Rocky Castellani visited school in 1954

According to the United Stated Census Bureau, the borough of Hughestown sits on 0.9 square miles of land and has a population of 1,541. In 1934, the borough was brought to national attention. What incident involving a Hughestown resident resulted in the creation of a body of laws that are still in effect today?

1954 – 55 Years Ago

Hughestown street lights were blacked out for a month and the women of the borough had enough of the inconvenience. More than 40 women descended on a 7 p.m. Hughestown Council meeting in 1954 and demanded a budget be passed immediately and a $1,000 service bill to Scranton Electric be paid in order to have service restored and street lights turned back on.

The women threatened that the councilmen would not be permitted to leave until the budget impasse was resolved. Two majority board members managed to sneak out of the meeting, leaving majority member Chairman Dominick Delconte, and minority members Anthony Giardian, James Murphy, Dominick Granteed and Michael Orlando remaining.

After several hours Mrs. Grace Brodbeck told council, “Vote on this thing and search your hearts and your heads from your heads down to your toes because we are going to sit here until you come to some kind of an agreement.” At 10:30 p.m. a preliminary budget had been passed, only then did the women allow the councilmen to leave.

“Rocky” visited West Wyoming High School in October of 1954. Rocky Castellani that is. Castellani, a third ranking middleweight contender, spent several hours with students answering questions and signing autographs.

Captain Mary C. Connors, U.S. Army nurse Corps, of Bryden Street in Pittston Twp., was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Captain Connors was lauded for her meritorious service against an armed enemy in Korea. She also served 20 months in the European Theatre during World War II

Opera singer Edward Kabachinski of Duryea, performed at the Seventh Annual Carnegie Hall Concert in Pittsburgh. Singing in several languages, Edward performed many classic pieces and arias. He was also featured in the love duet from “Madame Butterfly”.

1964 – 45 Years Ago

Phil Cutler of Race Street, West Pittston was doing some home remodeling. While removing a wall partition, he noticed three postcards, dated 1902, 1910 and 1919 together with a pamphlet published by Sterling Remedy Company of Chicago. The 10-page pamphlet warned of the dangers of smoking and promoted the use of a remedy called No-To-Bac which would help smokers cease the habit. The discovery showed the dangers of smoking were known several years before gaining more attention in the mid 60s. In 1897 Sterling sued Eureka Chemical Manufacturing for trademark infringement in the company’s manufacture and selling of Baco-Curo. These as well as other products advertised at the time were later proven ineffective. Sterling Drug Company is currently headquartered on Park Avenue, in New York City.

Joseph Scarantino of Pittston, did not let the fact he was missing his right arm, prevent him from competing in a billiard tournament at Latorre’s Smoke Shop, on South Main Street. Joe’s four win, no loss record placed him as a leading contender in the competition.

The Hughestown Hose Company firehouse was dedicated in October of 1964. Officers and local dignitaries gathered along with the public at an open house. Offers of the hose company were David Evans, Thomas Welliver, Donald Booth, Clyde Monk Jr., John Hensley, Elmer Smith, Leonard Blasavage and Francis Carey.

The Royal Bake Shop in Pittston was destroyed by fire in April of 1964, by October a new location on Wyoming Avenue in Exeter was set to open. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Casper Napoli were joined by Joseph Borosky, chairman of Exeter Council and Maritta Mitchell store manager, at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

1974 – 35 Years Ago

The Wyoming Area School District was selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop and implement a long-range education plan. Under guidelines set by the Department, school districts were directed to promote community involvement. In accordance with the plan, the school district invited parents and interested citizens to visit the school throughout American Education Week during the regular scheduled school day. Parents and guardians were allowed access to classrooms to observe the interaction between teachers and students.

The world heavyweight boxing title on the line the 1974 match between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman left local boxing fans searching for closed circuit locations to view the historic fight. The extraordinary match was the subject of the Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer question: Who do you think will win the championship fight?

Ky Marco, Pittston said, “Cassius Clay is tough, but I think Foreman will prevail.”

Joe Cumbo, Pittston answered, “Foreman will win. He has the most important thing going for a fighter, youth.”

Tony Dellarte, of West Pittston said, “It will be an Ali decision all the way.”

Question #2

The world heavyweight championship fight between Ali and Foreman, anticipated by local fans, was fought in another country. What was that country, and what song became the theme for the fight?

1984 – 25 Years Ago

Arch Eshelman III, local outdoorsman, decided it was time to share his heralded venison roast recipe with area residents. Many hunters swore the meat tasted like tender roast beef. John Pontano was the first to test the cooking method, and stated “Eshelman is the best outdoor cook in Luzerne County.” Here’s the recipe.

Take a good size piece of heavy duty foil and sprinkle half of the dry onion flakes in the center. Set the roast on top, sprinkle the other half of the soup mix over the top, pour mushrooms and juice over all. Place wrapped venison on a rack in a roaster for 4 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Rotate roast every hour.

Halloween safety was the focus of Pittston organizations planning various events in celebration of the holiday. Fire Chief Francis McDonald announced fire trucks would patrol streets. Neighborhood patrols would have florescent strips on their clothing. Principals involved in the plans were Ann Marie Stelma, Carmen Falcone, Maria Capolarella, Ken Scaz, Ed Hobbs, Mimi Shovlin, Mary Rita Gayz and Roseanne Riccotta.

Answer #1

An Erie Railroad Train crushed the right arm of Hughestown resident Harry Tompkins. The subsequent U.S. Supreme Court Case resulted in the wording of the modern American Civil Procedure, rules and standards for judging civil cases as opposed to criminal cases. Tompkins eventually lost the suit in appeals, and bankrupted his attorney.

Answer #2

The World Heavyweight championship fight of October 29, 1974 took place in Kinshasa, Zaire, and was tagged Rumble in the Jungle. Jethro Tull’s song “Bungle in the Jungle,” although written a year before, became the theme song for the fight.

PD Peeking into the Past