Editor’s note: This Peeking into the Past column was first published on April 24. 2011.

Question 1

School students were happy to hear they would be given an unscheduled day off from their classes to allow teachers to travel to Harrisburg. What was the purpose of theat trip?

1947 – 72 YEARS AGO

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The excellent financial condition of the Pittston City School District allowed city council to lower the per capita tax from $5 to $3. A reduction in millage was also being considered but most council members felt that would strain the budget in the coming year as renovations of the high school and added costs created by a “spread out” school district were rising.

In April 1947, Dispatch headlines read “National Government out of the Red,” President Truman hailed “Good Times” because, for the first time in 17 years, the government ended the fiscal year with a surplus of $1,250,000,000. The Chief Executive opposed tax cuts, saying to do so would lead to inflation.

Frank Yuscavage, of West Pittston, advertised lots along the Sullivan Trail priced at $300 and up, stating that, “The sun shines every day in Harding. Build your dream home, city conveniences, with healthful advantages of the country.”

Duryea fishermen considered themselves experts at catching big fish. Several of the local anglers planned a school to be conducted by Joseph Russavage and Jack Gillespie. Both were willing to give out instructions on how a hook should be baited and what bait to use to become successful fishermen.

1957 – 62 YEARS AGO

The Borough of West Pittston was planning its centennial celebration. Part of the plans included the publication of a booklet entitled “Centennial Chronicles.” Victor B. Luchsinger, newspaperman and borough historian, began assembling facts with the help of heads of borough organizations and West Pittston High School students. The booklet detailed borough historical data, as well as facts about how West Pittston was named, the meaning of the Susquehanna River; floods that occurred such as the famous “Pumpkin Flood”; names of all burgesses, postmasters and elected officials in Luzerne County and the State Legislature. Also included in the booklet was a listing of the borough’s mine disasters, the greatest of which claimed 17 lives, as well as the Wyoming and Fort Jenkins Massacres. The West Pittston Historical Society was formed in 2001.

Duryea Borough girls were competing for the title of Miss Duryea in a contest sponsored by the Lions Club. Bernadine and Judy Aruscavage, Marian Chicoski, Jean Chipko, Janice Panick, Peggy Zabrowski, Bernadine Sobeski, Pat Szumski, Regina Yasulitis and Maryanne Rava were just a few of the girls vying for the title. Floyd Swantkowski’s Pharmacy, Belaski’s Service Station Carmen’s Tee Vee, Luggs Supermarket, Kunigiels Wallpaper and Paint Store and Walter Naylor’s Garage, all Duryea businesses, informed residents that ballots could be obtained at their establishments.

Four hundred and fifty youngsters showed up at the Jenkins Township American Legion Post 938 to search for Easter eggs. James Burke, commander of the post, along with Andrew Lapusnak and Patrick Duffy, co-chairmen of the event, were pleased with the overwhelming attendance. The post was located on River Road in Port Blanchard.

With the start of the 1957 baseball season, the Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked area sports fans, “Who do you think will win the big-league pennants and who will capture the batting titles?” Jimmy Suriano, of Pittston, answered, “I think the Yanks and Brooklyn will repeat and Mickey Mantle to take the American League batting title and either Hank Aaron or Willie Mays the National.” Joe Falzone, Pittston barber, added, “The Yankees and the Braves with Stan Musial to win the National League batting race.” Leo Monteforte, of Pittston, said, “I pick the Yankees and the Reds. In batting, it looks like Mantle and Aaron.” The Yankees and Braves battled in the ’57 Series. The Braves won their first championship since the “Miracle Braves” of 1914. Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox took the American and Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals took the National League batting titles.

Question #2

In 1957, The West Pittston “Brothers of the Brush” society was formed. What did these gentlemen plan to do?

1967 – 52 YEARS AGO

Joseph Montagna, of Pittston, was honored by the Pittston Elks Lodge 382 the Man of the Year. Club members lauded Mr. Montagna for “personifying the principles of Elkdom such as brotherly love, justice, charity and fidelity.” Some of those attending the event were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tabone, Mr, and Mrs. John Tramontana, Attorney Anthony J. Lupas, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Medico. According to paelks.com, on Aug. 2, 1897, the Pittston Lodge was instituted. This was the same year the nation’s first automobile insurance policy was issued, John J. McDermott, won the first running of the Boston Marathon, and Jell-O was invented.

