TimesLeader.com

Peeking into the past

June 14

‘Lewd’ show shocks Hughestown 62 years ago

With Judy Minsavage

In today’s Peeking Into the Past you will read about the cartoon mascot Reddy Kilowatt touting the convenience of the electric refrigerator. Electricity of course was not new in 1947, but many people remembered when houses were not wired and ice was delivered. What year was the first self-contained refrigerator available and what company was the manufacturer?

62 Years Ago – 1947

Hughestown officials and residents were shocked to witness and hear carnival barkers shouting the attributes of female performers as they strutted on runways at a weeklong performance booked by a local American Legion to raise funds for a new post home. The Joseph Kirkwood Show presented at the Rock Street grounds had residents angry as town officials and legionnaires admitted that they did not know the show’s entitled Daughters of Sin, Isle of Spice, and The Hottest Burlesque in the Country were as raw as they were.

Inside shows were restricted, but kids witnessed the event from the perimeter of the grounds.

Burgess Walter Lumley, who issued the permit for the shows, wondered why members of council, who attended nightly, did not take immediate action.

Chief of Police Thomas Gardner said the shows were “lewd, wicked and suggestive” but he could do nothing because the permit had been issued. Troopers shut down the gambling concessions on the last night of the shows, citing the cheating of a patron out of a large amount of money.

The Sunday Dispatch, after hearing reports of the show, sent an investigator who reported: “The show was the filthiest thing morally that I have ever been assigned to witness, the barkers spiel would send the average parent gunning for those responsible.”

Harold Wagner, Auditor General of the State of Pennsylvania, was also the subject of an investigation by the Sunday Dispatch. Wagner, a candidate who relied on the votes of mineworkers and families dependent upon the Anthracite mining industry to win his office, had two oil burners installed in his two cottages at Penn Lake in the Poconos. His lack of loyalty to the mineworkers who voted to put him in office shocked many. Anthracite production had decreased 17 percent in the weeks leading up to the investigation, and many felt the shift to oil burners by prominent politicians and businessmen was a slap in the face to supporters.

In figures compiled by the Veterans Administration, released in June of 1947, Pennsylvania, New York, California and Illinois each included more than a million veterans in their population. The veterans estimated as residing in the 32 county Wilkes-Barre area were 346,000. Of this number, 285,000 were World War II veterans and 61,000 from World War I or previous wars.

144 seniors graduated from Pittston Area High School; 70 graduated from Avoca High School

Reddy Kilowatt, a recognizable cartoon character that represented the electric industry for generations, advised homemakers in an ad for the Scranton Electric Company, to remove ice trays carefully and defrost their electric refrigerator regularly. The ad publicized the refrigerator as an economical convenience that keeps ice cream solid, food fresh and is above all safe.

52 Years Ago – 1957

The Eagle Hose Company of Pittston celebrated their 100th anniversary. Members planning an upcoming celebration were pictured on the front page of the June 9, 1957 issue: William McArt, Bernard Bender, Thomas Burns, Ralph Vanderburg, John Toole, Fred Fox, Oscar Kitzman, William Jamieson and Ben Kotch.

Two young Avoca boys, Joseph Skoranski Jr. and John Bartush, discovered a World War II type hand grenade along Dempsey Creek. Both boys turned in the grenade to authorities. Avoca Patrolman Dave Boone and Avoca Burgess James McLane disassembled the grenade, disposed of it, and commended the boys for turning it in.

The new 1957 Chevrolet Bel/Air or more popularly known today by fans of the classic car, the “57 Chevy”, was advertised in the June 1957 issue. Stouthearted power, smooth and sure ride, and power charged gumption describe the sedan, which is one of the most sought after models by collectors today. Two-tone models of India Ivory and Larkspur Blue more familiarly known as robin egg blue could be seen at a local authorized Chevrolet Dealer.

Notice was given that all of the 14 shoe repair shops in the Greater Pittston area Carmen’s, West Side, Pat’s, Jimmy’s, Tony’s, Royal, Ross Maira’s, Argenio’s, Mazzitelli’s, Vincent’s Esposito’s, Joe’s, Mogavero’s and Terminal would be closed every Monday, and all would take vacation on the same week that summer.

