TimesLeader.com

Peeking into the past

Topps plant opened in Duryea 44 years ago

With Judy Minsavage

Question who was the president of the Joint Board of the Greater Pittston Vocational School in 1955?

1955 - 54 years ago

click image to enlarge

Planning the West Pittston Open golf tournament 18 years ago in 1991 are, from left, Brian Powers, Lynette Villano, Bill Rowe and George Miller.

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

The State Department of Public Instruction planned to withdraw approval of the Greater Pittston Vocational School. Directors of the school were summoned to Harrisburg to meet with DPI officials and in that meeting found that the DPI planned to close the doors of the school that was in its 10th year of operation.

It was argued byAdministrator, Charles Cook and Solicitor Leonard Langan that closing the school would be a serious blow to the local region. There were 391 students at the school enrolled in various trades, including TV repair, carpentry, electric motor repair, welding, radio repair, refrigeration and auto repair. Thousands of regional ex-servicemen learned a trade at the school and plans were in effect to open the trade school to senior high school students.

The school was started in 1946 through the combined efforts of Pittston, Pittston Township, Duryea, Avoca, Hughestown, Dupont, Jenkins Township. Exeter and West Wyoming.

The May 1955, Pittston City primary election it was predicted that 76 percent of the voters were expected to cast ballots. The vote was also expected to be heavy in nearby boroughs and townships.

Good Will Hose Co. of West Pittston broke ground for their new firehouse on Jenkins St. President John Parente and Phillip Medico handled the ceremonies, Councilmen George Fedden and Gene Harris represented the borough. August of 1955 was the planned completion date of the project.

Ginny "the exquisite quality doll with peaches and cream complexion" was being sold at Burstein’s Gift Shop, 11 S. Main Street in Pittston. She had an exclusive patented walking mechanism and life-like dynel hair. Created by Vogue Dolls Inc, the doll sold for $1.98.

1965 - 44 years ago

The transaction involving the sale of the Lehigh Valley passenger station on Water Street, Pittston and an adjacent parcel of land by the Pittston Urban Redevelopment Authority to Insalaco Brothers was finalized in May of 1965. The land would then be used to construct Insalaco’s Supermarket.

Those involved in the sale were Michael Insalaco, president of Insalaco Market, Charles Mantione, vice president of the Redevelopment Authority, Peter Butera, executive director of the Authority, attorneys Joseph Saporito and Kenneth J. English and John Connors, assistant director of the authority.

Noted in the Hunting and Fishing Column written by Gene Zambor of the Sunday Dispatch, Joe Loda of Pittston caught a 13" trout as he fished the Big Mehoopany Creek.

He quit fishing to see if it was worth any money. There was still a fish worth $10,000, and four $500.00 ones left in the creek.

The Marney Railway announced the resumption of Steam Passenger Service on the Susquehanna and Monocanock Island Railroad. The Marney was the only operating 2 foot gauge steam railroad in the state. The trip which included one mile of track started at the River Road, Plains Township location.

The Topps Gum Plant in Duryea was to be dedicated on May 18 of 1965. Some 500 people indicated they planned to attend the ceremony including then Governor William Scranton and Attorney William Shea, the man responsible for the construction of Shea Stadium for the New York Mets. Rumors swirled about Topps bringing in workers from their Brooklyn plant, but a major part of the labor force was to be recruited from this region.

1975 - 34 years ago

Len Pesotini, former outstanding athlete at Pittston Area High School, had a great performance in a game at Indiana University. He hauled in four passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. In the fourth quarter of the contest not only was Pesotini playing split end, but in the fourth quarter, quarterbacking the team was another former Patriot, Ray Musto. Playing center was former patriot Jack Conaboy.

B&C Music was featuring the Transivox, Accordion/Organ Combination with built in electronic generators, built in mike and 34 switches and controls.

Dance night at St. John’s Gym featured The Bouys playing from 8:30 to 11:30, Admission was $2.00.

The Rendezvous Lounge South Main Street, Pittston, advertised Music every Saturday night by "Sidestreet" featuring Gene Guarilia, Mike Sperrazza, Jody Busch and Lenny Mesko.

John Berrettini, Brian Overman, Thomas Dennison, Bridget Ristagno, Larry Montante, and Joseph Mikita were members of the seventh and eighth grade classes of Wyoming Area Catholic School participating in a Diocesan math Contest at Bishop O’Reilly High School in Kingston.

1985 - 24 years ago

Pittston Area School District officials were preliminarily discussing moving its grade school out of Dupont. Grades one through six which were currently at the Ben Franklin Elementary School would be moved as a cost saving measure.

The Dupont school would be used for the kindergarten. Joseph Joyce school board president said the decision would be based on economics as well as to provide a better education for the youngsters.

Edward Vogue president of Dupont Council said residents would protest the move. The intention of the move was based on the fact that a hefty tax hike of as high as 15 mills was being considered.

Francis Mesaris of Duryea was named the new Postmaster of the Pittston Post Office. Mesaris, who had 23 years of postal experience, had been superintendent of postal operations in Pittston. At the time renovations were being performed on the Pittston Headquarters on Dock Street. “We should have a fresh look by the end of the year,” he said.

The Pittston Tomato Festival was given attention in the quarterly publication "Pennsylvania" magazine. President of the festival Val Delia and other organizers were thrilled with the mention and vowed that each year would be as successful as the last if not more so.

The West Pittston Lioness Club donated a check to benefit the Gabriel House an innovative career counseling program and housing for women of low to moderate incomes Kathleen Forlenza, President, presented the check to Grace Loftus of Gabriel House.

Question in what year was the first Pittston Tomato Festival held?

Answer #1: William Strubeck of Hughestown

Answer #2: 1984.