First Posted: 2/25/2015
Question:
In 1958, what did Greater Pittston students Rosemary Spohrer, Carolyn Castellani, Sara Martinelli, Mary Ann Hutz, Ellie White, Judith Gravell, Nancy Malinics, Elaine Jones, Betty Godlewicz, Mary Piskorik, Barbara Brown, Elaine Gillis and Betty VanLuvender have in common?
1958 – 57 years ago
There was a disturbance at Pittston High School over the fact that Superintendent of Schools Frank Earley threatened students that the annual yearbook would not be published unless they “heeded school authority.” The demonstration was not as unruly as first reported but school officials called upon parents and community to assist the school in keeping order.
“Glamorous hats” with wispy veils, clusters of flowers and rich satin materials were available at Kresge’s Store on Main Street in Pittston. Sale price, $2.69.
The Golden Star Bible Class of Second Presbyterian Church held its annual father and son banquet. Bible class officers were Amelia Falcone, Antoinette DeVergillio, Carrine Kozloski, Elizabeth Vitale, Louise Toro and Ann Testa.
1968 – 47 years ago
There was not a dry eye in the place as Marine PFC Robert Mussari, of Scranton, dubbed the Human Bomb by the Marine Corps, recounted his brush with death in Vietnam to members of the Duryea Mid Valley Old Timers Athletic Association . Mussari told of a barrage of enemy shells that hit the 1st Battalion of the 26th Marine Corp at Khe Sanh. Mussari was wounded and quickly attended to by Edward Feldman, a young Navy doctor. Upon examination, Feldman realized that a 3.5 inch wide, pipe-like object protruding from Mussari’s abdomen was a live ordinance which could explode at any minute. As enemy mortar and rockets rained down on the combat base, Feldman and his assistant carefully removed the rocket and saved Mussari’s life, not to mention their own as well as other wounded soldiers lied nearby. Mussari was thankful for Feldman’s nerves of steel.
Over 3,000 people attended the first half contest of the Lackawanna League between Pittston Area and Wyoming Area basketball teams. The second half turnout scheduled for the Scranton CYC was expected to draw an even larger crowd. Pittston was undefeated with Wyoming a close second. Wyoming Area teammates Joe Kekoski, Chuck Salvo, Joe Gillespie, Billy Simonson and Dom Carsia, along with Tom Billenge were expected to make the contest difficult for Patriots Rich Rava, Bill Howley, Charlie Turco, Lou Tribbett, Lou Loquasto, Art Kunigel and Paul Tylawski. Who took the league championship in 1968? Log on to psdispatch.com and click Peeking into the Past, let us know in the comments section and tell us what you remember about the game.
1978 – 37 years ago
After a four-year absence, the American Theatre on North Main Street re-opened under new management. Regarded as one of the finest movie houses in the region, the Comerford Theatres Corporation opened the American in 1924. It operated in downtown Pittston for half a century before closing. While the new proprietors refurbished the interior, they were careful to retain the theatre’s original appearance. Seating 739 persons, the theatre planned to entertain mover-goers with “stereophonic” music prior to the showing of the scheduled G-rated film “Beyond and Back.” Modern stereophonic technology was invented in the 1930s by British engineer Alan Blumlein who patented stereo records, stereo films, and also surround sound.
The Wilson School
Closed in June of 1972, the Wilson School on Cork Lane housed Pittston Township High School and prior to that was an elementary school. It was scheduled to be razed in 1973 after which township supervisors Walter Shandra, Jack Reardon and Sam Iorfida planned to build the township’s first municipal building. Find out if someone you know is in a photo of the 1939-40 second-grade class at Wilson School by logging on to psdispatch.com and click on Peeking into the Past.
Answer:
In 1958, the following Greater Pittston students had one thing in common – they all submitted school news columns for publication in the Sunday Dispatch. Rosemary Spohrer wrote for St. John the Evangelist High School, Carolyn Castellani for Pittston Twp., Sara Martinelli for Pittston High, Mary Ann Hutz for Jenkins Twp., Ellie White for Hughestown High School, Judith Gravell for West Pittston, Nancy Malinics for Dupont, Elaine Jones for Avoca, Betty Godlewicz for Wyoming, Mary Piskorik for West Wyoming, Babara Brown for Exeter, Elaine Gillis for Duryea and Betty VanLuvender for Moosic High School.
This Date in History:
1962 – K-Mart opens in the U.S.
1968 – Country music artists Johnny Cash and June Carter are married.
1975 – Eagles’ “Best of My Love” reaches No. 1
