1948 – 69 YEARS AGO
Many in Greater Pittston were disappointed when they found out that President Harry S. Truman would not stop in the city during his whirlwind whistle-stop campaign to win a second term in office. He did, however, travel through the area on his way to Wilkes-Barre. Even though it was during the early morning hours, many lined the streets to get a glimpse of the president. Truman, vice president to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, was thrust into the presidency after Roosevelt, only serving less than three months in his unprecedented fourth term, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died. Truman ran for a second term campaigning across America. Truman won with 303 electoral votes and 49.6 percent of the popular vote, while challenger Thomas Dewey captured 189 electoral votes and 45.1 percent of the popular vote.
The Greater Pittston Junior Chamber of Commerce planned a semi-formal dance at the Fox Hill Country Club. Thomas Bianco, general chairman, and Jack Williams, co-chairman, asked local residents to submit candidates for the 1948 Man of the Year Award. George Bone was selected as the Jaycees Man of the Year in 1947, for making Bone Stadium available for the youth of Greater Pittston. Fox Hill Country Club officially opened its nine-hole golf course in 1921. With a rapidly growing membership, club officers expanded the course to 18 holes in 1924.
1952 – 65 YEARS AGO
In response to hearing there was a movement to eliminate music being taught at Pittston High School, which would also lead to the elimination of the high school’s marching band, the Sunday Dispatch highlighted the talented band members’ performances held at local events stating, “None of these affairs or events would have been complete without the bands. It is the one thing that attracts spectators.”
The body of Private Andrew Salvo was returned to Pittston as hundreds of residents waited at the Lehigh Valley Railroad station on Water Street. Private Salvo was inducted into the Army on Jan. 8 and sent to Germany. He was killed on maneuvers as a result of a back flash of a recoil less rifle. Salvo was buried in Denison Cemetery in Forty Fort. With increases in armor technology, the Army needed a weapon light enough to carry, but able to penetrate light armor units. The rifle expelled a perforated artillery shell utilizing a rear vented propellant which reduced recoil and the weight of the launcher. The gun was first used in the last months of World War II but most exclusively in the Korean War.
1956 – 61 YEARS AGO
Pittston City officials were elated that a project to install new and to paint existing street signs had been completed. In a call to the Sunday Dispatch, an “Upper Pittston” resident reported one sign had been missed. The resident insisted the sign be preserved though as it had a rather interesting story attached. Many years before, John Ormsby and other residents in that section donated land along their properties to the city in order to provide residents with a public passageway to North Main Street. When city officials placed a sign on the alley, it read “Barnum Alley.” Taking offense, a young Maude Ormsby, knowing the contribution her father had made, climbed the pole, removed the Barnum Alley sign and replaced it with one on which she had written “Ormsby Alley.”
1960 – 57 YEARS AGO
The Pittston Bureau of Employment announced a special sign up would be held for women who wanted to seek employment. With an increase in positions in the garment factories and clerical work, women were encouraged to apply with or without job experience. Special shifts would be implemented for women who could only work certain hours during the day.
Jack Dempsey, Burgess of Wyoming, signed a proclamation calling for the observance of United States Day. Attending were members of the Queen Esther American Legion Post 670, including Andrew Mazzarella, Robert Warnagiris, Joe Hizney, Eugene Lukesh and John Falconi. The proclamation asked for citizens “To reaffirm their allegiance to the United States and to rededicate their lives to the support and maintenance of the Constitution.”
The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked, “Do you think the Nixon-Kennedy TV debates generated enough interest to make political discussions a part of the national election scene in the future?” Al Akulonis, of Duryea, answered, “I think that it will be hard to get a president who’s running for re-election to get into a debate with a newcomer. The newcomer would have more ammunition to use.” Michael A Policare added, “I think the debates were some of the finest hours that television had to offer in years. They gave the ordinary man a chance to see the inside of politics and how important a role the president must play.” Joseph Matonis, of Wyoming, stated, “I feel the debates should become part of future elections.”
The very first televised presidential debate between Senator John F. Kennedy and Republican Vice President Richard M. Nixon occurred on Sept. 26, 1960. Although it was determined that Nixon gave more substantive answers, Kennedy was give the edge by television viewers based on his appearance. Nixon refused to engage in debates during the 1968 and 1972 campaigns.
The grand opening of Oak Park, 1.7 miles from the Dupont Interchange, advertised the Mustang Hom with three bedrooms, big country style kitchen and dining area, large living room and separate laundry along with 100 feet of lot frontage at a price of $12,500.
At JC Penney’s on Main Street, men’s suits were advertised for $19.88, men’s wool sweaters were $3.88, men’s shoes were $6.88 and venetian blinds were $2.44,
Top Ten Songs of 1960
1. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” — Shirelles
2. “Georgia On My Mind” — Ray Charles
3. “Only The Lonely” — Roy Orbison
4. “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go” — Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
5. “Stay” — Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs
6. “Chain Gang”Sam Cooke
7. “Save The Last Dance For Me” — Drifters
8. “Shop Around” — Miracles
9. “The Twist” — Chubby Checker
10. “Cathy’s Clown” — Everly Brothers
1968 – 49 YEARS AGO
Showing their gratitude to soldiers stationed in Vietnam, members of Cadet Troop 865 of St. Rocco’s Church participated in Project Vietnam. Personal items and books were collected and shipped to the soldiers oversees. Debra Brogna, Donna Brogna, Mary Ann Volpe, Mary Gianficara, Donna McFadden, Tina Falcone, Cynthia Bussaco, Barbara Scott, Susan Shifano, Frances Casper, Susie Ackulonis, Cynthia Castellino, Cynthia Savakinas, Debbie Conroy, Joan Schifano, Sherre Luyshore and Judy Sokolowsky assisted troop leaders Angela Brogna, Margaret Casper and Mrs. Robert Conroy assemble items for shipment. Soldiers Angels, Adopt a Platoon, Operation Shoe Box, Treats for Troops are a few of the organizations that can help any group or individual send a little bit of home to a soldier serving overseas.
1992 – 25 YEARS AGO
Homecoming ceremonies were held at Pittston Area and Wyoming Area schools. Members of the Patriots’ Homecoming Court were queen Stacy Draus and her court Joy Tetlak, Nicole Romanczuk, Christa Reggie and Kendra Kishel with escorts Jason Piontkowski, Tony Biscotto, Robert Breymeier, Paul Biscontini, Patrick Ratchford and Jamie Marinello. Warriors’ Homecoming Court were queen Susan Shemo and her court Clancy Clash, Nicole Patrick, Rachelle Rosencrance, Patti Loyack with escorts Rocco Casarella, David Stull, Patrick Cosgrove, Steve Lombardo, Paul Forlenza and Nicholas Ruggiero.
This date in history
1907 — The five Ringling brothers of Baraboo, Wisconsin, bought out Barnum & Bailey Circus to form the Greatest Show on Earth.
1918 — The cities of Baltimore and Washington ran out of coffins during the “Spanish Influenza” epidemic.
1934 — Bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd (30) was shot to death by federal agents at a farm in East Liverpool, Ohio.
1962 — President John F. Kennedy announced that missile bases had been discovered in Cuba and they had the potential to attack the United States with nuclear warheads. Kennedy ordered a naval and air blockade on further shipment of military equipment to Cuba.
1968 — President Johnson signed the Gun Control Act of 1968. It regulated firearms above .50-caliber as destructive devices and required registration and owner’s fingerprints. It also banned the sale of handguns to those under 21.
1987 — The US Navy acknowledged it had deployed five dolphins to the Persian Gulf to search for Iranian mines.
