Pittston said to have 52 churches in 1948

The August 29, 1948, issue of the Sunday Dispatch listed several little known facts about Pittston. One fact stated that Pittston was 600 feet above sea level; the current mark differs, but by how much?

1948 – 61 Years Ago

Exeter residents complained too many female employees were working in plants brought into Exeter by the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. Burgess Ben Anselmi of Exeter, who sold $40,000 worth of debenture bonds to aid in erecting a $125,000 factory, stated he understood that the building would house a firm that would hire a majority of male employees. The first occupant of the plant used 65 per cent female workers and Rex Shoe, the new occupant, planned to raise that figure. The plant employed “20 girls and three men”. Assembly line equipment for the production of Rex Shoes was being installed. Employees were being paid 60 cents per hour and were soon to be put on piecework at 2 cents per shoe.

William McCabe of Pittston was named “the ideal Mess Sergeant” by members of Pittston’s Cannon Company, National Guard, after a two-week encampment at Indiantown Gap. McCabe was responsible for feeding Cannon Company, Anti-Tank Company and the Medical Detachment. Donald Colwell of Pittston and John Gorzkowski of Avoca were included in the honors.

In the course of a day, requests are made for general information about the Pittston area. A Sunday Dispatch article, with the help of The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania State Employment Office, as well as other sources listed some very important facts. Pittston had 52 churches, 152 clubs and organizations, 14,152 dwellings, 8 railroads entering the city, 7 theaters, 10,633 telephones, 20,085 electric meters, 11 public high schools, 5 bus lines, and a population of 17,806. Pittston’s population is currently listed as 7,586.

1958 – 51 Years Ago

Arnold Scupoline, Stanley Korick, and James Fitzpatrick of Pittston and Chester Zurek of Dupont, enlisted in the Army and were set to attend basic training. Fitzpatrick, Scupoline and Zurek were assigned duties in the Air Defense Command at Fort Trotten, New York, and at Fort Dix. Korick would go to Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Brothers Charles Jr., Sam, Ross and Phil Gelso looked on as their mother Rosalie Gelso did the honor of cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of the 16-lane, automatic pin setter, Avenue Lanes Bowling Emporium in Exeter. Top national male and female bowlers Tom Hennessey and Robbie Frey entertained a large crowd. Burgess Cyril Skrinak tossed the first ball after a quick lesson from Hennessey.

In 1905 at the age of four, Charles “Squire” Pernot came to America from Austria on the U.S.S. Martha Washington. His great aunt, Mrs. Anna Groschel accompanied him, and they settled in Duryea. Mrs. Groschel then moved on to Montana. Fifty-three years later Mrs. Groschel visited her great niece Catherine Calonis in Duryea and held a reunion with Charles and other family members.

Allan Swantkowski, Duryea, Colman Dirham, West Pittston, Joseph Naylor, Falls, and Joseph Szewczyk of Duryea were four members of the Dixie Land Teenagers a musical group assembled by Mr. Music, Charlie “Masters’ Mustinski. They were scheduled to perform on Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour. In 1954, a group previously organized by Masters was a hit on the show and went all the way to capture the National Amateur Championship at Madison Square Garden. Masters was hopeful of a repeat performance with his talented new musicians.

Joe Sobeski, Pittston High School football coach, was looking forward to a better year defensively for his strong team. 1957 held a good offensive record, but the defense allowed a total of 216 points in 11 games.

The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked local residents what they thought of the idea being circulated that city stores remain closed Monday mornings in lieu of being opened Monday evenings.

Paul Whyte of Pittston said he liked the idea; it would give a husband a chance to go shopping with his wife. He can’t very well do that in the daytime because of his job and his wife has to stay home and watch the kids.

Question #2

In this article today, you will see that two men held the title of Burgess. This word has three different meanings dependent upon locality. What is the definition specific to Pennsylvania?

1968 – 41 Years Ago

Seaman Apprentice Robert J. Barlow of Avoca was stationed aboard the attack ship USS Okanogan operating with the Seventh Fleet in West Pacific. The Okanogan provided amphibious support to U.S. Marines for assault landings on the coast of South Vietnam.

Minus eleven starters from the previous season, the Pittston Area Patriots opened practice with hopes of repeating the prior year’s undefeated season. Coach Bob Barbieri had a crop of new recruits he hoped would fill the gap.

Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania announced, “You will never be able to call Information again”. “Information” operators were to become “Directory Assistance” operators on September 1, 1968. The company admitted that Information was the wrong term for the phone service and found people called for the wrong reasons. The new Directory Assistance operators would only assist in finding telephone numbers not in the directory.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Phillips Jr. was the first young couple in 30 years to build a new home in Coxton. Duryea residents were asked to welcome them into the community. Many felt this would be the beginning of much needed economic growth.

Dructor’s Caf� took the Dispatch Slow Pitch National League title. With Joe Sarti pitching, Billy Olshefski got three hits; Ron Rinaldi, Larry Hoover, Tom Dructor and Joe Sarti each got two.

June Kukaites, a graduate of West Pittston High School, graduated the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing and received the operating room prize for general excellence in theory and practice.

Back to school specials at Swantkowski’s Pharmacy in Duryea: Papermate pen 98 cents; 500 sheets of typing paper, 94 cents; Score Hair Cream, 79 cents; Brite Hair Spray, 49 cents

1978 – 31 Years Ago

In August of 1978, legalized gambling was a hot issue being contested in the state senate. Then Democratic candidate for Governor, Pete Flaherty warned there is no evidence that any state with any form of legalized gambling has had any impact on illegal gambling activities.

Gloria Vullo and West Pittston and John Bubblo of West Wyoming took top honors in Greater Pittston’s Tennis Association Dispatch Cup Tournament in men’s and women’s singles.

One observer noted he had never witnessed "two more formidable opponents giving the game all it deserved."

Clocked at 134.12 miles per hour Gary Richards of West Wyoming and his racer were named one of the Fastest at Numidia.

Annette Pavlico, Jennifer Morgan, Barbara Tambur and Carlotta Adonizio, the auction committee of the Greater Pittston Lioness Club, displayed items that were to be auctioned to raise funds for the West Pittston Library.

Among the many items they collected from celebrities and politicians were an autographed football from Jimmy Cefalo, record album from Al Martino, gold key chain from Bob Hope and a belt buckle from The Carpenters.

When asked by the Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer what three things would you include in a time capsule to be opened in a thousand years?

Danny Argo of Pittston said “a bottle of light beer, Paci’s Band, and a tray of Nina’s pizza;

Charlie Infantino of Pittston said, “How about three of the Dallas Cheerleaders”;