Question

In 1973, the Sunday Dispatch had to begin changing its format due to what event happening across the border in Canada?

1962 – 56 YEARS AGO

Michael Baldo, of Pittston, well-known leader of the Glenn Michaels Orchestra, glanced at a Catholic Diocesan newspaper while visiting family in New York State in 1962. He came upon an article that stated Notre Dame High School in Elmira, New York had purchased the Bone Stadium bleachers for its expanding high school. The story went on to report that George Bone traveled to the school to help erect the bleachers.

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1964 – 54 YEARS AGO

The Liberty National Bank baseball team captured the off-season championship of the Pittston Little League. Members of the bank team were Michael Garzella, Joe Guarneri, Ron Tribendis, Ken O’Brien, Billy McDade, Gene Sperazza , James Bilbow, Ted McCabe, John Morreale, Frank Aruscavage, Ralph Tribendis, Marty Walker, Fran Voveris, Mike Capizzi. Managers were George Morgan and Joe Guarneri, Sr.

1973 – 45 YEARS AGO

An agreement was inked between the West Pittston Parks and Recreation Commission and Wyoming Area Board of Education to allow Wyoming Area Stadium in West Pittston as a recreational area for all residents of the district. All events would be under terms of a lease signed by Charles Adonizio, president of the board of education and Clifford Melberger Jr., chairman of the recreation commission.

1974 – 44 YEARS AGO

Barbara Ann Coyne, of Exeter, joined the Exeter Little League team but could only keep statistics and serve as a bat girl until a ruling in 1974 by the New Jersey Superior Court which lead to the admittance of girls into Little League programs and allowing them to play. In 1972, Maria Pepe, a young New Jersey girl, attracted the attention of The National Organization of Women after being asked to leave a team she had played on because of the belief only boys should be able to play on Little League teams. The organization championed Maria’s cause, which led to the ruling in 1974. Following the passing of the rule, managers of Coyne’s team, Wagner Fuel, decided to use Coyne as a pinch hitter. The team finished with a 16-2 record.

Sam “Bouncer” Lombardo, manager, dispatcher and cab driver for the Greater Pittston Taxi Company, figured he had driven over two and a half million miles during his time as a cab driver. Sam started his career in 1941 with the Sullivan Taxi Company, and then with Pittston Taxi after Sullivan merged with Roman Cab. Lombardo, who was the first man to be drafted from Pittston during World War II, rose at 5 a.m. daily to arrive at work by sunrise. With dedication and consideration, he assisted residents in traveling to their destinations, handling up to 500 calls per day.

1984 – 34 YEARS AGO

Officials and residents of Exeter were preparing to celebrate the borough’s centennial. Mayor Andrew Mauriello and picnic chairman Herman Castellani made a request for volunteers to help with setting up the grounds. Committee members Judi Danko, Ann Mooney, Lynda Hyzenski, Fran Fumanti, James Smutko, Joe Dano, Bob Hyzenski, Pat Quinn, Josephine Fumanti, Emma Noone and Millie Piccirilli finalized plans for events for the week-long celebration. The borough’s early history began in 1874 when Captain Solomon Strumer, of West Pittston, secured a 14-acre tract of land and divided it into lots to sale to settlers at a low cost. The new village, named Strumersville, rapidly grew. After a time, members of the small community succeeded in their efforts to withdraw from Exeter Township and 10 years after the first resident Thomas McNeil purchased the first lot, Exeter Borough came into existence.

1992 – 26 YEARS AGO

Electrical engineer Mark Fagotti, of Pittston, was involved in a major project at Tobyhanna Army Depot to protect the earth’s ozone layer. The mission was to develop the R22 refrigerant, which would replace R12 and reduce the amount of chlorofluorocarbons produced in large part from air conditioners. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, established requirements that began the worldwide phase-out of ozone-depleting CFCs. The protocol requires the U.S. to reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 99.5% by 2020. R22 that has been recovered and recycled/reclaimed will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce it to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps. The EPA has determined R-410A, a blend of hydrofluorocarbons, does not contribute to depletion of the ozone layer and will replace R22.

