‘Teenager’ had negative connotation in 1957

Pittston Dispatch // Peeking into the Past

Peeking into the past

August 16

With Judy Minsavage

In August of 1967, Rocky Glen Park was in its 81st year of operation. The various owners of the park changed its name more than ten times. What were just three of the names adopted over its 101-year history?

1947 – 62 Years Ago

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In this photo, courtesy of Mayor Bill Goldsworthy of West Pittston, is the Medical Staff at Pittston Hospital in October of 1927. First row: Dr. J. B. Mahon, Dr. J.H. Molinelli, Dr. J.R. Beaver, Dr. H.J. Lenahan, Dr. T.F. Fleming, Dr. C.W. Prevost. Second row: Dr. T.R. Gggion, Dr. J.S. Dixon, Dr. C.S. Nicholson, Dr. A.G. Hinrichs, Dr. J.A. James. Third row: Dr. S.C. Mazaleski, Dr. M..R. Connors, Dr. F.J. Conlon, Dr. H. Rubinstein, Dr. F.A. Muschlitz. Fourth row: Dr. M.R. Mantione, Dr. J.J. Brandon, Dr. B.J. McGuire, Dr. B.S. Androsky.

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A strict disciplinary order was sought by members of the Greater Pittston Vocational Board as a means of raising disciplinary standards at the vocational school. Classroom damage caused by students and in fighting among instructors at the facility prompted board members to “get tough” and address the public’s concern regarding students and instructors having free reign and not obtaining normal benefits from the school.

Pittston Cannon Company, traveled to Fort Indiantown Gap to pass in review of visiting Governor James Duff with the 109th Infantry Regiment. First Sgt. Owen H. Golden of Avoca handled training operations and administrations for the company, which included members from Avoca and other nearby communities. Pvt. William B. Baltz, Pvt. Albert J. Kozichek of Pittston and Pfc. Ralph L. Bidwell of West Pittston received high score in small arms familiarization.

Harry Levin the owner of Pittston Furniture Mart along with many other Pittston businesses was undergoing remodeling projects to modernize storefronts and attract business. Frank Verra’s, Corcoran and O’Brien and Eagen Hardware, all South Main Street businesses, sported new storefronts.

The Singer Sewing Machine Company, 33 N Main Street advertised a new completely equipped sewing center with a dress form that could mold to an exact duplicate of a customers figure in 30 minutes.

The August 17 issue of the Sunday Dispatch contained a full color section containing eight comics. Polly and Her Pals, Brick Bradford, Room and Board, The Little King, Tim Tyler’s Luck, Henry, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith and Bringing Up Father.

1957 – 52 Years Ago

Nettie L. Sumner and Mary T. Lawler of Pittston wrote a letter to the Sunday Dispatch Editor informing residents that they had a solution to a perplexing problem. Young people were complaining there were no places to go and enjoy themselves, so Nettie and Mary owners of The Music Box would be offering a “chaperoned dancing spot of refinement”. Mary and Nettie explained the use of the word “teenager” was not used in the letter due to the negative connotation it had gained.

Young dancers Geraldine Riviello of Old Forge, Doreen Krakjack of Duryea and Kathy Nichols of Exeter were to perform in the Tony Grant Show at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City.

Pittston Airman First Class John Minichak of Pittston did not take up golf until after his enlistment into the Air Force in 1955; however, he won the TAC Hospital Golf Tournament held in Japan in 1957.

Scoutmaster Joseph Dorrence and Assistant Scoutmaster Jack Prandy, Pittston, of Boy Scout Troop of St. Mary’s Help of Christians started work on the construction of a campsite for the troop at Orange.

Plans for the Greater Pittston Junior Chamber of Commerce to stage the Cole Brothers Air Show at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty-Fort presented many challenges. After procuring permission from the Luzerne County Commissioners, the Jaycees obtained records from the U.S. Weather Bureau showing it had rained 13 times in the past 30 years on the date the show was scheduled. To cover for loss, rain insurance for as low as one-tenth of an inch had to be purchased. Carmen Uritz, general chairman and draftsman, mapped a safety zone of 500 yards to comply with Civil Aeronautics Association regulations. State and local police and uniformed soldiers would patrol the area to insure spectator’s safety.

