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Peeking into the past

Duryea cops stop high speed chase in ‘85

With Jack Smiles

Question: In 1955 the Duryea band, cheerleaders, majorettes color guard, flag bearers and drum major went to Harrisburg on January 18.

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The Duryea High School 1955 cheerleaders dressed for a skit at the school’s annual band concert. Earlier in the year the cheerleaders and band went to Harrisburg by train. Can you guess why? See above.

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The students boarded a train at 7 a.m. where the old railroad station once stood in the rear of the Richfield Service Station. They arrived at the Pennsylvania Station in Harrisburg at 11:30. From there they were bussed to the Farm Arena.

Can you guess what the trip was all about?

23 years ago – 1985

Excitement in Duryea on January 10 in 1983 as patrolman Kevin Franics shot out the front tire of a stolen truck that had led police on a high speed chase starting in Scranton. The 24-foot truck was stolen near Scranton State Hospital by an inmate from Farview State Hospital who was being treated at the Scranton hospital when he escaped. TV channel WNEP broadcast the chase live from its helicopter for 39 minutes. A clip made it on to the ABC national news.

Francis shot out the tire along Ransom Road. The truck continued several miles on its wheel rim, before stopping. While Francis held the suspect, wearing only socks and underwear, at gunpoint, Duryea Police Chief Leonard Ash dragged him out of the cab and cuffed him.

A man from Wyoming had an art exhibit this week in 1983 at College Misericordia. Jim Socash had his pen and watercolor landscapes, including one of the Wyoming Monument, exhibited.

A landscape architect, Socash spent two years in the Peace Corps drawing maps of Costa Rica. He also lived in Montana for two years and made drawing of Yellowstone National Park landscapes.

Two tight boys basketball games this week in ’83. Seton beat Lake Lehman 59-58 when Alan Dommes made a free throw with one second left. Ed Farrell scored 21 for Seton.

Pittston Area lost to Coughlin 40-38. Sean Queeney scored 12 for the Patriots.

In girls swimming Wyoming Area beat Pittston Area 114-55. Karen Winsock, Deanna Cassetori, Nadine Pribula and Cindy Butcofski were triple winners for WA.

The Chestnut Tree Lounge at 455 N. Main was featuring Mack’s Boardwalk Pizza. Konefal’s East on Yatesville Road had 25 clams for $2.50.

33 years ago – 1975

On January 11 in 1975 the Pittston Hospital dedicated its new Special Care Unit. The unit was equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a “crash cart”, Bennett Respirator and an Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Machine. It was housed in the former maternity ward which was phased out.

Something new in Dupont: council voted to charge residents a $10 garbage pick up fee.

In Exeter a 110-unit, low income housing project on Schooley Street was nearing completion and was expected to be ready for occupancy by February 1. Construction began on March 1, 1974. There were 600 applications for the 110 units.

The Capri Lounge in Wyoming had “Lefty” and His Singing Orchestra entertaining on Saturday, January 18. You could get a lobster tail dinner for $3.45 at Emma’s on the Trail. “The Longest Yard” was in the Moonlite.

Pittston Area diver Tom Meade won his 26th consecutive dual competition this week in 1975 against Scranton Prep. He broke his own school record with a 240 score. In boys basketball Wyoming Area beat Nanticoke 81-69. George Oschal scored 21 for WA.

Jimmy Cefalo caught three passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day in 1975, then he came home and stopped at the Hughestown Sports Club where he met up with Mickey Dudish, an all-state running back from Meyers. According to a story in the Dispatch the pair discussed college recruiting.

43 years ago – 1965

Dupont Council called a town meeting for Tuesday, January 12 to discuss a proposal for cable TV from Universal Cable Television. Universal wanted to provide cable service to Dupont for $6 a month. Opponents said the cable would “destroy free television” in the borough.

In Pittston the Empire Excavation company began work this week to remove thousands of tons of silt and culm from the Panama Street site in preparation for building low income housing.

In Laflin council voted to remove Mayor Michael Walsh from office. Walsh had been the mayor for over 50 years but was reported to be ill and living with his son. He was not able to attend meetings, so council replaced him with Peter Rinish.

Spaghetti and meatball dinners were 75 cents on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Echo Diner on Rt 315 in Dupont.

Bell Telephone eliminated the toll charge for calls to Scranton from Pittston and Wyoming.

In high school basketball West Pittston scored over 100 twice this week in 1965. They scored 114 against Forty Fort and 109 against Edwardsville. John Serino scored 25 against Forty Fort and Joe Cefalo scored 24 against Edwardsville. Gene Lepore, John Williamson and Ray Judge also scored in double figures.

53 years ago - 1955

A ground breaking was on the front page of the January 16 issue in 1955. Chamber of Commerce president Dr. M. J. Murphy wielded the pick in Exeter for a building to expand the Consolidate Cigar Co. The new facility was expected to create 300 jobs.

Ed Pribula, an Exeter native, was the director of radio station WHLM in Bloomsburg. He was a vocalist with an orchestra under the name Ed Price he appeared in New York City clubs.

In Exeter complaints were made to council about chickens and goats roaming in the first ward. Researched showed while there was an ordinance, written in 1884, against horses and mules, chickens and goats were not covered.

Here’s a typo for you, verbatim from the January 16 issue in 1955: “Jenkins Township officials have issued a warning against residents allowing dogs to stray loose. After Monday the police will shoot all stray dogs, and owners of valuable dogs and pets.”

In high school basketball Pittston Central Catholic (St. John’s/Seton) defeated St. Mary’s of Wilkes-Barre 92-79. Bill Olshefski scored 25 for PCC.

Answer: The inauguration of Governor George Leader. The parade started from the Farm Arena. The Duryea students were 17th in line as Luzerne County was the 17th county.