Several members of the ILGWU received certificates for completing a six-week course in How to Enforce the Union Agreement conducted by William Matthews, educational director for the union. Sam Bianco, headquarters manager, presented the certificates at a meeting attended by Mildred Walsh, Helen Wozniak, Lena Gregori, Betty LaNunziata, Adelaide Ochreiter, Ann Gillis, Minnie Caputo, Theresa Cardascia, Helen DePhillip, Pearl Sakalouskas, Rose Usavage. Ann Perry, Helen Burke, Stella Grabowski, Sally Pakuta, Louise Mullen, Sophie Klink, Elizabeth Fereck, Mary Hrab, Catherine McGuire, Amelia Spigarelli, Gretta Ash, Rachel Chismar. Lillian Gusinsky, Ann Sardy, Belle Scott, Leon Saslow, John Ventura, William Gable, Marian Gregalis, Viola Nardone, Shirley DiBiasi and Clem Lyons. According to the website rmc.library.cornell.edu, David Dubinsky, an immigrant from Belarus who came to America in 1911, became president of ILGWU in 1932. During his presidency which lasted to 1966, the union experienced unprecedented growth by the forming of the Committee for Industrial Organization and enabling the union to become a political force in the national Democratic Party and Liberal Party.

Beautification of the Mosier Cemetery in Duryea was the special project of Mayor John B. Salek, James Steer, Joseph Kreseski, Ray Krafjack, Al Throne, John Moss and Paul Szewczyk. Mosier Cemetery contains markers dating back to the 1700s. The committee hoped to gain support to remove debris, groom areas and plant grass to beautify the historical site. Healey Memorial Playground Association was the first organization to contribute. Information donated by Suzanne LaFrance on the graves located at the cemetery can be found online at Luzerne County’s pagenweb.org site managed by Luzerne County Coordinator Mary Ann Lubinsky.

1977 – 42 YEARS AGO

Local “barbershoppers” Anthony D’Angelo and Raymond Ramage, of West Pittston, and Ben Tielle and Roy Thomas, of Pittston, rehearsed for Harmony Month which was being observed along with the 39th anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society. According to barbershop.org, the society began with Owen Clifton Cash on April 11, 1938. Cash and acquaintance Rupert Hall were interested in getting a few guys together to sing. Cash drafted an invitation and mailed it to the 14 singers he knew might show up and encouraged them to bring guests; 26 showed. By the following week, the number of singers tripled.

After Dupont celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, the planning committee decided to stay active and continue its beautification efforts in the borough. In doing so, the committee hoped to keep alive the spirit of the bicentennial year. Tony Smithonic, Bob Jones, John Boyer, Stanley “Poncho” Piechota, Tom Titton, Mayor Michael Kaminski, Frank Kutza, Henry Gimzek and Bernie Krappa used a beautiful April day to plant cherry trees at Memorial Playground.

1987 – 32 YEARS AGO

Anthony Botyrius, of Wyoming, received the Circle of Excellence Award from Northern Telecom Limited, the first supplier of digital telecommunication systems and information management systems. Tony ranked in the top 25 percent in sales, earning him a trip to Madrid, Spain. According to its website, Northern Telecom, formerly known as Northern Electric and today as Nortel, introduced the world’s first X.25 data switch in 1976, the first standard-based commercial application of packet switching, the technology that is the foundation of today’s Internet.

Answer #1

Teachers rallied in Harrisburg to support the passage of House Bill 417. The bill provided for an increase in pay for the teachers. Also at issue was the required retirement age for teachers. Most did not want the limit reduced from age 70. According to PSEA.org, a bill on addressing teachers’ salaries was not passed until 1949.

Answer #2

West Pittston Council Chairman William Hastie announced the West Pittston Brothers of the Brush Society would start growing beards in celebration of the borough’s centennial. No doubt, wives had something to say about it, though, because most of the men decided to wait until after the Easter parade to begin their growths.

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Peeking into

the Past

Judy Minsavage

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-991-6405 or by email at sd@psdispatgch.com.