1952 – 67 YEARS AGO

The girls outnumbered the boys in most of the graduating classes in high schools located in Greater Pittston. In 1951, boys held a lead of 388 to 382, in 1952 there were 423 girls graduating and 359 boys. The figures represented classes at Pittston High, St. John’s, Avoca, Hughestown, Pittston Township, Jenkins Township, Exeter, Wyoming and Moosic. The male element maintained majorities in Duryea, Dupont and West Wyoming.

It was reported that employment prospects for graduates were improved over prior years, but the girls had the best chance for employment. According to the manager of the Pittston office of the Bureau of Employment Security, female graduates had a much wider diversity of job opportunities than their male counterparts. The trend in decreasing male employment was attributed to the decline in the anthracite industry and lack of jobs for males. According to the bureau, students who had training in stenography and bookkeeping were in demand.

1963 – 56 YEARS AGO

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Mother and son both received college degrees in the same month. Mrs. Ettore Agolino received a bachelor’s degree in music education from College Misericordia, her son Santo received a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies from Villanova College. According to villanova.org, the university is named for a Spanish Augustinian, Thomas García born in 1486, ordained to the priesthood in 1520 and died in 1555. St. Thomas of Villanova was canonized by Pope Alexander VII on Nov. 1, 1658.

1969 – 50 YEARS AGO

Members of the Pittston Area High School Class of 1969 will celebrate its 50th anniversary reunion in August 2019. They have shared senior highlights from the class in our Peeking into the Past column throughout the months leading up to their reunion event.

The third annual commencement exercises at Pittston Area High School were conducted Friday, June 13, 1969, at the high school stadium in Yatesville. The class of 413 students was the first to graduate from the new $5,000,000 high school facility and in the new Charley Trippi Stadium. The ceremony began with a processional, followed by the salute to the flag and singing of the National Anthem. Invocation was offered by Reverend Nicholas Pecci, assistant pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Pittston. The highlight of the program was the valedictory address by Sally Kazinetz, entitled “The Challenge of Tomorrow,” which called on the graduating class to “Let us begin today to make America proud of us.” Class prayer was offered by Doris Kubick, who had attained the highest average in the business course. An address entitled “Our Class” was delivered by Patricia Hensley, receiver of the highest average in general education. Principal speaker was Major General George B. Simler, U.S. Air Force Director of Operations at headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was introduced to the students and audience by Martin L. Mattei, superintendent of the Pittston Area School District. Thomas R. Kelly, principal of the senior high school, presented the class. Diplomas were awarded by John. A. Adonizio, president of the board of education. Benediction was delivered by Reverend Robert F. Sauers, pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hughestown. Music for the graduation ceremonies was provided by the Pittston Area High School Orchestra and the Senior Class as Chorus, performing five selections: “God of Our Fathers,” “This is My Country,” “Grand Old Flag,” Blowin’ in the Wind” and the class song. Music director was Charles “Masters” Mustinski.

1973 – 46 YEARS AGO

The Borough of Avoca found itself without public transportation as the PUC granted the Laurel Line Bus Corporation to discontinue passenger service there. In years past, borough transportation was provided by the railroads. However, one by one rail lines dropped passenger service. Amtrak took over intercity passenger service in 1971, but railroad companies continued to lose money, finally forcing the U.S. government to bail out certain railroads to avoid bankruptcy.

1974 – 45 YEARS AGO

Floyd Evans, president of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, imposed a 21-day salute to “Honor America” to commence on Flag Day and extend through July 4. All citizens were asked to display the American flag during the three-week event. The observance was sponsored by the American Historic and Cultural Society Inc. of Washington, D.C. headed by John P. Cosgrove, executive director. President Evans stated, “We should all honor America on a daily basis.” This observance is included into the list of Patriotic and National Observance and Ceremonies of 36 of the United States Code. Honor America is observed across the country but does not always get the attention of all citizens.

1983 – 36 YEARS AGO

Franklin’s East-West All-Star Baseball Classic was scheduled for Artillery Park in Wilkes-Barre and it was measuring up to be quite a match-up. Wyoming Area seniors Mark Sickler and Ron Musto were part of the West’s starting nine, garnering the first and second baseman spots, respectively; Dave Gavlick was set as outfielder, All-Scholastic catcher Tom Spurlin, Wyoming Seminary’s Joe Littzi, shortstop, and Mark Ambrose as the West’s starting pitcher. Pittston Area’s Rich Kashuba was slotted for East’s starting first baseman. Other members of the East team were Pittston Area’s Rob Musto and Joe Ranieli of Old Forge and Seton Catholic’s All-Star infielder Mike Mazur.

1985 – 34 YEARS AGO

Seton Catholic High School students Marina Costantino, Sandra Sheridon, Linda Marsh, Lisa Boos, Donna Magni, Bob Kelly, Jaynie Romanosky, William Hizny, Karen Kondratick, Kate Tigue, Eugene Romanosky and Meghan Tigue were awarded Medals and Maxima Cum Laude Certificates for Excellence in the National Latin Exam. The exam sponsored by the American Classical League was administered to more than 50,000 Latin students across the US, Canada, Japan and England. In 2019, over 139,000 students from all 50 states and 20 foreign countries participated in the exam.

Runners in the Greater Pittston area were gearing up for the seventh annual Irish Heritage Games competition, a joint venture of the Wilkes-Barre Donegal Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Event committee members Tom O’Hara, Ned McGinley, Pat Liberaski, John Gill Gibbons and Joe Clark announced the addition of wrestling contests to the one-day event. In the 1984 competition, Greater Pittston was represented by 44 runners. Sue Carden finished first in the female division and Tom Doran, of Duryea, finished first overall. Bill Ziegler captured top honors in the 5 Kilometer Intermediate Run with Theresa Meade the top female finisher.

1995 – 24 YEARS AGO

The West Pittston Pool was a popular hangout for young and old. In 1985, the addition of a new water slide was introduced with the promise of many hours of fun for children. Organizers planned summer events such as a dip and dive, Halloween in June, Christmas in July and a special Family Night. The pool closed in 2012 and was demolished in 2017 to make way for a new park.

Some of the job openings in the Pittston area in 1985: carpenter, $10 per hour; roofer, $8 per hour; bartender, $5 per hour plus tips; secretary, $6 per hour; data entry clerk, $6 per hour; electrician, $8 per hour.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1863 — At the Battle of Brandy Station in Virginia, Union and Confederate cavalries clash in the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War.

1945 — Japanese Premier Kantaro Suzuki declares that Japan will fight to the last rather than accept unconditional surrender.

1954 — At the Army-McCarthy hearings, attorney Joseph Welch asks Senator Joseph McCarthy “Have you no sense of decency?”

1959 — The first ballistic missile-carrying submarine, the USS George Washington, is launched.

1986 — NASA publishes a report on the Challenger accident.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_Judy-Minsavage.CMYK_.jpg.optimal.jpg

The first Pittston Area High School class to graduate from the new high school and stadium in Yatesville formed a line of march on June 13, 1969. The class of 413 students stretched from the main entrance of the school to the stadium fieldhouse.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_1969-GRADUATION.jpg.optimal.jpgThe first Pittston Area High School class to graduate from the new high school and stadium in Yatesville formed a line of march on June 13, 1969. The class of 413 students stretched from the main entrance of the school to the stadium fieldhouse.

Peeking into

the Past

Judy Minsavage

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