrich, John Mazur and Pat Ratchford and were all expected to see action. Four players, Ratchford, Mazur, Graziano and Langdon were starters for the team. Offensive line coach Charles “Chuck” Adonizio of Pittston, was in his fifth year with the Wilkes team.

The Pittston Area School District adopted “Ability Grouping” and “Elective Subjects” for the average student into the curriculum for the 1970-71 school year. Ability grouping placed a student in classes according to his or her ability in a subject. And Elective subjects enabled students to choose subjects more tailored to their needs.

Nello A. Riccetti, assistant superintendent of schools, curriculum director and architect of the plan at PA gave credit to Thomas R. Kelly high school principal and Tino Turco, junior high principal for their work on the project.

Question #2

Ability Grouping in schools was not a new concept. The idea of grouping or sorting students into classes based on their ability levels began many years before.

What year did the Committee of Ten headed by Charles Eliot President of Harvard University first debate this idea: 1892, 1920 or 1940?

1980 – 29 Years Ago

The Wyoming Area Marching Band entered into its first competition for the 1980-81 season clinching the first place title in the sixth annual West Branch Cavalcade of Champions.

The competition, sponsored by Lock Haven Band Boosters Association was held at J. Arington Painter Stadium in Lock Haven. Drum Majorettes Lisa Tocheny and Kim Gallo directed 77 musicians, 10 majorettes, 10 swing flags, 10 rifles and 18 silks. Band staff included Allen Marini, Vito Mazzitelli, Dorrie Rostock and Julie Marini.

Yatesville Bocce League Champs, Dr. Joseph Campanella, Angelo Depascale and Jim Pisano received honors and trophies at the end of the 1980 league season for their exceptional performance.

Wyoming Area students James Berrettini of Wyoming and Eric Freed of West Pittston were both notified they were semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Award. Both boys were members of the National Honor Society and attended Wilkes College under the gifted program.

Answer #1

The Interstate Commerce Commission determined the engineer of an oncoming express train failed to heed flares placed on the tracks by flagmen warning that the National Guard train had automatically stopped due to a broken air hose.

Answer #2

1892