Cefalo rushed for 310 yards 36 years ago

Pittston Dispatch // Peeking into the Past

Peeking into the past

September 27

With Judy Minsavage

Question #1

An article in the Sunday Dispatch in 1953 warned that the operation of private clubs, the “sanctuary of local males” was threatened due to the ban on slot machines.

The precursor to the modern day slot machine was a five-drum poker machine developed by Sittman and Pitt of Brooklyn, NY.

What year did this machine become available to the public?

1953 – 56 Years Ago

Area fraternal and private clubs in the Greater Pittston Area were finding it difficult to survive in the economic climate of 1953.

Loss of revenue due to the ban on slot machines in adult clubs contributed to the problem.

The Moose Club of West Pittston had built a new home on Exeter Avenue and the Pittston Lodge of Elks had to close their clubroom on nights members were not meeting.

Clubs were major supporters of charities and community activities as well as a place that promoted camaraderie among area residents.

The body of fallen soldier, Private first class John Kundratik returned home to his family and his home town of Inkerman. He was buried in the parish cemetery of Holy Resurrection Church. Pfc Kundratik was killed while serving with the Seventh Infantry Division in Korea.

The Korean War was in its final days he was the last area soldier to lose his life in that conflict.

The Pennsylvania State Employment Service appealed to area women who needed extra money. Part time positions such as day workers, babysitters, and housekeepers were available with pay ranging from 50 cents and hour to $7.00 daily.

Avoca railroad man Walter Docket was honored at a testimonial dinner held by his fellow workers of the Erie Railroad Company.

Retiring after 35 years of service, Mr. Docket was the father of five sons who served in the armed forces during World War II.

Shown in a 1953 photo taken by the late Steve Lukasik were members of the company, Francis L Quinn, Bernard Flanagan, William Farrell, Edward Flanagan, William Chromey, William McDermott. C.L. Kline William Connolly, Carl Pesotine, Steve Helkman, Frank Keller and James Hadley.

It was announced Teen Scenes and School Scoops, popular high school columns written entirely by students from area schools would appear in the Sunday Dispatch each week.

Future plans would enable reporters to assemble, prepare columns and follow the copy through to print, offering a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of journalism.

1963 – 46 Years Ago

George Mancini was celebrating his 50th year in the barber business.

His parents settled in Pittston in 1896 and while he was growing up, he worked as a breaker boy at Sullivan Trail Colliery and the No 10 breaker. By 1911, he had learned the barber trade from his uncle and began cutting hair.

While working in Jake Pazor’s barbershop in the Flatiron Building the news came in about the sinking of the Titanic.

He remembered the stir it caused as some West Pittston residents were said to have been aboard the liner.

Lou “Sonny” Butera of West Pittston, billiard wizard was scheduled to meet Jimmy “Cowboy” Moore of New Mexico in a 350-point match at West Pittston American Legion.

Moore was rated No 2 in the world, second to Willie Mosconi. Both Butera and Moore claimed to be the fastest players in the world.

Mayor Robert A. Loftus purchased the first membership ticket from the Pittston Panthers Booster Club getting their 1963 fund drive under way.

Money raised through the sale of memberships would finance improvements to Albert West Park, off Swallow Street in Pittston.

The park was once teaming with football activity as both Pittston High and St. John’s used the park as its home stadium and hosted the annual a Thanksgiving Day contest between the two schools.

Lou Fellin, manager of the Western Union Office in Pittston, was enjoying his vacation in Canada when he heard on the news, his cousin David Fellin was trapped in a 300-foot pit in a coalmine in Sheppton, Pennsylvania.

He cut his vacation short, traveled to Sheppton and arrived shortly before his cousin and co-worker Henry Throne were hoisted to the surface.

The miners had spent 14 days trapped underground.

Question #2

Before the Knox Mine Disaster an earlier mine accident occurred in Pittston killing 58 miners.

When and at what mine did this occur?

1973 – 36 Years Ago

In 1973, efforts were made by some to revive underground mining in the Anthracite region.

It was argued removal of the water that flooded mine tunnels after the Knox Mine Disaster in 1959 would cause subsidence in many communities, and that finding workers to go back into the mines would be unsuccessful.

In an amazing game between rivals Pittston Area and Dallas, Pittston Area’s tailback Jimmy Cefalo rushed for 310 yards aided by fullback blocker Dave Bachkosky to pull in a 48 to 14 finish. Defense linebacker Mauer Biscotti foiled several Dallas pass attempts. Quarterback Jimmy Castellino made seven pass completions, two of them for touchdowns, lending to a total 504 offensive yards.

The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring photographer asked Pittston residents, “What was the thrill of your life?”

Ron Melvin, of Main Street replied, “Without a doubt getting out of the service”.

Bobby Roman, Market Street remembered, “When I had lunch with this beautiful woman in California and she turned out to be Jennifer O’Neil. By the way she picked up the tab.”

Al DeGrose, Tompkins Street noted “Seeing that old Golden Gate Bridge on the horizon when I was coming back from the China-India-Burma Theater in 1946.

Ed Holleran of Broad Street, said, “I’m still looking forward to it.”

1983 – 26 Years Ago

While many school districts were still pondering the importance of the computer in the classroom.

Pittston Area was quick to offer computer literacy and programming to its students. At the time, it was estimated that approximately 20 million jobs would be computer oriented by 1999.

Approximately 170 students were enrolled in the classes teaching BASIC or COBOL languages.

Instructors were Helen Sarnowski, Edward Skechus and Walter Tigue.

The September 1983 American Red Cross blood drive at the Topps Chewing Gum Plant in Duryea was the most successful, with a record number of employees participating. Nurses Joan Yonki and Alice Soulsby assisted Dominick Cerre, Olyphant and Warren York of Moosic in preparing to donate for a good cause.

In 1977 Anna Echigo came to the United States from Fukushima, Japan to get an American Education and become fluent in the English language.

While attending Seton Catholic High School, she made fast friends with Tammy Melnick, of Dupont. Tammy accompanied Anna on a summer trip to Anna’s hometown in Japan to visit her family. While there, Tammy visited a number of cities, and rode on a computerized train. Tammy admitted to missing one thing as much as her family while in Japan, pizza.

Luzerne County Community College announced blackjack professional Barry Prandy would be instructing all interested on the rules of blackjack, casino etiquette and basic strategy for the beginning and intermediate player.

Prandy who played professionally for six years in Atlantic City and Las Vegas would instruct on how to eliminate the five per cent house advantage through use of basic strategies.