The Pittston Kiwanis Club and its sponsored Key Club at Wyoming Area, Pittston Area and Seton Catholic schools participated in PennDOT’s Adopt-a Highway Program. Kiwanians Steve Homza, Frank Thomas, Dick Pepe, Ron Faust, Earl Campbell and Bob Orlando and Key Club members Jack Dessoye, Lynn Benfanti, Nicole Zarsecki, Missy Margavage, Liz Wojcik, Marash Ekhtiarzadeh, Paul Benish, Tom Maxwell and Ian Stephenson collected litter along Oak Street from Route 315 to the Pittston By-Pass. The group hoped to generate concern among residents that litter has a negative effect on the community. The Adopt a Highway program began in Texas in 1985 and started in Pennsylvania in 1990. According to the Department of Transportation, volunteers beautify roadsides two miles at a time. A volunteer group signs a two-year agreement to pick up litter at least two times a year. In return, PennDOT posts recognition signs along the adopted roadway giving you or your group full credit for their efforts. Area size and location include state highway right-of-ways, interchange areas, traffic islands or two-mile sections of roadway. Participants must be 8 years of age or older. There must be at least one adult (18 years of age or older) per eight minors (17 years of age or younger). Minors must have parental permission. PennDOT provides vests, trash bags, work gloves, “Litter Crew Ahead” signs (by request) and other equipment as required by PennDot. PennDOT will notify State Police of the scheduled pick up and will retrieve bagged litter from the roadside and post signs in recognition.

Answer

In 1973, delays in the shipments of newsprint caused by a rail and mill strike in Canada forced the Sunday Dispatch to reduce the number of pages published in its Sept. 9 edition. Newspapers throughout the US reduced the number of pages of their publications and restricted printing of special features. The paper mill strike involving 4,500 employees closed a plant owned by the Canadian International Paper Ltd. and the Price Co., Ltd.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1776 — The term “United States” is adopted by the Continental Congress to be used instead of the “United Colonies.”

1786 — George Washington calls for the abolition of slavery.

1850 — California, in the midst of a gold rush, enters the Union as the 31st state.

1863 — The Union Army of the Cumberland passes through Chattanooga as it chases after the retreating Confederates. The Union troops will soon be repulsed at the Battle of Chickamauga.

1956 — Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show; cameras focus on his upper torso and legs to avoid showing his pelvic gyrations, which many Americans, including Ed Sullivan, thought unfit for a family show.

1965 — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is established.

1965 — Hurricane Betsy, the first hurricane to exceed $1 billion in damages (unadjusted), makes its second landfall near New Orleans.

1970 — U.S. Marines launch Operation Dubois Square, a 10-day search for North Vietnamese troops near Da Nang.

1971 — The Attica Prison Riot takes place; the four-day riot leaves 39 dead.

BORN TODAY

1828 — Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist (“War and Peace,” “Anna Karenina”)

1890 — Colonel Harland Sanders, originator of Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food restaurants

1900 — James Hilton, British novelist who authored “Lost Horizon” and “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” and created the imaginary world of “Shangri-La”

1905 — Joseph E. Levine, film producer, founder of Embassy Pictures Corporation, an independent studio and distributor of films such as “Godzilla,” “King of the Monsters!,” “The Graduate,” “A Bridge Too Far” and “The Lion in Winter.”

1941 — Otis Redding, singer, songwriter, record producer, known as the “King of Soul”; (“Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Respect.”)

1949 — Joe Theismann, American football player, sports announcer; member of College Football Hall of Fame; winning quarterback, Super Bowl XVII

1960 — Hugh Grant, actor, film producer; awards include a Golden Globe (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) and a London Critics Circle’s British Actor of the Year Award (“About a Boy”)

1966 — Adam Sandler, actor, comedian, screenwriter, film producer (“Saturday Night Live,” “Happy Gilmore”)

1975 — Michael Buble, multiple Grammy and Juno award–winning singer, songwriter, actor (“Crazy Love,” “It’s Time”).

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_Judy-Minsavage.CMYK_.jpg.optimal.jpg

The Pittston Panther Drillerettes were ready for the upcoming season in 1973. From left, first row, are mascots Roxanne Faulkner, Judene Lopresto and Angelina Parente. Second row, Carmelle DiFiore, Debbie Pavlico, Lydia Dellasandro, Michelle Falcone, Denise Limongelli, Nanette Brogna, Mary Parrick, Maria Infantino. Third row, Phyllis Dominick, Donna Kelly, Lisa Stuccio, Doreen Turonis, Barbara Marick, Rosemary Connors, Kim McNulty, Carmelina Parente, Donna Coyne.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_1973-PITTSTON-PANTHER-DRILLERETTES.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Pittston Panther Drillerettes were ready for the upcoming season in 1973. From left, first row, are mascots Roxanne Faulkner, Judene Lopresto and Angelina Parente. Second row, Carmelle DiFiore, Debbie Pavlico, Lydia Dellasandro, Michelle Falcone, Denise Limongelli, Nanette Brogna, Mary Parrick, Maria Infantino. Third row, Phyllis Dominick, Donna Kelly, Lisa Stuccio, Doreen Turonis, Barbara Marick, Rosemary Connors, Kim McNulty, Carmelina Parente, Donna Coyne.

Peeking into

the past

Judy Minsavage

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.