PD Peeking into the Past

Peeking into the past

June 28, 2009

’49 HS grads faced mines, dress factories

With Judy Minsavage

In 1969 many of our brave men and women in the armed forces were serving in Vietnam. In what years did the United States actively fight the war and what were the other two countries involved in the conflict?

1949 – 60 years ago

The future of employment for graduates of Greater Pittston was the topic of much discussion and controversy. A Sunday Dispatch story regarding area employment options for graduates ran in an early June issue. The article entitled “Mines for Males, Factories for Females, Outlook for Grads” led to much comment by area residents. One man complained the article was too pessimistic. He further advised that once a girl takes a job in a garment factory and gains experience, no office job could possibly lure her away, and the mines, once dangerous were now safe and a young man can make an excellent living. One other resident wrote, “If the outlook for the female graduate is the factories, then the graduate can consider herself extremely fortunate. The days when factories were considered sweatshops are gone.”

An article of little known facts about Greater Pittston appeared in this issue listing the following:

1. Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Greater Pittston became a permanent organization in 1932

2. Broad Street Garage was once a flourishing theatre and presented the latest in stage shows. It was first known as the Broad, then the Princess and later the Strand.

3. The American Theatre was erected in 1923.

4. The first Lehigh Valley Railroad engine came to Pittston in 1867.

5. Pittston became a city in 1894.

6. Avoca was once noted for its semi-professional football teams.

1959 – 50 years ago

Mrs. Catherine Van Luvender of Moosic celebrated her 83rd birthday with family members. Her son was Elmer Van Luvender, his son Jack Van Luvender, his son, Jack Van Luvender II and his son Jack Van Luvender III.

The 1959 blueberry crop was in full season, some of the area’s older pickers shared legends of the blueberry country. A picker who frequented the High Bridge area related a story of a group of pickers camped in the woods. Someone noticed a lighted object in the shape of a cross, off in the distance. Some pickers retreated to their tents to pray as they thought it an omen. At daybreak a few courageous members of the party set out to find what caused the sight, and discovered a large oak tree had been hit by a bolt of lightning. The bark was bent, forming the cross.

The City of Pittston announced its intention to form a Teeners Baseball League. Over 50 boys ages 12 to 16 responded, which resulted in the formation of four teams. Teams represented South, North and Central Pittston. The fourth team was the Columbian Squires of Pittston Council of Knights of Columbus.

1969 – 40 years ago

Preparations were being made for the erection of a new steeple atop St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hughestown. The 40’ long steeple was to be placed in memory of Suzanne Stauffer, a fifteen year old girl who was murdered in Florida in February of 1969. The victim was the daughter of Glenn Stauffer, West Pittston, and granddaughter of Roy Stauffer, philanthropist and head of Stauffer Chevrolet.

Marie O’Donovan, Mary Lieback, Josephine Rubins, Joan Champi, Marie Ciliberto, Joseph Biscotti and Mickie Lieback Jr., members of the Old Boston Neighborhood Organization, conducted a clean up of the local playground.

Radioman Seaman William J. Hunsinger, USN, of Pittston was serving with the Army-Navy Mobile Riverline Force in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Michael E. Allardyce of Pittston was promoted to Army Sergeant while assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Administration Company near Pleiku, Vietnam, as a broadcast specialist. In June of 1969 Major William Frusciante, Exeter, returned to the States after a one year tour of duty in Vietnam.

The Dispatch Teen Record Revue showed the top five songs of June 1969 as 1. Get Back, Beatles; 2, These Eyes, Guess Who, 3. Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet, Henry Mancini; 4. Bad Moon Rising, CCR; and Good Morning Starshine, Oliver.

1979 – 30 years ago

The Sunday Dispatch featured Student-Athlete award winners. Six students were named: Edward Ward, Pittston Area; Scott Yeomans, Wyoming Area; Leonora Lello, Pittston Area; Gina Granteed, Wyoming Area; Mark Kulick, and Monica Tomaszewski, both of Seton Catholic.

A campaign was underway to raise a minimum of $60,000 for needed renovations of the Saint Mary’s Assumption School in Pittston. Installation of a sprinkler system and fire doors were necessary in order for the school to reopen in September of 1979.

Barbara Szumski of Pittston Area and Diana Hudzinski, Seton Catholic, received scholarships at the annual dinner of the Women’s Club of Avoca. President Wendy George and, Chairman Margaurite Dougherty presented the scholarships.

The dedication of a monument to the 325 men of Greater Pittston who volunteered for duty in the U.S. Army during the Spanish American War took place on the grounds of Company A, 109th Infantry on Susquehanna Avenue, West Pittston. Leo A. Tierney, general chairman, spearheaded the fund raising drive that produced the granite memorial that contains the names of the men who “Remembered the Maine”.

The Staircase Lounge in Pittston offered a Thursday Night Beer Bash with disco, pizza and snacks. Friday Nite – Changes top 40 Disco and Saturday Nite – Museum. The “Big El” Elvis Presley show starring Larry Seth and featuring the T.C.B. Band was to perform in July.

Answer:

The United States became actively involved in the Vietnam war, which also included Laos and Cambodia, from 1959 to April 30, of 1975. Combat units were deployed in 1965 and peak fighting occurred in 1968 to 1973.

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