1950 – 69 YEARS AGO

George Terrana, Pittston’s acting superintendent of streets, put out one fire but caused another to his dismay. Residents had been complaining for a few days that a city dump in Upper Pittston was burning. creating clouds of foul-smelling smoke throughout the area. Complaints were also made by the Pennsylvania Coal Company and Pagnotti Coal Company that the smoke was drifting into the mines. There were no fire hydrants near the dump, so Terrana contacted the water company and a hydrant was soon installed. After the installation, city workers poured water onto the stubborn smoldering fire. It took four hours, but finally they were seeing results and the fire was extinguished. Terrana headed home, satisfied with a job well done and in the knowledge he had made the residents happy. The feeling was temporary, as shortly thereafter, the water company informed Terrana residents were again angry because they had no water in Upper Pittston the whole time the city was fighting the fire. Terrana concluded that, if the fire started up again, which he expected it to do, he’d have to dispatch crews during late night and early morning hours.

Everything was in readiness for the first-ever Miss Greater Pittston Pageant sponsored by the Greater Pittston Junior Chamber of Commerce. The event was set to be held at the American Theatre and was expected to draw the interest of thousands of regional residents. Local TV personality Manny Gordon headed the pageant committee and expected ticket sales to be brisk. A motorcade was planned to escort the young ladies to the theatre. Members of the reception committee were Mrs. Jovanna Redding, Mrs. Peter Lello, Mrs. William Bellus, Mrs. John DeMarco, Mrs. Thomas Bulger, Mrs. Ida Mosca, Mrs. Joseph Ford, Mrs. J. Earl Langan, Mrs. Charles Bufalino, June Marie Merli and Mrs. Joseph Keifer.

1962 – 57 YEARS AGO

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Walter Cohowitz, of Duryea, was on his way to Lake Ontario to serve as publicity man for the Keystone Divers Club search project. The divers hoped to find possible treasure at the scene of the Battle of Sacketts Harbor during the War of 1812. Divers previously uncovered cannon balls, pistols, muskets and officers’ uniform buttons. This trip centered around finding a brass cannon believed to be in the lake. The club members were the guests of the Sackett Harbor American Legion. A blockhouse stands on the cliff overlooking the lake where the battle between American and British naval forces was fought on July 19, 1812.

1974 – 45 YEARS AGO

After 61 years at the helm, Pittston Hospital Administrator Esther J. Tinsley announced her retirement. Born in Plymouth, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1910. She was present at the opening of Nesbitt Hospital in 1911, and in 1913 came to work at Pittston Hospital’s “filling in where necessary” at the 32-bed facility. At the time, hospital care cost $1 a day, so state funds and income from a vegetable and dairy farm supplemented the hospital’s income. She received many awards for her service and, in 1963, a telegram from President John Kennedy congratulated her on holding the world’s record for tenure in one position in hospital administration.

A West Pittston Girls’ Softball League team coached by Ann Gildea, Jane Firestine and Leda Pope “made history” by shutting out its opposing team for the first time since the league’s inception. Jackie Littzi was credited with an exceptional performance on the mound and at bat. Also cited for excellent play was Mary Pastore at second base, Lisa Salvo at first and Brenda Hosier in the outfield.

A question asked of Miss Universe contestants prompted the Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer to ask Pittston residents, “Who do you think is the greatest person in the world?” Jerry McFadden answered, “Members of the Washington Post who uncovered the Watergate story.” Joe Burke stated, “The greatest person in the world is my father-in-law, Dewey Smith.” Josephine Wall added, “My baby who will be born in October. If he is a boy, my husband wants to name him Jesse James.”

1979 – 40 YEARS AGO

Guy Benfonte, Dave Angelella, Michael Valenti, David McLean, John Hadley, Jude Fahley, Eddie Gayz, Bill Burke and Pat Hadley, members of Boy Scout Troop 303 of St. Rocco’s Parish in Pittston, returned from their 12th annual canoe trip down the Susquehanna from Endicott, NY. Leonard Sanguedolce served as Scoutmaster.

