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Peeking into the past

Water experts here in January of 1984

With Jack Smiles

Question: A store on Main Street Pittston was damaged in a fire on New Year’s Eve in 1973. On Thursday, January 24 the company which owned the store announced it would not reopen. The store had been on Main Street for 56 years.

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Folks relaxing after a 150 Pitch Tournament at Evancho’s Bar in Duryea around 1970. The photo is courtesy of Bernie Stiroh and Duryeapa.com

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What store closed for good after the New Year’s Eve fire in 1973?

24 years ago - 1984

“State Sending In The Experts” was the headline on the January 29 issue in 1984. The experts were form the Philadelphia Services Group, a world renowned water treatment company. The company was hired to work with the State EPA to solve the giardia contamination in Springbrook Reservoir which was affecting the water for 115,000 people. State Sen. Ray Musto got a commitment form the state top cut the red tape and solve the problem. PG&W’s plan which would take a year to get clean water to all the affected areas was said to be inadequate.

A 1000-point scorer from Pittston Area shared the front page that Sunday. Joe Mikiewicz scored 36 points, including his 1000th point, on January 24 in a 68-52 win over Bishop O’Reilly.

Thieves stole five computer units, an IBMJ Selectric Typewriter, two 35mm cameras and a calculator from the Martin Mattei Junior High school on Friday, January 27.

In a feature similar to this one called “Remembering” in 1984 stores that had been on Main Street in Pittston were listed. There were 148 of them including at least eight women’s clothes store and eight shoe stores.

Penex Technologies, a worldwide oxygen systems manufacturer, moved into the foreign trade zone in Pittston Township in January of 1984. The 30,000 square foot facility was on three and one-half acres.

A giant hot dog and French fries was $2.19 at Savo’s An eight-cut round pizza was $3.50 at5 Schifano’s 208 � Luzerne Ave. in West Pittston.

The Star Beauty Academy was having a Cut-A-Thon. Shampoo, cut and blow dry was $5.50 with all the money going to the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.

In high school swimming Kim Avvisato set a PA pool record in the butterfly in 1:05.47.

34 year ago – 1974

The old Exeter High school, in 1974 being used as a Wyoming Area Junior High School, was closed on Friday, January 25. It was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the new Wyoming Area High School. The students were sent to 10th Street, where they had one-half days for the rest of the school year.

The Wyoming Valley Coin Club released its sixth in a series of commemorative coins depicting local history. The 1974 medal depicted the Pittston Fort. The Fort was at the foot of Parsonage Street across from Pittston Lumber. A historic marker still stands there.

The local rock band Revolver played at the St. John’s dance this weekend in 1974. Admission was $1.50. A 23-inc Zenith Chromacolor TV was $538 at Radio City.

Emma’s on the Trail had a lobster tail dinner for $2.95. M.A.S.H was in the Moonlite Drive-In.

The Seton Catholic boys basketball team tied for the first half title in the WVC “B” division with a 6-1 record. In a win over Crestwood John Hannon scored 23 and Jim Gilhooley, 21.

44 years ago – 1964

.A page-wide photo in the January 26th issue in 1964 showed folks on the Water Street Bridge looking at the river. The river looked then about how it does today – choked with ice.

Captain James Watson, an Army pilot, was awarded an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, in Vietnam. He flew 75 combat missions in enemy territory.

Tommy McDonald, a pass receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, was the announced speaker for the Holy Name Society of St. John the Evangelist Church Mid-Winter Fest and Smorgasbord. The story said “Tommy will have six or seven friends with him.”

At Detato’s Market at 441 North Main bacon was 29 cents a pound and frying chickens were 29 cents a pound.

The International Ladies Garment Makers Union’s contract was due to expire on January 30. Talks were going on in New York City to avert a strike. The Union wanted a second week’s vacation and a five percent pay raise. The union represented 3,500 workers in the Greater Pittston area.

The Pittston Township board of supervisors eliminated the Occupational Tax in the township at their January meeting. The paper called the vote “a pleasant departure” as most every other municipality in the county kept the tax.

Pittston pool wizard Lou Butera was invited to the International Pocket Billiards Championships in New York City. He was one of only 14 players from all over the world invited.

In boys basketball West Pittston defeated Pittston 75-63. Gene Lepore scored 18 for West Pittston. Tony Bellanco scored 30 for Pittston.

St. John’s lost 93-91 to Sacred Heart of Plains and 84-80 St. Vincent’s. Against Scared Heart Mike Burke scored 16. In the St. Vincent’s game he scored 31. Frank Allan had 15 and 16.

54 years ago – 1954

At the January Pittston school board meeting it was reported that the Pittston home football games grossed $3,484, the bulk of that, $2,218.55, from the Thanksgiving game against Kingston Catholic. Pittston’s share of the away games was $1,665.42. Of that $535 was from West Pittston.

St. Mark’s parish hall in Inkerman was destroyed by fire in January on 1954. It was a local landmark which was used for all kinds of events including boxing. Mickey Doyle fought a Cuban lightweight called “Kid Chocolate” there.

The Dispatch spoke to three men who had helped build the hall in 1896. James Mulderig, Peter Gorman, and Tom Wynne, all in their late 70s, were pictured on the front page taking about the hall they helped build. They recalled installing maple floors.

Answer: The J.C. Penny store