TimesLeader.com

Peeking into the past

August 23

Begliomini had 9-ft. tomato plant in ‘75

With Judy Minsavage

In August of 1965, a local attorney purchased a classic six cylinder, 80 horsepower, 1921 Packard. What was the original purchase price of the Packard when it rolled off the production line in 1921?

1965 - 44 Years Ago

The Lehigh Valley Railroad passenger station located in central city Pittston was demolished to make way for the entrance into the new Insalaco Supermarket. The property was purchased by the Insalaco brothers from Urban Redevelopment. The Lehigh Valley Railroad was created in 1853 and was often called the Route of the Black Diamond.

The passing of Sylvester C. Grablick, owner of Grablick’s Dairy, shocked scores of residents and saddened employees, and business associates alike. An established figure in the community, Mr. Grablick was active in the advancement of the region, while building Grablick’s Dairy into a major economic factor.

State mandated mergers of five Greater Pittston high schools meant the reduction of area football teams from six to two. The Pittston Panthers were scheduled to join with Northeast and play under a new name. West Pittston’s Rams, Exeter Panthers, Wyoming Redskins and Wyoming Cowboys were to merge into one unit. Also eliminated were the much-anticipated annual Thanksgiving Day games between the Wyomings, Exeter and West Pittston.

A classic 1921 Packard was a new acquisition of Attorney George Spohrer of Pittston, operator of the Marney Corporation’s Transportation Museum on River Road in Plains. With only 39,000 miles logged on the speedometer, the automobile had all the original equipment. The car was to be displayed at the grounds where Atty. Spohrer operated a steam locomotive, hauling passengers on a one-mile track.

Troop P of the State Police Barracks on Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, completed plans for the building’s official dedication ceremonies.

Seaman Paul A. Reggie of Pittston, proprietor of Paul’s Beauty Shop. left for service in Japan while his cousin Pfc. Stanley J. Reggie, also of Pittston, left for Germany where he was to serve until October of 1966.

1975 – 34 Years Ago

Wyoming Area graduate Dan Lorenzini supplied the Sunday Dispatch with a front-page photo of the new Wyoming Area High School building at Memorial and Penn avenues in Exeter. Students were to report to the new 8.5 million dollar school for the 1975-76 school year. As a donation to the school district, Dan’s father Ettore Lorenzini created a special Wyoming Area Warrior seal that was installed in the tile floor of the main entrance to the building.

Following the family tradition of firefighters, Susan Monk joined the Hughestown Hose Company to become the only female member. In prior years, Susan’s dad Clyde Monk served as fire chief of the hose company and her brother Thomas was a firefighter and fire school instructor in Alaska.

The Social Security Administration announced “Good old fashioned simplicity and convenience” in implementing direct deposit of social security checks into recipient’s bank accounts.

Oscar “Huck” Begliomini of West Wyoming held bragging rights on growing the largest tomato plant in the area. His nine-foot tall tomato plant produced a basket full of beefsteak tomatoes.

Seven Pittston Area athletes were selected as Prep Track and Field Athletes of the Year 1975. William Ross DeAlba, Jr., John Richard Dessoye, Edward Robert Heston, Michael Joseph Corcoran, Thomas James Jamieson, Frank Edward Czerniatkowski, Michael Anthony Aufiere were nominated for their athletic ability, performance, sportsmanship and leadership displayed during the season. The names and athletic achievements of each athlete were published in the 1975 edition of Prep Track and Field Athletes of the Year, a copy of which is in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame as a permanent record, in Charleston West Virginia.

On the music scene, the top ten songs of August 1975:

1. At 17, Janis Ian

2. Falling in Love, Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds

3. Someone Saved my Life Tonight, Elton John

4. Jive Talkin’, Bee Gees

5. One of These Nights, The Eagles

6. Could This be the Magic, Barry Manilow

7. How Sweet It Is, James Taylor

8. Feel Like Makin’ Love, Bad Co.

9. That’s the Way of the World, Earth Wind and Fire

10. I’m Not in Love, 10 CC.

1985 – 24 Years Ago

Barber Ford, Exeter, was celebrating it 65th year in business. Joseph Bonomo of Yatesville took over the car dealership after his uncle Michael Barber passed away in 1969. Bonomo credited his success to his dedicated employees, service manager Carmen Musto, West Pittston; manager Ted Corsaletti of Laflin, and vice president Matthew DePrimo.

Question #2

The Barber dealership, founded in 1921 by Michael Barber, featured a “family car” which sold for about $500. What was the make of automobile?

In August of 1985, Betty Kasulanis, head librarian at the West Pittston Library, on Warren Street and Exeter Avenue noted the books and authors most requested for summer reading. Danielle Steele’s Family Album and Crossings were favored as well as any Stephen King tome. Best sellers and romance novels such as Susquehanna written by Harriet Segal formerly of Wilkes-Barre, also topped the list.

Robert D. Jones of Moosic, completed a U.S. Army primary leadership course in West Germany. He received training in supervisory skills, leadership principles and small unit training techniques.

The last time sisters Rosaria Ricotta of Pittston and Gaetana Attardo had seen each other was in Seradifalco, Sicily. At 23, Rosaria left Italy for America and future husband Salvatore Ricotta, who operated a shoe repair shop in Pittston. Gaetana, along with her husband Diego, immigrated to France. After 51 years apart, in 1985, Gaetana traveled to Pittston to have a long awaited reunion with Rosaria. Both sisters met a J.F.K. airport. Rosaria spotted her “piccolo sorella”, “little sister”, out of hundreds of arriving tourists.

1995 - 14 Years Ago

The Pittston Tomato Festival was in its 12th year in August of 1995, and once again drew thousands of area residents as well as out of town visitors. Bill DeAlba of Pittston said, “It’s a great family event, gets all the families together for four days”. Amy Nocito of Suscon and David Miller of Pittston agreed the food was a major attraction. Leigh Balchune of Duryea cited the entertainment as a main reason for attending exclaiming, “The Cadillacs are playing tonight.” Sara Miller declared “The Buoys” as her favorite part of the festival.

Musician Joseph Lenza was spotlighted in an article tracing his life experiences playing in some of the top big bands across the country. After his father gave him his first saxophone at age 13, he was recruited to play in the first ever Pittston High band, and after graduation went onto play with Charles “Masters” Mustinski’s Band in Duryea. After performing with several top bands from coast to coast, performing on recordings and in radio and television commercials he returned to his Parsonage Street home. After 34 years with big bands across the country Lenza said he wouldn’t change a thing.

Seton Catholic golfers took home the Dispatch Cup for the first time in the 16-year history of the annual match at Fox Hill Country Club. Mike Faleski, Al Zangardi, Bill Dessoye and Mike Ostrowski combined for the lowest team score in history.

Answer #1

The 1921 Packard, which had an all aluminum body, would have originally sold for approximately $2,265.00.

Answer #2

The Dort, manufactured by Dort Motor Car Company of Flint Michigan. Lycoming engines manufactured in Williamsport were used to power the vehicles. The car company ceased operations in 1924.