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Question:
In 1947, Pittston City merchants from Spring Street to Railroad Street were up in arms and threatening to march on city hall to put a stop to something. What were they so angry about?
1947 – 68 Years Ago
Al Dennis of West Wyoming wanted to give a family heirloom piano to his nephew, but had no way to move it to its new location. U.S. Army veteran Howard Jones along with Robert and Donald Dennis decided to try moving the piano on their own. The three loaded the piano on their borrowed truck and drove away. But as the driver turned from Morgan Avenue on to Eighth Street, the piano upset, landed in the street and “smashed to bits.” Miner Harris, borough street commissioner, happened to be driving behind the amateur movers. As the piano lay in pieces in the street, Harris stopped the borough truck, picked up the pieces and hauled them to the borough dump.
1957 – 58 Years Ago
Morris Jewelers on North Main Street in Pittston advertised a 45-piece Melmac dinnerware set for $29.88 or $1 down and $1 weekly. Melamine an organic compound was first used in the 1930s in the manufacture of Army helmets, plane parts, electrical housings, and industrial applications. It wasn’t until the 1950s when American Cyanamid produced Melmac dinnerware. It became so popular that the molders operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep up with demand.
The Pittston High School band, majorettes and cheerleaders were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies marking the opening of the new turnpike at the Wyoming Valley Interchange. Directed by Mr. Venzel, the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.” The 4,461-foot-long Lehigh Tunnel was opened to traffic on April 1, 1957, along with an additional 49 miles of four-lane highway to Wyoming Valley in Pittston.
Over 700 people attended a dinner at the Mayfair Supper Club to pay tribute to Governor John S. Fine for the “major” role he played in constructing the Northeast Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension linking the Wyoming Valley to Philadelphia.
1967 – 48 Years Ago
The Greater Pittston Ambulance Association planned their annual membership drive. Those participating in the event were Elsie Sipko, Frank Castellani, Lucy Valenti, Edythe Walsh, Helen Nagy, Helen Clark, Lucy Alexander, Frank DePhillips, Leona Fulkerson, Agnes Cole, Estella Sundberg, Mrs. John Mullany, Connie Heffren, Catherine Hendricks, Kathleen Toddei, George Nagy, Pat Serino, Helen Ruane, Lena Baldo, Catherine Ardoline, Francis McDonnell, Paul Cosgrove, Mary McFarland, Rhoda Brogna, Harold Costello, Terry Burke, Paul Augustine, Charles Ross and Mrs. Stanley Slesinski.
Showing at the American Theatre in Pittston: “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley, Utah for his exterior sequences in the movie. The original length of the $20 million adaptation of Fulton Oursler’s best-selling book was 260 minutes, it was later available in a 195-minute version.
1977 – 38 Years Ago
The Wyoming Area girls basketball team completed their season. Members of the team included Mary Ciarmatori, Irene Farino, Lori Mundy, Debbi Gross, Gina Granteed, Karen Kichilinski, Becky Edmunds, Jackie James, Rose Ann Bone, Lisa Donlavage, Sandy Conant, Carol Lepore, Cathy Urban, Lidi Elko, Patty Brannon, Lois Kichilinski, Karen Rome, Suzie Newman, Janine Oliveri, Barbara Yunkunis, Annie Galli. Team coach was Sandra Chiampi and team manager Kathy Korick. To see a photo of the team and coaches log on to psdispatch.com and search Peeking into the Past.
The St. John Evangelist Elementary cheerleaders placed third in the Drum Majorettes of American Cheerleading Contest. Participants were Gail Casterline, captain; Jill Frank and Suzanne Fath, co-captains; Lynne Dommermuth, Sandra McNulty, Patricia Clarke, Maria Colarusso, Cabriella Connell, Deborah Dankulich, Sharon Dankulich, Joann Dileo, Susan Donovan, Jeannie Luce, Carole Donovan, Bonnie Finan and Lorraine Schriver. Like our Sunday Dispatch Facebook page and be sure not to miss a photo of the team performing a routine.
1997 – 18 Years ago
The St. John’s Primitive Methodist Church in Avoca prepared to celebrate its 125th year. In 1871, members of the early church held services in their homes. Mr. Lacoe, president of the Lacoe Coal Co., purchased a lot on Lehigh Street in West Avoca for the construction of the church. A committee later had the deed transferred to a lot at 316 S. Main St. Avoca. Church history says the committee believed the community would be better served with a church centralized in East Avoca.
Answer:
In 1947, business owners marched on city hall complaining that blasting from local mining companies caused interruptions in the normal business day. Blasts occurring at regular intervals of 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. caused customers to fear for their safety as well as concern for business owners regarding damage to their establishments and stock. So loud were the blasts, some proprietors felt they were occurring in their basements.