TimesLeader.com

Peeking into the past

April 26

From the pages of the Dispatch in 1953

With Joanne Dahms

Question of the week: In 1953, what was considered the most popular spot in the Greater Pittston area come Saturday night?

The following items were gleaned from the pages of the Sunday Dispatch in the spring of 1953.

Here from Holland

Alphons Vlkenberg of Treebeek, Holland, came to the Pittston area to live with his sister, Tila Fragala and her husband, Sam Fragala. His sister had left for the US to marry Sam, her American GI sweetheart, whom she had met during World War II while he was stationed in her hometown. Alphons waited for papers for three years to join his sister.

His strongest impressions since arriving in the US in 1953 were “the absence of pedestrians and the astounding large number of cars on the road. You would expect to see more people riding around on bicycles,” Alphons said. In his native land, bicycles are more popular with adults. Sam brought his love of baseball to Valkenberg.

Grand Opening

Announcing the grand opening of the Tu- Sun Restaurant at 62 E. Northampton St. in Wilkes-Barre featuring the 65 cents businessmen’s lunch including coffee and dessert.

Dupont Ladies Complain

If it happens, it will usually happen in Dupont, has long been a belief of Dupont residents and the truth of this statement was borne out when housewives of the lst ward of that borough made a unique complaint to Dupont Borough authorities.

Fair housewives have been worrying over their white clothes. When they hung large bed sheets and towels on the line, the wash never seemed to be quite clean after it dried. The housewives decided it was the residue from the chemical disposal units on the passing airplanes flying into Avoca. The housewives described it to officials as a dry and colorless sprinkling that “comes to life” when they take their white clothes into the house and the heat of the iron strikes certain spots with smelly results.

Legion of Decency

Children of St. John the Baptist School in Pittston directed by Rev. Joseph J. Super played a major role in the current drive to discourage the reading of indecent literature being held by the Legion of Decency and the Scranton Diocese backed by the Knights of Columbus. They climaxed their own “indecent literature collection drive” with a huge bonfire on the school grounds. The children took part in the drive and then later joined Father Super in taking a pledge to avoid reading any indecent books, magazines, comic books, pamphlets or newspapers.

A committee from Pittston Council 372 Knights of Columbus gave evidence of genuine satisfaction after they inspected the magazine stand at Fino’s Drug Store on North Main Street. The committee of Knights working in conjunction with Bishop William Hafey’s drive against the sale of indecent literature in the Scranton Catholic Diocese found the magazine stand at Fino’s completely bare of any offensive literature.

Coal Crackers Win

Dupont High School’s high flying “coal crackers” captured the 1st half championship of the Anthracite League with a 5-4 win over a previously undefeated Jenkins Twp. High School. Both clubs kept the large crowd “going wild” with a fine display of baseball and the game was settled in a “battle of home runs” in the 6th inning.

Bar Business Down

Poor working schedules at the mines plus general stagnation in business is beginning to have some rough effects . The tavern trade particularly is declining considerably. Wyoming, like most communities, needs businesses. The current demands of some residents to set up zoning restrictions on businesses is off key. If things don’t improve, there will be no need to worry about zoning restrictions – there won’t be any business to be restructured.

First Dollar-A-Year Man

There should be some special award for Louis Marino of Pittston Twp. by the taxpayers of all communities in Greater Pittston. Lou set a precedent. He was appointed by the court for a two year term as school director in Pittston Twp. and was also elected treasurer. The salary of the treasurer is $1,000 a year. Lou declined the salary because of the financial condition of the school district and agreed to serve as School District Treasurer for the compensation of $1 a year. By his act, Lou Marino becomes Greater Pittston’s first dollar-a-year man.

The Rocco-ettes

A thrilling musical hit was staged at St. Rocco’s auditorium. This thrilling musical hit had a cast of more than 300 pupils directed by Sister Sofia Agabiti. St. Rocco’s School is staffed by the Religious Sisters Filippini.

Make Own TV

Anthony and Joe Smitka have embarked on a most interesting hobby. Both men have been interested in radio construction for quite some time and in their spare moments they may be seen puttering around with a radio set. Now, they have constructed their own TV from a kit. They claim to receive programs from as far away as Florida. This is not to be topped by anyone locally.

Silver Dollar Giveaway

Cohen Brothers are giving away a free silver dollar with the purchase of any of the following items from the Boys’ Dept.: a suit, topcoat, trench coat, sports coat, slacks, scout uniform.

Stock Car Racing

Spring means opening season for stock car racing at Bone Stadium. Opening this year with the largest opening day program in the history of the track – 55 cars already signed up to participate with an additional dozen machines still slated to register.

Visits Native Beirut

Mrs. Margaret Ameen, Dupont left on a journey to Beirut, Lebanon, her native land - 6,000 miles away. She came to America at age 16. She operates Ameen’s Variety Store. She remembers very little of her former home across the sea. She has seven children. She lived in Scranton for 13 years and then moved to Dupont, 30 years ago. She plans to stay in Lebanon for three months catching up with all her family.

Inquiring Photographer

The question posed by the inquiring photographer was: “Do you think that married men of today are sharing more of the burden of household duties than they did in past years?”

Michael Sendrick, Manager Pittston Singer Sewing Machine Co., “I would think so. Maybe some of them do more. I think that the love of a man and woman is greater than it was years ago. That feeling of affection more or less causes the men to be more considerate and attentive. This is likewise for the women. It’s sort of a reciprocal situation.”

Joseph McFadden, Pittston Twp., “I think they are. It wasn’t too long ago that the husbands used to go out in the yard and sit around while their wives took care of the house but now you see the men out hanging clothes, running errands to the stores or scrubbing up the floors.”

William Doran, Pittston Twp., “I don’t think so – it’s the same as it was in the past. Only difference is about 50% of the younger married people try to do more for their wives. For instance, husbands today usually try to help their wives whenever they can.”

Turning To Trout

With the mines down in prolonged idleness, the workers have considerable time to engage in fishing. Here it seems that almost all male persons between the ages of 10 & 80 are fishermen. The reports of the anglers this season appeared to be better than last. A number have reported catching their limit of trout.

Gene Zambor, 18 of Pittston, is probably the happiest fisherman in the valley. He landed a 32” brown trout at Lake Wallenpaupack and it’s probably the largest trout ever caught hereabouts. Gene’s girlfriend caught a 15” trout. Gene has been fishing since he was four years old.

Jimmy Scherer of West Pittston angled in the Lehigh River near Clifton and brought in a 27” brown trout.

Joe Dabbieri of Drummond Street brought in a fine catch of trout from Harvey’s Lake. He caught his limit of 8 trout in 45 minutes ranging in size from 10 & 1/2 – 15”.

Answer to the question of the week: The West Pittston Youth Center operated at the West Pittston High School sponsored by the West Pittston Student Council. Founded 8 years ago by the Lettermen’s Club and interested Garden Village residents, the center is the mecca of West Pittston High students on Saturday night for dancing, ping-pong, shuffle board, programs/contests. With an admission price of 10 cents, this West Side Youth Center is a credit to the community.