Duryea Borough teachers had to consider floating loans in order to have funds. Faculty members were not paid for the last half of March and all of April May and June in 1957. Edward Murzenski, president of the board, stated that unless more finances were received via the per capita collections the teachers would not receive a pay before July 1. The school district was considering taking out a short-term bank note to pay the teachers.

42 Years ago – 1967

SMSgt. J. Joseph Delaney of Port Griffith reenlisted for the fourth time into the Air Force. He was a 16-year veteran at the time stationed at Rhein-main AFB, Frankfort, Germany. A graduate of St. John’s High School, he enlisted in 1951 and named Airman of the Year in 1962. Delaney received orders to attend a conference in Berlin and admittance through the wall into East Berlin.

Pittston’s statue of Christopher Columbus was originally purchased by the city’s Italian American citizens in 1926. Spearheading the project were Salvatore Bufalino, Vito Bianco, Michael Loquasto, Joseph Guarniere, Rafael Antonello and Attilio Zamponi, whose names are carved on the back of the statue. In 1967 there was movement to relocate the statue to Kennedy Boulevard at the Columbus Avenue Intersection.

Question #2

From what location was the Christopher Columbus statue moved?

Rocky Glen Park in Moosic advertised the thrilling “Skyride” as being 40’ in the air, free admission, free parking and free picnic facilities, a perfect spot for a one-day vacation.

Our own Ed Ackerman, who was a senior at the Lincoln building of Pittston Area in 1967, was awarded a savings bond, for work done on behalf of the Patriots Booster Club. Ed designed a license plate to be sold by the boosters and area businesses. Chris Latona, a booster club official, made the presentation to Ed who was about to enter Wilkes in the fall to study art.

Wyoming Area School District’s first graduating class had 295 members and was held June 14, 1967 the prior year the West Pittston School District merged with other local communities to form the Wyoming Area School District.

The City Treasurer James G. Cosgrove notified Pittston residents their tax bills were levied by Luzerne County and not by Pittston City officials. Noted were sizeable increases in county and institution district taxes, plus a first time tax of 1.2 mills added by the county for the creation of Luzerne County Community College. With the increases and additional tax went to an all time high of 16.7 mills.

32 Years Ago – 1977

Mike Supcenski, a former student, and outstanding basketball and baseball player at Wyoming Area High School, was drafted by the New York Mets and was headed for St. Petersburg Florida for training camp. The .404 hitter on the Wilkes College team, was leaving the team in his junior year, and hoping to fulfill his dream to play major league baseball. Mike was the second Wilkes player to be signed by a major league club; the first was Tom Higgins, signed by the Phillies in 1971.

Three young men from Pittston Area won gold medals in the junior high District track and field in June of 1977. Bruce Telinko, Dave Rebovich and Gerard Musto, Their coaches Mike Orlando and Ray Calabrese were also honored.

Graduates of the Wyoming Area Senior class Cindy Yudiski and Monica Petonak, both of Exeter, received $500 scholarships from the Lions Club of Exeter. Scholarship money was provided from receipts earned through the annual Kiddie Carnival.

The Christopher Columbus statue was again in the news on June 12, 1957. Two men had defaced the statue by spraying it with black paint. Joseph “Joey I” Infantino, Director of Housing and Secretary of Luzerne County Columbus League, along with Danny Argo, Police Sergeant Louis Mantione and Infantino’s two sons Charles and Joe handled the cleaning.

DeMuro’s Italian Kitchen, 8 William Street, was offering a spaghetti with sausage special for $1.75.

The Capri Caf�, 96 Third Street, Wyoming, had Grand Tour appearing and lobster tail at $4.95. Levin’s Furniture, Main Street, Pittston, was offering a luxurious TV recliner chair for Father’s Day for $78.

Ursula Burke, outgoing president he Jacquelines Association of the President John F. Kennedy Council 372, presented a check to the outgoing president of the Home Association John Shinal. Each year the Jacquelines would present a check from proceeds received from their annual card party.

Answer #1

1923, Frigidaire.

Answer #2

The Roosevelt School Building in South Pittston.