1964 – 51 years ago
West Pittston High School introduced “a new innovation,” the school’s first drill team unit. Members of the team were Justine Zajac, Patrice Walsh, Darlene Cwikla, Patty Doble, Gerry Nocerini, Rosemary Gillis, Ann Marie Boos, captain; Cathy Lavelle, Myrna Laird, co-captains; Marilyn Manganello, Melissa Corcoran, Nancy Havard, Peggy Monk, Cathy Mulcahy, Patty Prebola, Linda Jones, Celeste Reedy, Beverly Dymond, Brenda Shepler, Sharon Donahue, Rose Ann Kivak, Rosemary Kelly, Gerry Cravatta, Patty Ramage and Mary Lloyd.
The popular local band, The Starfires, entertained teenagers at a dance at St. Rocco’s Church. The weekly dances were held from 8 to 11 p.m. on Mondays.
Captain Richard P. Harding, of West Wyoming, was promoted to Air Force Major at the 92nd Air Force Terminal Reserve Center in Wyoming. Harding enlisted in the Air Force in 1941, and served as a pilot in the European Theater during World War II.
Ford Drug Store, located at 144 S. Main St., Pittston filled its 750,000 prescription, 95 years after the very first was filled at that location by the first proprietor, J.H. Houck. Originally the location was used as a depot for the gravity railroad which ran from Honesdale. Houck opened the West End Drug Store at the South Main Street site in 1885. The Ford name came about shortly after the turn of the century when Houck’s former employee, Michael “Doc” Ford, purchased the store.
The Inkerman United Presbyterian Church observed its 10th anniversary. The Inkerman chapel was built in 1893. The church was organized by the Lackawanna Presbytery in 1954.
1974 – 41 years ago
Pittston Hospital School of Nursing gained the distinction of having every member of the 1974 graduating class pass their state board examination. Those receiving their diplomas were Jane Missett, Teresa Groboski, Mary Elizabeth Kowalewski, Cynthia Macuga, Shirley Chesslock Heppding, Linda Phillips, Joan Hetro, Grace Anzalone, Jeanine Miranda Loftus, Mary Laura Gavigan, Barbara Stella, Linda Rooney, Phyllis Rincavage, Susan Tomahunas Timonte, Mary Frances Stuccio and Linda Shaffer. Rosemary Zurla was the director of the school.
Wyoming Area students participated at a model United Nations Security Council meeting at King’s College. The students learned about the specific problems and procedures used by the organization in mantaining international peace and security. Those attending were Anne Bahl, Charles Cheskiewicz, Deborah Dale, William Kelly, Patricia Kleck, David Murawski, Deborah Kolojejchick and Deborah Oliveri. According to the United Nations website, “In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter,” which was then signed in June of that year. The U.N. is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Grant City advertised the Polaroid Instamatic Deluxe SX-70 camera for $119. Jean Nate and Prince Matchabelli gift sets were available. Jewelcor Warehouse Outlet in Exeter had Shirley Temple dolls for $6.99, KerPlunk skill game for $3.44 and a See ‘n Say for $4.99. Kresge’s offered ladies’ quilted robes for $5.22, Fru Fru Peignoir sets for $4.77 and Barbie’s Beach Bus for $9.97. Keystone Family Center in Pittston advertised Brut 33 for men for $1.49, the lady’s Schick electric razor for $6.99 and Miss Breck hair spray for 59 cents.
1984 – 31 years ago
The Water Street Bridge opened after completion of a $1.1 million renovation project. Closed for a year, the bridge project included a new deck and steel replacement beams. The renovation project was one of many ongoing across the commonwealth and made possible under the state’s Billion Dollar Bridge Program.
Wyoming Area Marching Band encountered a number of firsts in 1984. It was the first time the school hired an extracurricular instructor for the band, the first time a woman held the band director position and the first time over 75 percent of the band had no prior competition experience. Under the direction of Judey Pambiano and Lenny Costello, the band took first place in Division II and first place drum major in the Exeter Centennial Parade, first place in Division II in the Crestwood Invitational, first place marching and first place music in the Dallas invitational and first place music in the Hanover Tournament.
1994 – 21 years ago
West Pittston High School Class of 1949 held its 35th anniversary class reunion at the Moose Hall in West Pittston. Those in attendance were Margaret Gregory, Dixie Irace Corcoran, Geneva Bierly Neal, Lois Owens Wilkinson, Joan Grey Dymond, Anna Pervanick Fanti, Concetta Cipolla Turi, Richard Dymond, Teresa Berkant Smith, Jean O’Dell Marsh, Elsie Marinello Evans, Miriam Maccaglia Bonomo, Madelyn Edwards, Rhoda Davis, William Rennie, David Richards, Robert Vanderburg, Thomas Best, Merle Levey, Richard Carpenter, Warren Roaker, George Panzetta, Francis Carozza, Michael Insalaco, John Scrimegour, Eugene Bierly, William Miller, Donald Barnhart, Joseph Sherinsky and Nicholas Vincelli.
This day in history:
1903 – An inquiry into the U.S. Postal Service demonstrates the government has lost millions in fraud.
1948 – The popular children’s television show, “Kukla, Fran and Ollie,” premieres.
1961 – NASA launches a chimpanzee named Enos into Earth orbit.
1972 – Atari announces the release of Pong, the first commercially-successful video game.
