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Peeking into the past

Salk polio vaccine administered here in 1955

With Judy Minsavage

Question: What local physician gave the first injections of the Salk Polio Vaccine the students in the Pittston School District in 1955?

1955 - 54 years ago

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The St. Cecilia’s Choir of Saints Peter & Paul Church, Avoca, gathered for this photo in 1924. The church is noting its centennial.

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The first and second grade students in the Pittston Area School District were the first in the area to be given injections of the Salk Polio Vaccine. The vaccine, invented by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1952, was first given to children in field trials, in Pittsburgh, and with the subsequent success of those trials, the first injections of children began in May of 1955. Superintendent of Pittston Schools, Frank Early expressed he was thoroughly satisfied and pleased with the Salk polio injections. Mr. Early advised that 278 first and second grade students of an eligible 295 received the vaccine.

Headlines from the May 1, issue:

GOP Loses 678 registrations but Still Holds 2 to 1 Lead. Republicans maintained a two to one majority in registration in Pittston according to registration figures released by the Luzerne County Registration committee in May of 1955. Heavy inroads made by the Democrats in the 1954 election were sited.

Dupont seniors were given a Civil Service test in shorthand and typing by a representative of the U.S. Information Bureau of Washington D.C. College bound, Edward Oprindick, Fred Dworak, and Edward Shimkowski passed preliminary exams for college at Scranton University.

Retired railroad worker, Thomas S. Williams of Harding traveled to the Coxton Yards of Lehigh Valley Railroad and reunited with a group of his friends. In his 491/2 Years of railroading he maintained an accident free record and did not lament diesel service replacing steam, in fact he preferred it. He and his wife, the former Esther Hutchinson, had three sons Thomas, David and James all of Harding.

Roger Hines of West Pittston won a gallon of gas, and Mrs. Harold Collins of Pittston Won a ton of D & H Coal at a drawing held at Consumer’s Corner Sales and Service, in Pittston.

1965 - 44 years ago

Eleven young ladies were presented as Debutantes at the Fox Hill Country Club sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Fourth Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus, they were, Kathleen Alicia Tompkins, Angela Rose Gatti, Marilyn Ann Niewiadomski, Carol Theresa Brady, Helen Marie Bachkowky, Mary Eileen Bridget Dunn, Ann Marie Langan, Mary Margaret Lenahan, Mary Ann Lois Konopka, Mary Frances Catherine Mauriello, and Catherine Fasciana.

Three regional Airmen completed Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Paul E. Levandoski, Pittston; Raymond P. Redington Jr., and Frank Walter both of West Pittston

The United Mothers of America, Luzerne County Board, chartered in 1965 and headquartered in Miners Bank Building of Pittston, announced a dual selection of Mrs. Wilbert J. Lawler and Mrs. William Watson Sr. as Mothers of the Year for 1965.

Dominic Disanferdinand had one of the finest series of his bowling season at the Modern Lanes Business League. He took high single mark of 244 and also high of 576. His Capital Roofers Team was able to upset the Crystal Soda squad for two points.

A photo of Gilmartin Park, between Panama Street and Parsonage Street showed workmen compacting soil over which a 50 unit low cost housing development was to be constructed later in the year. Architects on the project were Franco and Valverve. Total cost of the compaction was $27,000.

Donald C. Dougherty of Exeter imported a six foot high 2,600 pound Arsini stone statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Italy to erect at the grave of his wife, Mary Skrinak Dougherty, at St. John the Baptist Slovak Cemetery in Exeter. Mary was the first kindergarten teacher at Exeter Borough Schools. The stone was quarried in Trieste and sculptured in Leghorn. The Vermont granite base weighed 4000 pounds.

1975 - 34 Years Ago

The Fifth Annual West Pittston Cherry Festival concluded the afternoon of May 4, 1975. The 1975. Queen was Amanda Anzelme, and members her court were, first runner up Lori Ann Vaxmonsky, second runner up Corrie Lynn Menn, third runner up Kimberly Stark and fourth runner up Suzanne Mantione.

In an advertisement, Michael, owner of Michael’s For Your Hair, Main Street Old Forge, proclaimed that "This is the year of bodyful hair. This is the year of bouncy hair, or pretty hair, or soft, whimsical, flattering hair. Gone is the floppy and non-committal."

George M. Bright of Exeter and Joseph Lyons of Pittston traveled to Rome Italy to begin work on the final phase of the 1975 International Conference on the Charismatic Renewal of the Catholic Church. The Charismatic Renewal began in the main line churches shortly after Pope John XXIII prayed for a New Pentecost at the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

Sunday Evening TV Lineup:

6 p.m. 60 minutes, Six Million Dollar Man, Little Women; 7 p.m. Let’s Make a Deal, Candid Camera, News; 7:30 p.m.- Cher, FBI, World of Disney; 8:30 p.m.- McCloud, ABC Movie, and Kojak.

Local resident and outstanding sports figure, Kevin Burke was awarded a plaque at the 54th annual dinner meeting of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. Kevin averaged 10 points a game for three seasons as a regular on Penn States Basketball team. He was also a right fielder on Lions’ baseball team hitting 342, he was an outstanding student in accounting, and was a basketball academic All American.

1985 - 24 Years Ago

Former boxing champ Jake LaMotta brought his nightclub act to the area, performing a stand up comedy routine at Bottom’s Up, on Spring Street. LaMotta’s life story was the basis for the feature length film Raging Bull starring Robert De Niro and directed by Martin Scorsese. LaMotta’s routine included episodes from his turbulent life and six marriages.

Question: What local boxer was responsible for setting up LaMotta’s appearance in Pittston?

Unit 303 North Region Paramedics celebrated their six month anniversary. The initial idea for the unit was five years in the making. Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and Drivers completed tough training to become a solid working unit. With the help of Pittston City Council and then Mayor Robert Loftus, Hughestown Fire Department, Pittston Area School District and Senator Ray Musto, the unit went into service in late1984. Pre-hospital care was virtually non-existent before the unit’s inception.

At the Staircase Lounge - Thursday was Ladies Nite, Friday was 60’s dance music and 2 for1 drink nite and Saturday T.N.T. performed.

Answer #1: Dr. Frank G. Tonrey, Pittston

Answer #2: Boxer, Jim Smith