First Posted: 9/17/2014
Question:
What are the names of two islands on the Susquehanna River that belong to Exeter Borough?
This week’s photos from the past:
See photos from Exeter Borough’s centennial celebration in in 1984 by visiting www.psdispatch.com. Do you recognize anyone? While there, see why the “Bootles” were such a hit in at the Exeter High School reunion in 1964.
1954 – 60 Years Ago
Over 230 guests attended the inaugural banquet of the Exeter Borough Little League at the North Italian Citizens Club. Ex-pitcher Joseph Ostrowski, former pitcher for the Yankees, St. Louis Browns, among others, spoke to the crowd about the importance of students getting an education. During the event, Daniel Ripa Jr. received the trophy as Most Valuable Player. The batting trophies went to Andrew Klappel and Earl Blossi and the home run award was presented to Joseph Huchnis. Managers Edward Modlesky, Al Semenza, Jack Koslowsky and George “Monk” Krulick received a cuff link and tie clasp set from from their respective team captains. Rudy Berretta received a first-place team trophy. Other teams sponsors were George Delaida, Ben Anselmi and Angelo Petrillo.
Luzerne County Commissioners Ed Carroll, Joseph Reardon and James O’Brien had hoped they could save The Palace Theater in Avoca after it closed its doors on Sept. 25, 1954. The trio investigated the possibility of operating the theater, but gave up the idea due to the high cost of running such an operation. Upon further investigation, the commissioners found that the Palace was not equipped to show many of the newer pictures requiring larger screens. In 1953, after seeing a demonstration of the Anamorophic lense, which produced a new wide-screen format called CinemaScope, Movie Production companies scrambled to to buy the rights to use it. 20th Century Fox won the rights while filming “The Robe.” The film was simultaneously shot in the standard Academy format for release in theatres not equipped for the wide-screen format. With the success of CinemaScope and “The Robe,” the standard version was never shown, which forced small theatres to close and most to adapt to the new format.
1964 – 50 Years Ago
“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” starring Debbie Reynolds was playing at the American and “Bridge on the River Kwai” was showing at the Moonlite Drive in in West Wyoming.
The Duryea Holy Rosary baseball weam was champion of the Suburban League. Members of the team were Bill Richards, Wes Mugford, Don Soska, Jim Richards, Buzz Suteer, Art Lucarelli, Hank Halat, Joseph Resavy, Raymond Smitka. Official scorekeeper for the team was Marilyn Nosek. Teams in the the Suburban League played their first games in 1914. The league reorganized in 1934.
One of the new “innovations” in the West Pittston school system was to offer an introduction to language classes to junior high students. Up until 1964, foreign language classes were only offered in senior high school. Revisions in the state education standards required that children entering ninth grade have the opportunity to enroll in French, Spanish and additional Latin courses.
Members of the Exeter High School Class of 1949, Regina Gitautis Lavin, Settima Ciarmatori Clarke, Sylvia Frasciello Refenstahl and Mary Pepe Mirana, decided to do something to surprise their classmates at their 15th anniversary reunion in 1964. The Beatles were certainly the topic of the day, so the ladies dressed in suits and floppy wigs and performed as the Bootles. The classmates were delighted with the impersonations. Visit www.psdispatch.com to see these ladies in our Photo of the Week.
1974- 40 Years Ago
A testimonial dinner was held in honor of Esther J. Tinsley, who, for 61 years, served in the nursing profession and became administrator for Pittston Hospital. Event chairwoman Rosemary Zurla, director of the hospital’s school of nursing, and J. Earl Langan, president of the hospital board of directors, served as toastmasters. Marie Mack, past president of the Greater Pittston Business and Professional Woman’s Club, noted that “Miss Tinsley was a woman’s ‘libber’ far ahead of the movement.” Mrs. John Blandina read an original poem highlighting the life of Tinsley.
1984 – 30 Years Ago
Exeter Borough celebrated its centennial. Ruth Ann Zamber was chosen Miss Exeter. To see photos of the celebration, check out our Sunday Dispatch Facebook page and find more photos on www.psdispatch.com. See if you recognize anyone.
Known as the borough of peace and prosperity, the name Exeter, founded in 1884, is derived from the ancient city of Exeter in Devon. According to the US Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 5.0 miles, of which 4.7 square miles are land and 0.3 square miles are water. It lies on the west side of the Susquehanna River and has two distinct islands – Monocanock and Scovell and a number of other smaller islands.
Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter held its annual golf tournament to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Over 170 golfers attended and donations exceeded $25,000. George Thomas served as general chairman. Committee members were Mike Lanunziata, Chic Sacco, Sam Valenti and John Pisaneschi.
Answer:
Monocanock and Scovell are two distinct islands included in Exeter Borough’s boundaries on the Susquehanna River, along with a number of smaller islands.
