Question
What were the top 10 songs being played on local radio stations in 1979?
1947 – 71 YEARS AGO
Joseph Volpe, proprietor of Josephine’s on North Main Street, Pittston, was on his way to visit his native Italy. While on the trip, Volpe set about finding the gravesite of William O’Malley, who was buried there after being killed in action while serving with the Fifth Army during World War II. The request to find the grave was made by Mrs. Anthony O’Malley, young William’s mother. Knowing she would never be able to visit the gravesite, O’Malley asked Volpe to find the grave and take a photo of it so she may see where her son was buried. Volpe agreed and traveled quite a number of miles out his way to find the gravesite and snap some pictures of the headstone and the cemetery. Young O’Malley was 19 years old at the time of his death.
Sergeant Mary Ruane arrived in Pittston on leave from the ground services unit of the U.S. Women’s Army Corp. Stationed in Stoneman, California, Sgt. Ruane visited her parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ruane and was expected to return to her base after a 20-day visit. In February 1946, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower directed the preparation of legislation to make the Women’s Army Corps a permanent part of the Army. In September 1947, legislators combined the bill with the WAVES/Women Marines, added a section to include women in the Air Force, and renamed the bill the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. President Truman signed the bill into law on June 12, 1948.
In 1947, The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked local residents, “Do you think husbands should be allowed to assist their wives in casting their vote?” John Kishkis, visiting Pittston from Newark, NJ answered, “Yes, I do. The average woman doesn’t study papers closely enough.” John Bernaskas, of Inkerman, stated, “They should allow assistance because I don’t think women really know how to vote by themselves; they don’t know how to pull the levers.” Thomas Murtha, of Port Blanchard, added, “I don’t believe so. You can’t tell women what to do, not even when voting.” Margie Markert, of Pittston, said, “I don’t see why a woman, single or married, should need help. A woman has her own mind to make up and ought to know what she’s doing. There’s no reason she should require assistance.”
1960 – 58 YEARS AGO
Charles E. Austin and Walter Gorman, of West Pittston, and Thomas Boshard, of Pittston, three of seven remaining members of Pittston Camp 17 United Spanish War Veterans, were appointed national aides on the staff of national commander-in-chief Charles E.M. Howard. The appointments were made to acknowledge the veterans’ many years of loyal service and devotion.
An all-aluminum “sparkler metal Christmas tree, gleaming like a million diamonds” could be purchased for $7.77 at Kresge’s on North Main Street, Pittston. A 10-piece truck and train set were on sale for $2.88. According to the US Inflation Calculator, both items would, respectively, cost $66.27 and $24.56 today.
1957 – 61 YEARS AGO
In the month of November, West Pittston was getting set to mark its 100th anniversary of incorporation as a borough. A petition to incorporate was signed by 55 residents on Aug. 19, 1857 but the actual granting of the petition by the court did not occur until Nov. 23, 1857.
The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked, “Some fashion authorities say today’s girls are frivolous and sloppy dressers compared to the delicate beauties of 10 years ago. Do you agree?” Barbara Dalton, of Exeter, answered,” I do not agree, Women are more sensible; they’re in politics and career jobs and you wouldn’t call that being silly.” James LaVerdi, of Inkerman, stated, “There’s no comparison; the present styles are better than ever. The new models have more sex appeal. That’s what they aim at anymore.” Jasmine Mikita, of West Pittston, added, “A statement like that makes me mad. Women today are more independent; they are more conservative and have better taste.”
1975 – 43 YEARS AGO
The Daughters of The American Revolution Dial Rock Chapter of West Pittston held its 79th anniversary dinner. Mrs. E.S. Wicks, Mrs. O.E. Kensworth, Norine MacGaffie, Mrs. John Ruddy, Mrs. Willard Hunter, Mrs. Ralph Thomas and Mrs. Jean Norris received 25-year service pins.
1979 – 39 YEARS AGO
The Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania held its first Pocono Northeast Community Awards Dinner. The first-place award in the category of Governmental Services went to Duryea for its application of storm water management techniques to correct a long-standing erosion and drainage problem which had plagued the borough for many years. Jack Sammon, borough secretary, received the award that was sought after by 77 entrants. Duryea was one of the smallest groups present at the dinner.
1995 – 23 YEARS AGO
Pittston Area High School hosted 16 marching bands for the Tournament of Bands Chapter VII Championship competition which was held at Charley Trippi Stadium. Eight bands advanced to the Atlantic Coast Championships set to be held at Lackawanna County Stadium. Pittston Area advanced in the competition after qualifying as a wild card band. A Patriot Marching Band fan, addressing the band’s disappointment at not placing first, wrote in a letter to the editor, “I want to offer some thoughts for the Marching Patriots to carry forward. First, you have accomplished a great deal this season. Second, several times you scored 93 which were marks never before attained by a Pittston Area marching unit. Third, you gained the respect of many people. Fourth, your show on Nov. 5 in the Chapter Championship was viewed by most people who have been observing band competitions for close to a decade as the finest.” Signed, a Marching Patriot Fan
Members of the Pittston Vietnam Vets Post 66 were among more than 100,000 veterans marching in The Nation’s Parade in New York City. The parade was held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Those participating were Frank Donahue, post commander; Peter Scarantino, Pete Shulkeski, Air Force Recruiter; Tony Briggs, Joseph Jannone, Constance Wynn, Post 66 CEO; Joe Tavaglione, Lou Wiernusz and Joseph M. Pesta, Sergeant at Arms.
Answer
Top Ten Songs of 1979
1. “Babe” – Styx
2. “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” – Michael Jackson
3. “Heartache Tonight” – Eagles
4. “Good Girls Don’t” – The Knack
5. “Please Don’t Go” – K.C. & the Sunshine Band
6. “Sure Know Something” – Kiss
7. “Dim All the Lights” – Donna Summer
8. “Still” – Commodores
9. “Ships” – Barry Manilow
10. “Pop Muzik” – M
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1778 — Indians, led by William Butler, massacre the inhabitants of Cherry Valley, N.Y.
1831 — Nat Turner, a slave who led a revolt against slave owners, is hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia.
1889 — Washington becomes the 42nd state of the Union.
1909 — Construction begins on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
1918 — German leaders sign the armistice ending World War I.
1921 — The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery is dedicated.
1933 — The first of the great dust storms of the 1930s hits North Dakota.
1938 — Irving Berlin‘s “God Bless America” is performed for the first time by singer Kate Smith.
1993 — A sculpture honoring women who served in the Vietnam War is dedicated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1885 — George S. Patton, U.S. Army commander in World War II
1922 — Kurt Vonnegut, American novelist (“Slaughterhouse Five”)
1925 — Jonathan Winters, comedian
1962 — Demi Moore, actress (“Ghost,” “A Few Good Men”) in 1996 became the highest-paid actress in film history when she received $12.5 million to star in “Striptease.”
1974 — Leonardo DiCaprio, actor; (“Titanic,” “The Great Gatsby”) won a Golden Globe for Best Actor (“The Aviator,” 2004).
