Editor’s note: This “Peeking into the Past” column was first published in the Sunday Dispatch on Nov. 20, 2011.

Question 1

In 1955, Erminio Cefalo petitioned the Luzerne Board of Elections for a recount of votes after learning he had lost the Pittston City treasurer seat to James Cosgrove by only one vote. What two presidential elections were decided by one vote?

1955 – 56 Years Ago

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The 23rd annual “Battle of the Wyomings” was one of the most anticipated Thanksgiving Day events. The yearly football game originated in 1933. Over the years, Wyoming High School posted a 12-8 total game advantage over West Wyoming. During the 22-year run, two games ended in a tie. Wyoming was looking forward to the 1955 contest to counter a 26-0 loss in 1954. Seniors Joe Leshon, Joseph Greskiewicz, Jimmy Charney, Bob Kozlosky and Bill Karcutski played their final game for the West Wyoming Cowboys. Seniors on the Wyoming Redskins team were John Sapiego, Joe Yurish, Paul McGinley, Bill Loyack, John Shulde, Erwin Muschter, Russ Giordano and Herb Pecht.

The 35th annual football classic matching Pittston High School and St. John Central Catholic was set for Bone Stadium. The games dated back to 1915 and showed Pittston holding a one-game edge with five games ending in ties over the 34-year rivalry. Pittston seniors playing their final game were Bob Vitale, Joe Sciandra, Ross Baccanari, Francis Monachino, Al Brown, Charlie Marranca, Jake Sobeski, Francis Tierney, George Nowakowski, Anthony Darbenzio, Joe Lombardo and Steve Sciandra. St. John’s had 13 seniors seeing action: Frank Kolmansberger, Joe Ruane, Charlie Manganiello, Tony Kalmanowich, Frank Roche, Bill Romanko, Hughie Walsh, Kenny Davis, Bill Burke, Jimmy Rettenmeyer, Billy Mundy, Joe Kelly and Joe Dalesandro.

Over the years, the Avoca School Board members were confronted with protests from teachers, taxpayer groups and individual citizens, but a meeting in November 1955 was the most trying of all. A delegation of students carrying a petition listing 200 names attended. The petition requested school hours change from a 9 a.m. to an 8 a.m. start and from a 4 p.m. to a 3 p.m. dismissal. The purpose of the change was to accommodate students who wished to work after school. Some directors argued that the issue was for parents and not students to discuss and commented on the disciplining the petitioning students. The students stated they would not attend afternoon sessions if their demands were not met. Due to a new study that found students do better academically with an 8:30 or 8:40 start time, many school districts nationwide have changed school hours.

1965 – 46 Years Ago

Officers of the Pittston Lodge 1207 Loyal Order of Moose George Nisky, Stanley Wieczorek, Gus Turonis, Frank Kirkpatrick, William Strubeck, Louis Forlenza and trustees Peter Miller, Joseph Comer and Michael Cordora looked forward to burning the mortgage at the lodge anniversary dinner. The lodge, originally headquartered on Luzerne Avenue, was formed in West Pittston in 1912. The new home on Exeter Avenue was completed in 1950. Under the direction of James J. Davis, a Pennsylvania labor organizer, the order grew from 247 members to nearly 500,000 in more than 1,000 Lodges. Women of Mooseheart Legion received formal recognition as a Moose auxiliary in 1913.

Pittston Lodge 382 of the Benevolent Order of Elks purchased land at the Pittston Bypass to begin excavation for a new home replacing the former home destroyed in a fire New Year’s Eve, 1962. The 12 acres would provide ample parking for the club quarters, dining room, picnic grove and swimming pool. According to paelks.com, the lodge established on June 18, 1897 forfeited its charter on Jan. 31, 1981.

Captain George M. Breza of Pittston was assigned to duty with Dwight D. Eisenhower after the former president became ill and entered Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Breza studied pharmacy at The University of Scranton but was persuaded to enter the medical profession. His wife Serina, also assigned to Walter Reed, was with the Army Nursing Corps. The two-term president’s achievements included the establishment of the interstate highway system in 1956 and the Eisenhower Doctrine, a message to Congress, authorizing the United States to cooperate with and assist any nation or group of nations in the general area of the Middle East in the development of economic strength.

An article in the Nov. 21, 1965 issue of the Sunday Dispatch details the history, dating back to 1793, of the Brick Methodist Church on Foote Avenue near the Duryea Old Forge boundary line. The first preacher, William Colbert, oversaw quarterly meetings and the establishment of a log schoolhouse. In 1852, a new structure costing $2,000 was built with bricks manufactured in Wilkes-Barre and “drawn to Duryea over roads not yet paved.” In 1965, Reverend Ruth Underwood served as pastor.

1975 – 36 Years Ago

Long before being selected as 2010 Sunday Dispatch Greater Pittston Person of the Year, Richie Kossuth was helping others. As a Boy Scout with Troop 303, Kossuth collected gifts and toys for the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to complete an Eagle Scout Project.

Officers of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Greater Pittston added to their active membership base. Margaret O’Boyle, president and Bertine Dobbie, membership chairman, welcomed Jennifer McNulty, Josephine Korzemiewski, Elfriede Vrhel, Marion MacDonald and Theresa Panunti as new members. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs was founded on July 16, 1919, at a meeting led by Lena Madesin Phillips of Kentucky. In the 1930s, the association became a charter member of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women.

The top 10 songs of 1975:

1. “Lyin’ Eyes,” The Eagles

2. “Who Loves You,” Four Seasons

3. “Island Girl,” Elton John

4. “This Will Be,” Natalie Cole

5. “They Just Can’t Stop It,” Spinners

6. “Feelings,” Morris Albert

7. “Miracles,” Jefferson Starship

8. “Just Too Many People,” Melissa Manchester

9. “Brazil,” The Ritchie Family

10. “Our Day Will Come,” Frankie Valli

Question 2

Pittston Area Wrestling Coach Bob Adonizio piloted the Patriots to a winning record in their very first season. In what other event did Adonizio take first place?

1985 – 26 Years Ago

The Polka Gems of Avoca celebrated their 10th anniversary as a dance and entertainment group. Originally backed by a band featuring Joseph and James Babkowski, the ensemble performed at various nursing homes, picnics, churches and on television. Group members Kerry Niemiec, Tricia Rodgers, Matthew Edwards, Jennifer and Joseph Babkowski, Chris Rodgers, Jennifer Niemiec, Theresa Janasov, Lehrae Edwards, Gary Edwards, Bea Babkowski, Margaret Lewandowski, Jean Niemiec, Pauline Piazza, Frank Lewandowski, Nellie Jacek, Bill Shotwell and Edna Kluchinkas performed such dances as the Domino Bumpsy, Trioka, Chicken Dance, Irish Jig, Disco Polka and Rhinelander along with the traditional polka.

Answer 1

In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected president by one vote in the House of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College. In 1824, Andrew Jackson won the presidential popular vote but lost by one vote in the House of Representatives to John Quincy Adams after an Electoral College deadlock.

Answer 2

Bob Adonizio entered his special red clam sauce in a contest sponsored by WSCR Radio and San Giorgio Macaroni Products Company. His sauce variation was based on an old family recipe that he perfected in his college days. Adonizio took first place in the contest competing against five other entries. Adonizio attributed his cooking skill to his father Phil.

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Peeking into the Past

Judy Minsavage

Reach Judy Minsavage on Twitter @JudithMinsavage