Question:
In 1977, what did Karen Mikita, Dee Dee Dructor, Becky Edmunds, John DeGraba, Lou Mischianti and Frank Baldiga have in common?
1947 – 68 years ago
The Pittston Lithuanian Club hosted a dinner to welcome to the area Professor Adolphas Baliunas, his wife Dr. Mary Ann Baliunas and their two children. After the fall of Nazi Germany in World War II, the family was sponsored into the United States by the Kapoczius family. Mrs. Baliunas, sister of Simon Kapoczius, remembered her brother’s Pittston address from correspondence shared before the war. Living in Germany, the Baliunases felt they could not return to Lithuania which was threatened with Russian occupation after the war. They decided to contact their American family members. Arrangements for the dinner were made by Rev. John Kassakaitis, pastor of St. Casimir’s Church, William Greistaraitis, Daniel Zelonis, Anthony Galinskas, Adolph Poder, Anthony Paderzas, Frank Yuravich, Casimir Kizis, Mary Katkowski, Mary Karosa, Anna Sobieski, Anna Walkavage, Anna Kizis, Stanley Osieski, Edwin Sites, Peter Senesky, G. Laukaitis and Leo Sheporaitis.
1957 – 58 years ago
The borough of Avoca was in the process of moving its post office from Main Street to a building on the corner of Cherry and Main streets. In the early years, “old timers” recollected in a Sunday Dispatch article, the establishment of the borough’s first post office resulted in the borough’s name as well as its separation from Pittston Twp. Residents of Pleasant Valley, Avoca’s original name, began asking for a centrally-located post office. Petitions were forwarded to Washington, D.C. Officials finally agreed, but the name Pleasant Valley was already taken. The borough of Avoca was born.
Ford dealerships in the Greater Pittston area were offering the new Fairlane Club Sedan with two-tone paint, heater, electric clock, white sidewall tires and sunburst wheel covers for $2,485. Mel and Lando, owners of Twin Restaurant on South Main Street in Pittston, invited customers to dine out in air-conditioned comfort and John P. Sammon, realtor, advertised a six-room home in West Pittston with hardwood floors, modern kitchen and fireplace for $8,900.
1967 – 48 years ago
In the Sunday Dispatch, service news, it was noted that Sergeant Joseph DeLuca of Pittston participated in Operation Francis Marion in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division as squad leader in Company B, 1st Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division’s 12th Infantry. Beginning in April 1967, the operation’s objective was to prevent North Vietnamese troops from moving into South Vietnam. A period referred to as “Nine Days in May,” resulted in heavy enemy casualties.
Radioman William Rupp Jr. of Duryea, serving aboard the Destroyer USS Blue, encountered heavy gunfire while participating in defensive maneuvers in the Sea Dragon Patrol 62 miles south of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. During his tour, Rupp met up with fellow soldiers and Duryea residents Joseph Szewczyk, Stephen Swantkowski and Jack Dunay.
1977 – 38 years ago
Sam Rubbico, Mike Mazur, John Pribula, Dave Weiskerger, Mark Kendzor, Joe Rubbico, Jim Oschal, Karl Sakocius, Tom Drogalis and Joe Radzwilka, members of the Wyoming Area track team, qualified to participate in statewide competition. To see a photo of the team and their coaches log on to psdispatch.com and click Peeking into the Past.
In the first meeting of the Greater Pittston Fine Arts Festival, committee members discussed the possibility of such an event becoming overwhelming. However, Edward Novakowski, Joe Dessoye, Denise Faleski, Debbie Lynn, Joe McCabe and Angelo Marcino decided it was definitely worth the effort. Five weeks later, with over 200 artists, musicians, craftsmen and performers on board, the committee was happy they would be able to provide a day of non-stop entertainment topped by an evening fireworks display.
The Borough of Wyoming conducted a census contacting every resident to update the number of residents, dwelling units and structures. High school students, working under the Human Resources Development Department summer program, helped to conduct the census by distributing questionnaires.
Gina Granteed of Wyoming Area High School and Debbie Adrian of Pittston Area High School were named to the first Softball All Star Team. Each high school softball coach was required nominate one girl from their team. The list of nominations was sent to coaches. Each coach voted for one girl for each position.
Answer:
Karen Mikita, West Pittston; Dee Dee Dructor, Duryea; Becky Edmunds, Wyoming; John DeGraba, Pittston; Lou Mischianti, Exeter’ and Frank Baldiga, Pittston, were awarded the Sunday Dispatch student athlete award for each of their schools in 1977. Each senior student was selected by having shown leadership and dedication to their teams, exhibiting a better than average grade point and interest in their school work.
Quote of the week
“You’ve got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you’re not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice.” – Steven D. Woodhull, 1999 (U.S. geologist, b.1976)