Controversy over profanity used by boys at city playgrounds required a solution. One instructor complained boys had knowledge of common words of profanity but also ones he had never heard before. A solution presented by a playground teacher sounded plausible, requiring each boy and girl to have registration cards necessary to gain entrance to the playground, but would be confiscated and sent to the parents whenever the child misbehaved.

Loving You, starring Elvis Presley, played at the air-conditioned American Theatre with seven featured songs, Loving You, Hot Dog, Lonesome Cowboy, Let Me be Your Teddy Bear, Got a Lot of Livin’ To Do. Mean Woman Blues and Let’s Have a Party. Elvis was also starring at the Riverview Drive In the blockbuster feature, Love Me Tender, in CinemaScope.

A Rock and Roll dance conducted by Steve Rinaldi was held every Tuesday night at the Casino Hall in Pittston. Admission 25 cents. Dancing 8 to 11:30 p.m.

1967 – 42 Years Ago

Question #2

The word barber describes one whose business is to cut hair. By what other name are barbers known and why?

Local barbers, George Mancini, Joe Falzone, Buster Palmieri, Carl Ruschel, Angelo Zanta, Sam Zanta, Daniel Conte, Tony Palmieri, Sam Fasciana and Fred Gubitoso gathered for an annual outing of the Pittston City Barber Association. A day of playing darts, quoits and food was planned at George Mancini’s residence in West Pittston.

Pittston Patrolman Louis Mantione reported major damage throughout the Pittston High School. 17 classrooms and the auditorium sustained extensive damage. Flags were cut and torn and trophy cases were destroyed. Superintendent Martin L. Mattei inspected the damage. Police advised they had suspects in mind.

Marine Lance Corporal Thomas J. Morris of Wyoming was stationed at Chu Lai, South Vietnam serving with Force Logistic Support Group Bravo. He was part of a group supplying Marine, Army and Republic of Korea Marine Units with food and materials.

Rocky Glen Park in Moosic hosted the Lithuanian Alliance and V.F.W. on a special outing day in August 1967. The Saturday special - all rides $1.00, and free Bonomo Turkish Taffy to the first 350 families. Top Value Stamps were redeemed for free ride tickets.

Mrs. Toni Novalbilski of West Wyoming was being compared to Annie Oakley after finishing in a tie for third place in a National Trap shoot Competition. Along with her husband Norbert, Toni was a member of the Elm Street Sportsmen’s Club of Dupont.

1977 – 32 Years Ago

On August 7, 1977, Dispatch Columnist Dottie Martin, writer of Female Sports Scene, wrote her final column, saying goodbye to co-workers and loyal readers. For four years, Dottie had championed female sports and kept the Greater Pittston area abreast of many of its fine athletes. Among the people she thanked were William Watson Sr. and Jr. Ed Ackerman, typesetters Tina Cumbo, Anne Carmody and Sara McAndrew, all of her faithful readers, area athletes and her mother and father. Dottie is presently the Editor of the Dallas Post.

John Anderson of Hughestown was looking forward to competing in an international shooting competition. With over 1000 medals and trophies collected from competing in events such as flintlock musket, flintlock rifles, military musket, Kentucky rifle, and pistol John anticipated competing in his second international competition, in Zurich Switzerland as a member of a returning championship American team. Two of John’s sons, John and David also racked up junior championship titles in Pennsylvania as well as in Virginia and Maryland.

Batting .310 in one of the toughest leagues in the country, Bobby Simonson of West Pittston was touted as an unsung hero by Jerry Valonis, Coach of the Scranton Red Sox. All of this while making the Dean’s List at Bucknell University made him “one the most intelligent players we’ve ever had”, Valonis stated.

Pete Gatti, Joe Limongelli, Carmen Locascio and Frank Lercara, members of the band Changes, were slated to play the St. Rocco’s parish annual bazaar. Museum was scheduled to play the Staircase Lounge.

Northeast Cable advertised a “new kind of TV entertainment in town”, Home Box Office. A free preview was being offered and $10.00 off installation