TimesLeader.com

Peeking into the past

October 11

Homer LoPresto set Wilkes record 30 years ago

With Judy Minsavage

In 1959, the growing popularity of television was listed as the reason for so many theatre closings in the Greater Pittston Area. The former Lincoln Theatre in Dupont was up for sale as well as The Palace in Avoca. The Liberty Theatre was referred to as a mere sign holder for political campaigns and the Roman Theatre in Pittston was being marketed as an excellent location for light manufacturing. When did the basic idea of television first become formulated?

1959 – 50 Years ago

Pittston Radio station W.P.T.S. 1540-KC presented a 2-hour afternoon special program dedicated to the memory of Mario Lanza, the famous operatic tenor and movie actor. Lanza passed away on October 7, 1959. Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Fiorani, owners of the radio station were friends of Mr. Lanza.

The Boy Scout Home, the Adam Kalmanowicz Post American Legion, Exeter, held installation of officers and for the first time a woman, Frances Lozowski, was named as commander of the post.

While other community organizations participated in civic programs such as setting up playgrounds, and arranging various kinds of assistance to charities, the Junior Mechanics Lodge of Wyoming had an unusual way of serving the community. Local cemeteries needing restoration of abandoned gravesites, some dating back two centuries became the focus of several members. Because of the limited time help and facilities, one project could sometimes last a year.

In October and November of 1959 the federal government was investigating television shows, $64,000 Question, Tic Tac Dough and Twenty-one, over allegations the outcomes were orchestrated. The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked local residents, “Do you think the quiz shows are fixed?

Robert Akulonis, Duryea, stated, “The questions were way too complicated to be answered without preparation.”

Len Baiera, Pittston, replied, “I personally wouldn’t waste my time watching quiz shows.”

Joseph Antosh, of Hudson, asked, “Why would a sponsor risk losing his good name over something like giving money away?”

1969 – 40 Years ago

Pittston’s Mayor Bob Loftus and city officials James Cosgrove, Anthony Ferrara, Joseph Infantino, Robert Walsh, Al Kridlo Joseph Hood and Patrick Collins celebrated an historical moment in making the final payment of $13,000 on the last bond issue floated in 1959. A total of $193,000 had been paid on bonds issued in 1954, 1956 as well as 1959.

During S.S. Kresge’s celebration of Service Recognition Week, the Pittston store awarded five local employees outstanding service pins. Mrs. Flora Scott, Mrs. Ann Mullarkey, Mrs. Elvira Antonello, Mr. Edward Marriott and Mrs. Elsie Ellis were treated to a breakfast in honor of their company loyalty and years of excellent service.

Army Private First Class David J. Troynacki of Exeter was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam as a rifleman.

A new manufacturing technique was being considered by the Greater Pittston Development Corporation in conjunction with a new proposed housing project near the Pittston Area High School. The corporation headed by James O. Brown, owner of Inter Cities Distributing Co. of Pittston Township, purchased 239 acres of land near the school from Pennsylvania Coal Company on which 600 homes were to be built. The new technique allowed for sections of the homes to be constructed in a factory located at the housing development site.

“The Buoys” would provide the music at a dance to be held at St. John’s Youth Center on William Street. “Dracula Prince of Darkness” was playing at the Moonlite Drive-In and “Journey to the Far Side of the Sun” was playing at the Comerford Drive-In.

The top ten singles for October 1969:

1. Sugar, Sugar – Archies;

2. Jean, Oliver;

3. Little Women, Bobby Sherman;

4. Honky Tonk Woman, Rolling Stones;

5. Green River, CCR;

Hot Fun in the Summertime, Sly and the Family Stone;

7. Easy to be Hard, Three Dog Night;

8. I Can’t Get Next to You, Temptations;

9. Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley;

10. This Girl is a Woman Now, Gary Pucket.

1979 – 30 Years Ago

Carmen F. Ambrosino of Hughestown, Executive Director of Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services Inc., was named Outstanding Man in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Jaycees. Mr. Ambrosino was lauded for his innovative programs in making the public aware of the destructive effect of drug and alcohol abuse on families and communities. Mr. Abrosino’s book “Operational and Personnel Procedures of Drug and Alcohol Agencies” became a statewide guide adopted for use in all drug and alcohol facilities.

Carmen “Homer” LoPresto, Pittston, set a new Wilkes College rushing mark gaining 210 yards on 25 carries. LoPresto shattered the previous school record of 172 yards.

Former Pittston Area football player Mike Macario was selected to play on College Misericordia’s first men’s intercollegiate basketball team. Coach John Szela commented, “Macario’s intensity of play won him the position.”

“I have to stay on my toes in order to keep up with my wife”, stated George Sledzinski, 67, explaining how he maintained four part-time jobs as well as being the organist and choir director for Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Avoca for 50 years. George began playing piano at age 11 and at 16 attended the Conservatory of Music in Scranton. Of his wife, the former Estelle Kurzawa of Dupont, George said, “She’s what you call perpetual motion.” To celebrate his 50 years of dedication to the church, George was being honored at a testimonial dinner.

Pittston Hospital Staff Members surpassed 300 pints of blood donated to the American Red Cross. In a photo Romaine Holschuh, staff nurse and coordinator of the drive, and Joan Yonki, director of nursing, were shown participating in the collection with a Red Cross volunteer nurse.

Sharon Gavlick, Sharon Manganiello, Anita Ninassi, Renee Grico and Cathy Price were the announced candidates for the 1979 Wyoming Area High School Homecoming Queen. The queen would be named at the Wyoming Area vs. Meyers football game.

Question #2

Local high schools, colleges and universities, look forward each year to their Homecoming celebrations. The tradition welcomes alumni back to the school, and is usually connected to a sports event. When and where did the tradition originate?

1989 – 20 Years Ago

The history of minor league baseball in Northeastern Pennsylvania was the subject of a documentary produced by Pittston native and WVIA employee Ed Finn. “Minors: Heading for Home”, narrated by Harry Kalas, sports announcer for the Phillies, was funded by the Pennsylvania Public Television Network and took viewers on a 100 year journey through baseball history, including the demise of minor league teams here in the 1950’s. James Frushion, originally of Pittston, produced the music for the film.

Seton Catholic High School Lady Eagles, were named Northeastern Pennsylvania Southern Division Tennis Champs, members of the team were Kelly Hannon, Kim Gibbons, Coleen Vols, Mary Kaminski, Jennifer Orlosky, Tina Cocco, Maria Barnardi, Amanda Begley, Annie Williams, Kate Jackson, Wendy Wagner, Susan Kaminski, Becky Valeski, Nancy Leonard, Annie Kaminski, and Shelly Lyons.

Answer #1

A 23-year-old German university student developed the basis for electromechanical television in 1884, but in 1908, Alan Archibald Campbell-Swinton discovered “distant electric vision” which would be the beginnings of television, as we know it today.

Answer #2

The origin of Homecoming began at the University of Missouri 1891, but the “call for former students to come home” by the school’s athletic director for a rivalry game between the Missouri Tigers the Kansas Jayhawks in 1911 became the template for today’s Homecoming celebrations.

Next Week –The Miracle of the St. Rocco’s Mother of Rosary Statue.