1948 – 70 YEARS AGO
In an 11-year period, the number of people who took advantage of Christmas Clubs in six banks in the Greater Pittston area increased by 4,525 with an increase in money saved by club members as over $475,000. The growth and popularity of Christmas Clubs in the Pittston area dating from 1937 to 1948 tripled as monies deposited in Greater Pittston banks in 1937 totaled 150,000 with totals reaching 625,000 in 1948. The first known Christmas Club originated in Carlisle, PA in 1909 when Merkel Landis, treasurer of the Carlisle Trust Company, started the first Christmas savings fund. The clubs fell out of favor with banks and consumers due to low interest rates and costs of maintaining the accounts. Many credit unions still offer the service.
The Dupont High School was destroyed by fire, leaving 270 students without classrooms. A state fire marshal determined the fire started in a locker room, where football gear had been thrown on a heated steam pipe.
1949 – 69 YEArS AGO
The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked, “Do you think there should be a Woman of the Year honored? If so, on what basis should she be chosen?” Paul Duda, of Port Griffith, answered, “Sure, she should be picked by a committee of members of various men’s and women’s clubs on her merits as a business or professional women. If she is married, her domestic life should be considered.” Bobby Rizzo, of Pittston, stated, “No, I don’t think there should be a woman of the year. There is too much competition among women; therefore, if such a woman was chosen, there would be too much trouble. Furthermore, no woman did enough to deserve such an honor. I can’t think of any woman who did any great deed which would command the title.” John DeRosa, of Pittston, added, “No, definitely not. Is there any woman in town who has actually done anything outstanding?” Erminio Cefalo, of Pittston, commented, “Yes, she should be chosen by a group of women, not men. They should finally agree on the woman who had made the greatest contribution to the community welfare.”
Residents of Hughestown were hearing rumors circulating that the borough was turning in to a ghost town and soon businesses would leave for other thriving communities. The Dispatch reported an expansion project was underway at the Budwesky and Son Upholstering Shop on Center Street, one of the oldest establishments in the borough, proving that businesses intended to stay and expand. A short distance away, the Howard Renfer Dairy on Rock Street, another one of the oldest businesses in the borough, was expanding its facility. The dairy had been operating since 1874 and was started by Frederick Renfer Sr., whose farm was located on upper Parsonage Street near the Duryea Borough line. Frederick passed the business to his son, William, who then passed the establishment to his son, Howard.
New Year’s Eve was going to fall on a Saturday night and revelers were making plans for ringing in the New Year with the prospect of having Sunday to recuperate. The only problem was the State Liquor Control board’s restriction that bars and nightclubs close their doors at midnight, leaving patrons with a quick pre-New Year wish before heading for home before midnight. The Sunday Dispatch checked with the Control Board to see if the restriction would be lifted for this one special circumstance, but was told the closing hour at midnight was set by an act of the state legislature and there was nothing that could be done. A check of local residents found that most would be having parties in their homes. Prohibition, which was mandated by the Volstead act 1920 – 1933, was challenged in 1933 with the Blain Act which lead to the repeal of National Prohibition. In the post prohibition era, restrictions of the sale of alcohol in establishments fell to individual states. For many years, liquor consumption was a contentious subject among Americans, and a subject that was best avoided in polite company.
1979 – 39 YEARS AGO
Paul Yanik, owner of the American Theatre, felt it necessary to respond to parents who objected to the American Theatre policy of telling youngsters to leave if they were destructive or annoying other patrons. Yanik cited noise issues, four-letter words scratched into the walls, cigarette butts and toilets blocked with paper products as reason to expel mostly young folks from the theatre. Parents objected, and Yanik felt the need to explain his reasoning for the action. “I cannot say that these actions are the common rule for all people who come into the theatre; however, under the cover of a darkened theatre, even the good boys and girls from good and well-to-do families will try to see how much they can get away with.” Yanik decided to abandon the policy under public pressure, but noted a security guard would be on hand and those acting out would be prosecuted.
The Jenkins Township Little League held its fifth annual sports banquet at Convention Hall in Pittston Township. Little League graduates included Richie Katulka, Tom Brannon, Jerry Mondlak, Mark Bradigan, Mike Constantini, Lisa Smyden, Michelle Thomas, Lisa Ambrozaitis, Jack Stacey, Joe Valvonis, Sam Nardone, Robbie Phillips, Pat Gaffney, Gary Buscalferri, Joe Silinski and Ricky James.
1985 – 33 YEARS AGO
Six members of the Pittston Area High School’s outstanding 1985 football team were selected to area All-Scholastic teams. Those selected were tailback Ken Scalpi, of Hughestown; defensive halfback, John Baloga, of Dupont; place kicker Lou Scarantino, of Pittston; offensive guard John McHale, of Pittston; defensive end Pat Walker, of Pittston; and linebacker John Wojcik, of Yatesville.
Exeter’s Christmas lighting committee headed by Michael Vacula and Daniel DeRoberto faced not only public opposition to the hanging of Christmas lights on Wyoming Avenue, but also vandals who attempted to undermine the project. After several fundraising projects, the committee amassed $13,000 to purchase and hang lights on one side of the avenue. Before flipping the switch, turning on the 34 lanterns and ornaments, Mayor Andrew Mauriello stated, “We’re excited about this; this will be the first time for Christmas lights on Wyoming Avenue in Exeter.” Naysayers initially claimed the project was a waste of time and something Exeter residents didn’t want. But after the lighting, plans were made to light the other side of the avenue in 1986.
What was Life Like in 1979?
The year-end interest rate of Federal Reserve was 15.25%, the average cost of a new house was $58,100, the average income per year was $17,500, average monthly rent was $280, the cost of a gallon of gas was 86 cents. Major news stories included Three Mile Island nuclear accident, China institutes the one child per family rule, General knowledge quiz game, Trivial Pursuit launched, Pink Floyd released “The Wall” and Sony released the Walkman, a worldwide success, costing $200. The first snowboard is invented in the USA.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1823 — President James Monroe proclaims the principles known as the Monroe Doctrine, “that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by European powers.”
1867 — People wait in mile-long lines to hear Charles Dickens give his first reading in New York City.
1927 — The new Ford Model A is introduced to the American public.
1944 — General George S. Patton‘s troops enter the Saar Valley and break through the Siegfried line.
1946 — The United States and Great Britain merge their German occupation zones.
1982 — Dentist Barney Clark receives the first permanent artificial heart, developed by Dr. Robert K. Jarvik.
1993 — NASA launches the Space Shuttle Endeavor on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1863 — Charles Ringling, one of the seven Ringling brothers of circus fame
1906 — Peter Carl Goldmark, engineer; developed the first commercial color television and the long-playing phonograph record
1925 — Alexander Haig, American army general and Secretary of State for President Ronald Reagan
1954 — Stone Phillips, Emmy-winning journalist; co-anchor of Dateline NBC
1981 — Brittany Spears, singer, songwriter, actress; her … “Baby One More Time” (1999) became the best-selling album to date (2013) by a teenage solo artist.