Gina Prokop returned from the three-day Talent Unlimited competition in Rochester, NY, where she earned a total of 13 trophies out of 16 events. Prokop competed against 750 other entrants from Canada, Virginia, Rhode Island and New York. She took 10 first-place trophies in ballet, tap, jazz, costume modeling, novelty, disco, karate, bathing suit and sportswear modeling.

The Wyoming Area Marching Band performed at the pre-game show at the Phillies-Cubs baseball game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. It was the second time the band was invited to perform at the stadium. The band staff included Allen Marini, director; V. Mazzitelli, Mrs. J. Larini and Mrs. D. Rostock. Drum majorettes who led the band were Sue Newman and Jean Michaels.

1984 – 35 YEARS AGO

Erica Boyer, of West Pittston, was used to the bright lights. After all, she appeared in a Resorts International variety show at Steel Pier in Atlantic City. While there, she was “discovered” by a Staten Island talent agency that quickly signed her to appear in the upcoming feature film, “Ghostbusters.” Erica and her mother Joann Marianacci Boyer traveled to New York where they met Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray and experienced first-hand the making of a Hollywood blockbuster. Erica appeared in four scenes, three as she’s cheering for the heroes and one running after the Ectomobile. “Ghostbusters” was released in the United States on June 8, 1984 and made $200 million in the United States. The American Film Institute ranked the movie 28th in its AFI’s 100 Years.

1987 – 28 YEARS AGO

The Pittston Tomato Festival was set for Aug. 21, 22 and 23 and the projection for attendance was set at 75,000. Reigning over the fourth annual event was festival queen Tammy Lee Johnson, of Dunmore. Johnson competed against many local contestants in swimsuit, sportswear and interview competitions.

Erin Rowan, Michele Rodeghiero, Maria Adonizio, Melissa Adonizio, Lisa Dolan, Kristen Williams, Kristen Tigue, Kara Capone, Paulette Kern, Jean Marie Argenio, Terese Francioso and Eric Rodeghiero, Pittston Area High School tennis players, attended the Greyhound Tennis Camp at Moravian College in Bethlehem. Michele Rodeghiero won two trophies, one for most improved player and the other for sportsmanship. Erin Rowan was honored as champion in her group and Maria Adonizio took the championship of her group. Eric Rodeghiero was named most improved player as well.

1994 – 25 YEARF AGO

The Little League Tournament of Champions was set to begin. Included were two undefeated teams, First Bank of Pittston led by Bobby Shook and Chris Kroski, and First Eastern Bank of Duryea with championship hopefuls Jim Salitis and Kevin Shotwell. Sponsored by Vullo Tire, the tournament had its inception in 1975, Savo’s Pizza took over from 1985 to 1990, Mall Merchants sponsored the event in 1991. In 1994, the tournament was sanctioned by National Little League organization for the first time.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1861 — In the first major battle of the Civil War, Confederate forces defeat the Union Army along Bull Run near Manassas Junction, Virginia. The battle becomes known as Manassas by the Confederates, while the Union calls it Bull Run.

1865 — Wild Bill Hickok kills gunman Dave Tutt in Springfield, Missouri, in what is regarded as the first formal quick-draw duel.

1925 — John Scopes is found guilty for teaching evolution in Dayton, Tenn. and is fined $100.

1954 — The French sign an armistice with the Viet Minh that ends the war but divides Vietnam into two countries.

1960 — Sirimavo Bandaranaike becomes the first woman prime minister of Ceylon.

BORN THIS DAY

1899 — Ernest Hemingway, American novelist and short-story writer

1911 — Marshall McLuhan, communication theorist (“The Medium is the Message”)

1920 Isaac Stern, Russian-born violinist

1943 Tess Gallagher, American writer

1952 Robin Williams, American comedian and actor

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Peeking into

the Past

Judy Minsavage

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